Ukraine - TVORCHI - Heart Of Steel

6 - 243 pts, not in semi

The first entry to be revealed for Liverpool was Heart Of Steel by TVORCHI.
The duo secured their ticket to Liverpool by winning the Ukrainian Vidbir final on December 17 (2022).

TVORCHI are Andrii Hutsuliak and Jimoh Augustus Kehinde and they, like all other hip artists, write their bandname in capitals.

The duo have been working together since 2017 and tried for Eurovision in 2020 with Bonfire, ending 4th in Vidbir. (and there was no Eurovision anyway)

new version image

Heart Of Steel written by the duo themselves, was released as a digital single on December 9.

An revamped version has a part in Ukrainian and added violins. It was released as a digital single on March 9.

A remix was released on April 22. (see comments)

2024

For the Ukrainian National selection for 2024 (Vidbir) a new version with orchestra was recorded.

It was released as a digital track on 4-2-2024

Once upon a time in Kyiv

Versions

Heart Of Steel - ESC version

- digital 9-3

Heart Of Steel - single version

- digital single 9-12-2022

Heart Of Steel - remix

- digital 22-4

Heart Of Steel - karaoke (of ESC version)

- digital 9-3, also on the official karaoke album (digital)

Heart Of Steel - sped up version

- digital 2-6

Heart Of Steel - Orchestral version

- digital 4-2, 2024

Charts:

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan): 65

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 37

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 95

Links and sources:

TVORCHI: FB, Insta

Vidbir 2023 at ESC History

Remember: Stefania, Shum, 1944

Latvia - Sudden Lights - Aijā

digital single image

11 - 34 pts in semi 1

Sudden Lights have won the 2023 edition of the Latvian Supernova contest with their self penned song Aijā. (more or less translates as rockabye).

The digital single was released on January 27.

A remix by Makree was released on March 3.

The [Ex] Da Bass remix was released on March 15.

The Leon Somov remix was released on March 31.

The MarkMate remix was released on April 7.

The acoustic version was released on April 28

Two live versions are released on the digital album Zaļais teātris (Live) out December 18. This album also includes 2018 Supernova entry Just Fine.

A different Live LP version with less tracks and only one Aijā is available here

Sudden Lights are Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis, Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis and Kārlis Vārtiņš. The band formed in 2012 and have released three albums so far.
They already tried in Supernova 2018 with Just Fine and ended 2nd.

[Ex] Da Bass mix

Versions:

Aijā - single version

- digital 27-1

Aijā - Makree remix

- digital 3-3

Aijā - [Ex] Da Bass remix

- digital 15-3

Aijā - Leon Somov remix

- digital 31-3

Aijā - MarkMate remix

- digital 7-4

Aijā - Acoustic

- digital 28-4

Aijā (live)

Aijā (live acoustic)

- both live versions on digital album Zaļais teātris (Live) 18-12

- One version on the LP version (probably the regular live version)

Aijā - karaoke

- On the official karaoke album (digital)

A slightly different mix was used in the Supernova preview video (see comments)

A few links about the mixers:
[Ex] Da Bass also remixed the Latvian entries by Aminata, Justs, Triana Park and LauraRizotto 
Makree also remixed Aminata and Justs 
Leon Somov also remixed Run With The Lions (Lithuania 2019).

Links and sources:
Sudden Lights Website, FB, Shop

Supernova at ESC History
Supernova website and history (in Latvian)

Remember Aminata, Justs Sirmais and personal favorite Triana Park.

Cyprus - Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart

12 - 126 pts / 7 - 94 pts in semi 2

Andrew's Australian adventure 2022

Andrew Lambrou (Άντριου Λάμπρου) will represent Cyprus in Liverpool

His song, Break A Broken Heart, was released on March 2.

The song is written by Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Jimmy Jansson, Thomas Stengaard and Marcus Winther-John.

The sped-up version was released on April 21.

A live version was released on the digital album Panik Concert 2023 (Various artists, October 22). Duetting with Klavdia (Κλαυδία Παπαδοπούλου)

Fellow country mates Voyager released a coverversion of Break A Broken Heart on April 21.

Lambrou participated in the Australian selection for Eurovision 2022 with the song Electrify and finished 7th.

Break A Broken Heart is his fifth single.

