Photo: Yle / Nelli Kenttä

Following the grand reveal of the seven acts competing in Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2022, it’s time to hear their songs one at a time. The fifth participant to reveal their song for the contest is Olivera. She’ll be singing “Thank God I’m An Atheist”.

The song is written and composed by Olivera herself. Her spouse Lenno Linjama and producer Alpo Nummelin both helped in creating the final product.

Olivera – “Thank God I’m An Atheist”

“Thank God I’m An Atheist” explores the topic of death and the possibility of eternal life. Olivera has been writing music since the age of 11 and this theme has been subconsciously developing since then. For that reason, the Finnish star considers “Thank God I’m An Atheist” to be one of the most important songs she’s written so far in her career.

Speaking of her UMK 2022 entry, Olivera notes: “Nobody knows what happens after we die. What if all the world’s biggest religions are actually right and life never ends? I can’t think of anything that causes more anxiety than the idea of eternal life.”

Olivera has earned millions of streams from her first four EPs. The indie-pop singer has also written for international stars such as DJ Tiësto – Olivera provides the vocals for the song “Affliction”.

UMK 2022 song release schedule

The UMK 2022 songs are being revealed one every weekday starting from 13 January. They’re set to be released at 00:00 EET on the dates listed below:

  • Cyan Kicks – “Hurricane” (13 January)
  • BESS – “Ram pam pam” (14 January)
  • The Rasmus – “Jezebel” (17 January)
  • Younghearted – “Sun numero” (18 January)
  • Olivera – “Thank God I’m An Atheist” (19 January)
  • Tommi Läntinen – “Elämä kantaa mua” (20 January)
  • Isaac Sene – “Kuuma jäbä” (21 January)

UMK 2022 will take place on Saturday 26 February, starting at 20:00 CET / 21:00 EET.

The show will be held at the Logomo Arena in Turku, where the seven acts will perform their songs live for viewers at home and the jury.

What do you make of “Thank God I’m An Atheist”? Do you think Olivera has a chance of walking away with the UMK 2022 trophy? Let us know in the comments below!

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ArvinRoido Atienza
ArvinRoido Atienza
2 years ago

I think this is the 2nd atheist themed song I have ever heard. And I loved it since it doesnt make fun of religion or demean it, but just gives the listener a piece of the atheist’s mind in a sympathetic way

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago

I liked that too, this doesn’t come off as annoying or edgy at all

Nikki
Nikki
2 years ago

Finland has some great songs to choose from this year.

Ieva
Ieva
2 years ago

Ooooh, this is really good! Cannot choose between this and Ram Pam Pam now.

ChristianMuslimBudhist
ChristianMuslimBudhist
2 years ago

Daring lyrics and soft voice, so yeah it’s really good. Not sure how people will take this, since the title might come as controversial, although the song itself isn’t that daring with those words. We can all believe there is life after this life, but some of us choose not to.

Europotato
Europotato
2 years ago

Love the conception, just the lyrics are just a little too lacklustre and simple. A good example of a song about the existence of god would be black and gold by Sam sparrow.

Dreamy
Dreamy
2 years ago

This has a really beautiful video and the music is captivating with interesting lyrics! Just amazing job once again, not a single song I wouldn’t want to listen to at all, so I think it’s pretty safe to say that this is the NF of the year.

Romeo
Romeo
2 years ago

Toilet break song

ArvinRoido Atienza
ArvinRoido Atienza
2 years ago
Reply to  Romeo

A big break from empty shallow pop songs

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

I wasn’t expecting this to have so many fans tbh. In my opinion, it sounds good as any other in the UMK this year but fails to give me something I’m really interested in. Overall, it is nice to listen and she has vocals on point (though I might not be the biggest fan of high-pitched voices). However, this reminds too much of Victoria’s past attempts and, by extension, to Billie Eislish. And maybe that’s why everyone here seems to love this, I don’t really know. I do know I’m not into this kind of soft pop songs sung by… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Héctor
Ravencrow Neversmiles
Ravencrow Neversmiles
2 years ago

As a song I like it. It’s not the best one in the UMK this year but I feel the quality this year is really high. About the lyrics and the message it makes me really sad that people are upset by it. I am an atheist myself and I feel offended when people say this breaks the rules of eurovision and maybe it will be censored. Like if being an atheist is somehow an insult to religions or it’s politically incorrect. But songs about being religious are still ok. Even as an atheist I sometimes like to listen to… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Ravencrow Neversmiles
bartosz
bartosz
2 years ago

