It’s been a long road to Eurovision for Russia’s Julia Samoylova. Now, we know the song she will finally get to sing on the Eurovision stage. Julia will perform the ballad “I Won’t Break” in Lisbon.
“I Won’t Break” is composed by Leonid Gutkin, Netta Nimrodi and Arie Burshtein. They’re the same team behind her cancelled 2017 entry, “Flame is Burning”.
Julia Samoylova — “I Won’t Break”
The song is clearly influenced by Julia’s well-documented struggles with her health and how she has persevered through that. She’s won’t be broken; instead, there’s empowerment here. “Even in the darkness, I can see a light” — she’s fighting through and not letting her disability be a challenge or a definition.
It’s a message shown in the music video too. Unlike the video for “Flame is Burning”, Julia’s wheelchair is never actually shown. Instead, the video focuses on both the beauty of nature and Julia’s own beauty.
The video ends with a powerful message: Julia on top of a mountain, almost as if she has conquered the summit herself. Despite all the hardship and struggles she’s had, she’s at the metaphorical peak.
The song itself isn’t the flashiest or most powerful ballad of the year. It’s the message that will be driving this song along. Not only that, we know Russia are pulling in the heavyweights when it comes to staging.
Alexei Golubev — the man behind Polina Gagarina’s staging for “A Million Voices — is already confirmed to work on Julia’s staging too. He’s promised a “grandiose” show, too!
“I Won’t Break” lyrics — Julia Samoylova
Music & Lyrics: Netta Nimrodi/Leonid Gutkin/Arie Burshtein
My heart is in command
No longer in the dark
My castle in the sand
Is now made of stone and rock
The memory I knew
The things I’ve been through
And everything I do
Has got me living by the minute
And now that I’m in it
Now that I’m in it…
I won’t break
I won’t break
When it comes to emotions
From the deepest of oceans
Coming straight from my heart
I won’t give in to the motions
Those so called broken wings
Are soaring to the sky
I’ve flown with kings and queens
With freedom in their eyes
I won’t break
I won’t break
When it comes to emotions
From the deepest of oceans
Coming straight from my heart
I won’t give in to the motions
Cause even in the darkness
Cause even in the darkest night
Cause even in the darkness
I can see a light
Cause even the darkness…
I won’t break
(Cause even in the darkness
Cause even in the darkest night
Cause even in the darkness
I can see a light)
I won’t break
Cause even in the darkness…
My heart is in command
No longer in the dark
I won’t break
(Cause even in the darkness
Cause even in the darkest night
Cause even in the darkness…
My heart is in command
No longer in the dark
What do you think of “I Won’t Break”? Do you think Julia will bring Russia another top ten performance? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments section below.
i really dont care much for russia
and I hope they get zero votes
Boring song. Vocals are mediocre and I am sorry, but her English pronunciation leaves a LOT to be desired. Middle of the pack at BEST, in my personal opinion
I don’t’ care if her wheelchair doesn’t appear in the video, I don’t care if she have disabilities, I want a good song for Russia and I did not even have it this year. Sorry Russia, too weak song!
This American fan with a physical disability thinks…SHE SUCKS!!!! The song is bad, her English is horrible, and she continues to be Putin’s puppet. And, what’s up with not showing her wheelchair? Is she ashamed of herself?
Fans of Russia, give up! Russia won’t be hosting the Contest anytime soon.
They should have the guts to send songs in Russian, the live performance could improve hugely. Much more so when the singer is not decently fluent in English. And Russian is not even some exotic language.
I wait so so long for her to perform on stage. She looks stunning but the song cannot showcase her vocal ability – may be because of her declined health (I guess because I’ve watched a clip when she performed in the Russian talented show and I like it), and a bit too karaoke in some periods.
May be it needs a revamping on stage. Best of luck for her and the crew.
Better then Flame is burning, but huge problem is Julia live vocals. This song will not sound good live as sound in this video. If they want to sound like in video, in that case 5 female backing vocals will sing with Julia from start to end of song.
