Gold esc 2016 by Reinhard Schnitzer

Mรฅns Zelmerlรถw

Lena Meyer-Landrut

ESC Participants in Stockholm 2016 18 Albania 07 Armenia 10 Australia 12 Austria 14 Azerbaijan 05 Belarus 19 Belgium Bosnia Herzegovina 17 13 Bulgaria 05 Croatia 11 Cyprus 10 Czech Republic 14 Denmark 13 Estonia 08 F.Y.R. Macedonia 01 Finland F France 17 Georgia F Germany 02 Greece 04 Hungary 16 Iceland

Ireland Israel Italy Latvia Lithuania Malta Moldova Montenogro Norway Poland Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland The Netherlands Ukraine United Kingdom

07 04 F 01 09 18 03 15 16 02 12 09 08 06 11 F F 03 06 15 F

Notes on this interactive table of contents : - A click on the country name takes you to the relevant information and content of the participant. - Right after the country names you'll see the starting points of the contribution in the first semifinal (green) , second semifinal (blue) and the already known finalists (yellow): Sweden and the big 5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) The running order of the Final will be known after the announcement of all the finalists. - General Wikipedia information about the participating countries will be displayed by clicking on the flag-symbols. - A click on the heart symbol will provide you with information on the history of the country as an ESC participant. - A click on the home symbol on the participants pages will take you back to this page / the table of content.

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Dear friends and Eurovision Song Contest fans, For the second time during this decade the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Sweden, because Måns Zelmerlöw captured the hearts of millions television viewers worldwide with his performance of the uplifting Heroes . Obviosuly the winning song was strong as was Måns ‘ performance, but it was the visual spectacular that took everyone by surprise. So this time the longest running and most loved music event in the world will be held in the capital of Sweden: Stockholm, where modernity meets tranquility. You‘ll find trend setting restaurants next to idyllic archipelago and an endless list of must see attractions fo choose from: Vasa Museum, The Royal Palace, ABBA The Museum, Gamla Stan, Drottningholm Palace – just to name a few. One of the greatest things about the Eurovision Song Contest is it’s rich history and it’s higher purpose. It’s impact is immense in virtually every medium of expression – from trensetting fashion to artistic choreography – but it is still, and always will be the music that has broken all frontiers and barriers. Apart from differences of race, age and class everybody relates to a good song and it’s message. Music is the most accessible art form, it’s completly universal and the most powerful way I know of telling the truth about what goes on in people hearts and minds. Even though if one doesn’t cares very much about politics these days one has to admit that Europe experiences high turbulences during a difficult ride into the future, which is characterized by human tragedies, terrorism, wars and desasters. Therefore it becomes even more important to believe in the original idea of the Eurovision Song Contest. That original reason that started in the 1950’s when represantatives of public tv broadcasters met and discussed the idea of combining the then new live tv technology with an bordercrossing event, in which each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television and radio and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. Last year's competition came without the controversy that accompanied the Russian entry in 2014, when the audience booed its singers in apparent anger over Russian involvement in Ukraine. For the 2015 contest, organizers said they deployed an unspecified "anti-boo" technology to muffle any jeers because the event is supposed to demonstrate European unity. Russia took second in 2015 with a song called A Million Voices proclaiming peace and sung emotionally by Polina Gagarina. In a time when Europe faces new challenges, it’s important to state that the Eurovision Song Contest was never about borders, ideologies or politics. It's my firm hope that the Contest will remain a friendly battlefield in 2016....not a political battleground. Despite all differences in race, culture, religion and sexuality I am sure that this year’s Eurovision Song Contest will send out a strong message of unification out to more than 200 Million viewers in the world: Never give up, fight for your ambitions and dreams and for a better, peacefull world! Enjoy this edition and enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm. Kind regards, Reinhard Schnitzer and the GP Team

Reinhard Schnitzer on Facebook

Gold Publishing official Webpage Gold Publishing on Facebook

Special Features Click the pics to view the content

L E

A The story of a hero

The times they are a changing

§ Please note: This is NOT an official program from the EBU or any sponsors. This GOLD ESC Edition is published on Issuu without any commercial background or interest. It does not include paid advertising and is intended only as a practical guide for ESC aficionados and fans who want a quick overview. If content or presentation of this webzine violates the rights of third parties or legal regulations, we ask for notification without issuing a debit note. Justifiably criticized content will be removed immediately, so that the involvement of a lawyer is not necessary. If you still initiate costs without prior contact, we completely reject and may submit a counter-claim for breach of the rules in this paragraph.

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SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

01 FINLAND Songwriter Heikki Korhonen, Petri Matara, Markus Savijoki, Milos Rosas, Sandhja Kuivalainen

Participant

Song

Sandhja

Sing It Away

Sandhja is a 24 year old half Finnish, half Indian woman – a mix of the north and east. She composes and writes her lyrics. She wants to be free to say what she truly feels and hopes to arouse emotions in her listeners. Roots of Sandhja’s music springs from her mother’s side, from Guyana, SouthAmerica. Her grandmother from two generations ago was a locally known singer who sang in weddings and funerals. Singing was a way of releasing the pains of her hard life. Her parents were forced by the British to leave their homeland India to work in the sugarcane fields in South America; Sandhja’s great grandmother was born in the ship leaving from India to Guyana.

Please believe me when I say There's nothing harder than the strife When heavy waters try to break you you will be singing for life When you feel like your world is falling down And darkness has taken your sight There's no need to be carrying a frown I'll help you sing it out tonight (Chorus) Sing it away all my troubles away Sing it away never make me fade away Sing it away all my troubles away Sing it away Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh I'm gonna sing it Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh Yeeaah Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh I'm gonna sing it Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh I'm gonna sing it away So if you're focused, you can make it You'll feel like nothing can steer you of your course When fear will try to make you cave in Remember that love is the source When you feel like your dreams are beaten down and your fire is loosing its light There's no need to be carrying a frown I'll help you sing it out tonight

As an artist Sandhja sees herself as her great grandmother’s successor, as an interpreter of deep emotions believing in the empowering and healing nature of music. Her first single Hold Me became a huge hit in 2013 and the story continued with the following single Gold (2014). Her debut album Gold was released 2014. In February 2016 Sandhja won the Finnish final UMK 2016 with Sing It Away and will represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm.

Video ► Sing It Away

(Chorus) Sing it away … When all of the walls come crashing down When you try to scream but can't make a sound Don't' you worry about it, don't you worry about it You just gotta sing it away (Chorus) Sing it away …

Sandhja on Facebook

4 | 5

ÂŠ Photo: Kai Kuusisto

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

02 GREECE Songwriter

Participant

Song

Vladimiros Sofianides

Argo

Utopian Land

Utopian Land We are the rise in the rising sun dance with us and have some fun We are the rise in the rising sun join with us for a Utopian Land Planet Earth 2016No matter what they do Our generation will endure I have experienced a flee when I was young, and I step forward even when I look behind.

Argo is a Greek band that will represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. Their previous name was "Europond" but they changed it for their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. The band has seven members. The members of the band are Christina Lachana (Χριστίνα Λαχανά) (vocals), Maria Venetikidou (Μαρία Βενετικίδου) (backing vocals), Vladimiros Sofianidis (Βλαδίμηρος Σοφιανίδης) (vocals), Kostas Topouzis (Κώστας Τοπούζης) (Pontian lyra), Ilias Kesidis (Ηλίας Κεσίδης) (backing vocals, percussion) and Alekos Papadopoulos (Αλέκος Παπαδόπουλος). In Stockholm they will present their song Utopian Land.

I get up in the morning and I meet the guys we are on fire, off we head for the Utopian Land in these parts of the world we found no place to stand let’s try and paint it red in the Utopian Land. (Chorus) We are the rise in the rising sun dance with us and have some fun We are the rise in the rising sun join with us for a Utopian Land Hop, hop This is our very own hip hop We got the tickets and we’ re off to the airport Waiting for the plane for two hours straight, I got some pickles and my friend has got the drinks Vodka it is, then, and whatever else time brings Grandma’s frying fish And we ‘re on the plane dancing It won’t be long now Before we ‘re gone It is dusk here and we ‘re heading to the dawn.

Video ► Utopian Land

(Chorus) We are the rise in the rising sun … It is dusk here and we ‘re heading to the dawn It is dusk here and we ‘re heading to the dawn (2x Chorus) We are the rise in the rising sun …

ARGO – Europond on Facebook

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ÂŠ Photo: Beetroot Design / Costas Pappas

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

03 MOLDOVA Songwriter

Gabriel Alares, Ellen Berg, Sebastian Lestapier, Leonid Gutkin Falling Stars

Participant

Song

Lidia Isac

Falling Stars

Lidia Isac sings since her childhood and participated in a huge amount of competitions.

Lost in time you’re miles away I try to speak, make a sound the dark surronds me when you’re gone The dream we had disappeared

Besides performing as a solo singer, she works as the lead singer with the popular duo Glam Girls.

Still I believe, I’m holding on I didn’t mean to let you down

Some of her and the “Glam Girl’s” songs topped the national radio charts in Moldova. One of the songs for Lidia was written by the Grammy nominees Bridget Benenate, Niklas Pettersson and Mikael Albertsson.

PRE: we could be the brightest falling The brightest falling stars CHORUS: The sky is tumbling, it’s coming down coming down the wildest fire is burning out, out And when our fall torn us to pieces All of our love turned into dust We’re the brightest falling stars

Her latest achievments are participation in the “New wave 2014” competition finals in Yurmala, three-times participant in Eurovision finals, grand-prix of the “Baltic Extravaganza 2015” in Saint-Petersburgh, first place in “Meikin Asia 2015” in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, third place in the “East Bazaar 2013” competition in Yalta, participation in the Romanian version of “Voice” and participation as a TV correspondent in Eurovision 2015 in Vienna. Lidia Isac won the Moldovan jury panel (8 points) and the televoting (12 points) with her song Falling Stars at the national final O melodie pentru Europa and therefore will represent Moldova at The ESC in Stockholm.

Flashings lights I close my eyes I let the sunlight comfort me when all that’s left are memories PRE: we could be the brightest falling stars CHORUS: The sky is tumbling, it’s coming down coming down the wildest fire is burning out, out And when our fall torn us to pieces All of our love turned into dust We’re the brightest falling stars the brightest falling stars

Video ► Falling Stars

The thought of us all disappeared Still I believe, I’m holding on CHORUS: The sky is tumbling, it’s coming down coming down the wildest fire is burning out, out And when our fall torn us to pieces All of our love turned into dust We’re the brightest falling stars

Lidia Isac on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Alexander Ustin

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

04 HUNGARY Songwriter

Szabó Zé, Borbála Csarnai Pioneer When you need to run away From what other people say Your enemy might be your own mind A smile, a hug, a bit of praise You haven’t received for days For lo-o-ong you feel mistreated In a world where the poems sound fake And the love is replaced by the fame Million hearts of a million people Be proud, you were born to be real oh-oh Million lies in a million temples It’s only fear, become a pioneer oh-oh

Participant

Song

Freddie

Pioneer

Freddie, whose real name is Gábor Alfréd Fehérvári, had a dedication to music that appeared quite early, as he was translating lyrics, writing poems both in English and Hungarian, but basketball played the leading role in his life. When he had to give up his promising sports career because of a serious injury, he turned to music for comfort and took up playing the guitar. Freddie's musical breakthrough came in 2014 after his studies as hotel management specialist, as he took part in the Hungarian edition of Rising Star. Following the TV show, his first single Mary Joe was released and became a massive hit in no time. His single was the first Hungarian one since 2011 that managed to reach the first place in the Top 40 for three weeks in a row. Freddie is constantly having concerts throughout the country. Either with a live band or as a solo singer, he has become a popular artist in club life by now. On 27 February, he won the Hungarian Eurovision national final series A Dal with his song Pioneer with huge support by the public and the professional jury alike. It took him some time before he could believe that he actually won the final, but his dreams about representing Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm became real .

You’ve been weird, been a mess They don’t know how to value uniqueness So they turn their heads away When there ain’t no products to sell Everyone will cast their own spell Million hearts of a million people Be proud, you were born to be real oh-oh Million lies in a million temples It’s only fear, become a pioneer oh-oh

Video ► Pioneer

No right time, no right place To meet your inner grace Approval is found within Million hearts of a million people Be proud, you were born to be real oh-oh Million lies in a million temples It’s only fear, become a pioneer oh-oh Freddie on Facebook You should know, you should know

10 | 11

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

05 Croatia Songwriter

Erik Lewander, Andreas Grass, Hayley Aitken, Nikola Paryla Tom Andrews Lighthouse Lightning strikes on the sea Breaking waves around me Stormy tides and I feel My ship capsizing Out of sight - saving shore Ever gone – evermore Ropes untied - rain that pours The waters rising In devastating times I keep this hope of mine Even in the darkest night (Chorus) 'cause there is a light Guiding my way Keeping me safe when oceans rage There in the sky Hiding away Never to die and fade I know that I'll find your Your lighthouse, Your lighthouse Your lighthouse, Your lighthouse Your lighthouse, Your lighthouse Harbours near No more fear Wall of clouds disappears So I steer to the pier In tears – arriving No devastating times I kept this hope of mine Even in the darkest night

Participant

Song

Eduard Nina Kraljić Romanyuta

Lighthouse I Want Your Love

Nina Kraljić competed in the first season of Croatian version of The Voice - Najljepši glas Hrvatske. After a successful audition and knock-out round she went on to win the first season of the contest by receiving roughly 1 million votes in the final round. She later released her debut single Zaljuljali smo svijet in June 2015. The official audio and video of the single have been viewed more than 600.000 times on Vevo. In the beginning of 2016, she was three times nominated for Croatian Music Awards - Porin 2016 (Best New Act, Best Song Arrangement, Best Female Vocals Performance). Nina was also recognized as a Best Newcomer by Croatian national public broadcaster’s radio HR2. ! On 24 February it was announced by HRT that Kraljić will represent Croatia at Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. On March 9, 2016, Nina released her Eurovision Song Contest 2016 song Lighthouse.

