Israel’s Michael Ben David has been at the centre of plenty of drama since winning his national selection. Following a series of leaks and threats of withdrawing from Eurovision, the “I.M” singer has finally polished off his revamp and released the official music video for the song, which you can watch below.

The video opens with Michael working it in white and hitting some very big notes before getting crazy with his diverse group of friends. They may wear different looks, but they all channel his confidence and self-belief, which isn’t in short supply. The choreography was already on point in the national final and it remains so here. There is a freedom in Michael’s moves — bend, snap, pop, lock, slay.

The MBD says he’s flawless and ferocious and some will agree. The revamp has an almost entirely new instrumental and the drop is more electro-folky. 

Do you think this is an improvement? How do you rate Michael’s chances at ESC? Let us know in the comments box below. 

119 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Josh R
Josh R
2 years ago

It’s giving me Slavko, Montenegro 2017 vibes…we know how that turned out. This is just not Israel’s best.

Jan
Jan
2 years ago

Well.. a lot of people gay people are “afraid”, some straight people might think all gays are like this. Let me tell you something… I think straight people are clever enough to recognize, that no everyone is like him. And above all… Being openly gay as he is, shouldn’t be a problem either. I accept him and his entry… More than that, I think, the song is kinda catchy and I think him funny-sweet. So let people just be their own way and if you don’t like it… Here is a tipp… Don’t vote for it in May ?

Matrix 12
2 years ago

For some people this act might be a bit stereotyping about gays. It’s just another act with a strong gay-touch. Michael Ben David doesn’t show anything new and doesn’t surprise, who cares?. On the other hand this is the song that represents Israel, a country with a fast growing orthodox community that wants women in the kitchen and gaypeople cured. So, well done Israel!

Escaddict
Escaddict
2 years ago
Reply to  Matrix 12

Totally Agreed

fan
fan
2 years ago

As a man, I find the whole video embarrassing, It is like saying all gay men are like this ACCEPT IT, and they are not…Australia is also using the same passport. This does not help the gay community at all..it is too in your face.and over the top. The comments will be ( if my remarks are published) )…You are a homophobe! anti gay ! anti freedom of speech !, the list will never end. I am just taking a photo of it to see if Wiwi bloggs will actually publish my comments

Gili
Gili
2 years ago
Reply to  fan

not all of the participants in the clip are gay, pay attention, it refers to any kind of human beings

Ana
Ana
2 years ago
Reply to  fan

As a man (especially if you are a straight man) you are extremely privileged, living in a world that is designed to give you an advantage in every aspect of life. Yet you still find ways to be bitter about this or that minority group that is trying to get their head up. You are indeed a typical man then. And this is pathetic.

Camilla
Camilla
2 years ago
Reply to  fan

Where does it says gay song? I see no Rainbow flags or anything in the lyrics but I may have misunderstood the lyrics. I don’t really like the song anyway I think it’s this young influencer style Dong about how fabulous one should think one is and bla bla

fan
fan
2 years ago

As a man, I find the whole video embarrassing, It is like saying all gay men are like this ACCEPT IT, and they are not…Australia is also using the same passport.

Gil
Gil
2 years ago

I dont think that people will care if the song is good or bad when michael will be on stage, in any case they will dance and smile, and that is because of michael capabilities as a performer. There will be no other michael in the contest he is iconic and will stand out. with a better song he could win the contest but with any song he will kill it on stage. As j said no bidy will care how good is the song, only the juries(:

Frater Vampyr
Frater Vampyr
2 years ago

Good video but the song just doesn’t have enough to hold it together. Imagine having a national final with a song as gorgeous as Eli’s ‘Blinded Dreamers’ and going with this because of “the sass”. TBH I’m a bit bored of attitude and sass – I want quality.

Last edited 2 years ago by Frater Vampyr
volt
volt
2 years ago
Reply to  Frater Vampyr

Eli’s stage presence was not good ,to be honest

Gili
Gili
2 years ago
Reply to  volt

yeah but he has stage presence, they could figure out the staging, no doubt blinded dreamers was an amazing song

Shemshem
Shemshem
2 years ago

I find this version so much worse, the instrumental is just boring, plain and does not stand out at all. I was not a big fan of this song to start with, but what we have got now is just disappointing on too many levels. I cannot believe a change in melody can change the song so badly.

