“Imagine a minute without soldiers” — Shkodra Elektronike call for togetherness in the “Zjerm” lyrics

Albania is turning up the heat at Eurovision 2025 with “Zjerm“, a bold and hypnotic entry from Shkodra Elektronike. The duo, known for their underground electronic experiments, have stepped firmly into the spotlight — and they’re bringing their roots with them.

At its core, “Zjerm” is a sonic collision of the old world and the new. The track weaves traditional Albanian instrumentation and folk melodies with atmospheric electronic beats, creating a soundscape that feels both ancestral and futuristic.

The word “Zjerm” translates to “Fire” in English — a fitting title for a track that burns with urgency and passion. Its lyrics deliver a hopeful message about healing, unity, and a better world rising from hardship.

One poignant line stands out:

• “Njerëz’t e mirë e njerëz’t pa emër, Kërcejnë valle n’shpirt”
  (“The good people and the nameless ones, dancing a dance of the soul”)

It’s a call for togetherness, transcending divisions, and reclaiming joy in difficult times. This message comes to Eurovision stage fully in the Albanian language.

Scroll down to read the “Zjerm” lyrics

Albania at Eurovision 2025 — Shkodra Elektronike with “Zjerm”

Shkodra Elektronike earned their Eurovision ticket at Albania’s iconic national selection show, Festivali i Këngës 63. In a surprise twist, the duo surged ahead of Albania’s biggest pop star, Elvana Gjata, topping both the jury vote and the public televote.

The victory marked a major moment for the duo, once considered an underground act known to only niche electronic music circles. Their fusion of Shkodra’s folk traditions with experimental electronica has officially gone mainstream — and now international.

Since their win, Shkodra Elektronike have captured the attention of Eurovision fans and critics alike. Currently sitting in the bookmakers’ Top 10 to win Eurovision 2025, “Zjerm” has been praised for its originality, evocative staging, and cultural authenticity.

The duo, now based in Italy but forever connected to their city of Shkodra, are bringing a distinctive voice to this year’s contest — and the Eurovision stage has rarely felt this electric.

What do the “Zjerm” lyrics mean?

Shkodra Elektronike’s “Zjerm” is more than a song — it’s a fiery declaration of hope, memory, and resilience. Performed entirely in Albanian, the track’s lyrics intertwine poetic imagery with social reflection, all while carried by a hypnotic mix of electronic beats and traditional folk motifs. The result is a track that burns with both nostalgia and rebellion.

In interviews, the duo explained that “Zjerm” represents a vision for a better, healed world — one free from violence, loneliness, and division. The title translates to “Fire”, and throughout the lyrics, this fire symbolises cleansing, renewal, and the spark of collective spirit.

A standout line comes in the chorus, sung with haunting beauty by Beatriçe Gjergji:

• “Njerëz’t e mirë e njerëz’t pa emër, Kërcejnë valle n’shpirt”
  (“The good people and the nameless ones, dancing a dance of the soul”)

It’s a moment of radical inclusivity — a spiritual dancefloor where labels and status dissolve, and what matters is the shared human experience.

The first verse sketches a surreal, almost utopian world:

• “Imagjino një minutë pa ushtarë, pa jetima / Asnjë shishe n’oqean, naftës i vjen era jargavan”
  (“Imagine a minute without soldiers, without orphans / No bottles in the ocean, oil smelling like lilac”)

It’s a plea for peace and purity in a polluted, war-torn world — where even oil might one day carry the scent of flowers instead of destruction.

The track repeatedly returns to the theme of night and light:

• “Krijo në mua një zemër t’pastër / Në natën time, të dërgoj dritën”
  (“Create in me a pure heart / In my night, I send you light”)

Here, Shkodra Elektronike invite listeners into their personal darkness, offering not despair but light — the possibility of something better in the depths of hardship.

In the second verse, the lyrics intensify:

• “Zjerm, njerz’t pa emën e njerz’t e dëlirë / Njësoj këputen e bijnë si shtatë thika që t’ngulen n’shpirt”
  (“Fire, the nameless and the pure people / Fall alike, like seven knives piercing the soul”)

It’s a visceral image of shared suffering — a recognition that noone, regardless of name or title, escapes the cuts of a broken world. But through this suffering comes fire, a metaphorical flame for change.

As the final chorus soars, the lyrics return to love for home and hope for the world:

• “Jarnane ti toka ime / Ku kam lindë, s’do të harroj”
  (“Shine, my land / Where I was born, I won’t forget”)

The song’s repetition of “shndrit” (shine) underscores a refusal to let the darkness win. In the end, “Zjerm” is about keeping the fire of memory, community, and hope alive — and letting it burn bright on the Eurovision stage.

“Zjerm” lyrics — Shkodra Elektronike (Albania Eurovision 2025)

Songwriter (music and lyrics): Beatriçe Gjergji, Kole Laca, Lek Gjeloshi

Do you connect with the lyrics of “Zjerm” by Shkodra Elektronike? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.