Video ► Lighthouse

2 x (Chorus) 'cause there is a light … I know that I'll find your

Nina Kraljić on Facebook

12 | 13

ÂŠ Photo : Dario Njavro

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

06 THE NETHERLANDS Songwriter Participant Douwe Bob Posthuma, Douwe Bob Jan-Peter Hoekstra, Jeroen Overman, Matthijs van Duijvenbode Slow Down I’m going nowhere and I’m going fast I should find a place to go and rest I should find a place to lay my head tonight Every morning there’s another start Every morning hits so hard Guess I’m running scared guess I’m running on empty Mister can you help me ‘Cause it seems I’ve been lead astray I keep searching for an answer for a way Won’t you help me You gotta slow down brother Slow down brother Slow down if you can’t go on Slow down brother Slow down brother Slow down if you can’t go on Do you think I’ll ever learn I used to be without concern Now all I ever do don’t seem to free me Mister can you help me ‘Cause it seems I’ve been lead astray I keep searching for an answer today Won’t you help me

Song

Slow Down

Douwe Bob, son of Simon Posthuma, known for his membership of the designer group The Fool, started playing piano at the age of 6, initially concentrating on classical music and jazz. He took up the guitar at age 14. As a singer he was inspired by country, folk and pop music from the 1950s to the mid 1970s. In 2012, he participated in the Dutch show De beste singer-songwriter van Nederland. He played the songs Standing Here Helpless, Icarus and in the finale Multicoloured Angels. In the finale, Dutch singer Tim Knol and his band played with him. He won the finals and his song Multicoloured Angels reached the 17th place in the weekly music chart Dutch Top 40. His debut album Born In a Storm was published on 3 May 2013. The majority of the songs were written during a holiday in Morocco with Matthijs van Duijvenbode. In June 2013 Douwe Bob played at Pinkpop. At the end of 2013, he appeared in the documentary 'Whatever Forever: Douwe Bob' to talk about his relationship with his father Simon Posthuma, during IDFA'. In 2014, Douwe Bob became one of the Ambassadors of Freedom for the Bevrijdings Festivals. In January 2015, he published the single Hold Me, produced in collaboration with Anouk. In February 2015 Douwe Bob announced his new album Pass It On. The album was released on 15 May 2015 through his new record company Universal Music Group. On 22 September 2015 it was revealed that Bob would represent his country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm. He will perform Slow Down.

Video ► Slow Down

You gotta slow down brother Slow down brother Slow down if you can’t go on Slow down brother Slow down brother Slow down if you can’t go on

Douwe Bob on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Marc de Groot

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

07 ARMENIA Songwriter Levon Navasardyan, Stephanie Crutchfield, Lilith Navasardyan, Iveta Mukuchyan

Participant

Song

Iveta Mukuchyan

LoveWave

Iveta Mukuchyan is an Armenian singer and model, was born in Yerevan, Armenia , but grew up in Germany, Hamburg after her parents moved to Germany in 1992. She went to school in Germany and from 1998 to 2006 and attended the Catholic Sankt-Ansgar-Schule in Hamburg. She returned to Armenia in 2009 as she says by "parents' advice" and stayed in her home county despite all the difficulties she had. Mukuchyan started studying jazz-vocal at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory.

Hey it’s me. Look, I know it might sound strange but suddenly I’m not the same I used to be. It’s like I’ve stepped out of space and time and come alive… Guess this is what it’s all about cause…

Iveta Mukuchyan participated in the fourth season of Hay Superstar song contest in 2010. She came in fifth place. In 2012 she participated on the second season of The Voice of Germany song contest. She performed Loreen's Euphoria. She was chosen . ...when it touched me the world went silent, by Xavier Naidoo to be part of his team. Iveta was the winning contestant from Calm before the storm reaches me. Naidoo's team in the second phase of the contest, where the participants sang The ground in motion set off all sirens, You took over my heartbeat... beat... beat... beat... Many Rivers to Cross. In December 2012 she was named the sexiest Armenian by El Style magazine. In the same year Mukuchyan was featured in record producer It’s taking over me. Lazzaro's single Freak, which gained wide reaction in Armenian media. Chorus This year she was choosen to represent Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest You 2016 in Stockholm with the song LoveWave. Shook my life like an earthquake now I’m waking up, You Gave me faith now I can break every single wall, You Prove we can do it all when all is out of love, You (oh like a lovewave) Spread a lovewave ´n my heart goes ba-ba-da-buwho-oh-oh.

Caught in a downward spiral, I lost my soul in my dreams. I would give up and lose all trials, When one moment changed everything.

Video ► LoveWave

Without even a single warning, I’m not who I was before. A chain reaction with no returning, Now watch me craving for more. It’s taking over me. It’s taking, it’s taking over me. Chorus You(oh like a lovewave) Shook my life like an earthquake now I’m waking up, …..

Iveta Mukuchyan on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Armen Aghayan

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

08 SAN MARINO Songwriter

Participant

Song

Olcayto Ahmet Tuğsuz, Nektarios Tyrakis

Serhat

I Didn‘t Know

Serhat (real name: Ahmet Serhat Hacıpaşalıoğlu) is a Turkish singer, producer and television presenter. Apart from establishing his own tv production company and working as a host in several successful tv shows Serhat started his musical career in 1997, with a single of two songs Rüya and Ben Bir Daha. In 2005, he released his second single named Total Disguise with the French singer Viktor Lazlo as a duet. Lyrics and music of the song were written by Olcayto Ahmet Tuğsuz and the song was performed both in English and French. The single also contained several remix versions of the song. In 2005 he recorded Chocolate Flavour and the song was released with Total Disguise as a single in Greece. In 2008 he collaborated with Russian/Georgian singer Tamara Gverdtsiteli and they recorded I Was So Lonely, No No Never (Moscow-Istanbul) and Ya + Ti (Russian version of Total Disguise). These songs were released as a single and also appeared in Gverdtsiteli's album Vozdushiy Potsyelui (2008).

I want to stay with you tonight Far from every sight and every fear I got to be inside your mind And hide into your arms You have to see this love is real Come along and live with my emotions From now on we'll make a deal To thrill everything we feel I want to sleep upon your skin Run against the wind to reach your passion I lay my future in your hands We'll dance under the stars I need you more and more each day I've got to say I am addicted We'll sail together through the skies Your eyes never told me lies I didn't know that I'm falling for you And my dreams could come true I didn't know that you're warm like the sun Our life has just begun I didn't know you're the one for me I thought I'd never find I didn't know that you wished for the moon To provide me the light

In 2014 Serhat started to work in France and Germany. He released his fifth single, a French song called Je M'Adore with the music video directed by Thierry Vergnes shot in Paris. Je M'Adore reached number 1 for 5 weeks in a row on Deutsche DJ Black/Pop Charts, number 1 on Black 30, number 2 on British Dance Charts, number 8 on French Dance Charts and number 9 on Swiss Dance Charts. In January 12, 2016, San Marino RTV announced that Serhat will represent San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm.

Video ► I Didn‘t Know

I didn't know that I'm falling for you And my dreams could come true I didn't know that you're warm like the sun Our life has just begun I didn't know that you're freezing the time Just to make you all mine I didn't know with every beat of your heart I'm melting into you I didn't know that I'm falling for you And my dreams could come true I didn't know that you're warm like the sun Our life has just begun I didn't know you're the one for me I thought I'd never find I didn't know I didn't know I didn't know I didn't know

18 | 19

Serhat on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Klaus Roethliesberger

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

09 RUSSIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Dimitris Kontopoulos, Philip Kirkorov, John Ballard, Ralph Charlie

Sergey Lazarev

You Are The Only One

Sergey Lazarev (full name: Sergey Vyacheslavovich Lazarev) is a very experienced and famous singer, who has been on stage since he was 8 years old. He started as part of some children’s music bands, then won many singing competitions for children. Sergey got real popularity as a part of a boyband called Smash. In 2002 Smash won a famous contest of young singers, New Wave.

Verse 1 We can never let the word be unspoken We will never let our loving go come undone Everything we had is staying unbroken, now you will always be the only one you're the only one Wont ever give up cause you're Still somewhere out there nothin' or no-one's gonna keep us apart Breakin' it down but i'm still gettin' nowhere wont stop - hold on (Chorus) Thunder 'n' lightning it's gettin'excitin' Lights up the skyline to show where u are My love is rising the story's unwindin' Together we'll make it 'n' reach for the stars You're the only one you're my only one You're my life every breath that i take Unforgettable so unbelievable You're the only one - my only one Verse 2 I could have told you to slow down 'n' stay down I could have told you a secret wont u keep it now Thinking of making a showdown when love is found Thinking of waiting till you're around

At the same time, Sergey was developing his career in the theatre, and graduated from one of the most prestigious drama schools of Russia. Nowadays he is not only a singer, but also a professional and successful theatre actor. In 2004 Sergey left Smash, who were extremely popular at that time in Russia, as he decided to sing solo. In 2005 Sergey issued his first album called Don’t be Fake, produced by Brian Rawling, a Grammy Award-winning British record producer and songwriter. 2006 is the year he got the title “The best singer of the year” from MTV Russian Music Awards. Since that time, Sergey has always been working with the best Russian, European and American producers and winning countless titles and awards. Currently Lazarev released 5 solo albums in total so far. He is also participating in many different TV projects and shows, as well as hosting many of them. He loves comedies, has a good sense of humour and the ability to laugh at himself. After he had released 5 solo albums during his career 2015 became probably the most important year in terms of his career, as he got 4 awards and was nominated to represent Russia at Eurovision 2016. The song he will perform in Stockholm is “You Are The Only One”.

Video ► You Are The Only One

Wont ever give up cause you're Still somewhere out there nothin' or no-one's gonna keep us apart Breakin' it down but i'm still gettin' nowhere Wont stop - hold on (Chorus) Thunder 'n' lightning it's gettin'excitin' … Thunder 'n' lightning it's gettin'excitin' Lights up the skyline to show where u are You're the only one you're my only one You're my life every breath that i take Unforgettable so unbelievable You're the only one - my only one

Sergey Lazarev on Facebook

XXX

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

10 CZECH REPUBLIC Songwriter

Participant

Song

Christian Schneider, Sara Biglert, Aidan O'Connor

Gabriela Gunčíková

I Stand

Gabriela Gunčíková is a Czech singer who was a finalist in the second season of SuperStar and won the "New Artist" award at the 2011 Český slavík awards. She splits her time between Bratislava and Prague.

I’ve worn the path I’ve hit the wall I’m the one who rose and fall I’ve played my heart When I played the part But it got me through the rain I have felt the strain I’ve made mistakes With the monsters in my head But in the end You’re standing there You’re the one who always cares

After finishing vocal courses from Ken Tamplin in 2014, Gabirela Gunčíková joined the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as a vocalist. Gabriela Gunčíková will represent the Czech Republic at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm with I Stand.

Cause I stand I stand I am standing here Just because of you Every part of me is a part of you I stand I’m standing tall I can hold it all Now I see where I belong The choice I made Helped me understand Now this life is mine to play I am thanking you, you made me You are my air I’ll always care!

Video ► I Stand

I stand... You never lose hold of me You always trust and you see I stand I stand.

Gabriela Gunčíková on Facebook

22 | 23

ÂŠ Photo: Yan Renelt

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

11 CYPRUS Songwriter

Participant

Song

Thomas G:son, Minus One

Minus One

Alter Ego

Minus One is a five piece band from Nicosia, Cyprus, that plays everything, from pop and rock classics, to todays newer hits. The band does not just play covers but rearranges and refreshes the songs bringing them closer to the bands own sound.The bands strongest point is their performances and choice of songs. Once they get up on stage its obvious they are up there to have fun and enjoy what they do, taking the people off stage along for the ride.

Waking up alone, like a man that failed ... Trapped into the mist of our fairytale And you know, you know, you know, I’m still inside I knew it all along, but I couldn’t tell ... This kind of love, would lock my heart in jail You know, you know, you know, it’s doing time Caught in the middle of, the dawn and the sunrise Life is a miracle, I saw it in your eyes Under the spotlight, I howl in the moonlight ... Howling for you

Minus One are: Francois Micheletto - Vocals; George Solonos - Guitars - Vocals; Constantinos Amerikanos - Guitars - Vocals; Antonis Loizides - Bass and Chris Ioannides - Drums. Minus One have been named as the Cypriot representatives for the up-coming Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, which will be held in Stockholm.

(Chorus) Take it on ... take it on ... and get me through the night Take it on ... take it on ... until the morning light Take it on ... take it on ... and get me through the night Take it on...take it on...take it on I’ve heard it all before, people always say ... Time can take the sorrow and the pain away You know, you know, this love will never die Caught in the middle of, the dawn and the sunrise Life is a miracle, I saw it in your eyes Under the spotlight, I howl in the moonlight ... Howling for you Caught in the middle of, the dawn and the sunrise Life is a miracle, I saw it in your eyes Under the spotlight, I howl in the moonlight ... Howling for you

Video ► Alter Ego

(Chorus) Take it on ... take it on ... and get me through the night... I cross the oceans, I fly on the skyline ... Drive any road that, will bring me by your side ---- howl ---(Chorus) Take it on ... take it on ... and get me through the night... Caught in the middle of, the dawn and the sunrise Life is a miracle, I saw it in your eyes

24 | 25

Minus One on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Demetris Vattis

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

Songwriter

Participant

Song

Christof Straub, Zoe Straub

ZOË

Loin d'ici

ZOË (full name: Zoë Straub) is a 19-year old singer born in Vienna, Austria, to musician parents, Christof Straub and Roumina Straub . At the age of six, she was featured in a song by her parents' musical project, Papermoon, called "Doop Doop (Baby Remix)“. In 2007 ZOË participated in the Austrian reality singing competition Kiddy Contest, where she covered "Engel ohne Flügel", originally performed by Nicole, while she was attending Lycée français de Vienne (French Highschool of Vienna), where she studied for nine years.

Et quand tu chantes, oui moi je chante aussi Quand tu t’élances, je suis Et quand tu voles, oui moi je vole aussi Si tu t’élances, j’te suis (Chorus) Dans un pays loin d’ici À la recherche du paradis Dans un pays loin d’ici On chante, on chante Dans un pays loin d’ici À la recherche du paradis Dans un pays loin d’ici On chante Et quand la route nous semble sans issue Sans aucun doute, j’te suis Sans aucun doute, même si on s’ra perdu Sans aucun doute, j’te suis

After graduating high school she immediately started a promising career as an actor and musician. In the first season of the successful ORF show Vorstadtweiber she played the role of Laura. In the ORF show Wer singt für Österreich (Who sings for Austria), the qualification for the Austrian candidate to the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, she landed #3 and impressed the audience and the jury. Her debut album Debut was released in October 2015 and peaked in the charts at #5. Her first single Mon Coeur a Trop Aimé was 16 weeks in the charts and reached #12. She is nominated for two Amadeus Austrian Music Awards (the most prestigious Austrian music award) as Female Artist of the Year and as Song of the Year. She will represent Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 after winning this year’s edition of Wer singt für Österreich with her song Loin d’Ici.

