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Veronika (song)

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"Veronika"
The cover artwork for "Veronika". The cover features Raiven in a gray outfit amongst a black background. Four men around her are shown bowing down to her.
Single by Raiven
from the EP Sirene, Pt. 1
Released20 January 2024 (2024-01-20)
GenreAlternative pop
Length2:46
LabelVirgin Music
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Danilo Kapel
  • Martin Bezjak
  • Peter Khoo
  • Sara Briški Cirman
Raiven singles chronology
"Ikona"
(2023) 		"Veronika"
(2024)
Music video
"Veronika" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2024 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Language
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Bojan Cvjetićanin
  • Klavdija Kopina
  • Sara Briški Cirman
Finals performance
Semi-final result
9th
Semi-final points
51
Final result
23rd
Final points
27
Entry chronology
◄ "Carpe Diem" (2023)
Official performance video
"Veronika" (First Semi-Final) on YouTube
"Veronika" (Grand Final) on YouTube

"Veronika" (Slovene pronunciation: [ʋɛˈɾòːnika]) is a song by Slovenian singer-songwriter Raiven. Inspired by the story of Veronika of Desenice, it was composed by Raiven along with five others, with lyrics also coming from Raiven. The song was self-released on 20 January 2024 through Virgin Music Group, and represented Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, where it placed 23rd with 27 points.

Background and composition

"Veronika" is composed by Bojan Cvjetićanin, Danilo Kapel, Klavdija Kopina, Martin Bezjek, Peter Khoo, and Raiven, with lyrics for the song written by Cvjetićanin, Kopina, and Raiven.[1] Cvjetićanin is a current member and lead singer of Slovenian rock band Joker Out, who represented Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.[2] According to Raiven, the song is inspired by Veronika of Desenice, a Countess of Celje who was tried for witchcraft. She was reportedly murdered under the orders of her father-in-law, because of her lower status and his opposition of her marriage to his son.[3][4]

In an analysis by Wiwibloggs writer Ruxandra Tudor, the song is described as "a dark alternative pop song", with Veronika described as "a woman of power, a magical figure". She later went on to say that, "the song possesses a mystical allure, and its potency grows as the composition unfolds, showcasing Raiven’s formidable vocal abilities. Raiven [later declares] 'I am, you are, Veronika,' conveying that the power of her character, Veronika, can be found within each of us."[2] Raiven has also described the song as a "child of mine", wishing to put an emphasis on visual art for the song.[5]

The song was originally meant to be written for Raiven's second EP, Sirene, and not meant for the Eurovision Song Contest. According to Raiven, the song took six months to create, and that she focused on the "dramatic quality [of the song]... I wanted her story to not only be expressed but also resonate with the year 2024."[3][6] Raiven was officially announced as Slovenia's Eurovision representative for 2024 during a press conference held at the Ljubljana Slovene National Theatre Opera and Ballet on 12 December 2023.[7] The song and its accompanying music video premiered on 20 January 2024, during a special television programme titled Misija Malmö.[8][9][10]

Music video and promotion

An accompanying music video was released on the same day the music video was released. It was filmed at the Črni Kal quarry and in Radovljica, and was directed by Lukas Zuschlag and Tjaša Barbo and choreographed by Zuschlag.[5][10][11][12] In an interview given out by Radiotelevizija Slovenija, Raiven stated that she wanted to incorporate "the four elements – earth, fire, water and air". Raiven, who has a phobia of deep water, stated that production for the music video was "time-consuming and very stressful".[5] The music video features Raiven in a body of water, with Raiven "calling out" Veronika surrounded by an entourage of four men.[13]

Raiven performed the song at Dora 2024, the preselection for Croatia's Eurovision entry.[14] To further promote the song, Raiven performed the song at various Eurovision pre-parties. Raiven appeared at the Barcelona Eurovision Party on 6 April 2024,[15] the Eurovision in Concert pre-party on 8 April,[16] and the Nordic Eurovision Party on 14 April.[17]

Critical reception

"Veronika" has drawn mixed reception. In a Wiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 6.5 out of 10 points,[18] earning 20th out of the 37 songs competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on the site's annual ranking.[19] Another review conducted by ESC Bubble that contained reviews from a combination of readers and juries rated the song sixth out of the 15 songs "Veronika" was competing against in its the Eurovision semi-final.[20] Vulture's Jon O'Brien ranked the song 31st overall, declaring that Raiven had "thrown everything but the kitchen sink" in a failed attempt to "throwback to the glory days of indie sleaze".[21] Erin Adam of The Scotsman rated the song four out of 10 points, deeming the song to be "a little repetitive".[22] In contrast, ESC Beat's Doron Lahav ranked the song as his overall winner, stating the song provided "a very whole package, with mysterious production and rich arranagment [sic]".[23]