The writers: 

For Thomas Stengaard it's his 2nd entry for Cyprus after the fab El Diablo (2021) and his 7th Eurovision entry overall, including a winner. 

Thörnfeld co-wrote Tusse's Voices (Sweden 2021), the aforementioned El Diablo and Adrenalina (San Marino 2021) plus many Swedish Melodifestivalen songs.

Jimmy Jansson co-wrote 33 Melodifestivalen songs but no Eurovision entry, but that could change....

Marcus Winther-John co-wrote the very last entry for Andorra.

Jansson & Thörnfeld are also co-responisble for this year's Swedish entry.

Versions:

Break A Broken Heart - single version

- digital 2-3

Break A Broken Heart - karaoke

- On the official karaoke album (digital)

Break A Broken Heart - sped up

- digital 21-4

Break A Broken Heart (live) - With Klavdia

- digital album Panik Concert 2023 (22-10)

Charts

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 42, -

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 92, -

Links and sources:

Andrew Lambrou FB, Insta

Israel - Noa Kirel - Unicorn

3 - 362 pts / 3 - 127 pts in semi 1

One of the earliest announcements for Liverpool was Noa Kirel (נועה קירל) who went on to sing for Israel.

Her song Unicorn was revealed on March 8, here's the video. 

A remix was released on March 20 and another one on May 12 (see versions below)

The song is written by Doron Medalie, May Sfadia, Yinon Yahel and Noa Kirel herself.

Unicorn is sung in English with two lines in Hebrew added for good measure.

Hope Version

On November 19 a ballad version of the song: Unicorn, the HOPE version was released as a digital track.

AVOID: A cdsingle including unofficial remixes is spotted but I'm pretty sure it's not official.

AVOID: A cdsingle (they even call it promo) with remixes available on e-bay is not official and has low audio quality mostly unofficial versions.

It appears to come from the same source as the similar counterfeits of Sweden, U.K. and Norway.

digital single image, remixed

Israel first met her when she appeared in a Toddlers & Tiaras style show Pushers about parent “supporting” their kids to make it big. And she did, via kids TV, make up commercials and a live theatre she signed a record deal and ended up causing a commotion at the EMA awards.

Noa has been releasing songs since she was 14. Since 2017 several of her songs, in Hebrew as well as English,  have charted in various Israeli charts.

Her 15 minutes of international fame started when she wore an outfit at the EMA awards (2022) with Kanye's (or Ye, or Yesus or whatever his name is nowadays) face all over it to make a statement against his antisemitism. Not everyone got it so she had some explaining to do. Let's hope she can make it past those 15 minutes with her Eurovision adventure.

Songwriters

Doron Medalie is a seasoned Eurovision composer. He wrote or co-wrote the Israeli entries of 2015, 2016, 2018 winner Toy and 2020 never happened entry Feker Libi.

Yinon Yahel co-wrote the 2015 entry Golden Boy (with Medalie).

Noa Kirel's single is Gone.

Tel Aviv is a special place for the Dutchies

Versions:

Unicorn - single version

- digital 8-3

Unicorn - Sagi Kariv & Itay Galo remix

- digital 20-3

Unicorn - Rotem Mansano remix

- digital 12-5

Unicorn - Hope version

- digital 19-10

Unicorn - karaoke (= instrumental, just some vocal effects)

- On the official karaoke album

Oddly Deezer has a version which appears to be taken from the video off Eurovision.tv, including the heartbeats at the start.

Sagi Kariv also provided remixes for Hovi Star and Netta.

Charts:

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan): 27, 68

Ireland top 100 (IRMA): 37

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 10, 25

Netherlands top 100: 74

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 45

Norway top 40 (VG Lista): 30

Switzerland top 100 (Hitprade.ch): 46

Austria top 75: 43

Links and sources:
Noa Kirel Website, FB, Insta, Shop

Estonia - Alika - Bridges

8 - 168 pts / 10 - 74 pts in semi 2

Bridges by Alika (Alika Milova) is the winner of Eesti Laul 2023 and is the entry for Estonia in Liverpool.

The digital single of Bridges was released on December 2, 2022.

Alika wrote Bridges with Wouter Hardy and Nina Sampermans.

digital single image

Songwriters

We know Wouter Hardy from co-writing the 2019 Eurovision winner Arcade by Duncan Laurence.