(Chorus) Dans un pays loin d’ici …. On chante et on danse et on rit, on s’élance, réuni, enivré, dans l’imprudence Dans un pays loin d’ici À la recherche du paradis Dans un pays loin d’ici On chante, on chante Dans un pays loin d’ici À la recherche du paradis Dans un pays loin d’ici On chante, on chante Dans un pays loin d’ici À la recherche du paradis Dans un pays loin d’ici On chante, on chante On chante, on chante, on danse, on danse Dans un pays On chante, on chante, on danse, on danse Loin d’ici

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Video ► Loin d'ici

ZOË on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: ORF / Milenko Badzic

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

13 ESTONIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Fred Krieger, Stig Rästa, Vallo Kikas

Jüri Pootsmann

Play

Jüri Pootsmann is one of the most promising male singers in Estonia, having a mixed genre style and varied vocal range, spreading bass-baritone and signature moves throughout his performances.

It's getting late and be that as it may I turn to you I turn to you we might seem so obvious to me but not to you not to you we ain't got all night to find out what is right so let's go undecided till we know the only way to go is let your feelings show see all your walls come down and just hit

After he’d won the sixth season of Eesti otsib superstaari the 21-year old Pootsmann’s self-titled EP was released in November 2015 and full album is planned for the coming fall under Universal Music. Recently titled as the Best Male Act of 2015 at the Estonian Music Awards, being united with his first very own band he will represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song Play.

play cause that's the only way to find out if it's love that we're fallin' we're fallin' into I didn't know what to do but now I’m good as new 'cause I'm stronger much stronger with you some might say it’s an ordinary day but not for me not for me if you feel your senses disagree bare with me bare with me

Video ► Play

we ain't got all night to find out what is right so let's go undecided till we know it's the only way to see if we were meant to be let all your walls come down and just hit play… some might say it’s an ordinary day but not for me not for me

Jüri Pootsmann on Facebook

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

14 AZERBAIJAN Songwriter

Participant

Song

Amir Aly, Henrik Wikström, Jakke "T.I Jakke" Erixson

Samra

Miracle

Miracle You got in my head, boy, like a song  That I kept on singing, all along  But the radio stopped to play us long ago, long ago Guess I’ve had enough, boy, guess I’m done Like a burning fire, now it's gone  Thought I saw myself in you I made a mistake, there’s nothing to say I’m walking away Gonna take a miracle, oh oh  Gonna take a miracle to heal this love Baby I won't stay another night  This time I say good bye, I'm letting you go

At age 16, Samra Rahimli previously participated in the national selection Milli Seçim Turu for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, but could not qualify for the finale. Even though she couldn’t win the lucky ticket back then, 16-year-old Samra became one of the public’s favorite as the youngest contestant. Since then she gained some stage experience in different versions of the music TV show The Voice. In 2015 Samra participated in The Voice of Turkey where she made it to the quarterfinals and in March 2016 she became the first season’s finalist of The Voice of Azerbaijan where she performed Say Something. On March 10, 2016 it was announced that Samra has been chosen as Azerbaijani representative in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest where she will perform the song Miracle .

Gonna take a miracle, oh oh It was a one way road for you and I  Yeah, we built this castle based on lies And now we have hit the point of no return We crash and we burn, you live and you learn Gonna take a miracle, oh oh  Gonna take a miracle to heal this love Baby I won't stay another night  This time I say good bye, I’m letting you go Gonna take a miracle, oh oh Gonna take a miracle to save us now  And I won't pretend to be alright  my heart is on the line, our end is my start

Video ► Miracle

Gonna take a miracle, oh oh  Gonna take a miracle to save us now Gonna take a miracle, oh oh  Gonna take a miracle to save us now

Samra Rahimli on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Kate Kondratieva

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

15 MONTENEGRO Songwriter

Participant

Song

Skansi, Luka Vojvodić, Maro Market

Highway

The Real Thing

Highway is a Montenegrin band. They will represent Montenegro at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm. They participated in the second series of X Factor Adria in 2015, and ended in fourth place. Their performances in the show received significant support from the jury and audience, bringing them a big popularity in the region.

Inside you take me little closer, inside you 'cus you got Spinning shadows on the walls I see you, Inside me.. Feel it I'm the real thing yeah Feel it I'm the real thing yeah

The band consists of lead singer Petar Tošić, guitarists and back-up singers Marko Pešić and Luka Vojvodić, and keyboardist Bojan Jovović.

I'm gonna fight for your love Gonna run, gonna feel good I'm gonna feel what my body knows I'm gonna fight for your love Gonna run, gonna feel good I'm gonna feel

Video ► The Moj Real SvijetThing

Highway on Facebook

ÂŠ Photos: Djordje Zivaljevic

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

16 ICELAND Songwriter

Participant

Song

Greta Salóme

Hear Them Calling

Greta Salóme (full name: Greta Salóme Stefánsdóttir) is an Icelandic singer and violinist in the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. She represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan in a duet with singer Jónsi with the song Never Forget. They qualified from the first semi-final into the Eurovision final and eventually finished in 20th place with 46 points.

One step at a time out of the darkness one foot in front of the other. One step at a time into the distance a new path I need to uncover. I‘m letting go. Go. One step at a time get out of the darkness and into the light forever. One step at a time I pick up the pieces try putting them back together till I‘m unbroken. Unbroken. One step at a time get out of the darkness and into the light forever.

Greta released her first album titled In the Silence on 16 November 2012. The album contains her Eurovision song Never Forget which is in English and also the Icelandic version - Mundu Eftir Mér. In August 2012 she released Everything Around Me. It was announced that Greta was among the list of participants in Iceland's selection for Eurovision 2016 with the song Raddirnar. She qualified from the first semi-final to participate in the final of the selection process. Her song was changed to English for the final and called Hear Them Calling she won the national final.

One step at a time and I got a feeling it‘s either now or never. I‘m letting go. Go. One step at a time get out of the darkness and into the light forever. One step at a time I pick up the pieces try putting them back together till I‘m unbroken. Unbroken One step at a time get out of the darkness and into the light forever. I‘m letting go. Go. One step at a time get out of the darkness and into the light forever. One step at a time I pick up the pieces try putting them back together till I‘m unbroken. Unbroken.

Video ► Hear Them Calling

One step at a time get out of the darkness and into the light forever. I‘m letting go. Go. One step at a time get out of the darkness and into the light forever. One step at a time I pick up the pieces try putting them back together ’til I‘m unbroken. Unbroken. One step at a time get out of the darkness and into the light forever.

34 | 35

Greta Salóme on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Olof Erla Einarsdottir

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

17 Bosnia & Herzegovina Songwriter

Participant

Song

Almir Ajanović, Jasmin Fazlić

Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner and Jala

Ljubav Je

At the age of 12, Deen (real name: Fuad Backović) took his first musical steps by recording his first song. The song was recorded in a musical studio called Studio Number 1 owned by PBSBiH. In 1997, Deen became the lead singer of the Bosnian boy band Seven Up. The band released two albums, Otvori oči (Open Your Eyes) and Seven. The band enjoyed great success in Bosnia and the neighboring countries Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. In 1998, Deen received an offer to perform for an opera choir. His vocal abilities had been noticed by the National Theater of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and he accepted the role of the lead singer for the opera choir during the production of Carmina Burana.

Trebaće mi tvoje tijelo, kad oči zatvorim Oko mene sve je bijelo, čak i sivi zidovi Nemam kome da se vratim, samo tebi vjerujem Dugove ću sve da platim, na ljubav se zaklinjem Ljubav je začarani krug, svako dođe na svoj red, svako plati svoj dug Ljubav je, sve što imamo, svako bira svoj grijeh, jedno drugom praštamo Tako trebam tvoje tijelo, kad oči zatvorim Srce se u tebe klelo, kako da ti oprostim Nemam kome da se vratim, samo tebi vjerujem Dugove ću sve da platim, na ljubav se zaklinjem

After the release of several albums and Top 40 Hit Singles Deen represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest with the song In The Disco. Deen finished in ninth place with 91 points automatically earning the competing honor for Bosnia at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. This year Deen will represent Bosnia & Herzegovina for the second time and will be joined by Dalal Midhat-Talakić & Ana Rucner.

'mjesto kapetan da budem, Dalal Midhat-Talakić is a member of the Bosnian R&B duo “Erato” and Ana Rucner bir'o sam da budem pirat is a well known cello instrumentalist, born in Zagreb, Croatia. 'mjesto sretan da budem, bir'o sam tugu u inat Moja priča je rulet, ulažem, ne znam kasirat, njenim očima uklet, više se ne znam nasmijat Zna me mamit' oblinama nakon čaše, dv'je vina, ona nije ta što će mi sutra roditi sina Opet nijedna ne zna me tako magično dirat', opet tragično biram jer đavo ne da mi mira Ljubav je začarani krug, svako dođe na svoj red, svako plati svoj dug Ljubav je, sve što imamo, svako bira svoj grijeh, jedno drugom praštamo

Video ► Ljubav Je

Deen on Facebook

Ana Rucner on Facebook Dala Midhat on Facebook

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ÂŠ Photo: Vanja Lisac

SEMI FINAL 1

May 10, 2016

18 MALTA Songwriter Lisa Desmond, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren, Ira Losco, Molly Pettersson-Hammar

Participant

Song

Ira Losco

Walk on Water

Ira Losco started her career with a college band called "Tiara" but they split up a few months after Losco represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 which was held in Tallinn. She placed 2nd with the song 7th Wonder. In 2003 she was chosen to perform the song called Reaching Higher which was the official song of the Xth Games of the Small States of Europe Malta 2003.

AHH AHH I’ve been fading into grey trying to be someone Trying to please someone I’ve been painting bitter blue Always hitting walls always trying to break the fall I’m not perfect but I’m A ok chasing off the clouds I lock the blues away I lock the pain away I can’t get enough of your love I can’t get you out of my heart I can’t get enough of your love ’Cause i-i-i-I

Performing in 15 different countries around the world, with over 20 music awards under her belt, Ira Losco has been Malta’s leading female artist for the last decade, making her one of the most recognizable faces in her home territory. This year she won the Maltese national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 on 23 January, and therefore will perform the song Walk on Water in Stockholm.

Feel like I can walk on water On water, On water And now i’m gonna walk on water, On water, On water Feels like I can walk on water I’ve been trying hard to hear what my heart wants to say Letting it lead the way I’m not perfect but I’m A ok Chasing off the clouds I lock the blues away I lock the pain away I can’t get enough of your love I can’t get you out of my heart I can’t get enough of your love ’Cause i-i-i-I Feel like I can walk on water On water , On water And now i’m gonna walk on

Video ► Walk on Water

Ooh ooh ooh all I wanna do is Ooh ooh ooh keep walking on water Ooh ooh ooh all I wanna do is Walk on water Ooh I can’t get enough of your love ’Cause i- i-i-I Feel like I can walk on water On water, On water And now i’m gonna walk on water On water on water Feel like I can walk on water

38 | 39

Ira Losco on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Allen Venables

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

01 LATVIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Aminata Savadogo

Justs

Heartbeat

Justs (full name: Justs Sirmais) started his musical career on age 6. He was singing at Riga Dome Choir School. In that place he learned all about music theory, piano, performing arts, jazz theory, improvisation and ensemble (combo), which significantly affected his further life path.

I know you told so many times So many words in different rhymes But I don’t feel the same I wasn’t innocent I know And things I did for sure were wrong The time has passed... So long... Feeling your heartbeat That’s what I want That’s what I need Feeling again that you’re breathing with me I’m getting wild when I’m alone I learned by heart – you’re not my own But I never asked you to belong You’re my desire and my pain But all the battles are in vain You mean more than anything to me

Than he was singing and playing on the streets of Riga when he was 16. Shortly after that he found his first band called TaxFree. First songs, first concerts, first fails and first victories associate with that time. Few years later one popular band in Latvia called Gacho noticed Justs and he started to do shows with them too. He got accustomed with bigger stages, management, fan base etc. Biggest shows they had was on main stage of Latvian festivals like Summersound, Holi and their own concert in Palladium concert venue. But in this project he wasn’t in the main role, so he continued to work with his vocals and looked around for opportunities. In February 2016 Justs won the Supernova final with the song Heartbeat, and will represent Latvia in the 61st Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm. His song is composed by Aminata, who represented Latvia last year at the Eurovision Song Contest very successful with her song Love Injected.

Feeling your heartbeat That’s what I want That’s what I need Feeling again that you’re breathing with me ||2x You’re the one I need You’re the air that I breathe Don’t throw my heart away I want you to stay

Video ► Heartbeat

Feeling your heartbeat That’s what I want That’s what I need Feeling again that you’re breathing with me

Justs on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Andzejs Gavriss

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

02 POLAND Songwriter

Participant

Song

Andy Palmer, Kamil Varen

Michał Szpak

Color Of Your Life

Michał Szpak took part in Poland's first edition of the X Factor (Polish TV series) in 2011 when he reached the final of the competition with the Czesław Niemen's classic Dziwny jest ten świat . Later that same year he performed as a guest celebrity on the finale of the Top Model. Zostań modelką (Polish for Top Model. Become a Model) show. In 2013 he was awarded first prize at the Russian song Festival in Zielona Gora with his performance of the famous song Dark Eyes.

When loneliness – is knocking on your door Everything you loved – just disappears And when you feel – that everything is lost You need to know – there's no life without tears O -O – O – O - tell me black or white What color is your life O – O – O –O - try to ask your heart Who you really are No one is – forever beautiful and young Everything you know – just disappears Fame and gold are nothing – you can be sure When there is no love in your heart The choice is yours – who you really want to be Don't be afraid – of your destiny So when you feel – that everything is lost You need to know – there's no life without fear

Byle być sobą (English: 'Only to be yourself') is the second album by Michał Szpak. It was released in Poland on November 13, 2015 through Sony Music Entertainment Poland. Titled as a reflection of his life and frame of mind at 25 years following the unexpected death of his mother, the album includes 12 songs performed in Polish as well as in English. The album, which was dedicated to the singer's mother has met with critical success in Poland. His flawless rendition of the song Jesteś bohaterem (English: Real Hero) brought him first prize at the 2015 National Festival of Polish Song in Opole. He was chosen as the winner in the Polish national final by televoting; so Michał Szpak will represent Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden with the song Color of Your Life .