This is better than what was cooked up for Yulia last year, but it is defintevely not a winner. Very avarage to poor song. Russia can make so much better…
She is going to have 5 backing vocalists
I somewhere heard about the lowest pensions and benefits for people with disabilities in Russia. Why do they not fulfill the dreams of these people about improving the standard of living? Lol. There is no desire to vote, this girl is a stupid move.
Where did you hear it from?
Great song. Better than “Flame is Burning”! I hope she can do the chorus with the correct notes.
Much better than last year
When I look at this defenseless girl, I see the hypocrisy of Russia. She does not care about people with disabilities in the country, killing more than 11,000 Ukrainians and making them disabled, stole the territory, trying to look miserable and hiding behind the back of the disabled. Please remember about these crimes, many of the murdered people also wanted to go to their dream, but Russia did not give them this, taking their lives.
And how many Russian was killed by ukrainians?
What about with Poles, Hungarians, Germans and Jews who was killed by ukrainian nazis or communist?
It wasn’t the Ukrainian government, who ordered to kill Jews or Poles. It was some Ukrainian traitors, just like in any other country in WW2. Russia IS killing NOW, on a GOVERNMENT level. Not only in Ukraine, but also in other parts of the world. They choose a Eurovision representative on a GOVERNMENT level, to sing about love, peace, disabilities, while making NO effort to help people with disabilities. In fact, that government treat all their citizens like cows or chickens. On the other hand we should talk about Julia’s song, not about Russia’s politics. Last year there was enough… Read more »
I simply admire your pertinent comment, and I completely agree with you! Eurovision is not a political song contest, or it sould not be, but only a country like Russia make it political! Russia uses the Eurovision stage for another type of propaganda. ONLY when it comes about Eurovision, Russia cares about human rights simulating them! If there is someone who doesn’t believe me, please visit Russia, but the real Russia, not Moscow! Do they care about disabled people giving them the equivalent of 12 USA dollars a month? Just google it! No care for them, no support, no programs,… Read more »
Blah blah blah. Still not ab evidence of Russian mikitary in Donbass. Buy millions of facts about Ukrainians killing Ukrainians.
Do you think who killed them? How is it not? And the detained military prisoners with Russian passports, and their recognition and exchange for Ukrainian prisoners. Also weapons with Russian marking, as well as testimony of citizens who asked “Putin enter troops.” Do not write about what you do not know. The Internet is full of evidence, on the social pages of soldiers when they exhibit photos and write where they are being sent, they exhibit photos of Ukrainians killed. You just did not come across this nightmare and you think it’s far away. But the enemy is closer than… Read more »
Julia is no Polina Gagarina and this is no A Million Voices, but it’s still pretty good. Better than their 2014 entry.
she looks so beautiful in this video ? great song too!!
If this year is anything like 2011, she won! Don’t forget this comment!
Ell & Nicki had charisma and brilliant staging – in a year with great songs but banal staging, they stood out well.
Nikki (female part of the duo) was one of the least charismatic people that year.
I’m dead! Brilliant staging i.e an empty stage coloured the most dull colours such as beige even zdop si zdub were better than Azerbaijan that year. How they won will remain a mystery
I disliked her song and overall vocal abilities so much last year, so my expectations for this year were non-existent. Boy, did she prove me wrong! What a good, lovely song.
ok i just realised at least the chorus has the exact same backing beat as
‘where i am’ from denmark last year
A beautiful and brave entry! Can’t wait to see what they do for the live performance.
Loreens Record label confirmed that she Will be a part of Bulgarias eurovision song…….
Not perfect but Better than some overhyped ones out there already
A respectable entry.
Not Russia’s best, but it makes a powerful statement.
Mr. Putin will be happy with this.
This comments section shows just how much people are willing to go out of their way to hate on Russia. The song isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s a nice, modern, lyricaly solid ballad and I’m sure it will do well. I’m glad the broadcaster kept their promise to Yulia, she deserves the chance to fullfil her dreams and inspire people.
I loke thie russian 2018 ALOT!! I Welcome them back in the ESC contest!! All the best to them!! The vid looks great the song is ok!! So it will do well imo!! Good Luck
Agreed!
Like this a lot. Good melody, atmospheric production.
