Naħseb Fik
| "Naħseb Fik" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Aidan | ||||
| from the album This is Aidan | ||||
| Language | Maltese | |||
| Released | 7 April 2021 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 3:27 | |||
| Label | WickedandLoud | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Aidan Cassar | |||
| Producer(s) | Boban Apostolov | |||
| Aidan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Naħseb Fik" on YouTube | ||||
"Naħseb Fik"[a] (Maltese pronunciation: [naħseb fiːk]; transl. "I Think of You") is a song by Maltese singer Aidan released on 7 April 2021. It was his first song written in the Maltese language and was produced by Boban Apostolov.
"Naħseb Fik" received positive reviews upon its release and peaked at number one in Malta's singles charts. The song was praised for its catchiness and for being a rare example of a pop song in the country written entirely in Maltese, though the song received criticism due to allegations of plagiarism. It was included in the singer's 2023 debut album This is Aidan.
Background and release[edit]
The song is about a developing relationship that is taking root and was produced by Macedonian musician Boban Apostolov who Aidan stated "knows the industry very well".[1][2] Aidan premiered it at the 2021 edition of Malta's national song festival Mużika Mużika.[1] The song was written in Maltese as he said the country did not have a "radio pop hit" in the language.[3] He stated in an interview that he had not performed or written in Maltese before and that the festival "seemed like the right time to give it a shot".[3] He succeeded to the final of the competition before being eliminated, saying he "really did not expect" the song to be well received and the numerous videos on TikTok featuring the song.[3]
In May 2021, he released an acoustic version of the song with Amber and the Palace String Orchestra.[4] Following the positive response to "Naħseb Fik", he announced he would be competing to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with a song written in Maltese.[5] The song was later revealed to be "Ritmu" and placed second in the competition.[6][7] Aidan had previously unsuccessfully competed to represent Malta in the 2018 contest in which his song was updated as it was reportedly not entirely original and could have potentially violated Eurovision rules.[8] "Naħseb Fik" was featured in his debut album This Is Aidan released in March 2023.[9]
Critical reception[edit]
Television Malta reported that the "modern style and summery rhythm" was well received by Maltese people and played frequently on local radio stations.[1] Malta Daily attributed its success to its "catchy Mediterranean vibe and beautiful use of the Maltese language".[4] The song peaked at number one on Malta's BMAT PRS singles chart and became the most popular Maltese song on Apple Music, iTunes and Spotify.[10][1] Johnathan Cilia of Lovin Malta praised the song's reggaeton beat and orchestral elements but said the song became popular due to its "memorable tune and catchy lyrics".[2] Jean Paul Azzopardi of Lovin Malta said that the song added to the "diversity of the local music scene" as unlike other Maltese pop songs it was sung entirely in Maltese.[11]
Controversy[edit]
In May 2021, a video which simultaneously played "Naħseb Fik" and "Tick Tock" by English musicians Clean Bandit and Mabel went viral.[12] The video noted that the songs had similar beats and chord progression with several parts of both songs lining up at the same time.[12] Following its release, several Maltese musicians accused Aidan of plagiarism.[12] Mario Vella, who had initially praised the song, said that the allegations against the singer were "plain and grievous".[12] Wayne Camilleri said that he was disappointed as he thought the song was a "catchy innovative composition".[12] Moira Stafrace agreed that it was disappointing as her daughter had informed her of the song and her initial reaction was "finally, a good popular song in Maltese".[12]
Aidan denied the plagiarism allegations against him stating that in commercial music, "all current hit songs sound the same on radio”.[2] He stated that in order to keep up with "what's in or not" in pop music, he listens to hundreds of songs to get inspiration.[2] He added that "music should unite, and this is exactly why this track is doing its rounds".[12]
Music video[edit]
The song's music video was filmed by Victor Abela and directed by Gary Bugeja. Most of the video was recorded in Marsaskala with the underwater segment being shot at the Malta Film Studios.[1] Lovin Malta said that the music video embodied the song's "local spirit" as it featured scenes of Maltese culture and landscapes whilst the protagonist sings in his mother tongue.[11] It received the best music video award at the 2021 Lovin Malta Social Media Awards.[5]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Malta (BMAT PRS)[10] | 1 |
Notes[edit]
- ^ Stylized in all uppercase.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e "WATCH: Aidan launches music video for 'Naħseb Fik'". TVM News. 7 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cilia, Johnathan (27 May 2021). "Aidan Responds To Allegations That Hit Single 'Naħseb Fik' Was Lifted From A Clean Bandit Track". Lovin Malta. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Mużika Mużika, a prestigious launch pad for up and coming artists". Festivals Malta. 25 August 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Aidan & Amber release a chilling acoustic rendition of 'Naħseb Fik'". Malta Daily. 8 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b Diacono, Tim (15 December 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Aidan Submits Upbeat Song Entirely In Maltese For Eurovision". Lovin Malta. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Imħabbra t-22 semifinalista tal-Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2022". TVM News. 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Record TV audience – over half a million viewers watch Eurovision Song Contest". TVM News. 20 February 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Adams, William Lee (19 January 2018). "Aidan publishes "Dai Laga" revamp following rule breach controversy in Malta". wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Cole, Jessica (31 March 2023). "Malta: Aidan releases debut album "This Is Aidan"". Eurovoxx. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b "PRS Malta on Facebook: The PRS for music Malta BMAT Airplay Chart 9th April". Facebook. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ a b Azzopardi, Jean Paul (7 April 2021). "WATCH: Aidan Drops Nostalgic Summer Vibes Music Video For His Latest Maltese Pop Hit Naħseb Fik". Lovin Malta. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Arena, Jessica (27 May 2021). "Musicians raise plagiarism concerns over Aidan Cassar's hit song". Times of Malta. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.