Popular Lithuanian songstress Monika Liu has won the Pabandom iš Naujo!, the country’s Eurovision 2022 national selection. She’ll sing her song “Sentimentai” in Torino.
Eight acts took the stage during the final of Pabandom iš Naujo! after surviving three heats and two semi-finals. The big favourite, Monika Liu, emerged as the clear winner of the selection. And it’s not that surprising. Her song “Sentimentai” topped the local Agata Top 100 and dominated Spotify streams.
The results were determined by a combination of jury and televoting. This time, a seven-piece jury accounted for half of the votes instead of the five-member panel that we saw during the previous shows. LRT popular music editor Ramūnas Zilnys, journalist Gerūta Griniūtė, producer Vytautas Bikus, musician Stanislavas Stavickis-Stano, singer Ieva Narkutė and Eurovision alumns Aistė Smilgevičiūtė and Vaidotas Valiukevičius completed the jury.
Pabandom iš Naujo 2022 winner: Monika Liu – “Sentimentai”
Pabandom iš Naujo! 2022 final results
Jury results
- Monika Liu – “Sentimentai” – 12 points (84 votes)
- Augustė Vedrickaitė – “When You’re 6ft Under” – 10 points (60 votes)
- Lolita Zero – “Not Your Mother” – 8 points (57 votes)
- Rūta Loop – “Call from The Cold” – 7 points (51 votes)
- Gebrasy – “Into Your Arms” – 6 points (42 votes)
- Justė Kraujelytė – “How to Get My Life Back” – 5 points (37 votes)
- Ieva Zasimauskaitė – “I’ll Be There” – 4 points (33 votes)
- Queens of Roses – “Washing Machine” – 3 points (21 votes)
Televoting results
- Monika Liu – “Sentimentai” – 12 points (23604 votes)
- Lolita Zero – “Not Your Mother” – 10 points (20929 votes)
- Augustė Vedrickaitė – “When You’re 6ft Under” – 8 points (4147 votes)
- Rūta Loop – “Call from The Cold” – 7 points (1830 votes)
- Gebrasy – “Into Your Arms” – 6 points (1404 votes)
- Justė Kraujelytė – “How to Get My Life Back” – 5 points (1164 votes)
- Queens of Roses – “Washing Machine” – 4 points (1108 votes)
- Ieva Zasimauskaitė – “I’ll Be There” – 3 points (729 votes)
Combined results
- Monika Liu – “Sentimentai” – 12 points
- Augustė Vedrickaitė – “When You’re 6ft Under” – 10 points
- Lolita Zero – “Not Your Mother” – 8 points
- Rūta Loop – “Call from The Cold” – 7 points
- Gebrasy – “Into Your Arms” – 6 points
- Justė Kraujelytė – “How to Get My Life Back” – 5 points
- Ieva Zasimauskaitė – “I’ll Be There” – 4 points
- Queens of Roses – “Washing Machine” – 4 points
Who is Monika Liu?
Born in Klaipėda, Monika Liu is one of the better-known singers in Lithuania. After graduating from university, she studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. A four-time M.A.M.A. nominee, she has been part of the jury for the Baltic state’s adaption of The Voice and The Masked Singer.
She will sing “Sentimentai” — a song that reminds many Lithuanians of the retro music of the 20th century. Although some jurors doubted the song’s Eurovision potential in recent weeks, Lithuanians have fallen in love with the track. It will be the first time since 1994, the country’s first appearance in the contest, that Lithuania will send a song fully in Lithuanian.
Was Monika Liu your favourite too? Will you root for Lithuania at Eurovision 2022? Let us know in the comments down below!
My absolute favorite so far, 100% voting for her if she makes the final as my country is voting in the other one…
Also, likes of Ronela Hajati could really learn a thing or two about class and actually engaging the viewer without having to resort to kindergarten stuff like flipping your hair back and forth like that.
A very weak song ..with a touch of Shirley Bassey
Sigh… I know, I’ll get much hate and downvotes now, but sorry… this is a sure NQ if there ever was one.
Lithuania was not supposed to have a final in 2018 before the rehearsals either. You just wait for this dark horse to take it all!
