Uku Suviste was due to sing for Estonia at Eurovision 2020 with “What Love Is”. This followed his Eesti Laul victory in February.
Scroll down for “What Love Is” lyrics
Estonia in Eurovision 2020: Uku Suviste “What Love Is”
Despite a significant section of the fanbase backing runner-up Jaagup Tuisk, Uku was the bookies’ favourite to win Eesti Laul 2020. And in the end, he enjoyed a convincing victory — picking up almost 70% of the vote in a three-song superfinal.
It was a case of third time lucky for Uku. Before “What Love Is”, he’d previously entered Estonia’s Eurovision selection in 2017 and 2019. On the latter occasion, he finished second behind Victor Crone in the grand final.
Uku’s performance experience also takes in stints at New Wave and on the seventh series of The Voice Of Russia. He was coached by Ukraine’s Eurovision 2008 star Ani Lorak.
What do the “What Love Is” lyrics mean?
“What Love Is” is, according to the Eurovision website, a dramatic ode to feelings that come with falling in love and was inspired by musical theatre.
The lyrics speak about someone who did not know love before.
This person thought he would be alone for the rest of his life.
As the song progresses, he literally finds out what love is, as the title suggests.
Lyrics like “I couldn’t have told you what blue is till I looked into your eyes” and “Or how soft the feel of a cloud is till I was touching your skin” describe how someone finds out he is in love with another person.
In his national final performance, Uku was surrounded by a lot of candles. These can be interpreted as people or hearts.
Indeed, Uku suggests that in order to understand the true meaning of the song, one needs to take in not just the lyrics, but also his performance and the staging around him.
When OGAE Azerbaijan asked what love is for him, he responded:
“That’s the question I’m raising in the song itself. And the best answer to it cannot really be put into words. Although the writer of the song Sharon Vaughn is doing it really nicely, describing the beautiful feeling of it. But, to me, I think it’s best really expressed… well that’s what I try to do on stage. Actually to express the feeling with the music, with the lyrics and with the act. And with my presence”.
“What Love Is” lyrics – Uku Suviste (Estonia ESC 2020)
Written and composed by: Sharon Vaughn and Uku Suviste
Sharon Vaughn is a Stockholm-based songwriter. She’s written on numerous Eurovision entries, including Jedward’s “Waterline” (Ireland 2012), Sergey Lazarev’s “Scream” (Russia 2019) and Stefania’s “Superg!rl” (Greece 2020).
Text
How mysterious this life can be
Full of beautiful surprises
I never really knew the man I thought was me
Dreams that I believed
Convinced my destiny
I was meant to be alone
But how can you know how a star looks
If you’ve never looked at the sky
I couldn’t have told you what blue is
Till I looked into your eyes,
Or how soft the feel of a cloud is
‘Till I was touching your skin
The world is a wonder of wonders I’d never seen
I never imagined the power
I never imagined the need
I never imagined what love is
now love is all I dream
How wonderful was the awakening
Now everything is the sunrise
Painted in sounds of your breathing
Colored by your sighs
I never knew
what it was to – love
Much too sensible too reasonable
Ever to believe in miracles
But now you’ve come to me
Changed my destiny
I’ll never be alone
I never imagined the power
I never imagined the need
I never imagined what love is
now love is all I dream
How wonderful was the awakening
Now everything is the sunrise
Painted in sounds of your breathing
Colored by your sighs
I never imagined the power
I never imagined the need
I never imagined what love is
now love is all I dream
I never imagined the power
I never knew
what it was to – love
What do you think of the “What Love Is” lyrics? Can you relate? Let us know in the comments.
I know a lot of people don’t like Estonia, but I love this song. I’m probably swayed by his smouldering hot looks though ?
Take me in a heartbeat, Estonian hunk!
I like this song, but I liked his NSF song “Pretty little liars” from last year much more.
We’ve seen many joke Eurovision entries over the years, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen one like this song, which purports to be serious, but literally makes me laugh out loud.
Outdated , boring, seen before, cliché, overdone, pretentious. Next.
I wanna know what love is.
I want you to show me….