As the countdown continues to Eurovision 2020, we know one thing about Israel’s participation: Eden Alene is our singer. But what we don’t know? What song she will sing.
On Tuesday, March 3, that’s going to change.
Just a day after Israel’s next round of elections, Israelis will make another choice…and this one might actually count. As part of a special Kdam Eurovision, they will choose from four songs to determine Israel’s official song for Eurovision 2020.
Today, all four songs were released to the public – and voting has begun.
Kan Broadcasting, the entity in charge of Israel’s Eurovision participation, received 248 song submissions from composers throughout the country. They’ve eliminated all but FOUR – one of which will represent Israel in the upcoming Eurovision.
Ready to hear them all? OK – but first you have to promise to vote for your favorite in the comments section below. You promise? Good – here goes.
Song #1: Feker Libi (The Love of My Heart)
“Feker Libi”, the love of my heart in Amheric, was written by Idan Raichel and Doron Medalie – the team behind 2019’s biggest Israeli hit, “Shevet Achim VaAchayot”. Doron Medalie was also one of the writers (along with Stav Beger) of Netta’s 2018 winner, “Toy”. The song includes four languages: English, Hebrew, Amheric, and Arabic. “The song is an African celebration with pop,” Medalie told Kan Broadcasting. “We wrote it about Yonatan, the love of Eden’s heart, who we got to know on television [during “HaKochav Haba”]”.
Song #2: Rakata
Creators Joe Cohen, Eyal Yishai, Tzlil Klipi, and Eden Kashi explain that the title of this song can have a double meaning: one could hear it as “Rak Ata”, “only you” in Hebrew, which could refer to a friend or even to God. On the other hand, it could simply refer to a drum beat. You decide.
Song #3: Roots
This one was composed by the second half of the team behind “Toy”, Stav Beger, along with Nathan Goshen. The two creators say they tweaked the refrain over and over again before coming up with the final product.
Song #4: Savior In the Sound
Funny story: creators Oren Emanuel, Talia Londoner, and Uri Avni submitted this exact song last year to be sung by Kobi Marimi, but the song was rejected. This year, it gets a second chance!
You Can Vote Right Now!
Want to be part of the process? You can vote right now by downloading the “Kan” (כאן) app on your smartphone. It helps if you can read Hebrew, but in case you need help, here’s how to do it.
- Open the app. This is the first screen you will see. Click the heading at the top of the page.
2. You’ll then have the option to listen to all four songs. When you’re ready, click the box at the bottom of the page.
3. If you’d like, feel free to leave your name and contact information on the next screen. Someone will win a free trip to the Eurovision final in Holland, though it’s not clear if you need to live in Israel to win. But even if you don’t fill out the form, you can click the blue box at the bottom to continue.
4. Finally, you’ll have four boxes to choose from. Click the box with your song choice, and you’re done!
May the best song win!
Get ready for “HaShir Haba L’Erevision”, this year’s Kdam Pre-Eurovision Song Contest on March 3, when Eden Alene will perform all four songs live! A panel of judges will make their selection, and their votes will combine with yours to determine the winning song.
So, what song should Eden sing in the Eurovision, and why? Tell us in the comments!
Elinor
February 28, 2020 at 1:07 amJosh and Mirov, another beautiful post.
Though I cried with 4 of them and love all of them, I chose #4: Savior in the Sound.
Because as someone wandering in the world sometimes it is not easy to go back to your roots, to your promised land you your place you dream of, but you can take refuge in music, with the sounds you belong with. Just beautiful.