Saara Aalto is in it to win it. Last week she released “Monsters” and Finland shortened drastically with the oddsmakers, becoming one of the early favourites to take the trophy at Eurovision 2018. And late on Thursday evening she followed that up with “Domino” — the second of three songs that she will perform at UMK 2018.
“Domino” — Saara Aalto
Listen to Saara Aalto’s “Domino” on Spotify
The song addresses that overwhelming feeling you get when you’re deep in love. The force can be all-mighty and all-powerful, and might just knock you down like the domino in the title.
“When I’m with you I’m hit and I’m falling oh,” she sings. “I’m gonna fall like a domino, like I’m hit by a wrecking ball.”
Saara’s track comes with a very special music video, which plays nicely on the theme of dominos.
Dominos are, of course, somewhat identical. So the director replicated that by using motion controlled cameras that let them duplicate Saara. During filming she danced in place — as dancers appeared around and behind her — creating an amazing sense of motion. Smeared in gold glitter and reflective materials, she’s shining bright and she’s shining right.
Ahead of the release, she described what’s happening, admitting that she wasn’t fully sure what the finished product would look like: “This video is going to be a surprise even for me when I see it!”
“This song Domino was written by Thomas G:son, and his team in Sweden,” Saara said in a promotional video teasing the song. “And then I flew to Sweden and co-wrote the song with them. Thomas G:son has done 12 songs for Eurovision so far. He has done many, many, many songs for Eurovision [selection shows], but 12 of them have actually represented some country.”
“He won with ‘Euphoria’ and now he co-wrote ‘Domino’. I just love it. Ahh!”
Finland’s second Eurovision win?
Building on the momentum from X Factor UK, Saara is shaping up to be a genuine Eurovision contender. “Monsters” set the pace and has quickly garnered support from many Eurovision fans. But “Monsters” was just the beginning and expectations are high for Saara to deliver two more competitive songs.
Saara’s release of “Domino” comes as the lunar calendar ticks into the Chinese New Year. With 2018 being the year of the dog, the stars may be aligning for Saara, who released a Mandarin album in 2013. That’s the same zodiac sign present during Finland’s only Eurovision victory in 2006.
“Domino” lyrics — Saara Aalto
Two worlds collide,
There are two hearts beating side bu side,
Feel the spark, we ignite,
turn my mind into an open fire.
When I’m with you…
I’m hit and I’m falling oh,
I’m gonna fall like a domino,
like I’m hit by a wrecking ball,
I’m gonna fall like a domino,
and every single part of my knock out
heart keeps on telling me there’s no way
I’m letting go…
I’m hit and I’m falling oh
I’m gonna fall like a domino
Skin on my skin,
without words and without gravity,
Breathe me out, breathe me in,
Let me stay here for eternity…
What do you think of “Domino”? Has Saara delivered another amazing UMK entry? Does “Domino” outshine “Monsters”? Let us know in the comments below.
Rather underwhelming for me (just like “Monsters”, which i’d prefer but only slightly). It seems like Saara will do well inside the bubble with almost any track, but i suppose (or wish?) that it’ll take more than this to crack the top-5.
Here’s hoping for her final track.
Where has Monsters will give her the full blown performance, something about Domino says Eurovision, the verses are do sweet, chorus repetitive, ideal for ESC, dint underestimate the chances, but personally I love THE ALL
why are you deleting comments? i just said i don’t like the song and you deleted my comment…thats why every year everyone on this site is usually surprised when “fan favourite” flops…thats cause they probably weren’t, you were just policeing the comments
Monsters is better but I’m glad to see more new music from Saara.
Generic. Monsters way better (and still à very obsessive tune)
I agree with many of the comments saying that both Domino and Monster are generic pop. The only reason why Finland is on top of the odds is because of the crazy hype from XFactor. I have nothing against her and think she is a great vocalist,but there is nothing unique about these songs so they will completely rely upon the performance to make them memorable on the big night.
I hope they saved the best for last but something tells me its going to be in the same ballpark as the songs that have been already revealed.
I also think part of the reason is that she is a crazy good vocalist who can hold a note. I’m not a fan of hers or either song but I do appreciate her talent. The difference is easy to spot when watching the Xfactor and comparing to the live performances of practically everyone selected so far (Spain excluded as they do mostly good job holding a note, especially the woman).
Finland gonna Win this year.
I can’t stand all this hype around Saara, she is an ordinary singer who uses lgbt scenes in music videos to stand out, to be loved by eurofans, who knows her outside of UK, Finland and eurovision family??
