Slovenia has been on something of a roll for the last few years. Since 2018, they’ve gained two grand final appearances using the Slovene language. Now, Ana Soklič is hoping to give the country its first top ten placing in two decades. Despite planning to continue the Slovene language trend in 2020, she’s back this year with a song in English. Let’s examine the gospel-inspired “Amen”.
Slovenia in Eurovision 2021: Ana Soklič “Amen”
Ana Soklič first tried out for Eurovision in 2004 as Diona Dim with the song “If You”, finishing ninth. Three years later, she tried again with the song “Oče”, which finished eleventh in the EMA semi-final. Despite the lack of success, she continued her music career in many genres including jazz, rock and gospel. She also competed three times at the Popevka Festival where, in 2019, she won two awards for Best Song in its Entirety and Best Interpretation.
After a thirteen-year absence, she returned to EMA under her real name. She won the contest with “Voda”. After Eurovision 2020 was cancelled, Ana was reconfirmed as the country’s entrant during the Eurovision 2020 replacement show Pesem Evrovizije. This made her only the second internally selected Slovenian entrant, after Hannah Mancini in 2013.
Ana launched an open call for songs to take to Rotterdam. She encouraged songwriters to not just send ballads, saying “go a little crazy”. In total, 191 song submissions were received. These were reviewed by Ana, Darja Švajger (Slovenia 1995 and 1999) and Vladimir Graić (composer of “Moltiva”, winner of Eurovision 2007). Her song was performed at EMA 2021, which also celebrated Slovenia’s 60th anniversary at the contest. And despite first teasing that it wouldn’t be a ballad, it is indeed a gospel-inspired ballad that beautifully shows off Ana’s vocal talents.
What do the “Amen” lyrics mean?
“Amen” was written by Ana Soklič herself with Bojan Simončič and Žiga Pirnat, the same team behind “Voda”. Žiga Pirnat has an additional Eurovision pedigree, as he co-wrote “Tip Top”, Nuša Derenda’s song for EMA 2016. Charlie Mason also contributed with lyrics, as he did with Maraaya’s “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015) and Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix” (Eurovision 2014 winner).
Lyrically, “Amen” is about learning to persevere in spite of adversity. Ana begins by speaking to a child, “Why ya hiding from the light, why ya cowering in fright”. She talks of the harshness of the world very openly, “You’ll get beaten and bruised, you’ll be scarred unto your core”. But, as she says, “it’s gonna make you who you are”. In the chorus, Ana sings passionately about the strength of humans to succeed, “the storm’s relentless, but everybody knows… we’re born to the fight”.
Ana sings about the inevitably of pain and anxiety, “The fear’ll never go away, might as well accept it now”. It’s important to not be intimidated, and to learn how to be strong, “Learn to count your blessings down, greet the future with amen”. While acknowledging pain, Ana also offers suggestions for a future without it. She sings, “Not until the rain has stopped, not until the thunder’s hushed, are we at rest… just imagine it”. And she adds, it will allow us to relieve ourselves of our inner turmoil, “Not until it’s quiet, can the heart that’s broken cry”.
Speaking to RTVSLO, Ana gives her take on the song’s lyrics. “The inspiration for the song is life itself. There are many things that inspire me in life, and I somehow draw from the sweet and bitter.” She adds that the track is partly autobiographical, and the message is timely: even if darker periods come, we have to fight on.
“Amen” is a deep, multi-faceted song that conveys a familiar message. But this is a ferocious ballad that Ana will absolutely slay vocally this May. Hallelujah!
“Amen” lyrics – Ana Soklič (Slovenia ESC 2021)
Composed by: Ana Soklič, Bojan Simončič and Žiga Pirnat
Lyrics by: Ana Soklič, Charlie Mason and Žiga Pirnat
Hey child
Why ya hiding from the light?
Why ya cowering in fright?
Don’t tell yourself
The heavens cast you out
And you’ve fallen from grace
You’ll get beaten and bruised
You’ll be scarred unto your core
But it’s gonna make you who you are
When ya learn to heal
When ya learn to rise again
You can tell the sun amen
Hallelujah
We’re glorious!
Hallelujah
The day is dawning!
