Tonight at Festivali i Këngës — Albania’s Eurovision 2019 selection show — the genres came thick and fast. Dilan Reka updated the disco for today. Orgesa Zaimi mixed funk, soul, jazz and rock. And Soni Malaj slipped into a white body suit, serving an Albanian take on “Fuego” — replete with fire and her writing against an electric guitarist.

But in the end it was Jonida Maliqi who won the day with her song “Ktheju tokes”.

The spiritual ballad has a mysterious quality that seems to come from deep within Jonida. The title doesn’t have a direct translation in English, but it roughly means “come back to the land”. It speaks of the struggles of immigration and leaving one’s homeland — a reality known well to the Albanian diaspora.

“I feel in this song,” she told us in an interview after the semi-final. “It’s very important for me.”

“The lyrics are actually for Albanians, for immigrants, for all the people around the world.”

“I cry inside of me….it was very difficult for us — the immigration — and my sister lives in Cyprus. And for me it’s very difficult because my other half, she lives there. Maybe in every Albanian family we have someone outside our country. I feel it and they feel it. This is hard for me. This song is my emotion.”

You’ll remember that Eurovision 2018 stars Ermal Meta and Eleni Foureira were both born in Albania, but immigrated just before or during Albania’s civil conflict in the 90s.

Speaking to Albanian media in a post-show interview, Jonida confirmed that she will keep the song in Albanian for Eurovision. You don’t need to worry about an Eneda-style revamp to English.

Watching Jonida from the front row of the Palace of Congresses, we couldn’t help but think she looked like a young Cleopatra, controlling the Nile and enchanting many a passerby with her undeniable beauty.

When she sings her voice is magic, but so too is her presence. From her eye contact to the way her body sways, you can’t help but stare in wonder.

Festivali i Këngës — Albania’s traditional selection show for the Eurovision Song Contest — added a contemporary twist this year. Rather than only singing an orchestral version, the acts also had the opportunity to sing a more modern take replete with Eurovision-esque staging on a second night.

Despite being in its 57th edition, the show wasn’t smooth sailing. Early on microphone issues impacted both Marko Strazimiri & Imbro and Eranda Libhova. Her technical issues were particularly appalling — you couldn’t really hear her, and her backing vocalists were turned way up. A total disaster for artists that have worked so hard to make it to tonight.

Thankfully they were both given the chance to perform again after the 12 other acts had sung. Eranda was subsequently awarded the Critics’ Prize, which is determined by a vote among the media/critics.

FiK 57 finalists

Alar Band — “Dashuria nuk mjafton”
Artemisa Mithi & Febi Shkurti — “Dua ta besoj”
Bojken Lako — “Jeto jeten”
Dilan Reka — “Karma”
Eliza Hoxha — “Peng”
Elton Deda — “Qetesisht”
Eranda Libohova — “100 pyetje”
Gjergj  Leka— “Besoj”
Jonida Maliqi — “Ktheju tokes”
Klint  Çollaku— “Me jete”
Lidia Lufi — “Rrefehem”
Marko Strazimiri & Imbro — “Lejla”
Orgesa Zaimi — “Hije”
Soni Malaj – “Do vij”

What do you think of the final results? Do you think Albania will advance to the final at Eurovision? To revamp or not to revamp? To keep it in Albanian or switch to English? Sound off down below!

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Joseph
Joseph
5 years ago

Do some cool staging, maybe with the Albanian colours since this is about Albanian emigration, choose a better outfit (please) and this will probably qualify. I am predicting 5th-6th in the semi and 11th-13th in the final.

Michi
Michi
5 years ago

i love this Song!
she should easily qualify for the final and then everything ist possible.
she’s gonna stand out no matter what between all the popsongs that are still to qualify out of the national finals and internal selections.
well done albania! finally a message people can connect with… Folks from the balkans know exactly what she is singing about and Israel is the right “land” to spread her message…
all the best to you Jonida

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Another woman for Albania!
I really like the song, I’m happy she wants to keep it in Albanian, it’s more interesting.
With a good staging and NOT this outfit, who knows?

