Tbilisi calling! Georgia’s Circus Mircus have released the audio for their Eurovision 2022 song “Lock Me In”.

The music video for the entry was also supposed to premiere at the same time, but the plan was changed due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, viewers will hear the song over a black background. Circus Mircus state:

“Due to the war in Ukraine, we feel that it is not the right time to release our happy and colourful music video. As per ESC guidelines, the submission deadline is near, so we decided to release only audio, while using the black background instead of the official music video footage, to express our share of solidarity towards our Ukrainian sisters and brothers.”

“We hope to post our music video in the near future, when these terrible events are over and our societies start getting back to normal.“

Circus Mircus — “Lock Me In” (Georgia Eurovision 2022)

Circus Mircus say they are a movement that brings together dozens of professionals from different fields to create an unprecedented audio-visual experience. The cornerstone of their philosophy lies in the complete neglect of musical frameworks. The group note:

Every singer or band has musical frames –  a specific genre to which they are devoted. But we released, on some days we may be in mood for rock, French pop, or even music for a weather forecast. The visual side is as important to us, as the audio one. And most importantly, they are equally diverse.”

Circus Mircus’s stage performance at Eurovision 2022 will be directed by Emilia Sandquist. She is an international creative who has created successful performances in the past for Swedish artists at Melodifestivalen. She is also a member of the Jean Baptiste Group.

Georgia at Eurovision

Georgia has enjoyed mixed fortunes at Eurovision in recent years. The 2010’s started well, with Sopho Nizharadze and Eldrine each placing ninth in 2010 and 2011.

In the years since, however, Georgia has switched between non-qualifications and grand final placings on the right-hand side of the scoreboard. One exception was 2015, where the fierce Nina Sublatti placed 11th with her oximated electro-pop anthem “Warrior”.

More recently, Georgia has not qualified for the grand final over the past four years. Tamara Gachechiladze narrowly missed out on qualifying from an 11th-place semi-final finish, while 2018 act Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao finished last in their semi-final. Georgian Idol 2018 and 2019 winners Oto Nemsadze and Tornike Kipiani also didn’t qualify from their semi-finals.

What do you think of Circus Mircus’s “Lock Me In”? How will Georgia do at Eurovision 2022? Share all your thoughts in the comments below.

112 Comments
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Collette
1 year ago

Lock me up lock me in (COVID) the lockdowns! and mentions space.the same as the UK!

Daniel Rollason
2 years ago

I have got to say that I cannot stop playing the Georgian entry. It is so weird yet so different. Something unusual always does well at Eurovision. Take Maneskin for example. They won. It took a while for everyone to understand what they were doing, but they won. I can only think of one group in the past which would do a similar sort of thing to Circus Mircus, and that is Kevin Godley and Lol Creme who were originally from 10cc. Listen to some of their backlog and make the comparison.

Anhel
Anhel
2 years ago

Considerably higher quality than most ESC entries imo.

Jinbeizaki
Jinbeizaki
2 years ago

Top 5 for me, this is AMAZING and I cross fingers it would at least qualify so even more people could appreciate it (especially since I can’t vote for them myself in that semi-final so please guys if you like it vote for it!)

fan
fan
2 years ago

20 seconds was enough for me. No

Richard
Richard
2 years ago

I like it, different and catchy and fun. Nice

Frenchtoast
Frenchtoast
2 years ago

I’m not sure it will qualify, but I have to confess I like it so much !!!

Nils
Nils
2 years ago

It’s nice, but they need a bit of luck to qualify.

noone
noone
2 years ago

I really love it! I don’t know how well it will do at ESC, it probably won’t even qualify. But on the other hand- we said that for Nika & Lolitas too, and they managed to qualify. I wish them good luck. This is in my Top 5 at the moment.

qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
2 years ago

Finally a song that’s not just another ballad about love or a breakup. Kinda hated it on the first few listens, but now I can’t get it out of my head

vetrina
vetrina
2 years ago

Finally some “indie” quality! It reminds me a lot of MGMT!

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

I shouldn’t like it….but I actually kind of do :/
I think I was expecting something a bit more thrashy but ended up being actually surprised by it.
I can see this being adored by the televote.

Pandaman
Pandaman
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

So why exactly shouldn’t you like it? 😀

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Pandaman

Because in the build up to the song reveal, from the past couple of months etc I expected Circus Mircus to deliver some kind of horrible joke entry, but I was surprised when they sent something actually catchy and well produced.
I was just surprised is all haha

Emkay
Emkay
2 years ago

Wow, this sounds like a Devo song. I don’t know if we have ever heard this style in ESC before but I’m always here for something new. That being said, I find the song to just be okay, but Georgia always comes alive on stage.

Craigee_mac
Craigee_mac
2 years ago

It’s not my usual musical taste, but I really enjoy this song. The music is fun, the lyrics are interesting, and it’s very unique. I think it will qualify for sure.. I also believe in a year with many middle of the road songs, this has a chance of beating Georgia’s beat result ever. Well done Young Georgian Lolitaz, errrr, I mean Circus Mircus.. 7.5 out of 10 for me.

