It’s less “Say Na Na Na” and more “Say Yay Yay Yay” with the news that San Marino‘s Eurovision 2019 representative, Serhat, is releasing his debut album for pre-order this Friday, 26th April! The fourteen-track composition is named “That’s How I Feel,” and in an exclusive with wiwibloggs you can see the premiere of the album artwork, as well as preview each song on the album.

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The cover shows San Marino’s greatest showman dressed all in white, busting a move against a mint green background. Furthermore, by clicking HERE you will be taken to Serhat’s “That’s How I Feel” album sampler, where you can here a 30-second preview of each song on his upcoming album.

“That’s How I Feel”

The album includes both his Eurovision 2019 entry, “Say Na Na Na,” as well as a three versions of his 2016 entry “I Didn’t Know”: the ESC disco version, an Italian ballad version (“Non era io”) and his 2017 pop revamp with Martha Wash.

We can additionally sing along to old favourites such as “Total Disguise,” “Je m’adore” and “Chocolate Flavour,” as well as discover new bangers and mysterious ballads, such as “Devotion” and “There Must Be a Way” and “La La La”.

All songs are undeniably Serhat, with fusions of disco, swing and dance music, accompanied by soothing female vocalists and Serhat’s iconic husky tones. The final product is an album which is thoroughly enjoyable, and well worth the wait for eurofans across the globe.

Interview with Serhat at #PrePartyES

Last weekend Madrid hosted the Iberian peninsula’s biggest Eurovision preparty, the #PrePartyES – and one act that most certainly brought the fiesta was San Marino’s Serhat. The Turkish superstar invited Deban to his suite, and after treating him to a signed CD of his Eurovision 2019 entry, we had a chance to catch up on all things Eurovision.

Firstly, Serhat confirms the rumours that he wrote the song in 10 minutes, and defends this, reminding us that “inspiration is just a matter of 1 second, 1 minute – not 24 hours.” The two-time Sammarinese representative goes on to exclaim his excitement to be competing with his own song. In fact, he reveals that he started to write songs after competing in Eurovision 2016, although “Say Na Na Na” is the first song to be released professionally.

Additionally, Serhat tells how he is delighted by the success of his Eurovision 2019 entry in the international charts, and explains why he thinks including remixes on the EP was so important. Referring to his 2016 entry, he also adds that it seems “strange it didn’t qualify, yet was the only song in the two years after 2016 the only song in so many different countries”.

Mr. Hacıpaşalıoğlu explains how this time round, his Eurovision adventure is even more exciting, as he is the leader of the project, telling us “this year I am the only one who is deciding for everything: for the song, for the video, for the promotional stuff.” Keeping it authentic, y’all!

San Marino’s stage performance in Tel Aviv

Whilst Serhat does not disclose any information about his actual Eurovision 2019 staging, he does give us some clues as to what attire he will be wearing. The disco king will be going for the “smart-casual” look, sporting trousers, a jacket and shoes. However, one iconic Serhat symbol will not make it to Tel Aviv, as there will be “no hat this year” (*cries in Sammarinese*).

And in response to being chosen to close the first semi-final, Serhat tells us “this is a big honour for me, and I will do it with big pleasure.” He also believes that this was the right decision, as “this song deserves to make the finals.” However, he does not believe in the common thought that performing last is a great advantage for getting more votes.

The message behind “Say Na Na Na”

Regarding the message of the song, Serhat assures us that the message is very powerful and very easy: “be yourself and celebrate life.” Going further, he explains “fun is the best part of our lives, we don’t need to take ourselves so seriously […] we all are heroes.” Explaining the lyric ‘be the rainbow’, Serhat elabroates “we love all the colours of this life, we are the colours.”

Serhat closes the interview giving us hints as to what San Marino’s postcard will look like (including the fact that it was not shot in Tel Aviv nor Jerusalem, but the south of Israel), and revealing his stage director for Tel Aviv, making the 2019 Sammarinese team a international mix of contributions from Turkey, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, the Netherlands and more!

Serhat will perform last in semi-final 1 on 14th May. He is trying to bring San Marino back to the Eurovision final for just the second time, after Valentina Monetta qualified on her third attempt in 2014.

What do you think? Are you digging “That’s How I Feel”? Will San Marino reach the finals? Are you weeping over #NoHatSerhat? Let us know in the comments below!

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rio grande
rio grande
4 years ago

True gentleman. Go Serhat!!!!!

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Nevermind? Sgt. Pepper? London Calling? They ain’t nothing. Serhat is about to drop the most fire mixtape of 2019. Y’all ain’t even ready.

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Purple, you and I were discussing the colour of Serhat’s hat here a few weeks ago and now, all hope is destroyed 🙁 Damn, no iconic symbol 2019 😀

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  ESCFan2009

Can’t have everything, I suppose. Unless…it’s an invisible hat! Or a hat reveal or something. Infinite possibilities. He’s a showman after all.

Piikatschoo
Piikatschoo
4 years ago
Reply to  ESCFan2009

I’m glad he’s losing the hat because he’s #bald #man #sexy

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

whew i’m having my best friend over to make homemade pasta on friday, now we kno what we’re gonna listen to. this album’s gonna be a TRIP !