Norway - Grab The Moment - JOWST

10 - 158 pts /5 - 189 pts in semi 2
Norway's Melodi Grand Prix 2017was won by JOWST and the song Grab The Moment.
JOWST is DJ Joakim With Steen and he is joined by Aleksander Walmann who takes care of the vocals.

Grab The Moment is written by Joakim With Steen himself and Jonas McDonell.
The song has been released as a digital single.
NRK have issued a 1-track promo cds. (NRK, no numbers)

NRK promo

Picture sampled from Soundcloud

The ten songs from this years Melodi Grand Prix were first available through Spotify and Tidal and later iTunes.
If you go here (at NRK) you'll get the listening links.
They have been released as separate singles rather than a MGP album.

Remix the moment
A remix contest for Grab The Moment is what we need. You can make a remix of the Norwegian Eurovision Tune, use all the samples you like (it's allowed you know). Grab the necessary soundfiles here at soundcloud (Click ...More and then download) and let us know how you're doing. Kill kill kill, kill kill, la la la.....
Update: Some of the mixes can be heard here at JOWSTs Soundcloud. Don't know if anyone won or anything.

JOWST made some friends in Kyiv. He remixed the Czech entry for Martina Bárta and also made a remix for Manel Navarro (Keep On Falling, not his Eurovision song)

Versions

Digital release image

Grab the moment - ESC/single version
- Kyiv 2CD, promo
Grab the moment - karaoke
- digital release

Charts:
Norway VG lista: 16, 15, 19, 27, 32, 39, -, 34, 6, 12, 22, 32
Sweden top 100: 56
Austria top 75: 73


Links and sources
Special thanks to Felix at NRK!
JOWST: Facebook, Website, Soundcloud
NRK MGP/Eurovision pages
More Norway entries are here: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Czech Republic - My Turn - Martina Bárta

13 - 83 pts in semi 1
ČT, the Czech broadcaster, decided on jazz singer Martina Bárta as the Czech representative for the 2017 contest.
Her song is titled My Turn. It's written by Kyler Niko and DWB (Craig Watts, Paul Drew & Peter Barringer)
The song was revealed on March 7.
The official video is here at Eurovision.tv
Peter Barringer also co-wrote this years Polish entry.

promo

My Turn was released as a digital single on March 29. The karaoke version is also out now.
The promotional single is a 1-track cds in a large fold out sleeve (just over 7 inch) with lyrics, interview and bio's.

JOWST remix
Friendships were forged in Kyiv. Norwegian entrant JOWST made a remix of Martina's entry and it was released as a digital track on September 25 (CT/Universal)

JOWST remix Digital Release Image

Who is Martina Bárta?

Digital release image

Martina Bárta is an award winning Jazz singer and musician (she plays the French Horn) known from her work with the Felix Slováček Big Band and the Sinatrology project, celebrating the music of Frank Sinatra.

She also performs with her sister Kristina, who is a successful jazz pianist and composer.

Martina played the leading female role of Maid Marion in the musical Robin Hood by Ondřej Soukup and Gábina Osvaldová in Prague's Divadlo Kalich Threatre.

She won her spot in the musical through the casting show Robin Hood - Cesta ke slávě (Robin Hood - The Path to Fame)

Her star contined rising with the Scotch and Soda project in Germany where she interpreted Jazz classics with Martin Gartschock.

Karaoke DRI

Versions
My turn - single/ESC version
- Kyiv 2CD
My Turn (JOWST remix)
- digital release
My turn - karaoke
- digital releases

Links and sources

Martina Bárta: Website,  Facebook

Thanks to Martin at Ceska Televize
Czech out these Eurovision jewels: 2016 - 2015 - 2011

Gabriela Gunčíková (2016) is a national hero, she was the first singer to qualify for the Czech Republic. In the end she only finished 25th, but small steps will see the Czechs in the top 10 anytime soon, sadly it wasn't Martina's Turn.