Nikos
Nikos
2 years ago

I think it is much worse than the original version. I liked the previous melody with the clapping synced with the good choreo. This is almost trying too hard to be “cool” not “fun”, and even Michael is coming across as too serious and almost angry in the video, the complete opposite of the charismatic performance he gave before!

This is already in the harder SF. Before I probably had this as a borderline qualifier but I am afraid that this revamp really dropped its chances.

Ffs
Ffs
2 years ago

Hideous act , hideous song

Jojo
Jojo
2 years ago
Reply to  Ffs

Hideous profile pic. Such a gay dog. Now let’s get down to business. HYPOCRACY, IS THE 2022 NEW DEAL. I wonder , booty hypnotic, pussy salad ,country music fron Northern Europe, Sekret barking ,few Billie Eilish wannabes… all these are class acts, all these are masterpieces. Why don’t you just have some respect ,say simply you don’t like this entry and move on. It makes me sick all that was going on against this entry, words that even in a football game you don’t hear anymore .hatred,disrespect,aggression like it’s a war. MUSIC , LIKE ,DONT LIKE ,SMILE ..DANCE,,,MOVE ON. THINK… Read more »

Vivian
Vivian
2 years ago
Reply to  Jojo

What an amusing reply xD

Jack
Jack
2 years ago

This is probably the most awful Eurovision song I’ve ever heard, legit. So much going on and none of it very good. Would have been way more interesting if he was in drag, it seems like a drag queen song from drag race or something!!! That would have been awesome, but it’s nil points.

Gili
Gili
2 years ago
Reply to  Jack

if you will try to open your eyes and ears you might find slick chorography and video clip in general, good singer which is also an amazing performer. the song is not best ever written but not everything is bad in this act. there are much worse acts this year

Bruno
2 years ago

What a mess of a song. Even messier now.

Ted
Ted
2 years ago

Sorry, I still don’t like it. Reminiscence of early 2000 EV era songs. Cheep, tacky and dated. The contest has evolved from those days.

Giles40
Giles40
2 years ago

I prefer the original version and the live version we saw on the final when he was crowned. I thought it was esc ready.
I hope it will qualify because in that sea of ballads and mid tempo songs we need energy with rock songs and bangers like Austria’s, Spain’s,Ireland’s and Israel’s song to have a balanced show on May 14th.

Azan
Azan
2 years ago

It took me a while and a gazillion listens, but I’m okay with the new instrumental and chorus, it is unique. The old one was catchier, yes, but the new one has preserved some aspects of it, so I think it should qualify

Nooo
Nooo
2 years ago

I loved the first version! The revamp has stripped it of its charm 🙁

Why!
Why!
2 years ago

I actually liked the first version more, but it’s still enjoyable.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Nah it won’t do. well we already knew this song cannot be improved. Michael needed a new song like Golden Boy and not this mashup of other songs with cringy lyrics and strong attitude, his talent is not really showcased.
Still, i don’t think this is a sure qualifier or NQ. It really depends on the vibe of the semifinal night and the running order.

Anna Banana
Anna Banana
2 years ago

Liked the previous version better. He doesn’t need a revamp, he needs a better song.

Nick
Nick
2 years ago

Revamp behind the backs of the creators According to Israel Today correspondent Eran Swissa, the songwriters Chen Aharoni, Lidor Saadia and Asi Tal were working on the new IM version; for this reason, they had received a special budget from the Reshet13 channel, as had been signed in a relevant contract. However, a day before the completion of their work, it was announced that a new version was being prepared by a producer outside of Israel, which was finally selected to compete in Eurovision 2022. People close to the creators said that they felt despised, as they were not allowed… Read more »

Ana
Ana
2 years ago
Reply to  Nick

So they got the money but their revamp was not used? KAN were probably REALLY pissed at them. It sounds like they made this whole trick to make a point how little those creators matter. To be honest, they created such a trashy and unoriginal song that I struggle to feel sorry for them.

