What is Eurovision?
The Eurovision
Song Contest is an annual, international, televised song competition among the
participating member countries of the European Broadcasting Union. For the
purposes of rebuilding itself during the 1950’s, war-torn Europe wanted to find
a way to bring together the countries of the European Broadcasting union through
a form of entertainment that would be televised through the Eurovision Network
to be broadcasted throughout the participating countries.
Lithuania in Eurovision
Lithuania
has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 17 times since their debut in
1994 with Ovidijus Vyniauskas performing “Lopine Mylimai.” As a result of
finishing in last place with zero points, Lithuania withdrew from the
Eurovision Song Contest until coming back in 1999. Throughout the years, Lithuania’s
song choices have expressed different themes, but, ultimately, most of their
performances surround the theme of love and the specific aspects of love. Altogether,
within the last five years, Lithuania’s Eurovision performances have revolved
around the theme of love, and incorporated the influences of Western pop
culture and music to make the modern sound that is represented at Eurovision
today. Here, we will look at Lithuania’s last, five performances starting from
2012 to 2016, and see how their sound has progressed throughout the years.
Lithuania’s Final Performances
2012-2016
In Eurovison 2012,
Lithuania was represented by Donatas Montvydas, a native, singer-songwriter
whose better-known by his stage name Donny Montell. With Montell’s 2012
Eurovision song, “Love is Blind,” he opens with a smooth jazz tune that slowly
builds up to the chorus where he progressively tells a story about two people
being in a relationship, completely in love with each other, to the point where
love makes you blind, not to other people or parts of their life but to the
person they love, because you do not know what you genuinely have until it is
gone. During an interview, Montell explains the purpose behind wearing the
blindfold, which symbolizes the time one has spent being with the one they
love, but actually never “see” them because if you love someone, you love them
because love does not discriminate (EurosongBe, 2012). Unfortunately,
relationships are not perfect, and Montell sings the lyrics, “She didn’t mean a
thing to me/What can I do to win back your heart/And make you stay/I can’t
believe, can’t believe you’re gone/I can’t believe,” (Eurovision.tv) which
shows one’s flaw in the relationship, and thus paying the consequences of your
significant other leaving. It is only when the love of your life is gone, you
can ultimately see how good your life was when the only one who holds your
heart is standing right next to you by your side.
In Eurovision
2013, Lithuania was represented by Andrius Pojavis, a native singer-songwriter,
who performed with the Eurovision entry song, “Something.” During Pojavis’
performance, he opens the song with a slow, smooth, rock tune – with a strong
emphasis on the guitar, adding the beat of the drums moments later – that later
progresses into a faster, upbeat, pop-rock melody. Furthermore, the lyrics
portray the performer confessing their love for someone that they have been
keeping to themselves for some time. However, Love is like a double-edged sword
if it is unrequited – you are happy because you love someone, but it hurts when
they do not know how much you love them, or if they do not love you back. In
addition, the chorus of the lyrics say, “If you don’t know I’m in love with you
/ When summertime falls it becomes untrue / Because of my shoes I’m wearing today
/ One is called Love the other is Pain,” can be interpreted in a way that shows
the illusion that the performer did confess their love, but, in reality, you
get a sense that they actually never confessed their love. The emphasis of the
word “shoes” signifies a metaphor for the performer’s twisted mind: one is
confessing their feelings to the one they love, and the other represents his
doubts and negative thoughts the moment they meet. It is as if the performer thought
of confessing their love, and invented a scenario that is consequently relevant
to the action. This theory is supported by a specific visual effect during
Pojavis’ performance: the camera going out of focus – being blurred – for a
single moment.
In Eurovision 2014,
Lithuania was represented by the singer, songwriter, and actress Vilija Matačiūnaitė,
who performed her song “Attention.” The style of “Attention” is that of a pop
punk/electropop genre which Matačiūnaitė specializes in. The performance is bolder
and more daring compared to the other Lithuanian performances with the style of
the music, costume designs, and modern dance moves to catch the eye. In more
detail, the lyrics of the song depicts a culture where men would assume to be
dominant in a heterosexual relationship, and think women would be submissive
under their advances. However, Matačiūnaitė wants to change this stigma of
gender roles, and show that it is going to take more than a simple, blatant
sign of attraction – also known as “sweet talk” – to get the attention of a strong, empowered
woman. Matačiūnaitė emphasizes the respect that comes with love, and how people
must work for the person they are attracted to if they want them and want to be
with them.
In Eurovision
2015, two Lithuanian artists, Monika Linkytė and Vaidas Baumila, represented
the country performing their song “This Time.” Compared to the previous year’s
performance, “This Time” opens with the sound of an acoustic guitar and the
soft voice of Monika Linkytė singing the first part of the first verse. Additionally,
as a visual background, the backscreen shows rays of light varying from three
different colors: red, orange, and yellow. However, when Vaidas Baumila sings
the second half of the verse, the background transitions into three other
colors from the spectrum: blue, dark blue, and white. Then, for a final
transition, when the pair harmonize with each other for the final part of the
verse, the color background turns into the combined colors in shades of pink
and purple. This can be interpreted in a way how two people – or two hearts –
can come together and unite to form a perfect blend – finding love. This
component continues throughout the rest of the song. Overall, the song’s lyrics
illustrates two people finding one another, having mutual feelings for each
other, but do not fully understand this feeling. Furthermore, about halfway
through the performance, when Linkytė and Baumila sing, “One kiss,” Linkytė and
Baumila are not the only ones who share a kiss, but also their backup singers
share a same-sex kiss, expressing the concept of same-gendered love and
relationships. Here, they are sending a message of love and equality for the
ones they do love, and that there should not be any discrimination for wanting
to love who you love. In conclusion, at the end, they ask one another, “Is this
how it goes?” (Liubianité, 2015), as in the realization that what they feel is
love for one another, without any worry and judgment from others, and feeling
accepted for who they love.
Finally, for the
2016 Eurovision entry, Donny Montell returns to the Eurovision stage for the
second time and performs “I’ve Been Waiting for This Night.” With this song,
there is not only the message of finding love after a period of loneliness and
heartbreak, but another layer of meaning that represents Montell’s chance to go
back and be able to perform again at Eurovision. His song, “I’ve Been Waiting
for This Night,” portrays a story about a person who has been through pain, and
is looking for a reason to find purpose again. Aimlessly going through life,
they happen to stumble upon “the one” who gives them a reason to feel alive. Furthermore,
there is another layer to the meaning of the song: Montell performing one more
time on the Eurovision stage. From interviews post-Eurovision 2016, Montell
describes his aspirations and goals in life to be the best there can be as a
performing artist through commitment, dedication, hard-work, and rightfully
representing the country of Lithuania. This shows Montell’s perseverance for
his passion and in representing Lithuania at Eurovision 2016. Ultimately, the
lyrics “I’ve been waiting for this night,” is given two meanings that not only
symbolizes finding love, but also represents the opportunity Montell has to
perform on the Eurovision stage once again.