The storm’s relentless
But everybody knows
Everybody knows
We’re born to the fight
Hey child
The fear’ll never go away
Might as well accept it now
Learn to persevere
Learn to count your blessings down…
Greet the future with amen
Hallelujah
We’re glorious!
Hallelujah
The day is dawning!
The storm’s relentless
But everybody knows
Everybody knows
We’re born to the fight
Not until the rain has stopped
Not until the thunder’s hushed
Are we at rest, are we at peace… just imagine it
Not until the storm has passed
Not until it’s quiet
Can the heart that’s broken cry
Hallelujah
We’re glorious!
Hallelujah
The day is dawning!
The storm’s relentless
But everybody knows
Everybody knows
We’re born to the fight
Hey child
Why ya hiding from the light?
What do you think? Are you singing hallelujah with Ana? How do you think “Amen” will do for Slovenia? Let us know below!
I hate to say it, you can downvote, but Slovenia should withdraw from Eurovision 2022 for financial problems.
I love Ana, her vocals and the song. Whether she qualifies or not, Eurovision has been a great springboard for her. Two years of being the focal point of a country will do no harm and will only serve to open up new doors in other territories outside of Slovenia. I truly hope she does qualify however, although I have to admit, they’ve completely run her chances in to the ground with the running order 🙁 She will have to pull out something incredible to really shine and to gain a coveted space in the grand final. That said, she… Read more »
First of all, Ana is an extremely talented vocalist, there’s no denying that. The song itself isn’t very memorable but at least it allows her to showcase her vocals on a certain level. What personally rubs me the wrong way are the lyrics. Suggesting to someone that their misfortune is a good thing and that they need to turn to religion to become stronger just doesn’t sit right with me. I mean, screaming ‘Hallelujah’ at the chorus? Don’t get me wrong, she has all the freedom to sing a song with religious undertones but I hope the Slovenian delegation acknowledges… Read more »
“that they need to turn to religion to become stronger”? which song lyrics are you reading? Where is that suggested in the song?
Perseverance and endurance through hardships and adversity. Not giving up. Holding onto hope. The theme of a lot of Paul’s letters in the New Testament. A beautiful and encouraging message. I wouldn’t say this song is religious though, but it’s nice 🙂
For me, Slovenia is often underrated at Eurovision. Their entries in 2015 and 2019 were in my top 4. This year, however, I agree with the many who see Slovenia as a non-qualifier. Ana has a great voice, but I connect to absolutely nothing in her boring and utterly unoriginal ballad.
Maybe preach to find support…from above
Ok but the song is just a ballad of previous esc decades…a NQ ballad among NQ ballads.
Pass the blunt next time, gee
This is the dark horse of the year! Juries are going to absolutely love her voice and I wouldn’t be surprised if this made top 10! Lyrically and vocally this is one of the strongest of the year!
But… melody comes first, always. And it’s not bad, but also not as strong as the other semi-final 1 competitors.
There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing such a great voice like Ana’s wasted on a shi*ty song like ‘Amen’. NQ, that’s for sure.
Sure, there are several songs this year with religious references, but most of them have them as a backdrop to symbolize something else. El Diablo is actually about falling for the wrong person. Fallen Angel is actually about feeling not good enough for your loved one in comparison. Even Vincent’s Amen is likely about a break-up. But this one is straight-up *religious*, without any attempt of hiding it. It really stretches that rule about religious content to the max. Not that there’s anything objectively wrong with that (I mean, if someone is really religious and this helps them, more power… Read more »
I’ve put a plus to your comment, because from one hand you’re right, but from the other hand I should disagree. The song is ’bout getting through meantimes and being self-confident. “Amen” and “Hallelujah” here are just metaphors of congratulations like “oh, yes, we did it!”. Of course, it’s only the way I see it.
Thanks for the plus. I gave the plus back. The song does have an additional, universal meaning of hope and perseverance. Still, I find the whole package overtly didactic for my taste. In any case, I appreciate the opinions which hold this song (or almost any song, for that matter) in high regards. It’s how you hear different perspectives. 🙂
Ehm …feeling not good in chain, trying to move your wings…is not a symbolism, the same for his angel… greek gaga blonde !
There is no symbolisms or comparizons..these 2 are ‘ in our faces ‘without any try to hide thinks