Hurricane (Eden Golan song)

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"Hurricane"
The cover artwork for "Hurricane". It features Eden Golan amongst a yellow background, with a sun behind Golan illuminating her.
Single by Eden Golan
Released10 March 2024 (2024-03-10)
GenreBallad
LabelSession 42
Songwriter(s)
Eden Golan singles chronology
"Dopamine"
(2023) 		"Hurricane"
(2024)
Music video
"Hurricane" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2024 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Languages
English, Hebrew
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Avi Ohayon
  • Keren Peles
Entry chronology
◄ "Unicorn" (2023)

"Hurricane" is a song by Israeli-Russian singer Eden Golan. It was written by Avi Ohayon, Keren Peles, and Stav Beger, and released on 10 March 2024 through Session 42. Inspired by an Israeli perspective of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and its emotional aftermath on Israelis according to Golan and its songwriters, it is set to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

The song drew heavy scrutiny for its original title "October Rain", which along with the lyrics was viewed as a political message alluding to the Israel–Hamas war in support of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). As a result, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organization that manages the Eurovision Song Contest, requested a rewrite of the song in late February 2024. After multiple submissions and rewrites, a final revised version, titled "Hurricane", was approved by the EBU on 7 March. The song in both variations, along with Golan herself, has faced numerous calls for its exclusion from the contest.

Background and composition

"Hurricane" is written by Avi Ohayon, Keren Peles, and Stav Beger. According to Eran Swissa of Israel Hayom, the song details the story of a "young woman emerging from a personal crisis".[1] In an interview with The Times of Israel, Golan stated that despite knowing that competing in the Eurovision Song Contest would "not [be] simple", she nevertheless wanted to represent Israel "because of [the song's] meaning... we can bring everything we're feeling, and everything the country is going through, in those three minutes. To speak through the song to the world."[2] Hannah Brown, in an analysis for The Jerusalem Post, wrote that the song was "about loss and redemption".[3] Ohayon later stated in interviews that "we knew we were going to write about the [Israeli] situation... We tried to do it in a way as subtle as we can, with a subtext".[4]

It is reported to be a rewrite of an earlier variation of the song that was titled "October Rain", in response to it being rejected by the European Broadcasting Union to enter the Eurovision Song Contest.[5] Brown later stated that "Hurricane", while keeping the same messages as "October Rain", used "more poetic, less specific terms".[3] Shayna Weiss, an Israeli pop culture scholar, stated that the lyrics "can mean a lot of different things. That's probably how [the song was] allowed. But it's obvious what they mean when it's Israel's entry to Eurovision."[6] In another analysis by Kveller's Lior Zaltzman, they stated their belief that the lyrics could be interpreted to reference world views on Israel and the advocacy for the return of Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity. Zaltzman later added that the image of a hurricane "does very much seem to describe the Israeli state of mind post-October 7".[7]

Hours before its official release, the song was leaked in its entirety by a pro-Palestinian supporter on Twitter who proclaimed "Israel is committing genocide", later stating they leaked it to support people who wanted to pirate the song.[8][9] It was officially released on 10 March 2024 in a special broadcast on Israeli channel Kan 11.[10][11][12]

Music video and promotion

Along with the song's release, an accompanying music video was released on the same day.[6] Brown of The Jerusalem Post stated that she thought the music video, which featured dancers in a field, "clearly reference[d]" the Re'im music festival massacre.[13] In another analysis from a Ynet report by Shira Danino, the clothing was interpreted by Danino to display hidden messages relating to the 7 October attack. Golan's clothing, which had a hole in it, was claimed to resemble a gunshot; a collar tie worn in another costume was claimed to represent a yellow ribbon, a symbol for advocation for the release of captives held by Hamas. In addition, the dancers, who wore white clothes in the beginning of the video and later switched to black clothes at the end, symbolised "white celebrations on the kibbutz lawns" and mourning, respectively.[14]

Golan and Israeli president Isaac Herzog in Israeli government publicity photos.

