A record-breaking 26 artists are returning to Eurovision this year. Following the cancellation of last year’s contest, the majority of the class of 2020 are back to finally get their chance on the Eurovision stage. But, as is standard Eurovision regulation, they’ve all got new songs.
Thus, comparisons to their previous entries are inevitable. So now, we’re running a series of poll battles. We want to find out from our readers — do you prefer the returning artists’ 2020 or 2021 songs?
Next up, we’re saying shalom to Israel. Last year, Eden Alene was set to sing “Feker Libi” in Rotterdam. And this year, she’s heading back to Eurovision with “Set Me Free”. Two years, two songs. But which is better? Vote in our poll battle now!
Scroll down to vote in our poll.
“Feker Libi” (Israel 2020)
In 2020, Eden Alene earned the Israeli ticket to Eurovision after winning HaKokhav HaBa. Her entry for the contest was later selected through a multi-song national final, where “Feker Libi” was chosen.
“Feker Libi” was co-written by “Toy” songwriter Doron Medalie, who brought Israel their fourth song contest victory in 2018. It’s a multi-lingual song about celebrating your roots, featuring passages in English, Amharic, Hebrew and Arabic. The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — awarded “Feker Libi” an average score of 7.48/10.
“Doron Medalie has done it again”, said wiwiblogger Calvin. “The voice of Eden Alene is among the strongest, if not the strongest this year. “Feker Libi” throws many elements in the mix without ending up messy. The Eurodance beats suit the ethnic elements surprisingly well. I see nothing about this entry and performance that urgently has to be changed. Everything is in balance and with Eden as a singer, nothing can go wrong.”
“Set Me Free” (Israel 2021)
Eden’s entry for Eurovision 2021, “Set Me Free”, was once again decided through a multi-song national final. The track stays true to Eden Alene’s blend of dance-pop and more traditional sounds, and once again contains lyrics in multiple languages.
In the final coda, Eden shows off her whistle tones — reaching an astonishing B6, the highest note in Eurovision history.
Poll battle — Israel: Which Eden Alene song is your favourite?
In this poll, you can only choose one song to vote for. Be decisive — we know you can do it! And as always, you can only vote once, so choose wisely. Let the battle commence!
[polldaddy poll=10775547]
Which of Eden Alene’s Eurovision songs did you vote for? How does “Set Me Free” compare to “Feker Libi”? Sound off in the comments section below.
2020
I’m just wondering out loud why there’s this impression that Eden is kept away from any media outlet, albeit social media, the blogosphere or the mainstream media. I expect to see her perform SMF on KAN’s Independence day special in mid-April, but there’s no reason why she isn’t accessible now or why her speech is scrutinized to the point that she can’t freely speak about what the shooting of the revamped clip was like, how satisfied she’s with the outcome and what else is planned for Rotterdam. It was reported she’ll be accompanied by 5 male dancers which is the… Read more »
Ridiculous to see Norway so up in the odds. Televote would mark that song down for sure.
feker libi was my 2020 winner
Feker Libi was a masterpiece! A notch above all other Eurovision 2020 entries
“Roots” and “Shoulders”. Back-to-back top five songs from Israel but no.
Seriously, I wasn’t the biggest “Feker Libi” fan but it is a stronger song than “Set Me Free”. I thought the live performance of FL wasn’t the best though so SMF might make up some of that ground in May.
Feker Libi is better.
“Shoulders” was the only option from her 2021 songs that was better than Feker Libi, I’m still really bummed it wasn’t chosen.
I didn’t like “feker libi”at all and not the first version of “set me free”..
but DAMN that revamp.. she can be in the top 10..
Wtf? Why should they withdraw it? Also that’s how she looks, she’s not unhealthy. Body shaming is not ok.
Israel is now 19 in the betting odds. At one point they were at 32
It will be in the top 10 around the time of rehearsals.
Now she’s 19 in odds
Just watched the wiwibloggs review of the revamped set me free. They are spot on. This is now an automatic qualifier and left half of scoreboard. What an improvement!
‘Feker Libi’ was a beautiful joy ride relatable to Eden’s identity and heritage. She was blossoming and everything about her movement, choreography and singing felt just natural. She was in really good hands with the two leading songwriters in Israel, which would have probably helped a lot in achieving a respectable score. ‘Set Me Free’ is indeed mediocre, engineered and messy, but it doesn’t tick her in the ‘minority’ box and allows her to have a diva moment and pretend to be a badass performer in the positive sense of the word. In one of the many interviews from the… Read more »
Feker Libi was a hodgepodge of ethnic things mixed together with a 90s dance track. It was kind of messy. It was a fine song though, but let’s not pretend that it was predicted to win. The new set me free seems to be specifically catered to capitalize on Eden’s performance and vocal strengths, much better than Feker did.
The new ending of set me free is everything in showcasing her voice. It turns the song into an easy qualifier in SF1. The old set me free I agree was borderline.
Set me free new version is better than Feker Libi. It showcases Eden’s vocal strengths much better. William and Deban are right – set me free new version is an easy qualifier and potential top 10 at Eurovision.
Ever since the revamp I’ve had Set Me Free stuck in my head non stop. Love it!
But outside of 2018, when they managed to galvanise a global feminist movement and had the most watched at the time video on the ESC channel, does Israel normally enjoy televote support?
Feker Libi was the worst of the 4 songs last year (and probably won in Israel because it has Doron and Idal behind it) and Set Me Free (both versions) was the best of the three this year in my opinion so despite the drop in quality between the selections this year and the last I kind of prefer Set Me Free!
Dädi hands down he has earned thisb and we need uplifting misic at this time. Dädi all the way….
Set me free much better in every aspect
Feker libi is just all over the place.
Unquestionably Feker Libi. It’s a bop.
Wow was really expecting to see a landside for feker libi!
I think the revamping of Set me free x2 helped narrow the gap between both songs for many. Regardless, I still prefer Feker Libi.
The new version of set me free is massively improved. Also Feker wasn’t exactly predicted to win Eurovision, the bookies had it around 20, so no landslide here.
the body shaming is NOT it
“Feker Libi” contains a really interesting mix of musical styles and remains a curiosity as a song.
“Set Me Free” is a more solid production with an even more solid revamp, but it is just a straight-up pop song – it is not as much of a curiosity as “Feker Libi.”
Both of them are in my top 10, but I think I like feker Libi slightly better. But I believe that both will qualify
Dark horse to Qualify ?
Exactement!
Feker Libi was amazing and showed her potential.
Compared to last year, thi years song is a let-down and a waste of potential
«Feker libi» was in my top 10. «Set me free» is a possible non-qualifier
I share your opinion.
To be fair, it’s only a possible NQ because that semi is even more packed than last year. If it was semi 2 it would easily qualify
Yes, I agree.
Set me Free grew on me after the revamp, but I still think that Feker Libi is better.
Set me Free by default… I really didn’t like Feker Libi. SmF is fine. Not great, but fine.
Roots
Set me freeeee.. Whistle tone all the way to the top 10!!!