Info Sheets_ Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final

Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#1: Armenia
Artist Aram MP3 Composer Aram MP3
Song Not Alone Writer
Garik Papoyan
Lyrics
About Aram MP3
You're all alone, you're all alone,
No shoulder wants you to lean on,
You thought this world was too cold
And you've made up
A whole new world
Don't cry, don't cry little bird
Though you are scared and you're hurt
You're gonna wake up
It's only a dream
And why do dreams make people scream
You're not alone...
What if it's all in one kiss
That turns all seeds into trees
The strongest wind into breeze
Enter all doors without keys
What if it's all in one kiss
That turns all seeds into trees
The strongest wind into breeze
What if it's all in one kiss
You're not alone...
One of the most hardworking, smart and positive personalities of Armenian Music
Industry and Television, Aram Mp3 will be presenting Armenia in Copenhagen at
Eurovision Song Contest. Being famous for the ability to sing songs of a wide vocal
diapason and having a good sense of humour, Aram is also known as a person of
contrasts and surprises. When he appears on stage one doesn't know what to expect
– a unique live concert or a good comedy show.
Despite spending most of his time on stage and pretty tough schedule, he considers
himself a family man feeling very much attached to his charming wife Anna and
charismatic son Arno. Appearance on different national TV channels, regular club
concerts and acting in various humorous performances, made Aram a well known
singer-songwriter, musical comedian and showman. The main streets of Yerevan are
glowing with his posters and he is often approached by fans outside, still Aram
doesn't consider himself a celebrity and somehow managed to stay extremely modest
and open to wide public.
Music healed him
Aram Sargsyan was born in Yerevan, on April 5, 1984 and from early age he engaged
in an extraordinary life changing affair with the music. At school age Aram had
breathing difficulties and was coughing a lot. Following doctors’ strange advice to try
singing, Aram’s parents took him to the choir classes. Unexpectedly it worked and
music healed him! The treatment also helped him to discover a further path in his
life. Since that age music became Aram’s passion and soon he got actively involved in
school humorous and musical performances.
Though always dreaming about big stage, Aram chose a profession of pharmacist,
graduating the State Medical University of RA. Active involvement in student musical
and comedy contests took him on various tours both in and out of Armenia. Getting
back home, he was invited to take part in “32 teeth” TV Show, where he did musical
stand ups and parodies of famous singers. As singing and music were in his nature,
during one of the shows the anchor introduced him as Aram Mp3 to emphasise his
particular role in the shows. Since that moment he got his stage nickname.
Outstanding and award-winning
The same year, 2007, he became the winner of the most popular TV Show of The First
Channel of Armenia, “2 stars”. Going deeper into the music industry and
professionally developing his singing talent, Aram Mp3 started series of live jazz and
blues concerts in the clubs of Yerevan, along with recording singles and releasing
music videos.
Being noticed for the outstanding and quick success in his career, he was invited to
host famous TV Formats such as “X- Factor”, “Armenian Idol”, “My name is”, and
“Power of 10”, which brought him more fame. Currently he is a member of the most
popular “Vitamin Club” project, a comedy show broadcast weekly on Shant TV. Every
month Aram gives live concerts with bands in popular music halls of Yerevan singing
his own singles and also unique covers of famous hits.
On January the 1st Armenian Public Television internally selected Aram Mp3 to
represent Armenia on the 6th of May in the First Semi-final of the 2014 Eurovision
Song Contest with the song Not Alone written by Aram Mp3 and lyricist Garik Papoyan,
instrumental arrangement by Lilit Navasardyan.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#2: Latvia
Artist Aarzemnieki Composer Guntis Veilands
Song Cake to bake Writer
Guntis Veilands
Lyrics
About Aarzemnieki
I melted the ice of the polar caps,
found the raiders of the lost ark,
solved a case for the genius from Baker Street,
helped to clean the Central Park.
I created the plan for the Chinese wall,
went to desert, made it rain,
swam through a shark tank bloodily,
found Atlantis, by the way... (but today)
I've got a cake to bake – I’ve got no clue at all
(cep, cep, cep, cep, cep kuuku)
I've got a cake to bake – and haven't done that
before (cep, cep, cep, cep, cep kuuku)
don't be proud, mate please don't bother,
go, come on and ask your mother,
how to bake, how to bake, bake that cake...
Cep cep cep cep cep kuuku kuuku cep cep cep cep
cep cep kuuku
Cep cep cep cep cep kuuku kuuku cep cep cep
The Aarzemnieki (or Foreigners) phenomenon began as an unexpected shock for one
German’s special interest and creative approach to the Euro introduction in Latvia. In
the summer of 2013, Joran Steinhauer, whilst in his home in Bohume, Germany wrote
a farewell song to the Lat currency, aptly naming the song Paldies Latiņam! (Thank
You, Lat) Later, the video became a Youtube sensation with more than 100,000 views
in one week. The popularity and enthusiasm surrounding the song was so large that
Joran decided to pack his bags and make his way to Latvia with one thing in mind;
“let’s see what happens next!”
I talked to a unicorn the other night,
took me up on a lonely star,
did the moonwalk on the milky way,
realised I've gone too far.
So I questioned the law of gravity,
put the apple back up to the apple tree,
ej tu nost: I even learned Latvian,
I know it's so hard to believe... (and today)
Joran’s connection with Latvia, however, began well before the birth of this smash
song, when he took part in an exchange programme in the city of Talsi in 2005. Later
he volunteered at a children’s centre and in the German church of Riga.
Remembering his first impressions, Joran recalls that it’s because of the group
Brainstorm, who were third in the 2000 Eurovision final, that he was drawn to Latvia.
After hearing their song he bought their CDs and it was at that moment that he
became a true Eurovision and Brainstorm fan.
I've got a cake to bake – I’ve got no clue at all
(cep, cep, cep, cep, cep kuuku)
I've got a cake to bake – and haven't done that
before (cep, cep, cep, cep, cep kuuku)
don't be proud, mate please don't bother,
go, come on and ask your mother,
how to bake, how to bake, bake that cake (piece
of cake)
This isn’t the first time Joran has stepped on the Eurovision stage, having performed
in the national Latvian selection in 2008 with his former group Axlina performing the
song More Than 27.
The story behind the Aarzemnieki group’s name is quite precise due to Joran’s status
in Latvia. The word’s complicated pronunciation reflects each foreigner’s struggle to
integrate into the local society.
In the fall of 2013, the group grew from a solo act with three new members- violinist
and vocalist Katrina Dimanta, drummer Raitis Vilumovs and Guntis Veilands, pianist,
and the author of the song Cake To Bake.
Cep cep cep cep cep kuuku kuuku cep cep cep cep
cep cep kuuku
Cep cep cep cep cep kuuku kuuku cep cep cep
We've got a cake to bake – and got no clue at all
We've got a cake to bake – and haven't done that
before
don't be proud, mate please don't bother,
go, come on and ask your mother,
how to bake, how to bake, bake that cake (piece
of cake)
Mix some dough,
for it
Mix some dough,
for it
Mix some dough,
some cake
Mix some dough,
add some love, let it bake, wait
add some love, let it bake, wait
add some love, let it bake, have
add some love, let it bake
We've got a cake to bake – and got no clue at all
We've got a cake to bake – and haven't done that
before
don't be proud, mate please don't bother,
go, come on and ask your mother,
how to bake, how to bake, bake that cake
(Garšīgi)
Winning the Latvian selection contest, Dziesma 2014, has been their biggest
accomplishment until now. Although the group is best known for the songs Paldies
Latiņam and Cake To Bake their repertoire is full of many original songs.
Cake To Bake sends the message to live life without fear,don’t be afraid to not know
something, don’t be too proud to ask for help or to admit to mistakes, this is what
makes us human. An upbeat and catchy melody joins this message that begs for all
listeners to sing along. The positive aura that surrounds Aarzemnieki is attributed to
their down to earth aesthetic and joy for life. They wish to share their music and
happiness with the people of all nations and to tell Europe about Latvia. We have a
special perspective to show, all the more exciting from the eyes of ‘foreigners’.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#2: Latvia
Artist Aarzemnieki Composer Guntis Veilands
Song Cake to bake Writer
Guntis Veilands
Lyrics (translated to English)
Cake To Bake by Aarzemnieki
I melted the ice of the polar caps,
found the raiders of the lost ark,
solved a case for the genius from Baker Street,
helped to clean the Central Park.
I created the plan for the Chinese wall,
went to desert, made it rain,
swam through a shark tank bloodily,
found Atlantis, by the way... (but today)
I've got a cake to bake – I’ve got no clue at all (bake, bake, bake, bake, bake a cake)
I've got a cake to bake – and haven't done that before (bake, bake, bake, bake, bake a cake)
don't be proud, mate please don't bother,
go, come on and ask your mother,
how to bake, how to bake, bake that cake...
