eurosong:

Hey there folks! Every Eurovision year now, I’ve highlighted a few songs whose lyrical content I find particularly noteworthy, and 2021 will be no exception - here’s what I think are six of the best songs lyrically this year (and my favourite lyrics from them!)

Birth of a new age - Quite frankly, Jeangu is one of the most incredible lyricists I can recall in recent years, and he’s spun gold two years in a row. I’ll really miss him as the Dutch representative and hope he can return in a ‘normal’ year some day. I honestly could have picked any part of this song’s lyrics to highlight as they are all so evocative and powerful. Other than the one I highlighted in the image, I absolutely adore the use of the adage mi na afu sensi and its symbolism - I’m like a half cent, small but unable to be broken.

Ten years - People often focus on Daði’s groovy musical style, but I’d love to see more appreciation for his lyrical work too. In all three of his SVK/ESC songs, there’s a simplicity, understatedness and sincerity. He captures the essence of a good relationship being like a journey in which one constantly is exploring and discovering beautifully.

Amen (Slovenia) - People often unfairly shut down on a song because it has 'religious’ imagery, but Ana Soklič said that this is more a song about resilience and personal strength than anything else, and I truly feel that. The language is unadorned but so powerful for me.

Maps - I love the central motif of maps and directions and how it works metaphorically to talk about refinding one’s home and place in the world. The part of the lyrics I’ve highlighted is such an anthemic moment for me.

Russian woman - Such a delight for the return of the beautiful and expressive Russian language. The broken family part I highlighted always hits me really hard, but I could have picked a dozen other lines to highlight. I love the dialogue of stupid things she hears, the “а себя я чертовски люблю”, and the emotional power of “you’re strong enough, don’t be afraid.” In a just world, this would be a contender for the win for me.

GUIGO - From the first line with its brilliant imagery of “playing tetris with my feelings, trying to keep them all inside”, Victoria’s song this year is such a lyrical treat. I love the way that ideas are constantly built upon - the tetris image complimented with the ocean of emotion that one struggles to contain, and then the water imagery being added on with the idea of treading the waters of time. For me, the most powerful moment is the outro though. Simple but heart-piercing.