Thunder and lightning, it’s now officially exciting. In February Sergey Lazarev’s Eurovision return was finally confirmed after months of speculation. And now, with the release of his Eurovision music video, it’s time to “Scream”.
The song is backed by the Eurovision “Dream Team” of Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos and Alex Panayi. In an Instagram post ahead of the song reveal, Sergey also credited songwriter Sharon Vaughn (“Waterline” and “Release Me”) and Russian sound engineer Andrew Weed Konoplev.
The lyrics plays on the intensity of tears — which can burn and leave us out of breath. Tears may run clear, but Sergey knows they carry with them the regrets, fear and pain we all inevitably experience. As he sings: “Maybe they can’t be heard or seen, but tears aren’t quiet things, they scream, they scream.”
At one point Sergey sounds as if he’s trying to maintain composure as he waits for someone to avert their eyes: “Though my throat is on fire, my eyes will be liars, and they’ll try to stay drier until you turn away.”
“Scream” — Sergey Lazarev
The director of his music video, Konstantin Cherepkov, promises something ambitious and with a defined narrative.
Speaking to wiwibloggs, he explained the complex story behind the music video.
“The story of the video clip was inspired by the fears we all carry from childhood, and which as we grow up become ‘screams’,” he says.
“The young boy symbolises our hero Sergey, while the island symbolises the end point of a journey we should all take in order to overcome our fears. The strong melody, the powerful lyrics and the amazing performance of Sergey inspired me to create this unique dark video clip with a strong message to everyone.”
Sergey Lazarev at Eurovision 2016
Eurovision fans will undoubtedly remember Sergey’s iconic performance in 2016. “You Are the Only One” won the first semi-final and placed third in the grand final. Complete with some of the most elaborate staging in Eurovision history, the performance was a big favourite going into the contest. Naturally, that has fans excited to see what the Russian delegation will bring to the stage in Tel Aviv.
Russia are clearly not messing around. Following their first ever non-qualification in 2018, they are rolling in the big guns. Sergey won the televote in 2016 and will be looking for even greater levels of success this year. The last time Russia brought a returning artist to Eurovision also marked their only win to date — that was back in 2008 with Dima Bilan’s “Believe“.
What do you think of Sergey’s song? Will he top his result from 2016? Can Russia claim their second Eurovision victory? Let us know in the comments below.
Utter codswallop. And Swedish hire-hands enlisted to support this overblown piece of theatre. Where’s the song?
‘I’ll swallow hard, fall apart.’ That’s what she said.
We can’t stop singing ICECREAM!!! It’s all a bit too much for us. the lyrics, the dragons the music… He has a nice voice but unfortunately the song does not stand out on his own, A bit kitschy maybe?
Imagine Pastora Soler singing this. Thats all i have to say.
Beautiful song. Why so many dislikes?
awful song would struggle to qualify and would not apart from russian block voting…
Nop it’s not good at all why would u ruin your image with this song you must come back with a stronger song not this . Sorry but it’s not good at all sorry.
One of my favorites this year! Good job Sergey and Russia!
I reckon this might be better with the live show. At the moment the Netherlands is more of a “winning” song at the moment, but this could be elevated live and could very well take the prize if the other contenders fall flat
(Though my last 2 braincells want Iceland to win lmao)
Netherlands song can “Elevate” too with the live show and create more impact than it already does…
This is really poetic and powerful! A HUGE upgrade from Russia compared to last few years. Congrats and good luck. 🙂
Yes, a masterpiece from Russia.
Thank you Russia!
___________
My eyes!
My problem with this song is same i had last time with Sergey. It don’t feel the emotion. 🙁
You’ll feel it in live.
Song is about Crimea, about the return Crimea to Russia.
Why is that?
Lazarev sings: “where is Krym?”
Sergey could win half-naked only and the dance song like Take it off!
She could win only if he came out on stage
I’m Russian and I don’t like this. A lot will depend on the staging and live performance so we’ll see next month at the pre parties and whoever gets the crowd to sing along, clap along and move along to the song. I’ll be very curious to see if Iceland joins any of the parties, same for Italy. May the best entry win!