(bake,
(bake,
(bake,
(bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake
bake
bake
bake
a
a
a
a
cake)
cake)
cake)
cake)
I talked to a unicorn the other night,
took me up on a lonely star,
did the moonwalk on the milky way,
realized I've gone too far.
So I questioned the law of gravity,
put the apple back up to the apple tree,
unbelievable: I even learned Latvian,
I know it's so hard to believe... (and today)
I've got a cake to bake – I’ve got no clue at all
(bake, bake, bake, bake, bake a cake)
I've got a cake to bake – and haven't done that before (bake, bake, bake, bake, bake a cake)
don't be proud, mate please don't bother,
go, come on and ask your mother,
how to bake, how to bake, bake that cake (piece of cake)
(bake,
(bake,
(bake,
(bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake,
bake
bake
bake
bake
a
a
a
a
cake)
cake)
cake)
cake)
We've got a cake to bake – and got no clue at all
We've got a cake to bake – and haven't done that before
don't be proud, mate please don't bother,
go, come on and ask your mother,
how to bake, how to bake, bake that cake (piece of cake)
Mix some
Mix some
Mix some
Mix some
dough,
dough,
dough,
dough,
add
add
add
add
some
some
some
some
love,
love,
love,
love,
let
let
let
let
it
it
it
it
bake, wait for it
bake, wait for it
bake, have some cake
bake
We've got a cake to bake – and got no clue at all
We've got a cake to bake – and haven't done that before
don't be proud, mate please don't bother,
go, come on and ask your mother,
how to bake, how to bake, bake that cake
(delicious)
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#3: Estonia
Artist Tanja
Composer Timo Vendt, Tanja
Song Amazing Writer
Tanja
Lyrics
About Tanja
Remember how we used to be
Floating the skies, it fell so heavenly
We were weightless
We froze to ice and melted down
We chased the stars and fell to the ground
Couldn't care less
This feeling inside
You're all that I have, I need you back
Do you hear me screaming?
Stay amazing lie (do you hear me screaming?)
I don't, don't want another to make me high
I want, want you to be amazing lie
Stay amazing lie
You know there's nothing I wouldn't do
I'd brake the curse of time to be with you
I'd be fearless
I'd jump as far as I can see
And beat the perfect storm in the endless sea
This feeling inside
You're all that I have, I need you back
Do you hear me screaming?
Stay amazing lie (do you hear me screaming?)
I don't, don't want another to make me high
I want, want you to be amazing lie
Stay amazing lie
This feeling inside
You're all that I have, I need you back
We were weightless
Stay amazing lie (do you hear me screaming?)
I don't, don't want another to make me high
I want, want you to be amazing lie
Stay amazing lie
Born in Kaliningrad, Russia, Tanja moved to Estonia with her family at the age of just
two months. Today she’s a household name: a much loved entertainer and a role
model in her home country – and tomorrow hopefully throughout Europe. This year
she won the Estonian national selection, Eesti Laul 2014 and will thus represent
Estonia at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen with her song
Amazing.
Tanja is amazing – a true pearl in a sea of pre-fab pop stars. She was not born with a
silver spoon in her mouth, but has achieved her success and popularity through sheer
hard work. Today, her CV is about as thick as a telephone directory, featuring dozens
of roles in major musicals, wins galore in singing contests and six albums' worth of
music.
Every little girl in Estonia wants to be her
“Tanja is a world-class artist,” says Timo Vendt, who wrote Amazing with the singer. “I
have been working with her for 11 years, but she still manages to surprise me!”
Tanja started dance lessons at the age of 4, soon convincing her trainer that this
long-haired, green-eyed girl who hummed along to every song should also be
included in the singing group.
Today every little girl in Estonia wants to be Tanja. Her performances on TV shows
like Your Face Sounds Familiar have cemented her place as one of the most admired
entertainers in the country.
“It is the combination of her amazing vocal and dance skills that makes Tanja so
unique,” says TV producer Kaupo Karelson. “On top of that there is her personality,
which is so warm and charming that it is no wonder she has won the audience’s heart
on every show she has been on!”
Thousands of people have seen Tanja on stage in theatre and musical performances,
with her boundless energy infusing such productions as Chicago, Fame, The Phantom
Of The Opera, Snow White, Hair and Kiss of the Spider Woman. She is currently
starring in Cabaret (in which she plays Sally), The Last Cowboy (in which she plays
Lucy) and Thriller – Tribute to Michael Jackson.
Telling a story through dance
Tanja almost made it to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2002, as a member of
Nightlight Duo, whose upbeat tune Another Country Song finished second in the
national final before going on to become one of the biggest hits of the year in
Estonia.
Tanja has been a fan of Europe's favourite TV show for as long as she can remember.
Amazing was written with the contest in mind, and she knew from the start that the
staging would involve contemporary dance, which she has been active in since 2001.
She has also taught at a dance school.
“It took a lot of rehearsing to achieve the fluency I needed when singing and dancing
at the same time,” Tanja reveals. “We want to show people that you can tell a story
through dance, too.”
Almost everyone knows Tanja for her dancing and singing, but few know that she is
also an enthusiastic cook – one with a penchant for salads… and cakes! “If she was
not performing all the time, she would undoubtedly keep feeding me until I burst!”
jokes her boyfriend, singer Mikk Saar.
Tanja never cooks when she is in a bad mood, because she knows nothing good will
come of it. But there is one sure-fire way of turning her frown upside down: “The
stage! An audience!” she says. “The moment I step out onto the stage, I always feel
amazing!”
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#4: Sweden
Artist Sanna Nielsen Composer Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Hamed "K-One” Pirouzpanah
Song Undo
Writer
Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Hamed "K-One” Pirouzpanah
Lyrics
About Sanna Nielsen
Silent I just stood there silent
Working up a storm inside my head
Nothing I just stood for nothing
So I fell for everything you said
Hear the rumble
Hear my voice
Silent I can’t wait here silent
Gotta make a change
And make some noise
Undo my sad
Undo what hurts so bad
Undo my pain
Gonna get out, through the rain
I know that I am over you
At last I know what I should do
Undo my sad
Trouble baby I’m in throuble
Everytime I look into your eyes
Save me oh I’m gonna save me
Faraway from all the crazy lies
Hear the rumble
Hear my voice
Undo my sad
Undo what hurts so bad
Undo my pain
Gonna get out, through the rain
I know that I am over you
At last I know what I should do
Undo my sad
Sanna Nielsen, 29, broke through as an artist at the early age of 11 and is today one
of Sweden's most famous pop artists. With multiple hits, Sanna has dominated both
Swedish radio and Swedish charts throughout the years. One of Sanna's biggest
dreams - to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest - has now been fulfilled!
Sanna's main source of inspiration has always been Celine Dion so when her
songwriter David Kreuger presented the track Undo for her, she couldn’t resist the
offer and decided to make her seventh attempt to reach the Eurovision Song Contest
through the Swedish national selection.
Sanna has managed to reach the finals all seven times she participated in the
Swedish national selection and was only a few points from winning in 2008. Despite
finishing runner up, the song Empty Room was a massive success and Sanna held the
first place on the Swedish charts 24 weeks in a row.
Sanna's career as a singer and performer began back in 1992 when she starred in her
first talent show. It was followed by several more which in turn led to TV appearances
and the #1 hit Till en fågel. She is still the youngest artist ever to hold a #1 position
on the charts.
Today, Sanna is one of Sweden's most popular and respected artists in Sweden.
Thanks to her amazing voice and mesmerising personality, she is since long a given
artist on the big stages. But Sanna also thrives during her stripped-down concerts on
smaller stages as this is where she can really convey a unique feeling and personality
to each individual track.
She has released nine albums and just released the EP Undo EP which went straight
to number one on the overall Swedish iTunes chart.
The composers
Fredrik Kempe is one of the most successful composers in Melodifestivalen. Undo is
his fourth winning song and, thus, Swedish entry at the Eurovision Song Contest, after
Charlotte Perrelli's Hero, Eric Saade's Popular and Malena Ernman's La Voix. He also
won the Norwegian selection with the song My Heart Is Yours. He has also had a
successful career as a performer and is currently the composer for the musical Livet
är en schlager and the producer of Peter Jöback's latest album I Love Musicals.
