FESTIVALI I KËNGËS 63 SONGWRITER DEEP DIVE 🇦🇱🕸️📊
The days are getting darker and FiK-mas is just around the corner! Of the 30 lineup, 22 songs have connections to other entries. Big names, new stars, seasoned songwriters, this has everything. Let's take a look (a thread 🧵)
Ardit Çuni - "Amane"
A newcomer to FiK himself, Ardit is helped by Stivi Ushe, who competed himself last year, with the dramatic ballad "Askush si ty". Also worth noting that in these graphs, songs are labelled by Eurovision year (so one year later than the FiK year)
Mal Retkoceri - "Antihero"
Last year's winner is back, again bringing a self-penned song. Will Mal be able to achieve succes again, and perhaps even the ticket to Basel?
Gresa Gjocera - "E vërteta"
Gresa get's helped from experienced writer Endrit Shani. Fans may remember songs like Gigliola Haveriku's "E lirë", Klinti Çollaku's "Do t'ja dal" or Luna Çausholli's "Jetën ta fal", all penned by him
Lorenc Hasrama - "Frymë"
While Lorenc is new to FiK, he is making a splash for his first appearance, being one of four people to be involved with multiple entries this year. On top of performing "Frymë", he has also written "Zemrës" for Nita Latifi
Jet - "Gjallë"
Already getting a hit through Kënga Magjike this year, Jet is hoping to make that double with "Gjallë". The song was written by power vocalist Inis Neziri ("Piedestal"/"Pendesë") and Elio Shuli, who was involved with Gent Hoxha's "Ajër"
Orgesa Zaimi - "I parë"
No stranger to FiK, Orgesa has performed fan favourite entries like "Ngrije zërin" and "Hije". For the first time, she is working with star songwriting duo Enis Mullaj and Eriona Rushiti, who have written masterpieces like "Duje" and "Zjarri im" together
Endrik Beba - "Ishe ti"
While Endrik has participated in FiK through bands Lynx and Urban Band before, this is his first time as a soloist. Will he be able to break through on his own?
Devis Xherahu - "Ka momente"
16 years after his FiK debut, Devis is back for a fourth time. Will this one bring him succes?
Elvana Gjata - "Karnaval"
No doubt the most anticipated entry of recent FiK memory, "Karnaval" will be Elvana Gjata's third song for the festival. In 2003 she failed to make the final and in 2019 she fell just short of victory. Is this finally her time to take the trophy?
Kejsi Jazxhi - "Kur bota hesht"
Kejsi is making her debut helped by two familiar names. Sardi Strugaj finished second in the 2020 edition. Briz Musaraj has written entries like Orgesa's "Ngrije zërin" and Ronela's attempt at a Sanmarinese comeback, "Salvaje"
Santino de Bartolo - "Kur nata vjen si bora"
Santino is on a streak of Festival appearances, introducing himself to Eurofans at last year's FiK, and making his debut in the Kosovar edition earlier this year. Is third time the charm for him?
Djemtë e Detit - "Larg"
A true comeback, Djemtë e Detit had six entries in the pre-Eurovision FiK during the 90's. Now, despite the loss of their lead singer Gent Demaliaj, they're back. They're helped by Timo Flloko, who wrote Redon Makashi's 2nd place entry "Ekziston" in 2017
Gjergj Kaçinari - "Larg jetës pa ty"
A frequent name in FiK lineup. "Larg jetës pa ty" marks Gjergj's fifth involvement with the festival
Vesa Smolica - "Lutem"
While "Lutem" marks Vesa's debut, this is by no means the case for Eriona. Her songs have frequently sparked enthusiasm in fans, and represented the country on the European stage four times across adult and junior Eurovision
Erma Mici - "Mbaje"
Erma became one of the breakout stars of FiK 61, winning the award for the Best New Artist. This time she is joined by star writers Kledi Bahiti ("Karma") and Rozana Radi, who were involved with Besa's entry last year
Alis Kallacej - "Mjegull"
Alis makes her debut with the help of Alban Kondi, who has been involved with a number of entries over the last 20 years. Many fans will remember Vanesa Sono's "Aroma Jonë", which was written by him
Martina Serreqi - "Nese qaj"
Returning directly from last year, Martina's "Nese qaj" is the second of two songs written by Sardi Strugaj this year
Luna Çausholli - "Qiell apo ferr"
Fans will remember Luna from FiK 61, and the Kosovar edition this year, failing to make the final on both occasions. Will the third time be the charm for her?
Frensi Revania - "Rreziko"
Alban Male has written a number of songs for the festival for artists like Besa Kokëdhima and Kamela Islamaj, but has been absent for more than a decade. Will his comeback bring succes?
Kleansa Susaj - "Ta dija"
Kleansa won over many fans last year with the stunning ballad "Pikturë". Now she's back with the help of Kledi Bahiti, who has alreade helped two songs go to Eurovision this decade. Will "Ta dija" be the third?
