Coming from six consecutive non-qualifications, North Macedonia finally gained some much-deserved success at Eurovision 2019. Tamara Todevska and “Proud” took the nation to the top ten for the first time. To keep the success going, broadcaster MRT opted for one of Tamara’s backing singers to take centre stage. Vasil Garvanliev is returning this year with a song written and composed by himself during lockdown. Let’s take a look at “Here I Stand”.
Scroll down for the “Here I Stand” lyrics
North Macedonia in Eurovision 2021: Vasil “Here I Stand”
Vasil has embarked on a long musical journey that began when he was a child pop star. Since then he’s worked in opera and classical music as well as pop music. During this time, he’s lived and worked in the United States, Canada, Britain as well as his native North Macedonia. He worked with Chance the Rapper on his mixtape Coloring Book and sung with Eurovision winner Céline Dion. In 2007, he first attempted to go to Eurovision, placing 13th in the Macedonian selection Skopje Fest.
Last year, Vasil was internally selected to represent North Macedonia in Rotterdam with the dance song “You”. He was left devastated by the cancellation of the contest, but was officially internally selected once again in January this year. “Here I Stand” was written in lockdown. It’s about his journey and staying strong during that difficult time.
What do the “Here I Stand” lyrics mean?
“Here I Stand” was written by Vasil himself along with Borče Kuzmanovski and Davor Jordanovski. Borče Kuzmanovski is a member of the popular pop group Nokaut. The band’s longest-running member, Nikola Perevski, was the writer of “Od nas zavisi”, the Macedonian song for 2002 sung by Karolina. Davor Jordanovski wrote “Za kraj” for Lili and “Bluz za…” for Nina Janeva, which partook in Skopje Fest in 2009 and 2014 respectively.
Lyrically, “Here I Stand” is a song about growing from past struggles. Vasil relates this message through a story of how he comforted a sad child, “There are times when I remember back, wish to hug the child about to crack”. And he told him the important message, “Wait, it won’t be long, trust your heart and just stay strong”.
He continues, describing his own journey of turning strife into success. “They all tried to break us, not knowing it’s what makes us, this is how we found our way, now here I stand”. He describes his strength now, “My walls are down, my heart’s in your hand, unchain my wings”, and how prepared he is to move forward, “And the ocean of tears will face to black with the sum of my years”.
Vasil’s journey to Eurovision is definitely one of the most emotional of all the competitors this year, and this song beautifully captures the feelings he experienced. This, combined with his incredible vocals, mean that North Macedonia should deliver one of the most moving performances in Rotterdam.
“Here I Stand” lyrics – Vasil (North Macedonia ESC 2021)
Composed by: Vasil, Borče Kuzmanovski and Davor Jordanovski
Lyrics by: Vasil
There are times when I remember back
Wish to hug the child about to crack
I’ll tell him, “Wait, it won’t be long
Trust your heart and just stay strong”
‘Cause baby, they all tried to break us
Not knowing it’s what makes us
This is how we found our way
Now here I stand
There’s no pretend
My walls are down, my heart’s in your hand
Unchain my wings
And the oceans of tears will fade to black
With the sum of my years
They all tried to break us
Tried to break us
Not knowing it’s what makes us
They don’t know
This is how we found our way
This is how we found our way
Herе I stand
My walls are down, my heart’s in your hand
They all triеd to break us
To break us
Not knowing it’s what makes us
They don’t know
This is how we found our way
There are times when I remember back
And all I do is smile
All for you
They all tried to break us
Not knowing it’s what makes us
And this is how we found our way
What do you think of “Here I Stand”? Do you think that North Macedonia will deliver again this year? Let us know!
The lyrics are sweet just on their own, with one clanger of a cheesy rhyme – did you spot it? 🙂
The challenge of this song is rather the music itself, which I will not go into detail about yet; I’m waiting for the Wiwi Jury to start.
Is it “back” and “crack”? And if yes where’s the “sack”?
I love Vasil and he deserves to be on that stage here in Rotterdam.
That said: the song couldn’t be more cliché. The introduction and to see him cry in the music video make it even worse.
Many people compare this to a Disney song and I think I, a Disney fan, should feel a bit offended about this. This is nowhere near as good as a Disney song.
It’s one of the few songs from ESC2021 I skip in my playlist and it’s currently in 39th place in my ranking. I’m not into this at all…
Oh Jesus, gross.
So we should tolerate his over the top drama just because he’s handsome???
I love Vasil and the song. It’s old-fashioned in a good way and Vasil is definitely the best male vocalist in Eurovision this year. I’m hoping he’ll be a surprise qualifier!
Well for sure I know he will make me cry. As will Ana and Uku. And I expect I will cry again when there are two places left after SF1 and N Macedonia and Slovenia still waiting.
Homophobia alert
still, it’s a weirdly uncomfortable comment to make. as a fellow gay person, I’d expect better.
Have you heard of the term “Internal homophobia”?
He seems like such a nice guy. To bad the song is rather mediocre.
If I got a dollar for each pair of wings I’ve seen on the ESC stage…
it’s so cringy I genuinely cannot get through this. I’ve listened to this a total of one time and I cant do anymore. also, I dont get the praise for his voice. perhaps it is vasil injecting too much emotion into his voice, but there are multiple times in this song, especially on the words ‘crack’ and the first ‘so here I stand’, where it just sounds abysmal. but his vocal is better in other places, I’ll give him that. I genuinely cant stand this. I wish him luck, but this is my 39th place (and I sure hope the… Read more »
Yeah, it’s a token bad song of the SF1, dead last
I am so glad that Vasil will have his ESC experience on stage! He deserves it. 🙂 As for the song itself… I guess it’s one of my more mixed opinions of this year. I usually like operatic / musical theater songs, but I feel like this one goes a bit overboard in the cheese factor. The structure experiments, but it makes it less catchy on the first sight. I love how sincere Vasil feels here and there is a Disney Prince inside of me that sings along too. Still, I feel like they overdid it a bit, and without… Read more »
The spoken introduction to the video makes it even more hilarious!
This song is a huuuge bla bla