It’s one of three songs in Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021 to crack the charts. And while all eyes may be on the loud and brash entries from Teflon Brothers and Blind Channel, Ilta’s “Kelle mä soitan” is gently slipping into the hearts of many. But what is the entry about and what do the lyrics mean?
Scroll down for “Kelle mä soitan” lyrics
Ilta “Kelle mä soitan” (Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021)
Ilta is a rising star in Finland whom many people would have first discovered through her hit collaboartion Sillat (“Bridges”) with the rapper Cheek. In the autumn of 2020, she released her debut album Näitä hetkiä varten (“For These Moments”).
Ilta admits that she had to think “long and hard” about whether she should enter UMK 2021 or not. However, the chance to sing in front of all of Finland (and potentially Europe and Australia) convinced her to take the plunge.
What do the “Kelle mä soitan” lyrics mean?
“Who Do I Call” is a touching ballad. Ilta’s delivery is gentle, yet powerful. The Finnish-language track is about loneliness — when it strikes and how it feels.
Ilta explains more to YLE: “A person may be in the middle of a crowd and still feel really lonely. It is one of the most difficult feelings because we are connected to each other. I hope the song can bring security or support to where everyone is listening to this, together or alone. Even if the song doesn’t say directly that you will survive, it can still give the listener the feeling that they are not alone with this thing”.
One of the songwriters, Väinö Wallenius tells YLE that the songwriting team knew from the beginning that the track would require an orchestral backing track. “The plan was to get an orchestra from Budapest to play this one. Now there’s a string symphony in the background, which is really awesome”.
In normal times, the song could be interpreted as someone pining for an ex or perhaps grieving the death of a loved one. However, in this age of COVID lockdowns and isolation, it takes on a potentially more universal meaning.
“Kelle mä soitan” lyrics — Ilta (Finland’s UMK 2021)
Written and Composed by: Ilta Fuchs, Väinö Wallenius, Jouni Aslak, Tuomas Kauhanen
Finnish text |
English translation |
| Istun korkeella Mun kerrostalossa kaupungin äänet kuulen Valon lapsia, nuoria ja vanhoja seisoo taksijonoissa Moni nukkuu kädet toisissansa kii Joku jaksaa aina uskoo unelmiin Suljen ikkunan ja kaikki äänet katoaa Mutten silti unta saaKelle mä soitan et monelt oot tulossa? Kelle mä soitan kun jumitan ruuhkassa? Kelle mä soitan et ei ollu asiaa? Mä halusin kuulla sun äänen vaan Kelle mä soitan ja sanon et rakastan Taas mun naapurissa yöhön asti nauretaan? Ja vaikka huudan kuinka lujaa, ei kuule kukaan Kelle mä soitan nyt?Aamun valossa kaupunki kauniina On kadut autioina Hetki sitten niil Vielä tanssittiin Uskottiin ihmeisiin Mä koitan turhaa pitää silmii kii kaipaan unta ja korvaan kuiskauksii Joku soittaa parvekkeelta Satumaan yleisönään pitkä tyhjä katu vaanKelle mä soitan et monelt oot tulossa? Kelle mä soitan kun jumitan ruuhkassa? Kelle mä soitan et ei ollu asiaa? Mä halusin kuulla sun äänen vaan Kelle mä soitan ja sanon et rakastan Taas mun naapurissa aamuun asti nauretaan? Ja vaikka huudan kuinka lujaa, ei kuule kukaan Kelle mä soitan et ei ollu asiaa? Kelle mä soitan nyt? |
Up above it all I’m in this building tall And hear the city calling Children of the light, the young and old alike Standing waiting for a ride Couples sleeping holding hands like they are glued Someone still believes their dreams will all come true I close the window and all the voices fade away But awake it seems I’ll stayWho do I call and ask what time you’re coming in? Who do I call when the traffic is standing still? Who do I call when I have no real reason to call? I just wanted to hear your sweet voice, that’s all Who do I call just to say that I love you so I can hear the neighbours laughing late at night again And though I shout as loud as I can, no one hears me yell Who do I call now?In the morning light The city shining bright The streets are now deserted Just a while ago Dancing down below… Believing in wonders so I force my eyes closed but the dreams all disappear I want to sleep and need whispers in my ears Someone’s playing a tango from the balcony Their audience is just a long and empty streetWho do I call and ask what time you’re coming in? Who do I call when the traffic is standing still? Who do I call when I have no real reason to call I just wanted to hear your sweet voice, that’s all Who do I call just to say that I love you so I can hear the neighbours laughing late at night again And though I shout as loud as I can, no one hears me yell Who do I call when I have no real reason to call Who do I call now? |
Such a lovely song!
Very beautiful lyrics, even if it won’t win I’m sure this will be an impactful song for her career.
The lyrics are absolutely beautiful, the song has a simple, yet powerful orchestration and by what I’ve heard, she is an amazing singer in live as well. I would be more than happy if this is the song. I know that both I Love You and Dark Side would stand out and probably do really well at ESC, but I also think that Ilta would stand out as well. With each new reveal, it becomes more and more obvious that upbeat songs will likely dominate this year. Thus, a few good ballads could stand out. It’s not like every second… Read more »
As a Finn, I can say that the lyrics are much more touching when you can understand them. The topic is very important and I think that Ilta depicts very well how it feels like being lonely. My favourite line of the song is “Joku soittaa parvekkeelta Satumaan yleisönään pitkä tyhjä katu vaan” Satumaa is a famous Finnish tango song and many people dance the tango to that song. In fact, many Finnish school proms have that song in their lineup. I’d say that Ilta’s chances are quite high in UMK 2021. Her song is charting in Finland and I… Read more »
Deserves to win
It’s my favorite of the 2021 ESC season
I’ll be heartbroken all year if it doesn’t win…
I actually find the lyrics to be quite touching and original. I don’t think many songs deal with this topic
I like this song, I hope she win tomorrow
sounds like a eurovision winner
I don´t like it, and I am finnish, maybe the other countries likes it tho. I hate some lyrics, for example “kelle mä soitan” and “A MINOR SYMPHONY” in Keiino´s song.
I would enjoy BC and Teflon to win, but it would feel worse to not send BC than Teflon.
l love this song??
This song is really touching. And I love it! For some reason I wish Ilta could win UMK this year. However, with Telfon Brothers are about to perform first, Dark Side is a big heat… So I can take whatever the result will be.