The host country certainly knows how to keep fans waiting. Israel’s Kobi Marimi has finally released his entry for Eurovision 2019, “Home”. We now have our full field of 41 songs — but can Kobi give his country a second victory in a row?
Kobi Marimi — “Home”
Kobi had already teased fans with a snippet of “Home” earlier in the week, with a tease of some of the vocals and piano instrumentation of the song.
And their all clear and present in the final, full version of the track. Kobi’s vocals are rich and powerful; “Home” focuses on Kobi’s own life journey and his attempts to find self esteem.
He proudly states that “I am someone” – and we’re given all the feels as he does so. This is an emotional ballad that is full of soul.
There’s also a timeless feel to the track, and this is shared in the music video. Filmed entirely in black and white, Kobi features front and center. He also appears as multiple copies of himself. Get you a man who can do his own backing y’all!
“Home” is certainly a far cry from the crazyness of “Toy”, but it’s a classy, powerful song that is sure to make the audience in Tel Aviv go wild.
The track was written and composed by Ohad Shragai and Inbar Vaizman, whilst the music video shares a Eurovision winning connection. Guy Sagy is the director behind the video, who also worked on Dana International’s “Diva”. Get that winning magic!
What do you think of “Home”? Do you think that Israel can do the double this year, or will we be leaving their “home” for 2020? Let us know all your thoughts on the track in the comments section.
My favorite song this year <3 I love it!
Croatis is better at old fasioned
what happened to the reaction video?
The guy doesn’t have a voice, the guy has a VOICE
I’m going to guess the chart position: 9th
I actually loooove this. It goes straight to my top5 and it is a trillion times better than Netta. Wow what a voice he has. If this song would came from any other country rather than the previous winner , people would have been hysterical about it but it came from the last winner so it’s just a song everyone is underated sadly
Wow,i so agree whith you
Now when melfest is over and I start to listen to songs from other coutries whithout knowing which country it is or what other think about the song.
I really liked this song the first time. Haven’t listened to all song yet, but think this while be top five the first listening.
Try to listen to the songs whiteout info about country, odds etc. Some songs you love first time and I think those have biggest chance in ESC.
Good luck from Sweden : )
This is the smartest comment I read on Eurovision related topics. Good on you!
That a problem with a country??
great comment! thats the way!
Don’t Ban Hatari, the Winner
I will Boycott Eurovision 2019 if the winner is banned from entering Israel
+1
I’m sick and tired of seeing Hatari everywhere here, on Instagram and even my local TV
You guys don’t understand they don’t care about those issues? They just want publicity and fame, GOSH!!!
#1 Hatari
#2 The Netherlands
#3 Switzerland/Russia
Hatari wont win even if they get all the hype in the world. those shouts & scratching are unlistenable ))
For the first 7 seconds i was like ‘wooow this will be amazing, an etno-folk ballad’, but then it just morphs into a regular standard ballad and it doesn’t do anything for me, sorry
Honest first impression:
The snippet we heard a few days ago was actually the first seconds of the song and I was really interested. After listening to the whole 3 minutes, I think it would be more interesting if the song was in hebrew. It would sound bigger. It’s not bad at all, his voice is amazing and I love the orchestra feeling and him singing with the backing vocalists part. It’s a song that we have to see live, because as of right now it’s not that impressive.
I absolutely love the song but dislike the video, no offense to the artist/team. The song/artist are strong enough IMO for a simple yet strong staging.
And it’s official: 2019 is a GREAT year musically, one of the best in recent years, in my opinion, and definitively better than 2018. I struggle with my top 3 because I have four candidates: Italy, Portugal, Netherlands and Greece. One has to go to 4th 🙂
As a ballad sucker I must love this one and I definitively do. Straight up to my top 10 (second half, though), because the structure and melody are flawless and we know that he has got a vocal. I love the fact that Israel is doing something completely different and adjusting to the creative personality of the singer. The israeli pre-selection model is proving to be very effective. Is it a winner? Not this year. There are really strong entries, but will not repeat Portugal’s or Austrian’s disasters after winning, for sure.