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
5 years ago

It might qualify with impressive staging – dark, mysterious, gloomy… If it’s only her singing, then it’s easy non-qualifier.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

It certainly seems like she FEELS her song when she’s performing it, which I like a lot. While I personally find it a bit difficult to stay interested in the song for three minutes, I consider it a good start to this season. Anyone can cater to the mainstream, I’m glad some countries refuse that.

Anna
Anna
5 years ago

What can I say .. the songs that Albania sends in Eurovision are from another level they have a meaning they have lyrics and they are real artists . Albania ?? It’s not for Eurovision . Eurovision its all about politics now . The songs tha win Eurovision are talking about chickens about flames and whatever .. since last year I told to my self that I will never watch Eurovision again and I will not believe me .. Albania please don’t go again to Eurovision … go to another festival that has more quality !

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Anna

Being a bad looser doesnt take a country no where. Portugal and Austria won so the only step is forward. Not quit.

Jake
Jake
5 years ago
Reply to  Anna

I agree that Albanian songs are way too good for Eurovision, but what are you doing here if you will never watch Eurovision again?

ALEX
ALEX
5 years ago
Reply to  Anna

Albania just doesn’t get it. When they didn’t win with Rona, why even continue? Albania is a filler country, they will never win, but they are just another country to give their points away for the grand final.

Lef xhet
Lef xhet
5 years ago

The song is OK but the singer isn’t a good singer she won course she had her friends In jury.
Other singer deserve to win such Soni Malaj with song Me e fort ( even stronger).
What can we do is Albania that’s why we migrating couse of this corruption and no justice.
We hoping 1 day our country changes.

Dalth
Dalth
5 years ago

The song itself ain’t bad but just struggling to think of who would pick up a phone to vote for this. Has a chance of qualifying me thinks, depends on what it’s up against obviously, but not convinced this has a huge jury vote going for it either which I suspect it will need to qualify.

ALEX
ALEX
5 years ago
Reply to  Dalth

No one will vote for it and the jury will forget about it. Giving Albania another usual non-qualifier.

EscGreece
EscGreece
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

That’s what people said about Portugal in 2017 too 😉

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago

Its early to judge but i would say its not over for Albania :).

Mark
Mark
5 years ago

Albania, why do you always insist on sending women obnoxiously screaming?

James
James
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

She’s not screaming. She’s wailing.

Poland12Points
Poland12Points
5 years ago

please Albania don’t revamp it like “Perrale” IT’S GREAT ?

Alon I srael
Alon I srael
5 years ago

Fantastic! this song has all the ingredients needed…including a charming singer… will qualify easily..top 10…

Víctor/Eurovisión
Víctor/Eurovisión
5 years ago

I´m not sure if this will qualify but I like it. I think the message suits perfectly with the song and the music for me is quite nice. Maybe the only negative thing I can say about is her voice. She reach every note but at some point her voice stresses me.

ALEX
ALEX
5 years ago

The only way she would make it to the grand final is if she changes her song or a miracle happens. Unfortunately, the judges will not score this high because her voice is AVERAGE and the song itself is just not good enough to secure televoters points. 🙁 Albania maybe someday you can try to think about sending a song that EUROPE will like and that is at least mainstream.

Ouijaboy
Ouijaboy
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

We don’t need a “mainstreamvision song contest”…

Azuro
Azuro
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

Spot on Alex well said.
Festivali I kenges is a rubbish format.
Wiwi themselves suggested a change to the more modern kenges magjike, which could actually produce something modern or current

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

You should watch The Voice instead.

Tom
Tom
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

Dear Alex, If all the countries listened to the advises of people like you then we would just listen to 40-43 “Fuego”s or “Dance You off”s in Eurovision every year. Albania’s doing a great job, no matter you like it or not. We need diversity. Don’t worry, there will be a lot of pop songs for your taste, too. But don’t expect all the countries go mainstream, please. Eurovision is for all kind of music genres and there are people with different music tastes. It’s not just about you.