O -O – O – O - tell me black or white What color is your life O – O – O –O - try to ask your heart Who you really are Every day – we must fight with the wind We have to live All these things are just empty desire 'Couse ther's no smoke without fire

Video ► Color Of Your Life

O -O – O – O - tell me black or white What color is your life O – O – O –O - try to ask your heart Who you really are O – O – O –O - try to ask your heart What color is your life

Michał Szpak on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Zija & Jacek Pioro / Sony Music Poland

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

03 SWITZERLAND Songwriter

Participant

Song

Rykka, Jeff Dawson, Mike James, Warne Livesey

Rykka

The Last Of Our Kind

The Last Of Our Kind Soldier, take off your armour Show me your heart, this is home And it’s stronger, stronger than water Deeper than reason, longer than time Here we are at the end of the movie, I’ve never felt more alive it’s time to rise We’re the last of our kind It’s a whole new world, and we’re facing the fire Not afraid of our own ghosts, We’re the last of our kind and we’re all that we know And we’re out of our minds Not afraid to be brave though, We’re The Last Of Our Kind

Rykka (real name: Christina Maria Rieder) is a Canadian-Swiss singer and songwriter from Vancouver, British Columbia. She began guitar lessons at age 15, then performed at local community festivals. During her two-year program at Vancouver Community College, Christina studied voice with Paula Kremer, while also busking around Vancouver’s Granville Island. In 2009, she moved to Toronto to record her third independent album Straight Line under the performing name “Christina Maria”. The album was produced with the help of several Canadian producers such as David Baxter, Russel Broom, and Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother.

The last of our kind, the last of our kind Not afraid to be brave we’re the last of our kind

In 2010, her album Straight Line was released in Switzerland under Little Jig Records. Rykka stayed and performed both in Switzerland and in Germany, highlighted by a performance on "Sat.1 Frühstücksfernsehen"; a German television channel boasting an average audience of 1 million viewers. She later received a nomination for Demotape Clinic at M4Music in Switzerland. Kodiak was Rykka's 2012 album. It marked a significant change in her musical career since she formally changed her stage name from Christina Maria. She recorded Kodiak under the new name Rykka.

This is paradise, turn off the searchlight We’re where we belong.

This year Rykka will represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song The Last of Our Kind after winning ESC 2016 – Die Entscheidungsshow.

Standing tall at the end of the story, Watching world’s collide it’s time to rise We’re The Last Of Our Kind It’s a whole new world, and we’re facing the fire Not afraid of our own ghosts, We’re the last of our kind and we’re all that we know And we’re out of our minds Not afraid to be brave though, We’re the last of our kind

Video ► The Last Of Our Kind

Here we are now, with nothing to lose I know without love, we won’t pull through, oh Cause deep in the night, there is a light And it guides us to truth. It’s a whole new world, and we’re facing the fire Not afraid of our own ghosts, We’re the last of our kind and we’re all that we know And we’re out of our minds Not afraid to be brave though, We’re the last of our kind The last of our kind, the last of our kind Not afraid to be brave we’re the last of our kind

Rykka on Facebook

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

Songwriter

Participant

Song

Doron Medalie

Hovi Star

Made Of Stars

Hovi Star‎)real name: Hovav Sekulets) was born in Kiryat Ata. His parents divorced in his early childhood and his mother remarried the American-Israeli basketball player John McIntyre. At 14, he started in music career. He did his obligatory military service, during which he was also a band member HFC. Later, he took part in season 7 of Kokhav Nolad, the Israeli version of Idol competition broadcast from May to August 2009. He was on the show as Hovi "Star" Sekulets, and finished seventh overall. After Kokhav Nolad he has continued his music career with various releases. He has also been a voice actor in a number of Hebrew dubbed versions of film releases.

A language I don’t understand. You speak, I listen, I'm your friend, You hypnotize me… Take my hand, A million faces tied in chains, You ride a black horse in the rain, You hypnotize me…

Don’t escape no more, no more, no more, no more, ‘cause we are all… (Chorus) Made of stars Silver fragments fallin' We are... made of stars. We are made of stars, Searching for that secret promise, Made of stars.

In 2015, he took part in HaKokhav HaBa L'Eirovizion, the selection process for choosing the Israeli representative to Eurovision Song Contest winning the show's title. He will represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm with the song Made of Stars.

You heal me, you fill me Ignite a flame within me Hypnotize me mmmm… I'm begging you Don’t escape no more, no more, no more, no more, ‘cause we are all… (Chorus) Made of stars …

Video ► Made Of Stars

Tell me that you understand, Come in close and take my hand, Let's float across the sky line, There's no floor and there's no ceiling Dance with me like we are made of stars. 'Cause we are, 'cause we are, 'Cause we are, 'cause we are, We are, we are, we are… (Chorus) Made of stars … Dance with me like we are made of stars… Dance with me like we are made of stars.

Hovi Star on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Ronen Akerman

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

05 BELARUS Songwriter Victor Drobysh, Alexander Ivanov, Mary Susane Applegate, Timofei Leontiev

Participant

Song

Ivan

Help You Fly

Ivan (real name: Alexander Ivanov) is a Belarusian-Russian singer. Ivan started his musical career in 2009 when her participated at the rock festival Mass Medium Fest. In the same year her founded his band Ivanov and moved to St Petersburg to promote his music.

I will help you learn how to fly, how to fly Do you remember when you were younger You didn't worry for a day Now all the questions and no direction They make your reasons insane It's time you released yourself Before you can let go I will help you learn how to fly, how to fly Free, leave all the madness behind, far behind You feel like you ate the poison It's time to heal you from the pain I know that you've been the hunted I want to free you again

He won the young artists contest 5 Stars in 2014. IVAN became a super finalist of the TV Project Main Stage in 2015, where he won the award Producers’ Choice. Besides preparing for his participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, IVAN is working on his album. He will represent represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song Help You Fly. Ivanov was also to represent Russia in the Intervision Song Contest 2015 but the contest never happened.

It's time you released yourself Before you can let go I will help you learn how to fly, how to fly Free, leave all the madness behind, far behind If I can fly then you can If I can fly then you can fly If I can fly then you can fly If I can fly (If I can fly) If I can fly I will help you learn how to fly, how to fly Free, leave all the madness behind, far behind All behind

Video ► Help You Fly

Ivan on Facebook

48 | 49

ÂŠ Photo: LLC National music corporation

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

06 SERBIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Ivana Peters

Sanja Vučić ZAA

Goodbye (Shelter)

Sanja Vučić ZAA has been expressing talent for music since her childhood. She finished both primary and secondary music school in her hometown (section: opera singing). During the studies, Sanja sang in various ensembles, ranging from the band performing ethno music Bele vile (White Fairies), over the jazz orchestra, to the church choir Sveti Knez Lazar (Saint Prince Lazar) with which she toured Hungary, Belarus and Poland.

I wish I could stop it, I wish I could fight it, But there's nothing I can do, I thought that we were meant for each other Oh, how I wish I knew you better I played a fool so many times, can't even count it. Every time I say goodbye, you try to keep me by your side Gotta fight my way out of your hands, find the shelter from the pain Every time you say your lies, I hide away and close my eyes, I won't let you tear my world apart, gotta find a shelter for my heart I thought that it was supposed to hurt me, I thought that it was love, I put my hands up but I won't surrender don't need what doesn't serve me any more

Furthermore, she attended singing master classes held by the famous opera singer Katarina Jovanović. Sanja also tried enrolling at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, but without success, which she does not consider to be a significant setback because perhaps precisely that's what led her to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Since April 2012, when she joined a crossover band called ZAA, as a permanent member, she has performed at more than 100 concerts in the region (at festivals like Exit, Love Fest, Nishville, Arsenal Fest, Overjam Reggae Festival in Slovenia, Lake Fest in Nikšić, etc.). As a member of ZAA, she recorded one album called What About. Also, she is working with numerous authors and musicians as a studio singer for radio and TV jingles, advertisements and corporate videos. In March 2016 Sanja Vučić ZAA performed her song Goodbye for the 2016 Eurovision Song Content in Stockholm during the show Serbia's Song for Europe.

I lick my wounds so many times, so that I can keep on fighting. Every time I say goodbye .... Every time I say goodbye, you try to break me down

Video ► Goodbye (Shelter)

Sanja Vučić ZAA on Facebook

50 | 51

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

07 IRELAND Songwriter

Participant

Song

Nicky Byrne, Wayne Hector, Ronan Hardiman

Nicky Byrne

Sunlight

Nicky Byrne was born in Dublin as the middle child, having an older sister, Gillian, and a younger brother, Adam. From the age of 7, he played for local, successful Dublin side Home Farm Football Club. He became a professional player, and joined Leeds United as a goalkeeper in 1995, and was a squad member of the FA Youth Cup winning team of 1997. He played for Leeds for two years, leaving when his contract expired in June 1997.

Don’t be afraid it’s only dark Till the world turns round Just don’t look down If you’re afraid of the higher ground Hold on to me and let me hold on to you We don’t look back we let it slide out of view And we can make it if we Break out beyond these clouds (Chorus) We’ll be standing out in the Sunlight We stay together we’ll live forever in the Sunlight It’s now or never you know you better Just touch who you wanna kiss who you gotta Fight like we’re winners love like beginners Dance like you mean it sing like you feel it Everything’s better standing out in the sun

Aftre that he set up a karaoke business with his father called "Father and Son", and they toured local pubs doing Boyzone songs. In June 1998 Nicky Byrne attended an audition for new Irish boyband, where Boyzone manager Louis Walsh approached him to join his new venture, Westlife. With Westlife, Byrne has had 25 top ten UK singles, 14 of which were number one, 7 number one albums and has sold in excess of over 45 million records worldwide. After the band's split in October 2011 hosted several TV shows and a new weekly National Lottery game show, The Million Euro Challenge on RTE 1. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, Byrne presented the Irish votes at the Eurovision Song Contest. On January 13, 2016, Nicky Byrne was confirmed to be the Irish singer for the 2016 contest in Stockholm with the song Sunlight.

Stop for a moment just to take in the Sights and sounds Hold on to me and let me hold onto you We don’t look back we let it slide out of view There’s no tomorrow So let’s live in the here and now (Chorus) We’ll be standing out in the Sunlight … Come turn me inside out upside down I’ll be your lover boy Turn the music loud We can join the crowd In the sunlight We stay together We’ll live forever in the Sunlight

Video ► Sunlight

It’s now or never you know you better Just touch who you wanna kiss who you gotta Fight like we’re winners love like beginners Dance like you mean it sing like you feel it Everything’s better standing out in the sun

Nicky Byrne on Facebook

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

08 F.Y.R.MACEDONIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Romeo Grill, Kaliopi

Kaliopi

Dona

Kaliopi, which describes herself on her website as the best singer of the country was born on December 28th in 1966 and entered in the Macedonian children's festival "Zlatno Slavejče" with the song Tebe majka čekaat at age 9. She won and later became one of former Yugoslawia's most celecrated stars of the 80s.

Od site malečki nešta ova najmnogu vredi Od site golemi misli od cel moj svet I koga nazad se vrtam ti si stalno tuka kako skriena senka tivok božji cvet Za sé što ti si mi dala od srce ti fala za seto minato vreme Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona Dona gledaj me i nasmej se za mene Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona moja sila, svetlost, sjaj me praviš silna znaj, o Dona veruvaj vo mene veruvaj Od site malečki nešta ova najmnogu vredi Od site golemi misli od cel moj svet Znam komu pripagjam i kade toa radost me čeka Odam do oblaci mali na biserni skali

After two successful albums with her own Kaliopi band, the group disbanded in 1988, but hits like Bato or Kofer ljubavi subsequently became classics. Kaliopis victory in the finals for the Macedonian Euro Vision Song Contest in 1996 marked the comeback of the singer and in 1999 she released her first solo album Oboi me. In 2000 she founded her own record company and wrote most of the songs completely on her next eight albums on her own. In addition to working on her own projects, Kaliopi always found time for other cooperations. She worked for example with the lute player and world musician Edin Karamazov who wrote music for a ballet and two plays, took over the lead role in the Macedonian musical Chija si and was an active ambassador of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR. After several attempts in the national qualifying rounds Kaliopi has been nominated to represent Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with the song Crno i belo. The song placed thirteenth in the final on 26 May 2012, scoring 71 pointsOn 24 November 2015, Macedonian Radio Television announced that they invited Kaliopi again to represent Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm.

Video ► Dona

Za sé što ti si mi dala od srce ti fala za seto minato vreme Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona Dona gledaj me i nasmej se za mene Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona moja sila, svetlost, sjaj me praviš silna znaj, o Dona veruvaj vo mene veruvaj Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona, Dona vo mene veruvaj

Kaliopi on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Kristijan Teodorov

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

09 LITHUANIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Jonas Thander, Beatrice Robertsson

Donny Montell

I've Been Waiting for This Night

The 25 year old from Vilnius, Donatas Montvydas has chosen a more international name for his music career: Donny Montell. He studied at the "Balys Dvarionas Music School“ in Vilnius and has already been successful in numerous talent shows and music competitions. In the Lithuanian version of the dance show "Let's dance" he reached the first place.

Here we are together you and I (I) Watching lights around us fill the night (night) I was living in the dark Tried to heal my broken heart Until now Cause here we are together you and I (I) For a thousand years through a million tears With a hungry heart, every day apart I’ve been waiting for this night, I've been waiting for this night When I see your smile and your beautiful eyes I get lost in time, now I know that I’ve I’ve been waiting for this night, I’ve been waiting for this night

But Donatas ESC plans were not always successful in the beginning: It was his fourth attempt this year after three unsuccessful attempts but it finally worked: Donny Montell performed his song Love Is Blind for Lithuania in 2012 at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku. This year he will do so for a second time, when he will represent his country in Stockholm with the song I've Been Waiting for This Night.

If only I could stay here by your side (side) To promise you forever here tonight (night) There is nothing I can do That can take my heart from you Always yours If only I could stay here by your side (side) For a thousand years through a million tears With a hungry heart, every day apart I’ve been waiting for this night, I’ve been waiting for this night When I see your smile and your beautiful eyes I get lost in time, now I know that I’ve I’ve been waiting for this night, I’ve been waiting for this night

Video ► I've Been Waiting for This Night

Aaaaaaaa aaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaa For a thousand years and a million tears With a hungry heart, every day apart I’ve been waiting for this night, I’ve been waiting for this night When I see your smile and your beautiful eyes I get lost in time, now I know that I’ve I’ve been waiting for this night, I’ve been waiting for this night Here we are together you and I

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Donny Montell on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Gediminas Ĺ˝ilinskas

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

10 AUSTRALIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

DNA (David Musumeci & Anthony Egizii)

Dami Im

Sound Of Silence

Born in South Korea to Hae Yun Lee, a trained opera singer, and Dong Eal Im, Dami Im began learning the piano at the age of five. She taught herself to sing by recording herself copying her favourite artists. Aged nine, Dami Im emigrated to Australia with her mother and younger brother Kenny because their parents thought they would have more opportunity growing up in Australia.

