Image credits: LE (Yavne, 2007)/Wkimedia Commons The doubts surrounding Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2024 continue, with new details emerging almost daily. This Thursday, the complete lyrics of the controversial song October Rain were revealed, while the country’s government appealed to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to accept it.
The lyrics, circulated by the Eurovision Insider, reveal some highly politicized verses about the conflict in the Gaza Strip and the attacks launched by Hamas last October. It’s a powerful ballad. According to the cited source, the verse «Hours and hours and flowers» refers to the soldiers killed («flowers» in the code of the Israel Defense Forces).
At this time, the EBU is scrutinizing the lyrics and admits to rejecting the song if it is deemed unacceptable. In that case, the Israeli broadcaster KAN has three options: make the necessary changes, submit another song, or withdraw.
Meanwhile, the issue has reached the Israeli government, with Minister of Culture Miki Zohar writing on X: “The intention of the European Broadcasting Union to disqualify Israel’s song for the Eurovision is outrageous. Israel’s song, which will be performed by Eden Golan, is a song that expresses the feelings of the people and the country these days, and it isn’t political. We all hope that Eurovision remains a musical and cultural event and does not enter the political sphere, where participating countries can bring what is unique and nationalistic to the stage through music. I appeal to the European Broadcasting Union to continue to act professionally and neutrally and not allow politics to affect art”.
October Rain Lyrics
The writers of history
Stand by me
Look into my eyes and you will see
People go but never say goodbyeSomeone stole the moon tonight
Took my light
Everything is black and white
Who is the fool who told you?
That boys don’t cryHours and hours and flowers
Life is not a game for cowards
Why does time go crazy?Every day I lose my mind
Clinging to this mysterious journey
Dancing up a storm
We have nothing to hide
Take me homeLeave the world behind
And I promise you never again
I’m still wet from the October rain
October rainLive in fantasy
In ecstasy
Everything is meant to be
We will die, but love never willHours and hours and flowers
Life is not a game for cowards
Why does time go crazy?Every day I lose my mind
Clinging to this mysterious journey
Dancing up a storm
We have nothing to hide
Take me homeAnd leave the world behind
And I promise you never again
I’m still wet from the October rain
October rain
October rain(In Hebrew)
There is no air left to breathe
There is no place, I am not there day by day
They are all good kids, one by one
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