In the world of Eurovision, songs that feature the word “night” in the title have a tendency to be upbeat bangers. From Sakis Rouvas’ “This is Our Night” to Kurt Calleja’s “This is the Night”, the idea of the sun going down typically comes with a martini and hip-shaking swag.
Not so with Carousel. As the “That Night” lyrics make clear, the night is also a time for sad reminiscence and broken hearts — when thoughts flow freely and bring with them regrets, longing and melancholy.
Musically “That Night” is a minimalist entry — stripped back to the bone. The jazzy sound carries sadness but it’s never over the top. The delicate quality of the music — think simple strums and soft whispers — makes the repetition of luh-uh-uh-uh-uve sound like the beating of a heart.
What do the “That Night” lyrics mean?
Lead singer Sabine Zuga sings about the night her beloved left her. She cuts straight to the chase in the opening verse, laying out the void she felt when she realised he was gone. “No stars were shining, there was no light,” she sings. “One troubled thought broke through and coloured my world so blue.”
The chorus begins with a question: “Love — where are you?” There is no answer, which says it all really, and instead of resolution she just repeats her desire: “Love — I need you.” Oh dear.
As she descends further into her loneliness and despair, you almost get the sense she’s crossing the River Styx to meet Hades. It’s fitting. Life without her guy is pure hell. As she sings: “A river dark as cold, it took me far away from the shore. Please come to me till sunrise and take me back to my paradise.”
That Night lyrics — Carousel
It was a lonely night
No stars were shining, there was no light
One troubled thought broke through
And coloured my world so blue
Love – where are you?
Love – I need you
Love – all night through
Where are you, my love? Oh…
I traveled through the time
It felt for me like doing a crime
My mind did crazy things
Imagination opened their wings
A river dark as cold
It took me far away from the shore
Please come to me till sunrise
And take me back to my paradise
Love – where are you?
Love – I need you
Love – all night through
Where are you, my love? Oh…
Love – where are you?
Love – I need you
Love – all night through
Where are you, my love? Oh…
Love, love
Love – where are you?
Love – I need you
Love – all night through
Where are you, my love? Oh…
Love – where are you?
Love – I need you
Love – all night through
Where are you, my love?
Where are you?
Latvia at Eurovision 2019
The final of Supernova 2019 was a close race, especially when it came to the public vote. Mister Supernova Markus Riva won the streaming platform vote. Carousel, however, slayed the jury vote and earned the most televotes and Internet votes. That left pre-contest favourites Markus Riva, Samanta Tina and Edgars Kreilis out in the cold.
The song has received mixed feedback. Many fans love the fact that Latvia’s entry is not a “typical Eurovision song”. That’s often seen as an advantage (think Salvador Sobral). Still others find the song too repetitive and slow. We’ll find out if the laid back sound is enough for Latvia to qualify again after missing out on the final in 2017 and 2018.
What do you think about the song’s lyrics and its chances of standing out in the second semi final? Will we see Latvia in the Grand final again? Let us know in the comments below.
Jazzy vibes is one of the best thing invented in this world! Wish there be much more songs like this one in Eurovision. Such songs should win this contest constantly.
Also, Sabine has the most beautiful voice timbre of all this year’s female vocalists.
Beautiful lyrics
Let´s not forget that we all dismissed Calm after the storm as a NQ in 2014 and then it almost won! Hope for the same with Latvia.
Hmmmm. I can not with this song. Sorry.
First, Supernova 2019 was a sheer torture to watch – I was bored to death.
And not surprisingly we have the same outcome . . .
Definitely not going to qialify. Too boring, Lativa, too boring. YOU NEED A WAKE-UP CALL
I remember how Calm After The Storm 2014 was similarly misunderstood until their genius staging elevated them; Latvia is sending us a charming song that will get lost in the semi unless they bring it visually! Love to Latvia!
The staging wasn´t that genius, but the song was just great and connected with people.
I agree that genius is not necessarily obvious in hindsight, but their staging singularly elevated this perceived “monotonous non-qualifier” to a contender. The genius is in providing a relatable story: this became, to me at least, a song about a couple on a drive. The “monotony” became a driving force. You may have been there and felt differently, but 2014 for me was the year when the 2 top songs, both discounted before the live shows, proved that staging can change EVERYTHING.
I commented with some people Sabine looks like Michelle Gomez (Missy in Doctor Who) and now I’m laughing because that second verse is so Master/ Missy x Doctor
I’m with you!!! This could be the end of Eurovision… she must be stopped!
Carousel benifitted from being the only one of the leading acts to nail the LatvianNF.
Could’ve been so much more, but the repetition ruins it.
Really think this was one of the worst songs in Latvia’s NF. I don’t take anything from it.
One of my favorites!
For the last 65 seconds of the song, they sing some version of luh uh uh uh love which is the epitome of repetitive and boring. I really want to love Latvia, but this year I just can’t.
I bloody love Latvia this year. I get people saying it’s repetitive and unremarkable, but to me it’s just great. I really enjoy the perspective of a person sitting or lying in bed all alone in the middle of the night deep in thought reliving the moments of the past relationship. It so ethereal, poetic and… impressionistic, I guess? And the experience of traveling with the protagonist through his/hers memories just give me chills, makes me dreamy and teleports me into another universe. Hopefully a dark horse.
Couldn’t agree more with everything you say! It’s currently my number 4 and I absolutely adore it.
Agree. It makes me feel at home with my body.
Totally agree with you, it´s my number 3 overall.