David Kreuger has written songs for Westlife, Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, and
now Sanna Nielsen. Hamed "K-One" Pirouzpanah has also written Blame it on the
disco with Alcazar and Yes We Can” by Oscar Zia from this year's Melodifestivalen
final together with Fredrik and David.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#5: Iceland
Artist Pollapönk
Composer Heidar Orn Kristjansson
Song No Prejudice Writer
Heidar Orn Kristjansson, Haraldur Freyr Gislason, John Grant
Lyrics
About Pollapönk
Lala lalalala lala lalalala lala lalalala lala la
Life is way too short for short-sightedness
and tell me who has got the time
for narrow-mindedness
Listen to what I say
cause every-buh buh buh buh buh buh
body looks the same on the inside
And it puh puh puh puh puh puh puh puh
pays:
to wear a smile
Let’s do away with prejudice
don’t discriminate, tolerance is bliss
we got to get together on this
cross this problem off our list
I may stutter when I speak
(but) you don’t need to call me freak
it’s not trigonometry
inside we’re the same
HEY
Even if you're taller
Or someone who is smaller
Or perhaps you're thinner
Or one who loves his dinner
Listen to what I say
cause every-buh buh buh buh buh buh
body looks the same on the inside
And it puh puh puh puh puh puh puh puh
pays:
to wear a smile
Let’s do away with prejudice
don’t discriminate, tolerance is bliss
we got to get together on this
cross this problem off our list
I may stutter when I speak
(but) you don’t need to call me freak
it’s not trigonometry
inside we’re the same
buh buh buh buh buh buh…
HEY
Let’s do away with prejudice
don’t discriminate, tolerance is bliss
we got to get together on this
cross this problem off our list
I may stutter when I speak
(but) you don’t need to call me freak
it’s not trigonometry
inside we’re the same
Lala lalalala lala lalalala lala lalalala
Lala lalalala lala lalalala lala lalalala
Lala lalalala lala la
Let’s do away with prejudice
don’t discriminate, tolerance is bliss
we got to get together on this
cross this problem off our list
I may stutter when I speak
(but) you don’t need to call me freak
it’s not trigonometry
inside we’re the same
Pollapönk were founded in 2006 by guitarists Haraldur Freyr Gislason and Heidar Orn
Kristjansson of the Icelandic post-punk trio Botnledja. They created Pollapönk when
graduating as Bachelors of Education from the Icelandic University of Education – in
fact the first Pollapönk album was recorded when Haraldur and Heidar were
graduating as pre-school teachers: they made an album as a part of their final work
and submitted it along with a final paper. The purpose was to write and perform
ambitious music that children and adults alike would enjoy and be able to sing along
to. The songs are intended to relate to different age groups in an open and
illuminating way.
The first Pollapönk album was a major hit in Iceland. In 2007 drummer Arnar Thor
Gislason – who is Haraldur‘s brother - and bassplayer Gudni Finnsson both joined
Pollapönk, who then became a quartet. Pollapönk have recorded two subsequent
albums and played countless gigs for children and adults all over Iceland. In everyday
life Haraldur Freyr is chairman of the Association of pre-school Teachers. Heidar Orn
is a pre-school teacher and Arnar Thor and Gudni are professional musicians.
The origins of Pollapönk
Haraldur Freyr and Heidar Orn are childhood friends who have been playing and
writing music since their early teens. They formed the band Botnledja and entered
the local music contest Battle of the Bands’in 1995 and ended up winning it. Their
first ever album Drullumall went gold; they were chosen as Best Newcomers at the
Icelandic Music Awards in 1995, and as Best Rock Group in 1996 and 1998. They made
five albums and two were chosen as the Album of the Year. Botnledja changed their
name to Silt in 1997. They toured Europe supporting Blur and opened for Prodigy,
Suede, Pulp and Sparta. Botnledja played the Reading Festival, All Tomorrow‘s Parties
and In the City, as well as Eurosonic in Holland, Spot in Denmark, Emmaboda in
Sweden and the Iceland Airwaves Festival. They subsequently performed some
concerts with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra before finally calling it a day.
Botnledja participated in Söngvakeppnin, the Icelandic Eurovision pre-selection, in
2003. They wound up in second place with the song Eurovísa and have always
maintained they would try for Eurovision again.
Pollapönk have had a few big hits, including Leyniskapurinn (Secret Closet), Thor og
Jon eru hjon (Thor and John are a couple) and 113 vaelubillinn (113 Wailing Car),
which has had many thousands of hits on Youtube. In 2011 the Icelandic national
newspaper Frettabladid nominated Pollapönk for the Fellowship Award in the category
“Fighting against prejudice”, which is a cause they have been promoting heavily both
on their albums and when playing live. That same year Pollapönk received the
Icelandic Ibby Award (International Board of Books for Young People) for their
contribution to children's culture.
No Prejudice in Eurovision
Despite their obvious sense of humour, Pollapönk’s serious aim is to help eradicate
prejudice and bullying through the medium of music. The song No Prejudice (Enga
fordóma) is typical of this running theme in all their work. It is all about a young
person who has a speech impediment and is afraid of being teased or bullied because
of it. With this song about celebrating our diversity it is Pollapönk’s aim to help
eliminate all forms of discrimination, bullying and prejudice, with the message that
every individual has the right to live harmoniously with the rest of the world.
Eurovision itself is a uniquely diverse institution and Pollapönk are proud to use this
musical stage to send their positive message out across Europe to millions of
viewers.
Two additional backing vocalists will join Pollapönk on stage in Copenhagen –
Snæbjörn Ragnarsson of metal band Skálmöld and Member of Parliament Óttar
Proppé of rock band Dr. Spock. This will be the first time that an Icelandic member of
parliament has ever competed in Eurovision.
The authors
Haraldur Freyr Gislason was born in Hafnarfjordur in 1974. He started playing the
drums at a young age, founding four short-lived bands before starting the rock trio
Botnledja in 1994 with guitarist, singer Heidar Orn Kristjansson and bass player
Ragnar Pall Steinarsson. Botnledja won the Battle of the Bands in 1995 and made five
critically acclaimed albums. They had several hits and toured the UK and Europe
before putting the band on hold for a few years.
Haraldur got a job working at the pre-school Horduvellir in his hometown of
Hafnarfjordur, where he soon felt completely at home and enjoyed the role so much
that he went on to train professionally as a teacher. He managed to use his musical
background as part of his work with the children, who are used to learning all kinds of
music. He took up guitar and started writing new songs and lyrics especially for the
youngsters, who quickly picked them up and started singing his songs. When he had
written enough material to fill an album he went into the studio in 2001 to record his
debut solo album. Haraldur Freyr is nicknamed Halli and it was somehow natural to
name the album Hallilujah. The album got great reviews and the songs became
popular with both young and old alike. He made his second solo album Hafnarfjordurcapital of the Universe in 2007, using the pseudonym Fulli kallinn.
Haraldur decided to become a pre-school teacher and started his studies at the
Icelandic University of Education. When preparing for graduation, Haraldur and
Heidar came up with the idea of making an album of songs for children as part of
their final work. When the album Pollapönk was released it suddenly became a major
hit. His song 113 Vælubíllin (113 Wailing Car) was nominated for an award at the
Icelandic Music Awards. Follow-up album Meira Pollapönk (More Pollapönk) was
released in 2011 and the third album Enn meira Pollapönk (Even More Pollapönk)
followed in 2012.
Haraldur is an enthusiastic supporter of his hometown football club FH, which plays in
the Icelandic premier division and has reached the UEFA qualification round several
times. Along with his friend Heidar Orn he composed and recorded the football club
anthem, which is sung before and during every FH club game. In 2011 Haraldur was
elected the chairman of the Association of Pre-school Teachers and re-elected 2014.
Heidar Orn Kristjansson was born in Hafnarfjordur 1974. He started singing at quite a
young age when listening to a popular children's musical play written by the
Norwegian songwriter and radio employee Thorbjörn Egner. Heidar knew all the songs
in it by heart and started collecting records as a boy. He began to play guitar in his
teens and immediately started writing his own songs and lyrics, founding his first
band with his schoolmates Haraldur Freyr Gislason and Ragnar Pall Steinarsson when
they were just fifteen years old. They broke up soon after that but re-united under the
name Botnledja in 1994 and won Battle of the Bands in 1995. Heidar Orn was the
group's frontman, singing and playing guitar, but all of them collaborated in writing
the songs together.
Botnledja opened a concert for Britpop band Blur in Iceland in the autumn of 1996.
Damon Albarn invited the band to tour with Blur as a supporting band on their
upcoming UK tour. Botnledja changed their name to Silt, toured the UK in 1997 and
went to Los Angeles in 1999. They released five albums, won some awards and had
several hit songs. Botnledja‘s fifth and last album Iceland National Park was released
in 2003. This same year Botnledja participated in Söngvakeppnin, the Icelandic
Eurovision pre-selection.
Heidar made a solo album under the pseudonym The Viking Giant Show, released in
2005. He had been working on the album on and off at home for two years when it
was released and he had stockpiled almost fifty songs to chose from.
When Botnledja stopped touring, Heidar got a job at the pre-school Engjaskoli and
liked the job so much that he applied for the Iceland University of Education and
graduated in 2006. The first Pollapönk album was released at the same time. Heidar
and Haraldur, along with the other two members of Pollapönk, have made two more
Pollapönk albums. The second album Meira pollapönk saw Heidar and Haraldur
receive a nomination for best lyrics at the Icelandic Music Awards.
