Summer is always the quiet period for Eurovision fans as we wait for national finals to start once again. Thankfully, the music will always continue and a number of past Eurovision artists are still producing new songs for us to enjoy.
Contrary to the commonly perpetuated myth about the song contest killing careers, we’re always thrilled to report that singers and performers associated with both Eurovision itself and the various national selections are thriving.
Here is our latest weekly roundup with a selection of just some of the songs and music videos released recently by Eurovision stars.
New music from Eurovision artists: 2021 | Week 28
LOBODA – “Allo”
Allo, Allo, Allo! LOBODA is turning the world into her dancefloor for the new single “Allo” (“Hello”). The Ukrainian star is a master of dance pop songs and she delivers another catchy yet seductive slice of the genre. In the lyrics, LOBODA discusses her desire to start a relationship over again, but realises they can’t forget about everything that has happened: “Met by chance / Heart pounding / Hello, I missed you so much / Well we can’t start from the beginning”. For the mood video, the Eurovision 2009 singer lights up the roof of a building, both with her presence and a multitude of light squares. LOBODA discussed the video further on social media:
“There is a moment when, what is happening in the soul, you just need to dance, give in to an impulse … and no matter where! Any place can turn into a dance floor: your car, a night street or a regular parking in front of your house. This little paranoia that brings you back to life. We filmed this mood video just a few hours before dawn. I closed my eyes and gave myself to the beat of a new song, easily and honestly … Let our mood become yours … and remember … you don’t need a dance floor, you can dance anywhere.”
Samira Said – “Mon Cheri”
Samira Said is mixing French and Arabic for her new single “Mon Cheri” (“My Darling”). The Moroccan star sings the chorus to her dear one: “My darling, I love you / Take my heart, oh”. Musically, the opening also brings in a slight French style, but the more stylised Arabic beats and rhythms soon kick in. In the accompanying music video Samira rides around in a classic car, while the Eurovision 1980 star also wears some retro fashion choices.
Sia (feat. Amir) – “1 + 1” [Banx & Ranx Remix]
France and Australia collide with the new collaboration between Amir and Sia. “1 + 1” was released at the start of the year as part of Sia’s new film Music. Now the star has brought in Eurovision 2016 singer Amir for the remix of the song, which also has a Canadian touch thanks to music production duo Banx & Ranx. The remix feels more summery and this is also captured by the seaside-themed lyric video. Although the original was entirely in English, Amir brings in a bilingual element by singing his parts in French and discussing the freedom of being yourself: “Could we agree / One plus one / You can dance however you want / Under the sun when it rains”.
Zlata Ognevich – “Мій Назавжди”
Zlata Ognevich is starting a new chapter of her love life with the new single “Мій Назавжди” (“My forever”). The Ukrainian singer is hoping to move on from previous failed relationships and start afresh (one of the reasons she’ll be participating in the Ukrainian version of The Bachelorette later this year). Zlata notes on social media: “‘Мій Назавжди’ is a new story of my life. I close the pages of the past and start from scratch, a new chapter in my love story”. The song is a pop ballad that Zlata delivers with both a hint of sadness and passion. In the music video, we see the Eurovision 2013 star’s friends take her out for some fun in order to help her move on from a past relationship. Meanwhile, in the lyrics, Zlata is already thinking about her next partner and hopes they’ll be her only one: “My forever, only me and only you / I will believe in love, in heaven and on earth / I will shine from on high, shine on you”.
Aram Mp3 (feat. Saro Tovmasyan) – “Arev”
“Friends, we have been thinking for a long time what song to give you these bright summer
days to warm your hearts even more and convey a high mood. The answer was unequivocally: ‘Arev'”. Aram Mp3 is here to give us an Armenian summer bop infused with ethnic instrumentation. The Eurovision 2014 star has collaborated with Saro Tovmasyan for “Arev” (“Sun”). Aram and Saro sing about bringing the summer party spirit and getting people up and moving: “The same thing bored you for days / We will replace your tired night with new ones / We will stay by your side, tell me who else / Who else, who else?”. The music video sees the Armenian singers teleporting people, who are lounging around in the sun, up to the roof of a building for a dance that lasts into the night.
Roxen – “Inima Nu Fi De Piatra”
While Roxen presented a mid-tempo song at Eurovision 2021, her work outside the contest has generally been more upbeat. This continues with “Inima Nu Fi De Piatra” (“Heart, Don’t Be Of Stone”), which is a cover of the song originally performed by fellow Romanian singer Corina Chiriac in 1971. Roxen’s version brings the song to the 21st century and gives it a deep house vibe. She sings to her heart and tells it not to hold her back in life: “Heart, don’t be of stone / That in the wheel of life / Your longing will walk someday / As foolish”.
Miguel Araújo (feat. Cláudia Pascoal) – “Estou Por Tudo”
Cláudia Pascoal shows off her fun and playful side in the music video for the song “Estou Por Tudo” (“I’m for everything”). The Portuguese singer is a featured artist in this new pop track by Miguel Araújo. The music video sees the pair dress up as various characters in front of a green screen, and just generally having a fun time playing around. The lyrics are just as quirky as the music video, with Cláudia and Miguel saying they’re here for all the ingredients that makes up life: “Live the fado, live the fado / Long live the neighbour next door / Long live the fandango, long live the fandango […] The gigantone and the bighead / That I’m for everything”.
