The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2024. Next we review Greece, who have chosen Marina Satti with “ZARI”.
Has Marina inspired us to book a holiday to Athens? Read on to find out!
Marina Satti – “ZARI” (Greece Eurovision 2024)
Review: Marina Satti – “ZARI”
Tomas: “Zari” & Marina Satti is an act that you cannot just listen to, but you need to watch as well. The music video has added such an amazing visual to this great entry. “Zari” is a song that combines ethnic and traditional Greek sounds with urban music. The song pulls you in from the first seconds and it grows to its epic final that truly can make a crowd go crazy. It’s one of those entries to watch out for. Let’s welcome Greece back to the Top 10!
Score: 10
Tom: Now, this is an interesting song. I really enjoy the cultural elements to the track, but for me its just a bit of a hot mess. I am not sure if that is due to the music video — which is all over the place — but after a few visual-less performances, my opinion hasn’t much changed. There isn’t much of a hook to grab me, nor any verses to inspire me. I feel it lacks focus. It’s just not for me.
Score: 5.5
Georgia: This song is truly one-of-a-kind, bringing joy and an irresistible catchiness that stays rent free in my mind. Its ethnic vibes are a refreshing departure from the Greek entries we’ve seen in recent years. It’s a welcome return to the roots of Greek music, injecting a much-needed dose of uniqueness into the competition. The diverse range of opinions surrounding this song only adds to its intrigue for me. I’m really anticipating the staging of this song and wondering if it will elevate it even more. Marina’s exceptional vocals and infectious positive energy shine through the whole song.
Score: 9.5
Scarlett: “Zari” demands attention and you can’t help but stay until the end. It’s not meant to be cookie-cutter pop, and Marina makes the song’s quirkiness work with her assertive vocals. The mix of traditional instrumentals and syncopated beats are irresistible. And of course, those “ta-ta-ta-ta” moments are not leaving your brain anytime soon. “Zari” might seem like chaos, but it’s glorious, catchy chaos.
Score: 6.5
Greece Eurovision 2024 ranking
In the Eurovision 2024 Wiwi Jury, we have 17 jurors but only have room for four reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Antranig: 6 Cinan: 10 Deban: 6 Jonathan: 6.5 Lucy: 9 Pablo: 7 Ron: 5.5 |
Ruxandra: 8.5 Sebastian: 6.5 Simon: 6.5 Suzanne: 3 William: 8 Youyou: 8 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 3 and a high of 10.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.27/10
What do you think of Greece’s Eurovision 2024 entry? Share your own score and review for Marina Satti’s “ZARI” below!
Well, that is an immediate opening! When Marina’s vocals hit in, that tone is just so unexpected that the listener is engaged almost immediately. This style of singing is very prevalent in South Asian music, but less experienced in a Eurovision lineup. There’s also the introduction of a non-digital, ethnic-sounding drum. Before you get too comfortable though, “Zari” takes a full left turn and breaks down into a more modern-sounding, digital experience, complete with hip/hop-sounding vocals. And, that’s what Zari keeps doing throughout. It switches up, it keeps you guessing, it keeps you surprised, it keeps you interested. But, it… Read more »
I am praying to all the greek gods that this doesn’t end up being a Ronela moment on stage. Ill cry. This is my number 2 at the moment. about to be my number one when I see it live.
I am in love since the first listening I am sure that if the stage is good that can win the all think(you can put all negatives that you want) And be sure that song gonna be a smashed hit all over world after eurovision, all ready you can hear it in Spain VIVA GRECIA
A real booty shaker of a song. LOOOOVE IT! My #4 favourite this year!
what’s with the negativity? I understand people not liking it but the comments here are plain rude
I find this song unique, original, and nicely served. It is a bit chaotic, but I think that it is part of the experience the artist wants to convey
It is a complex song with many layers, but was an instant hit for me from the first listen and I loved it even more after watching the video, which is hilarious and totally unexpected. A welcome return to form for Greece, top five material, and I can’t wait to see how Marina performs it.
wwow i am really surprised at the high scores from the wiwi team. The song is very difficult for ‘get’. Even though i love it now, it took me a few plays. The music video is unique but is all over the place (intentionally). Greek diaspora will certainly support their most interesting entry in more than a decade (ZARI is a massive hit in Greece) but i do believe the juries will tank it the same way they did Keiino and Moldova 2022. It’s up to the public vote to save it and push it to the top 10. Staging… Read more »
North Macedonia gives low votes to Greece or nothing over the years
Yes, but this song features the zourna, an instrument that is native to the wider Maccedonia region (Greece, Bulgaria and North Maccedonia)
Garbage 0/10
I am even not a fan of this song, but calling any song a garbage is pissing me off….
Now, come on. Why shouldn’t people be allowed to express their dislike of a song?
There’s plenty of bad music at ESC. To each thir own.
While I’m not to fond of this music style, I appreciate the quality behind it. It kind of reminds me of Rosalia, who I don’t usually listen to either. In fact, I’m a bit jealous that Greece is sending this music before us. Overall, I think it is a great addition to the line up as it is bringing some folklore and new blood. Just not for me at all.
