What Love Is (song)

Last updated
"What Love Is"
Uku Suviste - What Love Is.png
Single by Uku Suviste
Released3 December 2019 (2019-12-03)
Genre Pop, musical theatre
Length3:00
Label DTC Music
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Dimitris Kontopoulos
Uku Suviste singles chronology
"Pretty Little Liar"
(2019)		"What Love Is"
(2019)		"Müüdud ja Pakitud"
(2020)
Eurovision Song Contest 2020 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Language
English
Composer(s)
  • Uku Suviste
  • Sharon Vaughn
Lyricist(s)
  • Uku Suviste
  • Sharon Vaughn
Finals performance
Semi-final result
Contest cancelled
Entry chronology
◄ "Storm" (2019)
"The Lucky One" (2021) ►

"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. [1] It was written by Suviste and Sharon Vaughn. [2] 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.

Contents

Critical reception

The song received mixed reviews from critics. Whilst the fan website Wiwibloggs had the song as their least favorite entry out of the 41, it was with an average of 4.1 out of 10 from the 22 reviewers. [3] Panel member Deban Aderimi said of the song: "Uku builds a story on stage, whilst managing to keep the viewer transfixed. This isn’t an easy thing to do. Yes, elements of this are dated, and the song in general is somewhat needlessly theatrical. However, let’s not lose sight of his compelling vocals and the undeniable hook here. “What Love Is” has a charging melody that will leave you yearning for another reprise.", giving it 6/10, but other members of the channel derided it as "clichéd" and "clunky", and it received reviews ranging from 1 to 7. [4]

On the website ESCXtra, the song was rated 34th of the 41 entries, with 93 points from the 19 reviewers, including three of them giving it the minimum 1 and one giving it the maximum 12. Praises and criticisms leveled at the song were similar to those from the critics of Wiwibloggs. [5]

Some of the broadcasters scheduled to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 have organised alternative competitions. Austria's ORF aired Der kleine Song Contest in April 2020, which saw every entry being assigned to one of three semi-finals. A jury consisting of ten singers that had represented Austria at Eurovision before was hired to rank each song; the best-placed in each semi-final advanced to the final round. [6] In the third semi-final on 18 April, "What Love Is" placed ninth in a field of 13 participants, achieving 48 points. [7] The song is also partook in Sveriges Television's Sveriges 12:a in May, but it was one of 11 entries in the show to not place in either the jury or televote top 10 after being put through the first round. [8]

Eurovision Song Contest

The song was scheduled to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, after Uku Suviste was selected through Eesti Laul 2020, the music competition that selects Estonia's entries for the Eurovision Song Contest. Estonia was scheduled to perform in the first half of the second semi-final at Eurovision, to be held on 14 May 2020, before the contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suviste has confirmed he intends to compete in Eesti Laul 2021 and has been given a pass to the semi-finals, but will have to compete with a new song. [9] [10]

In the Eurovision Song Celebration YouTube broadcast in the place of Semi Final 2, it was revealed he would have performed second, after Greece's entry, which Vaughn was also part of the writing team of, and before Austria's. [11]

Related Research Articles

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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uku Suviste</span> Estonian singer

Uku Suviste is an Estonian singer-songwriter, pianist and music producer. He was scheduled to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, before cancellation of the competition that year. However, he finally had the chance to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

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 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 super final. In the super final, "Verona" performed by Koit Toome and Laura was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.

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.

San Marino planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, which was scheduled to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Italian singer Senhit was chosen to represent the nation with her song "Freaky!". Sammarinese broadcaster San Marino RTV (SMRTV) internally selected the singer, while her song was selected through a national final entitled Digital Battle. Senhit previously represented San Marino in the 2011 contest, but failed to qualify for the final. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe during 2020, the Eurovision Song Contest was cancelled in mid-March 2020. "Freaky!" was subsequently an entry for several replacement events including Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light, Der kleine Song Contest and Sveriges 12:a. Senhit announced during the former of the three that she would return to represent the nation at the 2021 contest the following year.

Iceland planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, which was scheduled to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Icelandic broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) held a televised selection process, Söngvakeppnin2020, to choose its entry for the contest. Following two semi-finals and a final, "Think About Things", written by Daði Freyr Pétursson and performed by Daði og Gagnamagnið, emerged as the winner of the event in February 2020. In mid-March 2020, due to the spread across Europe of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced the contest's cancellation, with Daði og Gagnamagnið subsequently announcing that they would represent Iceland at the 2021 contest.

Greece planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020, which was scheduled to be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Greek-Dutch singer Stefania was internally selected by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) with the song "Supergirl", written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, Sharon Vaughn, Pavlos Manolis, Anastasios Rammos, Diverno and Gabriel Russell. Due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Europe, the contest was cancelled in mid-March. ERT has stated Stefania will instead represent Greece at the 2021 contest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supergirl (Stefania song)</span> 2020 single by Stefania

"Supergirl" is a song recorded by Greek-Dutch singer Stefania, digitally released on 1 March 2020. It was written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, lyricist Sharon Vaughn, and production team Arcade. The song was intended to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 before the event's cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stefania had been internally selected as the country's representative by Greek public broadcaster Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chains on You</span> 2020 single by Athena Manoukian

"Chains on You" is a song by Greek-Armenian singer Athena Manoukian. It was to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The song was released as a digital download on 14 February 2020. The song is influenced by R&B and Hip-Hop music and is about individualism, empowerment and sexuality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alcohol You</span> 2020 song by Roxen

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">All of My Love (Destiny Chukunyere song)</span> 2020 song by Destiny Chukunyere

"All of My Love" is a song recorded by Maltese singer Destiny Chukunyere. The song was planned to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam. However, the contest was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The song was written by Bernarda Brunović, Borislav Milanov, Sebastian Arman, Dag Lundberg and Joacim Persson.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lucky One (Uku Suviste song)</span> Estonian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021

"The Lucky One" is a song performed by Estonian singer Uku Suviste that represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The backing vocalist off-stage during Suviste's live performance at the Eurovision was Kaarel Orumägi.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hope (Stefan song)</span> 2021 single by Stefan

"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.

References

  1. ↑ Uku Suviste wins Eesti Laul and represents Estonia in Rotterdam with "What Love Is"! Retrieved 1 March 2020
  2. ↑ "Rotterdam 2020 Participants Uku Suviste". eurovision.tv. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  3. ↑ Wiwibloggs (23 April 2020). "Wiwijury 2020 review of songs" . Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  4. ↑ Wiwibloggs (17 April 2020). "Wiwijury 2020 review of Estonia" . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  5. ↑ ESCXtra (7 May 2020). "ESCXtra insider review of Estonia" . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "Mr. Song Contest proudly presents – Der kleine Song Contest am 14., 16. und 18. April in ORF 1" (in German). ORF . Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  7. ↑ Wilson, Katie (19 April 2020). "Der kleine Song Contest: Austrian public choose Iceland's Daði & Gagnamagnið as their favourite Eurovision 2020 act". Wiwibloggs . Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  8. ↑ Dahlander, Gustav (3 April 2020). "Klart för Eurovision-vecka i SVT" (in Swedish). Sveriges Television . Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  9. ↑ ERR (2020-03-18). "Uku Suvistele kingitakse otsepääs Eesti Laul 2021 poolfinaali". ERR (in Estonian). Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  10. ↑ "Uku Suviste gets direct pass to Eesti Laul 2021 semi-finals". wiwibloggs. 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  11. ↑ Eurovision Song Contest (14 May 2020). "Part two of Eurovision Song Celebration" . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
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