Nina Sampermans a.k.a. Ravvel wrote Would You (Belgium 2012) 

Hardy and Sampermans both co-wrote the Swiss 2021 entry Tout L'Univers for Gjon's Tears which ended 3rd in the Rotterdam final.

Versions:
Bridges - single version

- digital 2-12-2022
Bridiges - karaoke
- On the official karaoke album (digital)

ALIKA LP/CD

Alika's debut album simply titled Alika is out on November 24.

It includes Bridges and recent singles like You, C'est La Vie and the latest Õde ütles. 

LP (red vinyl) and CD versions are available here through Alika's Website.

(CD currently sold out, Thanks Torsten)

Links and sources:
Alika Website, FB, Insta

Eesti Laul at ESC History

Eesti Laul FB

All Eesti Laul 2023 songs are here (player on the right) 
Remember Stefan, Koit ja Laura, Elina & Stig and Ott, how could we forget him...

Croatia - Let 3 - Mama ŠČ!

13 - 123 pts / 8 - 76 pts in semi 1

Croatia's "modern rock band" Let 3 sang for their country Liverpool with the song Mama ŠČ! (Mama No!).

Let 3 members Damir Martinović and  Zoran Prodanović wrote the song themselves, it was released on January 20 as a digital single.

cdsingle artwork

A remix by Beni Ducent (a.k.a Marin Gospić) was released on March 1.

Another remix by Denis Goldin was released on March 31. It's called extended but it's still only 3 minutes.

see versions for more details.

A  cdsingle has been issued with 7 versions of Mama ŠČ! . 

Dallas' Shop sells it now here. Thanks Immo.

The versions included are

- original

- Beni Ducent remix (3:42)

- Denis Goldin remix (2:11)

- Sasha Welles SHCH Moron mix

- Element 33 Nona Dub

- Acapella by Klapa Luka

- karaoke

(Dallas Records Dallas 971)

The karaoke is different from the one on the official karaoke album (has more vocals).

See versions below

In July another remix was released, The Čemer Trap Remix (digital, July 7)

On September 30 a collection of 9 versions was released including a new one subtitled Pt. 2. All versions are marked @ in the versions list below

(digital Dallas records)

digital single image

The song's lyrics are riddled with references to Putin. For example the tractor mentioned was a birthday gift from Lukachenko. Boris Johnson referred to Putin as a Crocodile.

And no points for guessing who the psychopath is.

Let 3 are Damir Martinović, Zoran Prodanović, Ivan Bojčić, Dražen Baljak and Matej Zec but since their inception in the mid 80's they have shed another 15 members or so.

They are not without controversy, they are obsessed with porn, sexual acts and genitalia even naming their albums after them. You'll have to find out for yourself as I don't want a Rated R certification for this blog. 

The 2006 line-up of Let3 featured in the video of Severina's Eurovision entry Moja Štikla, but they were not on stage with her. In 2024 Severina helped Let3 out with the performance of their DORA entry Babaroga.

Another fun fact. Let3's 1997 CD Nečuveno (unheard of) had nothing on it, no music or anything else. It's art.

That one is not available through digital sources.

Goldin remix

Versions:

# = on cdsingle  @ = 30 september EP

Mama ŠČ! - single version # @

- digital 20-1

Mama ŠČ! - Beni Ducent remix (5:19) 

- digital March 1, Spotify etc @

Mama ŠČ! - Beni Ducent remix (3:42) #

- on Deezer and here on Dallas Records Youtube

Mama ŠČ! - Denis Goldin remix extended (3:03) 

- digital 31-3, Spotify etc @

Mama ŠČ! - Denis Goldin remix (2:11) #

- also on Dallas Records Youtube (thanks Krzysztof)

Mama ŠČ! - Sasha Welles SHCH Moron mix #

- also on Dallas Records Youtube, digital 26-1 @

Mama ŠČ! - Element 33 Nona Dub #

- digital 10-5 @

Mama ŠČ! - Acapella by Klapa Luka # @

Mama ŠČ! - karaoke (with more vocals than the one below) #

Mama ŠČ! - Marino Finessa club remix @

- digital 26-5 

Mama ŠČ!  - Čemer Trap Remix

- digital - 7-7 @

Mama ŠČ! - Pt. 2

- digital 30-9 on @

Mama ŠČ! - karaoke (with less vocals than on cds)

- On the official karaoke album (digital)

Ducent remix

Links and sources:
Let 3 FB, Insta, Shop

DORA at ESC History

Remember Mia's Guilty Pleasure, Damir Kedžo (who didn't get to go) and Nina Kraljić.