Moldova - Hey Mamma - Sunstroke Project

3 - 374 pts /2 - 291 pts in semi 1

Promo

Sunstroke Project won the Moldovan final with the song Hey Mamma.
Hey Mamma is written by the band themselves with Alina Galetskaya.

At Eurovision the Sunstroke boys delivered and gave the country their best ever result, improving by three places on their 2005 granny friendly debut entry Boonika Bate Toba which ended 6th.

Listen to the studio version here at Ragoza music's Youtube.
The song was been released on iTunes and other digital sources, along with a karaoke version. (see versions below)

May 22 sees another digital release now including a new version: The Anthony Waldhorn remix
Spotify is limited though, but you can listen at Anthony Waldhorns Soundcloud.
August sees the release of four remixes (two mixes each in two versions). They are released through JE/Just Entertainment in Italy and three of them are available through Columbia in Germany. Spotify releases only in limited territories.
JE has a Youtube that features all versions (here). See versions list below.

A promo CD is issued. It features 10 tracks including the Eurovision songs from 2017 and 2010.
Full tracklist below.

Digital release image

Sunstroke Project are:
Anton Ragoza - Violinist, composer

Sergey Stepanov - Epic Sax Guy
Sergey Ialovitsky – Vocal

Sunstroke Project with singer Olia Tira graced the Eurovision stage in 2010 with Run Away which made it to the final in Oslo and ended 22nd.
The Sax player caused a bit of a self-fullfilled internet hype as Epic Sax Guy and he kept the title ever since.

The 2010 page on Sunstroke Project with Olia Tira has been updated with the latest info, corrected links and all that. Please take a look at the Run Away versions and releases.

Remix DRI

Versions:
Hey Mamma - radio edit/Eurovision edit
- Kyiv 2CD
Hey Mamma - Anthony Waldhorn remix edit
- digital release
Hey Mamma - Anthony Waldhorn remix extended
- digital release
Hey Mamma - Cerruti Re-Touch (Radio edit)
- digital release
Hey Mamma - Cerruti Re-Touch
- digital release
It appears some of the the remixes are only available in limited territories. But you can listen through JE's Youtube.
Hey Mamma - karaoke version (single track release)
- both digital releases
Hey Mamma - karaoke version (= instrumental)
- digital release (official karaoke album)

Coverversion
A coverversion in Afrikaans was released by South African singer Karin Bekker.
Find out more here at Eurocovers.

Charts
Sweden top 100: 20, 18, 33, 24, 30, 36, 39, 48, 64, 90, 99
Netherlands top 100: 70, -
Switzerland top 100: 55, -
France top 200: 56, -
Austria top 75: 27, -
Spain top 50: 34, -
Belgium top 50 (FL): 49, -

You can listen to all the songs from the Moldovan selection  here at TRM (new link)

2016 re-issue Run Away (digital)

O Melodie Pentru Europa

Sunstroke Projects Moldovan national selection entries:

2009 - No Crime (3^rd)

2010 - Run Away (with Olia Tira, winner, 22^nd in ESC)

2010 - Believe (didn’t proceed to semi)

2012 - Superman (with Olia Tira, didn’t proceed to semi)

2015 - Lonely (semi final, withdrawn)

2015 - Day after day (3^rd)

Links and sources:
Sunstroke Project:Website, Facebook
Sunstroke Project at BeaRecords.
TRM Eurovision page
Sunstroke Project at the Oslo Collection
Moldova's Eurovision efforts: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Hey Mamma! Tracklist
1. Hey Mamma (Eurovision 2017)
2. Epic Sax (from the EP Don't Touch The Classics Vol.1.)
3. Day after day (2015 preselection)
4. Amor (2014 single)
5. Walking in the rain (2011 single)
6. Lonely (2015 preselection)
7. Not giving it up (2015 single)
8. Run away (Eurovision 2010)
9. Мария Хуана (Russian version of Maria Juana, 2016 single)
10. Home (2016 single)

Cyprus - Gravity - Hovig

promo cds

21 - 68 pts /5- 164 pts in semi 1
Hovig (Hovig Demirjian, Χόβιγκ Ντεμιρτζιάν) represented Cyprus in the 2017 contest with the song Gravity.
His participation was already announced in October 2016.
His song is written with Swedish Eurovision songwriter Thomas G:Son. It was presented on March 1. The digital single is out since March 2.
Remixes were made by 7th Heaven.
Listen here at Hovig Youtube.
The remixes were released (digital) on May 13.

