A three-part national selection, a spat between last year’s winner and this year’s queen, and talk of an English-language revamp. Yes, things have been moving fast in Albania following Festivali i Këngës.
And things aren’t slowing down, as Eurovision 2017 act Lindita Halimi released the studio version of her winning song “Botë” on December 27.
Listening to the studio version shows us just how well Lindita sang at the Festival, as the differences between the live version and studio version are minimal. That is how a winner sings!
In fact, Lindita seems more powerful in the live version, as the real performance captures the texture of her voice and the charisma she exudes even better than a digitally remastered track.
While everyone agrees that Lindita has a killer voice, people are divided about how she should proceed with the song — and whether she should keep it at all. Just scroll through the YouTube comments on the above video to see what we mean.
“Sounds amazing,” Milino writes. “I hope they don’t revamp the hell out of it. It sounds great the way it is.”
Edd disagrees: “Classic Festivali i Këngës crap – Lindita PLEASE call up a contemporary songwriter in Albania, because you have so much potential that is wasted on this dated, un-catchy, dull flop…”
At the end of the day, Lindita is steering this train and she’ll decide what and how and when to make any tweaks. As for now we’ll have to trust that this Kosovar beauty will do what’s best for her — and for Albania at Eurovision.
What do YOU think? Are you loving the studio version of the song? To what extent should Lindita adjust or revamp her number? Let us know in the comments box below.
@Ruud Buscher I know… hence it truly is the best song so far… who could disagree with that? haha
It might be good in English because she actually has lived in English speaking countries and understands the language. So it won’t be like last year where it was more Yoda than English.
@Sascha This is the only song in ESC 2017 so far lol
This is the best song in ESC 2017 so far! So don’t make it worse… I know I’m asking a lot.
I heard a rumor that it is possible to have a new song from her to enter ESC. Botë seems… too tailored for just FIK, and Lindita doesn’t strike me as someone to that would stick with that kind of song fo the event that is ESC. After the relatively good feedback of S’të fal, I don’t discard the chance of having a big more modern song in the future.
I’m all for an English version! just hoping that she leaves some parts in Albanian to give the song that native touch that the juries are gonna love.
She is better-sounding live; and that’s a GOOD thing for Eurovision.
As for the song itself, I would keep the arrangement that’s there now with only a few “enhancements” to certain sounds.
The question of the language only comes into question if the different sounds will affect the music – I’m hoping that it won’t this time. Obviously “Fairytale” was a disaster in English last time because of the “uh-oh” and “ah-aah” sounds in the middle of lyrical phrases (a.k.a. random tellytubby sounds), but this song shouldn’t have that same problem.
I love this song – and even more in the live version, when it comes to Lindita’s voice, which bodes well for ESC. I think it is really premature to evaluate her chances of qualification in the final as of now, since it’s only the first song selected in the whole of Europe; not to mention that we haven’t heard the final version of this song which will actually be performed in Kyiv! Personally, I do think it will do well, but I say this only because I like the song, in its present form. After all the songs will… Read more »
The screams similarity to 1944 (literally). Which is where I’m most worried. Her English remake could teeter on imitation more easily. Especially if it mixes BOTH languages. It’s hard to deny how much this song has 1944 vibes.
I like the song a lot but man, this studio version is off as hell. Although not off key, she just seems to not hit the notes or something. Very sad cause I want it on my phone so bad but can’t listen over the little mistakes that are present
love it
she really sells it with her voice in the live version though
can’t see it not being in my top 10
This song has definitely grown on me, I love it. And I’m actually surprised about how good the studio version is – FiK songs often sound a lot better live because of the orchestra, while “Botë” sounds amazing in both versions.
Maybe the fact that Lindita shared this version is a good sign that she won’t change too much about the song, apart from the language. I’m hoping for a bilingual revamp.
I’m not sure Albania will qualify this year.
It’s perceived slightly better now that I listened to it again and it might grow in me a little bit more. But we all know that it is a bad sign for Eurovision when a song is not an instant catch and requires growing in, there is no time for that in the final. However, there is some potential there and with a gentle but more mordern retouching it can become better imho.
But the most distracting thing for me – are these claws of hers. Why every starlet needs a Rihanna style manicure.
I’m not hearing “winner” here, but I like it. Definitely a good power ballad, and it could be goosebump raising with proper staging and setup. Definitely an upgrade from last year.
Studio version is giving me life omg. Its so moody an mysterious! I love it. Maybe even bilingual will help it. All i know is that unless Georgia chooses my fave on the 20th Albania will stay my fave. ((Belarus has no good songs so no competition there.
She is pretty and has a great voice, but i’m worrying about the revamp. Hopefully it won’t destroy the song like with Eneda and Hersi
I do not understand, where all this shade has come from. In my opinion this song picks up from where Elhadi left off
Drop the shade wiwiblogs her song is great and her vocals are winner worthy .
Live it’s even better.
I like the song. I think the live orchestra brought it to life though. The studio version sounds a little basic. I think the revamp should focus on bringing the song to life, maybe adding a couple of modern tweaks to it.