The Tower (song)
| "The Tower" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpeg) | ||||
| Single by Luna | ||||
| from the album No Rest | ||||
| Released | 23 January 2024 | |||
| Genre | Pop[1] | |||
| Length | 3:00 | |||
| Label | Universal | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Paul Dixon | |||
| Luna singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "The Tower" on YouTube | ||||
| Eurovision Song Contest 2024 entry | ||||
| Country | ||||
| Artist(s) | ||||
| Language | English | |||
| Composer(s) |
| |||
| Lyricist(s) |
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| Finals performance | ||||
| Semi-final result | 12th | |||
| Semi-final points | 35 | |||
| Entry chronology | ||||
| ◄ "Solo" (2023) | ||||
| Official performance video | ||||
| "The Tower" (First Semi-Final) on YouTube | ||||
"The Tower" is a song by Polish singer-songwriter Aleksandra Katarzyna Wielgomas, also known mononymously as Luna. Self-described as an account of the journey of strength and self-realization from the depths of darkness and negativity, it was co-written by Luna, Paul Dixon and Max Cooke, and was released on 23 January 2024 by Universal Music Polska. The song represented Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, and finished in 12th place with 35 points during semi final 1.
Background and composition
[edit]"The Tower" was written and composed by Aleksandra Katarzyna Wielgomas, Paul Dixon, and Max Cooke.[2] In interviews, Wielgomas has stated that the song is about a journey to self-realization and self-actualization from the negativity humanity faces. The song uses the metaphor of a tower of negativity and limited potential, urging the listener to topple the tower with strength.[3] Wielgomas later stated in an interview with Wiwibloggs that she wanted others to "create your own rules in the world, your own terms and build your own tower – the one that leads to your destiny, something that is great for your life and for your happiness".[4]
The song officially premiered on 23 January 2024 at the Spatif nightclub in Warsaw.[5] Around a month later, the song was announced by Telewizja Polska, Poland's broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, to represent the country for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[6]
Critical reception
[edit]Vulture's Jon O'Brien ranked the song seventh out of 37 Eurovision entries, opining that it "echoes" Ellie Goulding, Aurora and Grimes. He concluded: "[It] is the kind of featherlight synth-pop that seems tailor-made not for Eurovision but for trendy Spotify playlists. In years to come, this may be regarded as 2024's lost gem."[7] On the other hand, Erin Adam of The Scotsman gave the song a rating of 6 out of 10, but called it "frothy" and "catchy".[8]
Music video and promotion
[edit]Along with the song's premiere, an accompanying music video was released. According to Wielgomas, the music video uses the metaphor of chess to describe the relationships she has endured. Wielgomas has stated in interviews that the appearance of her opponent represents struggles in her life, including "crossing boundaries". The duel itself represents her facing different loved ones and their relationships, and by the end of the video, she is battling herself, knowing that she has to defeat her past self to create her own fate.[9]
To further promote the song, Wielgomas confirmed her intent to participate in several Eurovision pre-parties, including the Nordic Music Celebration,[10] the London Eurovision Party,[11] Pre-Party ES 2024,[12] and the Barcelona Eurovision Party 2024.[13]
Eurovision Song Contest
[edit]Internal selection
[edit]Poland's broadcaster Telewizja Polska (TVP) announced its intent to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on 20 September 2023.[14] Following a controversy surrounding the previous year and its selection, TVP considered switching to an internal selection;[15] this was later confirmed in January 2024.[16] After 22 songs were shortlisted, a five-member internal committee awarded scores from 1 to 10 to ten of the received submissions on 13 February.[17] Six days later, Luna and her song were revealed to be Poland's representatives for the contest, winning by one point over second-place finisher, Justyna Steczkowska's "Witch-er Tarohoro".[6][17]
At Eurovision
[edit]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, Poland was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.[18] She was later drawn to perform sixth in the semi-final, ahead of Ukraine's duo of Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil and behind Croatia's Baby Lasagna.[19] For its Eurovision performance, creative artist Jerry Reeve was put in charge of the song's staging.[20] The song failed to qualify for the final.
