Every Eurovision fan’s favourite early bird — the eagle that is Albania. It is almost always the first country to reveal their song. This Monday we will finally hear the entries participating in Festivali i Këngës 2019. But today we found out something almost as exciting to help build hype for the upcoming national selection.
The Instagram account of the Albanian broadcaster, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), revealed the names of the songs participating in the song festival, along with their lyricists and composers. Here is the full list, which includes a few pleasant surprises.
Festivali i Këngës song titles and songwriters
- Wendi Mancaku – “Ende” (Still)
Lyrics: Endrit Mumajesi
Music: Wendy Mancaku - Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës” (Pandora’s box)
Lyrics: Elvis Preni
Music: Eugent Bushpepa - Tiri Gjoci – “Me gotën bosh” (With an Empty Glass)
Lyrics: Pandi Laço
Music: Everest Ndreca - Sara Bajraktari – “Ajër” (Air)
Lyrics: Adrian Hila
Music: Adrian Hila - Robert Berisha – “Ajo nuk është unë” (She is not me)
Lyrics: Filloreta Raçi
Music: Filloreta Raçi - Renis Gjoka – “Loja” (The Game)
Lyrics: Ilir Krasniqi
Music: Renis Gjoka - Olta Boka – “Shkrime në mur” (Writings on the wall)
Lyrics: Genc Salihu
Music: Florent Boshnjaku - Nadia & Genc Tukiçi – “Ju flet Tirana” (Tirana Calling)
Lyrics: Agim Xheka
Music: Genc Tukiçi - Kastro Zizo (né Kleviz Bega) – “Asaj” (Her)
Lyrics: Gramoz Kozeli, Kleviz Bega
Music: Gramoz Kozeli, Klevis Bega - Kanita – “Ankth” (Anxiety)
Lyrics: Lindon Berisha
Music: Boban Apostolov - Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros” (Colour Me)
Lyrics: Megi Hasani
Music: Kamela Islamaj - Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë” (Free Eagle)
Lyrics: Endrit Mumajesi
Music: Gena - Era Rusi – “Eja Merre” (Come and Get It)
Lyrics: Naxhije Berisha
Music: Darko Dimitrov - Elvana Gjata – “Me tana” (With all)
Lyrics: Elvana Gjata
Music: Elvana Gjata - Eli Fara & Stresi – “Bohem” (Boheme)
Lyrics: Rozana Radi
Music: Eli Far - Devis Xherahu – “Bisedoj me serenatën” (Talking with serenade)
Lyrics: Jorgo Papingji
Music: Devis Xherahu - Bojken Lako – “Malaseen” (She left me unseen)
Lyrics: Bojken Lako
Music: Bojken Lako - Arilena Ara “Shaj” (Swear, as in the curse)
Lyrics: Lindon Berisha
Music: Darko Dimitrov - Aldo Bardhi – “Melodi”
Lyrics: Naxhije Berisha
Music: Aldo Bardhi - Albërie Hadërgjonaj “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua” (Where to find someone to love)
Lyrics: Timo Flloko
Music: Adrian Hila
As you can see, two of the singers (Bojken Lako and Elvana Gjata) wrote and composed their own songs. Could Elvana — perhaps the most current of all singers on the list — deliver something dancey to rival “Fuego”? We’ll soon see when she performs “Me tana” (With all). Eurovision 2018 finalist Eugent Bushpepa is the composer of Valon Shehu’s “Kutia e Pandorës”.
There are also some foreign names on the list, including Darko Dmitrov. He’s the Macedonian composer and producer behind Tamara Todevska’s Eurovision 2019 jury winner “Proud” and her most recent single “Monsters”. Among his other credits are the 2015 song “I’m Alive” for Elhaida Dani, and Eye Cue’s 2018 number “Lost and Found.” At FiK 58 he’s got two songs in the mix Era Rusi’s “Eja Merre” (Come and Get It) and Arilena Ara’s “Shaj” (Swear).
Which name sounds most promising to you? Which names were you happy to see on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
Does the Albanian broadcaster have a live web feed?
okay, after listening to half of the songs:
RTSH WHY DO YOU GUYS HAVE TO MAKE IT HARD FOR US THIS YEAR !?
We can now listen to the 18 competing songs on the official RTSH Youtube page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdZUOc6iLh4&list=PL0XoaVRW0j7DXky90CGyJtyRK3geQ4dU7
I wonder who’s missing.
I just came to point out the same thing! So excited. There is only one time to make a first impression and I say – bring it on!
Unlike Eesti Laul, I will be faster in my reviews since we have less than two weeks.
Elvana surely her song is so so good its fuego but better
Pandora’s Box and talking with Serenade sound pretty. I’m looking forward to hear the songs.
I was reading rumours that Elvana was working with some ESC regulars and was afraid her song would be extremely generic. Now that we know she’s the sole composer and lyricist, I seriously doubt it’s going to be banger and I hope and expect a very authentic and heartfelt ballad. Nevertheless, even if it is an uptempo, her composing it on her own would make one hope it wouldn’t be generic.
Also excited for Olta Boka (Florent Boshnjaku, the composer of Suus!!), Alberie Hadergjonaj and of course Arilena. I am beyond excited for the songs tomorrow.
I am really looking forward to what Olta Boka has to offer. She was so talented at only 16, so I have high hopes that she’ll shine even more at 27. Her 2008 entry was great! I hope the new song is as good. Sharing the name with the Spectre’s phenomenal title song might be a good sign.
The titles of these songs don’t translate well to English but in Albanian they look wonderful and mysterious. Looking forward to hearing these songs tomorrow
Very high expectations for Elvana, Arilena, Albërie and Kanita
NOTICE!
Olta Boka has apparently changed the title of her song. Now it is called “A world for two”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B50Za0QgC2v/
CORRECTION!
The correct translation of “Ma la seen” is She left me on seen, as in being left on seen on fb messenger or whatsappp. Even Bojken used the english term “seen”. Not “unseen”!
PLEASE WIWITEAM, CHANGE IT.
Even though Elvana Gjata is getting the most hype I feel like Arilena’s song will be much better. Darko Dimitrov is a great composer and the title “with all” is kinda empty (empty title may mean empty lyrics).
Nah fam arilena’s is suprisingly very outdated and slow
When is Albania gonna stop using this dated contest as their selection method? The Albanian people deserve better.
I hope never. They don’t need to fit in. They just need to stay true to their own identity without being too conservative.
It’s like asking when is Italy going to cancel Sanremo for the sake of Eurovision….
FiK has churned out many excellent Eurovision songs in recent years, and the Albanian representative is consistently among the best vocalists at Eurovision each year. Thankfully, over the past two years, Albania has realized that they don’t need to translate their songs into English to get a good result. My only critique with Albania currently, is that they have not yet managed to master their stage presentations at Eurovision. I think if they were to put more effort towards the live visual aspect at Eurovision, to match or heighten their already amazing songs and vocals, Albania could be a powerhouse… Read more »
I don’t think that any country should think too much on “what should we do to improve our Eurovision placement” – the less one tries to “fit in”, the better the quality and diversity of the competition, and sometimes even the result. (Rona Nishliu’s song was not exactly what you would expect at Eurovision, and look how well it did.)
Never. They have a great selection and this festival is older than Eurovision. Albania has its identity at Eurovision and there is no need for them to fit into something else.
Eugent-the-greatest-peppa??? I’m interested!