To promote the song, Golan accepted an invitation to meet Israeli president Isaac Herzog for a publicity appearance in April 2024.[15] Golan did not attend any Eurovision pre-party event despite being invited to them,[16][17] although she made an appearance at a fan event organised by OGAE Israel to promote the song.[18]

Reception

Critical response

Israeli media

The song in both variations has received negative reviews from local Israeli media. Noa Limone, writer for Israeli newspaper Haaretz, wrote a heavily negative review of the song's original variation. Limone derided the song for a lack of "any significant statement", stating that "even AI has more soul than this gibberish... it would have been better to send a song like 'Harbu Darbu', because at least it has something to say. Something warlike, vengeful, some say racist, but at least clear."[19] Dudi Fatimer of The Jerusalem Post also wrote a negative review on the revised "Hurricane", stating that the song was "boring" and was "more suitable for Army Radio's playlist than [Eurovision]", adding their opinion that Golan should have put in more Hebrew lyrics and that "I was hoping for a song that would touch me, make me feel proud as an Israeli... this song is really not going in that direction."[20]

Einar Schiff, writer for Ynet, wrote an opinion piece in response to Kan changing their song to meet Eurovision requirements, heavily criticizing Kan. In it, Schiff stated that "If folding were a sport, [Kan] would get a perfect score". Schiff criticized Kan for still participating in the contest, stating that "artistic freedom" had been traded for "unavoidable political and diplomatic pressures during wartime [and] pressure from [Isaac Herzog]". He further accused Kan of a failed attempt to artwash Israel's participation amidst the war, writing, "the illusion that we can be a small country at war that has inflicted tens of thousands of casualties, including innocent men and women, and even children who are always innocent, and still behave as if it's 1999, has exploded because they thought they could act with vigilance and not wisdom."[21] Jerusalem Post writer Ari Sacher also expressed criticism at the changes, praising the original version of "October Rain" and stating that "what was a poignant and meaningful anthem has been reduced to another song".[22]

Eurovision-related media

"Hurricane" has received positive reviews from multiple Eurovision contestants. Hera Björk, the Icelandic representative in 2010 and 2024, stated with Israeli Eurovision fansite EuroMix that she "love[d] the song. It's a strong song. It really is."[23] Former Cypriot representatives, including 2023 contestant Andrew Lambrou and 2024 contestant Silia Kapsis, have both stated support for the song.[24][25] Shayna Weiss compared "Hurricane" to Jamala's "1944", a song about the deportation of the Crimean Tatars from Crimea in 1944 that won the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 for Ukraine. Weiss later added, "I think [Israel] tried the Ukraine route."[6]

In a Wiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 5.9 out of 10 points.[26]

Calls for exclusion

Both variations of the song have faced numerous calls for its exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, along with earlier calls for the exclusion of Golan herself and Israel since the beginning of the Israel–Hamas war. Multiple media outlets related to Eurovision, such as Eurovoix[27] and ESC Xtra began to limit their coverage of Israeli participation in the contest.[28] Numerous petitions, particularly from Nordic countries, had been created to call for Israel's exclusion by February; one from Iceland managed to gain over 10,000 signatures.[29] When "Hurricane" was leaked hours before its official release, Ynet recorded instances of Palestinian supporters calling for Israel's exclusion, along with stage protests at Eurovision if the song was permitted to compete.[8] Opposition to calls for exclusion have been made; also in February, around 400 celebrities and musicians signed a letter that supported Israel's inclusion in the contest.[30]

Eurovision Song Contest

Main article: Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

HaKokhav HaBa, songwriting process

Israel's broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan), utilized HaKokhav HaBa, a reality singing competition, to select their singer for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[31] At the end of the competition, Eden Golan emerged victorious on 7 February 2024, winning the right to represent Israel in the contest.[32] The songwriting process for the broadcaster's entry had started three weeks earlier, with the song being selected by an internal committee.[33][34]

Controversies, delayed EBU approval and subsequent rewrites

Originally, the song was titled "October Rain" according to a 19 February report by Israel Hayom. Beger joined late into the songwriting process, and later entered into a dispute with Ohayon over royalties.[35] Two days later, Ynet writer Ran Boker reported that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organization that runs the Eurovision Song Contest, rejected the entry based on grounds of political content. In response, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/Kan) initially responded by stating that it would not change the lyrics or its content, putting the song's entry into Eurovision in jeopardy.[36] In a contrasting statement, the three songwriters later stated that while they didn't oppose changing the lyrics, they received no specific instructions on what to change.[4] Golan later put out a statement in response to criticism towards the song, stating that while she was "aware of what's happening [and] underst[ood] the dialogue", she also continued preparations to participate in the contest according to her acquaintances.[37] She later admitted that she thought criticism of the song was surprising to her and that she "didn't know there was such an option".[38]

Israeli president Isaac Herzog (pictured in 2021) pressured Kan to change the song's lyrics to fit EBU standards to gain EBU approval.