A promo cdsingle  issued by RIK (PIK) features five versions of Gravity.

1. Gravity

2. Gravity - Karaoke Version

3. Gravity - Instrumental Version

4. Gravity - 7th Heaven Radio Edit

5. Gravity - 7th Heaven Club Mix

An Acoustic version of Gravity was released on September 15. Available through all digital platforms.

Digital Release Image of Acoustic version

Digital release image

Hovig first claim to fame was to end 7th in the X-Factor Greece in 2009.
In 2010 he entered the Cypriot selection for Eurovision with the song Goodbye which ended third.
In 2015 he tried again with the song Stone In A River (4th).
He has released a few singles the most recent being Stone In A River but he hasn't released an album yet.
Hovig is from Armenian descent so here you go: Հովիկ Դեմիրճյան.

Remixes DRI

Versions
Gravity - Original
- Kyiv 2CD
Gravity - 7th Heaven Epic mix / Club mix
Gravity - 7th Heaven Radio edit
Gravity - karaoke
- all above digital releases
Gravity - instrumental
- All on promo cds
Gravity - Acoustic
- digital release

Links and sources
Thanks to Krzysztof!
Hovig: Website,  Facebook
Thomas G:Son at Loreen's page (The Baku Collection)
More Cyprus entries: 2016 - 2015 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Finland - Blackbird - Norma John

Picture from YLE's UMK page

12 - 92 pts in semi 1
Blackbird by Norma John is the winner of the 2017 Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK), the quest to find a Eurovision entry for Finland.
Norma John are Leena Tirronen en Lasse Piirainen and they wrote the song themselves.
The song has been released on the digital UMK album and as a seperate digital single (Feb 21).

A 1-track promo cds was made for radio, don't know if there's any promo for Kyiv.

A remix of Blackbird was released on July 12. (digital release)

pic from e-bay

Versions
Blackbird - ESC/UMK version
- digital release, Kyiv 2CD, radio promo
Blackbird - Remix
- digital single (July 12)
Blackbird - karaoke (= instrumental)
- digital release 

Leena Tirronen ended third in the 2010 X-Factor in Finland and got to release an album Leena Ihmemaassa (Lena in wonderland) and a few singles. None of them made it to the charts and she was soon dropped from her label (Sony). Lasse Piirainen co-wrote some of the songs on her album.
The pianist/keyboardist/producer tinkled the keys in the past for Milana Misic, Johanna Kurkela, Anna Abreu and more.

Digital single release image

10 songs were lined up for the Finnish Eurovision selection
They all have been released digitally (iTunes) and are available through Spotify
Capitol Records Promo cd-r's of the UMK 2017 album have been distributed by YLE at the UMK live events. (see coments)
The last time an official CD was released was in 2014.


--- ---

Links and sources
Thanks to Juha.
Norma John: Facebook
YLE UMK pages
Remember these Finnish entries?: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

The Kyiv Bonus Entertainment

DRI Vidlik EP by Onuka

Openings and intervals are an integral part of the Eurovision experience, but most of the time I notice them only when rewatching the events as on the night it’s the time for pooring drinks, totting up votes and topping up the peanut bowls.

These are this years interval acts that have their music released for the public. All are for sale through the digital stores, although not in all territories. And you can Spotify them. I've even made a playlist so you don't have to, scroll to end of this post.

