We’re a few days away from the grand final of Israel’s The Next Star for Eurovision 2016, due to be held on Thursday, but today the finalists’ songs have finally been revealed. Can Israel repeat its success of “Golden Boy”? Scroll down to listen and let us know what you think.
In the grand final on March 3 the four finalists will sing original songs. These songs were chosen from more than 100 that were submitted to a professional committee. Eventually three songs were shortlisted and the four finalists picked their favourite song out of those three.
Ella Daniel – “Somebody Out There”
Ella Daniel was born in Azerbaijan and came to Israel when she was only two years old. She writes her own music and has her own unique style.
Her song is “Somebody Out There” with lyrics and music by David Maman and Philip Halloun.
Gil Hadash – “Follow The Sun”
Gil Hadash is a 20-year-old soldier and she has never watched Eurovision â even after advancing in the earlier rounds of this competition. Her song is “Follow The Sun” with lyrics and music by Stav Beger and Tom Gefen.
Hovi Star – “Made of Stars”
Hovi Star is not new to the Israeli audience as he took part in the seventh season of the TV talent show “Kokhav Nolad” (“A Star Is Born”), together with Mei Finegold (Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2014). He didn’t make it to the final, but finished in a very respectful seventh place.
Rumours suggest that Hovi first picked a song that he wrote and wanted to perform it in the final, but the professional committee didn’t approve of his choice. So he had to pick a song from those songs that were shortlisted by the committee.
The song “Made of Stars” was written and composed by Doron Medalie, the brains behind “Golden Boy”, so the expectations are obviously high.
This song will be performed by two artists in the final, Hovi and Nofar, though each of them has a different musical arrangement.
Nofar Salman – “Made of Stars”
Nofar Salman is a 17-year-old schoolgirl who also works as a singing waitress and gets pretty nice tips.
Her song, “Made of Stars”, is the same song Hovi Star is singing, composed by Doron Medalie, the guy behind “Golden Boy”.
Nofar’s version of the song has a different arrangement than Hovi’s version and according to rumors is the first version of that song.
The grand final will be broadcast live on Thursday, March 3, at 20:00 CET. You can watch it live on this link.
Who is your favourite so far? Who do you think would be the best choice for Israel at Eurovision 2016?
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Official photos credit: Ronen AkermanÂ
1. Hovi
2.Ella
3.Nofar
4.Gil
@Idan – I’m not sure I wanna be in their shoes, but I wished that just for once, they will have a proper mini-final with no shortcuts, no conflict of interest and no favoritism towards anyone. They lost me when they decided to approve 2 separate arrangements for ‘Made of Stars’. I don’t vote for something that is so rigged to begin with…
Erin and Nitzan, you guys should have been on the selection committee!
@Nitzan – I understood there would be a super final which means that the two songs with the lowest amount of votes are automatically eliminated around half way through the show. There are other rumors circulating which suggest that at least two of the finalists weren’t happy (to say the least) about the songs allocated to them, but everyone is probably gonna put on a happy face for appearances. Let’s face it, the show started to think in Eurovision terms only when the list of contestants narrowed down to 10 because up until that point the judges were lenient with… Read more »
All agreed. I remember your reservations regarding Mei’s performance in 2014 which turned out to be very justified. When I heard that two singers sing Medalie’s song I assumed it was such a winning song that they couldn’t help themselves. How big was my surprise when I heard that awfully weak song. THIS is the show’s favorite?! The English is a result of Nadav’s success, wrongly thinking that it’s now a key to success. Just like this year most countries wrongly think that the key to success is sending a Swedish-like song. Now I hear that not all songs will… Read more »
@Nitzan – agree with you 100% about Nofar possibly singing in Arabic, because we need as Israelis to walk the walk and not just talk the talk, i.e – if our joint heritage has undeniable Arab sounds, flavors and aromas, this is something that shouldn’t be shied away from when it’s becoming of the performer and a matter of his/her personal choice. However, I find it inexcusable that ‘Made of Stars’ was offered to two singers on the basis of ethnic lines. I find it wrong on so many levels, especially because it betrays the notion of fair play among… Read more »
Erin I don’t get your last point (I have a feeling it might be better this way) but the English issue is on point and, may I add, her singing in English is the essence of being provincial. I can’t remember an ESC year when non-English, non-pop songs were as needed as this year, and Nofar gave us the opportunity to deliver a beautiful ethnic tune in our native tongue. If I would have chosen any other language to compliment it would be Arabic, definitely not English. That is, again, if Nofar was up for the task. I really hope… Read more »
Notice how the 3 songs use an expression, a figure of speech or a verbal imagery and continuously repeat it throughout each of the songs to compensate for a certain absence in actual lyrical beauty and poetic substance. This is usually a sign of weakness, unless the repeated element serves as a focal point to elevate the song and make it memorable from as early on as possible. In this respect, Gil Hadash’s “Follow The Sun” is the only song that achieves that (even though it’s somewhat unfortunate that the verse sound like ‘You know that it would be untrue,… Read more »
Ella allthe way the best out of 4 and theonly song that can bring good results for israel , The best ! If this chosen then Israel is a top5 favorite
1. Ella
2. Nofar
(big gap)
3. Hovi
4. Gil
@mawnck, I’m glad I’m not the only one. Golden Boy did great and Mei and Moran didn’t qualify???? Still confuses me.
ella is no 1. what a great song.
