"Bridges" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Alika | ||||
Language | English | |||
Released | 2 December 2022 | |||
Length | 3:05 | |||
Label | Universal Music Oy | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Alika singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Bridges" on YouTube | ||||
Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry | ||||
Country | ||||
Artist(s) | ||||
Language | English | |||
Composer(s) | ||||
Lyricist(s) |
| |||
Finals performance | ||||
Semi-final result | 10th | |||
Semi-final points | 74 | |||
Final result | 8th | |||
Final points | 168 | |||
Entry chronology | ||||
◄"Hope" (2022) | ||||
"(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi" (2024) ► | ||||
Official performance video | ||||
"Bridges" (Second Semi-Final) on YouTube "Bridges" (Grand Final) on YouTube |
"Bridges" is a song by Estonian singer Alika Milova,released on 2 December 2022. [1] It represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 after winning Eesti Laul 2023,Estonia's national selection for that year's Eurovision Song Contest. At the final it finished in eighth place and charted in Iceland,UK,Sweden,Lithuania and Netherlands. [2] [3]
In an interview with the Eurovision fansite ESCUnited,"Bridges" was inspired by a recording session that took place in the Netherlands along with fellow songwriter Wouter Hardy. According to Milova,she was feeling "some kind of anxiety",and proceeded to cry in a nearby bathroom. Hardy would then propose to take Milova out for lunch to vent her anxiety out to Hardy. Although hesitant,she decided to take the offer and afterwards,decided to write some music on Hardy's piano at his house,composing "Bridges" in the span of three hours. [4]
To Milova,"Bridges" represented the feelings that she had felt during that day in the recording studio. The reason why she had chosen the title "Bridges" was that she wanted listeners to communicate within themselves and with the others around them,even in a feeling where "[you are] lost in a big world,with a lot of people surrounding you." [4]
At Eurovision in Liverpool,Alika was accompanied by two backing singers off-stage,Sofia-Liis Liiv and Grettel Killing.[ citation needed ]
Eesti Laul 2023 was the fifteenth edition of the Estonian national selection Eesti Laul , which would select Estonia's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The competition would consist of twenty entries competing in two semi-finals on 12 and 14 January 2023 culminating to a twelve-song final on 11 February 2023. [5]
"Bridges" would compete in the second semi-final on 14 January, competing last of all ten entries. The results of the semi-finals were determined by the 50/50 combination of votes from a professional jury and public televoting for the first four qualifiers, and a second round of public televoting for the fifth qualifier. The public would also select two wildcards out of the remaining non-qualifying acts from both semi-finals to complete the twelve song lineup in the final. "Bridges" would manage to qualify as one of the four songs that qualified from the combination of votes from the juries and the public, moving on to the final. [6]
Heading into the final, "Bridges" was considered one of the favorites to win the competition by Eurovision fansites. [7] [8] In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury (50%) and public televote (50%) determined the top three entries to proceed to the superfinal. After heading to the superfinal, "Bridges" was selected as the winner by a public televote, thus earning the Estonian spot for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. [2]
According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 31 January 2023, an allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Estonia was placed into the second semi-final, held on 11 May 2023, and performed in the first half of the show. [9] Bridges would go on to win Song of the Year at the Estonian Music Awards 2024. [10]
Chart (2023) | Peak position |
---|---|
Iceland (Tónlistinn) [11] | 40 |
Lithuania (AGATA) [12] | 20 |
Netherlands (Single Tip) [13] | 23 |
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [14] | 17 |
UK Singles Downloads (OCC) [15] | 51 |
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "Rockefeller Street" written by Sven Lõhmus. The song was performed by Getter Jaani. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2011 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and the top five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top two to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Rockefeller Street" performed by Getter Jaani was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "Kuula" written by Ott Lepland and Aapo Ilves. The song was performed by Ott Lepland. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2012 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2012 contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and the top five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top two to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Kuula" performed by Ott Lepland was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Et uus saaks alguse" written by Mihkel Mattisen and Silvia Soro. The song was performed by Birgit. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2013 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2013 contest in Malmö, Sweden. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and the top five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top two to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Et uus saaks alguse" performed by Birgit was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song "Amazing" written by Timo Vendt and Tanja. The song was performed by Tanja. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2014 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and the top five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top two to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Amazing" performed by Tanja was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Grete Paia is an Estonian singer and songwriter. She is best known internationally for competing in Eesti Laul 2013 and later in Eesti Laul 2016. She also competed in Eesti Laul 2019 and in Eesti Laul 2022 in a duet with Andrei Zevakin.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Goodbye to Yesterday" written by Stig Rästa. The song was performed by Elina Born and Stig Rästa. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2015 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and the top five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Goodbye to Yesterday" performed by Elina Born and Stig Rästa was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Raul-Stig Rästa is an Estonian singer and songwriter who, along with singer Elina Born, represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Goodbye to Yesterday".
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Play" written by Fred Krieger, Stig Rästa and Vallo Kikas. The song was performed by Jüri Pootsmann. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2016 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and the top five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Play" performed by Jüri Pootsmann was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Verona" written by Sven Lõhmus. The song was performed by Koit Toome, who had previously represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998 where he placed twelfth with the song "Mere lapsed", and Laura, who had previously represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 as part of the group Suntribe where she failed to qualify to the final with the song "Let's Get Loud". The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2017 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the super final. In the super final, "Verona" performed by Koit Toome and Laura was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
"Verona" is an English-language song performed by Estonian singers Koit Toome and Laura.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "La forza" written by Mihkel Mattisen, Timo Vendt, Ksenia Kuchukova and Elina Nechayeva. The song was performed by Elina Nechayeva. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2018 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "La forza" performed by Elina Nechayeva was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Storm" written by Stig Rästa, Vallo Kikas, Victor Crone and Fred Krieger. The song was performed by Victor Crone. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul2019 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Twelve songs competed in each semi-final and six from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Storm" performed by Victor Crone was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Estonia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "What Love Is" written by Uku Suviste and Sharon Vaughn. The song was performed by Uku Suviste. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2020 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Twelve songs competed in each semi-final and six from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "What Love Is" performed by Uku Suviste was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
"What Love Is" is a song by Uku Suviste that was to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, before the cancellation of the event due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. It was written by Suviste and Sharon Vaughn. During the live performance at Eesti Laul, Uku was accompanied by five backing singers off-stage, Kaire Vilgats, Dagmar Oja, Kaarel Orumägi, Raimondo Laikre and Scott Murro.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "The Lucky One" written by Uku Suviste and Sharon Vaughn. The song was performed by Uku Suviste. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2021 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2021 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Twelve songs competed in each semi-final and six from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "The Lucky One" performed by Uku Suviste was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with "Hope" performed by Stefan. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul2022 in order to select the Estonian entry for the contest. The national final consisted of seven shows: four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each quarter-final and semi-final and five from each show as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Hope" performed by Stefan was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
"Hope" is a song by Estonian-Armenian singer Stefan Airapetjan. The song represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy after winning Eesti Laul 2022, Estonia's national final.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with "Bridges" performed by Alika. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2023 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2023 contest. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and six from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final alongside two wildcards selected by the public. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Bridges" performed by Alika was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.
Alika Milova, known mononymously as Alika, is an Estonian singer. She represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Bridges", finishing in eighth place with 168 points.
Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, with "(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi" performed by 5miinust and Puuluup. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul2024 in order to select the Estonian entry for the contest. The national final consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. Fifteen songs competed in the semi-final and five were automatically qualified for the final. A total of five songs qualified from the semi-final: three were determined by a jury panel and public vote and two were selected solely by the public vote. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi" performed by 5miinust and Puuluup was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.