Last edited 2 years ago by Craigee_mac
#synthsareawesome
#synthsareawesome
2 years ago

A very fun catchy indie rock. Doubt it will do particularly well since it’s kinda nerdy, but it’s good chilling music.

Gav
Gav
2 years ago

I am trying to hate it like everyone else on here- but I think I love it!

Jo.
Jo.
2 years ago

I like it!! Lots of staging potential!

Last edited 2 years ago by Jo.
Adnama
Adnama
2 years ago

Terrible, annoying noise to my ears 🙁

Pandaman
Pandaman
2 years ago

I just love it, just as I love the fact that Georgia keeps on doing whatever they want. The song is quirky and bold, fun and interesting. Whether you like it or not, it’s a great addition to the 2022 roster on the basis of its originality and genre-bending features.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Pandaman

Now Georgia should send an entry in Georgian some day, it’s the only thing I think they’re still missing so far jajaja

Pandaman
Pandaman
2 years ago
Reply to  ete sech

They actually sent entries in Georgian in 2018 (“For You”) and 2019 (“Keep on Going”).

Last edited 2 years ago by Pandaman
Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  Pandaman

And “For you” was a criminally underrated master piece.

NARKO
NARKO
2 years ago

You can love or hate the song but you can’t deny it is a risky and bold choice! Georgia was not doing great this past years cause they were always giving something safe and not surprising at all but this is something that will stand out and make the difference! I hope they will do well cause they deserve to qualified just for giving something out of the box and dairing (and also qualitive we have to be honest)

Torkel
Torkel
2 years ago

This is so much fun! Georgia is such a good and needed addition to Eurovision! I love how they always take a risk, try something new and dont try to use the “Eurovision-Formula”. You can hate it, you can love it but you cant deny that “Lock me in” is unique and entertaining.

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago

Ok, idk what to say about this. Nevertheless, it’s an outstanding and exciting entry on its own right!

Bella
Bella
2 years ago

I’ve listened to this 3 times and I still have no idea if I like it or not. It’s unsettling in a non-impactful way… Wouldn’t pick up my phone to vote for this, so I think this will come down to juries.

Zed
Zed
2 years ago

Loving this!

Lucille
2 years ago

Almost as bad as bulgaria

Last edited 2 years ago by Lucille
Nicolas
Nicolas
2 years ago
Reply to  Lucille

No, much more bad

Craigee_mac
Craigee_mac
2 years ago
Reply to  Lucille

Almost as bad as Estonia

musica
musica
2 years ago

This is great. It’s completely different from the competition, it’s a pretty good piece of music, and it’s catchy. And most importantly: it’s totally non-Eurovision. What more could you ask for? This will do better than the polls suggest.

Ressay
2 years ago
Reply to  musica

You say non-eurovision like a bad things. Music is music and there is not a type of music in eurovision. And for my taste I think I have listened to this sound once in eurovision, it’s nothing new. But I like the song for Georgia.

musica
musica
2 years ago
Reply to  Ressay

By non-Eurovision I mean: it doesn’t seem like it’s written specifically for Eurovision. Usually those songs sound very formulaic.

Bella
Bella
2 years ago
Reply to  musica

I think this is the opposite of catchy… I listened to it multiple times, and at the time of writing this I’ve already completely forgotten about it.

Laimis
Laimis
2 years ago

Excellent psychedelic rock track! I love how they manage to build it for three minutes when it seems it should be longer than that. I’m already seeing this as a stand out from all the pop sounding songs, hoping for for them to get the attention from jury and the public they deserve. Straight to my top 3

Erik
Erik
2 years ago

I do t always share the taste with the results and they usually send nice rock music, even if I don’t normally listen to rock. This song didn’t give me much.

I think it’s a wonderful statement to give that wolf a banana like that. It’s really nice

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

It’s refreshing how Georgia just keep doing their thing. They’re like that friend that from time to time will introduce you to their new musical obsession and it could be virtually anything. One of these days, I hope it’ll pay off big time. This stands out not just in terms of sound, but also of attitude. The pre-chorus can be borderline annoying, but the chorus is quite catchy. Having in mind they put a high importance on the visuals, I’m optimistic this can become a fun sensorial experience. I need more time with this, but I kinda like it.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

P.S. The pre-chorus is labelled as “Verse 1” in the lyrics posting on genius.com. I too thought it was a pre-chorus bridge, but apparently not.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Since the structure of the song is quite unique, it can be anything, right? It’s like the intro is extended enough to become verses and then the verses feel more like a pre-chorus, later coming back as a bridge. They promised the complete neglect of musical frameworks, after all!

