Relatively unknown singer Monika Kuszynska was announced as the Polish artist for Eurovision 2015 with her song “In the Name of Love”. In a year that’s shaping up to be filled with ballads, Monika’s song seemed destined to be lost among the masses. But Monika has a notable backstory – after being injured in a car crash, she is now paraplegic. And that puts a new spin on the song lyrics.
As the lyrics show, “In the Name of Love” is a song about overcoming odds, of getting past challenges and fears. Most people can relate to this, but Monika’s own experience as a person with a disability puts a sharper spin on the lyrics. She sings “I wanna tell you it’s gonna be better” – and things have got better for her, from the devastating car crash in 2006 to representing her country at Eurovision less than a decade later.
As Monika explained, “Through my artistic activity I’m trying to promote the idea to connect two different worlds, which seemed to be incompatible. The world of able-bodied and disabled people. The bridge of understanding between them is getting stronger and I believe that one day all the borders will disappear.”
In a year of “building bridges”, it seems that Monika will come to Vienna not just with a song, but also an important mission.
What do you think? Does Monika’s backstory bring extra depth to the song? Or is it just another ballad?
“In the Name of Love” lyrics – Monika Kuszynska (Poland)
Every time you’re brokenhearted, sinking in the sorrow
Feel the emptiness and have no faith, no strength to breathe
I wanna tell you
It’s gonna be better
You’ve got a greatness within you
Beyond the fear
Let’s build a bridge
From heart to heart
In the name of love
Every time you struggle with a fear about tomorrow
Call the angels for the guidance, find another way
I wanna tell you
It’s gonna be better
You’ve got a greatness within you
Beyond the fear
Let’s build a bridge
From heart to heart
In the name of love
Give a like if you want to see Edyta Górniak representing Poland in 2016:
https://www.facebook.com/edytagorniaknaeurowizje
Monika was asked to represent Poland in Spetember/October 2014 so do not compare it to the spontaneous choice of Finnish people.
The song is a bit monotone…it does not convince me…I do feel that except Finland’s entry there are no other “love to hate” entries…most are pleasant and it becomes difficult to choose from…but this entry won’t be one on top of my list…
Prince-Austria ‘. oh come on this song is miles better than finlands song. it’s pretty clear that most people don’t like punk and it isn’t a great punk song either… also do you think people would have liked that song if it wasn’t sung by disabled people? i don’t think so
@honest What about Boggie from Hungary?
Please, stop with the ‘relatively unknown’ line. She was the lead singer of one of the most successful bands here in early-to-mid 00’s, and the car accident itself was number one story in every news report at the time.
Sure, she wasn’t among the choices we were expecting, but she is an accomplished singer with lots of fans.
To follow up Robyn’s great point. Cystic Fibrosis often means impaired breathing function, something that Bianca has said that singing helps with!
I don’t think Monica’s disability will have an impact on the voting. It is a song contest, so the song matters. Her song is really beautiful. Comparing this entry to the Finnish one is for me totally incomprehensible with reference to the quality. Maybe not many readers remember, but in 2002 Germany were represented by a blind woman and her song finished… 21st! And it was a time when only televoting decided, so the song matters. As for the bookies, Finland is very high, because their song is something unusual, very surprising and it is a debut of the punk.… Read more »
Welcome to Disabled Person Song Contest! We got 2 – Poland and Finland. Will there be more?
Yeah, that will help her because song isn’t that good.
The Polish song is mildly engaging. The Finnish song is a screech fest that doesn’t qualify as music. Making a comparison is an insult to Monika…
When I first heard this song, I thought: “OMG! ANOTHER ballad in a year FULL of ballads. What are these countries thinking?” Though it’s a lovely song with a great message (kudos to her), we really need to have more variety. Hopefully Sweden and some others will send something more upbeat!
@Prince-Austria, I have to respectfully disagree. I think many of us here have issues with the Finnish song because we simply don’t like the song (and not necessarily the genre as I for one love rock music). If I closed my eyes (and thus had no idea either act was disabled), I would choose the Polish song over the Finnish song because I think the former is musically more engaging, more emotional, and LESS generic. The one thing I will agree with you on is that I have noticed as well many people on here are generally biased in support… Read more »
@Prince-Austria My thoughts exactly, thank you for your eloquence.
Dhani: This year we have 16ballad and maybe there is more!!! First semi has full of ballad so THIS YEAR WE HAVE BALLADS . I hate ballads, I think this year will be FINLAND,ITALY, ESTONIA & SLOVENIA. Maybe Sweden if they send Måns
Everyone seems to have forgotten that she participated in Eurovision selection in 2003 with Varius Manx singins “Sonny”. Still one of my favourites songs Poland has never sent to Eurovision. This was the ear when Ich Troje sung Keine Grenzen. Please post the music video to “Sonny” to let people see how she was before the accident
Interesting double standard in dealing with disabled performers and songs in this year’s ESC: If Poland chooses a young and beautiful woman in a wheelchair with the kind-of-middle-of-the-road-generic-self-empowerment-through-patience-ballad the ESC gay mafia is tolerant and understanding. If a Finnish hardcore punk band consisting of middle-aged-hetero-men with disabilities shouting out their anger at the world with an unpatient Fuck-You-Attitude the gaylords turn their noses away in disgust. Shame on you: Finland will succeed and Poland will get some pity votes. You’re really hypocrits 🙁 Greetings from a fairy gay prince in Vienna with disgust 🙁
It is a song contest no matter the story behind the songs is what we shall discuss. And the song I don’t think is special ! Why did all countries this year not send good songs? It is 60s anniversity and I’ve had hope for good songs hits from all countries. No one have sent a winner!
Dear, WiwiBloggs…. please stop calling her unknown. She may not be famous like current singers of Doda, Margaret, Sylwia etc. but for sure she is not UNKNOWN. She was the lead singer for 6 years (2000-2006) of one of the most popular Polish bands EVER, their golden era lasted over a DECADE (1994 till accident in 2006). They recieved diamond album for the highest number of golden and platinum albums ever. Only kids and young teens may not know her from music. She was also a coach on “Battle of choirs” in 2012 (5th place) and been on television many… Read more »
I feel much sympathy 4 her and im very touched..
Im connected to her and i want this angel to do well in Vienna..
Her story really got me.. <3
I quite like the song but I feel if she is in the wheelchair on stage in Vienna it might come across as she’s pulling for sympathy votes.
@Dhani
Hah I know, very year the same complaints from everyone. It may be a ballad heavy year so far but that’s nothing to complain about. I’d be in heaven if it were 100% ballads hah
honest, check out the Romanian entry too.
I think that her disability will get votes, it’s the nature of empathy and that’s just human. This song could go unnoticed but it will be remembered.
I find the song nice though a little generic and not too exciting.
BTW a disabled singer named Ron Weinreich was runner up in the 2013 KDAM with a very different type of song – joyful and energetic. I loved that song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuThW8AQyr4
It is surely going to help her on the night against other, perhaps more powerful ballads. With that said, I don’t believe the Polish broadcaster chose her because they thought her disability could be an advantage, that would be just cynic.
Hopefully with both Poland and Finalnd, the public and the jury will vote with their ears.
stop saying that its a year full of ballads all the time!! people complain about it every year!!
Yes it will help her but I do not care.
I think it helps the song because Monika is actually the only act in ESC so far that has a real, emotional song, doesn’t scream, and knows what she’s singing about. That’s the role of music, translating emotions. I don’t think the fact she’s on a wheelchair will get her plenty of votes. But the emotional value of the song will!