After a little teasing, Georgian rocker Tornike Kipiani has finally released his song for Eurovision 2020. “Take Me As I Am” was given its premiere on Georgian breakfast television this morning. On the show, the song was revealed for the first time to Georgia and to Eurovision fans.
The song examines the pressures that Tornike feels to model himself after other nationalities. Someone in his life wants him to “talk like an Englishman”, “dress like an Italian”, “dance like a Spanish guy”, “smell like a French homme” and “play like a German”.
But despite the pressure, Tornike is determined to stay true to himself. He asserts that he wants people to “take me as I am” — ultimately a positive message. The song also gets bilingual, with “I love you” expressed in the languages of the above European nations.
Even if Tornike can’t find happiness with the subject of his song, the track is bound to please fans of heavier, rock-style Eurovision entries. “Take Me As I Am” combines rock and electronic sounds with orchestral flourishes.
Tornike Kipiani – “Take Me As I Am” (Music video)
The music video showcases his working process in the studio, with three backing vocalists – Aleko Berdzenishvili, Mariam Shengelia and Mariko Lezhava. The song is mix of classic rock, electro and dubstep and explores the concept of human relations.
Tornike’s team
Tornike wrote “Take Me As I Am” himself, while Aleko Berdzenishvili arranged the song. Temo Kvirkvelia directed the music video.
Tornike has called in the big guns for his stage show in Rotterdam. Emilia Sandquist — his stage director — is an international creative who has dreamed up successful performances in the past for Swedish artists in Melodifestivalen. She is also a member of the Jean Baptiste Group.
Speaking on the morning show, Sandquist said that while she couldn’t reveal details of the staging, she promised the team would deliver a “strong and modern performance”.
Who is Tornike Kipiani?
Tornike is a 32-year-old musician and the father of three children. He earned the right to represent Georgia at Eurovision 2020 after winning Georgian Idol 2019.
He has a good track record in reality singing competitions, as he also won the 2014 edition of X Factor Georgia. Tornike’s mentor on the show was Cyprus’ Eurovision 2018 star Tamta.
Tornike previously tried to represent Georgia at Eurovision in 2017. He competed in the country’s national final with the industrial techno song “You Are My Sunshine”.
What do you think of “Take Me As I Am? How should it be staged in Rotterdam? Tell us your thoughts below!
Hey guys, just think differently: the lyrics may have a political message: lyrics are not about one georgian, but about Georgia who wants be taken by EU like it is ?????. There is many many things to say backward ?
My favourite this year by far…though not a winner.
Love love love. This is so raw and emotive! Not getting all the analysis of the lyrics over the power of this song. The lyrics actually are deep because they throw open levels of interpretation. As it ended suddenly after soaring harmonies I just felt emotion. And a wow.
Georgia never disappoints haha 🙂 It’s not a conventional song, but hey, this is Eurovision and we want to have fun! If his live vocals are good, this is the year Georgia will finally qualify for the final again!
I love the sound of it but the lyrics don’t do anything for me. On the otherhand it does make me want to sing along.. I think it has to grow on me a bit.
OK I love it but since they have three languages in it why is there no Georgian?
I kinda like the song, but the lyrics sound a bit cringy and lazy.
Same here. But I like they go for something new instead of doing what the other countries do or what is trending.
Indeed
I’m happy that it’s not another typcial ballad and that they’re trying something different. First impression it is good but I feel this will be a grower for me so I could come to love it.
“As usual”
Just love it !
My top five :
1 Lithuania
2 Georgia
3 Belgium
4 Australia
5 Norway
I love it!!! Finally good rock. My nr 1!
Good luck “Yifo” !
This song is amazing. Better and more sincere than Aram Mp3 in 2014. Georgia FTW
What is this, georgian electrogrunge or something? As a side note, the supporting girls are incredibly cute.
Its a huge improvement from last year. Other than that, this is going nowhere. Tornike has a nice voice and the right staging may bring this to life, but it lacks an approachable perspective as this is a heavy musical style and way too much nationalistic. I myself feel nothing listening to this.
Well, that is my favorite now
What I like is that Georgia don’t care about what everyone else is doing, they just do whatever they want
And bad results don’t discourage them either. Right attitude.
Last year, Georgia was my absolute least favorite (it’s my opinion, please don’t hate). 2020 will NOT be the same. I really like this. Only Georgia would have the chutzpah to send something as unique and cool as ‘Take Me As I Am’. I especially appreciate the Sofi Marinova-esque (or maybe Todomondo?) ‘I love you’s in many different languages. I hope this will qualify. This can definitely be a dark horse, especially because there is nothing else like it this year. Qochagh, Sakartvelo!
I hope you are working on a toilet break songs list wiwi.. cuz.. wow..
the message might be okay but i don’t like the song.. so no qualifier if i am asked.. no one stopped them of sending the same message in a better package.. the package gets a NO by me..
Georgia 2/10.
Have played this now a few times and am really liking it!!! quite remarkable, for me.!!