Heidar works as a pre-school teacher at the healthschool Hamravellir and music is
now his main hobby.
John Grant was born in 1968 in Buchanan, Michigan, USA. He began his music career
as frontman of The Czars, a Colorado based band. John Grant‘s songwriting, coupled
with his rich baritone voice, was at the heart of the band, who released two indie
albums in the ´90s prior to signing to the UK label Bella Union. The band broke up in
2004 and John Grant moved to New York to work with bands such as Midlake and The
Flaming Lips. He made his first critically acclaimed solo album Queen of Denmark,
released in 2010. It was chosen by British Mojo music magazine as Best Album of
2010 and named as one of the ten best albums of the year by The Guardian music
critics and writers.
John Grant has been living in Iceland for some time and has befriended a wide variety
of Icelandic musicians. He recorded his second solo album Pale Green Ghost with
producer Biggi Veira of Icelandic electro-pop group GusGus, along with various
Icelandic musicians. The album was released in 2013 and he was nominated for a Brit
Award as Best International Male Solo Artist. John Grant received two at the Icelandic
Music Awards 2013, as Songwriter of the Year and Singer of the Year, on March 14
2014.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#6: Albania
Artist Hersi
Composer Gentian Lako
Song One Night's Anger Writer
Jorgo Papingji
Lyrics
About Hersi
ONE NIGHT’S ANGER
Say no, let go, keep your breath, as the anger
flows
I Know, you know, words can hurt, you’ll regret
them though
So say say say say you’ll be there when the words
are done
Don’t give in your pride,
Keep calm and think twice
Chorus: Free your mind from the doubts that are
tickling
Free your heart, and let the peace enlighten your
feelings
Sun will rise, and the light will be clearing
The tides of the night
keep calm and think twice
Say no, let go, night will fade and the day will
glow
I know, you know, that the morning is brighter so
Please say say say say you’ll be there when the
words are done
Don’t give in your pride
Let go and don’t cry
Chorus: Free your mind from the doubts that are
tickling
Free your heart, and let the peace enlighten your
feelings
Sun will rise, and the light will be clearing
The tides of the night
Keep calm and think twice
Chorus: Wait a tick tiny tick, you’ll regret it (just
wanna say it right)
Wait a tick tiny tick; you’ll forget it (I want to let it
out)
Anything isn’t it you want to get it,
Maybe tomorrow, will be late to get by
Hersi Matmuja was born on February 1st, 1990. She has pursued a dual career path,
which led her to be successful in both modern and classical music. Despite being still
very young, Hersi has already five times participated in the annual Festivali i Këngës,
which doubles as the Albanian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest.
This year her song One Night's Anger, originally titled Zemërimi i një nate, did the
trick, taking her to the Eurovision stage in Copenhagen!
Career in modern music
Hersi started her music lessons at the age of eight, taking part in various music
events for children. She took music lessons from Professor Luan Bakiu. In 1999 and
2000 Hersi participated in the festival “Çelësi i Artë”, followed by the Festival “Ylberi”
in Macedonia in 2001, where she won the first prize. In 2002 Hersi participated in the
Children Festival of Shkodra with the song Zogu dhe djali, and she won the prize
“Violeta Filaj” in the competition “Ëndërra për muzikën”.
Her first major TV success came in 2005, when she took part in the talent show “Ethet
e së premtes”, reaching the top 10 finalists. One year later she took part in the
Albanian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, Festivali i Këngës, youth
category, and won the first prize in this category and thus qualified to the final. Hersi
kept up her ambition to represent her home country in the Eurovision Song Contet: In
2010 and 2011 she participated again in Festivali i Këngës, and in 2012 she ranked
3rd with the song Kush ta dha këtë emër. On her fifth attempt, she finally won
Festivali i Këngës and will thus represent Albania in the 2014 Eurovision Song
Contest.
She has collaborated with various composers and lyric’s writers in Albania. Her most
notable successes to date were the launching of the video clip to the song Kthehu,
and her her collaboration with the singer songwriter Gjergj Leka. She has also
participated in two of the most prestigious festivals on the Southern Balkans, Top
Fest and Kënga Magjike.
Career in classical music
In 2004 Hersi started studying lyric canto in the Artistic Lyceum “Jordan Misja” in
Tirana. She studied for one year in the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana. She later took
part in concerts in the Theater of Opera and Ballet of Tirana and reached the final in
the national competition of classical music “Këngët e Tokës”. In 2008 Hersi reached
the final in the national competition “Jorgji Truja”. One year later, she started
studying at the National Academy of St Cecilia in Rome, ranking an amazing first in
the admission competition. In 2010 she ranked first in the musical contest “Ars
Kosova”.
Hersi has taken part in many concerts like Carmina Burana by Carl Orff in 2010 or
projects like “Let’s Britten” in honor of the composer Benjamin Britten that took place
in some of historical buildings in Rome in 2013. In 2012 she took part as soloist in the
concert in the Theater of Basilica of San Pancrazio in Rome. Last year Hersi took part
in several concerts in the Greek Theater in Rome, in Sala Magna in College of Rome,
and in the National Museum of Rome, among others.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#7: Russia
Artist Tolmachevy Sisters Composer Philipp Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos
Song Shine
Writer
John Ballard, Ralph Charlie, Gerard James Borg
Lyrics
About Tolmachevy Sisters
Verse 1
Been looking at the sky
wishing on a star
waiting for a brand new start
Living on the edge
closer to the crime
cross the line a step at a time
Now maybe there's a place
maybe there's a time
maybe there's a day you'll be mine
Now something's got to give
make a brighter day
all we got to say
Chorus
Shine into my darkness
shine into the night, my rising sun
drive away the madness
Can you be a masterpiece of love
Sending out a message out above
Telling all the world to show some love
No one's gone bring me down, bring me down
You are my rising sun
Verse 2
Keep looking up ahead
riding like a wind
open up your heart, let me in
My life is on a string
when I see you smile
our love will last a thousand miles
Now maybe there's a place
maybe there's a time
maybe there's a day you'll be mine
Now something's got to give
make a brighter day
all we got to say
Eurovision fans remember the Tolmachevy Twins from 2006 when the girls, at the age
of nine, won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Bucharest, Romania. With their
song Vesennij Jazz (The Spring Jazz), they reached 154 points. Now, Anastasiya and
Maria, talented and grown up stars, are facing another bigger challenge – the 2014
Eurovision Song Contest!
The twin sisters Anastasia and Maria Tolmachevy are from Kursk, a small town 500 km
away from Moscow, where they are living now. They are 17 years old now and are
graduating from the middle school this year.
Anastasia and Maria are singing since they were little girls. Their mother is a music
teacher who led and supported her daughters in their music career. Anastasia and
Maria sang in various music studios. They participated in many junior song contests.
But their breakthrough was in 2006 when the sisters took part in the Junior Eurovision
Song Contest in Bucharest and won the competition reaching 154 points with their
performance Vesennij Jazz (The Spring Jazz).
In 2007, Russia 1 Channel broadcast the documentary film about their success in the
2006 Junior Eurovision Song Contest The Phenomenal Twin Sisters. In the same year,
Anastasia and Maria stared in the New Year`s Eve television musical Kingdom Of
Crooked Mirrors where they sang together with Alla Pugacheva, the Russian
participant of the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest. The sisters also released their
album Polovinki (The Halves).
Later they took part in various concerts, for example at the Red Square, in different
music television shows like Saturday Night at the Russia-1 Channel.
The Tolmachevy Sisters were special guests in the 2007 Junior Eurovision Song
Contest in Rotterdam and in the 2010 Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Minsk.
Anastasia and Maria took part in the opening act of the First Semi-Final of the 2009
Eurovision Song Contest.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#8: Azerbaijan
Artist Dilara Kazimova Composer Stefan Örn, Johan Kronlund, Alessandra Günthardt
Song Start A Fire
Writer
Stefan Örn, Johan Kronlund, Alessandra Günthardt
Lyrics
About Dilara Kazimova
Someone's selling garden roses down the square
People gathering by to breathe the morning air
But no one sees the bitter cold and shivering
empty hands
A school girl running by and trying to beat the
bell
People dropping, tossing coins in wishing wells
But no one cares for dreams that don't fit into our
world
Maybe nightfall darkens skies
And maybe teardrops stain our eyes
But may the slightest light start a fire
A soldier in the hands of a forgotten mess
Digging out the burning bullets in his chest
So eager, bold and noble - printing footsteps on
this earth
Maybe nightfall darkens skies
Maybe teardrops stain our eyes
But may the slightest light start a fire
Start a fire
But may the slightest light start a fire
It’s been a long way for a 29-year-old Dilara Kazimova to join the Eurovision family
and she’s now ready to take on all comers and gain the admiration of new fans in
Europe.
