“Guess we built a castle out of sand” — SABA moves on from a breakup in the “Sand” lyrics

Denmark has selected SABA to represent them in Eurovision with her song “Sand.” 

SABA’s exceptional vocals are beautifully complemented by a pop dance track crafted by the Swedish artist and composer Melanie Wehbe — known for penning previous Eurovision hits such as “Move” by The Mamas and “Love is Forever” by Leonora — and Jonas Thander — who composed songs including “Amen” by Vincent Bueno or “Bigger Than Us” by Michael Rice.

Scroll down to read the “Sand” lyrics

Denmark at Eurovision 2024: SABA with “Sand”

Anna Saba Lykke Oehlenschlæger  is a multifaceted Danish talent, renowned as a singer, musical theatre actress, and model. Born alongside her twin sister Andrea in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, they were adopted at eight months old and raised in Ringkøbing, Denmark. SABA’s journey into the entertainment industry began after she and her sister relocated to Copenhagen, where she initially ventured into modelling and entrepreneurship, notably in teeth whitening products. Meanwhile, her sister pursued a career in singing and musical acting.

SABA’s theatrical debut occurred on February 23, 2023, when she stepped into the role of Dionne for the premiere of the musical Hair at the Østre Gasværk Teater, marking her transition from a model to a stage actress. 

Additionally, she has been transparent about her personal struggles, including her battle with bipolar I disorder, documented in the 2020 DR documentary Min sindssyge tvilling (‘My insane twin’). Despite facing challenges such as hospitalisations and self-harm during her teenage years, SABA has emerged as a resilient advocate, serving as an ambassador for the Danish Depression Association. Furthermore, her openness about her romantic relationships, including a same-sex relationship with Lærke-Maria Schmidt and later with Aviaja Larsen, showcases her dedication to authenticity and representation within the LGBTQ+ community.

What do the “Sand” lyrics mean?

SABA’s song is a breakup anthem that delves into the dissolution of a once-promising love story. Despite the emotional difficulty of accepting the end of the relationship, she acknowledges that it’s unravelling, and parting ways appears to be the only viable solution. The lyrics poignantly capture a mix of regret, nostalgia, and resignation as they reflect on happier moments shared with their partner, while also confronting the stark reality of their present situation.

Yesterday is eating up my mind
You and me we couldn’t get it right
We were throwing memories in the air

The metaphor of building a castle out of sand symbolises the fragility and impermanence of their love, suggesting that their once-solid foundation has crumbled away. Despite their efforts to hold onto the relationship, it slips through their fingers like sand, leaving them feeling helpless and adrift:

Sand, sand
I can feel you slipping through my hands
Sand, sand
Guess we built a castle out of sand

SABA’s song encapsulates the bittersweet experience of newfound freedom tinged with the sorrow of lost love. The chorus vividly portrays the challenge of releasing the past and forging ahead, likening it to the struggle of breathing underwater. This metaphor underscores the suffocating and overwhelming pain of the breakup, emphasising the difficulty of moving on. Despite the liberation that comes with letting go, there remains a lingering sense of regret and longing for what once was. SABA’s poignant portrayal captures the complex emotions inherent in navigating the aftermath of a breakup, where newfound independence is tinged with nostalgia and sorrow.

“Sand” lyrics — SABA (Denmark Eurovision 2024)

Songwriters: Jonas Thander, Melanie Wehbe, Pil Kalinka Nygaard Jeppesen

(Uh uhh…)
Yesterday is eating up my mind
You and me we couldn’t get it right
We were throwing memories in the air
Bits and pieces lying everywhere

(Uh uhh…)
Bits and pieces lying everywhere
(Uh uhh…)
Bits and pieces like we didn’t care

Shouldn’t be so hard
Like breathing under water
Baby, we’ve been in the blue
Didn’t see it coming
Falling into nothing
Ain’t there something we can do

(Uh uhh…)
I can feel you slipping through my hands
(Uh uhh…)
Guess we built a castle out of sand

Yesterday I had you by my side
Now we’re just like strangers in the night
Pictures of us lying on the floor
No, I can’t do this fighting anymore

But it shouldn’t be so hard
Like breathing under water
Baby, we’ve been in the blue
Didn’t see it coming
Falling into nothing
Ain’t there something we can do

(Uh uhh…)
I can feel you slipping through my hands
(Uh uhh…)
Guess we built a castle out of sand

Sand, sand
I can feel you slipping through my hands
Sand, sand
Guess we built a castle out of sand

Shouldn’t be so hard
Like breathing under water
Shouldn’t be so hard
Like breathing under water

Sand, sand
I can feel you slipping through my hands
Sand, sand
Guess we built a castle out of ѕаnd

What do you think of the “Sand” lyrics from SABA? Will Denmark qualify for the final? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.