I love her charm – she is a true performer. Love that it’s in Lithuanian language, however, it’s not a very typical Eurovision-esque song, the second half of the song could use some change in pace/key or something else (staging maybe?), to grip the viewers even more. Nevertheless – love it or hate it, this is pure class.
I see Monika very well scoring from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, France and perhaps Iceland, the Netherlands, Austria and Italy (all these countries are allowed to vote in the first semi final). This could be enough for reaching the final.
What makes you think Austria, Iceland, and the Netherlands would go for Lithuania this year? I can’t really see it. The other countries you listed make sense, even France and Italy because this song probably sounds similar to music in those countries. Don’t forget that Norway Is also in semifinal one, and their televote usually gives Lithuania 12 points. However, I have a feeling they might prefer to support Greece this year Because the singer is a greek Norwegian And Lithuania might get just eight or 10 points from them.
Singing in national language worked for Italy and France because they have big languages that most people have heard. Not sure if a small language like Lithuanian has the same effect on people. It does stand out but time will tell if it is successful.
But these wonderful lyrics wouldn´t work in English… It´s too specific.
Look at Albania: The last three entries in native language reached the final.
I think that you are underestimating the people….
Works for Portuguese, Ukrainian, Russian, but Lithuanian is an exception huh. Touch some grass please.
What does that expression mean, “touch some grass?”
If I have to guess, it means “go outside” or something like that
It’s a way of saying someone is disconnected from the real world.
You can make a compound expression out of it. “ Get your head out of the clouds and touch the grass.”
There is nothing interesting to me in this song. It’s like I’m watching 90’s Eurovision
i just know that the fandom will underrate monika until they eat their words when she qualifies in may
It wouldn’t be the first time.
I love for Lithuania to win the eurovision song contest
Me too, and I believe they would’ve won or reached top five in 2020 have the contest not been canceled, but I don’t think they’re gonna win the contest this year. I just hope for the best for Monika And maybe Lithuania will win the contest in the future.
With how weak this year is turning out, Lithuania might have an actual chance to win
Both Estonia and Latvia won Eurovision during pretty weak years (2001 and 2002), So it would be on brand for the last Baltic country Lithuania to win During a weak year. But like I said above, I don’t think it’s going to actually happen and I still have doubts about whether Lithuania qualifies at all, but we’ll see how the rest the semifinal one shapes up. It might feel weak now, But things could still perk up as we close out the national final season and we get more internally selected songs out. I think once all the songs are… Read more »
Amazing song, she really sells it. I’m very surprised eurovision fans seem to prefer some other songs selected last night. I think she will do very well in may
I do not agree with sending a song in my own language, because we are not Italians or French, we are not interested in Lithuania. As we say we will be left without a finale and as the betting predictions show, we fell down after the performer was chosen. And the 50 people who like this song are too few.
If you read my comment you know that I realy don´t like the song but I´m sure if she sing in engtlish this song would be on my bottom right after Bulgaria. To use Lithuanian give this song more than yout imagine and your language is realy soundy for my ears 😉
Who are we? You?
I’ve really enjoyed the past two songs from the Roop.
This one will be a bit of a grower for me I think. She’s very watchable and the song style draws me in.
Currently in my top 10 worthy contenders
The second country after the Netherlands which unexpectedly sends an entry in native language for such a long time. I´m very happy about that. Let´s see who anyone else….
That´s the spirit of Eurovision !
Monika was my favoriete from the first time I heard her song and I hope she sinds her song in Lithuanian , I will vote for her
I don’t understand the negative comments to the song here. The song will be unique in the contest and her performance is mesmerizing. This will 100% qualify! I predict a Top 10 finish!
It’s a good song, but doesn’t really stand out – maybe elevate a staging a bit? I don’t know, but it seems to me like a song you need to actively invest your attention in in order to enjoy it and most people are not willing to do that.
Yep, this is still a sure NQ
lol because if they send something bland/boring/worse than Monika, her chances to qualify will rise
Good job Lithuania!
Lithuania will qualify. And I am super happy they finally sing in their language.