First time Dilara took her chance in the Azerbaijani national selection as a band
member of Unformal in 2008, when the country debuted in the Eurovision Song
Contest. The band finished second in the national selection. Later, in 2010, Dilara
qualified to the final as a part of a female duo Milk&Kisses. In the same year, she
went to represent Azerbaijan at another international music festival New Wave in
Yurmala, Latvia.
Dilara has what it takes to be a standout. Early vocal training gave her a great range
and vocal discipline. As a child, she was surrounded by different music, from opera
and classics to the rock legends like Freddie Mercury. Not to mention the influence of
traditional Azeri folk music.
She’s taken elements from each of these diverse genres, developing her own unique
vocal style brilliantly showed at this year's Azerbaijani final of Böyük Səhnə. Dilara is
remarkably flexible, handling a Motown inspired Mercy with soul and impressive
energy or a jazzy cover of Hometown Glory which may actually be as good as Adele’s
original effort.
Dilara began to sing professionally at age of 14. For the last 15 years, she has been
experimenting with variety of styles and training her versatile voice. She was
introduced to music professionally at the U. Hajibekov Baku Academy of Music. Later
on she graduated as an opera singer from Baku Conservatory.
Besides music Dilara has a passion for painting and acting. Her filmography includes
Try, Do Not Breathe (2006) and In-between (2007), where besides acting she has also
created a soundtrack Sonzul Yol. One of her next planned steps for future is to
combine music with acting in musical.
Dilara is in her top shape as an artist. Fans of live music in Baku know her as one of
the most wanted and most discussed guest of city’s modern alternative stage.
When she’s got a chance, Dilara spends her spare time in the yoga studio or reading
books on psychology. She also loves animals and never wears fur in life or on stage.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#9: Ukraine
Artist Mariya Yaremchuk Composer Mariya Yaremchuk
Song Tick - Tock
Writer
Mariya Yaremchuk, Sandra Bjurman
Lyrics
About Mariya Yaremchuk
I believe that I've loved you
Since the first time that I saw you
Bells rang angels sang
When the light of the night
fell on us we knew
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
We both knew that you were mine
Now cover me, I'll buy us time, time
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh *2
Oh wait for me I'm worth your while
Tick-tock, can you hear me go tick tock
My heart is like a clock, I'm steady like a rock
Sch don't stop, kiss and kiss me till I drop
My heart is like a clock you wind it with your love
You wind and wind, it with your love
Now I know it's too hard to
go tick tock without the glimpse of you
If you cave in I break
I keep losing my pace
In this endless race
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
They all know that you're mine
They can see we belong
Shelter me, you'll do fine
Wait for me, I'll buy us time
Tick-tock, can you hear me go tick tock
My heart is like a clock, I'm steady like a rock
Sch don't stop, kiss and kiss me till I drop
My heart is like a clock, you wind it with your love
This year Ukraine is going to overwhelm Europe with one of the strongest and
beautiful voices - Mariya Yaremchuk. On December 21st, 2013 Mariya won the
Ukrainian national selection and thus she will represent her country with her own lush
and intense song Tick-Tock in Copenhagen.
The music of Tick-Tock has been composed by Mariya herself. She is also one of the
co-writers of the lyrics. Mariya and her choreographer’s team are working hard on the
stage performance to make it soulful and simple.
Mariya Yaremchuk was born on March 2nd, 1993 in Chernivtsi into a musicians’ family.
Her father, Nazariy Yaremchuk, is a true Ukrainian legend,who died when Maria was
only two years old.
Her whole life Mariya was surrounded by music, so it wasn’t a surprise for anyone
when Mariya took a stage for a first time at the age of six. In 2009 she entered the
Variety Vocal Department of the Kyiv Circus and Variety Arts Academy and
simultaneously the History, Politology and Foreign Relations Department of the
Chernivtsi National University. In 2013 she had graduated with honour and got the
bachelor’s degrees in both specialisations. Mariya continues her studies for the
master’s degrees.
In 2012 Mariya Yaremchuk participated in the Ukrainian version of The Voice, a
famous global TV format for the best vocalists where she reached the fourth place.
In the same year, Mariya represented Ukraine at the New Wave, the international
music festival. She finished in top three and won the audience choice award.
Her style and femininity idol is Monica Bellucci. In the music world, Mariya gives the
nod to Madonna’s energy and Maroon 5 leader Adam Levine’s voice and sexuality. But
all admiration still belongs to Mariya’s true inspiration – her father.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#10: Belgium
Artist Axel Hirsoux Composer Rafael Artesero, Ashley Hicklin
Song Mother
Writer
Rafael Artesero, Ashley Hicklin
Lyrics
About Axel Hirsoux
I’m coming home,
I'm broken hearted and I need,
Time to shelter,
I need your love,
A hand to hold, a heart to heal, a voice to help
me through, through…
And when hope is low,
You find the words to make me feel, so much
better,
When I’ve had enough, oh I’ve had enough,
Of all the tears and all the hurt I can count on
you, only you…
And once again mother,
You are right there mother,
You are my guiding light,
My shoulder, my shelter, my satellite,
I'm weak, you're bright.
It's not said enough,
But you mean the world to me you're more, than a
soulmate,
And you should know, oh you should know,
I'm so thankful and so hopeful that some day
soon, i'll shine like you…
And once again mother,
You are right there mother,
You are my guiding light,
My shoulder, my shelter, my satellite,
I'm weak, you're bright,
Give me your strength, oh mother,
Give me your care mother,
You are my guiding light,
My shoulder, my shelter, my satellite,
I'm weak, you're bright,
And once again mother, / You're all I have mother,
And once again mother, / You're all I have mother,
Oh mother...
For Axel Hirsoux, taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true.
This humble young man from Charleroi will soon take to the stage in Copenhagen to
show the world what he has to offer musically with the song Mother.
Born in 1982, Axel Hirsoux grew up in the rural town of Courcelles, near Charleroi. His
love of music was in his blood even as a child.
During his early years he studied music theory for 5 years after which he learned to
play the trumpet.
In 2001 he first took part in a singing contest. One year after he met his vocal coach
Nell, who took his vocal performance to a higher level and even today he is still
working with her. At the age of 23 he registered for the Star Academy in France where
he just missed out on being selected. But Axel did not give up. In 2007 he sang Vivo
per lei to an audience of 1500 people with the French star Hélène Segara.
Meanwhile, he regularly performed with an amateur group in a performance of the
famous musical Notre Dame de Paris.
A love for the Eurovision Song Contest
In 2013 he made his debut in the Walloon version of The Voice. He ended up in the
team of Natasha Saint-Pier but had to say goodbye after the battles. His love for the
Eurovision Song Contest encouraged him to enrol in the Flemish national selection
show, Eurosong 2014.
The song Mother is a powerful classic ballad with a simple and understated mise en
scene, beautifully executed by eminent choreographer Isabelle Beernaert. The song
was composed by Rafael Arte Sero and Ashley Hicklin. Mother is a David Poltrock
production.
He sings his song with his whole heart and dedicates it to all the mothers of the
world, and by extension, to all women.
It is probably not a number you would expect to hear at the Eurovision Song Contest,
but in Axel's view the universal message of Mother is in fact very suitable for the
festival.
For Axel participating in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true. He likes
to think back to all the years he sat and watched the Eurovision Song Contest and
told himself that one day he would participate in it.
He regards it as a very important event on an artistic level, and hopefully it will prove
to be a good start to a professional musical career.
The writers
Rafael Artesero is a Spanish singer-songwriter who also wrote Que me quiten lo
bailao for the Spanish entrant at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest Lucia Perez. The
Andorran entries from 2005 La mirada interior performed by Marian Van Der Wal and
Sense tu performed by Jenny in 2006 were also written by Rafael.
Ashley Hicklin is a British singer/songwriter who co-wrote Tom Dice’s Me And My
Guitar (Belgian 2010 Eurovision Song Contest entry finishing in 6th place). He has
also written songs for several Belgian artists including Born Crain, Sioen and Kato.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#11: Moldova
Artist Cristina Scarlat Composer Ivan Akulov
Song Wild Soul
Writer
Lidia Scarlat
Lyrics
About Cristina Scarlat
I.
What am I?
Am I human?
What am I?
An emotion?
Time and space can lie to us while we sleep
Lovers cry, parents tremble
While you and I show our devils
The world can play a joke on each of us anytime
CHORUS:
Mercy
I have no feelings of mercy
Destiny left me so empty
Empty in my heart and my spirit
My patience
Fighting with our indifference
Fighting to win over everything that we are and
can be
Cristina was born on March 3rd, 1981 into a family with traditional music roots. From
an early age, music was Cristina’s constant companion. She plays piano and violin.
Cristina’s first education was a chorister and a conductor. But her vocal abilities
motivated her to continue her studies as a vocalist. In 2006, Cristina graduated from
the Moldovan music conservatory.
