The Croatian act and song was chosen on February 25th through their selection process "Dora". Before the final, there had been 2 semi-finals of twelve songs each with 8 from each qualifying to the final. During the semis, 100% televote was used; in the final a winner was determined by a combination of a European jury (made up of Germany, Iceland, Italy and Ukraine), a national jury (25% each) and a public televote (50%). Going to Malmö is Baby Lasagna performing the song "Rim Tim Tagi Dim".
Marko Purišić (aka Baby Lasagna), started out as the guitarist for the rock group Manntra. The band took part in Dora 2019 coming a credible 4th with the song "In the Shadows". During this time he was also writing tracks for German gothic rock band Mono Inc. The record reached number one in Germany with many of the songs being released at singles. Purišić pursued a solo career releasing his first song "IG boy" under the pseudonym Baby Lasagna with his second song released in December 2023. Purišić then forwarded "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" for consideration for Dora 2024, however the song was not included in either of the semi-finals. A few days later, after the withdrawal of Zsa Zsa from semi final two, he and his song were given a place in the competition.
The song has a very immediate rhythm which perks your ears up straight away. The title of the song is used in a very different way to most song as it replicates and imitates the guitar riff in the background. Therefore it turns up at any point and even if you don't know the words you can just riff the "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" whenever you can. The song starts with the title interlude before going into the first verse and then back to the title sequence. Verse two and verse three are chopped in half with the title sequence in the middle. The chorus is a little less frantic although the background music barely changes at all from start to finish. At the 2 minute mark the instrumental dies down a little and becomes more synthy than guitary: there is also a short dance routine which keeps the energy up. There is then a final chorus and title interlude to the very end.
On stage there is a lot of smoke/dry ice; I don't think this is needed per se but does create an atmosphere straight away. There are 4 other people on stage behind te singer. Two of them are instrumentalists: one on the drums another playing guitar and keyboards. Another two are dancers whose chorography include doing household chores and incorporating folk dance movements, Everyone is in a slightly anarchic version of folk dress, with puffed sleeves, covered faces and alternative materials. In addition some of the instruments are covered in what looks like doilies. On the back wall there is a myriad of iconic pictures from the outline of farm animals, random flashing colours and dancing neon-coloured cats. The whole presentation is so instant and satiates all the senses without feeling overwhelming. The obvious "Cha Cha Cha" comparisons will come and go but I feel like this stands on its own. As it did in Croatia, this will have no trouble hoovering up televotes but I also feel that this has enough musical merit and performance ability to get a sizable jury support too.
ARTIST - Baby Lasagne
SONG - Rim Tim Tagi Dim
WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - Marko Purišić
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