#edyta gorniak

[vintageurovision]

Edyta Górniak, Poland's representative in the 39th Eurovision Song Contest, during a dress rehearsal at Dublin's Point Theatre in April 1994. Górniak came second in the contest with 'To Nie Ja'. [photos: Peter Harding]

[eurovision-revisited]

1994 Dublin - Number 10 - Edyta Górniak - "To Nie Ja!"

Poland's debut at Eurovision and still Poland's best ever result at Eurovision. But behind this triumph is a much more convoluted saga. To Nie Ja! (That's Not Me) is not the original song selected by TVP nor is Edyta Górniak the singer they wanted either. Initially they approached Edyta Bartosiewicz, a young, popular rock artist in Poland to sing a song called Śpijcie, dzieci nocy (Sleep, Children of the Night). Edyta B, turned them down because Eurovision didn't fit with her career plans or her musical taste. So they approached Edyta G.

Edyta Górniak was also a young popular singer, but in her case she was the star of the highly popular stage musical Metro. She agreed to sing, but not the original song. She proposed To Nie Ja!, which is almost a response song to a former Eurovision winner Poupée de cire, poupée de son. It was originally called Płonąca marionetka (Burning marionette) and concerns a woman's pain at being the centre of attention, pushed onto a stage and made to perform. Somewhat near the knuckle.

TVP eventually agreed and ended up with a triumph. Edyta G's stage performance experience clearly comes into its own, with confident delivery of a sad song, again alone on the stage in a simple white dress. There's a big chorus to finish and she doesn't flinch from that final note, the sort of ending the generates standing ovations. There was the other incident with her singing in English at the rehearsal, against the rules still in place leading to several other countries campaigning for the disqualification of Poland.

But she took part and she finished 2nd to the winner - and launched an international singing career including performing the Polish national anthem at the World Cup and celebrating Polish independence at a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. She's not without controversies, but she's still a big name in Poland to this day.

Quite the rollercoaster of a debut for Poland. Edyta did have one other attempt to qualify for Eurovision, finishing 3rd in the Polish National final in 2016.

[under-the-ladder]

The last thing from Edyta Górniak I expected was anything reasonable, considering her social-media stunts but she actually gives sensible advice??

[carpedzem]

Na baczność na hymn narodowy powstać

*hit łejfs* o7

cant wait for edyta gorniak cover ^_^

[oweztopoczuj]

Edyta Gorniak - Dotyk

[betweenthetimeandsound]

Hello everybody!

I shared this in another Eurovision fan-group, but I have it hear for you too! A few months ago, I drew an art-piece featuring Poland's first four entries (1994-97), each with their own individual background in colored pencil. It's a follow-up to one with my favorite 1990s Greek entries, which I may post in the future.

Poland is still not one of my favorite countries in the contest--I never been enamored with their entries when I started watching the contest in 2017. However, they had a great run of entries to start, which makes their lack of form a bit saddening.

To nie ja (1994): Despite getting their best placing ever (2nd) in their debut, I'm not as enamored on this one. Edyta has amazing vocals and the lyrics tell a compelling Bildungsroman, but it just leaves me really cold. Also those who think she should've won that year (a definite pet peeve of mine) turn me off. (artist note: I found a pretty good picture of her rehearsal footage on RTE, albeit one with a different dress. It was actually easy to draw it thanks to a couple more references. The silver refers to her second-place finish, and I liked how it turned out on paper!)

Sama (1995): The complete opposite to their debut, Sama is pessimistic, out there, and intriguing. The combination of alternative music and orchestral arrangement conveys a dark atmosphere, added by the depressing lyrics. Justyna's vocals are an acquired taste, along with her performance, but they combine so fantastically in my opinion. (artist note: Getting Justyna's face tone right was quite difficult. I had to erase and re-do it with cream pencil over and over again. It kind of looks strange...)