Throughout her career as a singer, Cristina gained a great experience by competing
and winning prises in a wide range of festivals and contests, including the
International Festival of Arts Slavianski Bazaar in Belarus.
II.
Being one of the most powerful voices of Moldova, Cristina is also a lead singer of the
Presidential Orchestra.
Selfishness
Takes the trophies
Honesty
Wins the glories
All the masks we have are meant to make us free
Cristina is the mother of two children and a loving wife. At her age of 33, she is
regarded as one of the most strong-willed and determined women of Moldova due to
her amazing ability to successfully combine career with family.
Wounded pride kills our feeling
While you and I need the dreaming
The world can throw a dice for each of us anytime
III.
Wild soul
Is rushing through my body
And my
Wild soul
Is meant to keep me trying
Representing Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest is Cristina's most persistent
dream. This year, after two previous attempts (in 2013, Cristina came 2nd in the preselection), Cristina Scarlat finally won the national competition and has the chance to
live her Eurovision dream.
The composer
Ivan Akulov composed Cristina’s Eurovision entry Wild Soul. He was born in 1985 in
Chisinau, Moldova. Ivan started to write music already as a teenager. He graduated
from the Academy of Arts in jazz vocal and French horn. During his studies, Ivan
participated in many festivals.
He started his career as an artist of Moldova's National Opera. Ivan acquired his
experience by touring with the orchestra through Europe.
Ivan discovered his talent as a composer as a young teenager and continued
developing his skills by collaborating with various Moldovan and international artists.
The writer
Lidia Scarlat is Cristina's 23 years old niece. She graduated with a First Class Media
Arts degree at Royal Holloway, University of London, in the UK.
Despite being a film & TV professional, Lidia's music and rhetorical skills have been
highly appreciated on numerous occasions. Lidia's career began as a child TV host on
Moldova's national broadcasting company. She successfully represented Moldova at
various song contests for children. Her career continued to intertwine music and
communication-related jobs, she worked as a radio host both in Moldova and the UK,
worked on numerous TV shows and took part in various music performances.
Currently, Lidia is the producer of a documentary film about urban folk music, she is
also the lead vocalist of the legendary Moldovan band Cuibul.
In 2013, Lidia was the official Teleradio Moldova's live commentator of the Eurovision
Song Contest. Lidia has been writing lyrics for her aunt Cristina for over 5 years.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#12: San Marino
Artist Valentina Monetta Composer Ralph Siegel
Song Maybe (Forse)
Writer
Mauro Balestri
Lyrics
About Valentina Monetta
Maybe there's a pearl in the shell
Maybe there's a story to tell
Maybe we can not live in peace cos we're under a
spell
Maybe there’s a light from above
Maybe there’s a flight of a dove
When it's time
To open the heart of love
Maybe we can try
Maybe you and I
Are finding pain to overcome
Maybe then one day
Every soul heals and will find a way
And maybe
We really are the dream of God
And we woke up in flesh and blood
With our emotion transformed into gold
Or maybe
In certain solid ways I feel
I know there’s nothing stronger and more real
Than falling in love
Maybe you and I
Are tear drops from the sky
That fill the sea eternally
Maybe we can try
To challenge the fear of the endless night
And maybe
We really are the dream of God
And we woke up in flesh and blood
to find our bodies transformed into gold
Or maybe
In certain solid ways I feel
I know there’s nothing stronger and more real
Than falling in love
Maybe it’s a journey in the darkest night
Maybe we can make it to the morning light
Maybe this is it this is real and I feel this is right
Finally right
And maybe
The courage that I'm finding now
Remembering and sensing how
We fell in love
Valentina Monetta was born on March 1st, 1975 in the Republic of San Marino. She is
the second of two children, her father is from Calabria and her mother is
Sammarinese. Valentina spent her childhood in San Marino where she attended
primary and secondary schools. She then graduated from the high school for
arts,Giovanni da Rimini, in Rimini.
In her childhood she discovered the love for music, listening in a tireless way to
various musical styles, creating and forming over time a specific taste. Although she
has not dealt with an academic background, she had studied piano and singing by
herself, reaching the same professional high quality.
Starting from 1995, she has been working with the best local musicians, becoming a
versatile singer with a great talent for improvisation; her voice is both colorful and
versatile, ranging from jazz to melodic Italian, from soul to R&B and pop.
Valentina's artistic versatility has allowed her to deal with varied work experience as
a singer, actor and presenter, and she had even composed the music and written the
lyrics to her first solo album, a celebratory work of personal and professional balance,
releasing the CD, Il Mio Gioco Preferito, recorded with the trio My Funky Valentine
(Simone Migani on piano, Massimiliano Castri on drums, Alex Gorbi on bass).
In 1995 Valentina started an adventure with her first band Tiberio, and soon
thereafter formed the Parafunky. She was also part of the group 2Black, as well as
forming the female vocal duo Harem'B.
First Eurovision
In 2012 she took part in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan, on
behalf of San Marino.
In March of 2012 she has worked with Fabrizio Raggi staging the show Ma Che
Differenza Fa, a tribute to Ornella Vanoni in which Valentina shows her singing and
acting talent.
In August 2012, still directed by Raggi, she was the protagonist of Camelia, a musical
commissioned by UNICEF, in which Valentina presented her songs together with
covers of some great Italian singers and songwriters.
Her most recent experiences are all with her live band My Funky Valentine. Performing
live for Valentina is crucial. She really loves the stage, having contact with the public,
with her band, she creates a fact in the 'here and now' of the scene; in that way she
feels to be an active part of a unique artistic process, in which she assumes the risk
of transmitting something real and concrete, becoming a free artist, and a free
woman.
With her songs, she tells of human suffering, sometimes with irony, sometimes with
sarcasm; love is a key element that is at the same time protagonist and antagonist.
In her songs, on the stage, she wants to create a concrete fact, without deceit,
without covers, making it a unique singer-songwriter style with great singing talent
and musicality in the blood.
Second Eurovision
In 2013 she took part again in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden
with Crisalide and became unlucky11th in the Semifinal.
Third time lucky?
So San Marino RTV asked Valentina and her producer Ralph Siegel, if they would go
for a third time in a row. After long consideration both musicians agreed to take part
one more time hopefully being third time lucky and going to the final.
In summer and autumn 2013 Valentina and Ralph wrote and produced the new album
Sensibilità (Sensibility) and finally experts and fans have chosen the song Maybe
(Forse) for Copenhagen.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#13: Portugal
Artist Suzy
Composer Emanuel
Song Quero Ser Tua Writer
Emanuel
Lyrics
About Suzy
QUERO SER TUA
UAUAUÉ ! UAUÉ !
UAUAUÉ ! UAUÉ !
Em minhas asas
Eu quero levar-te ao céu
E em mil nuvens
Dar-te tudo o que é meu
Eu quero ser
O teu cupido da paixão
Eu quero ser
A dona do teu coração
Eu
Eu
Eu
Eu
quero
quero
quero
quero
ser
ser
ser
ser
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua como o sol do seu brilhar
tua como um rio é do seu mar
Eu
Eu
Eu
Eu
quero
quero
quero
quero
ser
ser
ser
ser
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua como o mel do teu beijar
tua eu nasci para te amar
UAUAUÉ ! UAUÉ !
UAUAUÉ ! UAUÉ !
Eu quero ser a luz
Que guia o teu caminho
Quero levar-te
Ao doce mundo do carinho
Quero banhar-me
No teu corpo de prazer
E saciar
A minha sede de te ter
Suzy was born in Figueira da Foz and has been active in showbizz since she was a kid
as a member of the Children's band "Onda Choc" which had huge success. She
performed on stage for the first time at the age of five and has gone on to have a
successful career ever since!
In late 1999, she released the song Nesta Noite Branca, a hit that is still played on
the radio and shown on TV today. This year she was invited by producer Emanuel to
perform his song at the 2014 Portuguese national selection, Festival da Canção. At
the event, which celebrated its 50th anniversary, Suzy sung Quero Ser Tua and won
the Grand Final with it.
Fun fact: Suzy currently lives in Dubai!
Composer in a dictionary
The composer of the song, Emanuel and Suzy have worked together already before
this triumph and are now preparing a new album to be released this year.
Emanuel’s skills rapidly became well-known and he was soughed after as composer
and orchestrator by well-known 80s Portuguese pop musicians. Among them, Marco
Paulo, the most successful singer at the time, to whom Emanuel produced his 1988
album Joana, which was awarded four times platinum.
He also become a phenomenon as an artist with the song Pimba, Pimba which sold in
excess of 500,000 copies in the first six months alone!
Eu
Eu
Eu
Eu
quero
quero
quero
quero
ser
ser
ser
ser
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua como o sol do seu brilhar
tua como um rio é do seu mar
The receptiveness to the new musical concept created by Emanuel was such that the
Portuguese record market, in the next two years, changed completely with the
emergence of numerous artists, record labels and even television shows and weekly
magazines that adopted the new musical style.
