Its the country that came third on its debut and won on its third attempt. But now Latvia is stuck in the wilderness. Aside from two final appearances courtesy of Aminata and Justs, Latvia has been a semi-final stayer every year since 2009. One woman is trying to turn it all around and this, her seventh attempt at representing her country, will finally be her chance to shine on stage. Please welcome Samanta Tīna and her song “The Moon is Rising”.
Scroll down for “The Moon is Rising” lyrics
Latvia in Eurovision 2021: Samanta Tīna “The Moon is Rising”
Samanta Tīna – real name Samanta Poļakova – has been a regular of music competitions for over a decade. In 2010, she won the talent show O!Kartes akadēmija and two years later, came second at the prestigious Slavianski Bazaar. However, she’s of course better known to Eurovision fans as a regular at the Latvian national finals. She first entered Eirodziesma in 2012, duetting with Dāvids Kalandija. They came second. The next two years, she returned to the new selection Dziesma as a solo artist, placing second and third. She attempted again in 2016 but ended up withdrawing from the competition, and again in 2019 where she placed seventh in the final. She also attempted to represent Lithuania twice, duetting with Vudis in 2013 and Tadas Rimgaila in 2017. Alas, she was eliminated in the heats both times.
Last year, Samanta finally won her first national selection. Despite coming second with the televoters, strong support from the online vote led to Samanta winning Supanova. “Still Breathing” was a bold synth-pop song in which she proudly proclaimed “Life is music and I’m a composer”. The track was due to close the second semi-final, but sadly it was not to be. However, the singer learned she had been internally selected to represent Latvia on a show broadcast before Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light. Samanta immediately set about writing her new song. The result from the songwriting camp was arguably even more passionate and anthemic than her previous effort.
What do the “The Moon is Rising” lyrics mean?
“The Moon Is Rising” was composed by the composer herself, Samanta Tīna. She was joined by Aminata Savadogo and Oskars “SKVR” Uhaņs. The latter is new to the Eurosphere, but the former is a very well-known name. In addition to composing “Heartbeat” (2016) and “Love Injected” (2015), Aminata was also the co-writer of “Still Breathing”, as well as many national final songs.
“The Moon Is Rising” is a powerful feminist anthem that uses bold statements and imagery. The first two lines make utilise fantasy metaphors to convey a sense of divinity about women, “The queen of the night is coming, the blood moon is rising”. The next verse describes women as people with immense power, again using the divinity theme “You can run, you can hide, but you’re mesmerised, in your mind I am already idolised”.
Samanta’s self-assurance is key to the song, and she demonstrates immense security about herself as a person. “Playing dirty, not my case, giving up hopes, not my case, being envious, not my case”. And she proclaims: you got something to say, say it to my face!” In the second verse, Samanta speaks to other women and offers to also help them achieve security: “I will lead, I will guide you on your way, I am here to remind you that you’re in the right place”. She continues on the collaborative idea throughout the song, as she says, “my rules, your rules, everybody follow my way”.
The singer also makes it clear to any men: “I’m a woman, I’m a ruler, I’m accepting only true love”. Helping women seeing their worth is very important to her, and she wants them to be proud no matter who they are. In her words: “I invite women to not be afraid of ourselves and of being different. My song encourages women to make a crown with their own hands and put it on the head to be the ruler of life. To love and believe in ourselves. Then we will be loved by the people around us.”
Get ready for a parade, y’all!
“The Moon is Rising” lyrics – Samanta Tīna (Latvia ESC 2021)
Written and composed by: Samanta Tīna, Aminata Savadogo and Oskars Uhaņs
The queen of the night is coming
The blood moon is rising
When I walk in like this with an attitude
You should know that I’m coming after you
You can run, you can hide, but you’re mesmerized
In your mind I am already idolized
Playing dirty, not my case
Giving up hopes, not my case
Being envious, not my case
You got something to say, say it to my face
The queen of the night is coming
The blood moon is rising
Get ready for a
Pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra-pa
Pa-ra-ra, pa-parade
Pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra-pa
Pa-ra-ra, pa-parade
Get ready for a
Pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra-pa
Pa-ra-ra, pa-parade
Pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra-pa
Pa-ra-ra, pa-parade
I will glow, I will burn, illuminate
Bring the passion inside, let me touch your fate
I will lead, I will guide you on your way
I am here to remind you’re in the right place
Playing dirty, not my case
Giving up hopes, not my case
Being envious, not my case
You got something to say, say it to my face
My rules, your rules
I’m a woman, I’m a ruler
Rules, your rules
I’m accepting only true love
Rules, your rules
I’m a woman, I’m a ruler
You got something to say, say it to my face
My rules, your rules
Getting ready for the parade
Rules, your rules
No excuses, if it’s too late
Rules, your rules
Everybody follow my way
You got something to say, say it to my face
The queen of
The blood moon is rising
The queen of the night is coming
The blood moon is rising
Get ready for a
Pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra-pa
Pa-ra-ra, pa-parade
Pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra-pa
Pa-ra-ra, pa-parade
Get ready for a
Pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra, pa-ra-ra-pa
Pa-ra-ra, pa-parade
What do you think of “The Moon Is Rising”? How does it compare to “Still Breathing”?
Am I really the only one who hears “Get ready for a pa-da-da r*pe”??? And even after reading the lyrics I can’t quite unhear it. o.O
YESSSS me too, I swear that’s what I heard the first couple of times I listened to the song until I looked up the lyrics. Stuff like this is why countries should just sing in their native language lol
I “like” the way participants are using social problems to get more hype and points. It’s really “original” and “sincere”
if you want lyrics,read a book! 😀
So if I want music, I should listen to classical music ?
So sorry Latvia but this is my last place!! I really want to appreciate this song since this is Samanta’s (seventh?) attempt for Eurovision but I just hear noise. Wishing her luck though
I like the song a lot but by reading the lyrics without the music, I realise how empty they are…
Is it about woman empowering or about women to be dominant during an intercourse ?
It’s really not that deep.
The song could be about anything, it’s incredibly broad but the Latvian delegation are zooming in on female empowerment because “it’s so hot right now!”
This ain’t feminist. Keep trying, I’m sure there’s a social movement somewhere in there that suits it better, dig deeper.
I feel like in 2021 female empowerment songs could be a bit more subtle. Well, not subtle, but more elaborate and deeper than this on the nose screaming from Latvia and Malta for example. It just seems generic after so many better executed female empowerment songs.