Verse 1 Growing tired and weary brown eyes Trying to feel your love through face time Symphonies of dreams and highlights Caught up in this crazy fast life But baby you're not here with me And I keep calling calling Keep calling cause Chorus Now my heart awakes to the sound of silence And it beats to the sound of silence And it beats to the sound of silence Now my heart awakes to the sound of silence And it beats to the sound of silence And it beats to the sound of silence Verse 2 Getting hard to break through the madness You're not here it never makes sense Tidal waves of tears are crashing No one here to save me drowning Cause baby you're not here with me And I keep calling calling Keep calling cause Chorus Now my heart awakes to the sound of silence …

After she had a short career as a gospel singer in Korea, performing at Christian youth camps, Dami Im independently released her debut studio album Dream in 2010. Three years later she won the fifth season of The X Factor Australia and subsequently received a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. After winning The X Factor Dami Im released her debut and winner's single Alive, which debuted at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart. This was followed by the release of her self-titled second studio album, which debuted at number one the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association. Im became the first X Factor Australia contestant to follow up a number one single with a number one album on the ARIA Charts. Dami's third studio album Heart Beats was released in 2014 and became her second top-ten album. It produced the top-twenty hits Super Love and Gladiator. She will represent Australia at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Stockholm with the song Sound Of Silence.

Video ► Sound Of Silence

Bridge I know I'm stronger and I'm capable I know it's all in my head But I keep calling calling Calling calling Chorus Now my heart awakes to the sound of silence …

Dami Im on Facebook

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ÂŠ Photo: Peter Brew-Bevan

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

11 SLOVENIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Manuella Brechko, Marjan Hvala, Leon Oblak

ManuElla

Blue And Red

ManuElla (full name: Manuella BreÄ?ko) performed in the second season of Bitke talentov at the age of 16. In 2011 ManElla competed in Misija Evrovizija, and placed in the Top Four.

Allay Blue and red Like I'm watching you and me Every little thing you've said Led me to fall in love with you Then you tried to fix me and I wasn't strong But you are not a composer, I am not your song Strange chords, different worlds

In 2012, she wrote and recorded her first single Il Futuro, with the music author Kevin Koradin and the Netherlands producer Clifford Goilo. Following that, she spent a year performing solo and with many other well-known Slovene musicians. She was announced as one of the ten competing artists in EMA 2016 on 5 January 2016 with the song Blue and Red. In the final held on 27 February, she was declared the winner. ManuElla will now represent Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.

How can I mix red and blue together Beautiful days and stormy weather Allay 'Cause blue is blue and red is red Our past is spinning in my head But now the colour doesn't matter You feel blue and I am better Now I'm changed Now I'm stronger than before Ain't never touching me no more I'm okay, I'll find my way How can I mix red and blue together Beautiful days and stormy weather

Video â&#x2013;ş Blue And Red

Allay 'Cause blue is blue and red is red Our past is spinning in my head But now the colour doesn't matter You feel blue and I am better Blue is blue and red is red Now the colour doesn't matter Allay

ManuElla on Facebook

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SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

12 ROMANIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Ovidiu Anton

Moment Of Silence

Moment Of Silence We stand on the edge, they want us to break They want us to fall, 'cause power's at stake They parade, laughing at us as we fade With blood on their hands, enjoying the feast, The cross on the wall, the eyes of the beast They parade, laughing at us as we fade And I just can't take anymore This hate is burning my soul In the darkest nights feel the power in you Take a moment of silence and fight for the truth I've seen them all come and go, They're to blame Empty words, wicked game Cause for all of their lies we pay with our lives

Ovidiu Anton went on stage for the first time at age six. He studied modern canto, classic guitar and piano at the Music School. He always wanted to compose and perform rock music and therefore formed the Carpe Diem band in 1998 and toured the country and abroad for four years with the band. He won the second place at Interpretation section of the Mamaia National Festival 2003 with his own song Vreau ("I Want"), and between 2004 and 2006 was named valedictorian of Star School, second edition, production organized by the Romanian Television. Ovidiu represented Romania at the Golden Stag International Festival in 2005, and from 2008 until May 2012 he was the soloist of Pasager band with whom he performed hundreds of concerts and participated in Eurovision 2010 national selection. With the same band, he won the second place at Rock section of the Mamaia National Festival 2011. This year was Ovidiu's fifth attempt to win Selecţia Naţionala and this time he succeeded. In comparing to the national selections in previous years, the winner of 2016 Selecţia Naţionala was chosen through public televoting only: Ovidiu has defeated five other competing acts in the final of this year's Romanian national selection and will represent the country in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm with the song Moment Of Silence.

In the darkest nights feel the power in you Take a moment of silence and fight for the truth Watching the days go by nothing changed, nothing new Take a moment of silence and fight for the truth Fight, gonna win the fight Believe, gonna win the fight Got to win the fight, OOO OOO

Video ► Moment Of Silence

Eurovision Romania on Facebook Ovidiu Anton on Facebook

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SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

13 Bulgaria Songwriter

Erik Lewander, Borislav Milanov, S. Arman, Hayley Aitken, J. Persson, Poli Genova Tom Andrews If Love Was A Crime You and I we collide Like the stars on the summer night We can shine for ever And you and we're alive What we feel is what is right We can run like never If love was a crime then we would be criminals Locked up for life but I'll do the time If love was a crime then we would work miracles High above the ground

Participant

Song

Eduard Poli Genova Romanyuta

If Love Your Was A Crime I Want Love

Poli Genova (full name: Poli Plamenova Genova) graduated from The National Music School "Ljubomir Pipkov", focusing on clarinet. Now she is in her third year of study to become a film director. Even so, she continues her singing career and is involved in several projects. Genova is part of the UNICEF Charity Project The Magnificent Six, stands as a vocalist for Azis' Show and Dani Milev Band in the first edition of the reality show Dancing with the Stars: Bulgaria. In 2005 and 2006 she took part in the National Selection of Eurovision Song Contest as a member of the trio Melody. In 2011 she represented Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with her song Na inat, but didn't qualify to the finals. Her debut album was released in the same year. She was a judge on the first series of the Bulgarian version of The X Factor and hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015. On 19 February 2016 it was announced that Genova would represent Bulgaria once again in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song If Love Was A Crime.

О, дай ми любовта (3) They will never break us down О, дай ми любовта! (3) They will never break us down Never mind … wrong or right Our love ain't got no pride So we change for better Unafraid … never fade When it's dark we illuminate Can we rise together If love was a crime then we would be criminals Locked up for life but I'll do the time If love was a crime then we would work miracles High above the ground

Video ► If Love Was A Crime

О, дай ми любовта! (3) They will never break us down О, дай ми любовта! (3) They will never break us down Together we're untouchable You and me against the world Together we're invincible Together we're untouchable You and me against the world Together we're invincible They will never break us down

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Poli Genova on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Kostadin Krustev

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

14 DENMARK Songwriter Søren Bregendel, Johannes Nymark, Martin Skriver, Sebastian Owens, Daniel Durn, Katrine Klith Andersen

Participant

Song

Lighthouse X

Soldiers Of Love

Lighthouse X are a Danish boyband consisting of Søren Bregendal, Johannes Nymark and Martin Skriver.

Tell me why we always fuel the fire Why we tend to close our eyes What’s the reason that we keep on hiding We can make it if we try I don’t know why we don’t care There’s nothing to fear When I know you are there So let’s not wait for someone else to Make it right, make it right Take my hand and never let go Side by side we walk an open road Unbreakable … with hope in our hearts Step by step we’ll make a new start (Chorus) Let’s be soldiers of love soldiers of love, soldiers of love For life take my hand And never let go, never let go And let’s be soldiers of love

On 13 October 2014 Lighthouse X released thir debut single Kærligheden kalder. The song peaked to number 37 on the Danish Singles Chart. On 12 January 2015 they released the single Hjerteløst. On 16 February 2015 the band released their debut self-titled extended play. On 16 April 2015 they released the single Nattens gløder. On 28 August 2015 they released the single It's a Brand New Day. On 6 November 2015 they released the single Home. In February 2013 the band took part in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2016, the music competition that selects Denmark's entries for the Eurovision Song Contest. The competition was held on 13 February 2016 at the Forum Horsens in Horsens. The band performed Soldiers of Love in the Final making it through to the Super final winning with 42% of the public vote. They will perform at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 during the second semi-final on 12 May 2016 and are scheduled to perform in the second half of the show.

What’s the meaning of a world on fire And a heart without a soul I believe that we can shine a light on What we already ought to know So let’s not wait for someone else to Make it right, make it right Take my hand and never let go Side by side we walk an open road Unbreakable… with hope in our hearts Step by step we’ll make a new start Let’s be soldiers of love soldiers of love, soldiers of love For life take my hand And never let go, never let go And let’s be soldiers of love

Video ► Soldiers Of Love

Unbreakable … don’t let it go It’s an open road time to let it show Invincible … gonna climb the wall Take my hand and never let go never let go Take my hand and never let go Side by side we walk an open road Unbreakable with hope in our hearts Step by step we’ll make a new start Let’s be soldiers of love soldiers of love, soldiers of love For life take my hand And never let go Never let go And let’s be soldiers of love

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Lighthouse X on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Mads Teglers

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

15 Ukraine Songwriter

Erik Lewander, Jamala Hayley Aitken, Tom Andrews 1944 1 When strangers are coming... They come to your house, They kill you all and say, We’re not guilty not guilty. Where is your mind? Humanity cries. You think you are gods. But everyone dies. Don't swallow my soul. Our souls

Participant

Song

Eduard Romanyuta Jamala

1944 I Want Your Love

Jamala (real name: Susana Jamaladinova) is a Ukrainian singer of Crimean Tatar descent. She started her music career in 2005. Jamala became known after her participation at The New Wave 2009, the International Contest of Young Pop Singers in Jūrmala. The singer was awarded with the grand prize, impressing the jury with her outstanding vocal talent and confident singing manner in a variety of genres. Jamala performs music of her own composition in different genres from jazz, soul, rhythm&blues to pop. She is known to Eurovision fans as a participant in the Ukrainian national final in 2010 where she inspired the audience with her cheerful song Smile. In 2014 Jamala starred in the Ukrainian drama film The Guide that was selected as the Ukrainian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards. Jamala won the Ukrainian national final with the song 1944.

Yaşlığıma toyalmadım Men bu yerde yaşalmadım Yaşlığıma toyalmadım Men bu yerde yaşalmadım 2 We could build a future Where people are free to live and love. The happiest time. Where is your heart? Humanity rise. You think you are gods But everyone dies. Don't swallow my soul. Our souls.

Video ► 1944

Yaşlığıma toyalmadım Men bu yerde yaşalmadım Yaşlığıma toyalmadım Men bu yerde yaşalmadım

Jamala Facebook Page

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ÂŠ Photo: Sasha Samsonova

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

16 NORWAY Songwriter

Participant

Song

Agnete K. Johnsen, Gabriel Alares, Ian Curnow

Agnete

Icebreaker

Agnete (full name: Agnete Kristin Johnsen) has been in showbiz since she was 14, where she won the Norwegian Junior MGP and later won the Nordic Junior MGP in 2008, with the song Oro Jaska Beana. In 2011 she finished second in Melodi Grand Prix. She won the Norwegian version of "Dancing with the stars" in 2014, and played the main character Dorothy in the musical Wizard of Oz later same year. She likes pop music and R'n'B, a bit commercialized music, inspired by Beyoncé and Rihanna.

Verse 1: Every night Before I sleep a shiver down my spine Thoughts align What can i do to make you listen Like a northern light You’re dancing over every border line Passing every sign Between reality and fiction

Agnete won the 54th edition of Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) that was held on Saturday 27 February 2016 in Oslo Spektrum with “Icebreaker” and therefore will represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm.

Pre-chorus: Every single promise that you ever made Spinning in my mind like a hurricane Baby yes i hear your mayday Chorus: I'll be your icebreaker When you’re stuck in frozen water (when you’re stuck in) Frozen water Verse 2: You go astray Just like a polaroid You fade away I'll be you partner and liberate you from your prison

Video ► Icebreaker

Pre-chorus: Baby yes i hear your mayday Mid8: We’re way too young to say good bye Whenever you loose faith just hold the line It takes a lot of nerve to save a life

Agnete on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Kim Erlandsen

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

17 GEORGIA Songwriter

Participant

Kote Kalandadze, Thomas G:Son

Nika Kocharov & Midnight Gold Young Georgian Lolitaz

Midnight Gold

Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz are bringing their very own, special, and creative style (avant-garde wave with grunge roots and orchestral synthesizer sound) to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. The band was internally chosen to represent Georgia in Stockholm. The song Midnight Gold was selected in a televised show out of five proposed entries by a joint decision of an international expert jury and televoting.

When I came to, your smell on me i reached around the bed and grabbed a cigarette out of your bag. Sound of you breathing, feel of your skin, brought back some memories, I never thought this all could happen to me. Ten hours are missing from memory, I vaguely can recall pain and pleasure mixing in one bowl My mind is spinning, I know the bliss Ten million miles away my flesh and bones are dreaming in a haze. Stains of mud on your skin Night will come ans so will the sin

Song

Nika Kocharov's debut on stage took place with the group Blitz. That day Nika received his first gift, an acoustic guitar. He learned how to play the guitar on this unforgettable gift. He still creates music on it. With Young Georgian Lolitaz, Nika Kocharov created a film soundtrack in 2003, which was later awarded the best soundtrack of the year. Soon after that the band received a business offer from London. Young Georgian Lolitaz comprises three more musicians: Giorgi Marr (Bass Guitar), who studied at the KABK Royal Academy of Art in The Hague from 2009 to 2011. Levan Shanshiashvili (Guitar), who formed the alternative group Chaos in 1999. In 2011 he established the band Kid Jesus. Since 2000 he has been playing guitar in the group Young Georgian Lolitaz. Dimitri Oganesian (Drums), who currently plays the drums in Young Georgian Lolitaz.

Video â&#x2013;ş Midnight Gold

Young Georgian Lolitaz on Facebook

ÂŠ Photos: Teimuraz Kvirkvelia

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

18 ALBANIA Songwriter

Participant

Song

Olsa Toqui

Eneda Tarifa

Fairytale

Eneda Tarifa participated for the first time in 2003 and again in 2007 at the "Festivali i Këngës" and won the talent show Top Festival in 2010. But her career began with the first participation at the Festivali i Këngës where she reached the finale with Qëndroj (I'll stay). In 2006 she took part at the Festival Kënga Magjike, the second most important music competition in Albania, with the song Rreth zjarrit tënd which reached 154 points and the fourth place. Her second contribution at the Festivali i Këngës, E para leter (first letter), reached the tenth place of 17 in the finals. In 2008, she participated in Kënga Magjike again with the song Zëri im and earned 577 points. In 2010, Tarifa competed in Top Fest 2010 with the song Me veten. She went on to win the competition, and later worked as a host on the television program Portokalli on Top Channel. Privately, she is married to musician Erion Zaloshnja; their daughter Aria came 2013 on the world.