Breaking news: The flame extinguished.
Then you can “Start a fire” (Azerbaijan 2014).
Or become an outlaw!
Was it extinguished by a STORM perhaps?
Well, the good news is that the song is better than “Flame is Burning”, and good on Russia for letting Yulia perform after she was promised to return from last year.
But as I said another time, I really do think that the juries/public will not vote for this in the vein of “Ainaa mun pitaa.” I applaud Yulia for showing that having a disability does not mean you cannot perform at something like Eurovision and live your dreams. However, I do not think the song is good enough to earn a spot in the final.
Better than last year’s attempt but I still worry about those vocals, especially live. The song never really gets out of second gear. The last minute is not different from the first, really. Seems like a song written without Eurovision in mind.
As usual from Russia, the lyrics are the weakest point of this entry. Also as usual from Russia, the presentation of the song brings it up (I know there’s no staging yet but I kind of like the sound of this song in general). I can see them doing something powerful on stage with this, but as for the song itself, it’s alright. I’d say about 6.5 or 7 out of 10
I like this! Definitely a step up from Flame is Burning.
I can not fail to notice Russia’s hypocrisy when it comes about Eurovision. Russia is annexing the territories of another neighboring country, engaging in the domestic politics of other countries through misinformation and lies, not respecting envied/individual rights, (killing members of the opposition in the street, sending gay guys to jail etc.), but sending to Eurovision songs like A million voices, You are the only one, and I will not break. What a scam!
Julia is a talented and beautiful singer, but the song is simply lame and forgettable. No vote from me!
Wake up Russia, be for real!
Yes you are right.
This is why some consider Eurovision a form of propaganda for them.
By annexing Crimea they saved 2 million Crimwas from what is now foibg on in Donbass – Ukraonians killing Ukrainians abd blaming Russians.
you are not right!
I just don´t get it. Just let the woman sing in russian. She said on national TV she took english lessons, sadly I cannot hear anything of that. The people responsible must know/see that she´s uncomfortable with english, why make her do it when it´s harder for her to deliver the emotions. Anyways I think the song is better than last year´s, I just don´t feel it. Still I think it will be good live. Plus I hope they release a russian Version like they usually do, which I can then happily listen to without cringing.
The lyrics are simple, empowering and surprisingly understated. The song is nicely structured and has two strong plus points for me: a surprise 1st Chorus extension and the merging of the Bridge hook and Chorus melodies at the end in the Reprise. The musical risk is that the backing vocalists will be singing the main Chorus melody – this may divide opinion among the juries. But I like it. The song does move me a little. The video has a strong visual aspect to it; it’s beautifully filmed. Charles in the comments wonders why the singer’s disability was not on… Read more »
Breaking news:
https://twitter.com/EquinoxBulgaria
Wow. If the song is half as bad as the lyrics are, it’s a train wreck. Actually, it already is for me. Cringing at those lyrics.
And what about that Equinox nonsense? I thought it’d be Genova or Kostov.
No idea what went wrong. Twitter is full of wild theories. Apparently we just all misunderstood and it’s the songwriters who are the returnees?!
I’m actually glad it’s a new group. Hopefully a new sound.
And I love the name – “Equinox” also happens to be a luxury fitness club brand in London. 😀
We misunderstood? The Bulgarian team released a list with possible singers. Hard to misunderstand.
I’m just repeating what others said on Twitter. Which I will probably never do again.
The mystery remains. Maybe it’s the writers, maybe it’s the performers. Apparently Equinox is a new project made especially for ESC. We don’t know who will sing. Maybe it’s Poli, maybe Kristian, maybe it’s a project which contains several former singers.
I REALLY hope the song has a cool sound and that the singers can sing well, because those lyrics are trash
I really like it!
Sarcasm?
Nope. He told me he really likes it.
He prefers white gals singing, nothing to surprise here.