I think the prolem that people see is that religious songs (or even names of the bands – Switzerland 2013) are banned at Eurovision. So why then a song that is about being non-religious is okay?
And since when songs about being religious are ok? As far as I remember most of the songs that could be linked to religions were criticises here

Ravencrow Neversmiles
Ravencrow Neversmiles
2 years ago
Reply to  bartosz

Criticism is a different thing. You are more than welcome to criticise this song. My concern was those people specifically that said this song was breaking the rules of eurovision.
Where did you get the notion that religious songs are banned in eurovision? Just last year there were multiple songs that were about religion or referenced it. Two songs were called Amen and there was also Fallen angel and Diablo. So religious songs clearly are not banned.
What comes to Switzerland 2013 I understood that their bandname was banned because it promoted an organization. Not because it was religious.

lasse braun
lasse braun
2 years ago

we have seen and heard finlands NF winner.

🙂

Kinga
Kinga
2 years ago

That song is outstanding! And a Christian Pole is telling you that 😉

Josef
Josef
2 years ago

the best one so far

Frisian esc
2 years ago

I wonder : If she were to win eurovision would she be invited to american shows like the tonight show and ellen degeneres or would the topic be too controversial?

Pete
Pete
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

While I absolutely agree with your sentiment (and the answer is probably ‘yes’), The US National Broadcast Company (NBC) is in agreement with ESC to produce a new show called American Song Contest, so I’m not surprised that NBC is pushing Måneskin as much as they can for promotional reasons.

Crystal
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

American atheist here, not afraid of burning in Hell. It’s a reference to a Freedom from Religion Foundation ad where Ronald Reagan’s son, Ron Reagan, talks about being atheist and says, “Lifelong atheist, not afraid of burning in Hell.” Ron Reagan, who is an outspoken liberal in addition to being atheist, is very different from his dad, who is still basically “worshipped” as a conservative icon nearly 20 years after his death. While it’s still considered kind of taboo to run for political office as an atheist in the U.S., in most other aspects of society atheists, agnostics, and otherwise… Read more »

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
2 years ago
Reply to  Crystal

Reminds me of when my mum used to watch American Idol, I didn’t really pay attention to it but I was surprised about how many songs about Jesus there were

Sanna
Sanna
2 years ago
Reply to  HarpyDarper

I remember, once in Los Angeles I was listening to radio in the car, and there was a priest talking. I asked my American friend if the priest was from some kind of sect… he wasn’t. It sounded so “military” kind of speach with the words like fight, enemy, destroy… Compared to Finnish sermons it was quite scary. Hopefully it was just a bad example. On the other hand, some foreigners could be chocked here in Finland. There are those “old school priests” (mainly father kind of gentle figures) but then there are more modern ones (a tranvestite, a transgender,… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Hopefully things have changed since Sinéad O’Connor ripped up a picture of the Pope on SNL thirty years ago. Probably not, though, I imagine they’re worse. Olivera would probably be checked to make sure she had no Francis photo in her pocket.

Paul
Paul
2 years ago

Imagine not being a rock song!! It’ll probably stand out compared to the other entries because of this.

I think it would lend itself really well to some stunning staging. It’s also not a theme that’s been done at Eurovision. Let’s just hope the Pope’s not attending in Turin if this progresses

West
West
2 years ago

Not bad – I like the melody and message of the song and her voice is unique enough to stand out. The joke in the title is old and stale – maybe I laughed the first few times when I heard it years ago, but now my reaction is just an eyeroll.

Thanos
Thanos
2 years ago

It discusses a very interesting topic but it seems to me as kinda monotonous as far as the melody is concerned. It’s not bad of course it’s actually pretty solid but it is not as good as the other UMK entries up to now.
1. The Rasmus
2. BESS
3. Younghearted
4. Cyan Kicks
5. Olivera

tomato
tomato
2 years ago

In Finland, many are religous and atheist at the same time. They are christian, but are very confused if God and Jesus exist. Still,I dont see this getting high televote.

It’s possible, that Olivera is a very religous person too. Nobody knows. The songwriter is probably an atheist tho.

tomato
tomato
2 years ago
Reply to  tomato

cringee, how to delete comment, I wanted 10 dislikes but got 27 likes. sorry wiwibloggs ts maybe misinformation.

Elli
Elli
2 years ago
Reply to  tomato

Hoe can you be religious AND atheist at the same time? it‘s like saying I‘m vegan because I eat meat.