Zisk
Zisk
2 years ago

I really like this. But I don’t think I like it as a Eurovision song with a good live performance. What do you even do with this? I can jam to it studying. I don’t know if I want to see it and vote for it on stage?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

I love Georgia’s Eurovision entries, because they are always challenging my brain, ahaha. I don’t understand the meaning of the lyrics yet, and I probably never will, but the music is a lot of fun. There is a mix of influences here. (Ignore my next paragraph if you’re not interested in music analysis.) Interestingly, the lyrics seem to have been released with their section labels in the following order: “Intro,” “Verse 1,” “Chorus,” “Verse 2, “Chorus.” I find this interesting, because the Intro changes up halfway through, and “Verse 1” sounds more like an extended Bridge to me. Also, the… Read more »

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

It’s not as alternative as I thought it was going to be, but it sounds pleasant and not bad. It does keep you on your toes because it changes directions a lot, but it does stand out. I wonder if the visuals will be interesting and wacky to elevate the song, but we’ll see. Could this bring Georgia back to the final for the first time since 2016? That remains to be seen, but I can only wish them good luck. It’s the first Georgian song I like for the first time in years.

Stephanie
Stephanie
2 years ago

For now, I don’t know yet. I need to listen it again…But it’s surely different.

Apollo
Apollo
2 years ago

I feel like this song was made with staging in mind so I have no doubt they’ll put on a SHOW for us in Turin.

It’s interesting, quite childish yet it keeps your interest. It also has a very brit-punk vibe to it. I can’t be mad about this, it’s a great addition to Eurovision this year.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

I really liked it. Indie and cool as expected. The hook is catchy and very enjoyable.
They way Georgia sounds more British than what BBC usually does for UK.

Last edited 2 years ago by Alex
Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Haha; yeah, I hear that too. 😀

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Both “Lock Me In” and “Midnight Gold” have this British rock flair (2022’s is obviously more to the indie side) I keep waiting for BBC to dare to send to Eurovision someday.

Collette
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

yes this does. It’s Mika meets MGMT! and Hot Chip! digital dance rock and the bits about lock me up lock me down lock me in lock me out lock me sidewaaaays! the pandemic! and mentioning space like UK entry does!

Collette
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

it’s funny both about space (distancing) and lockdowns

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
2 years ago

Eurovision 2022 Axis of Chaos:

-Lock Me in
-Eat Your Salad
-In Corpore Sano
-Give that Wolf a Banana
-Iceland’s potential winner ‘Turn this around’

Collette
1 year ago

it’s about lockdown/distancing (space(man) people being apart

Samira
Samira
2 years ago

Georgia’s just doing its own thing. I applaud their sense of self expression

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

Georgia 8/12

Thomas Sturley
2 years ago

I want to point out that we all say Georgia is NQ every year but then they really stage the heck out of their songs to the point where we all are like…maybe they can do it! So I will wait to see if Georgia can pull it off.

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago

I like the original side but for me… Its not good sorry Georgia …. NQ for me.

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
2 years ago

I find this very hard to judge without any visual. It doesn’t sound like a song I want to listen to a lot, but maybe can enjoy with a good staging.

Tedd
Tedd
2 years ago

Terrible, as expected.

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
2 years ago

They’ll be one of Georgia’s best results. Who knows if they’ll win? Nobody thought Maneskin would win until the very week the 2021 Contest took place. Many things can happen.

Dahe
2 years ago

Why I always read it as Miley Cirus

ESC Stan
ESC Stan
2 years ago

“When the terrible events are over”. Will we get to see them in Torino?

Rob
Rob
2 years ago

WTF is this???

Pandaman
Pandaman
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

It’s a song called “Lock Me In” by Circus Mircus. No need to thank me.

Rob
Rob
2 years ago
Reply to  Pandaman

And its the worst entry so far!

Pandaman
Pandaman
2 years ago
Reply to  Rob

To each their own, I guess. You’re free to have an opinion of your own.

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
2 years ago

I expected the worst given the quality of the entries of this year, and I was completely shocked in a positive way. This somehow reminds me of The Kooks or Arcade Fire, indie rock is a style you hardly see in ESC and that’s why I like this and can stand out in May with a quirky staging that matches this quirky song.

The virgin Intelligent Music Project. The Chad Circus Mircus.
For now, I root for Georgia and Netherlands.

Last edited 2 years ago by Iván el Conquistador
Nicolas
Nicolas
2 years ago

And some people keep saying Bulgaria is the worst this year when more than half of this year songs are just far worst. And this one adding another level to this year mediocrity of more than half of the songs.

Last edited 2 years ago by Nicolas
Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Georgian entries are never easy to pin-point on the first listening, and this is no exception. I respect their decision not to release their video, but I feel like the bonkers visuals would help in experiencing this in the full. So I hope they decide to release it nonetheless at some point. In any case, I agree with their reasoning, this poster also condemns the dictator’s war, and loves Ukrainian people!
As for the song, as I said, it’s difficult to immediately pin-point it, but… I think that I like it!

Last edited 2 years ago by Colin
pastel de nata
pastel de nata
2 years ago

It’s a bit repetitive, isn’t it?