The Berklee College of Music graduate, real diva, perfect entry
Sorry, this is so boring! Even the hairstlye is similar but she is not Mireille Mathieu. She haven´t the charisma and the voice to give the song this classy “Fado-Chanson-Whatever-Mix-Feeling”. And the hardest nordic block voting support can save this song form a flop! I just can´t see this in the final… but hey… if you like this song I respect this and I wish Lithuania good luck 😉
MAH… i forget this… a big plus is that she sings in her native language! First I try to understand what she is singing in Portuguese and than recognizing hey it´s Lithuanian! A realy beautiful language so hope you will send us more songs in your language even if I don´t like this song 😉
Monika Liu does not have charisma? Are you blind?:D
Not for me… sorry she just try to be a diva nothing more!
So hypnotizing.
Such a wonderful voice.
I love it.
Lithuania 10/12
Lithuania has won the Baltic race for me tonight, out of the 3 songs selected it’s my favourite, I’m not into cowboy’s songs and I don’t like salad sorry. Good job Lithuania.
My ranking list of the baltic entries
Lithuania 10/12
Estonia 8/12
Latvia 3/12
Do you mean 10, 8 and 3 points out of 12 or what? Because as far as I am concerned, we know 13, not 12 songs at the moment bruh.
Of couse, 10 points out of 12. Then 8 & 3 out of 12.
Yes, I give the points out of 12
A pretty cool retro vibe that we don’t often hear. Almost an upbeat lounge song.
Congrats to LRT on a great national final. A lot of the performers and choreographers really stepped it up for the final as well. Monika’s final performance looked and sounded so much better than in the previous rounds. Actually I was thinking “Shirley Bassey” when I heard it, but now that I have read the other’s feedback, I understand that Soviet-era is being evoked. It’s still a solid entry for Lithuania, even if it is perhaps not a Eurovision winner. 🙂
Actually, at least for me (as Lithuanian) this gives post-war pre-soviet era vibes. Like in 20’s. And I enjoy it!
Yes, it is a Soviet, or better said Eastern-bloc song, one that you could hear at Sopot festival in early 1980’s, for example. I like it.
And, including Lithuania, there are 6 ex-Soviet countries In the first semifinal (Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, and Russia) And Bulgaria is a former eastern bloc country too. We keep fretting about whether Sentimentai can pick up televote points, And we’ve got this swath of countries from that former bloc here that might have people who are drawn to this type of music. No, I don’t expect them to give Lithuania their full 12 points (More likely somewhere within the 4 to 8 range), But It could give Lithuania a little boost to help it go forward to the final, if… Read more »
For some reason, this song gives me Soviet-era burlesque vibes.
I would suggest sleek and stylish staging in Turin to avoid the vibes stated above.
Well, from what I’ve read in the comments in previous articles, Monika is planning on doing something completely different for the eurovision staging, although I don’t know what that will be. Hopefully it will be enough to convince the producers to not place her at the number two spot.
She said today “I will do everything to lift up my Turin performance to the maximum”. So yeah, it’s getting changed. Maybe completely even.
Yep, and I just read the official interview on another Eurovision new site. Staging can be one factor that uplifts a song from being doomed to remain in semifinals to making it to the final. Think about Portugal last year. It was practically written off as a sure fire non-qualifier early in the season, but then come to the live show and it had such a gorgeous staging that it actually qualified. Maybe something similar could happen to Lithuania, but I’m still not 100% confident.
First impression: I love this, love the instrumental filled with nice little details, love the vocals & love the use of their national language. One of the best songs from Lithuania ever. The only concern is: my taste is most of the time very different from what euro fans like & from what does well at the actual contest. So, it could mean this song will have a hard time qualifying.
Eurofans are like 1% of ESC viewers
Yeah, there are countless times when the taste of the euro fan base and the general larger audience don’t always align. Something that is ignored by the euro fans could actually be very popular by the general public, and something beloved by the Eurofans could flop with the general public.
Those saying this won’t qualify, you may be right, but I wouldn’t write off this song quite yet. I think this could slip through to the final with jury support. However, I can see this song being done the dirty and given second spot in the final running order.
Yes, that has also been on my mind too. I could see Lithuania being assigned to the second spot in the semi final which could torpedo any chance it has to qualify Or maybe it gets lucky and it’s placed elsewhere. Once semi final one is filled up, we’ll see where it lands.
I love this entry to bits, but she really is begging for a complete restaging and restyling. I feel like something more to the vibe of the visualizer of the song on YT would work much much better, and would easily consolidate her as a jury favorite.
