America may have Destiny’s Child, but Malta has Destiny Chukunyere. On October 26 she revealed her JESC 2015 song “Not My Soul” — and the soul ain’t just in the title! Young Destiny serves Aretha Franklin realness from the very first note. The song is well-paced, builds from verse to verse, and gives Destiny plenty of space to fill it with her enormous vocals and range. It hints at black spirituals from the American South and Motown, yet remains accessible to kids. With this number she’s in prime position to rock the world — from the Ebenezer Baptist Church pulpit in Atlanta to the Junior Eurovision stage in Sofia!
Malta, which has seen its JESC fortunes rise since 2013, continues with its winning formula: little girl, big voice. This time, however, they’ve given their singer a song that isn’t just powerful, but also wildly entertaining. Elton Zarb and Matthew (Muxu) Mercieca, who previously worked with Gaia Cauchi and Federica Falzon, have crafted their first JESC song which could also be a radio hit.
Malta’s JESC 2015 song: “Not My Soul”
Most importantly, Destiny owns this. In the video she wags her finger, shakes her hips, and bobs her head like her life depends on it. She fully commits to the inspirational lyrics about living your life on your own terms and loving every minute of it. Her enthusiasm is contagious — and we can’t help but succumb. What about you?
I LOVE THIS <3 #winner
Where is Gillian Attard this year???
1. Serbia
2. MALTA
3. Macedonia
4. Georgia
5. Ukraine
6. Slovenia
7. Albania
8. Australia
9. Netherlands
10. Armenia
11. Belarus
12. Montenegro
13. Bulgaria
14. Italy
15. Russia
Definitely fresh for ESC/JESC. Not often we hear funk/soul. Song is catchy and her voice is clearly great. These videos though are so strange with all these cutouts and random effects!
Crap song… I am very disappointed… The Singer is Good, but the song is crap!!
It seems like a long time since a song like this was presented at ESC/JESC. And personally, I love it! The opening does sound slightly like ‘Forget You’ but so what? A song that sounded like another actually won the whole contest this year in May. Plus, she seems like she has bags of personality in a sort of Meghan Trainor way.. My favourite entry by miles! 🙂
1.Armenia
2.Georgia
3.Australia
4.Serbia
5.Albania
6.Belarus
7.The Netherlands
8.Slovenia
9.Malta
10.Ukraine
11.F.Y.R Macedonia
12.Russia
13.Bulgaria
14.Montenegro
15.Italy
I see this song in TOP 2 with juries with Australia, but out of TOP 5 with televote.
I think Top 3 with juries wili be
1.Australia
2.Malta
3.Slovenia
TOP 3 with televote
1.Armenia
2.Georgia
3.Australia
And the winner is Australia , some chance to win for Armenia if they wili be in TOP 5 wtih juries
As an American, I cannot get excited over this song, or the Australian entry… there are way too many songs like these around here and many of them-way better. Personally, i would not listen to either. I follow JESC precisely because it gives me something new and soulful-a blend of ethnic music and modern sound, which brings up the diversity and beauty of the European music traditions… it will be Eurocide to have songs like these on the top of Junior Eurovision. Well, may be once ina while it is ok…. But I have to say I do not see… Read more »
More research says that “Forget You” is derived from The O’Jays song “Love Train” from the early 1970’s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2syR4On4xDI
***I hear the sound in common with “not my soul” but that sounded familiar even before I heard “forget you.”***
Yes, it seems to have a 1950’s or 1960’s sound to its root. So the original base might go back decades.
@jj I’m pretty sure I’ve heard other songs that sound like both “forget you” and “not my soul.” I had not heard “forget you” before today. I hear the sound in common with “not my soul” but that sounded familiar even before I heard “forget you.”
It’s recycling the tune of “Forget You” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MRC8wNSpq4
Eurovision and Junior Eurovision are most always recycling and borrowing music from pop music of years past.