Are you saying O Jardim is a crap!? Come on!!! Much better than Sobral’s entry!!
No no no… I am not saying that all. I loved O Jardim. Actually, it was my favorite song last year. I only mean in terms of placement… Unfortunately, O Jardim got last, which was unfair but to be expected. I don’t think this will happen with Israel. But to be fair, it would be nice if Israel would sing in hebrew in their home country and O Jardim did not have that “advantage”. PS: As much as I like O Jardim, I still find APD better, a league of its own…
I love the song so much! Thank you Israel this masterpiece! Good luck Kobi!
So where is Gili now? 🙂
I’m here what’s the problem,? I still think kobi is the best singer/performer by far compared to the other kids in the contest…it didn’t change and will never change…I felt nothing from other ballads this year…only kobi served it big time..what a strong personality…..he has no contest as performer…satisfied,?(:
The song is okay. It’s not great but it’s also not dire as some people on here make it seem. There are some incredible entries this year and as such I doubt it will get a top ten spot but I also don’t predict it coming off last. I can see a good spot in the middle finish (19-13).
I really like this song. I miss good ”old-fashioned” ballads this year. Most songs are so modern and minimalist in 2019. I really enjoy hearing this as a contrast. Nice way to end the line-up. Now, proper top 41 lists – begin!
Exactly!
Now this I can’t stand. Kobi’s voice and english are really annoying . It sounds like he imitates something and tries too hard to hit the notes. I think this will end up in the bottom.
Excuse me, Milla, but what makes you GUESS he is struggling to “hit the notes”? Have you seen him live? It’s quite easy, you know: just watch his performances at the Israeli show where he was chosen.
Oh, one more thing: What seems to you to be the problem with his English? I can’t find anything off with it.
Penny for your thoughts!
It’s not terrible, I really like the first minute or so, but after that I strugle to pay attention to it. I also think it would sound much better if it wasn’t in English.
absolutely, completely, utterly dirge. comin for last place
I predict a last place finish for the host nation second year in a row. Clearly they do not want to host again…
Like Russia, this one also was made with the staging in mind.
No wonder Israel is one of the top and best Eurovision contestant. They always send interesting songs. This one starts super slow, and right when you’re about to give up on it, it has twists and turns and when you get to the bridge it explodes!!! Just brilliant.
Totally 180 direction from last year entries. A total change from the crazy upbeat of “Toy” to Dramatic emotional “Home” . But it is a good pace of change. It’s got Israeli feel to it and I love the drama and melody of the song. ( Not sure why everybody hates it though )
It’s a no, thank you.
you welcome…now say nicely bye bye and go out from here thx in advance
So, people are not allowed to express their opinion if it’s not the same as yours? Grow up please and learn to respect others.
i showed him the way out of this page,,just helped him…i wish i could help you as well
You can’t help yourself
toy isnt a song i can listen to, it was fun for few listens…this song is serious and thouching…not trash like toy for sure…surprised? Netta is amazing artist but the song is not my cup of tea…you see? if the song is from israel it doesnt mean that i will say that its good just because im israeli…imri ziv was also bad and other entries from israel as well
Not sure why, but the first thing I thought while playing this was “This definitely sounds like a host country song.”
Lol so many Israelis in this comment section saying the song is great and the performer is awesome! Truth is the song is dated and average, the performer is overly dramatic for no reason and he will obviously finish in the last places. Downvote me as much as you want. Truth hurts
A true opinion might hurt. But actual truth… we shall see in May who it hurts.
Its your truth only my friend….if you didn’t get kobi I’m sorry for you….kobi is much more than stupid song for eurovision…anyways most of the songs are pure trash and the positions don’t say much cause many voters can’t identify quality. Like you for example,(:
What about the voters that chose your country’s representative as winner last year? Was Toy trash too?
toy isnt a song i can listen to, it was fun for few listens…this song is serious and thouching…less trash than toy for sure…surprised? Netta is amazing artist but the song is not my cup of tea…you see? if the song is from israel it doesnt mean that i will say that its good just because im israel…imri ziv was also bad and other entries from israel as well
Grow up!
