Eurovision and Lithuania: The Nation on Stage

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.