Nita Latifi - "Zemrës"
Nita introduced herself to Eurofans with "Marrëzi", in the Kosovar FiK last year. Now she's going for the Albanian edition, with help from her fellow competitor Lorenc Hasrama
Shkodra Elektronike - "Zjerm"
After figuring on fan wish-lists for many years, this interesting duo is finally set to take the FiK stage. This is not their first time being involved however, as they wrote Rezarta Smaja's "E jemja nuse", placing third in 2021
The remaining 8 entries do not have any connections to other entries:
Laorjan Ejlli and Adelina Corraj - A thu
Algert Sala - Bosh
Stine - E kishim nis
Epos - Kurajo dhe Zjarr
Ronaldo Mesuli - N'zemër
Mihallaq Andrea - Porositë e babait
Rea Nuhu - Sot
Olsi Bylyku - Tupanët
And that's all! Hope you enjoyed reading this thread, and found it informative. If you did, make sure to follow me so you don't miss out on similar deep dives I will be making for all other national finals this season. Until then, take care!
BENIDORM FEST 2025 SONGWRITER DEEP DIVE 🕸️📊🇪🇸
One of the most anticipated national finals in recent years, BenidormFest is back once again. Of the 16 songs 8 have connections to previous entries in the world of Eurovision. Let's take a closer look (a thread 🧵) #BenidormFest2025
Celine Van Heel - "La casa"
While "La casa" will be Celine's first release, her team features clear Eurovision experience in the form of Alfred García, who represented Spain in Lisbon in 2018. On top of his entries from the 2018 selection, Alfred also took part in Benidorm 2023
David Afonso - "Amor barato"
True Junior Eurovision royalty involved here! Alejandro and Luis took Spain to second place last year in Nice, and are once again behind the Spanish JESC entry this time on home turf. "Amor barato" marks their first collaboration for the adult contest
JUNIOR EUROVISION 2024 SONGWRITER DEEP DIVE 🇪🇺📊🕸️
With less than 10 days to go, it's time to take a look at the teams behind each song. Though the artists have no previous involvement with Eurovision by nature, 14/17 songs have known Eurovision names behind them (A thread 🧵)
🇦🇱 Nikol Çabeli - "Vallëzoj"
Just like last year, Albania's entry was written by fan favourite writer Eriona Rushiti. She is known for succesful FiK entries like "Kthëju tokës", "Duje" and "Zjarri im". Also in the mix is JESC 2022-writer Endri Muçaj
🇦🇲 Leo - "Cosmic Friend"
Big names in the mix here, with the team behind "Qami Qami" and "Do It My Way" involved again. Maléna (Arpine Martoyan) won the contest herself in 2021, while Tokionine (David Badalyan) and Vahram Petrosyan have experience in the Armenian scene
EESTI LAUL 2025 SONGWRITER DEEP DIVE 🇪🇪📊🕸️
We have our first 15 songs for what's shaping up to be a highlight of the 2025 season! All songs have connections to previous entries, so even though we have to wait a month, we can already get a feel for the songs now! (A thread 🧵)
An-Marlen - "Külm"
2022 fan favourite An-Marlen is back! As with "Lõpuks muutub", An-Marlen has writing credits on "Külm" too
Andrei Zevakin feat. Karita - "Ma ei tea sind"
No stranger to Eesti Laul, Andrei has written and performed many entries already. He is joined by the team behind Ariadne's robbed 2022 fan-favourite "Shouldn't Be Friends", including Ariadne herself
MONTESONG 2024 SONGWRITER DEEP DIVE 🇲🇪🕸️📊
Welcome to the first NF deep dive of the season! In this series, I look at all links between the writers/artist of a national final lineup with other songs from the Eurovision world. The thread contains a detailed plot for each song 🧵
A quick disclaimer: Many of the credits were revealed with an initial instead of a full first name. Thus there may be a slight insecurity with some of these connections. If any mistakes come to my attention, they will be noted at the end of the thread. Now let's get to it!
Neonoen - "Clickbait"
Band member Marko has a past with the Eurovision world. In 2005 he placed 6th in the Serbo-Montenegrin national final. Two years later, he placed 3rd in the first ever national final of an independent Montenegro. How will his band do this time?
Hello Mello 2024 Songwriter Deep Dive 🇸🇪🕸️📊
Trying something new with a non-Eurovision contest, though obviously heavily inspired. If this does well, I may do more, perhaps Kënga Magjike 2024. Of the 25 entries, 22 have Eurovision connections 🧵
Valencia Montpaz - "Dancing All By Myself"
While Malin has written songs for Moldova, Lithuania and Croatia, Christian has been in Mello before, with David Lindgren's "Skyline" and Anton Hagman's Loreen-ending "Kiss You Goodbye"
Leon Frohm - "Better Days"
Anderz Wrethov has been a big player in recent Eurovision history, and now adds Hello Mello to his CV. He is joined by Marcus Winther-John (Break a Broken Heart/La teva decisió) and John-Emil Johansson, who wrote Malta's JESC entry last year
A fun little detail of Eurovision history. This graphs shows all Eurovision/National Final/Junior Eurovision entries ever, connected by their common songwriters. You see the small grey "tail" at the top left, only thinly connected to the rest of the network? (1/6)
Well, it turns out it represents Turkish entries from Eurovision/the long lost Turkish national finals! (2/6)
The thing is, the Turkish Eurovision world didn't have any songwriter overlap with the rest of Europe. For most of Eurovision history this "tail" would have been an island, completely disconnected from the big network - but one man, Olcayto Ahmet Tuğsuz, changed that (3/6)