Following the grand reveal of the seven acts competing in Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2023, it’s time to hear their songs one at a time. Next up is Benjamin with his entry “Hoida mut” (Do Me).
Speaking to Finnish broadcaster Yle, Benjamin said he wants to empower and liberate people with his catchy pop songs. He wants to give voice to the things that people are thinking, no matter how dirty.
“I’ve been thinking about UMK since Erika Vikman blew up the pot and the whole of Finland realized what cool things UMK and Eurovision are.”
Erika’s sensuality seems to have lit his own. The song describes an encounter that leads Benjamin to create a fantasy of what might, um, come.
Benjamin — “Hoida mut”
Dancing With The Stars champion Benjamin is ready to rock the UMK stage with his track “Hoida mut”.
Benjamin launched his international career in 2014 when his debut single “Underdogs” climbed charts across Europe, topping the radio charts in Spain. He started singing in Finnish in 2018, and scored a number one single in Finland with his track “Naarmuja”.
“Hoida mut” is described as an explosive track, bringing a contemporary sound to UMK. The lyrics regard an important moment in one’s life, and subvert the traditional notions of gender.
Benjamin said: “This is exactly what I wanted to do the day I came to UMK”.
UMK 2023 song release schedule
The UMK 2023 songs are being revealed one per weekday until 20 January. They’re set to be released at 00:00 EET on the dates listed below:
- Keira — “No Business On The Dancefloor” (Thursday 12 January)
- Benjamin — “Hoida mut” (Friday 13 January)
- Robin Packalen — “Girls Like You” (Monday 16 January)
- Lxandra — “Something To Lose” (Tuesday 17 January)
- Käärijä – “Cha Cha Cha” (Wednesday 18 January)
- KUUMAA — “Ylivoimainen” (Thursday 19 January)
- Portion Boys — “Samaa taivasta katsotaan” (Friday 20 January)
UMK 2023 will take place on Saturday 25 February at Logomo Arena in Turku, starting at 20:00 CET / 21:00 EET.
The winner will be chosen jointly by Finnish television viewers and international juries. The public will account for 75% of the vote and the juries for the remaining 25%. The finalists were chosen from 362 applicants by a jury of music industry professionals led by Tapio Hakanen, YleX’s Head of Music.
What do you make of “Hoida mut”? Do you think Benjamin could win UMK 2023 and represent Finland at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below!
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screams gay but this 80s vibes has been done before.
OMG! I’m living!!! It’s great.. it’s so bubble-gay and I’m here for it! TodaRaba Finland!
Almost 3 days later and just before the next song’s out, I gotta admit that while I already liked it from the get-go, it has grown on me ever since. I know it hasn’t been too long, but this song has it all, a dope beat, great visuals, sensual yet accessible lyrics and a charismatic performer!
I love the finnish language !
This song is everything Achille Lauro wishes his could have been. Even if it doesnt qualify it has made its mark.
Honestly this is better than anything from last year, lets see if any of the remaining five songs can compete…
It’s my favorite so far too! I think Robin, Kuumaa and Lxandra will compete. Idk about Käärijä and I doubt Portion Boys will be taken seriously
These lyrics don’t tell you who Benjamin is singing to, is this for a man or a woman is up to the listener to decide. Benjamin is gay and in a relationship with a man, but on the music video he is dancing around orchids in a very sexual way.
Orchids are associated with fertility, virility, and sexuality but they’re a symbol for something else too as you know.
I love orchids. Thank your for this explanation.
Sounds pretty good. It kind of reminds of ” last year’s “Kuuma jäbä” by Isaac Sene. Though I still prefer that one. If Benjamin’s vocals are on point and they come up with a cool staging, this might be the one to watch. BOOM!
Musically this is excellent – if it’s a 80s inspired song, it sounds fresh and contemporary, and competition-wise it would be a great choice for Finland. That said, the title is quite unnecessarily what it is. A woman shouting “do me” on stage can come across in one way only – I don’t see why there should be any difference when a man does it.
There should be no difference. Both are fine.
Both are fine? OK, but where do you draw the line?
Explicit lyrics.
So, you would consider e.g. “lick my lollipop” OK for a family show?
I’m not sure, but why not? It’s a night-time show, and the children already have their own contest. If a child actually “gets” that double entendre, then maybe something is wrong already. It should go over their heads. I’m not saying I like it. Trash is trash, but trash can be allowed.
OK, point taken.
Did Wiwibloggs forget about Malta tonight? (Aidan is competing in a quarter final.)
Just checking, thanks.