I’m from Israel and 80% of Israelis hate this song and Kobi Marimi as well.
Kobi himself his outdated, looks like a Dracula when he sings and his song makes you want to kill yourself.
DripDrop, As you can see, Israelis can’t stand behind their candidates. When Netta was elected we called her fat, ugly, a chicken, this is a bunch of noises, we said she’ll get last place. When Netta went to rehearsals we called her terrible, ugly, fat, what’s with all the noises, and we said she’ll get last place. We only stand behind our contestants once they prove themselves. Until then we will trash trash trash them. This is how we do it!
Idan has done poll… 80%. it’s scientific. Come on. Lefargen doesn’t cost money
The problem is he excels at taking Western music and making it Mizrahi (Eastern), this song is a Western Ballad and they de-Judaised it.. and added the opposite – a gospel choir sound. they turned him into a foreign but Christian lounge singer looking for his big break in Las Vegas. It’s a slap in the face to do this… They are removing everything Jewish to show in Eurovision. First they make it so that certain bands can’t compete to hold final rehearsal on the Sabbath. Then performers – Omer Adam also refused because it’s Shabbat (the Sabbath). Then they… Read more »
That’s true
Kobi’s charms are lost on me. His voice is weak in the verse, he bellows at you in the chorus, and everything he sings reeks of self-importance. The guy needs to lighten up a bit!
Israel sends a strong defender of the eurovision trophy. After a first listen the song felt average in the paste until up the minute mark where his voice multiplies and it gets really harmonical and nice. The end is a nice bit aswell and the message is clear in the first listen. His voice is very strong and one can argue its one of the strongest voices this year. However there is a chance that this song will be forgotten and lose a heavy margin of derserved votes to countries like Netherlands / Russia etc with strong emotional songs aswell.… Read more »
This is Sweden’s year to win in Israel. Just like 1999. But Israel will do very well with this. The crowd will feed off of him and the televote will feed off the crowd.
i think you are forgetting that there are 39 other countries competing
That’s why i prefer Ketreyah more
only Shefita could possibly win Eurovision again for Israel
Shafita is a racist parody with a dumb accent. This abomination lost each and every round during the competition and came to the final only because she was protected from the elimination. And you speak about winning of Eurovision.
Oh My god, this is a masterpiece ! I love his voice so beautiful and powerful.
The singer is so elegant, for me definetely in the top 5.
Bravo Israel – J’adore ! Greetings from France…
This guy is from another planet. An amazing ballad, simply brilliant. Hope for a Top 10 for Israel.
Her voice is incredible.
Like a lot! Good luck Israel from Buenos Aires 🙂
Well his voice is really strong, and he sings it so well, however I really hope that he doesn’t get the host country curse, and finish low on the table on the night, but I love how authentic the song is, so who knows Israel 2020 possibly, but Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, Cyprus, there’s been so many good songs so far who knows, this could be a great year.
The way I see it, Israel will be competing for the bottom 5 with France and the UK.
Let France and Uk in peace, are you obsessed by mickael and Bilal ? You are obliged to talk meanly about them everywhere ? Is it your job ? These two countries will do well, live with that.Period.
Okay let’s talk about BORING. But i don’t hate thé song as i did last year
I like it a lot! I would even like it more in Hebrew to highlight our rich diversity. Direct to my top 10! Good luck from Catalonia!
Whats Catalonia?
A region spread across Spain, Andorra, and France.
As Jamala might ask…
“Is Catalonia Spain, or… ?” 😛
Good entry, but Israel will be stuck by the host country curse of ending up in the bottom, just as Austria 2015, Ukraine 2017 and Portugal 2018.
I beg to defer! This one is definitely going to be in the top10. Mark my words.
There are 2 articles about Dancing with the stars / On ice, but no article about the revamped version of Albania 2019?
The revamps seem to get their articles a bit later (Montenegro, Romania etc.). Hold on in there!
