Photo: Bojan Stoilkovski

North Macedonia is proud to make its return to Junior Eurovision with an internally selected rising singer, Tamara Grujeska. After last year’s uplifting song by Lara, Jovan, and Irina, “Životot E Pred Mene,” North Macedonia is changing its musical genre for 2023 with an ethereal ballad titled “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj” (Tell Me, Tell Me Who).

Scroll down for the “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj” lyrics

North Macedonia in Junior Eurovision 2023: Tamara Grujeska with “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj”

Tamara is 12 years old and hails from Gostivar, North Macedonia. She embarked on her musical journey at the age of five. Since then, she has actively participated in children’s festivals both within the country and internationally, winning numerous prestigious music awards.

In 2021, she ventured into her first international competition at Ezerski Biseri in Struga, where she won the First Laureate award. That same year, she took the stage at the International Festival Zvezdichki in Prilep, where she secured the top Grand Prix award with her song “Muzikata vo Mene ima Dom” (Music has a home in me). She subsequently wowed audiences at the international Shkoljkice Festival in Novi Sad, Serbia, claiming the Grand Prix award yet again. Tamara later took part in the international Angel Voice Festival in Belgrade, Serbia, where she was once more awarded the Grand Prix.

Tamara is currently a student in the seventh grade at the Goce Delchev Primary School in Gostivar. She is also a student at the Todor Skalovski Music School in Tetovo, specialising in solo singing.

If you want to explore some of her performances, you can check out Tamara’s YouTube channel, which features various songs and a series of shorts where you can find some Eurovision covers. Her favourite song is Loreen’s “Tattoo.”

What do the “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj” lyrics mean?

“Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj” features lyrics in both Macedonian and English. It’s a heartfelt ballad that delves into themes such as the process of growing up and becoming aware of the world’s challenges. The song conveys a powerful message about the importance of making yourself seen and heard.

The chorus goes: “Tell me, tell me who/ Who’s at fault we don’t have any heroes/ Tell me, tell me who/ Happiness is more important than pride.” This emphasises the prioritisation of happiness over pride and highlights the absence of role models or heroes to look up to. The message here suggests that instead of waiting for a hero to emerge, each person has the potential to become their own hero, aligning perfectly with the theme of JESC 2023, Heroes.

The lyrics “Now, hold my hand tight/ We gonna win this fight/ No more fears, just light/ We may be lost, but we will find a way/ Let’s shine away” bring the idea that nobody has to face challenging times alone. These words encourage unity, resilience, and the belief that all emotions and obstacles can be overcome with the support of one another.

“Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj” lyrics – Tamara Grujeska (North Macedonia JESC 2023)

Lyrics and music: Robert Bilbilov and Kosta Petrov

Original text

Ti slušni me
Slušni me mene
I gušni me
Nema veke vreme
Sega ovde sme
Eden den
Može ke ne snema

Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
Koj ni e kriv što nemame naši heroi
Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
Od gordosta srekata e považna
Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
Sekoja sekunda rastam i soznavam
Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
Me gali nežno dodeka jas zaspijam

Now, hold my hand tight
We gonna win this fight
No more fears, just light
We may be lost, but we will find a way
Let’s shine away

Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
Koj ni e kriv što nemame naši heroi
Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
Od gordosta srekata e považna
Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
Sekoja sekunda rastam i soznavam
Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
Me gali nežno dodeka jas zaspijam

English translation

You listen to me
Listen to me
And hug me
There is no more time
We are here now
One day
We might be gone

Tell me, tell me who
Who’s at fault we don’t have any heroes
Tell me, tell me who
Happiness is more important than pride
Tell me, tell me who
Every second I grow and learn
Tell me, tell me who
Cuddles me gently to sleep

Now, hold my hand tight
We gonna win this fight
No more fears, just light
We may be lost, but we will find a way
Let’s shine away

Tell me, tell me who
Who’s at fault we don’t have any heroes
Tell me, tell me who
Happiness is more important than pride
Tell me, tell me who
Every second I grow and learn
Tell me, tell me who
Cuddles me gently to sleep

What do you think of “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj”? Is Tamara Grujeska one of your favourites in this year’s contest? Let us know in the comments below.

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yaremturkiye
yaremturkiye
1 year ago

A beautiful song!! I hope Tamara gets a good result

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
1 year ago

I love this beautiful song very much. She is one of my big favorites

Whisker
Whisker
1 year ago

Yet another whining and uninspiring junior song! I like the regional-ethnic instrumentation and there’s a rhyme there that sounds melodic and nice but that’s about it.
Good luck to Tamara in Nice.

yaremturkiye
yaremturkiye
1 year ago
Reply to  Whisker

The irony, you have previously commented how much you’ve loved songs before, which have been “whining and uninspiring”. Be brave, go on, say it to her face.

coward

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Adults are at fault, Tamara. It’s always adults. Adults suck.

Nikita Zhukov
Nikita Zhukov
1 year ago

Absolutely beautiful
Hope she wins