Eu
Eu
Eu
Eu
quero
quero
quero
quero
ser
ser
ser
ser
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua como o mel do teu beijar
tua eu nasci para te amar
The media called the new movement "Pimba music", which made Emanuel one of the
few people to have their name in the Portuguese Language Dictionary.
UAUAUÉ ! UAUÉ !
UAUAUÉ ! UAUÉ !
Eu quero ser tua, oh , tua !
Eu
Eu
Eu
Eu
quero
quero
quero
quero
ser
ser
ser
ser
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
tua como o sol do seu brilhar
tua como um rio é do seu mar
Eu quero ser tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
Eu quero ser tua, OH OH OH OH OH !
Eu quero ser tua como o mel do teu beijar
Eu quero ser tua eu nasci .....
Para te amar !
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#13: Portugal
Artist Suzy
Composer Emanuel
Song Quero Ser Tua Writer
Emanuel
Lyrics (translated to English)
I Want to Be Yours
On my wings
I want to take you to the sky
And on thousand clouds
Give you all that I have
I want to be
Your passion cupid
I want to be
The owner of your heart
I
I
I
I
want
want
want
want
to
to
to
to
be
be
be
be
yours, OH
yours, OH
yours like
yours like
OH OH OH OH !
OH OH OH OH !
the sun is of its light
a river is of its sea
I
I
I
I
want
want
want
want
to
to
to
to
be
be
be
be
yours, OH OH OH OH OH !
yours, OH OH OH OH OH !
yours like the honey of your kiss
yours I was born to love you
I want to be the light
That guides your way
I want to take you
To the sweet world of tenderness
I want to bathe
In your body of pleasure
And satisfy
My thirst for you
I
I
I
I
want
want
want
want
to
to
to
to
be
be
be
be
yours, OH
yours, OH
yours like
yours like
OH OH OH OH !
OH OH OH OH !
the sun is of its light
a river is of its sea
I
I
I
I
want
want
want
want
to
to
to
to
be
be
be
be
yours, OH OH OH OH OH !
yours, OH OH OH OH OH !
yours like the honey of your kiss
yours I was born to love you
UAUAUÉ ! UAUÉ !
UAUAUÉ ! UAUÉ !
I want to be yours, OH, yours!
I
I
I
I
want
want
want
want
to
to
to
to
be
be
be
be
yours, OH
yours, OH
yours like
yours like
OH OH OH OH !
OH OH OH OH !
the sun is of its light
a river is of its sea
I
I
I
I
want
want
want
want
to
to
to
to
be
be
be
be
yours, OH OH OH OH OH !
yours, OH OH OH OH OH !
yours like the honey of your kiss
yours I was born to love you
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#14: The Netherlands
Artist The Common Linnets Composer Ilse DeLange, JB Meijers, Rob Crosby, Matthew Crosby, Jake Etheridge
Song Calm After The Storm Writer
Ilse DeLange, JB Meijers, Rob Crosby, Matthew Crosby, Jake Etheridge
Lyrics
About The Common Linnets
Driving in the fast lane
counting mile marker signs
The empty seat beside me
keeps you on my mind
Livin’ in the heartache
was never something I pursued
I can't keep on chasing
what I can't be for you
oooohhhh skies are black and blue
I’m thinking about you
Here in the calm after the storm
tears on the highway
water in my eyes
This rain ain’t gonna change us
what’s the use to cry
I could say im sorry
but I don't wanna lie
I just wanna know if staying
is better than goodbye
oooohhhh skies are black and blue
I’m thinking about you
Here in the calm after the storm
oooooohh after all that we’ve been through
(baby) there ain’t nothing new
Here in the calm after the storm
Maybe I can find you
down this broken line
Maybe you can find me
guess we’ll know in time
oooohhhh skies are black and blue
I’m thinking about you
Here in the calm after the storm
there ain’t nothing new
Here in the calm after the storm
Forming The Common Linnets, Ilse DeLange and Waylon are two exceptional artists
who have joined forces to work on a new album and to represent their country at the
2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen with the song Calm After The Storm. In
fact, the two recently travelled to Nashville, Tennesee in order to prepare for this
honour.
The Common Linnets
Born in 1977 in Almeno, the Netherlands, Ilse DeLange has had a long and successful
career both at home and abroad. Of her seven studio albums, six of them have
peaked at number one in the Dutch charts, with her debut album World of Hurt in
1998 and her 2008 album Incredible going five times platinum. She also had number
one hits with the singles So Incredible and Miracle in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
When speaking about this partnership, Ilse said: "Waylon and I have known each
other since we made 'rootsy' music together as teenagers. This year we are working
on an album in Nashville as a 'side project'. The Eurovision Song Contest was
something we both individually considered but this joint venture is so awesome that
we've decided to go it as a duo. I cannot wait for us to stand on the stage! As a child,
watching the Eurovision Song Contest was a tradition in our family and I feel so
honoured!"
Born Willem Bijkerk in 1980, Waylon rose to fame after participating in the reality TV
show Holland's Got Talent in 2008 after which he had a Top five hit with his album
Wicked Ways in 2009. He named himself after his idol, American singer Waylon
Jennings and in 2001 even had the honour of joining his tour in the United States
after sending him a sample of his music.
Waylon said, "I am honoured to be embarking on this adventure with Ilse, who I have
known for so long. The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the biggest events in the
world and to stand there on its stage has always secretly been a dream of mine".
The writers
JB Meijers
At the age of seventeen JB Meijers signed a record deal with Virgin records. In these
early years he strongly profiled himself as an extremely talented and hardworking
musician who was involved in various influential alternative pop bands (Charmin’
Children, Shine, Supersub), extensively toured with Eboman and at the same time he
was producing and writing songs.
When in the late ‘90s his work as a producer was growing out of proportion JB decided
to fully focus on his studio work. Only a year later he was asked to join two of the
most successful Dutch bands - De Dijk and Acda & De Munnik - first just on stage but
since 2000 JB is a solid touring and studio craft for both platinum selling acts.
Over the years JB has produced albums for some of the most import Dutch artists
(Ramses Shaffy, Eboman, Souldiers, Go Back To The Zoo and Frank Boeijen), but also
worked with international artists like Solomon Burke, Marc Ribot, Beastie Boys, Antony
+ Johnsons and many more.
JB Meijers was honored with every possible award in the Dutch music business and
Music Magazine Oor proclaimed him second best musician in The Netherlands.
Rob Crosby
Rob Crosby began his music career in his home state of South Carolina, playing clubs
and colleges, and building a regional following. After moving to Nashville he achieved
national success by writing a #1 hit for Lee Greenwood, Holding a Good Hand.
Shortly thereafter Rob was signed by Arista Records as a recording artist. Rob scored
three top ten hits and toured with Travis Tritt, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, Billy
Ray Cyrus and performed shows across America, Europe, and Canada with Willie
Nelson, George Jones, Restless Heart, Garth Brooks, and Dutch artist Ilse DeLange.
Brooks and Dunn, Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, Blackhawk, The Oak Ridge Boys, Carl
Perkins and Paul Simon, Jeroen van der Boom, Ilse DeLange, Waylon, The Common
Linnets and others have recorded over 50 of his songs.
Rob and Ilse have been working together of and on since they wrote ‘When We Don’t
Talk’ for Ilse’s debut album in 1998.
Matthew Crosby
Matthew Crosby grew up in Nashville and attended college in Charleston, South
Carolina, where he formed his first band, and began playing his songs in local clubs.
After graduating he moved to New York City, and was soon performing regularly
around Manhattan and Brooklyn at such venues as Joe's Pub and Rockwood Music Hall.
His band Easy Tells released their first record in 2012, and in 2013 he signed with
Universal Music Publishing in Holland. His songs have recently been recorded by The
Common Linnets.
Jake Etheridge
Jake Etheridge began performing in his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina where
he achieved local recognition for his songwriting and performing. Moving to Nashville
in 2011, he began to perform in well-known Nashville music rooms, including the
storied Bluebird Cafe, and expanded his touring to cities such as Atlanta, Georgia,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Boston and New York City. Obsessive about seeking out
truth, Jake's songs explore the depths of his own heart, and unabashedly display an
honest window into his motivations, victories and even self-inflicted pitfalls. His songs
have been featured in films, and recorded by the The Common Linnets in The
Netherlands.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#15: Montenegro
Artist Sergej Ćetković Composer Sergej Ćetković
Song Moj Svijet
Writer
Sergej Ćetković, Emina Sandal
Lyrics
About Sergej Ćetković
Tražim , da me ne zaboraviš,
Kada jastuk zagrliš, ti me sanjaj...
Tražim, al’ sreća trag ne ostavlja,
K’o da je tvoju dušu drugom pisala.
