2023 will be Malta’s 18th appearance at Junior Eurovision, and will mark 10 years since the country won the contest for the first time. This year, Yulan will be representing the island nation with her power ballad “Stronger”.
Scroll down for the “Stronger” lyrics
Malta in Junior Eurovision 2023: Yulan with “Stronger”
Malta again used a national final to select their entry for Junior Eurovision 2023, but this time focused on finding the artist – with a song selected at a later date. Through both a combination of jury and public vote, Yulan won after performing a cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Reflection”.
A public call was then made to submit songs, with “Stronger” selected as Yulan’s Junior Eurovision entry on October 17.
Born in Malta in 2010, Yulan Law, who goes professionally as Yulan, began singing at the age of five. Yulan is no stranger to a singing contest – she’s participated in both The Voice Kids Malta and Malta’s Got Talent, and has previously competed in Malta’s Junior Eurovision national selection in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to singing, Yulan is also a keen violin and piano player.
What do the “Stronger” lyrics mean?
“Stronger” is an emotional power ballad, suited perfectly to Yulan’s strong voice. It’s a song about taking stock of where we are now, but also where we could be if we just believe. Yulan sings through all the self-doubt, reminding the listener that, with patience, they should know their self-worth:
“Patience
You think you cannot cope another day
But all you need is patience”
Yulan takes us on a journey of discovery – the pre-chorus is one that reflects on where we should be, and having the resilience to get there. Yulan sings that she can see the strength in you.
“You’re so much more than you know
I know we may have a long way to go
But I see the glow in you”
By the time we get to the chorus – we’ve built to full strength – and we’re invincible!
“Look at us now
Stronger than ever before, ooh-eh
We fought all the battles, jumped all the hurdles
Nothing can stop us”
“Stronger” lyrics – Yulan (Malta JESC 2023)
Lyrics & music: John-Emil Johansson, Sandra Wikström, Isak Alvedahl, Elise Hedengren, Yulan
Patience
You think you cannot cope another day
But all you need is patience
You promised me you wouldn’t fade away
Wanting to escape, can’t see that you’re amazing
Look at your reflection
All you wanna do is change it
Have patience
Don’t let it get you down, it’s just a phase
Know: you’re so much more than you know
I know we may have a long way to go
But I see the glow in you
Look at us now
Stronger than ever before
We fought all the battles
Jumped all the hurdles
Nothing can stop us
Take a look at us now
Saviour
To mend a broken heart along the way
You thought you’d need a saviour
But you’re the only one to make a change
And as we’re getting older
We think that we’ll be bolder
But here we are still waiting to be saved
Still have a long way to go
But I see the glow in you
Look at us now
Stronger than ever before,
We fought all the battles
Jumped all the hurdles
Nothing can stop us
When a storm is awaiting
Just try to be patient
I promise we’ll make it somehow
Look at us now
Stronger than ever before
Look at us now
Look at us, look at us
take a look at us, look at us now
Oooooh take a
Look at us now
Do you relate to the lyrics of “Stronger” by Yulan? Are you worth so much more than you know? Let us know in the comments below.
Brava
A Swedish song for Malta? That makes sense! Also, not a junior song.
Good luck to Yulan in Nice.
At least Yulan gets a credit on the songwriting team. That’s something… I suppose.
Yes her name is there, I don’t know if that’s good or bad.
She added a comma to the lyrics.
She looks like she’s 45 years old…
Only after being styled. Adultifying children is a feature of this contest. The stylist should be fired.
This is the entry to which I’m looking for the live performance the most. The song is crazy difficult to sing, and I’m curious as to whether Yulan can pull it off. The instrumentation doesn’t take too much attention from Yulan away either, which is good, but also makes it sound like a very straightforward power ballad, which we’ve seen before quite frequently.
It’s still a great song with hopefully a great live performance along with it, and I’m hoping for Malta not to get the short end of the stick, AGAIN.
It’s an 8.5/10 for me.
I’m looking forward to reading Jonas’s reading of these lyrics. 😀
P.S. I realise that I haven’t commented on JESC so far this year, mainly because all I’m really allowed to say is: Best of luck to everyone involved. (And, have a good time.)
Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t have much to say. Bland. The protagonist of this song is certainly wise beyond her years. “Look at us now” she sings, as if they’ve already reached the end goal in life. You’re 12, darling. I’ve decided to not project any romance on these lyrics, even though probably that is what most listeners will automatically do. I see it more as an “it gets better” anthem. Yulan is singing to a struggling friend, one who perhaps failed an exam. Perhaps was ridiculed by his classmates for not liking soccer. Now primary school is behind… Read more »
Lovely song but unfortunately underrated and coming from Malta…it doesn’t help a lot.
Is she really junior? She looks very senior
Definitely. She was TINY when she competed in the 2020 national selection!
lovely song