This tale of love, larger than dreams, it may take a lifetime, To understand what it means. Many the tears, cos all the craziness and rage, Tale of love, the massage is Love can bring change. Cos it's you...only you you I feel, And I ...oh I I know in my soul this it's real REF And that's why I love you..oh I Yes I love you u..u.. And I'd fight for you give my life for you my heart But comes a day when it's not enough and what you have the time is up but it's hard to turn a new page In this tale, sweet tale of love you will find the peace of heart that you crave

In 2014 she was accused of being homophobic after she posted a partly negative statement on facebook regarding the ESC-winner Conchita Wurst. She explained it later, saying that she wants an art which should not be affected by "lobbyists" of any kind, whether for sexual orientation, politics, religion, nationalism or racism On 27 December 2015, Eneda won with the song Përrallë (fairy tale), the 54th Festivali i Këngës and will therefore represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm.

Video ► Fairytale

Eneda Tarifa on Facebook

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ÂŠ Photo: Avni Selmani

SEMI FINAL 2

May 12, 2016

19 BELGIUM Songwriter

Participant

Song

Sanne Putseys, Birsen Uçar, Louis Favre, Yannick Werther

Laura Tesoro

What‘s The Pressure

Laura Tesoro is a Belgian singer and actress. Tesoro is also known for portraying Charlotte on the Flemish soap opera Familie, and placing second on season three of The Voice van Vlaanderen.

Don't ask me why the sun is shining Long after the day is done The evening falls, the bright lights Bring out the best in me I see massive walls weighing down the people all around They don’t seem to mind at all And I will try to stand my ground Won’t be bound Brings out the best in me (Chorus) What’s the pressure? You will grow You will know in the end This is fiction It's in your mind Live your life instead

She had her first acting role in the Flemish crime drama Witse as Evy Cuypers in 2008, and went on to perform in musicals such as Annie and Domino. She performed at Ketnetpop in 2009. In 2012, she appeared as Charlotte in Familie, a love interest to Guido. In 2014 she appeared in season three of The Voice van Vlaanderen, where she ended up as the runner-up. Throughout her time on the show, she was a member of Team Koen. She released her debut single Outta Here the same year, which peaked at number 23 on the Flemish singles chart. In 2015, she released her second single Funky Love. In November 2015, Laura Tesoro was announced as one of the five participants of Eurosong 2016. In the first show, she covered the song Düm Tek Tek by Hadise, which represented Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. In the second show she revealed her Eurovision candidate song What's the Pressure, and received the highest televoting score. In the final on 17 January 2016, she was declared the winner after placing first with both the Belgian public and international juries. She will now represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, in Stockholm.

Don't ask me why the sun is shining Brings me all the joy and hope in live Even though these rules they' Try’na take over me Try’na take over me I see massive walls weighing down the people all around They don’t seem to mind at all I will try to stand my ground Won’t be bound Bring out the best in me

Video ► What‘s The Pressure

(Chorus) What’s the pressure? … What’s the pressure? This is fiction It's in your mind … so live your life the best You gotta do what you want to do You gotta be who you want to be So tell me what’s the pre – es- sure What’s the pressure? This is fiction It's in your mind … so live your life instead (Chorus) What’s the pressure? …

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Laura Tesoro Facebook Page

ÂŠ Photo: Wim Van de Genachte (VRT)

After all his success with Cara Mia in Melodifestivalen, big hit single Brother, Oh Brother (2007's biggest radio hit), the victorious dance steps in Let's Dance, celebrated stage success on musical stages around the country, special performances in the critically acclaimed show, Ladies Night, Agnes duet All I Want For Christmas, a nomination that year's male artist of the Grammy Awards and the Rockbjörnen award as Newcomer of the Year, as host of the Melodifestivalen 2010, Romeo in the musical Romeo & Juliet, and not at least as a host for the Allsång på Skansen shows in 2011, 2012 and 2013, Måns Zelmerlöw managed to establish himself as one of Sweden's most popular artists an entertainers in a very short time.

Måns Zelmerlöw hosting the tv show Allsång på Skansen in 2012

Due in parts to the support of his parents music has always been an important part of Måns Zelmerlöw's life. After primary school, he attended a three-year music school in Lund. In competition with nearly two thousand applicants he managed to get signed for a big role in a production of Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was played 128 performances in Malmö. A few years later he played the lead role in Little Shop Of Horrors in Lund. In Spring 2005 Måns was one of the participants in "Idol", where he came in fifth place after he performed among other songs - Robbie Williams' Millenium in front of the Swedish TV audience. After long hesitation and persistent persuasion, he became one of the contestants in the first "Let's Dance" (TV4) season - and won! Now suddenly two million TV viewers and basically the entire Swedish population knew who he was.

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“

I have worked extremely hard over the past few years. But I am passionate about this.

The main role of Danny in the musical Grease (which after 99 sold-out performances at home in Malmö evolved into a larger tour adventures around the country) lifted Måns to the next level. But the real breakthrough and career boost came, however, in Melodifestivalen 2007, where Måns made the final with the thunderous pop hit Cara Mia and managed to place third place. Cara Mia was released as a single and his debut album Stand by For... followed shortly after. The album reached number one in Sweden and was certified platinum by IFPI. Four singles were released from the album, all of which reached the top 50 in Sweden. After finishing an arena tour with Grease Måns toured thoughout the summer of 2007 as a solo artist and made a total of 65 appearances. In the autumn he became a part of the critically acclaimed hit show Ladies Night with Kjell Bergqvist, Mikael Tornving and Martin Stenmarck. He also made the very successful premiere in the role as host on SVT's Lilla Melodifestivalen. The winter/spring of 2007-08 Måns entered the musical stage again with Footloose, at first in Gothenburg and then continued in Stockholm. his summer he went out onto the walls as one of the stars in the Diggiloo-tour for 22 performances. He was nominated for the the Grammis Award 2008 in the category of male artist together with Lars Winnerbäck, Moneybrother, Salem Al Fakir and Timbuktu. A few weeks later, he managed to win the Newcomer of the Year Rock-björn award. Later in that same year Måns went back to the studio to work on his second solo album, MZW, which was released in late March 2009. It was certified gold by the IFPI and reached number one on the Swedish album charts. Måns again competed in 2009's Melodifestivalen , this time with the song Hope & Glory. He took part in the second semi-final on 14 February 2009, and again progressed to the final on 14 March at Globen. Hope & Glory ultimately placed fourth, despite receiving the most votes from the jury.

Promotional pic from 2012

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Later in 2009 he played a summer tour of Sweden performing songs from both albums.

For many the concept of "popular" and being "very popular" means anything negative. But not for me!

Måns then focused on his work as a TV presenter: Måns was one of the presenters of Melodifestivalen 2010, played Romeo in the musical Romeo & Juliet in 2011 and was honored to take over program leadership as a host of Allsång på Skansen which he shoulderd again in 2012 and 2013. Music eventually called once more, probably because he wasn’t under any pressure to release anything. He headed to Spain with some friends to record his 2014 album Barcelona Sessions which reflected his appreciation of the likes of Coldplay and Bryan Adams. "That’s an album that wasn’t very hit-orientated,” he begins with evident pride. “It was just about making music that we wanted to listen to, and writing lyrics that reflected my feelings and experiences over the years.”

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I’ve always been a fan of both Melodifestivalen and Eurovision, Eurovision is like the Super Bowl of music.

Performin g Heroes in 2015

It was a risk: some fans would always prefer the old Måns. “We want the cheery guy back,” he laughs, but ultimately it widened his audience. Now he also meets fans who are his own age or older. His tour in support of it delivered further rewards: “On my previous tours I’d be dancing my shoes off and they still didn’t seem impressed. But now when I stood there just singing and playing guitar, people were like, oh my god, he can sing.” And yet that lurking desire to entertain returned, prompting him to recraft his approach. In 2015 Måns masterminded one of the most memorable moments in the history of Swedish song contest Melodifestivalen with his performance of the uplifting Heroes. Obviously both the song and the vocals had to be strong – previous winners have included artists from ABBA to Loreen – but the visual spectacular took everyone by surprise: Måns scored 288 points and won the final.

Leading up to the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, Måns was predicted as the winner by the majority of the betting companies. He participated in the second semifinal on 21 May, where he came first with 217 points (the best score in any Eurovision semifinal and receiving the highest score from a record 14 countries) and qualified for the final. Måns won the Eurovision 2015 Grand final, scoring 365 points, which made Heroes the third-highest-scoring song in the history of the contest.

Heroes is an example of what he achieved his fourth studio album Perfectly Damaged, which was released on 5 June 2015: A mix of the organic musicianship of the Barcelona sessions with the electronic influence of Heroes and a touch of the personality that helped him become so successful in the first place. The album went straight to number 1 on Sverigetopplistan, the official Swedish Albums Chart on its first week of release. Throughout the summer of 2015 Måns made several appearances at music festivals in Sweden and Finland before embarking on a 17-date European tour in September. On 14 December 2015 SVT announced in a press conference that as previously revealed by Expressen, Måns Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede would co-host the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. But prior before that important date, Måns travelled to Australia and sang at Guy Sebastian's 28 date Concert Tour "You..Me..Us Tour" as a surprise guest Artist. Måns and his band performed at two dates to the delight of Australian audiences who attended Jupiters Hotel and Casino, Gold Coast and regional Grafton to see the Guy Sebastian show.

Please click on the pictures to start the videos

MĂĽns ZelmerlĂśw in the Web Please click the pics to enter the pages

THE TIMES

Winning the Eurovision Song Contest provides a unique opportunity for the winning artist(s) to capitalise on their success and surrounding publicity by launching or furthering their international career. However, throughout the history of the contest, relatively few of these artists have gone on to be huge international stars. The most notable winning Eurovision artists whose career was directly launched into the spotlight following their win were the members of ABBA, who won the 1974 contest for Sweden with their song Waterloo. ABBA went on to be one of the most successful bands in pop history. Another notable winner who subsequently achieved international fame and success was Céline Dion, who won the 1988 contest for Switzerland with the song Ne partez pas sans moi. Eventhough most ESC winning artists land a big hit internationally and in their homecountry with their ESC song title, their careers are going down downhill after that success. Even in their own country they are facing difficult times, often leading to the impression that thay are "one hit wonders." I don't give you names, but if you take a look on the careers of the ESC winners during the last 10 years and how much hits they gained in their home country after their ESC success, you will know whom I mean. Some of them are still in the public eye, because they became a spokesperson on political issues, others are well known because they are often seen in tabloid papers and/or on Red carpets. But there is one exception: Lena Meyer-Landrut, from Germany, internationally better known as Lena, who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo.

Beginnings. Lena, who was born in Hanover, Germany, started taking dancing lessons at the age of five; initially doing ballet and later practising various modern styles, including hip-hop and jazz dance. Over the years Lena grew fond of singing, performed as a lead singer with the KKS Jazz Band in 2009 and appeared as an extra in a number of German television series; however she never received any formal acting or vocal training. Before she graduated from IGS Roderbruch Hannover, a comprehensive school, and received her Abitur diploma (in June 2010), Lena decided to take part in the talent show Unser Star für Oslo (Our Star for Oslo) or USFO, way back then a newly created national television programme to select the German entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo. The show was organised by public broadcaster ARD and private television station ProSieben, as well as entertainer, music producer and former Eurovision entrant Stefan Raab. Among 4,500 entrants, Lena was picked as one of the 20 contestants for the show by the end of 2009.

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I like to test myself. I wanted to see how I am perceived, and I wanted to hear what people with knowledge have to say about it. I personally can't judge myself at all. - Lena (June 2010)

After her first appearance, performing My Same by British singer Adele, Lena received much praise from the show's jury and was instantly considered to be the favourite contestant. The following week, Adele's "My Same" entered the German singles chart at position number 61. Lena reached the final of Unser Star für Oslo, mainly performing lesser known songs of international artists such as The Bird and the Bee, Kate Nash, Paolo Nutini and Lisa Mitchell. Out of her eight cover performances, five of the original songs subsequently charted in Germany, with all but Foundations reaching their peak chart position. In the final on 12 March 2010, Lena sang three songs specifically written for the contest, Bee, Satellite and Love Me. Through televoting, the audience chose Satellite, written by American Julie Frost and Dane John Gordon, to be her designated song in case she won the show. In a second round of voting against the last remaining contestant, Jennifer Braun, Lena was chosen as the winner and therefore Germany's entry for the 55th Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. One day after winning Unser Star für Oslo, all three of her songs from the finals topped the German iTunes Store sales chart, making her the first artist to achieve that. Satellite sold over 100,000 downloads in its first week, becoming Germany's fastest selling digital release ever. Her three songs all entered the top five of the German singles chart, reaching positions number one, three and four, which no artist had ever achieved since charts were first established in Germany in 1959 and which remained an all time record ever since.

charts were first established in Germany in 1959 and which remained an all time record ever since. Following her exams, she released her debut album, My Cassette Player, on 7 May 2010. Produced by Stefan Raab, it includes the singles "Satellite", "Love Me" and "Bee", as well as two cover songs and eight unreleased titles. Lena was credited as a co-writer for the lyrics of five songsThe album debuted at number one in the German albums chart. It peaked at number one in the Austrian albums chart, number three in the Swiss albums chart.