Semi 1 was opened by Monatik (Монатік) who performed his song Spinning. The track was released on May 9 through your favorite digital stores.

The track was originally released in its original version Кружит (Kruzhit, Circles) in 2016 on the album звучит (Zvuchit, Sounds). The album was also released on CD.

Jamala and DakhaBrakha, from Jamala's facebook

Jamala
Jamala gave us a new version of 1944 in the interval of Semi 1. This Symphonic version was released as a digital track. The other song she performed, Заманили (Zamanyly, Lured , seduced),  is a digital single from 2016.

The track was originally released by Jamala with DakhaBrakha (ДахаБраха). DakhaBrakha are a world music quartet from Kyiv.

I think it was quite rude not to credit DakhaBrakha on the night, as it’s their joint version you hear at the interval.

Anyway, it was the best Jamala performance of the contest and the song has been released in two versions (digital).

Jamala’s third song was I Believe In U, which was performed in the Final Interval. This was released as a digital single on May 14.

Ruslana

Ruslana, the winner of the 2004 contest, also appeared in the Final. She performed her new song It’s Magical.

The song has been released on May 14 in its English and Ukrainian (Я Люблю) versions.
In Kyiv Ruslana performed a bi-lingual version

Pic stolen from Instarix

Onuka

By far my favorite bonus act was Onuka. They performed a medley of songs with the National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine.

The songs included Other and Vidlik (the one with the words in the background) both to be found on the 2016 EP Vidlik. The Vidlik EP was released digitally but also as a white vinyl 12”inch.

First part Misto / Around Me and last part Untitled (where we begin) can be be found (as seperate tracks) on their 2014 album Onuka, which is well worth checking out too.
I hadn't heard of Onuka before the contest, but I'll be checking them out if there's new work. They're all I wanted Fusedmarc to be (and I really tried...)
Vidlik could benefit from a stunning remix though, as the original studio version may be a bit too hardcore for the dancefloor.

Verka Serduchka

There was no escaping Verka Serduchka and her Mamma, and rightfully so. But business is business and the digital compilation The Best Of Verka Serduchka was released to coincide with the contest.
This digital collection includes a 2015 mix of the 2007 entry Dancing Lasha Tumbai. It’s very similar to some of the old versions but with a few new sounds here and there.

Denmark - Where I Am - Anja Nissen

Digital release image

20 - 77 pts /10 - 101 pts in semi 2
Anja Nissen won the Danish Melodi Grand Prix 2017 and she took her song Where I Am to the final in Kyiv.
Where I Am is written by Anja Nissen herself, Angel Tupai and Michael D'Arcy.
The song has been released on the digital album Melodi Grand Prix 2017.
It's also out as a digital single. (ABC/Universal)

7th Heaven have remixed the song, the remix is available through the CD Pool DJ service only.
But you can have a listen here.

A 6-track EP including Where I Am is released on may 5.

Where I Am (MGP performance Youtube)

Anja Nissen is an Australian singer from Danish parentage, so it's no surprise she entered the Australian edition of The Voice (3rd series, 2014).
She won the whole thing with a little help from coach Will.I.Am.
Nissen is no stranger to talent shows and contests, at 12 years old she entered Australia Got talent and made it to the semi finals.

EP DRI

Anja has released one album so far, the self titled record included songs performed on The Voice and some other coverversions.
In 2016 Anja Nissen ended 2nd in the Danish MGP with the Emmelie De Forrest penned Never Alone.

DMGP
10 songs competed for the ticket to Ukraine.
You can listen to the songs here at DR or here at DR's Youtube.
The songs have been released through iTunes, no info on a CD release.