Damir Kedžo – “Vatra i led”
Croatia’s Damir Kedžo is taking a moment to dance. The Eurovision 2020 entrant has recorded a cover of “Vatra i led” (“Fire and ice”), which was originally released by Dora 1998 and 2020 contestants Colonia. Damir updates the production but retains a retro disco touch to keep it danceable. Damir sings about spending the night with his lover and how he doesn’t want it to end: “Unleash me of all my ancient chains / In the scent of your bed / Wormwood and honey, tears and laughter / You are fire and you are ice”.
ByeAlex és a Slepp & Hiro – “Hullik”
“We filmed the clip in space this time due to the Covid situation”, said ByeAlex of his latest music video. Indeed, the video for “Hullik” (“Fall”) is set in outer space (albeit a computer generated one). Hungary’s Eurovision 2013 singer, who fronts the band ByeAlex és a Slepp, is joined by rapper Hiro for this latest single. It’s a simple but catchy pop tune with a mixture of percussion and electronic beats. The lyrics of the song don’t actually have much to do with space though. Instead, ByeAlex and Hiro talk about a young girl who is trying to win their affection, but they tell her it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to be together: “But I said you are too young for me (21) / I’m a vampire, not a rock star / This bad girl is just smiling at me […] If you knew what whispered in my ear / Her hair falls onto her beautiful face”.
Vanilla Ninja – “No Regrets”
Vanilla Ninja continue their comeback with the new single “No Regrets”. This latest song shows a softer side to Switzerland’s Eurovision 2005 band (who actually hail from Estonia). It’s an acoustic-guitar driven number with a country feel to it. In the lyrics, the group say that they’ve always ignored those who told them not to go after their dreams, and they don’t have any guilt about doing so: “Dreaming big is just for fools / They said to me but I refuse to lose / Oh myself […] I have no regrets / I’m standing on my ground”. If you’re a fan of the colour yellow, then you’ll love the music video for “No Regrets” as Vanilla Ninja spend much of it walking through a field of yellow flowers.
Eleftheria Eleftheriou – “Pame Ela”
Eleftheria Eleftheriou spent the first 15 weeks of 2021 in the Dominican Republic competing on competition TV show Survivor Greece. After making it just over halfway, Eleftheria returned for the final of the show and premiered her new single “Pame Ela” (“Let’s go”). A cover of the song by Pamela, it’s a classic 2000-2010’s dance track with a hint of Mediterranean flair. Lyrically, Greece’s Eurovision 2012 star is trying to escape from her lover and start afresh, but her other half is playing mind games and tells Eleftheria to stay: “And you tell me… / Let’s go, come / My baby, my baby / I want you for you / I’m dying baby”.
Samra – “AZN”
If you go round to Samra’s for dinner, she might just serve you up money on a plate. The Azeri star is flaunting her riches in new single “AZN”. A hip hop offering, Samra raps about the luxury life she’s living: “My pool is a pearl / I am rich, baby, you know / My days are extraordinary […] The roof collapses with money”. There’s plenty of paper bills and jewels on show in the music video as well. The Eurovision 2016 singer cooks up some money in the kitchen of a resort, but she manages to conceal her endeavours from the police.
Trijntje Oosterhuis & Metropole Orkest – “Everchanging Times”
Trijntje Oosterhuis has announced she’ll release her new album Everchanging Times – Burt Bacharach Songbook III this September. It’ll be her third LP in honour of the American songwriter, who is considered one of the most important composers of 20th century pop music. For now, the Dutch singer has released the title track of this new collection. “Everchanging Times” was originally recorded by Siedah Garrett in 1987, with Aretha Franklin doing a cover version in 1991. Trijntje recorded her version with the Dutch Metropole Orkest (Metropole Orchestra).
Vaidas Baumila & Omerta – “Demonai”
Vaidas Baumila has collaborated with Lithuanian rapper Omerta for the new song “Demonai”. It blends a deep synth-pop beat with elements of hip hop courtesy of Omerta’s rap verse. Lithuania’s Eurovision 2015 star delivers the rest of the vocal; Vaidas sings: “Even when dancing in the dark / Everyone’s eyes will want you alone / Like a poisoned dream / Our demons will shout, our demons will shout”.
Intars Busulis – “Sudraba kāzas”
Although Intars Busulis’ new single is only 2:08 minutes in length, the Latvian star has managed to extend the music video to 7:10 minutes (so it might be better described as a short film). “Sudraba kāzas” (“Silver wedding”) is a simple melodic song for those celebrating their wedding anniversaries – Busulis will celebrate his own silver wedding anniversary in five years. The accompanying video allowed the Eurovision 2009 singer and his wife to re-live their special day, as he notes to newspaper NRA:
“I really wanted to make a video version of the wedding, because no one filmed our real wedding. One third of our guests, including our parents, took part in the filming. The filming took place right where [the wedding happened] twenty years ago, in the same costumes.”