Best ballad this year!
Best singer/performer that’s for sure
It’s nice and dramatic. But to much Broadway musical for my taste!
To compare apples to apples, this is much better than russia, better vocals for sure, and yet somehow russia is still favorite to win, doesn’t make any sense. If the russian song was from another country, it probably wouldn’t even qualify
Well Russia started as 1st in the betting odds without the artist even being announced (and Sweden was 2nd) so it takes a lot of people betting on other songs and no one betting on Russia to really make it drop in the odds
I don’t fully agree ggg, the Russian singer is tried and tested on the Eurovision stage. We know he can sing, dance and do tricks all at the same time. He’s a safe pair of hands regardless of the song, so in that sense, it makes sense.
Why does the music video give me Jacques Houdek vibes? The verse ‘I am Someone’ and the multiple Kobis make it sound even more egocentric to me..
Haha! OMG I hadn’t noticed that! That’s really funny. 😀
The multiple heads is an ode to Bohemian Rhapsody. Apparently the director was specially instructed to take that iconic song into considerion in his vision for the videoclip (in part because of Kobi’s resemblance to Freddie Mercury).
Ok, but the song has nothing to do with Bohemian Rhapsody, which is a masterpiece.
This is probably not what you expect to hear but the song and video combined i think has some potential meme quality in it somewhere…
Jacques Houdek, the man, the myth, the legend, lmao
And by the way – where they trying to recreate a Bond film opening with that music video? Seriously, “Spectre” flashbacks all the way!
More of bohamian raphsody….and he looks like Freddie Mercury…same look in the eyes even(: Freddie would be proud
I’m glad I’m not the only one seeing that resemblance!
Wowwwwww!!!
Host country having no shame to present a song in english instead of hebrew.
Yeah “Beit” would be 10x better than “Home”.
the supidest comment ive ever read.
Ukraine Sweden Austria Denmark Germany Azerbaijan….
Shame on them too.
By the way, English it’s also the official language of Israel.
No it’s not.
Kobi’s vocals are excellent and the song does a flawless job on showing every single great thing about his voice. It would be the perfect choice to win a talent show (no wonder why he just won one). In a song contest, he’ll need more than that. Can he be as magnetic as Salvador? Even if he can’t, that would be a very respectable musical theather number. By the way, it’s a good year for eurofans who like musicals, since Russia’s, North Macedonia’s and Germany’s entries also could perfectly fit one, all of them with worthy results.
I live and breathe musicals. So ESC 2019 is looking like one of my favourite years, ever. 🙂
I knew it! The way you reacted about “Scream” (while almost everybody around your comment was hating it) told it all. Had Israel stole part of Russia’s thunder on your view?
Russia still has the musical’s thunder and lightning, but Israel is bringing the heart and soul of the stage musical. They each bring something different. I like them both.
I still have a problem connecting to the first 2 minutes of “Scream”, but I started to love its bridge and the powerful ending. Sounds like one that’s fun to play in piano.
Yeah, “Scream” is epic on piano, with all those octaves. It covers almost the whole range of the instrument!
Amsterdam or Rome 2020
Or not xD
Rome, if Rai doesn’t refuse… 🙁
Btw, the revamped version of Ktheju Tokes kicks ass.
I think Israel’s entry this year is pleasant, but it is not a ‘standout’ song. I wish he sang in Hebrew though – it’s a beautiful language to showcase in the hosting country.
I think this song would be much stronger if it were sung in Hebrew. I think if it were in Hebrew, it could be a powerful ballad that claims identity and a sense of place, which would feel quite relevant in a changing Europe. It would be standing on the shoulders of Salvador Sobral, but not copying his song in any way. In English I feel like it’s a bit generic and boring. I don’t see this getting to the left side of the board, but it might stay out of the bottom five, unlike a lot of previous host… Read more »
this is actually the kind of quality, honesty, authenticity that I expected from Russia this year. glad that Israel, once again, delivers.
I must say I really really loved it. I cant stand ballads. But this one is special in a way. I can feel every word he sang. beautiful.