There we go. Thanks. 🙂
it does sound like a less campy Erika Vikman–who I adore–but still keeping that sex appeal…my issue with these 80s-inspired synth songs like this one is that it seems to always stay on the same level with little fluctuation in the sound which feels like once you hear the first 15 seconds, you hear the whole song…I like this and respect this and he looks to have star power…curious to see the staging…I think UMK has now presented 2 pop songs that are very different from each other, but wonder if Keira as the first song presented marks what UMK… Read more »
Actually, The Rasmus was presented on Monday, the one presented on Thursday last year was Cyan Kicks
80’s themed song #92105
Unfortunately this just screaming to flop in live knowing YLE technical sound problems and not the best singer either, but should be better than Lauri Y. from Rasmus. 🙂
I like this. Bring it on Benji!
Is it only me who thinks UMK was MUCH BETTER in 2012-2015 than in 2020-2022?
Rafa?’s The Ride is better. And I say that as someone who used The Ride as a toilet break in 2021.
i approve of the sexual lyrics, there should be more of that at esc. but it’s also time to stop rehashing this 80s trend, it got tired shortly after it began in 2019 and even the weeknd himself stopped doing this after several flop singles with that sound haha.
I actually agree, it’s been done to death. Any 80’s inspired song of the past few years makes me think of lockdowns, it was at its peak then.
80’s disco-inspired tracks are a fad, they always come back every decade or so. Time to move on from it, for now!
Honestly I’m fed up with the 80s sounds, idk what ppl see in them at this point, though I can’t deny that I’ve managed to like some of those songs myself
Really good! I just have a feeling UMK will give us even better songs though.
Ooooh! That chorus is really solid, I love it! This song gives quite a Nordic vibe. If all the songs are this strong then we are in trouble…
A solid track again. Loving the daring lyrics, which are also reflected in the music as well. A minor 9, the chord of daring. 🙂 The Chorus is particularly catchy, with those penetrative flourishes up the octave. Funny how that 80s sound still works, isn’t it?
Off topic! Noa Kirel released the song “Gone” to YouTube with a music video.
It’s really good too! I’d be very happy if this is the song she’s selected for Eurovision.
I have to echo what everyone else is saying: Finland has found the right formula for their selection. They attract interesting artists and these artists also mostly bring strong songs, not filler material. “Hoida mut” is something I was very wary about, and when the dance beat set in from the get-go, I was really worried. But somehow, Benjamin turned it around in the chorus, what could have sounded cheap, just doesn’t. He’s walking a fine line, but he somehow manages not to fall off. “No Business on the dancefloor” is also not bad, but – as it has been… Read more »
Finland delivers once again! Such a bop! Although it helps that I don’t understand lyrics – 4,5/5, but I suspect it’ll grow on me.
You can actually turn on the captions to get the English translation of the finish lyrics.
This song is like a mating call. It’s fun and frivolous, but there’s also a real sense of yearning. Tongue in cheek, in more ways than one. Not bad at all.
Indeed. A minor 9. 🙂
“Kuuma jaba” meets Xeinn’s “Eco”
Banger from the start, but i’m afraid that chorus progression sounds similar to Lisa ajax melfest song last year (or its just that synth sound).
It’s a shame you have to wait a couple of days before the next UMK song is released, but we’ve got a full schedule anyway with Malta’s first quarter final coming up tomorrow And Eesti Laul semifinal two, Melodi Grand Prix Semi final one and Belgium’s eurosong on Saturday.
Today turned out to be shockingly loaded.
it would be a little random but highkey but i’d love us to send this to eurovision! This is like the male version ot Erika Vikman.
Finally justice for Erika !
Clearly ahead of the first one but still nowhere near Isaac Sene.
Finland 2 for 2 so far. Nice start!
The song’s not really for me but, once again, you have to admire the quality of the production and presentation of the track. UMK get it.
Very enjoyable song plus brownie points because it kind of give me vibes of early 2000’S Eurovision and reminds me a bit of Bosnia 2004 song Dean “In the Disco” how I must say Benjamin can definitely sing much better in his song!
Bosnoia 2004 was a very bad trash, but this finnish song I really like.
OMG so crazy this selection !!! Bops !!!!
Keira and Benjamin !!! So good Finland !!
I’m veryyyyyy excited about Robin, Lxandra and the last song with the rapper !! And Portion Boys Epic xd
There’s always this discussion if bops need good lyrics (I personally think any song from any genre can have good lyrics and any song subscribed to a competition should have them), but there’s a huge difference between being simple and right to the point like Benjamin’s song and throwing nonsense lines in the air like Keira’s. That said, productionwise I really like what both did, they’re fun and catchy tracks. Given the lyrics, I’m with Benjamin so far, though I still think we haven’t met the winner of UMK, that tends to be again one of the best national finals… Read more »
UMK just *gets* Eurovision.
I can’t believe the amount of serving Finland has been giving us, it’s keeping us well-fed in these trying times.
In regards to the song, it reminds me of Physical by Dua Lipa in the most positive way. Benjamin is slaying at what he’s doing.
