She’s a musical chameleon who won Georgia’s edition of Your Face Sounds Familiar in 2013.
And tonight Tako Gachechiladze added another talking point to her CV as she won Georgia’s national selection for Eurovision 2017 with her mysterious power ballad “Keep The Faith”.
Wearing a hip-hugging golden dress, she cut a chic and elegant form as she stood centre stage hitting note after note.
Proving that she knows how to light it up, her glittering gown literally glowed at key moments, suggesting she’ll head to Eurovision with drama in mind.
Tako Gachechiladze, who won our fan poll ahead of the national final, raised eyebrows for reasons beyond her stunning voice and glowing dress.
Her performance included provocative images of world events on the LED, including footage of planes crashing into the Twin Towers on 9/11 — and a newspaper splash that said “Russia invades Geo…”, which we’re confident refers to the Caucasus nation.
Note the subtle political message in the background: "Russia invades Georgia" #eurovision #georgia pic.twitter.com/MEfusmt2MW
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) January 20, 2017
The LED backing references military tensions and clashes between Georgia and South Ossetian separatists that led to the Russo-Georgian War in 2008.
Tako is no stranger the issue, as she was part of Stephane & 3G — Georgia’s Eurovision 2009 act that was banned from Eurovision for its politically themed number “We Don’t Wanna Put In”.
They sang: “We don’t wanna put in/Cuz negative move/ It’s killin’ the groove/I’m gonna try to shoot in/Some disco tonight/Boogie with you.”
Prior to Georgia’s national final, Tako told our Georgia correspondent Rezo Mamsikashvili that her song is meant to encourage self-belief and perseverance.
She said: “I want to tell the whole world that no matter who you are, what race you are, what colour skin you have or what orientation you have — no matter how cruel and tough life can be you’ve got to keep the faith, believe in yourself and never give up.”
Georgia Eurovision Final — Final Votes
- Tako Gachechiladze — 122
- Nutsa Buzaladze — 107
- Maliibu — 105
- The Mins — 105
- Mariam Chachkiani — 83
Do you think that the right song won? How will she do at Eurovision? And is Tako’s voice as delicious as the Mexican food staple? Let us know in the comments box below.
If this gets a good revamp as Georgia has been doing the last 2 years, this could be very good. Impressive vocal strength. The music at times is a classic 90s big ballad but with very modern, loud, urgent sounds which I really like. Those explosive sound can be paired with explosive visuals and you have a good recipe.
I do, however, dislike key changes in general (I find them old fashioned) and this one has a few in succession. I also think the song ends on a weird note. Otherwise, well done Georgia!
So just because a song describes the problems of the world it’s political? Wonder what actual political songs have to say about it..
I certainly can’t stand this song!! Georgia has had so many good songs in the past. They bring something genuine quality to the contest, not afraid of being “uncerommerical”, despite the competitve element. Last year for instance, I loved their song. They had an NF full of ood songs. Many rock songs. Why not pick one of them, would be a wrothy follow up to Young Georgian Lolitaz This song was anything but daring….bland, pompous, clicheridden euroballadcrap. Done far to many times before in ESC. Nothing new, no soul…. And I have serious issues with the lyrics. Firstly, I wonder… Read more »
Not it’s clear that after last year win of political song – political songs will be a mainstream.
Come on guys, She is really strong and beautifull, voice sounds as brilliant and her song is really strong and competetive. I think that she will in the top 5 or top 7 in the ESC 2017 final. Don’t be afraid of her, just enjoy 😉 and polotics, where was it?! At the background screen was written a lot about problems, wich is in the world and this is the politics? – no guys, this is our world’s problem… Don’t be envious and jealous, admit that she is actually very strong and beautiful Diva from Georgia! <3 12/12 from me… Read more »
@ Charles ”@an esc fan: I don’t know how old you are but i hope you’d be old enough to a) have more respect for history and b) have less appreciation for bs plastic Rihanna-esque crappy music … Just grow a beard and inject some depth in your music taste sense of judgment … cause we’re never gonna be 12 again.” I don’t know what country are you from, but I guess is not a country accused of being by the wrong side of history … many years ago, during other generations. Leave russians alone, or accuse them of something… Read more »
@ Charles – LOL – I get your point! But In my case (hopefully for others too) this song would be EVEN more horrible if sung by some drag!