I think it’s just too dramatic like that horrible 1944 song from Jamala. The second time this will not win.
“Best” is subjective category, that’s why every winner receives lot of hate.
The musical references are very good and the production is professional. I think juries will honour the style, but I don’t think we’ll have a winner here.
I really believe – and it seems so irrational after the last years – that Switzerland is the strong contender for winning (together with NL, but given that most people only hear the song once, I think SUI has the overall package).
Too much hype for something that is too basic. Sorry.
Russia comes back strong after last year’s miss. The song is powerful with sergeys voice to it. The sound is great aswell and all the instruments blend in well to the song. He sings with emotion. A good and needed change of paste towards the end keeps it from feeling too repetitive. Knowing Sergey’s live staging/performance last time its safe to bet this time it will be just as entertaining and lift the song even greater. Staging/Camera work is key here if he wants a chance of going all the way to 1. Top 10 either way for sure. Posted… Read more »
I think that Slovenia is the dark horse this year. Russia disapointed me and The Netherland I need listening him live.
https://youtu.be/bRpw1dLPfgM
The real songwriter of Sergey’s song.
_____
that image is in Portugal lol
who cares?
I love it! Good luck Sergey
All of you ! You are so bad against Sergey you don’t imagine the stage performance ! Just wait ! And it’s a new type of song slightly different than the others.
Team France , Italy and Russia this year guys
We want an article about Montenegro’s revamp, is it on the works?
This is somewhere between power metal and LOTR for me lol
Love it
Agree, fans are bashing it because it’s not typical pop ballad. But, I have a feeling looking at the comments that many will hate it anyway whatever it is, lol
At least Ukraine will be back next year
I hate you Dream Team!!!! You never give good songs to your singers!!! Sergey has many good ballads and they are all miles better then this piece of trash! When are you going to realise that K*rkorov wont win anything for you?????? Surely after they ruined Demy and Asiel NQd you would of seen this??
This song doesn’t get my approval
I wanted to like Lazarev’s song but unfortunately I can’t. I’ve listened a few times 🙁
The Netherlands ballad is beautifully done.
Switzerland this year is my favorite
1 Iceland
2 Switzerland
3 The Netherlands
Why no Tak Krasivo? Why no Eto Vso Ona? Why no Take It Off? Why this? Like, when we’re getting Sergey Lazarev at Eurovision we wanna see something ?
So, I’ve listened this song couple more times and I figured out what was bothering me all along- where’s the chorus?
The song builds up nicely and then the chorus is “They scream”. Just that?
This song needs revamp so badly.
the chorus is “they scream” together with the melody of the strings- at the last chorus the choir comes in addition.
It doesn’t need rewamp, I love the chorus as Anita explained, it reminds me of LOTR moments.
It has LOTR vibes for me too 😉
The song is a bit boring but listenable. I really dislike his voice though. It’s irritating and not pleasant for my ears.
Oh Sergey…all you had to do was swim naked and you’d be on top of every fanboy’s ranking. There’s still time for a new song. Maybe it was more powerful in Russian and lost a lot in the translation.
I prefer 100000x Eleni or Maruv than a bad song with Lazarev naked lol and I’m gay
Maruv’d eat this song alive, lmao.
Juries would eat her song alive, fyi
also true
After listening to it a few times i really love it! Trust on a Slav to deliver emotion :). Sergey and the song are so overdramatic, but hey, that’s his style and it’s Eurovision and I love it. I would be completely happy with Russia or Italy winning this yer, but let’s face it, Russia won’t win because of politics. Also the song might need a few listens to grow on pleople
I agree – I needed a few listenings too to really appreciate and like it. For me a grower.
Right? I needed a few listens but bow i love it. But it’s not so good for the song’s chances, as most people will only hear it once
And that means tha Lararev has to really feel the song and deliver emotions – otherwise the listener might not get the richness of the song.
