Russia is sending a familiar face to Paris. After an incredibly competitive national final process, the two-time Junior Eurovision winners have decided that Tanya Mezhentseva will go to Paris with her pop song about her friend “Mon Ami”.
Russia in Junior Eurovision 2021: Tanya Mezhentseva “Mon Ami”
The Russian national final this year was thorough indeed! Around 600 submissions were whittled down to just under 70 to progress to the next selection round – the semi-finals. The semi-finals took part in Moscow on 30 September. Dozens, turned to just a dozen for the grand final on 26 October.
The winner was determined by a voting split of 50% jury members and 50% internet voting. The jury consisted of three adult members: Manizha (Russia 2021), Yulia Savicheva (Russia 2004) and Ekaterina Orlova (JESC Head of Delegation for Russia). There were also two children on the panel: Ekaterina Maneshina and Valery Kuzakov.
The winner was, of course, Tanya Mazhentseva with “Mon Ami”. It smashed the public vote gaining 54 points, which was 18.68% of the total vote. Tanya however came in third place with the jury, securing 36 points for a total of 90 points. In the end, 90 was more than enough to seal Tanya’s ticket to Paris in December.
You may recognise Tanya, as she’s actually no stranger to Junior Eurovision. The 11 year old performed with Denberel Oorzhak when they represented Russia at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2019 with the song “A Time for Us”. They came 13th.
What do the “Mon Ami” lyrics mean?
It is curious to see how France’s winner in 2020 has influenced the style of song countries chose this year. Of course, “J’imagine” sung by Valentina, was an age appropriate, sweet and unbelievably catchy song. However, JESC is quite often inundated with message songs about the peace and the environment. Tanya’s “Mon Ami” steers to the former rather than the latter. As the title suggests, it’s a sweet song about her “Ami”.
Tanya explains on her YouTube page that the song speaks of simple things that we must not forget. The most important thing is to live with an open heart and love without hatred and anger. It is a bright and positive pop song with delicate Eastern European flavours. The music video is also filled with bright colours and fun animations. Perfectly matching the positive, sweet nature of the track.
“Mon Ami” lyrics — Tanya Mezhentseva (Russia Eurovision 2021)
Written and composed by: Danu Boyan, Dmitriy Korochin, Tanya Mezhentseva and Alexander Brashovyan
Russian text |
English translation |
| Друг Мой Весь мир поет С музыкой и танцами Мы объединяем все сердца Предварительный припев: Оглянись вокруг себя Вся жизнь наполнена любовью Давайте споем вместе ла-ла-ла Далеко На горизонте восходит солнце До утра Мы наполним мир музыкой солнца Я – твоя память Вы можете сохранить этот яркий и красочный момент Счастье всего на мгновение Но я могу улететь на его крыльях Моя любовь Стрелы лежат Время остановится на часах Пять минут Они могут подождать И чем будет продолжаться Оглянись вокруг себя Вся жизнь наполнена любовью Давайте споем вместе ла-ла-ла Иди ко мне Тайна Прислушайся к своему сердцу сегодня вечером Давайте будем свободны Друг Мой Похоже на сказку Следуйте за мной Вы увидите Сегодня ночью произойдет волшебство Представьте себе это Окончательно Теперь нас никто не остановит Мы можем слышать музыку так далеко Потому что мы слушаем своей душой Мгновение пройдет, но счастье останется Дождь не может стереть наши чувства Просто живи и люби Иди ко мне Тайна Прислушайся к своему сердцу сегодня вечером Давайте будем свободны Друг Мой Похоже на сказку Следуйте за мной Вы увидите Сегодня ночью произойдет волшебство Представьте себе это Окончательно Теперь нас никто не остановит |
Mon Amie The whole world is singing With music and dances We unite all the hearts Look around you All the life is filled with love Let’s sing together la-la-la Far away On the horizon, the sun is rising Till morning We will fill the world with music of the sun I’m your memory You can save this bright and colourful moment Happiness for just a moment But I can fly away on its wings Mon amour The arrows are lying Time will stop on the clock Five minutes They can wait And than will keep going Look around you All the life is filled with love Let’s sing together la-la-la Come to me Mystery Listen to your heart tonight Let’s be free Mon Amie Feels like a fairytale Follow me You will see Magic will happen tonight Imagine it Finally No one can stop us now We can hear the music from so far away Because we are listening with ours soul The moment will pass, but the happiness will remain The rain cannot erase our feelings Just live and love Come to me Mystery Listen to your heart tonight Let’s be free Mon Amie Feels like a fairytale Follow me You will see Magic will happen tonight Imagine it Finally No one can stop us now |
What do you think of Russia’s 2021 song? Let us know below.
My favorite Russian entry in both ESC and JESC!!
This is so much better than what they usually sent to the adult Eurovision.
That music video is so good. Love the animations!
Undoubtedly this will do well, but it’s not a winner. It’s a good song but it remains a bit too generic for it to really go the extra mile, unless if the staging is 300% perfection which is never an easy task
I think it will be a battle between Armenia, Italy and Poland this year.
For me it will be a battle between Poland Armenia, North Macedonia, Georgia and maybe France.