DesGrieux
DesGrieux
2 years ago
Reply to  Elli

Easily, for example by living next to a thief, who has been threatening and stealing your goods for centuries, never having to return what was taken. When it happens time and again, it leaves a mark on your DNA, and even if you still want to believe, you begin to question if there’s such a thing as God and justice in this world after all.

DesGrieux
DesGrieux
2 years ago
Reply to  Elli

Read some history and you realize how and why.

meandyou
meandyou
2 years ago
Reply to  tomato

Olivera has made this song and lyrics herself, so..

Sanna
Sanna
2 years ago
Reply to  tomato

Olivera told in an interview that she is an atheist. Nice thing in the words is that it is telling about her thoughts, not against anything.
There are two kind of atheists: positive ones deny God, negative ones do not deny but do not believe themselves. Then there are – as you said – people who believe somehow but in the teachings of the church (depending on church: heaven, hell, afterlife…).

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago

Pleasantly surprised by this.

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago

I love her voice but is not my winner…

NickC
NickC
2 years ago

I find this so original. This is real artistic creativity for me. If it was up to me, I would choose this one.

Pearli
Pearli
2 years ago

I will vote for this simply for the song name.

Last edited 2 years ago by Pearli
OhhHoney
OhhHoney
2 years ago

I’m torn on this one. While I like the music and the artistry behind the song, the lyrics irk me. I’m not saying anyone needs to pander to anyone else’s beliefs but having such a blatant non religious view be the basis for the entire entry just makes me uncomfortable listening to it.
As much as I want to like this song I just can’t.

Last edited 2 years ago by OhhHoney
Lumi
Lumi
2 years ago
Reply to  OhhHoney

There were not one, but TWO songs named “Amen” last year. Blatantly religious songs pop up almost on a yearly basis, but bring up atheism and suddenly there’s a problem? I think highlighting other viewpoints than basic Christianity is perfectly fair and valid.

TD303
TD303
2 years ago
Reply to  OhhHoney

Well, I’m sure if we had two songs called Amen last year, we can have this one this year. Not that I estimate its chances being high of winning

musica
musica
2 years ago
Reply to  OhhHoney

There’s about a million songs with a blatant religious view, so if one song takes the opposite stance the balance is still heavily skewed 🙂

Euro
2 years ago

This is perfect song
Her voice lyrics music

Euro
2 years ago

FINLAND BIGGEST MISTAKE WILL BE IF THEy CHOOSE THE RASMUS…VERY AVERAGE BORING SONG

CHOOSE THIS PLEASE PLEASE THIS IS A CLEAR WINNER..

BESS AND CYAN KICKS ARE BETTER THANRASMUS ALSO

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Euro

tbh I didn’t expect The Rasmus to come up with something cool like “In the Shadows,” I don’t get the hype

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

Top marks for lyrics. Nice, quirky vocals. However, the music is a bit flat and tired, which is somewhat ironic considering the clarity of the song’s message. It is a religious message, yes, but it’s not a sermon, and it certainly shouldn’t make me what to “close my eyes and disappear” literally just by listening to the piano chords. There is a funny comedic aspect to this juxtaposition though, but I don’t think it’s intended to be played for laughs. Still, I love the lyrics and the vocal, and can’t wait to see the direction where she takes this song… Read more »

boozyfloozy99
boozyfloozy99
2 years ago

Wow just absolutely stunning, wouldn’t mind this winning either it could well at Eurovision and has good staging potential too. Finland are absolutely smashing it this year, UMK is fast becoming one of the best national finals constant and consistent quality!

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago

The vocals irked me a bit. However, I liked this song overall, especially because of its thought-provoking and “edgy” (to label it somehow) lyrics that stand out.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  ete sech

wtf with the downvotes!? I didn’t even bash the song or anything xd

Jake
Jake
2 years ago

I can’t imagine a non-atheist liking this but I also have to imagine there’s lots of atheists who would be like “yep—she sees me”. Her voice and instrumental are spot on—it comes down to the audience saying “yep—I’ll go with the atheist song”. Certainly enough to talk about and spark debate vs entries that are just passable Spotify filler.

Crystal
2 years ago
Reply to  Jake

As an atheist myself, I kind of agree with you! Her voice sounds a little too much like some of those other female singers with the high-pitched voices trying to sound cutesy, but I do like the song itself, so they balance out. We atheists don’t get a lot of love or recognition in pop music, so it’s nice to have a song that makes us feel seen. The few others I can think of that specifically deal with the criticism of religion or the concept of a god are: ”God” by John Lennon (John Lennon was never explicitly atheist,… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Crystal

Cher’s “Sisters of Mercy” is about Catholic nuns. She does not like them.