7/10
1. United Kingdom (7/10)
2. Australia (6.75/10)
3. Greece (6.75/10)
4. Azerbaijan (6.75/10)
5. Serbia (6.5/10)
6. Georgia (6/10)
7. Israel (6/10)
8. Luxembourg (4/10)
9. Cyprus (4/10)
Love this song so so so much, in my Top 10 for the year and defo think it could achieve this in the Grand Final – which it will OBVIOUSLY be performing in!!!
I‘m always so amazed that that music taste can be soooo different. I can‘t believe that there are people on here hating on this. For me it has everything, amazing beat, great vocals , captivating visuals, really interesting structure, like it never fails to amaze me. But yeah that‘s the beauty of Eurovision. Different people, different music tastes. 🙂 I just didn‘t think there would be so many with a bad taste lol
GREECE – This song is a lot to take in, with its ethnic flavor, loud instrumental, sirens, high-pitched vocals, and melodic shifts. Despite of Marina being a beautiful and confident woman performing an uptempo song with ethnic elements, and it looks like there also might be an elaborated choreography, this is not ”a girlbop”, right? Definitely not what comes to mind when hearing this word at Eurovision! It’s just too… out of the box. Throws all these elements into a blender and presents them with such boldness. The intro sounds traditional, but then it escalates into chaos. Loud and pitchy… Read more »
I am curious as to how this kind of “street music” will translate to a stage performance.
It probably is the first time since 2013 that I’ve been absolutely proud with our entry. Expectations were high and Marina delivered an exceptional, contemporary and ethnic masterpiece in her style that totally represents that “hidden” side of Greece’s cultural wealth in the city streets and neighbourhoods. Lets go, Marina!
My perspective on this is that I know there’s fabulous music in this song, but because of the way it has been arranged and produced, I struggle to hear it and enjoy it. As it happens, “Piano with Pano” on YouTube provides a very listenable piano cover of this song, which brings out the nice melodies and intricate harmonies a lot more than the official video does. This song has quite a lavish structure, including possibly two Intros (the first of which is technically unrelated to the song but it does appear in the video), Verse 1 with some English-language… Read more »
This is an entry whose hype I find somewhat unjustified. I appreciate Marina’s sentiment in mixing many different things together and the idea of playing to people’s views on Greek culture. However, despite the interesting blend of ideas, Zari turned out as a cacophony of noises that do not complement each other, and the song changes on a whim without cohesion. Then again, this is a perfect demonstration of how to cater to Eurovision fans in general. Step 1, skinny woman dancing. Step 2, dancing to a ‘boppy’ rhythm. Step 3, instant top 10 for fans. (Unless if you’re Malta,… Read more »
Fair enough if the song and style isn’t to your taste. I would just gently point out, though, that Marina has talked before about her weight and how hard she works to keep her body looking/feeling healthy! There’s so much scrutiny of women’s bodies, whether it’s fans judging Destiny or Marina, just let people be who they are.
Just letting people be who they are feels like it’s becoming an inadvertant theme of this year!
This song has nothing to do with “Then again, this is a perfect demonstration of how to cater to Eurovision fans in general” that you put here.
Nor shares a single similarity with Maltese song BTW, but that is another topic.
top notch
I think this is a song that might have a Fuego moment. Some people might not appreciate it now but when they see it live they will fall in love. That’s exactly what happened with Fuego in 2018. I just have that feeling. It’s a song that has a lot of potential for a unique performance and I hope the Greek delegation can support it. For me this is the most anticipated rehearsal because we have never seen marina perform Zari live
Fuego had seductive, sexy melody, so that goreo worked perfect. Zari doesn’t have that, so the performance should be more traditional Dance mixed with some urban casual moves. Overall, there is no way that Zari will have Fuegos success, but top 10 Is possible for sure, at least with the televote.
I want to remind you that fuego was 25th in the betting odds prior to the rehearsals. I was just saying that greece could benefit equally as fuego did after the first rehearsal. Fuego and Zari are completely different and I wasn’t comparing the songs nor was I saying that zari will have a similar staging to fuego.
Greece 8,5/12
I enjoy the song I think I have it 3rd at the moment
Plastic bubble gum with a slight Mousaka flavor… Absolutely dispensable and forgettable borderline horrible 3/10
I suspect this song will get most of its televotes from the Mediterraneans and Balkans. And little if any from the North and West. Simply cannot imagine tons of people in Denmark and Estonia picking up the phone to vote for this.
Different regions, different tastes, different cultures. Thats ok.
Greece tried going mainstream pop and it failed.
And yet based on charts and yt trends this song seems to have equal appeal not only to eastern Europe but also western one. And US reactors seem to like it very much. Also Asians. It’s going viral everywhere.
Literraly more then half songs this year went viral, so that’s not a sign of how well they will do in the contest. Also, we have seen many times songs with amazing views doing quite poor, while songs with average views skyrocket in the scoreboard.
