Hovi Star drew a decidedly mixed reaction when he was announced as the winner of Israel’s The Next Star for Eurovision 2016. The problem wasn’t him as a performer, but rather the fact that his song “Made of Stars” didn’t really suit him. Well now the team behind the song has revealed a remastered entry. The revamp works well with Hovi’s voice and personality — and greatly increases Israel’s chances of success in Stockholm.
The new version is an R&B ballad. Yet the piano and strings give this a classical, almost symphonic feel and the anthemic chorus will make many clap. And best of all — the video has drones!
“Made Of Stars” – The Eurovision version
Speaking exclusively to wiwibloggs, Doron Medalie, the composer behind “Made of Stars”, said that they always had plans to tweak the song ahead of Eurovision. Public reaction sped the process along. He explained the revamp this way:
“I decided to connect to Hovi’s real musical roots. He is half American, and loves big R&B ballads. So I turned the song into a ballad, revamped the chorus and wanted to make everybody feel the real message of the song: We must start looking at humanity in a different way. We are all made of stars. We are all equal. We must overcome the differences that tear us apart.”
In that sense, the song could apply to the ongoing refugee crisis or indeed intolerance to any group of people.
We react to the revamp:
Our original reaction:
wiwibloggers Denise, Padraig and William were among those who criticised the song in our YouTube reaction. We were touched to learn that Doron had watched our video and took on some of our comments. As he says:
“I thank you for criticizing me and my song, in a professional way, and not in a violent way. I wish everybody would learn a lesson from you guys. When I watched your video blog, I kind of realized what’s wrong. This is not updated enough, and not touching either of two important points — fun or emotion.”
“Made Of Stars” – The first version
Do you like the new version of “Made Of Stars”? Can Israeli qualify to the grand final?
ISRAEL: This is of the most BEAUTIFULS songs this year with Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, France and deserves not only final maybe a top 5 why not? is better than others with more points in the tops of everything…
Totally in love with this. Winner for me <3
This is emotional and has climbed way up on my list. I see top10 material and I am only hoping juries won’t undermine it. Good job Israel!
I liked the old version very much, but this one is very nice too. Well done, Israel.
I love it
This is a really beautiful song! I love it! Top 3.
The original was better, with some dancers and small changes it could have been in the tops but the new versions sucks, I give my vote to France.
Oh and give him a hair cut.
Very good revamp, though the first three notes of the chorus resemble to the chorus of Molitva (Serbia 2007). I hope is just a coincidence.
This is by far one of the most underrated songs in the contest, as well as Denmark. I think people underestimate how powerful this song is and the strong message it sends.
Whenever he says Made of Stars ….. I hear Molitva !!!!!!!
I liked the first version better.
@Huh
People on Youtube also hated Roberto Bellarosa (13th) and Rona Nishliu (6th) in 2013. They don’t know nothing 100%
Ok, so here are my reviews of the songs that were unveiled during the weekend: Sweden: This was by far one of the weakest Melodifestivalens in recent years, evidenced by the fact that Frans won with 13% of the vote, with 11 other songs gathering between 6% and 9% and the juries being equally split. I am all for Frans’ simplicity and directness but he loses extra points for the obvious plagiarism. I think the EBU should start enforcing some rules and putting its house in order, but fat chance of doing that as far the swedes are concerned. So… Read more »
Wow, was this even remotely similar to the version I heard at the national final? That’s called good revision… The only criticism is that I feel like he should go for the high notes right away in the final chorus rather than waiting until the second half of that chorus. The song teases you a lot and I wish it hit real big right at the start of that chorus. Of course, if this song goes through anything of a transformation similar to the one Cyprus’s went through last year, that very well could happen when we hear it in… Read more »
I love this version!
This song had bypassed me, so I hadn’t heard the original, just like most people voting on the night, I only have this video to judge. This is a good song and deserves to qualify. If it’s sung well live, I think a top 10 finisher. This might be the surprise of the night.
Nofar was better than Hovi. Thats a fact. This would not go to final. It’s boring and too slow.
It is still not good but is much better than the original.
Google german word verschlimmbessern, it became boring.
I wasn’t a big fan of the first version, but at least it was something that stood out. Now it’s a completely different song, an ordinary and boring one.
I prefer the first version more but this new one actually makes it stand out from the rest of the pop-dance ballads in the semis so fingers crossed that it all works out well again for Israel this year
The elephant in the room is that the diva that’s dying to burst out of Hovi is now nearly contained and emasculated. It’s ironic that someone who loves to let his voice soar, show off his musical pedigree and dress provocatively is forced to tone down everything by a few notches. The original version was a non-starter and this version is trying to save face, but there’s no way it can resonate with 2016 music marketing trends.
For me this is not a new version but a new song. A good one, too. It holds potential for a powerful live performance and I can finally be proud of my country’s entry this year. Well done.