Versions
Where I am - DMGP/ESC version
- digital release, Kyiv 2CD
Where I am - karaoke
- digital release (official karaoke album)
Where I am - 7th Heaven remix(es)
- CD POOL DJ Pack May 2017 (digital release, subscribers only)




Links and sources
Anja Nissen: Website, Facebook
DR DMGP pages
More about Denmarks recent entries: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Australia - Don't Come Easy - Isaiah

cd single

9 - 173 pts /6 - 160 pts in semi 1
Isaiah Firebrace represented Australia with the song Don't Come Easy.
The song is written by David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii (DNA songs) who also wrote last years entry for Dami Im.
Firebrace is the winner of X-Factor Australia 2016.
His most recent single It's Gotta Be You was a reasonable hit in the charts of Australia, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.

A 1 track cdsingle is released on March 17 (see comments)
(Sony Music Australia  88985429332).
It's now available at Bearecords. (here).

The Eurovision song has been released as a digital single worldwide (Sony)
The karaoke version released with the single track (digital) is instrumental whereas the karaoke on the official karaoke album has backing vocals. (see comments)

Watch and listen here at SBS.

7th Heaven Remix DRI

7th Heaven have remixed the song and the remix has been released digitally. You can listen at Isaiah's Vevo/Youtube

Versions
Don't come easy - single/esc version
- cdsingle, Kyiv 2CD
Don't come easy - karaoke
- digital release (official karaoke album)
Don't come easy - karaoke (= instrumental)
- digital release (single)
Don't come easy - 7th heaven remix
-  digital release

Afrikaans cover DRI

Charts
Australia top 100: 69
Sweden top 100: 50, 98

Coverversion
South African singer Hanco recorded an Afrikaans version Dis Nie Maklik Nie (It's not easy). Released on February 9 2018, out now through mosts digital sources.
Hanco Facebook

Debut album Isaiah

Links and sources
Thanks to Alexandre, to Krzysztof and to Paul
Isaiah at Bearecords
Isaiah: Website, Facebook
Australia's Eurovision Historette: 2016 - 2015
Eurovision baby Australia impressed with its first steps, will they take it one step further in Kyiv?

The 2017 Musthave: The KYIV ESCZine

The Handbook For Kyiv
Like every year, OGAE have published their yearly guide to the Eurovision Song Contest.

If you just get one Eurovision publication this year, this is the one worth getting.

The 160-page, A5 size handbook is wonderful guide to all the artists and songs of this years contest.
It has background stories of all the participating artists and the National Selections that were held this year. All is illustrated with pictures of the artists. 
The foreword is by Jon Ola Sand.

Special thanks to Ivor Lyttle.
ESC-zine website
The 160 page booklet is also available here through BeaRecords.

Contact your local OGAE club: List of OGAE NationalFan Clubs.

Serbia - In Too Deep - Tijana Bogićević

Picture from RTS press message

11 - 98 pts in semi 2
Serbia celebrated 10 years of Eurovision in Kyiv with Tijana Bogićević (Тијана Богићевић).
Tijana's song In Too Deep is written bij Borislav Milanov, Bo Persson, Johan Alkenas and Lisa Ann-Mari Linder.

The official video is here at Eurovision.tv's Youtube

You can download the song and the instrumental and karaoke versions here at OGAE Serbia. They are available as mp3 and as wave files.
A Serbian version titled Tvoja is also uploaded. It has a different (ballad) arragement.
All downloads are free and legal, thank you RTS and OGAE Serbia!

All released versions can now be found at your favorite digital stores

For Kyiv promotion a USB stick was issued.

Versions
In too deep - ESC/single version
- website download, digital release, Kyiv 2CD
In too deep - Instrumental
- has been available on website
In too deep - karaoke
- digital release (official karaoke album)
Tvoja / Твоја - Serbian ballad version
- digital release
- all at OGAE Serbia (downloads)

Digital release image

Tijana recorded a version of In Too Deep with American singer Sing Sing (Marc Robertson).
I don't know if it ever will be released but you can watch a video here.