Here we have a classic ballad, with a great vocalist. With a good staging the song can be elevated. We can see an amazing performance. Who knows? Generally, it’s a common song, meaning it’s not sth different. With less ballads, they can handle. If we have more ballads, it will be difficult for Georgia to do well.
I wonder what everybody would be saying if this has been performed by a drag queen wearing a stunning gown and showing a lot of chest hair … Russia would be in trouble again …. unless of course they picked another hunky Russian male singer showing his naked torso on stage … ummm should I root for my drag queen? Hey b**** you look damn fine!! Or should I vote for my version of a p*rn actor only in my dreams? Ummm…. Eurovision … the struggle you put me in. Lol
@fikri: It would also make you naive to believe that all of a sudden everybody would be doing, let’s see, copy pasted versions of a Britney Spears song saying (or should I say lip syncing) “It’s Britney, b**** for the sake of pure entertainment and for all of us to pretend we’re all still 18 or less. We already have Mariah Carey doing that at the age of 47 … ain’t nobody else got time to be a douche-bag.
@CharlieChan: Message of peace aside … since when a Conchita Wurst-Bond-ballad sounds the same as a Emeli Sandé-r&b? Oh right … ballads are embraced when a drag queen sings them to drag Russia down, ops sorry … forgot that detail.
@an esc fan: I don’t know how old you are but i hope you’d be old enough to a) have more respect for history and b) have less appreciation for bs plastic Rihanna-esque crappy music … Just grow a beard and inject some depth in your music taste sense of judgment … cause we’re never gonna be 12 again.
I will never like ”1944” because is about the past, something that present generation can’t change. Why make the people from today feel guilty about something that their grandparents did ?
Also, ordinary peace ballads are boring.
But this song of Tako Gachechiladze seems bold, risky like 2009’s ”We don’t wanna put in”, it takes courage, is not just a peace ballad.
WOW! What an amazing massage! Let’s all have peace together and sing about it and everybody would say also wow wow wow this is an amazing massage! Peace is the best, boo to death! Oh, and I have another great idea, let’s give it to an ok singer with a boring ballad, but she will scream it so everybody would say “wow! what a diva! amazing!”.
Sarcasm aside – HORRIBLE.
I’m really disappointed by this, as I almost always love the Georgian entries. The song itself is very cheesy and uninspired, and the singer is obviously trying to be a diva but she just comes out shouty and pretentious. The video art is as corny as it gets and the whole thing is a snoozefest of an entry. Huge letdown for me 🙁
@ AurelianTamisan
Yes you are right, I really fear that Georgia will be accused of something, the images in the backgroud will not be in the contest (definitely), but wait to see about the lyrics that talk about the veil. Maybe this is more sensitive than 2009’s ”put in”.
This song grows on me. Not just a peace ballad, but a ballad about problems yet to be solved.
I like her hair, it seems natural.
JA JA WILLLIAN I DON SEE YOUR COMENT ABOUT TAKOS BEFORE, JAJA I LOVE YOU. I THINK THAT THE POLITICS THEME IS WATH HAPPENING TODAY IN THE WORLD THE HUMAN RIGTHS AND THE HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE IS OUR DREAM, BECAUSE 01/20 IS A BAD DATE FOT THE WORLD. WE NEED TO EXPRESS US, REEMBER WHEN THE POLITICS USE THE MUSIC LIKE DISTRACTOR. NOW WE CAN USE IT IN POSITIVE. I INSIST I WANT TO BE PART OF WIWIBLOGS
Really boring
I think this is kind a copy of Jamala, not the song, but the message. Peace, faith, love… Also it has that kind of emotional sound 1944 had. What’s more, the voice is not everything. I think the song is good but the music and lyrics remind me too much of Jamala. When Eurofans said they like some different songs with new sounds, they meant Jamala or if we talk of this year’s national selections, Kerli, but this…?
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas
Wow!I’m expecting best result ever for Georgia. Amazing song and great choice! I hope just that EBU will not find some debts for the country, as they seem to be pretty sensitive and anger on this type of songs.
Wow! Great choice, Georgia!