Kállay Saunders, dreambody & anatu – “taking my time”
Kállay Saunders is planning on taking it slow in his next relationship. The Hungarian star has collaborated with dreambody and anatu for the song “taking my time”. It’s a slow soul ballad that gives Saunders the chance to demonstrate the smoothness of his vocals as he sings about making sure his new partner is the one for him: “I’m taking my time, sweet time / I hope you don’t mind, don’t mind / And you could be mine, all mine”. The music video is a simple creation and features the Eurovision 2014 star singing in an apartment.
Moran Mazor – “אין לך מושג”
“So much has happened to me in the last year, I so wanted to tell you and share about this period”, wrote Moran Mazor on social media when announcing her new single. Sadly, the story that she tells in “אין לך מושג” (“You have no idea”) is not the happiest. Israel’s Eurovision 2013 star discusses the frustration she’s felt being in a relationship with someone who only thinks of themselves: “You have no idea, You have no idea / How innocent I was, how I believed you / You’ve been in a relationship with yourself for almost a year / And you will have no other than you, it is like a curse”. This story is shown further in the music video for the pop ballad, with alternating shots of a couple on one of their first and last dates.
Kati Wolf, Feró Nagy & Spigiboy – “Gyere kislány, gyere”
If Kati Wolf’s new single “Gyere kislány, gyere” (“Come on, little girl, come on”) sounds like it’s got a slight retro flavour to it, then there’s good reason for that. The single is a cover of the song originally released by Hungarian rock band Beatrice in 1977. In fact, the Eurovision 2011 star is joined by Beatrice’s front man Feró Nagy on vocals, with it all being brought together by DJ Spigiboy. This new version keeps the funky nature of the original and adds in some brass instruments to take it even further. Lyrically, Feró declares it’s time to hit the discoteque: “Come, come, dance with me / Come on, little girl, come on / The music is already playing in the disco club”.
Jalisse – “Speranza in un fiore”
Pope Francis, head of the Catholic church, has established the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on 25 July 2021. To commemorate the day, Jalisse have put together a special video for their single “Speranza in un fiore” (“Hope in a flower”). The song was first released as part of their 2020 album Voglio emozionarmi ancora, and the duo sing about the pain of not being able to say goodbye to someone before they pass away: “I held my breath and told God that here / That perhaps here is the time to stop / There is no pain that can ever be forgotten / Of those who go away like this, without saying goodbye”. The music video features 200 photos and videos submitted by families of their grandparents, some of whom were sadly lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Italy’s Eurovision 1997 representatives note in the description that they were honoured to be given access to people’s families through the initiative:
“The families and fans who contributed to the realisation of this project have given us the intimacy of their affections making us – as a consequence – their relatives. It is a rare privilege for artists to enter homes so intensely.”
Ann Sophie – “Selfish”
Ann Sophie’s latest single is “Selfish”. It’s a rich indie-pop song with electro flourishes in the underlying production. Germany’s Eurovision 2015 star sings about her desire to put herself first and protect her feelings from others that might hurt her: “I’m selfish / When I turn around I won’t come back / I can’t let you under my skin”. Ann Sophie went into more detail about the message of the song in a post on Instagram:
“I wrote this song to remind myself that I don’t want to run away from my feelings anymore. I want to have the courage to face them. To stand tall. To feel it all. To acknowledge that all my uncomfortable and hard feelings create the same part of me, as all the good feelings and emotions do. Selfish. A song about finding yourself. About saying yes to yourself and all your sides.”
Il Volo & Paula Fernandes – “Grande Amore”
After previously releasing the audio of their new version of “Grande Amore”, Eurovision 2015 stars Il Volo have released the accompanying music video. The video has a a basic concept — the three members of Il Volo enjoy a pleasant stroll around a leafy park. The Brazilian diva Paula Fernandes also takes a walk in a similar park — but she’s not seen with Il Volo, so we assume she’s keeping socially distant over in Brazil. Now the only question is — will fans get to enjoy an encore performance at Eurovision 2022? (Robyn)
Click on the links below to read our individual articles on other new songs released by Eurovision stars in the past week:
Måneskin – “I Wanna Be Your Slave” (music video)
Sirusho – “Let It Out”
Which of these new songs is your favourite? Have we missed out on any? Do you have any artists you want to shout out to? Let us know in the comments.
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Vaidas!!!!! Super !! Love it!
Pame Ela by Pamela that Eleftheria Eleftgeriou covered was released around in 2003 not 2010.
Vanilla Ninja – No Regrets! Love the Song
Roxen’s song “ Inima nu fi de piatra “ it’s amazing…… just love it!
A little bit off-top, but am I the only one who’s tired of these lapslock song titles? What’s the purpose in raping grammar rules?
Thanks. I’m so glad Vanilla Ninja’s “No Regrets” got a mention. It’s a lovely song; really nice to hear a change-up in genre there.
Loboda is so great, as always. Such a good, catchy disco-pop song. Would love to see her back at Eurovision! She stands in line with other Eurovision goddesses like Ani Lorak and Eleni Foureira.