Tijana Bogićević (Тијана Богићевић) tried to get to Eurovision in 2009, but she got stuck in the semi-final of Beovizija, the Serbian selection for Eurovision.
She was a backing vocalist for Nina, the Serbian singer in Düsseldorf (2011)

Links and sources: 
Tijana Bogićević: Facebook
RTS Eurovision pages
The recent entries of Serbia are here: 2016 - 2015 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Montenegro - Space - Slavko Kalezić

16 - 56 pts in semi 1
RTCG chose Slavko Kalezić as the singer for Montenegro in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. The song, written by Momčila Zekovića and Adis Eminić, is titled Space.
The song was revealed on March 10 and released as a digital single on March 18

Official video here at Eurovision.tv

promo cds

RTCG have issued a promo cd-rom with Space plus the karaoke and instrumental versions and the videoclip. (see versions below for details).
The disc also includes the video.

A remix by Marko Drežnjak is on soundcloud for a free download (click ...more and choose download). It's a wave file (so it's huge) but I guess you can convert that yourself to mp3.

Slavko's first shot at fame was when he participatated in X-Factor Adria. He was chosen by coach Željko Joksimović but failed to reach the final stages of the show. 

(The competition was eventually won by Daniel Kajmakoski)

He has released several singles and the album San O Vječnosti (2014)

Digital release image

Versions
Space - Eurovision / single version
Space - karaoke (= instrumental)
Space - Winter instrumental
- all on promo cds
Space - karaoke (with backing vocals)
- digital release (with the single)
Space - remix by Marko Drežnjak
- soundcloud
The official karaoke album has the instrumental version (not the karaoke with b-vox)
The Winter instrumental is a slow version with piano.

Picture taken from Slavko's Facebook

Album  San O Vječnosti

Links and sources

‎Thanks to Krzysztof 

Slavko Kalezić Facebook

RTCG

Montenegro in Eurovision 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2009 

Netherlands - Lights and Shadows - Og3ne

Image from Og3ene's Facebook

11 - 150 pts /4 - 200 pts in semi 2
The Netherlands broadcaster AVROTROS selected O'g3ne to represent the country in Kyiv.
The group are three sisters, Lisa, Amy and Shelly Vol. They dropped the ' and are now OG3NE.

The groups participation was announced on October 29, the song for Eurovision is titled Lights And Shadows.
The song is written by Rick Vol (the girls' dad) and Rory de Kievit.

The song was presented on March 3, the official video is here at Eurovision.tv.
The song is also out as a digital single.
A promo cds has been issued by Pias/BMG.

We Got This II
On April 28 the girls have re-issued their No. 1 album We Got This, now including Lights And Shadows and their 2014 hit Magic and the Emeli Sandé cover Clown. (Pias / BMG 4050538279320)
See full tracklist below.
Also included is an acoustic version of Lights And Shadows.

Lisa, Amy and Shelley participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam (2007). They ended 11th with Adem In, Adem Uit (Breathe in, breathe out).
In 2014 they won the 5th season of The Voice Of Holland, the first (and only) group to do so.
They have been making quite a name for themselves with TV performances showcasing their impressive vocal harmonies.
Their interpretation of Emeli Sandé's Clown is particularly acclaimed, even receiving a praising tweet from the singer herself.

The arguably difficult bandname O'g3ne (pron. O-gene) stands for the bloodtype of the girls mom (O) and the genes they share. and the 3, well, there's three of them.

Lisa, Amy and Shelley Junior Eurovision cds

The trio released two Dutch language albums as Lisa, Amy and Shelley and in 2016 released the album We Got This as O'g3ne. It entered the Dutch album charts at No. 1.