Yes, the message is political, but I don’t see why not. Songs about love are so boring.
Still I think Georgia needs to tone down staging a bit as it is too obvious.
The message was just perfect!!
The voice really good
The song…mediocare
Well I like it! It’s in a ‘rise like a phoenix’ mold and I’ve no issue with the message or the drama, although the lyrics could do with a tweak. She does sound like she’s struggling at points but hopefully her confidence will grow. I enjoyed it.
Awful choice… at least Belarus made the right one..
Jamala’s song worked because she was attacking Stalin and not Putin. Of course the song was meant as an attack against modern and historic Russian imperialism, but removed from the context of modern international relations, it was just about 1944.
Besides, Jamala won because her song was current and personal.
It’s quite similar to Lindita’s song as it stands at the moment. The explicit reference to Russia would definitely not be able to make it on the ESC screen as it is blatantly a political message about a conflict that still has consequences; Speaking of border conflicts- did Armenia’s broadcaster consequence for Iveta waving the Nagorno Karabakh flag last year?
Well I didn’t particularly like any of the songs offered, but I’m really not that happy about Tako. For me it’s too much drama.
What is with countries sending old-fashioned over-dramatic entries like this? Way to heavy!?
Georgia used to be a fun country with unexpected entries, never boring. This is just going down same old cliché’ generic ballad diva we have had, and have this year.
Not expecting much!
This song is just a massive bludgeon to the head. Even in spite of Tako’s obvious vocal strength, she misses several notes. It all comes off as alarming rather than dramatic. Shame.
@ Briekimchi
I agree! Georgia often send daring, innovative, interesting quality songs. A bit risky, not afraid of sounding “uncommerical” even if it’s songcontest. This however, as generic, banal, clicheridden as can get. A big dissappointment….And the biggest disappointment is maybe that it’s THIS country which ends up with a song like this.
Their NF was full of googd songs, some rock, overall nice deiversity. Several interesting songs. Good in their different categories…yet they end up like this! An unworthy ending of a great NF!
This is a big politics me-e-hhhhh… you want to brush your teeth and to take a shower after this, really…
Live this came to life. The best act won. Well done!
Will EBU agree with this song participating ?
I’m sure that newspaper will not be allowed, so it was just a cheap way to win georgian hearts in national selection, but the lyrics attack the veil, and I’m sure EBU’s purpose is to avoid tensions, ESC is not the right place to debate about cultural outfits or things like that.
Ermmm…no.
Your classical “Euro-diva-ballad-I WANT PEACE IN THE WORLD-song”.
I’ll pass. And mute my TV screen once in May. LOL
Next?
not loving the brief newspaper article of “russia invading georgia” flashing on the background during the performance.
i was hoping jamala’s victory won’t give future contestants any ideas of making political statements but i guess i was naive.
She is a great singer. The song will be also, after a little revamp.
Good singer and she knows how to sell that song. The song itself is quite oldfashioned. It’s definitely not an eurovision winning tune.
I like the song but judging by the video it probably needs a bit more polish.
Stunning performance, this was kinda epic! This will do very well in May I believe
Incredibly boring song for a country known for interesting and edgy entries. Disappointed.
Dull, dull, dull oooo but nice dress 🙂
People in the comment section are so divided over this song.
Another Bond theme… I don’t know about that background though
If it was a “musical football match” between “Midnight Gold” and “Keep the Faith”, “Midnight Gold” would win 6-0
Sorry – but I think EVERYTHING is wrong with this song! And that’s comping from someone who wants to LIKE the songs I heard in ESC…but this song just tickles all my “no no boxes”.
And that after a brilliant rock song last year…..musically daring, indie, credible and strong. It was a though act to follow. And it failed – a major fail
Haven’t heard the other entrants so can’t comment on whether or not it was the right winner, but it’s a great song, really love it.
There’s a lot more political messages than just russia in there, the opening line about “who made you wear the veil” and at least 2 shots of a woman in a full face burka are included in the montage
Well done beautiful Georgia. You chose the best song clearly, though i love Nutsa her song couldn’t get me. Kisses from Turkiye, mezobeli :*
Huge yaaaaaawn!!!!!
Talent won. Congratulations!