Još volim te znaj,
u srcu mom spavaš sama…
Moj svijet čuvam za te,
U moj svijet nek te vrate,
Pa da svane mi dan,
S’tobom jedino znam za ljubav …
Moj svijet čuvam za te,
U moj svijet ,ja tražim da te vrate,
Da ne ostarim sam,u tvoje rukedušu vežem,
Pada svane mi dan,
S’ tobom jedino znam za ljubav…
Još volim te znaj, u srcu mom samo samo si ti,
Još čuvam za nas, jedan svijet ljubavi…
Sergej's first appearance, which occurred 28 years ago, can be taken, tentatively, as
the official beginning of an impressive musical career. In 1986 when he won the
second place at the child festival "Our joy" in his native Podgorica, Sergej was only
ten years old and he did not dream that he would become a pop star in future.
His talent was noticed so he became one of the best students in piano classes, in the
primary and as well in the secondary music school "Vasa Pavic". During the day, at
school, he played Bach, Mozart, Schubert, and at night, at home, he played Peter
Gabriel, Beatles, Joe Cocker .
Sergej was definitely “infected” with pop-rock sound, therefore three years later in
1989 his official musical career started with the band "Burning Heart" in which he
played keyboard and sang back vocals. Five years later, in 1994, he sang in a full
capacity in the band "Amphitheatre", where he began as a keyboardist and back vocal
and he later became the lead vocal.
Four years later, in 1998, Sergej begins his solo career by appearing at the summer
pop festival "Sunny Skale" in Herceg Novi, where he sang the song You Were A Rose.
Early in the new millennium, driven by his musical feeling, Sergej announced a new
sound in our pop music.
His first album Kristina was published by "Goroton" in 2000. New musical tendencies,
which were felt in the sound of his compositions, were accepted even prior to the
official appearance of his CD. That summer at the prestigious Budva festival called
"Song of the Mediterranean”, Sergej sang the song Hours, Days, Years and was well
received by the audience and the critics. In addition to the above mentioned song,
the following songs I Will Stop The Time, Wake Me Up, City were included on the first
album made by the author himself who set a "new sound" so the songs topped all the
charts and became the most popular songs of the year.
Carried by the good feeling that his musical formula is verified by the enormous
number of fans of the new pop sound, two years later, in 2002 Sergej released his
second studio album Be Like Water, published by "Goroton".
With his performances in 2003 at the Mediterranean Festival in Budva where he sang
I Exist As Well, which is still the ultimate hit, and a year later at the festival
"Eurovision – Euro song Monte Negro" where he sang I Can Not Forgive You he
confirmed the position of his musical direction. Next year, in 2005, he released his
third studio album When You Need It published by the record company "City records".
This album break all records, both in circulation and the audience: songs Look Into
The Darkness, Damn You, The Ring On The Table for two years were in the top of the
charts in all the countries of former Yugoslavia.
With his fourth album, Half Of My World published in 2007 by “City Records”, Sergej
Cetkovic definitely placed his music disc into the history of pop music in the Balkans.
The fifth CD 2 Minutes published by “City Records” and “Aquarius Records” was
released in the year when this well known musician celebrates a decade of work on
Balkan music scene.
After ten years of professional career singer and composer Sergej Cetkovic can boast
the success of the artist and the businessman, the qualifications for top pop star.
This fact supports figures, which are related to album sales (CD), visitors at concerts
or any other parameter that is taken into account when the music industry is
concerned.
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#15: Montenegro
Artist Sergej Ćetković Composer Sergej Ćetković
Song Moj Svijet
Writer
Sergej Ćetković, Emina Sandal
Lyrics (translated to English)
Find me,
I’m still wandering the seas,
A lonely sail without a breeze,
Can you see me?
Find me
You know I'm lost without your arms,
You are never ending line
on my palms...
Still dreaming you’re mine,
I'm loving you like the first time…
My love, I’ll be waiting
For you to be in my world again
Don't forget about me,
Don't forget about everything we had.
My love I 'll be waiting,
For you to take this lonely world away,
Don't forget about me,
Let me hold you in my arms
Don't forget about me
Be the sun in my eyes again...
I'm still dreaming you’re mine,
I'm loving you like the first time,
You are all that I need,
My love, my everything .
Eurovision Song Contest 2014 First Semi-Final
#16: Hungary
Artist András Kállay-Saunders Composer András Kállay-Saunders, Krisztián Szakos
Song Running
Writer
András Kállay-Saunders
Lyrics
About András Kállay-Saunders
Silent cries
Every night
This Pain don't ever leave her life
Daddy's home
So she tries to hide
She calls for Mom
But never a reply
She cries cries cries
she's all alone
Daddy why why why
Leave me alone
She calls for help
She calls for help
But no one seems to care
She calls for help but no one seems to care
She keeps on running running running
from this crazy life
She keeps on running running running
Never sees the Light
I can see the angels standing by your side
it'll be alright
She's back again
Just one more time
Just wants to see her mother smile
She can't forget
Her only child
Mama let the devil in her house
She cries cries cries
she's all alone
Daddy why why why
Leave me alone
She calls for help
She calls for help
But no one seems to care
She calls for help but no one seems to care
She keeps on running running running
from this crazy life
She keeps on running running running
Never sees the Light
I can see the angels standing by your side
it'll be alright
She cries cries cries
Daddy why why why
she keeps on running running running
from this crazy life
keeps on running running
oh oh ohhhh
it'll be alright
András Kállay-Saunders became famous through his participation in the Megasztár
talent show, and while working on his career, he soon discovered his love for the
Eurovision Song Contest. In his third attempt, he finally won the Hungarian national
selection A Dal in 2014 with Running.
The song has a very strong message and a personal link to Kállay: "I wrote this song
about a childhood friend of mine, and people I have met with similar stories
throughout my life. Unfortunately my friend was victim to child abuse, domestic
violence. I wrote this song about their experiences and everything that they went
though. I would like to raise awareness to this topic."
András Kállay-Saunders was born on January 28, 1985 in New York City to Hungarian
model Katalin Kállay and American soul-singer and producer Fernando Saunders.
Autumn of 2009, Kállay decided to visit Hungary to reunite with his mother as well as
spending quality time with his grandmother.
During his visit, he noticed a TV commercial urging talented singers to audition for
the nation’s talent competition Megasztár. Kállay finished fourth in the contest but
gained a life-changing experience. He realised the doors were opened toward making
a life-long dream come true with hard work and dedication. He went on to sign with
Universal and permanently resided in Hungary.
Climbing to the top
In 2012, Kállay entered the Hungarian Eurovision national selection show A Dal, but
he unfortunately came short of the finals. During this competition, he developed a
pride towards one day bringing the big stage to the country that opened doors to his
dream. In 2013 he entered A Dal again with his single My Baby and reached 2nd
place. He still had the desire to represent Hungary in Eurovision and wasn’t going to
give up trying just yet. While having many songs to his arsenal, Kállay felt it was time
to show Hungary a deeper song and chose to send Running, a song inspired by a
childhood friend, who grew up dealing with domestic violence and child abuse. Kállay
wanted to give children and people in this situation hope. After great success
throughout, Kállay ended the competition with the dream of showcasing his talents
throughout Europe by representing Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest coming
true. He enjoys this accomplishment with a great deal of gratitude for his family,
friends, fans, peers, and Hungary for the love and support that helped him along the
way. He now looks forward to winning the hearts of people around Europe on
Eurovision and making his country proud.
A sad but important topic
András Kállay-Saunders shares the story behind his Eurovision entry: "My song
Running is based on a true story. I wrote this song about a childhood friend of mine,
and people I have met with similar stories throughout my life. Unfortunately my friend
was victim to child abuse, domestic violence. I wrote this song about their
experiences and everything that they went though. I would like to raise awareness to
this topic. This is not your typical love song, but we must not forget that this is
something that happens every day, all across the world. I would like for children to
know that they don't have to be afraid to ask for help. I am very happy that not only
do I get to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, but my message will reach each
and every person that will be watching Eurovision."
No rules and boundaries in music
"I write most of my songs while walking on the street, or taking a shower. All of my
songs are about things that I have experienced in my life, or people close to me. I get
inspiration from many things, all the way from a smile, to the tears of a homeless
man on the subway. The beautiful thing about music is that you can write about
anything, there are no rules or boundaries to the way you express yourself", KállaySaunders explains. "The Eurovision song contest is a great way to bring different
countries and cultures together. I love hearing all the different styles of music across
Europe all on one stage. It was always a big dream of mine to represent Hungary, I
guess you can say I am the happiest person alive right now."
András Kállay-Saunders also has a message for his fans: "I just want to say thank you
to everyone who believes in me and supports me... I will never forget that without you
guys I would not be living my dream. I am very grateful and thankful for all of you. I
hope I can bring great music to your ears, and touch many hearts with my music. I
love you all!"