Absolutely agreed. It needs to look more like the artwork for the song on youtube where she looks like a french femme fatale.
I think she’s planning to do something very different for her Eurovision staging, so The staging she has right now for the national finals isn’t going to carry over.
Some Soviet nostalgia realness. Best of the boom-chica-boom era that will appeal to the over 50 set in Eastern Europe. Not enough to qualify.
Had this been France or Italy nobody would call it Soviet nostalgia and it would’ve been hyped as a winner.
If this was from France eurofans would eat up this song like it’s a godsend miracle. But since it’s Lithuania it’s “Soviet nostalgia”. That’s like the biggest insult to Lithuanian people. They never wanted to be Soviet, it was forced upon them.
She really sells it well! Great performance, even if the song itself isnot that great, still enjoyed the whole thing.
Cool that we’ll get another song in Lithuanian at last. Ieva not getting even 1000 votes, though…
Ieva’s song was disappointing tbf. And I say this as someone who loved When We’re Old 🙁
Lithuania will not qualify with this
Ok, so we are being delusional.
last place
Very fantastic song from Lithuania !! Monika is beautiful, captivating, professional and this jazzy side of the 70s charms me a lot!
Good Job Lithuania and all Baltic countries !! (and Ukraine : Masterpiece) !
I’m actually surprised how much the fandom loves this. I think she is a great singer and this is an interesting song. Part of me feels like it needs to score well with juries. It’s a very bold choice by Lithuania and they might be rewarded. But if it didn’t qualify—I wouldn’t be shocked since I get 2018 Franka and Laura Rizzotto vibes. The Lithuanian language sets it apart however and does elevate it.
While it seems to be mostly beloved within this comment section, It’s not really ranked that highly in several eurovision YouTube ranking lists that I’ve seen so far (7th to 11th Is the approximate range I’ve seen so far), but things could shift overtime. It’s not my number one favor, but I placed somewhere between fifth and seventh place for my own ranking.
deserving winner. this is an extremely atmospheric song with huge staging potential in turin. i believe this will do well.
Monika deserves the chance to shine on that Turin stage, she gave a coherent performance. It is unfortunately in a genre which does absolutely nothing for me. But I know she has an audience and performs very well to it.
Just like Monika Liu said after her victory – enjoy the moment. It really does not matter if Lithuania is going to the TOP-3, TOP-5, TOP-10, BOTTOM-5, Borderline or Non-Qualifier. What matters is to show Europe what WE, LITHUANIANS, love. It is not a competition of “Send the song you think Europe will vote for” but rather “Send the song you like the most”. And for that my respect to Monika Liu is even higher. After all, even if she will be #1 or #41, it will not change the fact her song and performance are mesmerizing!
I’m glad Monika won! She’s a fantastic performer with such a beautiful bop that’s both retro and modern at the same time.
I’m also happy that both the jury and the audience backed her up! 😀
Next.
I dont Know what she is saying but she catch me with her eyes and the movement of her hands. It’s like a drug for me.
One of the best song so far. It’s very classy and fine. She has suach a strong stage presence and good vocals, and the song is very different from what we used to listen to. It gives me vibes of such a classy french song.
It’s very charming, I hope it qualifies but I am nervous for Lithuania this year.
My only criticism, and I don’t want to be mean but it needs to be said, is that she needs to slick back her hair like in the official audio video. The pencil hair (Fleabag reference) ages her 10 years and looks ridiculous (Mireille Mathieu anyone?). The slick back makes her look so chic. Small detail I suppose, but when your song is already quite grownup, you don’t want your styling to say ‘dated’.
You might dislike her hair, but she likes this hairstyle herself a lot as it get a comeback after some years since she had it last time.
I like it, becouse it’s in lithuanian language, and I will vote for this.
But also I think that, if Lithuania sent in past 10 years, idk, 5 times songs in lithuanian, that I wouldn’t like this at all.
Maybe all this don’t make senece 😀 , but its my opinion.
Interesting and captivating. Good choice. Her staging needs to be fixed though.
This is kinda the same category as Barbara last year. I appreciate the quality and technical execution of the song but I just don’t like to listen to this type of music.
It is very old fashioned, but not in the modern cool retro style, so I don’t see this scoring high. But she sings it okay..