Carlos Rubilar
Carlos Rubilar
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

Oh yeah and Tell me how Serbia made It last year… A blast of mainstream

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Carlos Rubilar

Bloc Voting

nora
nora
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

W all know that juries will vote for EBU babies Sweden, Australia, Malta and non full members of EBU babies The Netherlands,Belgium, Israel,rest of points from 1 to 4 go to ohers 36 countries

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  nora

Stop talking rubbish

PP77
PP77
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Because that voting from 2012 for Sweden and from 2015 for, Australia in last 2 year finished on 25 th, then 26 th in televote, and Sweden this 21 th, not because songs or singers

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  nora

You have already said it. We get it. Im from Sweden and i dont agree at all.

PP77
PP77
5 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

Sweden won in 2012 and especilly in 2015 thanks to juries points.

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

You cant only win cause of jury points. Sorry your wrong

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

I agree Alex, this noise is absolutely rubbish and Albania is garbage at Eurovision.

Modern
Modern
5 years ago
Reply to  ALEX

Jonida’s voice is far from average, her style is awesome, and the song is anthemic. You have the wrong perception of Eurovision, which is a diverse format and not banger-only. Albania has a pretty good ESC record for its size, they have done well multiple times. If however you are extending your own dislike of Albania to its music, that’s what’s rubbish in the 21st century. Maybe some Albanian broke your heart, whom I applaud.

Thorsten from Germany
Thorsten from Germany
5 years ago

somebody wrote on facebook: Jonida Maliqi and her song is like “JAMALA ft. EQUINOX” – and I think he/she is right with that.

Kirby
Kirby
5 years ago

Yeeeeeeeesssss!!!!

Mark
Mark
5 years ago

Jamala wasn’t good either.

Azuro
Azuro
5 years ago

Should at least put 1 verse/chorus into English so that other people understand it. She herself said it’s for “all immigrants” well no other country speaks Albanian in the world so that message will likely be lost.

tatikka
tatikka
5 years ago
Reply to  Azuro

Absolutely disagree. The only words of Albanian I know are ‘dashuri’ and ‘jo’, and I still understood that song correctly enough. I got an impression of being brought to a place you do not want to be, an impression of a travel you do not want to take, a pain of loosing something very dear for you. And it was just the music & staging that made me feel so.

Azuro
Azuro
5 years ago
Reply to  tatikka

Psst don’t make me laugh! 😀

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  tatikka

The only thing the televoters are going to see is an obnoxious woman screaming.

James
James
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

In what part of the song is she screaming?

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago

Now I just heard this song for the first time (due to busy times with christmas and all) and I LOVE IT. What is wrong with people being so negative with this song and already claiming it won’t quality and etc? It’s beautiful and hella badass. I love the ethnic elements, her mesmerizing voice, the beautiful melody and how it repserents the current sate of Albania with its immigration perfectly and in a modern way. This song speaks to Albanians and other people who have or had similar situation as well. You may complain about Albania sending ballads and divas,… Read more »

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago

Love! Love! Love it!
So happy for her and wish her the best of luck <3

Anna
Anna
5 years ago

As much as I love the song, I don’t see it qualifying. Her outfit choiceS are a huge distraction on the stage, you can’t focus on what she’s singing. I think that it will be one of those entries that a lot of people think is good, but not enough people actually vote. We have already faced similar situations with Finland 2017, Israel 2013, Greece 2018 etc.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Anna

You know she can change her outfit, right?

Roma
Roma
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

What she needs to change is her stylist and I don’t see that happening.

Ljudevit
Ljudevit
5 years ago

This will qualify 100%. And let me tell you this, not only it will undisputedly qualify, this song has a potential to be in the top 5 for sure. Powerfull message incorporated with ethnic elements and a stunning perfomer and for me the most important thing is that the song it will not be sung in english, that gives this mysterious masterpiece a new depth, a new dimension. This is giving me Jamala feels 2016. It is UNIQUE, it STANDS OUT. This is a worthy successor of Eugent. LOVE IT.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Ljudevit

You’re in the bubble

Simon
Simon
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

As long as they don’t pull off Greece 2018, they’ll qualify.

Mirko
Mirko
5 years ago

Interesting sound! It gives me “Dona” vibes, which i like; the meaning also is very well spread. Good luck Albania!

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Mirko

Dona, or Doma?

