When Eneda Tarifa won Albania’s Festivali i Kënges back in December, it was easy to understand why Albanians got behind her. Eneda has a controlled, powerful voice and she can belt it out with the ease and precision of a sniper. She’s also got that Holllywood sheen — golden tresses, a matte complexion and enviable décolletage.
Her song — known then as “Përrallë” (Fairytale) — had great potential too. It oozed mystery and soul and, even though I had no idea what she was singing about, sister sounded like she was in pain and really made me feel it. It needed a revamp to give it shape and make it more dynamic in the second half, but surely Albania — the nation that transformed Juliana Pasha’s “It’s All About You” — could handle that.
Apparently not. The much-anticipated revamp and music video dropped on Sunday and “Fairytale” has turned into a total nightmare. Gone is the beautiful Albanian language, replaced with dubious English that really kills the atmosphere. The English-language lyrics are very ESL and at times sound like they were written by someone who still reads fairy tales: “This tale of love, larger than dreams….so many tears, all the craziness and rage, tale of love, the message is love can bring change.” As we now know, change isn’t always a good thing…
Visually this is a train wreck that may just rival Serhat’s “I Didn’t Know” for worst video of the year. Playing with a fairytale theme is fine — when you’re at Junior Eurovision. But this is the big leagues and the video just does not work. It opens with Eneda playing the part of a sexed-up Little Red Riding Hood — and one wearing a rug on her head — before she goes all Dumbledore in an observatory, which appears to be made of cardboard cut-outs spray painted gold. We did this for a school play when I was 13 — and we were backed neither by a record label nor a television broadcaster.
Many of our readers share our dismay. On our Instagram account some describe the song as “horrible” and “so bad.” They aren’t just throwing shade. They are also sharing their disappointment, which follows their high hopes. Instagram user escnetherlands writes that “It was so amazing before” — and punctuates his comment with emoticon tears.
Eneda Tarifa — “Fairytale” (revamp)
Eneda Tarifa — “Përrallë” (original version)
What do YOU think? Is “Fairytale” a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare? Should Eneda switch back to Albanian ASAP, or at least include an Albanian verse and chorus? Let us know in the comments box below. And be sure to vote in our poll to let us know what you think. You can vote for as many options as you like, but you can only vote ONE time. Be sure to click the box next to each opinion you support before pressing submit.
OK than she can win too,If Conchita and Sweden won she can win too,
And dear William,when was the Albanian version nobody like it and now they say albanian version it is better?This song is amazing but people are jealous from Albanians.
Eurovision sucks and always will stay the same,now I understand why Turkey got away.
Who are you to judge our songs! You guys go get a life first, then come and judge this song. What kind of qualification do you have in music? The “rug” in her head is a traditional outfit material used for years and years in Albania, she has just given another shape to a head cover, it is usually used as material for a skirt.
Wow! Is it possible that the producers think that the revamp is better than the original?! The verses are OK, I guess, but the chorus is such an anti-climax!!! I didn’t particularly cared about the verses before neither, but I really loved the original chorus, it was dramatic and intense, and now it’s just…blah… It’s become even weaker than the verses… Such a dissapointment… I was rooting for Albania to qualify, but now…I don’t know (and worse, I don’t even care anymore).
Actually I adore her feet too! !
I actually like the revamp, I wasn’t sure at first, but after a few listens I’ve grown to appreciate the new arrangements. What I do think was a downgrade is that it lost some of the dramatism inherent in the Albanian language, but I wouldn’t go as far as calling this a nightmare. I only remember the nightmare that was One Night’s Anger in 2014 and this change is certainly NOT as bad. Finally, I agree that comparing the video to Serhat’s is exaggerating.
Somehow i liked the original version but now its a typical love song and thats not a compliment to good love songs. It gets boring very easily. My advice don’t sing it in English. The video is to mixed up, had the scenes with the swing.