There is definitely no “hype” around Saara. I’m Finnish and live at the heart of it and here Saara is very underrated in my opinion. X Factor “hype” meant Youtube views and media coverage by 2 British tabloids and it all faded long ago when she didn’t release the much expected album. These 2 Eurovision songs are clearly speaking to the lgbt community but that’s not the case with the rest of her songs and music videos. This change of image is clearly intentional and tailored for the ESC. As for Saara being an ordinary singer, well, you can’t discuss… Read more »
Dissapointed again :(. It’s not bad, by any means, but where is her personality? Couldn’t she just compete with ‘No fear’?
“Dominos are, of course, somewhat identical. So the director replicated that by using motion controlled cameras that let them duplicate Saara. During filming she danced in place — as dancers appeared around and behind her — creating an amazing sense of motion. Smeared in gold glitter and reflective materials, she’s shining bright and she’s shining right.”
Um, where exactly did this happen in the music video I just watched? There’s two dancers in seperate scenes, and her just moving slowly on the spot in another. I don’t see any motion control thingy that they’re saying xD
Monsters is wayyyyyyy better than this
This song is the very definition of factory pop.
I agree.
Typical love song using a simile to describe love.
I’m not feeling this as much as I was feeling Monsters. I think my problem with Domino is the vocal production and how Saara’s powerful voice gets swallowed by the layers of backing vocals. What I don’t understand in general is studio versions that rely so much on many layers of backing vocals or a choir when there’s a 6 person limit at Eurovision. I feel like the live version could lift this song a lot BECAUSE of this limit, making Saara’s voice actually stand out more. In general I feel like the vocal production just isn’t balanced well. So… Read more »
Monster is really good, but this one is very generic. I couldn’t even finish it. Let’s wait for the third option. Monsters won’t be a bad choice for now.
Monsters is generic as well. And I’m sure the 3rd one will be too.
Honestly Catriona — whether it’s Twitter or YouTube or this comments section or other sites, I can always count on negativity from you. About anything and everything. I don’t think I have ever read a positive comment from you about anything anywhere.
the long braid reminds me of Slavko from last year. good quality song– Monsters is the best so far though!
Sounds like a melfest reject as someone already said. Monsters as well. Not sure where all the hype around this girl is coming from lol but these two songs are definitely not Eurovision winners.
You know it’s gonna be a typical generic song when it has the famous ‘wrecking ball’ in the lyrics 😛
Yeah, that is just lazy on G:son’s part.
It’s alright– a tiny bit repetitive but it’s alright. Monsters>Dominoes for me.
The Chorus to this song would make a perfect jingle for a Dominoes pizza advert! Did anyone else think that? 🙂
This is an uplifting and simple song that seemingly repeats the same loving message over and over again. The harmonic structure of the Chorus is literally the musical equivalent of falling dominoes: (IV, VI-V, I, Ib-IV, IV, VI-V, I). And as for the melody, how about all those apoggiaturas? 🙂
However, despite all this classical goodness, I actually prefer “Monsters” over “Dominoes”. One to go! x
I must admit I’m a tiny bit disappointed the song isn’t about Domino’s Pizza! :p
I would have actually preferred that.
Soo much hype for a generic pop songs …. cmone guys you know this ain’t winning . The reason why lordi won for Finland is cuz they are the only country that has heavy/death metal music coulture and they know how to do it …. when it comes to pop songs…. they are all the same if you close ur eyes , again too much hype too early for generic songs.
Deleting any comments that aren’t hype Saara Aalto…mature…
Good song, but definitely not at “Monsters” level. Let’s see what song #3 brings!
It’s way better than “Monsters”. It has more personality and nuances. I would bet that “Domino” wouldn’t be as strong as the first song on the televoting, but the juries would be much more inclined to giving it points. It won’t be hard for the third song to defeat those two actually. I believe they’re saving the best for last.
What a fantastic vocalist Sara is but of the 2 songs previewed so far, it’s a no-brainer…. ..”monsters” is vastly superior to this track
Looking forward to no.3 though
”Monsters” and ”Domino” are both NOT good… I feel like People are just freaking out because of Saara and not because of the Songs. If these would be coming from another Artist from Montenegro or UK or anything, y’all wouldn’t bother to Hype them at all. Monster is better but still nothing outstandig…
It seems as if 90% of the people going mad about it are people who would have gone mad what ever the song was because Saara Aalto is singing it, and the rest are actually judging the song on its own merits.
it’s exactly that and it’s pathetic
They all sound like melfest rejects yet if they were in Melfest and fans on here heard the song’s even SWEDEN wouldn’t be first in the odds, shows you how blind some ESC fans are.