Subsequent leaks of the lyrics of "October Rain" by Israel Hayom and Ynet described the song as a ballad that built up to a climax, alluding to "the condition of Israeli civilians" in the 7 October attack along with the Re'im music festival massacre.[39][40] After another song titled "Dance Forever" was rejected on 28 February,[41] Kan, despite previous statements, opted to make changes to the lyrics of "October Rain" in order for the song to be eligible after Israeli president Isaac Herzog pressured Kan to make changes.[42][43] The rewrite and recording of the song, now called "Hurricane", was completed on 3 March.[5] After another rewrite requested by the EBU,[44] the final version of "Hurricane" was sent for approval on 5 March.[11] "Hurricane" was approved two days later.[45]

At Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. During the allocation draw on 30 January 2024, Israel was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, performing in the second half of the show after Israel requested to be in the second semi-final as 6 May, the rehearsal day for the first semi-final, is Yom HaShoah, Israel's Holocaust remembrance day.[46]

Golan was later drawn to perform 14th in the semi-final, after Estonia's duo of 5miinust and Puuluup and before Norway's Gåte.[47] She stated plans to perform with five backing dancers, with Golan herself wearing white clothes. Yoav Tzafir and Avihai Hacham were appointed to be the artistic directors for the Eurovision performance.[48]

Release history

Release history and format for "Hurricane"
Country Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various 10 March 2024
Session 42 [49]

