He won Lithuania’s national final for Eurovision in February and is set to sing 12th in the second-semi on May 16.
And now Jurijus has unveiled a “Run With the Lions” revamp as preparations for Eurovision begin in earnest.
This latest revamp joins a string of re-releases in recent weeks from countries including Serbia and Spain.
What’s different?
The new “Run With the Lions” has been polished within an inch of it’s life.
Where the original was tentative, the revamp is confident. Where production was lacking, effects have been dialled up to sixty. And the vocal has been refreshed too, with the studio recording sounding much more assured in previously wobbly falsetto sections.
Part of the previous issues with the song were inconsistent production, flitting between radio-ready hit and undercooked demo, but those problems have been largely glossed over in the revamp.
There have been a few tweaks in the vocals too. For example, “There’s no need to be afraid,” has become, “You don’t have to be afraid.” It is a subtle change but it adds a more personal feeling and potential for greater emotional impact in staging.
“Run With The Lions” revamp in Tel Aviv
As the contest draws closer, acts have descended on Tel Aviv for postcard shoots, and Jurijus is no exception.
The Lithuanian star gushed about how much he was “loving” the city on his Instagram page.
The post, which racked up 1.68k likes, praised the city’s “magical mix of old and new.”
It also singled out the city’s people as “beautiful” and food as “awesome”.
Jurijus has promo gigs booked in the weeks before Eurovision, including at the London Eurovision Party and in Amsterdam for Eurovision in Concert.
What do you make of the revamp? Has it increased Lithuania’s chances? Let us know in the comments below!
If he qualifies, it will be 9th or 10th. Quite friendly semi-final for Lithuania, but the juries might support other male acts with stronger songs (N’lands, Sweden, Russia and Switzerland).
He’s battling for that last “male qualifier” spot against Azerbaijan, but this one is in a better position.
The same for the girls, at least half of them will go home earlier.
Ugh, so close to being an amazing song, but it’s good.
This song was already in my top 10, revamp is a great addition
It’s a big improvement, but I don’t know if it will be enough to qualify in a strong semi-final. I’m not a fan of his falsetto.
I’m also worried too. It’s also placed between Malta and Russia, which could hurt it. We’ll have to see when semi final 2 airs
I try it yesterday and today, it is still unavailable. Can you suggest another link to the revamp version, thanks.
It’s on spotify.
This revamp is definitely an improvement, but will it be enough for Lithuania to survive semi final 2? I don’t know; being surrounded by Malta and Russia doesn’t help. Then again Lithuania qualified last year despite being placed between Czech Republic and Israel in that bloodbath semi final, so you never know. Granted, I don’t think Lithuania will be that lucky. The song should be retitled as killed by the lions.
SF2 is perfect for Lithuania. They have Latvia with them + all their major diaspora countries, UK, Ireland and Norway, voting in this semi. They’re almost a certain qualifier.
I guess that is an advantage, but you can’t just rely on neighbor and diaspora voting if your song is weak. It’s also placed in a very tough spot between Malta and Russia, which could make it struggle. All we can do is wait and see when semi final 2 airs. I don’t know if Lithuania will be as lucky as last year, but for now, it’s not one of my top ten qualifiers. I will be pleasantly surprised if it does go through.
Unless the juries kill them…
Question : What actually IS his name ?
Jurijus Veklenko
Thank you ! Why does the Eurovision website present him as “Jurij Veklenko” ? I AM CONFUSION
Well people have problems pronouse his name. They say “juryjuice” & it have to be pronouced “yuriyus”. Even he saw about it & posted in his Instagram story. I guess it got a bit too annoying so he choose slavic version of his name.
It desperately needed a revamp. And it was a well made one (the exception is the ending), but I still feel totally cold about the song.
It was already good, but sounds even better. Hope Lithuania qualifies! It’s in my top 5.
And when is the music video coming out?
Just added it to my playlist. Great revamp.
his falsetto sounds…..painful. the song is so vanilla and whack idk
such a good bop, revamped instrumentals definitely more polished feel now 🙂 Good Luck Jurijus for semi final 2, in tel aviv
Even if he doesn‘t succeed the semi-final with this incredible bop I‘ll pretend it was made for The Lion King.
The one song I was wanting to be revamped….and it has been!
Why oh why is the video now unavailable? I need to see it. ;;
I know, right? What’s the point in having all these links when almost none of them works. Same story as with Latvia. Zero. Showing.
the video isn’t available :/ was it deleted or is it just like that for me?
Liked the original, love the new version, and oooh, love Jurijus even more!
love it
I think that the revamp did its job, it sounds better now.
I still think that he could easily slip through as there are few spots, that could be battled in semi 2 (similar to Andrius Pojavis few years ago)
Fun fact: Jurijus was his back vocalist lol
This song is way too well put together. Very formulaic. That’s why it doesn’t work. After the first minute I already know what the rest of the song will be like. Only a miraculous staging can save this.
I don’t think much will save this song from NQ… sorry ????
Mark my words, it will qualify. It has so many allies in that semi. Plus it’s jury friendly