Kinga
Kinga
2 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Non-atheist here…. I love the song!

Sanna
Sanna
2 years ago
Reply to  Jake

I have seen many positive comments from people who are telling they are religious, believers, Christians — even a Muslim. The negative ones possibly are from people who have a habit to think “you are either with us or against us”, a pretty arrogant attitude.

sangfroidx
sangfroidx
2 years ago

Wow. Did Megan Trainor and Billie Eilish have a baby together?

meandyou
meandyou
2 years ago
Reply to  sangfroidx

Except that Olivera has been singing this way longer than Billie Eilish

Sanna
Sanna
2 years ago
Reply to  meandyou

Interesting!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
2 years ago

I mean, it’s a very popular vocal style to use but I hear it so often that it’s quite hard to really find it distinctive or standout. So, that leaves me with the song. I don’t know, it’s really repetitive and I don’t think there’s much progression from beginning to end, it all kinda stays in the same lane.
I think the last two song reveals have fallen short from the standard of the first three. Still, Finland have a lot to choose from.

Tuna
Tuna
2 years ago

It’s really good, but my only worry is people seeing this as a controversial song by it’s lyrics.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

if you told me this is a tones and i song i’d believe you. it’s vibey, peculiar voice, i like it.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

I appreciate the fact everything about this track is intriguing and confronts the notions of how an Eurovision entry should sound. Starting with the obvious: her vocals are very distinctive (even if she forces a bit to get there) and the lyrics are thought-provoking. But what caught my attention on a 2nd listen is how the melody is more hinted than properly displayed. I don’t know how much I like it yet, but I bet we won’t see anything like this in the rest of the season, which is a big positive in my books.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Oh wow, what you like about the melody is exactly what I don’t like about the song. Both the melody and harmony feel tired to me, almost giving the impression that the songwriter is tired of life. The music is almost satirical in tone. Perhaps that was the intention, as the title of the song is itself somewhat ironic, which is why I’m looking forward to seeing how the live performance is done.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I wouldn’t expect otherwise from you, Mask! You’re a piano person and this track is like an odd piano-driven one that keeps hiding it under other sounds. Even when the piano reappears, it works almost like a beat too, or am I hearing too much? Anyway, I’ll stand with the word “intriguing” for it. I think the end product is very tasteful, but I can see people having problems with her singing style, the nature of her questions (though I think the song is actually very respectful if we don’t get too attached to its title) or the lack of… Read more »

Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
2 years ago

First song of UMK that I don’t enjoy… is not a bad song, but for me is just a pretentious song, with a singer that is nothing more than a plus size atheist and nasal version of Victoria from Bulgaria… last on my top

Sanna
Sanna
2 years ago

Bad day? (plus size… really, something worth to mention???)

Yankee
Yankee
2 years ago

Weakest song so far of UMK22. I also just happen to be religious which is a coincidence.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Yankee

> yankee

John
John
2 years ago

Yeah, so it was better the 1st time when it was Victoria’s “The Funeral Song”. And her voice is too nasal for my taste.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

I think I would prefer to not be an atheist. I agree with Olivera that heaven is a state of mind, and I imagine that being immune from the fears of death, to think you will see your family again even after they die… is worth the delusion.

Frisian esc
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I grew up atheist ( well more agnostic because it’s like we’re just not religious, we don’t talk about the topic and my family hasn’t believed since even the time from my grandparents) but I can imagine why religion is so wide followed. There’s just something psychological inside all of us that wants to ‘survive’ and not grasp the concept of it all ever ending. I even find myself praying sometimes in stressful times just because it can help cope with feelings so well. Wouldn’t know to what with the hundreds of varieties of religion though lol. So I just… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Frisian esc
Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Yeah, there’s definitely nothing wrong with believing in God. It’s only the earthbound man-made side of things where there’s any problem.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

As a classic “lapsed” Catholic (had to search how it’s called in English, so I just learned something new), I can relate to that. It’s good to have something that comforts us during troubled times, but it simply doesn’t work for me in the form of an organized religion and things like heaven and hell. So, I’m with Olivera on this one, heaven is a state of mind and I hope each one of us can get there in our own terms, as long we at least put an effort on being good.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I can relate with you and Jonas on this one, I’m a lapsed catholic too! 😀