God, so many wrong takes on the lyrics in the comments. It’s not about “trashing other countries” or “propagating stereotypes”, lol. That’s a very immature read. It’s sung from the perspective of Georgians, or perhaps of Georgia itself. It’s about loving the country for what it is, not trying to change it into something it isn’t. The answer from the female singer is “I love you” in English, French, German. So it might be directed at the outside world in general, at other countries, to accept and celebrate Georgian culture, not try to shape it into their image. Not sure… Read more »
I think that’s it. You should also know that since a few years Georgia has been becoming/has wanted to become more and more European (thinking of culture or values. He takes the Big5 countries because they are some kind of role models ). Maybe Tornike wants to show that the Georgians should take care and not forget there own culture.
I personally like the song and the message! Didi madloba, Sakartvelo!
It’s also a fitting response to countries scoring their entries lower when they don’t conform to international standards.
This is excellent. Surprisingly nationalistic, yet excellent.
This sounds like a lost Alex Clare song.
That’s a good thing.
Why is he taking it against the big 5 countries when there are the likes of Sweden, Russia, Azerbaijan, and the like.
he doesn’t take anything against any country, where even you heard it? oh my….
It’s already in the lyrics. Are you deaf?
uhhh, because the Big five are BIG and the five most well known european countries? Honestly what do they expect. You can’t just go around calling yourself the “big five” and not expect people to talk about you.
Winner Alert !!!
I like the fact we don’t have anything remotely similar to this in the lineup. The arrangement is great, to the point it makes the melody sounds much more complex than it really is. And I can’t imagine a better use to Tornike’s raw vocals. The lyrics could be much better. Yes, they play with stereotypes, but positive ones. Maybe his pain is about being an Eastern European man judged by Western standards? I wish they had found a better solution for the chorus. Having the (great) backing vocals singing “I love you” in different languages is so so. Kudos… Read more »
Well that was a choice!
finally something good becuase i was getting bored
This is simply amazing! Georgia will get my voice, well done!
Good voice, good music and a nice idea – but the lyrics could be way more creative.
Stereotypes much? xd (joke)
It’s ok, but I’d like it more if I didn’t understand lyrics .-.
Music – 7/10
Lyrics – 3/10
One question, by “playing like a German” does Tornike mean playing like Ludwig van Beethoven, Michael Fassbender or Gerd Müller?
That line in particular has the most potential to cause offence – that’s why I think it’s best to steer clear of stereotypes. It’s a shame because I like the genre of the song and he certainly has vocal talent.
Love it!
This is just really weird. There is a clear disconnect between the music and the lyrics. The composition is beautiful and very dramatic, very on brand for Georgia and something we didn’t have this year so far, but the lyrics sound jokey and tongue in cheek, they don’t fit the song at all. I really like the song, but at the end of it I’m just left wondering if I should take it seriously.
Personally, I’ve decided not to take it seriously and that helps me like it more.
We have enough screaming women this year and now another screaming man…My toilet breaks are getting much much longer.
Wtf is this, some fairly dodgy lyrics going on but it is quite funny. If he can belt it out like he does in the clip I wouldn’t be surprised if this does really well in Rotterdam. Gut instinct telling me this is going to work on the big stage.
Fantastic! Just the kind of song I was hoping he’d send. Great work, Georgia!
I’ve just heard it and loved it
Different and powerful
Glad we are getting entries that are not generic pop or ballads
I like it but the lyrics are kind funny lol
I LOVE IT! This is totally up my alley and what I listen to most of the time outside of Eurovision. It goes straight to the nummer one spot in my ranking and without a doubt will get a vote (or more) from me in the final! Thank you and good luck, Georgia!
100% agree on that!
I see a lot of comments on the lyrics but I find them very Eurovision-friendly. They are not to be taken 100% seriously, I think they have a quirky tone, and then lead to a beautiful bridge “Je t’aime, Ich liebe dich”. With a good staging, this could do very well!
Which would be fine if this was a joke entry but the music is visceral to the point of being dark, so it sounds really dissonant. Compare Solovey, where the lyrics echo the folk music of the melody
Not exactly my taste, but it’s always good to have diversity in eurovision! This should stand out and I think this could definitely be in the final!
The lyrics couldn’t be worse. Ok, it could, if Sansa wins in Finland, lol.
Not a fan of this song, sorry
Worst lyrics of the season… I think that Angel Kiss from Moldova has that in a bag. 🙂
Tornike’s lyrics aren’t bad, just edgy. And sometimes, that’s just what we need to stir the pot.
Maybe he could have added, “you want me to be backward like the Slavic countries?”
Just stirring that pot….
Well, he could have said “divided to fractions like a Croat”, cause that’s the stereotype. Anyway, I don’t think that the stereotypes he went with are that offensive. Mostly really vague terms. I don’t even know what he exactly meant by “play like a German”. What – music, sports, management skills?
My gut tells me he means aggressively – the video cuts to a skinhead playing bass and Tornike pulls an aggressive-style face – I don’t think Germans are known for playing bass, so it must be the aggression he is highlighting. Quite offensive when you think about it.
Another problem with the lyrics is how immature they sound when compared with the raw and dark composition. It’s really dissonant, and part of the wider problem with the lyrics, which drag an otherwise good entry down.
The song is TOP15 in odds now !!!
I’m not vibing with this, in fact makes me little anxious lol.. “Why don’t you love meee..” c’mon man..
Love the hunk and his entry for georgia. In my Top 5.
Welcome back to final Georgia. This is a really great song, really great! Reminds me of something in between Disturbed and Linkin Park!
And with it being the only song in the genre it should do well!