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Lithuania (AGATA)[21] | 60 |
| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[22] | 20 |
| Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[23] | 80 |
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Poland (ZPAV)[24] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Country | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 23 January 2024 | Original | Universal Music Polska | [25] | |
| 28 March 2024 | Acoustic |
References
[edit]- ^ Savage, Mark (5 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024: Your guide to all 37 songs". BBC. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ Gabriel, Zephaniah (19 February 2024). "Poland: It's LUNA for Eurovision 2024 with "The Tower"". ESC United. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Kamil, Polewski (19 February 2024). "Eurowizja 2024: Luna reprezentantką Polski! "The Tower" do Malmö" [Eurovision 2024: Luna will represent Poland! "The Tower" to Malmö]. Eurowizja.org (in Polish). Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Hendryk, Tom (4 April 2024). ""Rise up, shout it louder!" — Luna encourages listeners to be brave and to live honestly in "The Tower" lyrics". Wiwibloggs]. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Blazewicz, Maciej (24 January 2024). "Eurowizja 2024 Polskie preselekcje: Luna prezentuje "The Tower", fani oceniają • Ile poczekamy na ogłoszenie wyników? • Kiedy kolejne premiery piosenek i kto jeszcze się zgłosił?" [Eurovision 2024 Polish preselections: Luna presents "The Tower", fans rate • How long will we wait for the results to be announced? • When are the next song premieres and who else has signed up?]. Dziennik-Eurowizyjny (in Polish). Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ a b Diaz, Sebastian (19 February 2024). "Poland: Luna heading to Eurovision with "The Tower"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ O'Brien, Jon (6 May 2024). "Every 2024 Eurovision Song, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Luna "The Tower". Artystka chce reprezentować Polskę na Eurowizji 2024" [Luna "The Tower". The artist wants to represent Poland at Eurovision 2024]. Open FM (in Polish). 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (28 February 2024). "Luna First Eurovision 2024 Participant Announced for Nordic Music Celebration". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Percy, Lucy (28 February 2024). "Poland's LUNA will dazzle the London Eurovision Party with her song "The Tower"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "🇵🇱 Luna to perform at Pre-Party ES 2024". That Eurovision Site. 21 February 2024. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (5 March 2024). "🇪🇸 Spain: Eleven 2024 Acts Confirmed For Barcelona Eurovision Party 2024 to Date". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Jiandani, Sanjay (20 September 2023). "Poland: TVP confirms participation at Eurovision 2024". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ Polewski, Kamil (10 August 2023). "Eurowizja 2024: kto z Polski? Oto pierwsze spekulacje" [Eurovision 2024: who for Poland? Here are the first speculations]. Eurowizja.org (in Polish). OGAE Poland. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ Hendryk, Tom (9 January 2024). "Poland: TVP announce internal selection for Eurovision 2024 act". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ a b Polewski, Kamil (21 February 2024). "Eurowizja 2024: TVP ujawnia pełne wyniki preselekcji! Jak wyglądała klasyfikacja?" [Eurovision 2024: TVP reveals full pre-selection results! What was the classification like?]. Eurowizja.org (in Polish). Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results". Eurovision Song Contest. European Broadcasting Union. 30 January 2024. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ Adams, William Lee (26 March 2024). "Eurovision 2024 Semi-Final Running Order Revealed". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (17 March 2024). "Poland: Luna Reveals Her Creative Team for Eurovision 2024". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ "2024 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 23.03.2024–29.03.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on 23 January 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 23.02.2024–29.02.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 August 2024. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter The Tower in the search box.
- ^ "The Tower - Single by Luna". Apple Music (US). 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Farren, Neil (28 March 2024). "Poland: Luna Releases Acoustic Version of 'The Tower'". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