Sanna
Sanna
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

You would be surprised how many people think in similar way 🙂 I need to share you a conversation I had with a friend of mine who is a priest in Lutherian Church. I asked about Olivera’s song and he said it has good lyrics. That he has been thinking that the original idea was to tell people to start to live “nicely” and make the world better place to live. According him, the early church did not talk about heaven as a concrete place but about heaven which comes onto the earth – his approach to this was that… Read more »

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Finland has done it again! We are five songs in, and I can say that this is a very strong national selection yet again. After two memorable rock songs, a fantastic local pop-rock, and a super-lovely intimate song, we got our first ballad. And it’s very thought-provoking. Certainly, the lyrical content is what draws the attention the most (even if soothing instrumental and Olivera’s raspy voice do their part as well). But you know what, after the plethora of uninspired lyrics from Malta, perhaps what we needed was a song that pushes the comfort boundaries of its listener. One may… Read more »

musica
musica
2 years ago

I think it would have been cool if they made some kind of gospel song out of this, use an organ and a choir… maybe a bit blasphemous, but cool nonetheless. Now it’s mostly the lyrics that make it interesting, musically it doesn’t really do much.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  musica

Just thought about it after I saw the teaser on the main page: First ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’, now this … will Finland now officially become Eurovision’s go-to country for blasphemy? 😀

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Nils

Might be, most Finns I know aren’t into Abrahamic religions. They’d rather believe in folk or animist beliefs.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  ete sech

And I’m pretty sure some older folks in Southern Europe will already regard them as heathens anyway, so it would be kind of fitting, I guess. 😀

Xxx
Xxx
2 years ago

That’s a nice song!
You know what else is nice? Monika LIU – Sentimentai. I hope she wins in Lithuania.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_NdPGD81uw

Ellie
Ellie
2 years ago

A song with a strong point of view that doesn’t feel like it’s compromising to be “Eurovision friendly.” Love the juxtaposition of a piano ballad with a cutesy voice with the darkness of the lyrics. That “I like to play with gasoline” line is perfectly placed.

That said, would this work so well if it weren’t in English and most listening couldn’t understand it? Probably not. There could definitely be more musical buildup toward the end before it drops back out as well.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago

While the song’s composition honestly isn’t anything special, her personal aura (or the brilliant direction of her music video?) make this remarkable. So far it’s my #2 behind The Rasmus.

Last edited 2 years ago by Nils
just an esc fan
just an esc fan
2 years ago

FINLAND STOP IT I CANT PLACE THEM ALL FIRST

Seriously tho, this is already my 2nd favorite NF after Destination Eurovision 2018. Insane level of quality. Can’t wait for the next 2 songs!

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

My suspicion is that whether you connect with this song or not will depend on whether you connect with the lyrical content. Underneath, the musical aspects are quite plain and not particularly unique or inspiring.

On a topic that human beings have struggled with since the beginning of existence (whatever that was), it’s quite hard for a 3 minute pop song to bring any fresh perspective but I suppose it is interesting to have something other than love and relationships as the central theme of a song, so props for that.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Personally, I’m okay with the musical aspect lacking originality, the complex topic the lyrics talk about makes up for it

Apollo
Apollo
2 years ago

I’m speechless. The lyrics, production and vocals are amazing. This could do really well in Turin.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Amazing. Like everything. Melody, lyrics, voice, music, feeling. Damn

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago

She reminds me of TONES AND I and I’m so done with that screechy voice.
Lyrics are really good though.

Last edited 2 years ago by Jamie
ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

Tones and I’s voice irritates me too, but you sound like you’re bashing the song because of that xd

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
2 years ago

These lyrics are quite impressive really. Musically it’s not the most exciting song, but the package does work.

Ethan1994
Ethan1994
2 years ago

Is that even allowed in Eurovision?

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  Ethan1994

Is Eurovision a church?

Ern
Ern
2 years ago
Reply to  Ethan1994

The song isn’t about criticism towards religions. The title is a word play, thank God I’m an atheist. Meaning that she doesn’t believe in eternal life, because the thought of living forever makes her anxious. As she states in the song, she just wants to “die when it’s time for it.” Hope this clarified things up!

Jago
Jago
2 years ago

Nah

Frisian esc
2 years ago

Ooh goosebumps. Helsinki 2023 is possible y’all

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Helsinki might not be the immediate option, they also have a Eurovision suitable arena in Tampere. Nevertheless, up to this point, it’s not crazy anymore to say Finland winning this year! 😀

Last edited 2 years ago by ete sech