Russia will not win because there are better songs this year than Sergey’ and it snot even top 5 material
Well it’s a matter of taste, i think it’s absolutely top 5 material. But even if it was to everyone’s taste, it still wouldn’t win because it’s Russia
such a flop… 🙁
The best evidence of how political Eurovision’s voting system is is that this is still top 2 in the odds.
Imagine this would be the song of Slovakia no one would see this reaching the final even if they brought a live dragon on stage. Okay maybe only with a live dragon on stage lol.
I still cherish the devious lyrics but the song needs a complete revamp to hope for an impact. Or some genius staging à la Ukraine 2011 distracting from the song to save this. Will probably qualify due to the country and the performer but ugh it’s not good.
Aaaaand… This is Russia falling in the rankings. Musically it may have merit, but it is so… safe. Almost unemotional. It is not the plastic robotic Melo song from Sweden, but it is disappointing. Because we know Sergey can do a lot better when it comes to the slower songs (“Storm” anyone?).
The Netherlands and Switzerland will have no problem taking over the spots left by the failures of Russia and Sweden.
Pompous & boring …
Like a mis-fired Christmas pop song! No thanks!
Such a dissapointment. I’m a BIG fan of much of Sergey’s music but I can’t imagine anyone but very pro-Russians go nuts about this.. I’m sorry!!!
It’s good, to be honest, yet it never reached the climax it needed. Not a disappointment, but overhyped.
I agree. When I was listening it, I was waiting for the final “bang” in the song.
Still waiting it.
It is quite flat.
That video destroyed all the seriousness of that song. Now when I hear it I’ll think of children’s fairytales and not of what they were trying to portray.
“Humpty dumpty sat on a wall..Russia’s chance of winning will fall.. hahah..”
.
I think most people who read about Eurovision here or any other site are disappointed, because they, themsleves, set the bar HIGH. If the staging works, it will do good. Most people hear these somgs first time during the show. And my guess is most people will vote for him, because the song is solid and because of the “Oh it’s that guy we really liked and voted for 3 years ago” factor. I think Sergey might win televote again. And Russia is most certainly going into final, which, after last year, is what they want. Don’t underestimate his popularity… Read more »
1 Switzerland : is what Cyprus this year wanted to be
2 Iceland : definitely the killer performance on the big stage and (maybe controversy)
3 The Netherlands : good ballad, good song, good lyrics but I don’t think the majority of voters will be sensitive enough
4 Italy/Portugal : Different, beautiful (personal) message
Iceland
The Netherlands
Switzerland
I play She Got Me from Luca all the time on Spotify
I don’t understand all the hype with Iceland… but I agree people will remember Hatari’s live performance, probably that will help them. But I hope they keep politics away and don’t denounce Netanyahu or bring Palestinian flags. Just my opinion
Hatari and Iceland will sign a contract like all the others. Iceland will be fined if something happens on stage
Also the Netherlands is what Belgium wanted to be
Geneva or Zurich or Bern 2020
IMHO, Portugal and Iceland will divide.
Too special for the win with televotes.
This year, even France can reach a very good place.
Also, we forget something: the jury will not vote massively for the bookies’ favorite. Too strategic.
See last year and before. So if NL is leader before the start, it may flop.
5 Poland Tulia dark horse
It will obviously do well. For me, and this is just MY opinion (keep your downvotes for racist, homophobic, misogynistic and body-age-shaming comments that abound in this forum), Russia’s song is not even top15… Big disappointment here.
It’s like a better version of Croatia’s song, lol
i mean… at least it’s better than you are the only one? most improved?
I think the champagne corks are popping in Amsterdam right now. First win since 1975 and Ding a Dong is within their sights!
I expected something different. This a bit like…
Did it ,done it, been there, got the tshirt….
The Netherlands are safe (:
Amsterdam or Roma 2020
Hopefully Amsterdam or any other Dutch city..
Well, as Sam said, Amsterdam OR Roma. Roma or any other Italian city would also be truly deserved.