They’re the humorous trio who have participated in Lithuania’s Eurovision selections since 2018. And Twosome are keeping their streak alive in 2021. For their fourth attempt, Justinas Stanislovaitis, Paulius Šinkunas and Zigmantas Baranauskas will perform the amusingly titled number “I Love My Bear”.

Before unveiling their Pabandom iš Naujo 2021 song, Twosome spoke with me about the topic of beer, why the video features a bear and why they don’t consider themselves to be a joke act.

Twosome reveal “I love my Bear” for Pabandom iš Naujo 2021

1. Your first two national selection songs were a lot more like ordinary Eurovision songs. But “Playa” was more fun and garnered a much bigger reaction. What inspired you to change to that style of entry?

Our first two songs were the start of our band. Those two first songs were the road of development and we finally came to the point when we knew how we wanted Twosome to sound. As strange as it might sound, the first two songs were more successful in terms of the Lithuanian national selection than “Playa”. But Playa was appreciated more by the people in Lithuania and foreign countries.

2. Could you tell us a bit about your new song for 2021? Was it written specifically with Eurovision in mind?

Yes, our new song just like all of our songs that we’ve competed with has been written especially for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song is dedicated to our nation because Lithuanians are known for their knowledge of two things: basketball and beer. We already sang about basketball in “Playa” so what else is left? We are always trying to sing to and for people.

3. Tell us a bit about your music video. Was it hard to find the film crew and the location during the pandemic?

Since there is a word game with bear and beer, the star of our music video and national selection performance will be a bear. But the lyrical subtext is about beer. And we even have a line in Italian which explains that we actually do not sing about a person but a thing (beer).

It wasn’t really hard to find a film crew. Since we made it to the X Factor Celebrity finals, we decided to hire music producer Lukas Pačkauskas, who is responsible for X Factor Celebrity music arrangements. He is also known as a filmmaker who shoots music videos for well-known Lithuanian artists and he took care of all the details needed when it came to the music video shoot. Also, the Twosome member Paulius Śinkūnas came up with the idea for the music video scenario and he was the main director for it.

4. In case you get the chance to represent Lithuania at Eurovision, do you think other European countries and Australia would struggle to understand your Lithuanian humor?

We don’t think so. It is quite obvious humor and we think that more relaxed countries such as most of Europe and especially Australia will understand it and really have a good time watching it.

5. Do you consider yourself a so-called “joke act”?

Twosome has found its identity, but we don’t consider ourselves as only a joke act. Yes, we do joke around and we like to bring humor on stage because we think that people really need some brightness, especially during these times. But as our third member and actor Zigmantas Baranauskas always says, it is the most difficult form of art. It takes a lot of work and talent to do a good joke and not to cross the awkwardness line.

6. Final question! Did you ever think of changing your name to Threesome now that you have added a third member?

No, haha 🙂

About the music video

The clip starts with Twosome appearing inside a picnic basket alongside large beer cans as they prepare for a party inside a Lithuania forest. We then see our boys enjoying a beer or two with the guitar, glowing food baskets and talking sausages – it’s camping, right? — whilst we hear a bear roaring in the background.

“And we hang out all day and night. When it’s a little dark, it brings out the light.”

After one too many beers, the boys are relaxed and in a party mood. That’s when their forest buddy finally decides to crash the party but not in the way you’d expect. The bear stops by to party and teach our Lithuanian pals a dance step or two in the process, much to everyone’s surprise.

As the party goes on, you can hear bear and other animal sounds somewhere in the forest. Does it mean more animals will join the party? We’ll have to wait for more!

Lithuania: Twosome at Pabandom iš naujo 2021

As previously mentioned, the group are making their fourth attempt at winning Pabandom iš naujo.

We first got to know them in 2018 when the then-duo performed “Hello”, reminding us that despite our cultural and linguistic differences, everybody in the world will understand a simple “hello”.

After a somewhat more sincere approach in 2019 with the bilingual ballad “1000”, the group returned in 2020 with “Playa”. The trio failed to qualify for the final with the upbeat track, but many of their fans urged the broadcaster to introduce them as a wildcard, including our William.

