London Greek Radio

Greece has confirmed that Yianna Terzi will be their representative at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest taken place in Portugal in May.

The Greek broadcaster ERT confirmed the details in an official statement on 16th February, putting an end to weeks of ‘drama and suspense’ about this year’s entrant.

The mid-tempo modern Laiko ballad called, ‘Oneiro Mou’ (My Dream), is sung in Greek, with strong ethnic elements and a polyphonic chorus.

It successfully combines both a traditional orchestral sound with modern production and is a catchy atmospheric song. The melody adds a mysterious feel and it’s authentically incredible Greek bridge part has a lot of punch, with toumperleki and clarinet riffs, adding to the song’s atmosphere.

Yianna co-wrote the lyrics and music with Aris Kalimeris, Mixalis Papathanasiou, and Dimitris Stamatiou. The tune is not without original concept, as it’s fervently patriotic involving a feeling of ethnic-identity.

The verses and chorus also intriguingly are said to be an intimate conversation between ‘the people and the country’. It’s a touching song which, through its deep lyrics, pronounces steadfast loyalty and strength of character.

One of the song’s lyrics includes the line, “No matter how much I ache… I wouldn’t strike you off the map”, as Yianna puts it.

Yianna was born in Thessaloniki and is the daughter of acclaimed Greek singer Paschalis Terzis. When asked what her dad thought of the tune, Yianna said, “Well, he was absolutely thrilled when he heard it because it’s a good song.”

Yianna, who will be 38 by the time of the contest in May, began her music career in 2005 and has released two albums ‘Gyrna To Klidi’ in 2006 and ‘Ase Ne Na Taxidepso’ in 2008.

She is best known for her singles ‘Tetoia Gynaika’, ‘Pou Kai Pou’, ‘O Aggelos Mou’, Gianna ft. Nevma with ‘Exw Ponesei Gi’auti’.

Yianna relocated from Greece to the United States five years ago in order to develop her music career.

She released her first English-language single ‘Love Is Your Name’ under the name Yianna in 2012, which started bubbling in the underground clubs of New York City.

Greece will compete in the First Eurovision Semi-Final which airs on Tuesday 8th May on BBC Four. The Final takes place on Saturday 10th May on BBC One.

And Greece’s chances of qualifying for the final were given a boost on January 29^th as it was revealed the UK and Cyprus would vote in our semi-final.

Their juries have a history of giving Greeks generous marks.

London Greek Radio wish Yianna Terzi the very best of luck in the competition.

Check out the official lyrics video to Yianna Terzis with ‘Oneiro Mou’ track here:

Article written by Tony Neophytou