Eurovision Song Contest

Main article: Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Internal selection

Slovenia's broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO) officially announced their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on 14 September 2023.[24] Initially, the broadcaster planned to host a national final, although this was later scrapped for an internal selection.[25][26] A pair of panels determined the representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, with a Slovenian panel picking five finalists and an international panel choosing the final song out of the five finalists.[27] On 12 December 2023, Raiven was officially announced as the Slovenian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[7] The song was released on 20 January 2024, along with a music video.[10]

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, Slovenia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.[28] She was later drawn to perform ninth in the semi-final, ahead of Iceland's Hera Björk and before Finland's Teemu Keisteri.[29]

Refer to caption
Raiven performing "Veronika" during a dress rehearsal before the first semi-final of Eurovision 2024.

For its Eurovision performance, Nejc Levstik was appointed as the creative director.[30] Before the contest, Raiven announced intentions to heavily base the performance off of the song's music video and its "femininity, darkness and mystery".[31] She also stated desires to emulate Veronika of Desenice in her performance.[32] The performance featured Raiven in a transparent black outfit adorned with silver leaves. Five backing dancers accompanying her, all wearing "nude" bodysuits.[33][34] The dancers were described by Raiven to be "my children…they’re like my little creatures that I brought from the underworld when Veronika rose up from the ground".[32] The use of fog and wind effects were also implemented.[33] "Veronika" finished ninth, scoring 51 points and securing a position in the grand final.[35][36] In response to her qualification, Raiven, who was predicted by bookmakers to not qualify, stated to Delo, "I didn't even expect to be in the finals... since everyone mentioned them, I began to doubt myself."[37]

Raiven performed a repeat of her performance in the grand final on 11 May. The song was performed 22nd, ahead of Switzerland's Nemo and before Croatia's Baby Lasagna.[38] After the results were announced, she finished in 23rd with 27 points, with a split score of 15 points from juries and 12 points from public televoting.[39] No sets of the maximum 12 points were given by any country in both groups. The country that gave the most in either category was Croatia, who gave a set of 10 points in both categories.[40]

Track listing

Digital download/streaming[41]

  1. "Veronika" – 2:46

Digital download/streaming – Acoustic Session[42]

  1. "Veronika" (Acoustic Session) – 2:56

Charts

Chart performance for "Veronika"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Lithuania (AGATA)[43] 72

Release history

Release history and formats for "Veronika"
Country Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various 20 January 2024
Single Virgin Music
[41]
28 April 2024 Acoustic Session
[42]