My TOP 10 for I semifinal wihout Malta
1.Czech Republic
2.Russia
3.Estonia
4.Armenia
5.Azerbaijan
6.Croatia
7.Hungary
8.Cyprus
9.Iceland
10.Bosnia
My TOP 10 in II semifinal without Bulgaria
1.Latvia
2.Serbia
3.Ukraine
4.Poland
5.Norway
6.Australia
7.Belgium
8.Romania
9.Belarus
10.Denmark
Big 5 and host
1.Italy
2.France
3.Germany
4.Spain
5.United Kingdom
6.Sweden
My TOP 10 without Malta,Bulgaria
1.Czech Republic
2.Russia
3.Latvia
4.Serbia
5.Italy
6.France
7.Ukraine
8.Poland
9.Estonia
10.Armenia
Listening to them side by side, I do prefer the original. It had much more bite and featured the key change to end all key changes! I like the new one too though and I’m sure we’ll all get used to it.
Same as Belgium 2013. This revamp put Israel in my top 10 -15. I almost cried listening. Good job e good luck.
I thought he was singing the other lady’s song??? Now he’s back to this total crap. Ok… this does not make it any better. Boring and very difficult for Israel to qualify.
Liked the original better
My predcition for draw , because draw decide host and reference group full of members from western nordic countries and SVT like uptempo song for opening and close or song with tehnical inovation
I semifinal
1.Russia
2.San Marino
3.Croatia
4.Hungary
5.Armenia
6.Moldova
7.Greece
8.Finland
9.The Netherlands
10.Azerbaijan
11.Estonia
12.Czech Republic
13.Bosnia Herzegovina
14.Austria
15.Montenegro
16.Malta
17.Cyprus
18.Iceland
For II semifinal
1.Latvia
2.Belarus
3.Serbia
4.Poland
5.F.Y.R Macedonia
6.Lithuania
7.Switzerland
8.Israel
9.Australia
10.Ireland
11.Ukraine
12.Bulgaria
13.Belgium
14.Albania
15.Romania
16.Slovenia
17.Norway
18.Georgia
19.Denmark
Version bad and boring. Freedom boring song of the year. Place far away from the competition
Very shameful !!!
Most boring ballad of the year by far, I think I even liked the previous version better.
It’s not the worst track in the contest now, but due to this performer, I very much doubt if it makes it through. I mean, who will vote for him? At least, as an album track I can actually listen to it without cringing. It’s an improvement, but it won’t help them. Moran Mazor 2.
I really think the first version was much better. At least it was catchy. I can’t get all the hate it got. But now y’all be happy, because you just got served your favorite boring ballad.
So they did make the whole song more suitable for his voice, but that meant to remove the “punch” of the chorus and the dynamism of the song. I’m a bit confused, I don’t know if I like it more yet.
Miles ahead of the original version. Well done Israel
Definitely an improvement. Ballad style goes way better with his voice and the tone. Still not in my top, but get at least few places up. Good choice to revamp, Israel.
Now THATS how to do a revamp!
Take notes Albania.
well, 2 hours ago i hate the new version and i thought:”dame it! it is not get into the top 10 of the semi” 2 hours later i get in love in this version….
mr. Israel from Israel
nah
its like a watered down azerbaijan from last year
I don’t know. I feel this like last year’s Macedonia’s entry “Autumn Leaves”. That didn’t qualify, why would this?
BUT, Macedonia last year had one HUGE FAIL as a stage presence, so lets see what Israel has to offer.
The hate for this entry is unjustified, in my opinion. This is a powerful ballad made memorable by its lyrics and the performer’s great voice. It’s good music; not the best, but then this contest is not all about being the best. Just enjoy the music, please. Thank you x
Much much better! Now I really like this song. It deserves the final. Good job Israel!
This version is very emotional ! I fear that this will not make it to the finals. Does anyone know why the video from the official eurovision youtube account was deleted? Are they going back to the other version.
It is wayyy different and is wayyy better!
This is much more than just a revamp … this is crafting a song from scratch and giving it the true feeling it failed to expressed initially … and now it has finally found it …. Impressed, really impressed. But in true Eurovision fashion … I see club-bangers and Russian-schalger-bs-lover hating this to death …
Huge difference, officially this song have soul for eurovision. Smart moves and vocal changes that are much more calmful now and with same greatness more powerful ( fits his voice as it have to, chorus did very well ) . Definitely finals, fingers cross for 1st place.
This is like a million times better now. Beautiful.
This version is so weak, so boring and so good for jury in this situation.
This is extremely stupid combining, which is supported and propagated by jury. Go to hell!!!
Maybe Israel wants to be first from bottom, but I think jury may give many points to this crap and even this goal will be impossible to realization.