Personally, I’m not bothered by the English lyrics/translation. Let’s not act like it’s so horribly done, it’s certainly no worse than Elhaida’s song from last year. Now, I loved that song to pieces (tbh it was probably my favourite out of everything) but you can’t tell me (as a native English speaker) that the English in ‘I’m Alive’ wasn’t somewhat broken. To me, the English lyrics here aren’t NEARLY as clunky as a whole. The second verse is a bit run-on and unusual/non-sensical but I can look past it. It really does boil down to the production changes. Give it… Read more »
It was not the language’s fault that “Fairytale” became so bad, they did change the music, so all the dramatic stuff disappeared.
I don’t think the revamp is as bad as some are on about but I think we just had our expectations up too high. The power she has lost in the new version I suspect she’ll bring live on the night.
It was in trouble regardless.
I think changing to English was something that they had to do but they have not done it well in regards to other parts of the revamp.The video itself is hideous.
They took a powerful song and made it bland as sh*t.
The arrangement is really underwhelming, and not that I expect Eurovision songs’ lyrics to be Nobel prize material, but still I hoped for something a tad more inspired than “That’s why I love you, Oh I love you”.
No final for Albania with this downgrade of a revamp :'(
@Will: Point accepted.
Sally J no you conparing tjis to sergat is funny , this song its true that is not as good as in albanian wich it has chances to turn back as it was but serhat has no chance to qualify and the video sucs and its just to awful. At least she is giving some diva realness with diffrent dresses and mistical feelings. I want albania at least to change the refrain in albanian so it keeps the power then it might qualify
LOL. This video is hilariously, hysterically AWFUL. Don’t insult Serhat by comparing this to that. At least his video looks expensive. And note to @EIEspana — look at the poll results. Everyone hates this song not just this web site. Don’t be so butthurt
@Lanti: That’s why they need someone who is an expert in wordplay. A direct translation of the lyrics from one language to another may make the translated version sound weird. But 2 years ago, Pollapönk from Iceland did a kick-ass job reworking their lyrics from the Icelandic “Enga Fordóma” to the English “No Prejudice”.
Hersi’s original “Zemërimi I Një Natë” had an unusual combination of traditional and modern beats; and with that, and her singing in Albanian, made me believe that this was a potential top-5 finisher in 2014…Until they revamped the music to sound more pop-rockish and switched to English; and the wordplay between the Albanian and English lyrics bore little resemblance.
Ultimately, Hersi failed to qualify for the Grand Final. Methinks Eneda and her team should consider going back to the Albanian version.
the only nightmare here it is wiwiblogs and all people.
Her song is amazing,now go f… yourslef wiwiblogs
Nonsense. The original was pretty dull and would have gone nowhere. This is way better, with a nice R&B vibe that the original lacked. The video is actually quite cool. But the comparisons to Serhat are beyond asinine. Come on, Will – you’re better than this! Why is there no such similar criticism on the lyrics of the cheesy UK song?
@cheesecake 100% agree
It’s not English that ruined the song, it’s new arrangement. Song lost its power completely. Eneda is awesome singer, her live is prob going to be good, but her song could’ve been MUCH better
They removed the orchestral and rock elements to the song…and frankly that’s all it really had going for it. It could have been made into something truly grand and epic, but they left us with garbage.
Indeed, they’ve really “butchered” it, the original one was easily one of the best entries this year…
Song destroyed not so much because it’s in English now but the production. Awful and cheap
@DutchGuy
Yeah, Albanian version was rather forgettable, but the translation is very bad. It dwindled down from 33’rd to 39’th spot on my list.
Albania’s song didn’t get a good placing at eurovision fan top’s, always at the bottom. Besides that alot of people forgot about this song in the competition, it didn’t had anything special. It was all just forgettable. Now i hear the revamp i still don’t like it very much, but atleast i won’t forget this song.
A nightmare, but not beautiful. They have took away all the power and emotion. And, I don’t know how the lyrics were in Albanian, but in English they are very simple. The original version needed a change, but no in this way. I would have prefer Aslajdon Zaimaj with “Merrmë që sot”, that was something innovative with different styles in one song but well-made.