References

  1. ^ Jiandani, Sanjay (20 January 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven releases her Eurovision entry 'Veronika'". ESCToday. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b Tudor, Ruxandra (20 January 2024). ""I am Veronika" - Slovenia's Raiven releases Eurovision 2024 song". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Santos, Pedro (20 January 2024). "Slovenia's song for Eurovision 2024 released: Raiven with "Veronika"". Eurovision World. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  4. ^ Grafenauer, Bogo (2009). "Veronika Deseniška" [Veronika of Desenice]. In Vide Ogrin, Petra (ed.). Slovenski biografski leksikon (in Slovenian). ISBN 978-961-268-001-5.
  5. ^ a b c Čeh, Žana E. (21 January 2024). "Raiven o Veroniki: "V vsakem izmed nas je neki del, ki je ranjen"" [Raiven on Veronica: "There's a part of each of us that's wounded"]. Radiotelevizija Slovenija (in Slovenian). Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Prisluhnite, kako zveni skladba Veronika, s katero bo Raiven zastopala Slovenijo na Evroviziji" [Listen to the song Veronika, with which Raiven will represent Slovenia at Eurovision]. Radiotelevizija Slovenija (in Slovenian). 20 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b "At the Eurovision Song Contest, we will be represented by Raiven with her song entitled Veronika". Radiotelevizija Slovenija (in Slovenian). 12 December 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  8. ^ "V soboto ob 20.00 Misija Malmö, predstavitev skladbe za izbor Pesem Evrovizije" [On Saturday at 20:00 Misija Malmö, the presentation of the entry for the Eurovision Song Contest] (in Slovenian). Radiotelevizija Slovenija. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  9. ^ Granger, Anthony (17 January 2024). "Slovenia: Misija Malmö Song Reveal Show Details Revealed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Grace, Emily (20 January 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven Releases Eurovision 2024 Entry 'Veronika'". Eurovoix. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Raiven - Veronika | Slovenia | Official Video | Eurovision 2024". EBU. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Slovenia: Raiven ready to reveal 'Veronika' music video". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  13. ^ Bermejo, Aitor (21 January 2024). "Veronika finally comes alive: Slovenia's Raiven reveals her entry for Malmö!". ESCplus. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  14. ^ Granger, Anthony (15 February 2024). "🇭🇷 Croatia: Slimane & Raiven to Perform at Dora 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ Maldonado, Yesaac (9 January 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven Confirmed for Barcelona Eurovision Party 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  16. ^ @eurovisioninconcert (8 January 2024). "Our Third Confirmed Act is Raiven!". Retrieved 13 January 2024 – via Instagram.
  17. ^ Granger, Anthony (14 January 2024). "Sweden: Five Artists Announced to Date for the Nordic Eurovision Party 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Wiwi Jury: Slovenia's Raiven with "Veronika"". Wiwibloggs. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Vautrey, Jonathan (7 April 2024). "Eurovision 2024: Reviews and rankings by the Wiwi Jury". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  20. ^ Juhász, Ervin (23 April 2024). "The Public Reacts to Sweden: Marcus and Martinus – Unforgettable". ESC Bubble. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  21. ^ O'Brien, Jon (6 May 2024). "Every 2024 Eurovision Song, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  22. ^ Adam, Erin (7 May 2024). "Eurovision Song Contest 2024: All 37 songs reviewed ahead of semifinals, including UK's Olly Alexander". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  23. ^ Lahav, Doron (30 March 2024). "Eurovision 2024 Songs Review – Part 2 (Croatia, Ireland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia)". ESC Beat. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  24. ^ Maatko, Alesh (14 September 2023). "Slovenija gre na Evrovizijo 2024" [Slovenia is going to Eurovision 2024]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  25. ^ Maatko, Alesh (17 October 2023). "Ema 2024: Štiri skladbe, en zmagovalec" [Ema 2024: Four tracks, one winner]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  26. ^ Granger, Anthony (10 December 2023). "Slovenia: Eurovision 2024 Song to be Revealed on January 20". Eurovoix. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  27. ^ Granger, Anthony (10 December 2023). "Slovenia: Eurovision 2024 Song to be Revealed on January 20". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  29. ^ Adams, William Lee (26 March 2024). "Eurovision 2024 Semi-Final Running Order Revealed". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  30. ^ "Raiven na Pesem Evrovizije v Malmö" [Raiven at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö] (in Slovenian). Radiotelevizija Slovenija. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Raiven želi uprizoriti nastop, na katerega bo ponosna še leta" [Raiven wants to put on a performance she'll be proud of for years to come]. Radiotelevizija Slovenija (in Slovenian). 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  32. ^ a b Kao, Scarlett (5 May 2024). ""It's like I'm stepping into her body": Raiven on bringing "Veronika" to life in her Eurovision staging". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ^ a b Lahav, Doron (6 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024 Semi-Final 1: Dress/Jury Rehearsal Live Commetary". ESC Beat. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  34. ^ Farren, Neil (28 April 2024). "🇸🇮 Slovenia: All the Details About Raiven's First Rehearsal". Eurovoix. Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  35. ^ Završnik, Gašper (9 May 2024). "Raiven je uspelo! Slovenija v evrovizijskem finalu" [Raiven made it! Slovenia in the Eurovision final]. Delo (in Slovenian). Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ^ Vautrey, Jonathan (12 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024 semi-finals: Detailed results show Croatia and Israel won each show". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  37. ^ Završnik, Gašper (8 May 2024). "Verjamem, da so publiko prepričali moja karizma, karizma plesalcev in vokal" [I believe that the audience was convinced by my charisma, the charisma of the dancers and the vocals]. Delo (in Slovenian). Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ^ Vautrey, Jonathan (10 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024 grand final running order: Ukraine in second, Austria closes". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 10 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  39. ^ "Raiven finishes Eurosong in 23rd place". The Slovenia Times. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "Grand Final of Malmö 2024 - Slovenia Grand Final Results Allocation". Eurovision Song Contest. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 17 May 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ^ a b "Veronika - Single by Raiven". Spotify. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Veronika (Acoustic Session) - Single by Raiven". Spotify. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  43. ^ "2024 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
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