Speaking in Italian in the video, the group’s latest member Zigmantas says this is not just another song about or devoted to a person. And we dig that – it’s about enjoying your life with the friends that you have, something that easily gets forgotten these days. The clip also gives a good visual representation of what Lithuania has to offer: good beer, bears and forest. The trio is scheduled to take part in the first heat next Saturday.

“I Love My Bear” lyrics — Twosome

I have a friend who can deeply understand me
It doesn’t pretend, it really understands me
It shows me the light through my darkest times
It shows me the way, it makes me feel great

A friend with a white hat on its head
When I’m upset he puts it on again
And we hang out for hours, day and night
When it’s a little dark, it brings out the light

Vorremmo raccontarvi un piccolo segreto
Questa è una canzone che non parla di una persona

(Translation: We’d like to tell you a little secret / This song is not about a person)

I love my bear
I love my bear
I love my bear
I love my bear

I love my bear
I love my bear
I love my bear
I love my, I love my, I love my bear

I have to tell I lied
I really have no friends
Every evening we sit on the couch
Watch TV and sing it out loud

Vorremmo raccontarvi un piccolo segreto
Questa è una canzone che non parla di una persona

I love my bear
I love my bear
I love my bear
I love my bear

I love my bear
I love my bear
I love my bear
I love my, I love my, I love my bear

Will Twosome give another memorable performance at Pabandom iš naujo? Can they go against the likes of The Roop and Vilija? Let us know in the comments.

Read more Lithuania news here

20 Comments
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LaVoixCZ
3 years ago

Not to mention the Baltics have some singing sausages kink, last year Kapa Kohi-LA and now this

LaVoixCZ
3 years ago

They were never funny. Just cringe. I don’t get why you are giving them this special attention.

Yannos
Yannos
3 years ago

Where are the jokes? Where are the jokes!!!!?

raspadinha
raspadinha
3 years ago

I really like beer!
Don’t like the song, go figure!

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

Alcohol isn’t always free.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago

Wait hold on, Gabriele Gostautaite’s Freedom is actually really good. The production is amazing and it’s such a nice little summer song.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

Ok wtf why am I being downvoted on all my comments? Lmao stay pressed

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

All of the songs released so far are trash.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago

Well, every single Lithuanian song out right now is bad. But I have faith, because Pabandom is Naujo 2020 had some actual gems, so the people selecting the songs must have done something right.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

Actually, I only just listened to Sit Down. It’s not bad and clearly the best so far.

blueeyed
blueeyed
3 years ago

JFC! These clowns should be banned forever from “Pabandom iš naujo”. My eyes and ears bleed.

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago

This was such a waste of time…

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

Twosome have slowly became one of my favorite comedic acts in NF universe. They have just the right timing, chemistry and unpretentious sense of humor I like. I Love My Bear is just as funny as Playa. Even if I don’t expect it to do well with the juries, I’d be happy if it defies the expectations. Besides, Vilija, Voldemars and Rapolas also released their songs now, so “My top 4 videos” may begin, lol. I can’t wait for PIN and MGP to begin in nine days. Does anyone know will Norway release their songs one week early as last… Read more »

Lebanese esc fan
Lebanese esc fan
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Yes NRK will release the songs competing in semi 1 this coming Monday along with the names of the 6 qualified acts competing in the Finale directly.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Did you see their version of “On Fire” on X Faktorius? I saw it for the first time today and it was brilliant. 😉

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

I did. I think that both On Fire and Jaja Ding Dong resonated well with their style and they managed to make them their own, with still respecting the visions of the original creators. 🙂

Also, Aldegunda also released her song today, which, despite it’s English title, is mostly in Lithuanian. So, 5 are now released, 16 yet to go. I expect this number to climb rapidly within the next few days, with probably 4-5 songs being unheard before the heat.

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Who’s Vilija, Colin? I haven’t found this name in the list of participants.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

She represented Lithuania in 2014. She goes by Sunday Afternoon now. I have no idea whether that is her band or her personal new stage name. Look under – Sunday Afternoon: ,,Open”.

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Oh, I remember her now. But I would never know she changed her artistic name. So, now we have 6 songs out, right? The 5 you mentioned, plus Gabriele’s that Ashton mentioned above. For now, “Open” is my favorite. Not very Eurovision-friendly, I suppose, but the closest from Ruta Loop we have so far. Very curious to check what The Roop will do this time.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

I actually thought their second song was quite good.