Chcę znać swój grzech (1996): This one is pretty brooding and melancholic, and would've easily passed by if it weren't for Kasia's passionate delivery. One could feel her pain as she pleads to know what she did wrong, to save her failing relationship. Also, the title translates to "I want to know my sin...", and I have a soft-spot with religious references in music, haha. (artist's note: I wanted to mix the blue filter from the actual performance with the church atmosphere of the MV, but I'm afraid that the window wasn't drawn well. I also struggled to get a good source image.)

Ale jestem (1997): Probably my favorite of them, because it's so vibrant and full of life. From the initial strings (in the live version), one is taken in to a new world, filled with colors and light. Anna has delicate vocals which compliment this medieval-sounding song really well, and the lyrics are so poetic! (artist note: Anna Maria Jopek was the hardest source image to find, as I wasn't satisficed by the RTE archives and didn't like was on offer. So I created my own, and I'm happy how it turned out. Also, she had beige sleeves, but I changed them to gold because they just looked prettier. :) )

[anotherescsite]

[women-of-eurovision]

[mynawyspie]

my heart is fluttering!

[under-the-ladder]

Let's just choose Jann internally next year

[eurovisionopinions]

[zataoglu]

Edyta Gorniak - One and One

[tastyy24]

Edyta Gorniak - My way

[betweenthetimeandsound]

Three Minutes to Eternity: My ESC 250 (#84-83)

#84: Evridiki -- Ime Anthropos kai Ego (Cyprus 1994)

“Νύχτα φωτεινή, και πάλι θα σε κρύψουν Τρέμεις σαν παιδί μήπως σ’ ανακαλύψουν Βάζεις τη στολή να μην σ’ αγγίξουνε Τα πώς και τα γιατί”

“A shiny night, you’ll get hidden again You shake as a boy in case they discover You put on the uniform so that No how’s and why’s can touch you”

For some reason, reading the lyrics of this reminds me of a story about domestic violence. The man putting on a uniform might be that of the police, so that he wouldn’t be caught beating his lover, but she has to remind him that she’s a human too.

In reality, Ime Anthropos kai Ego discusses about the divided Cyprus, though unlike with Panagia Mou, Panagia Mou (#133), it focuses more about the relationship between two people on different sides of the island. The lyrics on how they could say "I love you" but still kill the other is quite haunting, especially in this context.

That said, Evridiki’s second entry is my favorite of them--it tells a grand story which Evridiki sings very well (to the point when asked about who would be her biggest competition, Edyta Gorniak said that Evridiki was) Note how in the end she handles the final flurry of words as she tries to get everything in at once.

Some people mention that it drags on a bit, and I understand that, but the use of ethnic elements and the drama more than makes up for it. You could feel everything that Evridiki points out, and the orchestration does its job in containing that atmosphere.

(Also, we should thank RAI for withdrawing, because if Italy remained and competed with Passera, Cyprus would've gotten relegated because of their poor result in 1993. Haha)

Personal ranking: 2nd/25 Actual ranking: 11th/25 in Dublin

#83: Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl - Sebi (Slovenia 2019)

“Ko so tvoje misli polne lahko poslušaš, kako mi bije srce Ko težko je tvoje breme, k meni se lahko zatečeš”

“When your mind is full You can listen to my heart beating When your burden is heavy You can take refuge in me”

Serene, intimate, and pure. The atmosphere created by this song is a universe onto itself, one in which Zala and Gasper step in and inhabit on their own world. I don't get chills from basic ambient music that often, but this one really takes one in.

It's not only the peaceful music which makes Sebi so strong; it's also the poetic lyrics which light a candle to a cold room. I like the sincerity and sweetness in it; I get the sense of comfort in being in somebody else's space. There's nothing more sacred and honest than having someone to confide to, and Zala and Gasper delivers in spades.

