This one was one of my early favourites in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. It's a shame it didn't make the Grand Final; although, with the amount of ballads that were in the competition this year, it wasn't really a surprise that some didn't quite make it. This one was very strong on the night, with Tamara Gachechiladze looking completely stunning in the first Semi-Final. However, representing Georgia, she only managed to get 99 points, placing her 11th - a whole 16 points away from 10th place Greece who was represented by Demy with "This Is Love"; Tamara Gachechiladze gained 37 points from the televote and 62 points from the jury. I love the message behind this song. Watch Tamara Gachechiladze perform her Eurovision 2017 song "Keep The Faith", whilst a diverse group of people sing along to the lyrics of the song in this incredibly powerful music video.
Tamara Gachechiladze, formerly known as Tako Gachechiladze, was originally a part of the quartet Stephane & 3G, who originally attempted to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 where they won the national final; however the song was flagged for political reasons and refusal to change the lyrics led to them withdrawing from the contest. In other years, Tamara Gachechiladze took part in Georgia's national selection shows for Eurovision 2008 (where she came tenth), and Eurovision 2009 (where she came fourth but also won as part of Stephane & 3G). Zip forward eight years, and she won Georgia's national show for Eurovision 2017. It's just such a shame she didn't go through to the Grand Final, but, much like the other acts who didn't make it, she's gained fans around the world who will support her, just like me. This song is strong and powerful, it hits my heart every time I hear it; it was written by Tamara Gachechiladze and Anri Jokhadze.
This music video is one of a few favourites of mine from the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. It's really simple and basic but has such an explosive and cultural impact. If anything, this has a lot of power, which is surprising from something so basic.
In the visual we watch Tamara Gachechiladze performing the song, in various stunning outfits, none quite as beautiful as her Semi-Final outfit - now that was beyond gorgeous. She gives it so much meaning in the video, she clearly loves this song and the message behind it, which she easily conveys.
Throughout the music video, we see other people singing along to the words of the song, they aren't performing it so it's okay that they're not giving it their all, but that's because who they are is what sends the message out to us. The song is about not letting people get you down, to not hide, to go out and become who you are meant to be. These people in the visual are certain stereotypes that may be verbally abused for their appearance and their choices, but you should never be someone that those mean people want you to be; be yourself.
The music video is completely powerful, the song has the perfect message and should definitely have made the final. I hope that Tamara Gachechiladze continues to "Keep The Faith" and releases more music and more stunning songs because I can't wait to hear what she releases next.
This year of Eurovision brought the battle of the warriors, as Amber also released a song called "Warrior"; however, Nina Sublatti totally won by making it to the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, whereas Amber didn't make it. Nina Sublatti, for Georgia, came 11th with 51 points. Showing strong female warriors, this video shows girl power and strength in a great visual for Nina Sublatti's "Warrior".
Nina Sublatti, real name Nina Sulaberidze, won the national selection for Georgia in 2015 and therefore came to represent the country at Eurovision. She had previously released a few singles, as well as an album. After Eurovision, she released a few more singles that didn't chart so well. Then she went on to become a judge on the Georgian version of The X Factor. This song was written by Nina Sublatti and Thomas G:son.
The music video was directed by David Gogokhia. It features five models, portraying Tamar of Georgia, who is a Georgian National Hero who ruled Georgia as the first Queen Regnant. The models are Nina Potskhishvili, Mariam Sanogo, Keta Gavasheli, Lina Tsiklauri, and Dea Aptsiauri.
There isn't a lot to this very visual video that is completely filmed in black and white. There's not an awful lot of movement in the video, although there are two very cute huskies.
The performance piece is extremely static. Nina Sublatti was clearly told not to move much, and this does lead to quite a bland visual. However, I guess it's some sort of visual of strength.
Overall it's not that memorable, and definitely hasn't got a lot going on. I don't get why they chose it to be shown in black and white, and I also don't see why Nina Sublatti couldn't give a better visual in her performance piece. I feel there should've been more to this music video.
A collaboration entry, the only one of my Eurovision Special 2013... Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani are well known on music talent TV contests. Nodi Tatishvili has performed in various countries, and therefore his prominence in those countries could possibly be the reason why they gained so many points. However the song is so good, and they performed it well, so it may just be the song. I did download the song from iTunes, but as much as I want to see these two singers record more songs together, and possibly become a duo, I just don't think that is going to happen. Their harmonies are just perfect, and would be great if they release another collaboration, but it doesn't seem to be on the cards.
"Waterfall" was written by Thomas G:son (quite the Eurovision writer isn't he? He wrote Loreen's winning song "Euphoria" as well as Pastora Soler's "Quédate Conmigo" from the same year) and Erik Bernholm. The song is catchy, however I think the song is better when it's performed, like it was on the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, compared to the studio version. The song reminds me of a Disney song, something a princess will sing while thinking of her true love. Disney should so get this song in one of their films!
Georgia came 15th out of 26 countries, which is almost halfway. Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani got 50 points. Lithuania gave 8 points, Moldova gave 3 points, Russia gave 5 points, Armenia gave 10 points, Azerbaijan also gave 10 points, Greece gave 5 points, Ukraine gave 7 points and Montenegro gave 2 points. They did better in the final than what they did in the Semi-Final.
The music video is lacking a WATERFALL! I know I complain about literal meaning, but if you're going to title a song you should at least incorporate that thing in the music video. But this is not the only thing missing...
They sing about 'Sailing on a sea of dreams' and 'flying', yet there is no sea, no flying.
On the other hand this is a pure performance piece, so leaving out any possible setting ideas for a narrative (or for Disney, come on Disney the song just sends out a potential film!) I am focusing on their powerful stage presence, or should I say mountainous presence?
And they have a lot of that, they manage to convey it, and if I were to see them live at a concert, festival or gig, I reckon I will get chills and goosebumps, I'm sure I got them during the final of this year's contest. They convey so much emotion in this video, that we don't need any of the imagery they sing about. I can't help but think wow after watching the video. But it would have been a bigger wow with a waterfall.
The song is great to listen to, and I can't suggest it enough to Disney. This needs to be on one of their movie soundtracks, at least! The accompanying music video is missing things we can dream of, all the stuff they mention in the song fails to show up in the video, and although the performance video is full of emotion, and a hedge maze! It fails to actually come up with a waterfall. I was expecting the mountain to cave in with them on top and they to fall into a waterfall together. The video lacks what we needed from this video, yet manages to capture us with the amazing song and the beautiful setting.