Russia’s biggest strength has always been the live performance. Their run from 2012-2016 was so successful because, with a few exceptions (the Babushkis were always pretty special), their songs were average to start with and usually pretty generic and cliche but had great staging and terrific live singers. I’ll even say “Believe,” quite possibly my least favorite Eurovision winner, was saved by having a stage show that gave a crap in a year when many countries didn’t. I don’t doubt I’ll warm up to “I Won’t Break” when it’s performed live. The rhymes are kinda painful, but Yulia is a… Read more »
nothing special….average song…..and average vocal….will go to the final but not to top 10 …kinda meh…
One of the best songs so far, possible winner for me.. Go Julia!
Serious question: Is this how she really sounds like or is it just autotune? Because it was like this in Flame is Burning as well.
I don´t know as well, I can just tell you that in russian she does not sound like that. She sang molitva in russian, that did not sound that “weirdly autotuned” like her 2 ESC songs, maybe just because it was live, I don´t know. Anyways her molitva was stunning, I´ll add a link. So yeah, I guess it´s because of autotune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_1sNfN5nj8
She sings far better in Russian than in English.
Well we won’t be going to Russia next year for Eurovision, that’s for sure! Very poor effort – surprisingly I must admit, coz I’m usually a fan of their songs … she is sweet though but song justblacks a hook , in my opinion
…This isn’t BAD. And it’s WAY BETTER than “flame is burning”.
BUT…it may have trouble standing out. I find it kind of forgettable. Also…I just can’t get past the fact that I don’t really like her voice.
I probably wouldn’t rank this anywhere above the lower teens, personally.
Love it. The song has a great story, love her unique voice and makes me feel something. Like Ireland, I definitely feel a connection there. I wonder if she will be able to pull it off live though. It’s probably not a winner because it is slightly dated but can definitely see it doing very well.
Spice Girls’ Viva Forever trying to meet Generation Z and failing. Completely.
There is nothing and then there’s a chorus that is only remotely interesting due to the backing vocals.
Simply put: It’s bad. Really bad.
I love it! glad the Russian delegation decided not to go with that sob act route they did last year. Totally behind this positive and uptempo vibe of the song. Also in the MV they’re highlighting just Julia and her voice. Not her disability. Big thumbs up to Russia.
Lol. There are a lot of people with disabilities and with amazing vocals, but they chose a woman who can not sing. I’ll never understand russians.
I have a serious question for someone who knows what’s what. No guessing please.
Does a participating country actually have to release the song to the public at any point before Eurovision, or do you only need to hand in your final product at the HoD meeting/ deadline set by the EBU? If the latter is true, a country could release its entry at the Eurovision stage, hypothetically.
Yes it’s allowed to release the song after the deadline whenever the artist feels like it, they just need to send it to EBU and it’s all fine. just look at Ireland’s JESC 2017 entry, it literally came out 2 days before the contest while the deadline ended in like middle of October
Also Armenia last year, the song was released last a week after the deadline
Thanks. So if nobody leakes it, Georgia could wait another two months, hypothetically.
Yup
No. Public presetation it’s no need. Only send material to EBU before meeting. But song and video will public on official cd and site. So, everybody will hear every song before show
Ah, right, the CD. It usually comes out in April, right?
I checked. Mid-April. So that is the latest possible release date for a song.
Not as bad as expected. It is better than Flame is Burning but for a Russian entry it’s very subpar. Are they really satisfied with such a meh entry? Knowing Russia always puts on a great staging I have no doubt it will be a spectacular show. But if there is one year Russia could stay out of top 10 this is the year.
I know what you mean. They were on a winning streak with Polina and Sergey. We’ll just have to wait and see if Julia can do a great job.
Better than expected, but expectedly generic. Back vocals save the whole song. At the end of the video, I even wanted the singer to be silent because her voice became something alien, against backing vocals.
Even in the darkness of Putin’s Russia, she can see a light.
Good luck Julia
He-he…Putin’s Russia won’t prevent Russia to be at ESC at high places every year. Much higher than 23th of some non Putin’s non Russias.
Russia will qualify because she will probobly get lots of sympathy or empathy or something.. The song is better than last year though.
vilna)???
Better not compare – Vilna sings much better and her song was more interesting.
I agree! It’s just like plagiarism. This is my opinion, sorry)
A terrible parody of Vilna! The clip created an amateur?)