Eurovision 2010 and 2011. Her victory at “Unser Star für Oslo” and her unprecedented success with her records led to a big media hype in Germany. She has been noted for her unconventional way of handling the press, which has been labelled "aloof" as well as "quick-witted" and "intuitive". She usually refused to answer questions about her private life, including her family, friends and personal beliefs, sometimes calling questions "stupid" or responding with counterquestions instead. This has drawn mostly praise during that time when all the big magazines proclaimed Lena as the new German “Fräuleinwunder”. There was hardly a day without Lena appearing on TV screens in her home country: She was in. She was a cult. For fans and critics alike. Following that big wave of success, Lena represented Germany, one of the "big four" countries, at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010 and therefore automatically qualified for the final. Germany received a wild card during the running order draw, allowing the German representatives to pick the country's position for the final. They chose position 22 out of the 25 spots. Lena arrived one week before the show in Oslo, where she completed five rehearsals of her song Satellite. Prior to the final, she was considered one of the favourites. Bookmakers regarded her second favourite behind Azerbaijan's Safura, while Google projected she would win based on search volume in the participating countries. According to Norway's Aftenposten she received the most media attention of all participants. The final was held on 29 May 2010 at Oslo's Telenor Arena. Appearing fourth from last, Lena wore a simple black dress and performed on a bare stage with four backing singers. Her pared-back presentation was a break from recent Eurovision trends, as it did not feature any form of choreography, dancers or elaborate stage show. Satellite received a total of 246 points, giving Germany its first win since 1982, and the first victory as a unified country. The BBC called Satellite the first "contemporary pop hit Eurovision has produced in decades", ushering in "a new era for the annual music jamboree“. Lena’s victory received much attention in Germany and the show was seen by 15 million viewers on German television (a 49.1 percent market share). She returned to her home town Hanover the following day, where she was greeted by 40,000 people. In June, Satellite regained the top spot in the German singles chart for one week and also peaked at number one in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. It also topped European Hot 100 singles chart, being the first Eurovision song to achieve this. Following this announcement Lena completed her first promotional tour from mid June to early August 2010 visiting the following European cities: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Brussels, Oslo, Malmö, Helsingborg, Stockholm and Zurich. In addition to numerous radio-, newspaper- and television interviews Lena performed live in the Norwegian TV show "Allsang på Grensen" and in the Swedish television program "Sommarkrysset", just to name a few. Her fourth single "Touch a New Day" , which was written and produced by Stefan Raab, was released on August 6, 2010. It was Stefan Raab's idea to let Lena compete again as defending champion at the Euro Vision Song Contest 2011 in Dusseldorf and he had already made this proposal at a press conference shortly after winning the ESC in the room. Lena seemed to enjoy the idea as well, because the competition in Oslo was a great fun for her with no negative side effects. Following this announcement Lena completed her first promotional tour from mid June to early August 2010 visiting the following European cities: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Brussels, Oslo, Malmö, Helsingborg, Stockholm and Zurich. In addition to numerous radio-, newspaper- and television interviews Lena performed live in the Norwegian TV show "Allsang på Grensen" and in the Swedish television program "Sommarkrysset", just to name a few. Her fourth single "Touch a New Day" , which was written and produced by Stefan Raab, was released on August 6, 2010. The remaining months during that year saw the commercialization of Lena's success.

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released on August 6, 2010. The remaining months during that year saw the commercialization of Lena's success. For example the automobile manufacturer Adam Opel AG engaged Lena for a year to promote their cars in ads and commercials - especially to promote their "ESC-hit special edition" Opel Corsa Satellite. Lena’s ESC victory and her many chart hits led to a impressive amount of awards in the remainder of 2010 and the beginning of 2011: She won the “Goldene Henne Honor Award”, “Newcomer of the Year”-award from SWR3 New Pop Festival, “Best Artist”- and “Best Single”-award (for Satellite) from 1LIVE Krone, the Goldene Kamera in the category “ Best Music National”, the Echo 2 x as “Best National Newcomer” and “Best Female National Artist”, the Comet in the category “Best Female Artist” and two MTV Europe Music Awards in the categories “Best German Act“ .

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For one year, everything went perfectly, then everything I did was bad. - Lena reflecting on 2010 and 2011

During that period of time, Lena's many German fans witnessed a change in the media coverage about Lena. Especially the papers who hailed her as Germany's biggest popstar and as a role model for young confident women only few month earlier now criticized her : They accused her for being too often in the limelight and on televison, there were even allegations of Lena reacting arrogant and disrespectful in interviews. It's not unusual for German tabloids that they get tired of an artist's clean image and his appeal to the mass especially if this artist refuses to talk with them and don't like to be a part of their game. This negative trend became all the more evident in January and February 2011, after the TV-Show "Unser Song für Deutschland" aired on televison, in which Lena's 2011 Eurovision song was determined via televoting. The idea to select an ESC song out of a dozen songs all performed by one interpret, is entirely common in some other European countries, but in Germany it had been criticized by the media - especially after 2010's "Unser Star für Oslo" series showcased another selection procedure and had a broad appeal to public and critics alike. On 18 February 2011, the "Unser Song für Deutschland" final was held and it was decided through televoting that Lena would perform the entry "Taken by a Stranger" in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest later that year. All twelve songs performed by Lena during the 3 shows of that series were recorded on her second studio album Good News which was released on 8 February 2011. The album reached Gold status in Germany within one week after its release. With this success under her belt, Lena embarked on her first concert tour Germany, performing in the largest concert halls in Berlin, Hanover, Frankfurt, Dortmund, Leipzig, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart and Cologne. Although most of the big halls were nearly sold out German papers stated that they were about half empty. Apart from that Lena's fans loved the shows and didn't seem to give a damn about what the papers wrote about Lena. About 75.000 visitors came to all her concerts. Her show in Frankfurt was recorded and released as a DVD on May 9th, 2011 and was called Good News – Live DVD. Eventhough Taken By A Stranger peaked at number two in the German single charts the song seemed to be an odd choice for an ESC song, at least compared to the other entries in 2011. Lena performed the unusual Electropop tune on stage during the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf accompanied by several silverdressed alien-like dancers, which emphasized the artistic demand of the song, and finished in the 10th place during the final. The summer of 2011 saw the release of her next new single What A Man on September 2, a song which originally had been recorded by Linda Lyndell in 1968. This time Lena‘s version served as the title track for Matthias Schweighöfer‘s new movie, but despite the great success of the movie Lena‘s single failed to reach the Top 20 in the German Single charts on # 21.

(Quelle: obs/L'Oréal Paris – Photo: Claudius Holzmann)

Against all odds. Apart from performing as part of the interval act during the second semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan, where Lena was joined by the last five Eurovision winners from 2007 to 2011, and her performance at the "Hanover Airport 60th anniversary party", Lena worked on her third album during the first half of 2012. Principal songwriting for Lena's first album without contribution from former mentor, entertainer Stefan Raab, already began in late summer 2011 and during that process Lena made travels to Stockholm, London, and Hamburg. Throughout the sessions, she collaborated with musicians like Matthew Benbrook, Pauline Taylor, Johnny McDaid, James Flannigan, and Sonny Boy Gustafsson, who produced five of the songs. On 1 August, Meyer-Landrut announced via her Twitter account that Stardust will be the first single from her new album with the same title. The single was released on 21 September and was certified Gold for selling 150.000 copies. The album was released on 12 October and it debuted at No. 2 on German Albums chart. Overall the album received generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Several reviews pointed out that Stefan Raab didn't participate at the production. The German issue of Rolling Stone magazine gave Stardust three out of five stars and wrote that "merely that this time you actually have the feeling that this is really Lena, and not Stefan Raab's idea of Lena.” The Neue Presse from Hannover gave four out of five stars and stated: "No Raab anymore, no more under his wing. Lena spread her "pop" wings.” The critic site CDStarts gave the album seven out of ten stars and wrote that Lena has grown up. On 18 January 2013, it was announced that the second single from Lena's album would be Neon. The music video for the single was shot in early February, by director Bode Brodmüller, who also directed Lena's video for her Stardust single. On 1 March, Lena's video for Neon (Lonely People) premiered on the Universal Music page while the single was released on 15 March. The song version for the single differs from the original song version on her Stardust album, featuring a more danceable faster rhythm and the use of more electronic instruments, compared to the album version. During April 2013, Meyer-Landrut was touring the Germany, while promoting her album. The club tour was called 'No One Can Catch Us', and it's the lyrics from her latest's album lead single Stardust. The tour started on April 2, in Stuttgart, and ended on April 21, in Offenbach. Also, Lena was streaming her Last show on internet for her fans, who couldn't come to one of her shows. The tour consisted of 13 shows in different German cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover and others. In April and May 2013 Lena was one of the three judges in the first series of the show “The Voice Kids” together with Tim Bendzko and Henning Wehland. Partly due to her charm it must be noted that Lena was discovered by a new target group : Children. Apart from her TV work her song Mr. Arrow Key was released as third single from the Album Stardust. The song was written by Lena, Linda Carlsson (better known as “Miss Li” in Sweden) and Sonny Boy Gustafsson, and the original track for album was produced by Sonny Boy Gustafsson. Also in May Lena became the president of the German jury (including Carolin Niemczyk, Alina Süggeler, Tim Bendzko and Florian Silbereisen) and the spokesperson for Germany, revealing the countries voting results at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 final on 18 May. During the summer she worked asa dubbing actress, being the German voice of Jane in the motion capture animated film "Tarzan 3D" which was released in German cinemas in February 2014. In July 2013 she dubbed the voice of three characters in the two audiobooks "Giraffenaffen – Wir sind da!" (Giraffe-monkeys – We are here!) and "Giraffenaffen – Die Schatzssuche" (Giraffe-monkeys – Treasure hunt), which were both published in October 2013.

In October 2013 Lena re-united with her ESC mentor Stefan Raab as a featured guest in his song Revolution, a single from Raab's band Dicks on Fire. In June 2013, this song was already used for a promotional video for the shower head Doosh invented by Stefan Raab. The short music video featured Lena posing as Lara Croft under the shower. In 2013 Lena became a L'Oréal testimonial for different hair coloring- and skin care products of that company. Apparently it was her work as an ambassador for L'Oreal, that changed her image in the public eye and re-established her as a more mature star in the eyes of the media. Apart her work as a musician she became widely known for her work in "The Voice Kids" jury and as a sort of fashion icon. From March to May 2014 she returned as a coach in the second season of The Voice Kids along with Henning Wehland (from the band Söhne Mannheims) and Johannes Strate (from the band Revolverheld).

A new direction. In early 2014 Lena began the principal work on her fourth studio album Crystal Sky. Taking her sound further into the electro and dance pop genre, she worked with the british production and songwriting team Biffco and the Berlin-based Beatgees collective on most songs for the album. In November 2014 one of their collaborations, the children song Schlaft alle, appeared on the compilation album Giraffenaffen 3. That same month, Lena's rendition of the Aladdin song A Whole New World was included on the compilation album I Love Disney. From February to April 2015 Lena reprised her role as a coach in the third season of The Voice Kids along with singers Johannes Strate and Mark Forster. After four promotional concerts for the press in Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Cologne during late February to early March 2015 she released Crystal Sky's first single Traffic Lights on 1 May 2015. reached # 14 in the German Singles Chart. Although the sales figures were not quite as good as what one must have been expected from a first single a new Lena album, it paved the way for yet another musical style change that followed with her new album Crystal Sky, which was released on 15 May . It's release marked Lena’s fourth consecutive album to reach the top two of the German Albums Chart, but was less successful in Austria and Switzerland, where it failed to reach the top twenty on both music markets. One important trick that brought variation in the repetitive character of some of the tracks on Crystal Sky was the heavy use of vocal effects and electronic instruments evolving to a production, that is slightly reminicent of British pop star Ellie Goulding’s records every once in a while. However, one should not accuse Lena for some parallels to this singer, because she always had a special affinity to Ellie's style. She even recorded two songs written by Ellie Goulding before: Not Following (for My Cassette Player) and Who'd Want to Find Love (on Good News platinum edition) on which Lena’s voice sounds like she is Ellie Goulding’s twin sister. On 15 September 2015 Lena released her next single Wild & Free, written by Lena, Sarah Connor, Tim Myers, and production team Beatgees. The song was produced for the soundtrack of the motion picture “Fack ju Göhte 2” and peaked at number eight on the German Singles Chart, becoming her highest-charting single in three years. Backed by the success of her new single Lena embarked on the short “Carry You Home Tour”, during which she performed 6 concerts between 21 and 27 October in medium sized concert halls. While the concert dates were completely sold out, Lena performed to great critical acclaim. A second branch of the tour named: “Carry You Home Tour 2.0” was announced later that year. She then spent the second half of February 2016 on the road, with performances in the following ten German Cities and Luxembourg: Hannover, Bielefeld, Erfurt, Munich, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Bremen, Dortmund, Hamburg, Berlin and Cologne. During her tour Lena was accompanied by singer Emma Bale from Belgium as a support act and Jenniffer Kae as a background singer. Yet in March 2016 Lena was already back in front of the TV cameras working as a coach during the semifinals of "The 21. and 27 Voice Kids" .

LENA in the Web Please click the pics to enter the pages

LE NA on Youtube

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LenaMania | Lena Fanpage on Facebook

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LE NA International Fanpage on Facebook

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LE NA Official Webpage

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L E N A on Video Please click on the pictures to start the videos

FINAL

May 14, 2016

F1 SWEDEN Songwriter Frans Jeppsson Wall, Michael Saxell, Fredrik Andersson, Oscar Fogelström

Participant Participant

Loreen Frans

Song Song Euphoria If I Were Sorry

Euphoria If I Were Sorry

Frans (Full name: Frans Jeppsson Wall) was born in Ystad, Skåne, Sweden. He is best known for his football anthems with Elias including the 2006 hit Who's da Man I’d crawl thru thethis desert on mylast hands and knees Why, why can’t moment forevermore? dedicated to Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović. The song credited to the band Rehearsin my pretty please climb the highest Tonight, tonight eternity’s Elias featuring vocals by Frans stayed at the top of Sverigetopplistan, the official mountain… if I were sorry an open door… No, don’t ever stop doing the things you do. Swedish Singles Chart, for 13 weeks. In the Christmas of 2006, he had a minor hit Shout from the top swimIunder water Don’t it go, in every breath take I’m breathing you… with Kul med Jul that broke the Swedish Top 30 reaching #24. Another sports chart until my lungs exploded Walk into the fire… if I were sorry topper for Frans was the 2008 hit Fotbollsfest, a song launched in support of the Euphoria Swedish National Football Team. Forever, ’till the end I'd run a thousand mileof time Wouldn't stop until I dropped From now on, only you and I Wouldn’t takeup-up-up-up-up-up-up a break to breathe until I got close After years of absence from the charts, Frans returned with his participation in We’re going enough Melodifestivalen 2016 in a bid to represent Sweden in the 2016 Eurovision Song Euphoria Contest with the song If I Were Sorry, co-written by Oscar Fogelström, Michael An everlasting Then Id do it all piece again of if I art really had the chance But I knowlove deepwithin inside my for you its just another Saxell, Fredrik Andersson and Frans himself. He performed it in Gävle during the A beating heart dance We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up fourth and last semi-final leg of the competition on 27 February 2016 making it directly to the final 10 competition on 12 March 2016 in Stockholm. If I were sorry I’d give you all the glory We are here, If I were sorry we’re all alone in our own Universe, If I were sorrywhere it would be a different story We are free, everything’s allowed Immediately after his performance, the single was released proving very popular If I were If I first, were sorry oh and lovesorry comes and going straight to number 1 of Sverigetopplistan in its first week of release. It Forever andbreath ever together, we turned sail intoblue infinity, I’d hold my until my face also charted in the Spotify Viral charts in Switzerland, Taiwan, Iceland, Uruguay, the We’re and the higher higher, I’d rob higher a bank and postand office too United Kingdom, Spain, Norway, France, Denmark, Turkey and Germany. He won Swim across the ocean … if I were sorry we’re reaching for divinity. the Melodifestivalen 2016 final held on 12 March 2016 with 156 points and will I’d take wow of silence I wouldn’t say a single word represent Sweden in Eurovision 2016 to be held in Stockholm. Euphoria Until you really heard … if I were sorry