great to read something like that, I’m not the only one with this opinion, blinded fans with so much bad faith ……..they write QUEEN, SLAY or SHE HAS ALREADY WIN everywhere even if it’s bad generic songs……… as for spanish and italians….., my rating about worst esc fans :1ST italians (too pretentious and they don’t understand the lesson of last year) 2ND spaniards (each year except 2017 they think they will win and they are too pathetic when they defend their poor entries in every possible ways. 3RD fans of AAlto (they are in the way to take the first… Read more »
Aren’t you being a bit hard with your critisism? Never underestimate the power of Lgbt-society. And do remember: your taste of music is what it is, and the others may have it of another kind. I think you have a personal reason to hate her.
zodiac signs to predict the win of AAlto, looooollllllll the MUST of the MUST!!!!!, I haven’t read such ridiculous article since long time……….such a lack of objectivity, no subtleties but it’s normal it’s antranig as always……
Bought ‘Monsters’ on iTunes immediately after I heard it. Not really tempted to buy this one. It’s a good song though.
Very very good, ethereal, slick — everything about it is strong, not really much you can find fault with, if anything — I just feel “Monsters” has that punch that hits you and shows off Saara’s voice more!
Agreed. We need songs like that this year. Especially when everything is boring and a few try to copy that elevator music from Portugal from 2017 ESC.
This is another great song from Saara, but I think Monsters would have more impact overall, especially with the televoters! LGBTQ represent!! <3<3 8.5/10
This is far better than Monsters, but it doesn’t sound like a winner. This could win the jury voting, but it still lacks something to entirely connect with the audience (a case like Sweden 2015, Australia 2016).
I like it, but clearly, ‘Monsters’ remains the one to beat. Will number three be the real deal?
I think I prefer Monsters – this is still a good song, but fairly unremarkable. I must addmit I was expecting more – here’s hoping that the third song will be a masterpiece.
This is awful. Can’t believe people are buying this generic piece of nothing
I like the song but monsters is 100x better.
Think the 3rd one though could be the ESC 2018 winner
Another great song for Saara! It’s modern, it’s dynamic and it fits a big stage. If she kills it live then it will be awesome!
TBO, I like “Monsters” more.
I really like this but I like Monsters much more!
This song is better than “Monsters” and let’s see what Saara presents as third song.
This song is much better than “Monsters”. I am exciting for the third song.
Saaras Aalto’s 2:nd contributions for UMK18 is a song written by Saara herself and G: son, who wrote Loreen’s Euphoria. “Domino” is good and certainly fits the Eurovision, but the first contribution “Monsters” is far much better. Saara wrote Monsters with Linnea and Joy Deb (also behind Måns Zelmerlöf’s winning smash Heroes). Anyway, we have Saara in the ESC final. Monsters are more personal, more dangerous and more likely to win. #monsters #domino # UMK18 #eurovision #saaraaalto Saaras Aaltos andra bidrag fö UMK18 är ute. En sång skriven av Saara själv och G:son, som ju skrev Loreens Euphoria. Låten heter… Read more »
It’s less impressive than Zmonsters. When I heard Minsters, I said that it’s the winner, no matter what goes next. This song is not bad, but the first one is a stunner. So, I share the opinion that Finland will win this year.
I liked Monsters better!!
This is a good song in its own right and would be my winner in Denmark, Norway, Iceland , Sweden but not in Finland.
A little bit more bearable that the first one, but still irrelevant.
Domino is the better song and will do better at Eurovision. But I’m sure all the Eurovision ‘fans’ will disagree.
Finland will win this year’s contest! Mark my words!
Domino isn’t bad at all, but Monsters is way better, hopefully Finland picks correctly, because I can see Monsters as a potential ESC winner.
the verses are better (love the ‘when I’m with you’ thing,) the chorus is worse
hopefully in the third song she doesn’t sing the whole three minutes, again I always feel that this makes everything sound like it was crammed into the time limit and it’s hard to listen to
aha it was a g:son song i Knew it
his music is beginning to get dated i tell you, i get the same vibe from this as i did from hovig last year
> was written by Thomas G:son, and his team in Sweden
I guess all Finnish songwriters were kidnapped by aliens.
I know that Finland wants just to get back to the final, but c’mon…
It really reminds me of Sound of Silence, but more anthemic!
I agree that it’s a bit cliché just like “Monsters”. But I’m loving it. Her voice is AMAZING! This one is actually much better than the first song. Can’t wait for the third song, I am sure that one will be the best. 😀
For now:
1. “Domino” – 9/10
2. “Monsters” – 8/10