The Next Song for Eurovision — Israel’s one-artist song selection — debuted in 2020. Eden Alene performed four songs, three of which featured arresting, in-your-face ethnic elements. “Feker Libi” — which translates to “My Love” in Amharic — took gold. It includes that phrase in three different languages, creating a global pastiche that crosses borders while nodding to Eden’s beautiful backstory: She was born in Israel to two Ethiopian parents. Written by Doron Medalie and Idan Raichel, the track is about Eden’s boyfriend, Jonathan, and its lyrics span English, Amharic, Arabic, Hebrew and an imaginary tongue dreamed up for this most magical of songs.
Scroll down for “Feker Libi” lyrics
Israel in Eurovision 2020: Eden Alene “Feker Libi”
Eden Alene — who now goes by the mononym Eden — is a 19-year-old Israeli-Ethiopian singer. After she rose to prominence by winning X Factor Israel in 2017, she released several singles, helping lay the groundwork for the next big thing. And it turned out that that was Eurovision. She won over the Israeli people during the Eurovision artist selection The Next Star for Eurovision 2020. While the jury only gave her a slight edge over the other two finalists, the public handed her a landslide victory.
To choose her song for Eurovision, she then participated in a song selection show where she had to master four different tracks and performances — replete with choreo and backing dancers. It was the first-time since 2010 that Israel opted for this song selection format. Eden currently serves in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces), meaning she’s got perspective well beyond the recording studio.
What do the “Feker Libi” lyrics mean?
The fact that “Feker Libi” is a sung in five languages conveys the universality of her message: love is the most important thing we have, regardless of where we live or what language we speak. The inclusion of the imaginary language in the lyrics only adds to this: love can be felt even in the absence of linguistic understanding.
Although the song submission process began before Eden Alene won the right to represent Israel, Doron Medalie and Idan Raichel wrote this song specifically for Alene. Apparently they were very confident she had what it took to win. The song is spoken from the singer’s perspective. It talks about being proud of her African roots and her love for Yonathan, her boyfriend. It’s all about celebrating their personal histories, but also the future they will write together. As she sings: “Tonight is our story, we celebrate the glory, we have no shame.”
Doron has described it as an African celebration mixed with pop. Medalie created a few phrases in a pseudo-African language for the song, which along with the Amharic lyrics and influences, showcase the Ethiopian culture more strongly. No matter what the language, no matter what the struggle, Eden’s love for her man shines through.
“I’m not ashamed to love you, tonight I’m gonna find you, I call your name,” she sings. “Feker libi (my love), Habib albi (my love), Ahuv libi (my love), Otkha ani ohevet (I love you).”
“Feker Libi” lyrics – Eden Alene (Israel ESC 2020)
Written and composed by: Doron Medalie and Idan Raichel
Doron Medalie and Idan Raichel are very familiar names within Eurovision, albeit for different reasons. Doron wrote Israel’s song in 2015, 2016 and 2018, landing in the top 15 every time with one win. Idan, on the other hand, participated in Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv as an interval act. During the Israeli artist selection, Alene performed Idan’s song “Shoshanim Atzuvot” during a tribute episode.
Feker libi, wade halu, nawa dane, I love you
Feker libi, wade halu, nawa dane, I love you
Yalla-la, yalla-la
Yalla-la, yalla-la
Once upon a time, I was looking for a sign
Pachamama, Pachamama
Show the way, oh, be my guide (I love you)
Love is on the mind
Close your eyes and you will find
Melodia, Melodia
Feel the energy inside
Say
All the people coming, coming my way
Love is on my way
Maka lakuma de de, maka lakuma de masa
Maka lakuma de de, maka lakuma
Feker libi
Tonight is our story
We celebrate the glory
We have no shame
Feker libi
I’m not ashamed to love you
Tonight I’m gonna find you
I call your name
Feker libi (my love)
Habib albi (my love)
Ahuv libi (my love)
Otkha ani ohevet (I love you)
Feker libi (my love)
Habib albi (my love)
Ahuv libi (my love)
Otkha ani ohevet (I love you)
Look at us tonight
Colour party side to side
Confetti-ya, confetti-ya
Falling on us from the sky
Say
All the people coming, coming my way
Love is on my way
Maka lakuma de de, maka lakuma de masa
Maka lakuma de de, maka lakuma
Feker libi
Tonight is our story
We celebrate the glory
We have no shame
Feker libi
I’m not ashamed to love you
Tonight I’m gonna find you
I call your name
Feker libi (my love)
Habib albi (my love)
Ahuv libi (my love)
Otkha ani ohevet (I love you)
Feker libi (my love)
Habib albi (my love)
Ahuv libi (my love)
Otkha ani ohevet (I love you)
Feker libi, wade halu, nawa dane, I love you
Feker libi, wade halu, nawa dane, I love you
Feker libi, wade halu, nawa dane, I love you
Feker libi, wade halu, nawa dane, I love you
Does Eden Alene’s song get to you? Are you feeling the African influences? Say what you think in the comments below!
Who are the another 2 singers in a eurovision feker libi? ( No eden )
Who are the another 2 singers?
What a loving song and a lovely theme!
I absolutely love her song Eden has a amazing voice. Wishing you all the luck in the world. Your are a ?.
“feker libi don’t mean hello, you know what it is – i love you!” is what i hear, i honestly love this song so much
Now that I know the meaning of the lyrics, it makes the song so much less interesting to me.
She didn’t write the lyrics.
Off topic: they revamped Kemama again. Found the happy medium between the two versions I think.
That sounds good, thanks for the update Joe!
I quite enjoy the original and want Benny to do well.
Also, I got back to your San Marino reply.