“Will you stay next to me?” — Silvester Belt fights the limbo of a dark night in the “Luktelk” lyrics

One of the biggest bangers in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest comes from Lithuania. Its rising star Silvester Belt has been making Europe dance ever since he won the national final with his smooth vocals and on-the-beat shoulder bobs. And while the song makes people move, it’s not just about hitting the club.

“It sounds like a fun song, but it has this depressive side to it,” he told our Simon at the Melfest WKND event in Stockholm in March. “The song is about being stuck in the limbo between two stages — of being alive and just existing. Sometimes in life you are stuck in this situation.”

“In the song I’m saying, ‘I don’t want to dance, but I have to dance.’ This is exactly what you have to do in that kind of situation. Wait a bit and then just dance through it and it will fade away. That’s my message.”

That message comes entirely in the Lithuanian language. So let’s take a look at the “Luktelk” lyrics and English translation to better understand Silvester’s rhythm and flow. 

Scroll down to read the “Luktelk” lyrics

Lithuania at Eurovision 2024: Silvester Belt with “Luktelk”

In February Silvester emerged victorious in Eurovizija.LT, the country’s national selection. It was the culmination of years of work and study for the fresh up-and-comer.

In 2019 he graduated from the University of Westminster in London with a degree in Commercial Music Performance. After graduation he worked in a beauty salon, but by January 2021 he’d returned home and signed with a Lithuanian record label. Since then he’s released several successful singles. He’s also refined his artistry and stage presence by competing on a series of Lithuanian talent shows including Aš – superhitas (I Am a Superhit) and X Faktorius (X Factor Lithuania).

His participation in Eurovizija.LT marked his first attempt at representing his country in Eurovision. However, back in 2010, he competed in Vaikų Eurovizijos nacionalinė atranka, the Lithuanian preselection for Junior Eurovision, with “Pi-Pa-Po,” ultimately finishing eighth in the national final.

What do the “Luktelk” lyrics mean?

Silvester brings a pop-dance song entirely in Lithuanian, once again showcasing the beauty of the language. In an interview with LRT, Silvester said he wanted to re-cast stereotypes about his country.

“I hope that we can show a fun side of Lithuania – we are not always sad and closed, we have many colours, and we want to show them at Eurovision. If we always hide behind English and other cultures, we won’t be able to do that.”

His song perfectly encapsulates his inner peace — and a desire to party despite the pain. “Luktelk” means “Wait,” imbuing the song with multiple layers of meaning.

One day has passed and then another
As if time has stopped
I go somewhere, then some place else
And after it gets dark, it repeats again

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
I promise I’ll start loving you tomorrow

The song speaks about routine and how people can get so entrenched in their daily lives they stop prioritising what’s important. However, it does so with a slightly optimistic undertone, suggesting that despite the delay, positive changes are on the horizon. Inspired by winter, the song uses metaphorical imagery of a dark night to convey Silvester’s message of being caught in limbo. 

Am I still alive?
Do you still know who I am?
The sun isn’t coming up
Tell me, will you stay next to me

In the darkest night, a multitude of fears and insecurities surface, leading to a self-reckoning about his loneliness. This moment serves as a wake-up call, prompting Silvester to dance and move forward.

We’re standing in the silence of the radio playing
I don’t wanna dance, but I have to dance

(…)

If you can, wait, wait
Hold on one more minute
(…)

Tell me, will you ѕtаy next to me

Indeed, sometimes in life, you have to dance even when you don’t feel like it, even if the dance feels like just another part of your routine. However, some things are worth waiting for, and with patience, everything finds its way.

“Luktelk” lyrics — Silvester Belt (Lithuania Eurovision 2024)

Songwriter (music and lyrics): Silvestras Beltė (Silvester Belt) , Džesika Šyvokaitė (Jessica Shy) & Elena Jurgaitytė (Elayork)