Hurricane (Eden Golan song)

"Hurricane"
Single by Eden Golan
Released	10 March 2024 (2024-03-10)
Length	2:58
Label	Session 42
Songwriter(s)	Avi Ohayon Keren Peles Stav Beger
Eden Golan singles chronology
"Dopamine" (2023) "Hurricane" (2024)
Audio sample
file help
Music video
"Hurricane" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2024 entry
Country	Israel
Artist(s)	Eden Golan
Languages	English, Hebrew
Composer(s)	Avi Ohayon Keren Peles Stav Beger
Lyricist(s)	Avi Ohayon Keren Peles
Finals performance
Semi-final result	1st
Semi-final points	194
Final result	5th
Final points	375
Entry chronology
◄ "Unicorn" (2023)
Official performance video
"Hurricane" (Second Semi-Final) on YouTube "Hurricane" (Grand Final) on YouTube

"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 represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, where it finished fifth overall.

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. 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, faced numerous unsuccessful calls for its exclusion from the contest.

Background and composition

"Hurricane" is written by Avi Ohayon, Keren Peles, and Stav Beger. Beger joined late into the songwriting process, and later entered into a dispute with Ohayon over royalties. Before it was officially announced as Israel's song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, increasing public pressure was placed upon the contest's organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to both ban Israeli participation from the contest and boycott until the country was banned due to Israel's participation in the Israel–Hamas war. In an interview with The Times of Israel, Golan stated that despite knowing that competing in Eurovision 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."

Disputes exist on whether the song is solely based on an Israeli perspective of the Israel–Hamas war. Ohayon 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". However, in an interview with The New York Times, Peles claimed that the song was not solely influenced by the conflict; she stated that the song was in part inspired by a recent divorce she had gone through. Peles further stated that the song was meant to reflect the general topic of the "importance of strength in tough moments". Hannah Brown, in an analysis for The Jerusalem Post, wrote that the song was "about loss and redemption". In another analysis by Israel Hayom's Eran Swissa, the song details the story of a "young woman emerging from a personal crisis".

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. Brown later stated that "Hurricane", while keeping the same messages as "October Rain", used "more poetic, less specific terms". 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." 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".

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. It was officially released on 10 March 2024 in a special broadcast on Israeli channel Kan 11.

Music video and promotion

Along with the song's release, an accompanying music video was released on the same day. 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. 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.

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. Golan did not attend any Eurovision pre-party event despite being invited to them; however, she did make a one-off appearance at a fan event organised by OGAE Israel to promote the song.

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." 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."

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." 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".

Eurovision-related and other 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." Former Cypriot representatives, including 2023 contestant Andrew Lambrou and 2024 contestant Silia Kapsis, have both stated support for the song. Gali Atari, part of the Israeli delegation that won the contest in 1979, also praised Golan, stating that "I have unwavering confidence in her, and I trust her to represent Israel with utmost dignity... It’s hard to believe she’s only 20... and already she is such a diva, such a fantastic performer." 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."

In a Wiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 5.9 out of 10 points, earning 27th out of 37 songs on the site's annual ranking. Another review conducted by ESC Bubble that contained reviews from a combination of readers and juries rated the song last out of any song in the Eurovision semi-final "Hurricane" was competing against. Jon O'Brien, a writer for Vulture, ranked the song 32nd out of the 37 songs competing in that year's contest, calling the song "generic as they come, a Demi Lovato–esque power ballad that tries to say a lot but ends up saying nothing at all". In contrast, ESC Beat's Doron Lahav praised the song, ranking the song second overall out of the 37 songs competing in the contest. They gave positive remarks on Golan's vocal abilities and stated that they thought the song was "meaningful and serves as a global message". Scotsman writer Erin Adam also gave the song a favourable review, also praising Golan's vocals and rating the song seven out of 10 points.

Betting odds

Around two weeks after "Hurricane" was released, on 22 March, it was listed in eighth in overall betting odds to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Within the 12 days between the song's release and the day the odds were gathered, the song had rose by two positions. After brief fall to ninth, the song shot back up to eighth by 16 April, which The Jerusalem Post interpreted was due to Iranian drone attacks which had occurred that month. Two weeks before the contest, on 27 April 2024, "Hurricane" rose to seventh. After Golan's qualification from the semi-final, she rose to second overall, only behind Croatia's Baby Lasagna.