Dolly
Dolly
2 years ago

12 points from uk

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
2 years ago

I like him as a person, but I really hope this won’t qualify.

Last edited 2 years ago by Eurovision fan
Jo.
Jo.
2 years ago

still a massive NO

Euro2022
Euro2022
2 years ago

100% qualifier. But not a winner.

esc_fl
esc_fl
2 years ago

Still unclear whether this song will make it to the final, but one thing’s for sure: Michael is going to give us a PERFORMANCE.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
2 years ago

well it’s an improvement, I’ll give him that. …But I can’t see this song as maybe more than a guilty pleasure for some because well, to put it kindly, …it’s a little trashy lol. I AM expecting fun staging though if we’re going off the music video, which will probably help it quite a lot

Nikki
Nikki
2 years ago

I kinda found it fun and way better 🙂

Jake
Jake
2 years ago

As a song I don’t love it, but his voice is stellar and could save it for jury points and this video seems top notch. It’s the kinda song that “in or out” of the final would not move me in either way. But if it took the spot of a truly brilliant track—then I would resent this.

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

They have managed to make it even more messy, which is a really difficult achievement. Thrown in a few Ukrainian pipes for good measure as well. This is completely bonkers. But a good bonkers, I actually enjoy it.

Steven
Steven
2 years ago

Romania > Israel

AMAAN STORM
AMAAN STORM
2 years ago

The trouble here is this………..yet again, an artist is expected to carry a weak song. I liked it when I first heard it, but then I quickly realised just how disjointed it all was. Israel do it every year. They throw so many ideas in to one song and end up with something that has some great moments, but overall, the pieces just don’t connect, and with this entry it was the same. When they announced a revamp, I was hoping they’d expand the ethnic breakdown moment (the bit that sounds Arabic) and I was hoping they’d change the bridge… Read more »

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago
Reply to  AMAAN STORM

Just like Eden last year – he’ll sell it and sail to the final. People on this site predicted Eden would not qualify in the “semi of death” yet she easily qualified. It wasn’t even close. Here we go again with people’s dire predictions.

Bella
Bella
2 years ago
Reply to  tomtomtom

Ever heard of the random walk theory? It basically says that past performance can’t be used to predict future movement. Basically: (1) just because someone was wrong last year doesn’t mean they can’t be right this year (2) just because Eden qualified last year doesn’t mean the Israeli act will qualify this year (especially since Eden’s song was actually listenable – which is not the case this year), (3) just because a country has never won doesn’t mean it can’t win this year, etc.

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago
Reply to  Bella

@Bella enough with the hate. This will easily qualify for the same reason as Eden – i.e. a dynamic performer. It’s not a Eurovision winner but it is an easy qualifier.

Last edited 2 years ago by tomtomtom
Bella
Bella
2 years ago
Reply to  tomtomtom

I certainly didn’t mean to be hateful: I do recognize he’s a good vocalist and obviously a good performer, but I’m sorry I just can’t take this song seriously. There’s honestly not a lot of strong contenders in SF2 so yes this *might* qualify, but even if it does this is bottom 5 material to me. There’s a reason why this is 37th out of 40 songs in the betting odds (and I saw you comment under another article that “the odds are never wrong” ;)). Frankly when I see what Israel and Romania are bringing this year, I feel… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Bella
tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago
Reply to  Bella

The odds are to predict the winner, not who qualifies. You are welcome to your opinion, but it does not jive with the reality that this will be an easy qualifier. Just like Eden last year it won’t be close to not qualifying. The song is only a small part of the points, the performance and performer are also very important. A great performer/performance can take any song and get a lot of points. That’s what happened with Eden and that’s what will happen here.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  AMAAN STORM

Don’t be sad. It’s a song contest, and it won’t be MBD’s if this doesn’t go through. I think I’d actually be sadder if it did.

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

You are one of the ones that said Eden would not qualify. She easily qualified. So now you are at it again.

Last edited 2 years ago by tomtomtom
Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  tomtomtom

Was I?

I don’t remember that…

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

MBD’s fault, I meant.

I can’t change my comment, even though it was just two minutes ago… weird.