Versions
Lights and shadows - ESC/single version
- CD We got this (Special edition), Kyiv 2CD
Lights and shadows - Acoustic
- CD We got this (Special edition)
Lights and shadows - karaoke (=instrumental)
- digital release (official karaoke album)


Charts:
Lights And Shadows enjoyed one week on the charts after release and re-entered in Eurovision week.
Dutch top 100: 53, -, 63, 14, 60

Links and sources
O'g3ne: Website, Facebook
AVROTROS Eurovision pages (in Dutch)
More Dutch entries: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

CD We Got This - Special edition

We Got This - Special Edition
1. Lights and Shadows

2. Loved You First

3. Cross Faded

4. Outta My Head

5. All Over Again

6. Wait a Minute

7. Satellite

8. What You Do

9. Hold Me Tight

10. Take the Money and Run

11. Lights and Shadows (Acoustic Version)

12. Clown

13. Magic

Slovenia - On My Way - Omar Naber

17 - 36 pts in semi 1
The Slovenian entry for Kyiv is On My Way by Omar Naber.

Picture from Omar nabers website

EMA version DRI

12 years after his entry Stop (also in a Kyiv contest!) Naber won the Slovenian selection EMA on the 24th of Februari.
On My Way is written by Omar Naber and Žiga Pirnat.
On My Way (ESC version) was released as a digital single along with its karaoke version first. (which is actually instrumental)
A Slovenian version Tam Nekje (Somewhere) has been recorded. You can see a "live" performance here at RTV SLO. Official (digital) release of Tam Nekje was on June 12, but it had already been available (free and legal) at here at Veseljak.si.
The original EMA version was released on June 12 (digital).

A promo cdsingle has the Eurovision version and instrumental.

Digital release image

Versions
On my way - Eurovision version
- digital release
On my way - EMA version
- digital release
Tam nekje - Slovenian version (ESC arrangement)
- free download
On my way - karaoke (= instrumental)
- digital release

Afrikaans coverversion DRI

Coverversion
A coverversion in Afrikaans was released by Frikkie Van Biljon. His version is titled Elke Tree (Every step) and can be found in your favorite digital stores and streamers. Frikkie's Facebook.


Omar's EMA's
2005 Stop (Winner, 12th in ESC semi) see below
2009 I still carry on (2nd)
2011 Bistvo skrito je očem* (undisclosed, outside top 2)

2014 I won't give up (undisclosed, outside top 2)
* translates loosely as The essence is hidden from sight

Karaoke DRI

Links and sources
Omar Naber: Website,  Facebook
RTV SLO Eurovision pages
Omar Naber at BeaRecords
Eurovision Collectors Guide 1956-2005
Slovenia's older entries are here: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Slovenian version DRI

2005: Stop

With Omar Naber returning to the contest, here’s a look back at his 2005 song Stop and its releases and versions.

The first time Omar Naber set foot on the Eurovision stage the contest was also held in Kyiv, Ukraine.

There was only one semi final back then, as the top 10 of the previous year had already secured a place in the final.

Omar got to the 12^th place with 69 points and missed out on the final.

Stop was released on cdsingle and a promo cdsingle both with rom content (videoclip, multimedia)

More versions of Stop have been released on various albums, here’s the list.
Both issues of the Stop cdsingle are available at BeaRecords. (here).

Serbian issue of CD Omar (2006)

Stop - ESC version in Slovenian

- on cdsingle   (NIKA records NR CDS P 0179 with rom-content)

On my own - English, ESC arrangement

- on same NIKA cdsingle

Stop - instrumental, ESC arrangement

- on same NIKA cdsingle

Stop - original version as in EMA

- on EMA preselection CD (RTVSCD 005) and CD Omar

On my own - original English, EMA arrangement

- on CD Omar (NIKA NRCD P 0098)

Stop - Serbian version, ESC arrangement

- on Serbian issue CD Omar  (2006, Automatik records ATM 2502006-2)

Preselection songs I Still Carry On, Bistvo Skrito Je Očem and I Won't Give Up can all be found on the 2014 album Na Glavo (NIKA Records 5825578).
The English version of Na Glavo is titled No Helmet and features I Still Carry On. Good Things Come To Those Who Wait (English version of Bistvo..) and I Won't Give Up.
Na Glavo is released on CD but of No Helmet I've only seen digital releases. Both are on Spotify.