Sudden Lights will sing “Aijā” for Latvia at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool.

After five consecutive years of non-qualification, Latvia is hoping to reach a Eurovision final for the first time since 2016 with alt-rock band Sudden Lights and their heartwarming lullaby track.

Scroll down to read the “Aijā” lyrics

Latvia at Eurovision 2023: Sudden Lights with “Aijā”

Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, Kārlis Vārtiņš, Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis and Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis make up Sudden Lights — a troupe of friends and Latvia’s hope for Eurovision 2023. The Riga-based band released their debut album Priekšpilsētas in 2017, and later went on to bid for the Latvian Eurovision ticket at Supernova 2018, placing second in the final. Five years later, they returned to Supernova and won the crown, earning the right the sing “Aijā” for Latvia in Liverpool.

What do the “Aijā” lyrics mean?

“Aijā” is an indie-rock track with folk undertones. The title “Aijā” rougly translates to “hushaby” or “shush” in English. According to Sudden Lights, the song is a lullaby to the world, providing comfort through difficult times. They said: “Witnessing the dark events in the world and people’s lives ruined by evil, we could not remain indifferent”.

Sudden Lights — “Aijā” lyrics (Latvia Eurovision 2023)

Songwriters: Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis, Kārlis Vārtiņš, Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis

Original text (Latvian and English)

English translation

You said some words, didn’t hear you fall asleep
People were talking louder from my TV screen
I heard them scream, it was too dark to see

Don’t cry
I’ll try to say the right words at the right times
Sing you lullabies
Please don’t wake up, wake up

You still think we live in a world so beautiful
You see, I think I don’t believe in this stuff anymore

Don’t cry
I’ll try to say the right words at the right times
Sing you lullabies
Please don’t wake up, wake up

Don’t cry
I’ll try to say the right words at the right times
Sing you lullabies
Please don’t wake up, wake up

Please don’t make me wake
Don’t make me wake (please)
Don’t make me wake (don’t wake up)
Don’t make me (wake up)

Oh
Aijā, aijā
Saldā miegā
Aijā, aijā
Saldā miegā

You said some words, didn’t hear you fall asleep
People were talking louder from my TV screen
I heard them scream, it was too dark to see

Don’t cry
I’ll try to say the right words at the right times
Sing you lullabies
Please don’t wake up, wake up

You still think we live in a world so beautiful
You see, I think I don’t believe in this stuff anymore

Don’t cry
I’ll try to say the right words at the right times
Sing you lullabies
Please don’t wake up, wake up

Don’t cry
I’ll try to say the right words at the right times
Sing you lullabies
Please don’t wake up, wake up

Please don’t make me wake
Don’t make me wake (please)
Don’t make me wake (don’t wake up)
Don’t make me (wake up)

Oh
Hushaby, hushaby
Sweet sleep
Hushaby, hushaby,
Sweet sleep

What do you think of “Aijā”? Will Latvia qualify for the grand final? Let us know in the comments section below.

17 Comments
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Poul Rissen
Poul Rissen
1 year ago

Love the sound and voices. It’s a daring entry from Latvia, which indeed loves to experiment. I am not sure though if it will qualify for the final. The beat is different and you need to listen to it carefully to get it. I will be happy if it qualifies. Good luck Latvija!

Colin
Colin
1 year ago

One of my favorite songs and best lyrics this year. I really hope the manage to qualify!

Poet
Poet
1 year ago

This is the dark horse this year. A certain qualifier and can aim for Top 12 in the final.

Anita
Anita
1 year ago

Love, love, love!

MyOpinion
MyOpinion
1 year ago

Musically – I think it is a great indie song. But can’t stand those negative lyrics. Generally I don’t like lyrics about how «awful» the world or Life is

Yoda Bor
1 year ago

I need Latvia in final

MyOpinion
MyOpinion
1 year ago
Reply to  Yoda Bor

Yes why not. Let me add Azerbaijan. Portugal, Malta etc from semi 1. always many underrated songs

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago

I wholeheartedly wish that Latvia makes it to the final, this song is a gem that’s worthy of it.
I love everything about it, its lyrics, the melody, the message, the video, its arrangements, everything!
Also, being indie rock gives it a plus, the genre is up my alley

Nils
Nils
1 year ago

I desperately hope this will go through to the final. Very classy and lovely song. I especially dig the intro.

Noam600
Noam600
1 year ago

Love this band and it’s a nice song, love the MV.

Lorena
Lorena
1 year ago

I love how aija and eaea have come to be in the same year’s Eurovision. Both words mean the same (actually, it is not even a “meaning”) and they are even pronounced very similarly.
Great to know that two countries that seem so different have this in common.

Lorena
Lorena
1 year ago
Reply to  Lorena

Plus, I love both songs. I am Spanish so no wonder about Eaea. I also love Aija, I’m a big fan of indie rock music and I don’t think this kind of music gets enough representation at Eurovision.
I wish a good result for this band.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago
Reply to  Lorena

As a Mexican, I feel you, a lot of us love indie rock here too! 😀

Lorena
Lorena
1 year ago
Reply to  Benito Camelo

I would love Spain to bring some Spanish indie rock to Eurovision some day . I’d love to see something on the line of Vetusta Morla, for example.

MyOpinion
MyOpinion
1 year ago
Reply to  Lorena

I Also love indie rock and indie pop

Panna
Panna
1 year ago
Reply to  Lorena

Aija yes, but the song title is Aij?, which is not the same.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

Aija my beloved I dearly wish you qualify on the 9th of May and get a top 15 result in the Grand Finals at the least