Diamond of Night

"Diamond of Night"
Eurovision Song Contest 1999 entry
Country	Estonia
Artist(s)	Evelin Samuel, Imbi Rätsep
As	Evelin Samuel & Camille
Language	English
Composer(s)	Priit Pajusaar, Glen Pilvre
Lyricist(s)	Maian-Anna Kärmas
Finals performance
Final result	6th
Final points	90
Entry chronology
◄ "Mere lapsed" (1998)
"Once in a Lifetime" (2000) ►

"Diamond of Night" was the Estonian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, performed in English (the first time Estonia had not sung in Estonian, although a version was recorded in that language) by singer Evelin Samuel and violinist Imbi Rätsep as "Camille". The Estonian version was titled "Langevate tähtede aeg" ("Time of shooting stars"), lyrics written by Kaari Sillamaa.

The song was performed twenty-third on the night, following Bosnia and Herzegovina's Dino and Béatrice with "Putnici". At the close of voting, it had received 90 points, placing 6th in a field of 23.

The song is folk-inspired and is an ode to the moon, with Samuel asking it to guide her steps.

With Evelin and Camille, there were a harpist Saale Kivimaker on stage, as well as two backing vocalists, Anneli Tõevere and Maian-Anna Kärmas, the latter also a lyricist of that song.

Maian-Anna Kärmas has described the birth of the English lyrics greatly in relation to the experience in 1998 when Evelin Samuel very narrowly lost a pass to Eurovision Song Contest. For entirely believing in Evelin Samuel, and the song written especially for the occasion, she then wrote a meaningful line now I can say it is my time to end end of the chorus.

It was succeeded as Estonian representative at the 2000 contest by Ines with "Once In A Lifetime".

References

• Running order and results of the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest
• Lyrics and translation of the Estonian-language version