DORA 2023

It appears there is no CD this year but Croatia Records share these image so you can make your own.

The album is released through your favorite digital outlets

Italy - Marco Mengoni - Due Vite

4 - 350 pts, not in semi

digital single image

Eurovision version image

Marco Mengoni won the 73rd Sanremo festival with his song Due Vite (Two lives). The song is written by Davide Petrella, Davide Simonetta and Marco Mengoni himself. Due Vite was released as a digital single on February 8 and can also be found on the Sanremo compilation (see below).

Mengoni is confirmed as the artist for Liverpool but there was the tiny matter that he was entitled to change his song. But he stuck to Due Vite and the Eurovision version was released on March 31. Spotify and the likes date this edit at February 7 but we all know that's not true.

A promo 7"inch vinyl was issued by Sony Music. It includes the Eurovision version of Due Vite and a cover of the Beatles' Let It Be.

La Dernière Chanson

A French/Italian version of Due Vite is released as a digital single on October 13

Materia (Prisma)

On May 26 Mengoni released the third instalment of his Materia album series. Materia (Prisma) will include Due Vite.

The album is available on white vinyl and green vinyl LP's. Also available in CD boxset with Materia (Pelle) and Materia (Terra).

An LP boxset with the three albums in marbled vinyl is out on December 15. Available here.

Marco Mengoni is not a stranger to Eurovision, in 2013 he ended 7th in Malmö with L'essenziale which was also a Sanremo winner. You can read all about the many versions and releases of that one here at the Malmö Collection. In 2009 he won Italian X-Factor which got him a ticket to his first Sanremo in 2010. There he finished 3rd with Credimi Ancora.

In his second Sanremo each artist had two songs with one proceding to the final. The other song was Bellissimo, co-written by Gianna Nannini.

Mengoni has recently released two albums in his Materia trilogy, Materia (Terra) (2021) and Materia (Pelle) (2022) and the final album of the set is expected later this year. This will include Due Vite.

Versions:

Due vite - Eurovision version

- digital 31-3

Due vite - original version

- 2CD/2LP Sanremo 2023, digital 8-2

La Dernière Chanson - French/Italian version

- digital 13-10

Due Vite - karaoke (= instrumental with some faint choral effects)

- On the official karaoke album

Due Vite in the Charts

Due Vite enters the Italian top 100 at #1 on February 10, with just two days of registration for the charts (February 8 and 9). He was kicked of the #1 spot by Lazza's Cenere, the Sanremo runner up.

Due Vite went platinum in 3 weeks,  (and so did Cenere and Supereroi by Mr. Rain). 2x platinum in 7 weeks. 4 x platinum in 20 weeks, 5 x platinum in 40 weeks.

Italy top 100 (FIMI): 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4, 6, 9, 8, 8, 10, 4, 7, 11, 30, 26, 28, 28, 38, 28, 35, 41, 47, 42, 42, 45, 46, 48, 49, 48, 45, 48, 54, 56, 65, 56, 67, 77, 58, 54, 70, 76, 61, 60, 27, 49, 46, 42, 41, 37, 47, 55, 45, 57, 46, 58, 58, 56, 66, 52, 55, 66, 83, 89, -, re August 2024 96 (1-68)

Switzerland top 100 (Hitparade.ch): 23, 2, 12, 22, 37, 49, 63, 79, 84, -, re: 12, 7, 34, 65, 95, -  (2-14)

Sweden top 100 (Topplistan): 56, -

Austria top 75: 50, -

Links and sources:

Scroll down for Sanremo 2023 release info

Marco Mengoni Website, FB, Linktree, Insta, APP

Essential Marco Mengoni in 2013
Sanremo 2023 at ESCHistory
Festival di Sanremo Website at Rai, FB

Remember these Italian gems: Brividi (page also has all releases of Sanremo 2022), Zitti e Buoni (page also has all releases of Sanremo 2021), Fai Rumore, Soldi, Grande Amore

The official 2CD with Sanremo 2023 songs is out on February 10.
A vinyl 2LP version is limited to 2000 numbered copies, available from Universal italy (link). I also spotted a coloured vinyl edition exclusively here. Note these are pre-release images.