Those feet need some oil and honey on them and after i would lick them forever between her fingers mmmmm
Went from roughly the top of my meh list, say about position 20, to bottom of it, about 32. Wasn’t going to vote for it anyway but disappointed nonetheless.
I wouldn’t say nightmare, but unfortunately it has lost a lot of the nerve and intensity that was present in the original version. Now it just sounds streamlined and soulless. And had they just kept it in Albanian, then some of the authenticity may have been saved.
I think Albania should use the old arrangement but keep the structure of the new version so that it meets the time limit.
@Leaf
Oh god, I think you may be right. There’s always a WTF moment and this is probably going to be it…
The revamp is horrible.
But they could send someone who is silent for three minutes and still are going to get their 12 Televote points from Switzerland and Macedonia. This is why the new voting system is crap… #DiasporaVoting
I agree that it’s worse than before, but I honestly I think this article is way too negative. Come on guys, most of you didn’t even like the Albanian version, don’t act now as if you thought it was a masterpiece. And comparing the video to Serhat’s is just ridiculous.
The EN lyrics seem to be direct translations off the AL version, so there’s nothing majorly wrong with the meaning (or the lyrics in general, since Google Translate seems responsible for a lot of ESC lyrics, and the rhyme/syllable count isn’t a disaster). But removing the baseline made the song sound really clunky, and that’s the change I like the least. I wonder what it would be like if it was EN lyrics with the baseline.
Albanian ballad sound so much better in albanian language. They ruined good song from 2011,2014,2016 with change the languge.
Only uptempo song like from 2009,2010 sound better in english or the same as in albanian. Best revamp of song they made in 2010 , and they have for me best backing vocals in past 10 year at eurovision stage.
I like this revamped version, but it misses the rock which can be heard in Albanian version. She was a rock-chic, now she is just a pop princess..
A little lesson for all: stop with all unnecessary changes. English lyrics don’t fit every song. I guess I didn’t care much for Perralle before, but it was a lot better than this. It almost seams cheap, despite having one of better done videos. Non-contender for me. Hope Italy does better.
This revamp was the most hilarious stuff i’ve heard this Eurovision. And that’s why i love you? HAHAHAHA, are they considering sending this? Sorry Albania but you’re definitely a contender…for last place at semi final!
This will qualify, I don’t like it BUT I have a feeling it will enter the final.
It will be the WTF moment of the semi final and fans will cry cos one of their favorites lost to this one.
Oh i would like to lick her feet her nails so bad. Please somebody help me.
I do prefer the Albanian version but this isn’t that bad. Comparing the video to serhat too is….reaching quite far tbh. It’s nowhere near as bad, it’s actually had decent.
But yes compared to the original it’s weaker and the sound has shifted to a light RnB feel which messes with the dark, dramatic performance she gave at FiK
You all know that this is the translation of the Albanian lyrics, don’t you? She sang “Te dua” in the old version, which means “I love you” So nothing is wrong about it.
They said that we can chnage the version of the song, by having a poll, thats why this poll is created.
Pls vote for your favorite version. Thanks 🙂
The original version was not great to begin with, but it was ok… They ruined the low chances they had with that English translation and that dull revamp.
Albania consistently does this It happened in 2009, 2011 and 2014.. The song wins in Albanian and it gets a bizarre English translation. What does “Carry me into your dreams” and “one night’s anger even mean”?!?!?!? (I will concede it worked in 2010)
Their best result (questionably) came from a song in….ALBANIAN.
nightmare …. it lost all the power, drama, SOUL!!!
As it happens, I didn’t like the original very much. I like the re-vamp even less. I’m so sorry Albania. I wish i had something positive to say. Better luck next year.
I’m hoping she makes the live performance dramatic as the FiK performance.
Everything is removed, now this a is a sound of silence
This is kinda tricky. 😮
this WAS the finest song of the season until they took a hatchet to it and removed that mesmeric deep brooding bassline.
Now it won’t even qualify to the final