Forever, ’till the end of time I’d runnow a thousand From on, onlymiles you and I Wouldn’t stopup-up-up-up-up-up-up until I dropped We’re going Wouldn’t take the break to breathe Euphoria Until I I got close enough An everlasting piece of art If were sorry give you the glory A Ibeating loveI’dwithin my all heart If I weregoing sorryup-up-up-up-up-up-up We’re If I were sorry it would be a different story If I were sorry oh

Video ► If I Were Sorry

Forever we sail into infinity, Now you ever realize We’redidhigher, we’re reaching for divinity… That your mistake had a prize Oh you threw it all away Euphoria, euphoria Cuz youre the devil in disguise

We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up Now would you ever realize Euphoria…. The consequences of your An everlasting piece of artlies And would you save the falling tear or act as if A beating love within There’s nothing there my heart We’re going up-up-up-up-up-up-up If I were sorry If I were sorry Euphoria, euphoria If I weregoing sorryup-up-up-up-up-up-up If I were sorry We’re If I were sorry I’d take a vow of silence I wouldn’t say a single word If I were sorry If I were sorry I’d be on my hands and knees Beggin pretty please If I were sorry But I’m not sorry no

Frans on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Malin Lauterbach

FINAL

May 14, 2016

F2 FRANCE Songwriter

Participant

Song

Nazim Khaled, Amir Haddad, Johan Errami

Amir

J'ai cherché

Amir (full name: Laurent Amir Khlifa KhediderHaddad) was born in France, immigrated to Israel in 1992 at the age of 8 as part of Aliyah and residing in Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv. He sang as a young child in the synagogue and in various social events. He came to fame in 2006 with his participation in the fourth season of the Israeli song competition Kokhav Nolad , the Israeli equivalent of the Pop Idol held May to September 2006. He was the first candidate to sing mostly French language songs during the audition. He advanced for 4 stages before being eliminated.

J’ai cherché un sens à mon existence J’y ai laissé mon innocence J’ai fini le coeur sans défense J’ai cherché L’amour et la reconnaissance J’ai payé Le prix du silence Je me blesse et je recommence

After that he finished his obligatory military service in the Israeli Defence Forces and continued his studies in dentistry in Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Jerusalem graduating in 2012. Meanwhile, he pursued his passion in music. At the end of the competition, Haddad was signed to a French label. His song Kache limtso milim, the Hebrew version of Patrick Bruel's French hit J'te l'dis quand même, was released with a music video. Bruel loved his rendition and invited him to sing it with him in a grand event in Raanana Park on 23 May 2008 in front of 8000 spectators. He sang it yet (Chorus) again much later in 2013, during the gala in tribute of Anaelle Ledoroth in Paris on You … you're the one that's making me strong May 27, 2013. I'll be looking looking for In 2011, he released his debut studio album Vayehi co-written by Haddad and Omri You … like the melody of my song Dagan during the years when Amir was a university student. The album included his (Chorus) You … You're the one that's making me …. already popular version of Kache limtso milim. In 2014 her was a finalist in French competition The Voice: la plus belle voix as part of Team Jenifer finishing third in J’ai cherché the competition. Un sens, un point de repère Thie year he will represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Partagé en 2 hémisphères Stockholm with J'ai cherché. Comme une erreur de l’univers J’ai jeté Tellement de bouteilles à la mer J’ai bu tant de liqueurs amères ► Que j’en ai les lèvres de pierre Tu m’as Comme donné l’envie d’être moi Donné un sens à mes pourquoi Tu as tué la peur Qui dormait là Qui dormait là Dans mes bras

Video

J'ai cherché

(Chorus) You … You're the one that's making me …. Au gré de nos blessures Et de nos désinvoltures C’est quand on n’y croit plus du tout Qu’on trouve un paradis perdu En nous Oh you you you you 4x (Chorus) You … You're the one that's making me ….

Amir on Facebook

100 | 101

FINAL

May 14, 2016

F3 GERMANY Songwriter

Participant

Song

Anna Leyne, Thomas Burchia, Conrad Hensel

Jamie-Lee Kriewitz

Ghost

Jamie-Lee Kriewitz was born in Bennigsen near Hannover, Germany. At the age of twelve, she joined the gospel choir Joyful Noise. Her father plays the drums; however, the rest of her family is not musical. Jamie-Lee has a preference for the Japanese Decora kei fashion style and for South Korean K-pop, with her favorites being the Korean boyband Block B. Generally fond of Korean culture, she originally intended to pursue a degree in Korean studies.Living vegan since 2012, Kriewitz participated in the "Vegan life is the best life" campaign of animal rights organization PETA.

The story of us Is it already told? Let's tear the book apart Start to rewrite it all We're already gone But still in this together Like a dragon to his gold We're still holding on Our life won't wait for us to live We don't need a lifetime to figure out what we miss The love we get is the love we give A money chest full of love (But we hid the key) This is the ghost of you Haunting the ghost of me We're lonely in a crowded room together Tell me who's scared now! This is the ghost of you Haunting the ghost of me We're playing house in these walls forever Tell me who's scared now!

In her Voice of Germany audition in 2015 she sang The Hanging Tree, where all four coaches turned for Kriewitz. She also performed the song at the The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 premiere in Berlin for Jennifer Lawrence. She chose to be on the team of Michi & Smudo. In the final she sang with British singer Jess Glynne as well as her solo single Ghost. She won the competition, getting 38% of the vote, ahead of second place Ayke Witt. She is the first teenager to win The Voice of Germany. Her debut single Ghost so far reached a peak position of 11 on the German music charts. She won the Unser Lied für Stockholm (German national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016) with her Song Ghost after ganing 44.5% of the public votes in the second round and therefore will represent Germany at the ESC in Stockholm.

Can we get an alternate ending? Can we get an alternate ending, ooooohoohoh Somehow we will change Everything that we touch But we held on too tight And changed it too much

Video ► Ghost

We sweep up this love Put the pieces back together And if we find them all Can we bring this to life? Our life won't wait for us to live We don't need a lifetime to figure out what we miss The love we get is the love we give (A money chest full of love But we hid the key)

Jamie-Lee Kriewitz on Facebook

102 | 103

ÂŠ Photo: Michael Zargarinejad / Universal Music

FINAL

May 14, 2016

F4 ITALY Songwriter Norma Jean Martine, Cheope, Federica Abbate, Fabio Gargiulo, Francesca Michielin

Participant

Song

Francesca Michielin

No Degree Of Separation

Francesca Michielin is an Italian singer-songwriter who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of the Italian talent show X Factor. Her first single, Distratto, debuted atop the Italian FIMI Top Digital Downloads chart and was certified double platinum by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Francesca's debut studio album, Riflessi di me, was released in October 2012, preceded by the single Sola.

È la prima volta che mi capita Prima mi chiudevo in una scatola Sempre un po’ distante dalle cose della vita Perché così profondamente non l’avevo mai sentita E poi ho sentito un’emozione accendersi veloce E farsi strada nel mio petto senza spegnere la voce E non sentire più tensione solo vita dentro di me Nessun grado di separazione Nessun tipo di esitazione Non c’è più nessuna divisione fra di noi Siamo una sola direzione in questo universo che si muove Non c’è nessun grado di separazione

She also appeared as a featured artist on Italian rapper Fedez's singles Cigno nero and Magnifico, both of which achieved commercial success in Italy. Michielin's second top-ten solo single in Italy was L'amore esiste, which preceded the album di20 in 2015. Her second studio set was re-released in February 2016, including the track Nessun grado di separazione, which placed second in the 66th Sanremo Music Festival, behind Stadio's Un giorno mi dirai. The band was then eligible to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, but they declined, stating they would be on a previously planned tour in May 2016. Their decision led RAI to select Francesca Michielin as the Italian entry for the 61st edition of the European competition.

Davo meno spazio al cuore e più alla mente sempre un passo indietro e l’anima in allerta e guardavo il mondo da una porta mai completamente aperta e non da vicino e no non c’è alcuna esitazione finalmente dentro di me There is no degree of separation There is no degree of hesitation There is no degree of space between us live in love We are stars aligned together dancing through the sky, we are shining

Video ► No Degree Of Separation

Nessun grado di separazione Nessun grado di separazione in questo universo che si muove E poi ho sentito un’emozione accendersi veloce E farsi strada nel mio petto senza spegnere la voce

Francesca Michielin on Facebook

104 | 105

ÂŠ Photo: Stylaz

FINAL

May 14, 2016

F5 SPAIN Songwriter

Participant

Song

Barei, Ruben Villanueva, Victor Pua

Barei

Say Yay!

Barei (real name: Bárbara Reyzábal González-Aller) was born as the daughter of Teresa González-Aller Monterde and Fortunato Reyzábal Larrouy in Madrid. er father, who died shortly after she was born, belonged to the Reyzábal family, a family that was dedicated to production of films, investments in real estate properties, and the operation of party venues in Madrid. She has three brothers and sisters: Ignacio Jesús, Julián, and Lourdes. Bárbara studied singing, guitar, musical language, and piano.

Hello hello Mr. fighter Look! there we go again...  Go-getters don´t forsake! They never wallow in their fate More than a thousand miles until the end  We´re never gonna know what lies ahead.  We only got today to learn from our yesterday! I feel alive bringing into play  my whole life going all the way. I´m still alive and I turn away from broken mirrors. I feel alive when I dare to say I wanna fight! Won´t fix by running…   Say yay yay yay!  Come on and raise your battle cry! You are the one who never dies!  Hurray! Sing it lalalala!  Go on singing lalalala!  You keep on climbing over hills!  Right now you´re following your dreams!  Hurray! Sing it lalalala! Hurray!   Say Yay Yay Yay! Hurray!   Hello Hello Mr. Danger  No need to be afraid! I know by heart my shades  I got the light between my breaks   More than a thousand  wounds upon my hands every time I fought them face to face!  We go through our mistakes  to find the way to go back straight.

In 2011 Barei released her first studio album Billete para no volver an album fully in Spanish language produced by Rubén Villanueva. After this album, Barei began to publish standalone singles in English language every few months beginning with Play in October 2012. Some of the following singles, like Foolish NaNa (2013), obtained success. The video of Another's Life (2013) got 600,000 views on YouTube, while the video of Wildest Horses (2014) got 1.5 million views. Barei's second album Throw the Dice, released on 7 April 2015, was strongly influenced by British and American pop, funk and soul and included some of the singles she had released the previous two years like Foolish NaNa, Another's Life and Wildest Horses. In July 2015 Barei served as the warm-up act for Lenny Kravitz at the Starlite Festival in Marbella. On 29 December 2015 the Spanish broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) announced Barei as one of the six candidates in the Spanish national selection, Objetivo Eurovisión, for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. On 19 January 2016, samples of the six songs were released by RTVE with Barei singing Say Yay! On 1 February, Barei won the Spanish national selection with 114 points, and will represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.

Video ► Say Yay!

I feel alive bringing into play  my whole life going all the way. I´m still alive and I turn away from broken mirrors I feel alive when I dare to say I wanna fight!  Won´t fix by running!No won´t fix by running!   Come on and raise your battle cry!  You are the one who never dies!  Hurray! Sing it lalalala!Go on singing lalalala!  You keep on climbing over hills!  Right now you´re following your dreams!  Hurray! Sing it lalalala! Hurray!

Barei on Facebook

ÂŠ Photo: Phelia Barouh

FINAL

May 14, 2016

F6 UNITED KINGDOM Songwriter

Participant

Song

Matt Schwartz, Justin J Benson, S. Kanes

Joe and Jake

You're Not Alone

You‘re not alone

Joe (full name: Joe Woolford) and Jake (full name: Jake Shakeshaft) are a British duo met in 2015 during the fourth series of The Voice UK. They both made it Heartbeat, when you’re not around its beating slow, through the Blind auditions, Shakeshaft performed Thinking Out Loud by Ed and it's something that I've never known..oh oh oh Sheeran and Woolford performed Lights by Ellie Goulding. In the Battle rounds I’ll be, I'll be the answer you've been waiting for, Woolford and Shakeshaft both won and progressed to the Knockout rounds, I’ll be the truth that you've been looking for.. Shakeshaft performed Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall by Coldplay and Woolford oh oh oh performed I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz. In the Knockout round Shakeshaft performed the song As Long as You Love Me by Justin Bieber but was eliminated. (Chorus) Woolford performed the song Hey Ya! by OutKast and progressed to the live shows. You’re not alone, we're in this together, all that you In Week 1 Woolford performed the song Don't Wake Me Up by Chris Brown, he want is right here forever, and they dont need to advanced to the next round. In Week 2 he was eliminated from the competition know - they don't need to know after singing Jealous by Labrinth. You’re not alone, we're in this together, all that you want I'm right here forever, and they don't need to During The Voice UK Woolford and Shakeshaft became good friends and decided to know - and they don't need to know pair up in order to enter Eurovision: You Decide, the national final developed by the BBC in order to select the British entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. They You’re free, free to let go cause I'll be here for you, were one of six acts who competed in the national final and they won the contest and when you fall I'll be your parachute – which was selected entirely through a public vote consisting of televoting and oh oh oh online voting. They will perform the song You're Not Alone in the Final on 14 May 2016 at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm. I-i-i feel like I'm dancing in the sky, I come alive when I'm with you, I come alive when I'm with you You’re not alone we're in this together, all that you want, is right here forever and they don't need to know - they don't need to know. I-i-i feel like I'm dancing in the sky, I come alive when I'm with you, I come alive when I'm with you

Video ► You're Not Alone

Don’t speak, your smile tells me all I need to know, your eyes show me where I want to go - oh You’re not alone we're in this together, all that you want, is right here forever and they don't need to know - they don't need to know. I-i-i feel like I'm dancing in the sky, I come alive when I'm with you, I come alive when I'm with you

Joe and Jake on Facebook

108 | 109

ÂŠ Photo: David Hooper

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