SAN MARINO

The San Marinese song was unveiled in a press conference on March 7^th before the video and song were released online. Back in January it was announced that former representative Serhat was going to try again for the principality and his song is called “Say na na na”

The video for the song is very busy and has a huge cast of dancers. There is a large video backgrounds which creates the atmosphere for the road scene that the video is set which reminds me slightly of Blade Runner but his song is much happier than that! At times the screen also shows shots of Serhat singing. The video has a lot of energy and action but I am rather puzzled as to how they could recreate the atmosphere which a smaller number of people. Serhat is wearing a number of suits all in the same style but in different colours but no sign of his signature hat!

The song is a disco euro-dance song with a very repetitive chorus and a predictable structure. The song starts with the backing singers going ‘na na na’ before Serhat joins in his signature deep talkative tone which actually suite this style of song. He does 2 verses before going straight to the chorus. This repeats the ‘na na na’ line several times and really does gets your head. The structure of the chorus is also interesting as the first part of the chorus as a slightly different tune to the second and almost feels like it has a key change. After another verse and chorus there is an interesting all and response part with the backing singers that I think the audience in the hall would totally get behind before a final last chorus.

Let’s be honest, Serhat is not the best singer and this isn’t the best song however it does know what it is and that is a feel good dance number. If anything, this is something more stereotypical for Eurovision and there is something quite wholesome and feel-good and enjoyable about this. It’s doing what it says on the tin and is doing a really good job and doing what it needs to well. I do have some concerns about what the act might look like on stage. I feel like he will need at least 2, maybe 3, good female backing singers which would then leave 2 or 3 space for backing dancers, which possibly should be male, unless he can find 5 mixed sex backing singers who can do a full on dance routine or vice versa. We must also be reminded that Serhat is Turkish and will get and extra fan boost from the diaspora in the voting countries.

This as a fun entry in a sea of ballads and high-concept entries. Maybe voters will find this too old fashioned and not vote or maybe this is something light-hearted and accessible that the people at home will vote for. My heart would love this to qualify but like his last attempt “I didn’t know” this might just miss out.

ARTIST –  Serhat

SONG –  Say na na na

MUSIC -  Mary Susan Applegate, Serhat Hacıpaşalıoğlu

LYRICS - Mary Susan Applegate, Serhat Hacıpaşalıoğlu