Mirko
Mirko
5 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

“Dona” by Kaliopi, not “Doma”

Matthew
Matthew
5 years ago

I’m delighted it’s staying in Albanian. English lyrics would’ve made it too cheesy.

Campbell Grace
Campbell Grace
5 years ago

People on this website are tragic. It is literally the first and only released song of 2019. How ya’ll gonna say it won’t qualify when there’s no other entries yet? SMH

blondboybc
blondboybc
5 years ago
Reply to  Campbell Grace

Exactly. They need to give their heads a shake.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Campbell Grace

We know that other countries can deliver and this is way below the mark.

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

Deserved winner. But Dua Ta Besoj and Hije were criminally underrated.

Erasmus
Erasmus
5 years ago

Well it’s the best Albanian entry since I’m Alive, I really like her, sometimes she sounds a bit screaming, but she still has great vocals. Prediction: It could qualify, so it’s not a 100% sure qualifier, but also not 0 chance to qualify, depends on staging, revamp, other songs, in which semi it is and so on… But good start!

saturn
saturn
5 years ago

Why many people say is a problem with her look? You probably liked last year Orgesa’s grandmother look, but now you think Jonida has a problem?????

Ogie
Ogie
5 years ago

Ohhhh she is a diva in a good way. No place for drama.
She just needs a stage to sing. That is all.
She will make you listen. Feel the song.
She is a professional and albania can be proud of her.

Nikos
Nikos
5 years ago

Very mysterious and unique song to kick off the new season! That beat is very hypnotizing and almost Amazonian. Both dresses were worthy of the Barbara Dex award, please don’t dress her in a costume-like dress! I think the song has a good chance but it could easily suffer if the staging is bad. This reminds me a lot of my country’s last entry (Greece 2018). And the same pitfalls may appea: A Mysterious song with meaningful lyrics, but unfortunately will not translate the same outside of the native audiences. Hopefully that won’t be the case for Jonida this year,… Read more »

Luke
Luke
5 years ago

1944 vibes… It’s OK, kinda leaning on the verge of not qualifying, but the raw emotion of the song could push it over.

ALEX
ALEX
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

I agree, it’s not that good to capture votes for the final.

Kirby
Kirby
5 years ago

– Give her a jovial hairstyle.
– Change her Eneda-esque dress.
– Create new visuals.
– Take those dancers away.
– Plan a staging in which we feel her closer to our souls.

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

We stan this comment

Apple
Apple
5 years ago

I can already imagine this with some really impactful staging. People seem to be on the fence like “Hmm will this qualify? I don’t think so” but I feel like Albania is gonna create a moment on stage and qualify. Y’all better look out for Jonida to slay in May

ALEX
ALEX
5 years ago
Reply to  Apple

LOL Albania is like the worst for staging and revamps.

nostradamco
nostradamco
5 years ago

TOP 5 1999
1. Sweden (nordic)
2.Iceland (nordic)
3.Germany (Big 5)
4.Croatia ( ex Yugoslavia)
5.Israel (mediterranean )

TOP 5 2009
1.Norway (nordic)
2.Iceland( nordic)
3. Azerbaijan ( ex Soviet Union)
4.Turkey (mediterranean)
5.United Kingdom (big 5)

TOP 5 2019 maybe
1. nordic Denmark or Finland
2. nordic Iceland
3.mediterranean Cyprus or Malta
4.big 5 Italy or France
5.some ex Soviet unior or ex Yugoslavia Ukraine,Russia,Moldova,Armenia or Serbia,Slovenia

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  nostradamco

Mediterranean could also mean Albania. Just saying.

Paul
Paul
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

It could – but there’s no way this is coming third !!

Odds
Odds
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul

You can’t base your projections on Malta and Cyprus based on special results like last year either. If anything, Greece typically has a better chance in the Mediterranean, excluding Big 5). Cyprus and Malta have pulled Top 2 before but with English songs, while Albania has pulled Top 5 with Albanian songs. That’s a much more difficult feat. I think if Jonida capitalizes on the Cleopatra factor and does a very special staging and camera work related to the Cleopatra theme, she may do very well. Her focus should be a unique and grandiose stage.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Odds

Cyprus has a better track record than Greece. They usually do better than Greece.