A 2CD sold with Sorrisi TV magazine (the yellow sleeve) has 27 tracks. The Sethu song is missing. 

All separate single and album releases are listed below in the tracklist.
So far five 7"inch vinyls have been planned / spotted:
Colapesce & Dimartino - Splash
Cugini Di Campagna - Lettera 22
Rosa Chemical - Made in Italy
Ariete - Mare Di Guai
Lazza - Cenere

And one 12"inch
Mr. Rain - Supereroi (4 versions)

Some are available through Amazon.it, some through Shopuniversal.it.

When in Torino

CD1
1       Elodie - Due
- LP/CD O.K. Respira (Universal, CD 10-2, LP 24-2)
2       Ultimo - Alba
- LP/CD Alba (Ultimo records 17-2, Vinyls 24-2), two colour variations for LP
3       Colapesce & Dimartino - Splash
- 7" inch vinyl single (Numero Uno/RCA 10-2)
- LP/CD Soundtrack. La primavera della mia vita (24-4)
4       Lazza - Cenere
- 7"inch vinyl single, also has instrumental (Universal 24-2)
- re-issue LP Sirio (only vinyl re-issue has Cenere, Island, 23-3) 
5       Tananai - Tango
- CD Rave, Eclissi (Sanremo edition) (re-issue, Universal 17-2)
- Also includes Sesso Occasionale (Sanremo 2022)
6       Coma_Cose - L'addio
- LP/CD Un Meraviglioso Modo Di Salvarsi (Sanremo 2023 edition, re-issue (Sony 10-2)
7       Olly - Polvere
- CD Gira, Il Mondo Gira (Sony 10-2)
- Also includes l'Anima Balla from Sanremo Giovanni
8       Ariete - Mare Di Guai
- Blue 7" inch vinyl single, also has instrumental (Universal 17-2)
9       Leo Gassmann - Terzo Cuore
- CD La Strada Per Agartha (Universal 24-2)
10     Colla Zio - Non Mi Va
- LP/CD Rockabilly Carter (Woodworm/Universal 17-2)
- Also includes Asfalto, their Sanremo Giovanni song
11     Lda - Se Poi Domani
- CD in booklet. Quello Che Fa Bene (Sony 17-2)
12     Articolo 31 - Un Bel Viaggio
13     Levante - Vivo
- LP/CD Opera Futura (Parlophone 17-2) also white, green vinyl
14     Sethu - Cause Perse
CD2
1       Madame - Il Bene Nel Male
- CD/LP L'Amore (Sugar/ Universal 30-3)
2       Cugini Di Campagna - Lettera 22
- Vinyl 7" (Universal 10-2)
- LP/CD Lettera 22 (Universal CD 10-2, LP 17-2)
3       Marco Mengoni - Due Vite
- A third album in his Materia trilogy is out on 26-5.
4       Giorgia - Parole Dette Male
- LP/CD Blu (Sony/Columbia, 17-2), LP also on blue vinyl (exclusive here)
5       Moda - Lasciami
6       gIANMARIA - Mostro
- CD Mostro (Epic/Sony 10-2)
- also includes Sanremo Giovanni song La Città Che Odi
7       Gianluca Grignani - Quando Ti Manca Il Fiato
8       Mara Sattei - Duemilaminuti
- an album is expected later this year
9       Anna Oxa - Sali
- A  white vinyl 12"inch maxi Tre has three tracks including Sali. (Just 28-4)
10     Will - Stupido
- LP/CD Manchester (Capitol/Universal 10-2)
- Also incl Le cose più importanti (Sanremo Giovanni song)
11     Rosa Chemical - Made in Italy
- Pink vinyl 7" inch single, also has instrumental (Universal 24-2)
12     Paola & Chiara - Furore
- LP/CD Per Sempre (Sony/ Columbia CD 19-2, LP 25-6)
- A digital release has a sped up mix, a slowed down mix and a proper remix
13     Mr. Rain - Supereroi
- Blue vinyl 12"inch has 4 versions of Supereroi: Single, acoustic, sped up and slowed down (someone wants a tiktok hit) Thanks Alexandre! (Atlantic 17-3)
14     Shari - Egoista