Sure, the way they stare at each other is a bit strange, especially when you note Gasper's movements, but I can’t help but get enveloped in their universe. The use of galaxies help convey that feeling of safety and peace in a quite space, and it just makes my heart warm up to see them comfortable with each other. Gasper giving Zala a gentle kiss in the end was just the cherry of that cake.

(Also, they have a great backlog of music; check out both Come to Me and Origami! I like the former in particular because of the Lordesque lyrics and cuteness).

Personal ranking: 3rd/41 Actual ranking: 15th/26 GF in Tel Aviv

Final Impressions on Slovenia: It's surprising how I like their entries more than I thought, as five of them appeared on this countdown. All of them are unique in their own way; they mix genres to mixed results. Curiously, compared to their fellow ex-Yugoslav neighbors, they rely less on ethnic elements (with Zbudi se--#122, and Verjamem being notable exceptions), but they manage to pull off good songs from time to time. It's kind of sad they haven't had a top-ten placing since 2001; I hope that their musical wheel will lead them to a win soon (just so we can get Peter Poles on the production, haha)!

[anotherescsite]

30 Day Eurovision Challenge - Day 20

Favourite song from the 90s

To nie ja - Edyta Gorniak (Poland 1994)

It’s outrageous that Poland did not win the Eurovision on debut. The winner in 94 was so dreary in comparison. 

[residentraccoon]

My personal ESC winners (1999-1990)

No more commentaries cuz I'm lazy

1999: Doris Dragovic - Marija Magdalena (Croatia) 🇭🇷

My runner up: Evelin Samuel & Camille - Diamond of the night (Estonia)

Other faves: All out of luck (Iceland), Strazdas (Lithuania), One good reason (Netherlands),

1998: Danijela - Neka mi ne svane (Croatia) 🇭🇷

My runner up: Mălina Olinescu - Eu cred (Romania) OR Jill Johnson - Karleken Ar (Sweden)

Other faves: Genesis (Cyprus) , The one that I love (Malta), Dis oui (Belgium), Modlitba (Slovakia), Hemel en aarde (Netherlands), Se eu te pudesse abracar (Portugal), Diva (Israel)

1997: Katrina and the Waves - Love shine a light (United Kingdom) 🇬🇧

My runner up: Şebnem Paker - Dinle (Turkey)

Other faves: Fiumi di Parole (Italy), Ale jestem (Poland), Keelatud Maa (Estonia)

1996: Eimear Quinn - The voice (Ireland) 🇮🇪

My runner up: Elisabeth Andreassen - I evighet (Norway)

Other faves: Ooh ahh just a little bit (United Kingdom), Dan najlepsih sanj (Slovenia)

1995: Secret Garden - Nocturne (Norway) 🇳🇴

My runner up: Anabel Conde - Vuelve conmigo (Spain)

Other faves: Nostalgija (Croatia), Il me donne rendez-vous (France), Fra Mols til Skagen (Denmark)

1994: Edyta Gorniak - To nie ja (Poland) 🇲🇨

My runner up: Youddiph - Vechnyi Stranik (Russia)

Other faves: Dincolo de nori (Romania), Kinek mondjam el vetkeimet (Hungary), The rock n roll kids (Ireland)

1993: Ruth Jacott - Vrede (Netherlands) 🇳🇱

My runner up: Tommy Seebach - Under stjernerne på himlen (Denmark)

Other faves: Mama Corsica (France)

1992: Kali - Monte la rivie (France) 🇫🇷

My runner up: Evridiki - Teriazoume (Cyprus)

Other faves: I morgon ar en annan dag (Sweden), Little child (Malta), Visjoner (Norway)

1991: Carola - Fångad av en stormvind (Sweden) 🇸🇪

My runner up: Duo Datz - Kan (Israel)

Other faves: Le dernier qui a parle (France)

1990: Toto Cutugno - Insieme 1992 (Italy) 🇮🇹

My runner up: Tajci - Hajde da ludujemo (Yugoslavia)

Other faves: Bandido (Spain)