References

  1. ^ Swissa, Eran (3 March 2024). "Hours after Israel changes Eurovision song, new revisions introduced to avoid politics". Israel Hayom. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  2. ^ Spiro, Amy (11 March 2024). "Capping weeks of uncertainty, Israel unveils its 2024 Eurovision song: 'Hurricane'". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b Brown, Hanna (12 March 2024). "Will Israel's new Eurovision entry blow judges away?". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b Alman, Roy (10 March 2024). ""יש המון דרכים להגיד באירוויזיון את מה שרצינו. עם ישראל לא נכנע ולא מתקפל"" [There are many ways to say what we wanted at Eurovision. The people of Israel do not give in and do not fold]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b Zeikner, Avi (3 March 2024). "ישראל באירוויזיון 2024: עדן גולן תבצע את השיר "HURRICANE"?" [Israel in Eurovision 2024: Aden Golan will perform the song "HURRICANE"?]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Hajdenberg, Jackie (11 March 2024). "Music video for 'Hurricane,' Israel's Eurovision entry, released after changes that tone down references to Oct. 7". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  7. ^ Zaltzman, Lior (12 March 2024). "Israel's 2024 Eurovision Song 'Hurricane' Is Here". Kveller. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b Boker, Ran (10 March 2024). "Israel's Eurovision song leaked online, pro-Palestinian users cry 'propaganda'". Ynet. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  9. ^ Naot, Shira (10 March 2024). "Israel unveils 'Hurricane,' its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest". Haaretz. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. ^ Zeikner, Avi (3 March 2024). "ישראל תשתתף באירוויזיון 2024: השיר ייחשף ב-10 במרץ! - אירוויזיון 2024" [Israel will participate in Eurovision 2024: The song will be revealed on March 10!]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  11. ^ a b Harel, Israel (6 March 2024). "ישראל באירוויזיון 2024: כך צפוי להיראות משדר חשיפת השיר הישראלי" [Israel in Eurovision 2024: this is what the Israeli song's unveiling by the broadcaster is expected to look like]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
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  14. ^ Yaakov, Itay (17 March 2024). "Does Israel's Eurovision music video hide Oct. 7 messaging?". Ynet. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  15. ^ Geist, Eli (2 April 2024). "בדרך לאירוויזיון: עדן גולן נפגשה עם נשיא המדינה הרצוג - אירוויזיון 2024" [On the way to Eurovision: Eden Golan met with President Herzog - Eurovision 2024]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  16. ^ Zeikner, Avi (31 March 2024). "מסתמן: עדן גולן לא תקדם את "הוריקן" באירופה - אירוויזיון 2024" [It appears: Eden Golan will not promote "Hurricane" in Europe - Eurovision 2024]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  17. ^ Lombardini, Emanuele (21 April 2024). "Eurovision 2024, in arrivo Polizia anche dall'estero. Eden Golan blindata in camera?" [Eurovision 2024, police also arriving from abroad. Eden Golan with an armoured hotel room?]. Eurofestival News (in Italian). Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  18. ^ Israel, Harel (5 April 2024). "מועדון אוהדי האירוויזיון הישראלי חיבק את עדן גולן לקראת התחרות - אירוויזיון 2024" [The Israeli Eurovision fan club embraced Eden Golan ahead of the competition - Eurovision 2024]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 April 2024.
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  33. ^ Zeikner, Avi (16 January 2024). "השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון 2024 ייבחר על ידי ועדה" [The Israeli song for Eurovision 2024 will be chosen by a committee]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  34. ^ "בצל המלחמה: השינוי הדרמטי בבחירת השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון" [In the shadow of the war: the dramatic change in the selection of the Israeli song for Eurovision]. Maariv (in Hebrew). 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  35. ^ Swissa, Eran (19 February 2024). "דרמה בבחירת השיר לאירוויזיון: למה אחד מיוצרי השיר הנבחר מאיים למשוך אותו?" [Drama in the selection of the song for Eurovision: why does one of the creators of the chosen song threaten to withdraw it?]. Israel Hayom (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  36. ^ Boker, Ran (21 February 2024). "האירוויזיון בסכנה: השיר עלול להיפסל בטענה ש'מילותיו פוליטיות', בתאגיד מתעקשים: לא נחליף" [Eurovision is in danger: the song may be disqualified on the grounds that "its words are political", the corporation insists: we will not replace]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  37. ^ Boker, Ran (26 February 2024). "Exclusive: Eden Golan fires back at critics of Israeli Eurovision entry: 'I Believe in it'". Ynet. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  38. ^ Swissa, Eran (22 April 2024). "'My participation is part of a very important mission': Eden Golan gets ready for Malmo showdown". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  39. ^ Swissa, Eran (22 February 2024). "חשיפה: 'הגשם של אוקטובר' - אלו מילות השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון שמעוררות סערה" [Disclosure: "October Rain" - These are the lyrics of the Israeli Eurovision song that are causing a stir]. Israel Hayom. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  40. ^ Boker, Ran (22 February 2024). "'לרקוד בסערה, להשאיר את העולם מאחור': פרטים חדשים על השיר הישראלי לאירוויזיון" ["Dancing in the storm, leaving the world behind": new details about the Israeli song for Eurovision]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  41. ^ Boker, Ran (28 February 2024). "'אנחנו עוד נרקוד שוב': זה השיר הישראלי שהגיע למקום השני בדרך לאירוויזיון" ["We will dance again": this is the Israeli song that reached second place on the way to Eurovision]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  42. ^ Zeikner, Avi (3 March 2024). "ישראל תשתתף באירוויזיון 2024: השיר ייחשף ב-10 במרץ! - אירוויזיון 2024" [Israel will participate in Eurovision 2024: The song will be revealed on March 10!]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  43. ^ Stern, Itary (10 March 2024). "After facing criticism, Israel has revised its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest". NPR. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  44. ^ Swissa, Eran (3 March 2024). "החשש - המילים יתפרשו כפוליטיות: השיר לאירוויזיון שוכתב שוב" [The fear - the words will be interpreted as political: the song for Eurovision has been rewritten]. Israel Hayom (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  45. ^ Spiro, Amy (7 March 2024). "After rewriting disqualified song, Israel gets final approval to appear at Eurovision". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  46. ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results". Eurovision Song Contest. European Broadcasting Union. 30 January 2024. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  47. ^ Adams, William Lee (26 March 2024). "Eurovision 2024 Semi-Final Running Order Revealed". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  48. ^ Zeikner, Avi (23 April 2024). "ישראל באירוויזיון 2024: פרטים חדשים על הביצוע של עדן גולן בתחרות - אירוויזיון 2024" [Israel in Eurovision 2024: new details about Eden Golan's performance in the competition - Eurovision 2024]. EuroMix (in Hebrew). Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Hurricane - Single by Eden Golan". Apple Music (US). 10 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
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