I love this song!! I would rather this win than Australia (And i am an Aussie myself). MY 4th favourite after Armenia, Ukraine & Slovenia! She is going to rock the stage in Sofia
This is the best so far!!! I am not expecting much from San Marino and my country Ireland so it looks like this will be my favourite for the win!!!
4 / 10
The style is definitely something different for Eurovision, and I like that we have such a wide range of styles represented this year. However, compared to other music of its type, I don’t find a lot that is very catchy or original in this song. Having said that, this is not really my type of music, so maybe there are some artistic details that I am not used to listening for. I’m probably not the best judge for this song.
Just WoW ilove this !!
1-Australia 10/10
2-Malta/Albania 9.5/10
4-Slovenia 9/10
5-Armenia 8.5/10
6-The Netherlands 8/10
7-Italy 7.5/10
8-Serbia 7/10
9-Russia 6/10
10-FYR Macedonia 6/10
11-Belarus 5.5/10
12-Ukraine 5/10
13-Montenegro 4.5/10
14-Bulgaria 4.5/10
15-Georgia 3/10
I love it, and it’s in my top 3 (with Slovenia and Australia) which I wouldn’t mind winning. However, there are similarities to “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green, and I worry that If this won, there’d be some complaints from some delegations.
Watch out Australia!
Malta’s song definitely caters to ALL groups: kids, adults and it’s danceable.
Of course pending on staging, it might be Malta 2016: The Marsa Shipyard Strikes Back!
This looks like it will look perfect on the stage too. Like a little explosion of happiness. XD
OMG!!! malta for the win!!! the best song so far!!!! wwwwwwooooooooooowwww.
out of all entries this is the most appropriate for Jesc..it’s just fun!
OMG!!! malta for the win!!! the best song so far!!!! wwwwwwooooooooooowwww
Top 3 please!! However, I’m kind of aware that it reminds me of “Forget You” by Cee Lo Green.
This is the kind of music I listened to as a kid, so it’s always very special for me when Eurovision uses it. What a fun song – probably my new favorite.
Top 3
Step away Australia, I have a new favourite 😉
OMG THIS IS THE BEST!!
And yes, I hear similarities with “Forget you”, but the song is still good
My top 10:
1. Armenia
2. Malta
3. Russia
4. Slovenia
5. Serbia
6. Australia
7. Georgia
8. FYR Macedonia
9. Albania
10. The Netherlands
@EugeneESCUK
Does Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You” ring a bell?
LOOOOOOVE THIS!! It goes straight to my top3, no doubt a contender this year, really catchy with great vocals and great music, WELL DONE MALTA!!
Well done Malta, well done :]
Great! Really unique in this year’s contest and this girl owns the song. Really nice and fresh. Congratulations for the third year in a row, Malta! My current top 15:
1. Serbia – 9.8/10
2. Ukraine – 9.5/10
3. Slovenia – 9.4/10
4. Malta – 9.0/10
5. Australia – 8.8/10
…………………….
6. Armenia – 7.2/10
7. The Netherlands – 7.2/10
8. Albania (new version) – 6.8/10
9. Russia (new version) – 6.7/10
10. Bulgaria – 6.5/10
11. FYROM – 6.3/10
12. Italy – 6.0/10
13. Belarus – 6.0/10
14. Montenegro – 5.7/10
15. Georgia – 5.2/10
Definite contender. Love it!
This song must make the top 3! It will certainly stand out amongst all the ballads this year. Her voice will appeal to the jury and the overall feel-good song and performance will score highly in the televoting – I think we could have a winner here. 🙂
@Callum This song certainly deserves to win. but looking at what happened with malta last year with such a unique entry, i am afraid the same will happen this year.
o m g … this is reaaally good
Malta is in it to win it for the third year in a row!
@Error – a contender?? You mean THE WINNER!!
finally, a song i can stand behind
Well done. A Great song that fits perfectly Destiny’s unique voice. A song that will rock Sofia. #teamdestiny #notmysoul
Love it, such sass 😛
Very cool!! Very uptempo. I like it a lot.
Love it! A contender for the win.