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 and ESC Xtra began to limit their coverage of Israeli participation in the contest. 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. 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. Opposition to calls for exclusion were made before the contest; also in February, around 400 celebrities and musicians signed a letter that supported Israel's inclusion in the contest.

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. At the end of the competition, Eden Golan emerged victorious on 7 February 2024, winning the right to represent Israel in the contest. The songwriting process for the broadcaster's entry had started three weeks earlier, with the song being selected by an internal committee.

Controversies, delayed EBU approval and subsequent rewrites

Originally, the song was titled "October Rain" according to a 19 February report by Israel Hayom. 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. 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. Peles later claimed that she "happily" changed the lyrics upon notice. 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. 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".

Israeli president Isaac Herzog (pictured in 2021) pressured Kan to change the song's lyrics in order 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. After another song titled "Dance Forever" was rejected on 28 February, 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. The rewrite and recording of the song, now called "Hurricane", was completed on 3 March. After another rewrite requested by the EBU, the final version of "Hurricane" was sent for approval on 5 March. "Hurricane" was approved two days later.

At Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consisted 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 half of the second semi-final, after Israel requested to be in that semi-final as 6 May, the rehearsal day for the first semi-final, would be Yom HaShoah, Israel's Holocaust remembrance day. Golan was later drawn to perform 14th in the semi-final, after Estonia's duo of 5miinust and Puuluup, and before Norway's Gåte.

Yoav Tzafir and Avichai Hacham were appointed to be the artistic directors for the Eurovision performance. The performance featured Golan in a white dress and five backing dancers wearing bandage-like clothing, similar to 19th-century Israeli clothing, to "express what [Israel] currently feel[s] as a nation". The beginning of the performance features blue lighting, which then transitions over to images of a storm. The end changes the colour of the lighting to orange, which was interpreted by Israeli Eurovision fansite EuroMix as "a kind of sunrise on the set that symbolizes hope". Originally, Golan was slated to wear a yellow dress to support the cause of freeing Israeli victims from Hamas captivity; according to Alon Livne, who designed Golan's outfit, it was rejected by the EBU. Despite this, Livne claims that they "implicitly prepared elements that convey [the delegation's] feelings" regardless.

Throughout rehearsals, Golan faced loud choruses of both booing and applause during each performance, with reported chants of "Free Palestine" being heard throughout the arena. She had previously prepared for booing in the days leading to the semi-final, with Golan performing the song occasionally while her delegation imitated a booing crowd. In spite of the booing, EBU officials stated that they wouldn't censor the crowd if the performance was booed during the semi-final. By the semi-final, however, according to Daily Telegraph writer Michael Hogan, Golan was met with a "muted reception". The EBU's claims of anti-censorship were also challenged by The National, who reported that numerous viewers accused organisers of implementing "anti-booing technology". "Hurricane" was able to secure a position in the grand final, finishing first and receiving 194 points.

Golan performing "Hurricane" at a dress rehearsal before the Eurovision 2024 grand final.

Golan performed a repeat of her performance in the grand final on 11 May. The song was performed sixth in the final, ahead of The Netherlands' Joost Klein and before Lithuania's Silvester Belt. Golan's grand final performance was also met with a "decidedly mixed reaction" of boos and cheers according to NME writer Max Pilley. After the results were announced, Golan finished in fifth with 375 points, with a split score of 52 jury points and 323 televoting points. Regarding the former, no country gave the song 12 points; the maximum given to the song was eight, given by Cyprus, Germany, and Norway. However, "Hurricane" received 15 sets of 12 points from televoting. In response to her result, Golan expressed contentment, stating that she was "so proud" and that she accomplished the goal of "mak[ing] Israel’s strong voice heard in the world".

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2024)	Peak position
Israel (Media Forest)	1

Release history

Release history and format for "Hurricane"

Country	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
Various	10 March 2024	Digital download streaming	Session 42