Ella or Gil, in that order, for me. Neither is brilliant but the other two are actively bad.
None of this entries can compare to fabulous “Golden Boy”…. I dont see big chances for Israel this year….
But I love Nofar’s entry… I have expecting more from Hovi’s song… This is.. Bleeh, totaly terrifying…
Such a CHEAP production of all songs… Where is the chorus on Ella’s song? Really dissapointed with Doron Medalie song. After a good entry last year, this one is pure trash…
I love Ella’s song! I also like Gil and Nofar
Hovi probably will win, although he’s my fourth!
Nofar has the best song and an almost mystical voice! Takes you to a deeper place. Gil has fantastic power and I love her song too! Either of these I’d be really happy with!
1- Nofar
2- Gil
3- Ella
4- Hovi
Hovi probably will win đ
really indifferent about all four songs.
The strongest voice and song from these 4 is Gil Hadash with “Follow the Sun”. It has real impact, unlike the others.
Nofar is the best singer and has the best song. no doubt about it.
Gosh, I love all 4!
Gil Hadash is slaying the other three acts! Her song is amazing throughout and it is very 2016 and it really works for me. Ella has a good voice, but the song can be quite boring at times. Hovi has an annoying voice, but it’s the better version for me. Nofar has a good voice, but I don’t really like the version of the song.
1. Gil
2. Ella
3. Nofar
4. Hovi
Nofar I mean XD
Ella.
Overall the songs disappoint me though.
Very disappointing. No-fat made of stars is my favourite but probably won’t qualify anyway.
“Somebody Out There” – Ella I like the build up but it quickly loses all it’s momentum and kind of flatlines for the rest. It tries to change it up as it goes on, but it doesn’t work, in fact it makes it more of a mess. It’s okay, but I don’t think it would qualify. “Follow the Sun” – Gil I like it but I don’t think it’s very Eurovision-esque, even though it’s not something we haven’t seen before. “Made of Stars” – Hovi I don’t really like his voice, but that’s just me. The song arrangement isn’t as… Read more »
I like Nofar the best. Something about her version of the song is captivating and while you can hear elements similar to that of Golden Boy, it’s different and could do well. I just wasn’t into the other two songs and Hovi’s version strikes me as bland.
All of them are horrible options, sorry israel but say bye to the grand final.
Nofar all the way, Ella’s song is nothing special, don’t get what all the fuss is about
as greatest a voice can be, there’s nothing you can do with a WEAK song, and all 3 are plain weak. Ella might as well sing La-La-La the whole 3 minutes and it’ll be the same…big disappointment, big, HUGE!
i’ll pick gil hadash
Ella and Nofar have very strong voices and their songs are very good! I would love to see one of them in Stockholm
Nafar ALL THE WAY!! đ
Ella’s voice is tremendous, and her song is definitely the strongest out of the bunch for me.
Four NQs. So it doesn’t matter.
Of course I said that about “Golden Boy” too, which is as wrong as I’ve ever been about anything. And I STILL just don’t get it about that song.
Ella should win,imo but i feel that Nofar will go to Stockholm.
I had high expectations on “Made of Stars”, but both versions have dissapointed me. After those two, Ella has come and I must say I really like this song! “Somebody out there” is the best from this bunch by a large margin and her voice makes it even better. As the French song: probably not an ESC winner but could be Top 10 .
BTW Erin are you Israeli? Always love reading your well thought reviews.
No Hebrew is utterly disappointing. But Gil is the greatest.
ONLY ELLA PLEASE! WOW!! ISRAEL COULD WIN THIS YEAR! <3
Ella or Gil
It’s Gil or Nofar for me.
BRIMG BACK NADEV GUEDJ!
Nolfar Salmons is the better version and choice for Israel
Gil Hadash please
Number 1 and number 2 is good for top 5 in Euro
Alla is Israeli voice ? very surprising extraordinary voice .
Love them all đ <3
For me best Ella Daniel then Nofar Salman.
Disappointing. As is the absence of the beautiful Hebrew language yet again. I hope for Nofar or Ella anyway.