Odds
Odds
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Only when in English, and imports like Eleni are not the norm, nor very representative of the country itself. Either way, you seem to hate Albania due to own personal reasons or perceptions because everything else sounds exaggerated and irrational, so it’s really pointless arguing about Jonida’s obvious merits when you dislike her nationality.

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul

No way it’s finishing top 40.

Leo
Leo
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

We know ONE song and you’re on about “no way it’s finishing top 40”, blah blah blah. You really have an unjustified hatred for this entry don’t you Mark?

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

This is not the Mediterranean Sound.

Odds
Odds
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

99% of the underlying track sounds like a mix of southern Albanian and Greek music. The chants are mountainous music. Jonida has southeastern Albanian ancestry and the song blends the mountainous character of the area with the bordering Greek elements quite beautifully. This is an authentic song that matches the singer’s ancestral roots and her experience with immigration in the family. It’s called a gem.

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago

Nice song with amazing ethnic vibes, it has everything to be a qualifier in Tel Aviv if they nail it with the staging and styling to make it epic. Great Albania!

Having said that, I found it nowhere near the level of “1944” (which is probably my favorite entry of all time). And, I have to say that I definitely prefer “Mall” (underrated gem of 2018) over “Khteju tokes”.

Anisa
Anisa
5 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

Me too!! Mall gave me goosebumps, Eugent’s voice is pure gold! ‘Ktheju tokes’ is a beautiful song, but doesn’t give me the same vibes 🙁

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Anisa

Definitely!

Winfik
Winfik
5 years ago

Albania loves divas and rockers, but what I love about Jonida is that she is a diva that can also get the performance banned in China with those tattoos! It’s better than a banger, it’s a banner! Out of all her performances I liked the winning one, when she was the most relaxed and carefree. She already confirmed that the song is staying in Albanian, and she also feels it because her sister is in Cyprus, and even if Cyprus is not that far away, any distance is painful when someone you care about is away.

Melissa A Kutcher
Melissa A Kutcher
5 years ago
Reply to  Winfik

You don’t have to worry about Jonida being banned in China, because the EBU banned China from airing(and censoring) both Albania and Ireland last year.

Kirby
Kirby
5 years ago
Reply to  Winfik

My oh my… China wants to be everywhere now, so shall we take a deep breath, forget about China for a while and just enjoy the opening of national selections for ESC and what’s next to come? 🙂

Anisa
Anisa
5 years ago

Guys, I understand that it’s a ballad, but it’s not just another ballad sang by a singing diva this time. It has a very deep, touching meaning for us as Albanians. Albania is suffering more than ever the consequences of emmigration, with thousands of people leaving the country every year, thousands of families becoming separated. Each one of us feels this song to the very core and it represents this sad reality better than ever. I don’t care if it will pass to the final or not, if the stage will be mysterious enough or not. I’m just proud Jonida… Read more »

Eugent's #1 fan
Eugent's #1 fan
5 years ago

Okay but what about Eugent Bushpepa’s new song??? He SLAYED that first song!!!!! Can we send him again instead????

beccaboo1212
5 years ago

2020

trx
trx
5 years ago

Sasha jean baptiste will nail that staging. Just sayin…

PP77
PP77
5 years ago
Reply to  trx

Sasa is so overrated , every year similar staging, and many time too cold for tv viewers and juries. We are not in blade runer time . Fokas is so much better, every time staging is different

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  trx

Or even Hans Pannecoucke – not!

nnn
nnn
5 years ago
Reply to  trx

She make 3 type of staging for song If you have rock song , you will have staging with so many fast camera angles in few seconds , fireworks if you have ballad you will have dark cold futuristic LED screen on stage with some effective camera angles and some on screen graphics if you have uptempo song , you will have few female dancers with almost same dance moves every year, holograms , some on-screen graphics, fireworks Dancers, holograms, on-screen graphics , fireworks, depend how much money national TV broadcaster have for Eurovision. If you don t want to… Read more »

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  trx

Sasha Jean Baptiste is lazy. She puts all her attention into one country and neglects all the others she is staging. Compare Cyprus and Australia this year. Or Georgia and Australia last year. Or even Georgia and Cyprus in 2016.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

What a great start of the season. This song has all it takes to do well.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago

And, also a great start to your review predictions. 😉

@omg.esc
@omg.esc
5 years ago

this could do rly well, it’s been growing on me! nice start to the season!