30th place – Greece
Unfortunately I dislike this song a lot. I think it sounds annoying and unpleasant. However it sounds very different from everything we’ve heard this year and this is why I think it will qualify for the final. I personally wouldn’t put it through but the public most likely will.
Silver star.
This song is a hot mess and not in a good way. There are some good parts. I dont mind it tho. It’s a 7/10 song for me. My problem is the people that overrate this. I don’t want this song to be no way near to the top 10 in the final. I hope it flops hard.
Am I the only one who has noticed the song’s “uh uh uh uh” start is identical to Laurie Anderson’s 80s hit ‘Oh Superman’?
I had noticed that too, also a great song!
Sorry guys, but you overrated this song…
6 points max
Ta ta ta… just nothing
I agree
For me this is one of the two songs this year that are unpleasant and annoying to listen to. I can’t listen to this without my ears bleeding it’s a big NQ
Highly creative blurring of musical genres, with a clever, multi-layered video and a highly promising stage performance to come in May – Greece is back in my Top 10 this year, and I think Marina should be considered a dark horse to win.
Many comments are referencing the interplay, or a clash, between the traditional folk sound at the start of the song with the more modern beats that follow. I’d say they are all the real song. It’s not one or the other. Marina is showing Greece to be multi-faceted. The intro shows that she is able to lean on the traditional sounds of Greece’s rich heritage – and, as she says, the folk style used in the first part actually originates from Asia Minor rather than what we consider to be the confines of modern-day Greece. The main parts of the… Read more »
exactely! this is such an well constructed piece music, and it‘s still so organic, it‘s so authentic
Marina Satti for me is a true artist
Every time i hear this song i think Missy Elliott meets Bollywood. Enjoy the video and the performance. Well done Greece.
I can see that! For me, the Bollywood winner this year is Armenia. I want to see the film that the song would be in 🙂
This is not my taste. I do get people enjoy the original sound. I do want to turn this off when it comes on, it doesn’t make me feel. I usually am a fan, but this time round it’s a no. Will it do well? Yeah most probably.
Score 3/10
I dont like it. Very annoying sound and forced onto me. I can see it doing a top 10 in the final though, but i wouldnt mind seeing it outside of the top10.
My big favorite this year. I love everything about it, not to mention that hilarious video 😉
Just hoping for an epic staging!
I normally like Greece’s entries but it’s not doing it for me this year, just too much going on and just sounds like bad noise. Everyone seems to love it though, so will probably qualify
A 10 is too much for this one. Giving a song a 10 means that it’s among the best songs you’ve heard in your whole life. And 1 one of the worst. That’s what 1- 10 should mean.
No one qualifies for a 10 this year.
One of the most original songs ever to be performed at the ESC. Anything less than the trophy for this musical masterpiece that grows slowly on you upon a few listens, amounts to sheer injustice.
Finally a contemporary song from Greece!
I really do not get the hype for this one. But maybe it is just not the kind of music that appeals to me
Brilliant entry. Cool, fresh, capable vocalist and performer. I’m so happy to see Greece, one of the culturally richest countries in the world, back on track at Eurovision. They can potentially achieve Italy-level success at Eurovision, and songs like this one are the way to achieve it.
I think this is the typical song that could do very well or very bad: you either love it or hate it.
I quite love it, it is in my top 3 this year (at least until I see it life because I still didn’t have the chance).
17TH PLACE: GREECE: We’ve reached my home country and may I say that I’ve been dwelling on what I think about this song since day 1. I find it musically incohesive and disjointed and the music video felt kitsch from the first moment I saw it. The patchwork of different genres felt heterogeneous and illogical and in general many things just seemed like a huge mess. With time I have fully come to the conclusion that this entry is above all satirical: In my view it satirizes the touristy image that foreigners but also even Greeks have for Greece. The… Read more »
Reading the lyrics again, I think that you are right: The song is likely telling us to be comfortable with some of the national stereotypes, but to also embrace the change. I hope that Marina qualifies to the grand finals! I am looking forward to see Zari on stage.
I am also really curious to see how the staging is going to be. It’s certainly a difficult song to stage but the potential is there!
It deserved way more
LoL L L L L L
it makes me wanna dance, so that is a good sign
27) Greece – I’m just going to keep it simple: this is about as far away as to my taste as could possibly be. It sounds somewhat similar to reggaeton that I’ve personally never been a fan of. This is completely a me issue because of sensory issues, but the instrument used during the “ta”s does not make my ears happy at all.
I will give this song one thing though, it’s good artistically and I really enjoy the start and the end, but in the end this isn’t really for me. 4/10
7,27/10…
That score is ridiculously high.
It’s probably a non-qualifier because the repetitive already-heard-before da-da-da… chorous catches nobody’s attention. She also begins with unnaturally and weirdly high voice, which sounds so cringy… Honestly, even an epic staging can’t help it’s chances.
I agree
Lol I am not that big of a fan and even I think it’s easily qualifying. Let’s not be delusional here.
A clear 10, and a clear wiwijury robbery!!
Greece receives from me: 6 points