Donkey
Donkey
2 years ago

Truth be told I despise this entry and it is my last place. One thing I will say is that the opening is pretty epic and I could see it be sung by Michael Jackson or smth. Then it just goes horrible although I do hate it less now.

Xxx
Xxx
2 years ago

I know i’ve complained that it ripped off Kat DeLuna’s – Whine Up and Katy Perry’s – Swish Swish, but honestly that was the only saving grace of this song. Now that they’ve changed it, i kinda miss it.

AMAAN STORM
AMAAN STORM
2 years ago
Reply to  Xxx

It’s not a rip off. Katy Perry was not the first artist to use that beat/sound. Anyone older knows that the sound was popular in the 90’s club scene.

Music is rehashed all the time.

Xxx
Xxx
2 years ago
Reply to  AMAAN STORM

Katy Perry sampled it, that’s the difference.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
2 years ago

Despite all its faults, at least WRS’ song is annoyingly catchy, this one is just annoying, revamp or not.

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago

His performance abilities will easily carry him to the final (just like Eden easily made the final last year – when everyone on this site said it would not). It will probably end up 10-20 in the final.

Xxx
Xxx
2 years ago
Reply to  tomtomtom

He is lucky he’s in the second semi.

sam
sam
2 years ago

it’s definitely a lot better than it was but this wasn’t the set me free style revamp that i think this song truly needed. it’s still gonna remain a nonqualifier for me for now but it is somewhat enjoyable and michael is a charismatic performer, it’s just a bit too over the top and tryhard

Last edited 2 years ago by sam
tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago
Reply to  sam

He’s a 100% qualifier in SF2. Easly a better performer than many of the other ones in that semi.

WeAreWhitChanel
WeAreWhitChanel
2 years ago

Much better now!

Gili
Gili
2 years ago

the clapping in the chorus has to be returned, dont know about the flute yet.
in general i think that it will do well because it will stand out for sure and michael is a killer live performer, it will do better then people think.
the video clip by the way is fire

Guy
Guy
2 years ago

Love it, go israel

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
2 years ago

Lots of people seem to think Ukraine could do it by just showing up, but even if they win the televote I don’t think the juries would let them have it, the EBU must realize hosting the contest again so soon is the least of their concerns right now. I just hope Kalush get to show up and perform at all at this point, it’s depressing to even think about but it is what it is… Italy and Sweden will probably do very well but they somehow just don’t feel like winning entries to me at the moment. The ones… Read more »

Benji
Benji
2 years ago

I miss those instrumental parts which reminded me of Moldova’s “Sugar”.

I am not
I am not
2 years ago

It wasn’t enough to mimic swish swish – watch out Cornelia, he is coming for your dot!!!

Boozyfloozy99
Boozyfloozy99
2 years ago

Absolutely awful, it was bad before but this is even worse and the flutes what the hell? They have literally thrown everything and the kitchen sink at this and it’s terrible.

lol
lol
2 years ago

literally the swish swish melody was the only part of the song i liked and now it’s barely there. israel deserves to take a break from the finals this year and should regroup for 2023

Geale de Vries
Geale de Vries
2 years ago

The original was a live performance. This is a studio recording and a video. I am sure he will put up a great show on stage in Turin and I wish him all the best. I love it.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago

I love the revamp, very happy with my country’s entry this year 🙂
Go Michael!

Im so fab
Im so fab
2 years ago

I know he hasn’t the best song out there, but he is a king! Good luck!

Jake Un
Jake Un
2 years ago

its obviously not a winner but can we agree Israel is the queen of revamps??

NARKO
NARKO
2 years ago

SO OVERPRODUCED. People wanted a revamp for no reason and this is what you called so you should be mad at yourself. This sounds like a remix and the song lost its own identity. Every iconic part has been destroyed by the overproduction and that just sound terrible to me.
I didn’t like his diva attitude which for me seems fake and superficial but the song makes it even worst by emphasizing it in my opinion.
(sorry for my english btw)

Nicolas
Nicolas
2 years ago
Reply to  NARKO

Yes, this sounds like these bad remixes you hear from the main edit mix of a song. Another downgrade.

Essie
Essie
2 years ago

I heard both versions for the first time today, the original has better energy… the revamp seems too polished.