Stephanie
5 years ago

Jonida confirmed that she’s keeping the song in Albanian

Bluetree123
Bluetree123
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

Where?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

I think the song wouldn’t work in English… part of its winning formula is how good it sounds in Albanian!

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

Albania does it’s thing and sends another overly dramatic entry with screaming woman!
It’s not bad, just sounds like every entry Albania has ever sent. When will Albania surprise us and send something lighter, a pop or rock song? At some point they need to change, or people will get tired very soon

ALEX
ALEX
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Because RTSH won’t allow it, they are stuck in the past and won’t let the public vote. Happens almost ever year.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

They literally sent a rock song in 2018

MTD
MTD
5 years ago

Leave Denis to enjoy his Melfest bubble gum pop. 😉

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  MTD

wrong again. We have different styles. We have pop, ballads, folk music, swedish songs, folklore so do your research. We dont have 90% screaming women och old men like Albania.

Apple
Apple
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Literally what part of the song is screaming???

Kirby
Kirby
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

I guess Orgesa Zaimi’s 2017 entry would have made a breakthrough and slayed !

Onetimeuser
Onetimeuser
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Yes Mall had screaming diva and he finished very poorly , SMH

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

I guess your question should be “when will they hire a Swedish team to do their job?”

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

No, you Sweden bashing “fans”, I mean Albanian entries that are up-tempo, positive, modern pop. Albania has that side to and thier music industry is far more vibrant than the dramatic stuff they always send.
It would be fun to hear than than yet another entry that will end up between 15th-21 place if they manage to qualify.

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Denis, we have ‘Dua Ta Besoj’ for you.

Tigg
Tigg
5 years ago

unless a major revamp this will languish in semis

Nico
Nico
5 years ago

And another ballad from Albania, when will they finally send some up-tempo song? The last time they did was in 2010, if I recall…

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Nico

2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

None of those were up-tempo. Not even mid-timpo..

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

If ‘I’m Alive’ or ‘Mall’ is not considered mid/up-tempo, you sure had something in your tempo classification.

ALEX
ALEX
5 years ago
Reply to  Nico

They are like obsessed with screaming women and non-qualifing.

James
James
5 years ago
Reply to  Nico

It’s not a ballad.

MTD
MTD
5 years ago

This is a powerful song.
Nice vibes, Jamala style.

Also, if the juries in May put whatever Swedish plastic crap above Albania in the ranking, they should be abolished once and for all!

Eyal
Eyal
5 years ago

Good luck Albania!
Hope you do great in TLV!

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
5 years ago

I love what I am HEARING, but I hate what I am SEEING. Burn that dress ASAP!

We’re off to a good start I think. (:

Roma
Roma
5 years ago
Reply to  AzeriChico

She needs a better hairdresser and stylist tbh. Her looks are killing the song’s power and emotions. I really like the song and her voice is powerful so she better do sth with that hair and the dress.

JJ Abrahames
JJ Abrahames
5 years ago

last year they’ve sent something different from screaming women that they usually send and after amazing result they send something that always brings them bad places
Congrats Albania with another none qualification

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  JJ Abrahames

I object. Their best result was brought by a screaming woman (2012) and a year after when they sent something different than screaming woman (2013), they stayed in the semis.

jordan
jordan
5 years ago
Reply to  JJ Abrahames

Last year we jad screaming men , and he had pop roxk song, and screaming women sang ballad with sometime etnick

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Just woke up but wiki says Orgesa came 13th and Artemisa 14th. Is that right?!

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Yes.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

Unfortunately, yes. I guess she’s too cool for the jury members. Their loss.

Matthew
Matthew
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Noooooo! I thought Orgesa would win.

Pasadena
Pasadena
5 years ago

With Mirud eliminated my personal favorit was Leyla, but Jonida was a worthy winner, it’s a grower.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Amazing! Albania, you did it again! Now don’t you dare translate this song.