He’s got a point, he’s an icon, he’s a legend and he is the moment. Now, c’mon, now. 12 Points.
I was reluctant at the idea of him taking part of UMK at first (I hadn’t heard of him since his Underdogs days), but he’s bringing that spice in such a great way!
I didn’t feel the “subversive” vibe but it’s a great song with an original idea! Even despite the 80s sound it doesn’t reminisce anything else 🙂
Let’s say it’s not “Kuuma Jäbä” (one of my favorite songs of last year’s Eurovision season), but it has that sexy vibe in a more accessible way to a large audience.
I think it’s wrong to regard this as sensationally steamy or outrageous. We’ve heard it all before. Just think of Chanel. The fact it’s gay should not be shocking. Gay people are everywhere, and this is totally normal. Nothing “smutty” about it. It’s nature. #YayGay
The lyrics are more straightforwardly erotic than SloMo. Sex, in some ways, should always be a little bit shocking, but sexuality shouldn’t be.
Do you think Benjamin could get away with close-ups of his bare butt cheeks?
Vitalii Sediuk got away with it 😉
Not counting the bruises from the security guards…
Smutty can mean raunchy, saucy, fruity, etc, etc – I think this track is all those things and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I wasn’t sure what the word meant, so I checked dictionary.com, which is a bit harsher. Soiled. Indecent. Obscene. Yours is better, so I’ll take that.
I think how the word is interpreted depends on your worldview. I was brought up on Benny Hill and the Carry On movies so smutty has always been fun to me.
I prefer this song to Keira’s. It’s nothing new but there are no unfortunate lyrics (I’m suppressing the ‘Come to mama’ part) and Finnish sounds great! I also have more trust in him thinking about live performance and dancing. Looks like UMK is gonna be my favorite NF this year as well…
Why suppress that part? It’s one of the best.
Dunno. The whole song sounds flirty, humorous and sexy but that part kinda throws me off. Obviously not really because I still went and added it to my Spotify playlist which is no small feat. I usually wait till a nf is over and only add the ones I liked and weren’t selected. I try to avoid listening to the winning songs for more than twice a week until the competition is over so I don’t get tired of them before May. One year I ruined the show for myself so now I’m super strict about that. However Hoida mut… Read more »
Also thanks for the GAY recommendation. Probably wouldn’t have clicked on it but it ended up being super fun! Something about him reminds me of Doja Cat, at least before she blew up. He straddles the line between making fun of himself and being a credible artist perfectly.
I also try to avoid overlistening. I want to still be enjoying them at the crest of the wave when the final comes along. I might not be able to resist this one either… but if Erika Vikman and Bess are anything to go by, it probably won’t win UMK anyway.
Given the fact that both Cicciolina and Ram Pam Pam were foreign fan favorites (and that Finns low-key take note of that), there’s a chance that the third time’s the charm
What disturbes me in this, that trying to be what couldn’t be. Like forced to make a hit or bop. no matter what. Otherwise ok earworm.
LOVE IT!
Dr. Patrick Isley ready to seduce, and you know what, I dig this a lot!
His cheeks are blushing, go and try them.
Finland is slaying this year. This one left my jaw open
“This one left my jaw open” could be a lyric in this song.
For more Benjamin, listen to GAY.
Big Xeinn Eco vibes with this one, even if Eco was among my favs of Benfest last year, I don’t think it would be my choice this time for Finland, it’s a qualitative act for sure but so far I prefer Keira song but let’s see the following songs.
This is clearly on the 80s trend without feeling like it’s copying any song in particular. Love it- Finland is clearly headed in the right direction and looking like a very strong NF.
Indeed! It isn’t reminiscent of any 80s or 80s-themed song at all and Finnish fits the song
I get a little “Maniac” but not too much.
It’s a cross between Isaac Sene and Erika Vikman. Only good can come from that.
In the past years Finland can always deliver AMAZING dance music!
I still prefer Keira but this song is good too
Hmmm I dont really like it
don’t have to downvote someone for having a very straight forward opinion, guys! It’s not like they demolished the song, or tried to say it was objectively bad or something, they just said – in their subjective opinion – that they don’t like it. Chill.
Those were just my thoughts when I first heard it. Maybe the song grows on me 🙂
Wow, this is sooooo smutty. And I quite like it.
Just a quick question, does everyone think this is an intentional use of the verb “to do” in the way that it appears to come across? It seems quite obvious from the English lyrics, but I am never quite certain as to how intentional the usage is.
Intentional in that the listener can take whatever they want from it. Some people will get it, others won’t. Ambiguous to please everyone.
In this context “Hoida mut” means “Do me”, so yes it is intentional.
I think it’s unambiguous. There are innuendos in the lyrics but also pretty explicit full frontal expressions too. It feels like the entry level experience to the Scandi gay sauna and five more dark floors down we’ll find Hatari.