World (Lindita song)

"World" is a song by Kosovo-Albanian singer and songwriter Lindita. It was issued as a single on 29 March 2017 by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) and Universal Music. The song was written by the singer herself together with Gerald Xhari, and composed by Klodian Qafoku. An English-language pop-rock ballad, it is lyrically a manifesto that discuss the challenges within a modern society simultaneously calling for rising up against wars and pleading for peace and love.

This article is about the Lindita song. For other songs, see World.

"World"
Single by Lindita
Released29 March 2017 (2017-03-29)
GenrePop rock
Length2:56
Label
Composer(s)Klodian Qafoku
Lyricist(s)
  • Gerald Xhari
  • Lindita Halimi
Producer(s)
  • Andrea Camilletti
  • Klodian Qafoku
  • Shpetim Saraci
Lindita singles chronology
"Cold World"
(2015)		 "World"
(2017)		 "Rock Whine"
(2017)
Music video
"World" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2017 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Language
Composer(s)
Klodian Qafoku
Lyricist(s)
  • Gerald Xhari
  • Lindita Halimi
Finals performance
Semi-final result
14th
Semi-final points
76
Entry chronology
◄ "Fairytale" (2016)   
"Mall" (2018) ►

The song represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kiev, Ukraine, after Lindita's victory at the country's pre-selection competition Festivali i Këngës with the song's Albanian-language version "Botë". It ultimately failed to qualify for the grand final also marking the country's seventh non-qualification in the contest. During her minimalistic performance, she was accompanied by four backing vocalists while the LED screens portrayed a variety of imagery.

"World" was positively received by music critics, who praised Lindita's vocals, as well as the song's composition and lyrics. For promotional purposes, the singer performed the song live on multiple Eurovision-related occasions, including in Amsterdam, Madrid and Tel Aviv. An accompanying music video for the song was premiered to the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 13 March 2017. It prominently features scenes of Lindita singing her song within an alternate dimension.

Background

In 2016, Lindita was announced as one of the twenty-five contestants selected to compete in the 55th edition of Festivali i Këngës, a competition to determine Albania's participant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Following the competition's rules, the lyrics of the participating entries had to be in the Albanian language. Lindita took part with the song "Botë" written by Gerald Xhari and composed by Klodian Qafoku.[1]

For the purpose of the singer's Eurovision Song Contest participation, "Botë" was remastered and translated to "World".[2] The latter song was then rewritten by Lindita herself together with Gerald Xhari, and composed by Klodian Qafoku.[3] It was mixed by Marco Borsatti and further produced by Qafoku alongside Andrea Camilletti and Shpetim Saraci.[4] It was premiered on 13 March 2017, while being digitally released on digital platforms and streaming services on 29 March 2017.[5][6]

Composition and critical reception

"World" was musically characterised by Sebastian Kettley from Daily Express as an English-language pop-rock song.[7] Chris Zeiher from SBS called it a "Bond-style ballad", while Eurovision.de writer Stefanie Grossmann said, "World" is a spherical power ballad that brings Lindita's powerful voice to the fore".[8][9] Regarding the song's lyrics, Grossmann said, "the song is about the challenges within a modern society and also calls for rising up against wars and pleading for peace and love".[9][10] Sebastian Kettley from Daily Express described it as a pop-rock song noting a "powerful" message of spreading love.[7] An editor of The Telegraph concluded, "another Eurovision staple: the what is happening to the world? power ballad".[11] Reviewers from Wiwibloggs were generally positive, praising the singer's vocal delivery, as well as the song's composition and instrumentation, while labelling it as being "organic" and "contemporary".[12]

Music video and promotion

An accompanying music video for "World" premiered on the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 13 March 2017.[13][14] Chris Halpin of Wiwibloggs praised Lindita's appearance as well as the music video itself noting the maintenance of "many hidden messages".[15] In an exclusive presentation for San Marino RTV, commentator John Kennedy O'Connor gave a favourably review saying, "This is definitely one of the most beautiful and inspiring videos of this year's previews".[16] For further promotion, Lindita made several appearances throughout Europe to specifically promote the song at various events, including at Amsterdam's Eurovision in Concert, PreParty ES in Madrid and Israel Calling in Tel Aviv.[17][18][19]

At Eurovision

Festivali i Këngës
Main article: Festivali i Këngës 55

The national broadcaster of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), organised the 55th edition of Festivali i Këngës to select the country's entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.[20] The contest took place in December 2017, for which 24 songs had been internally shortlisted by a jury panel made up of music professionals.[21] Subsequently, after the grand final, Lindita and her Albanian-language song "Botë" were chosen to represent Albania in the contest, after the votes of an expert jury panel and the internet were combined, resulting in 85 total points.[10][22]

Kyiv
Main article: Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017
Lindita performing during a rehearsal prior the first semi-final in Kyiv.

The 62nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest took place in Kyiv, Ukraine, and consisted of two semi-finals held on 9 and 11 May, and the grand final on 13 May 2017.[23] According to the Eurovision rules, each participating country, except the host country and the "Big 5" including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, were required to qualify from one of two semi-finals to compete for the grand final, although, the top ten countries from the respective semi-final progress to the grand final.[24] On 31 January 2017, it was announced that "World" would be performed in the first half of the first semi-final of the contest.[25] During the live show, Albania performed fourth following Australia and preceding Belgium.[26] The country eventually failed to qualify for the grand final in fourteenth place with 38 points ranking fourteenth by the jury's 38 points and twelfth by the televote of 38 points.[27]

The well-received performance of Lindita begins with her singing the song in front of dark green lights while wearing a white costume which symbolises "peace" and "elegance".[28] Following the first refrain, a clock appears on the LED screens and fills the entire circular stage floor, ticking to the song. Later in the show, the screens shows sailing spaceships and numerous chandeliers flowing on the stage.[29]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[4]

  • Lindita – performing, vocals
  • Klodian Qafoku – composing, producing
  • Shpetim Saraci – producing
  • Andrea Camilletti – producing
  • Gerald Xhari – songwriting
  • Marco Borsatti – mixing

Track listing
  • Digital download[6]
  1. "World" – 2:56

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various
 29 March 2017
  • RTSH
  • Universal
 [6]

References
  1. Escudero, Victor M. (24 December 2016). "Albania: Lindita wins Festivali i Këngës!". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  2. Granger, Anthony (26 December 2016). "Albania: "Botë" Will Change Language For Eurovision". Eurovoix. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  3. "Kyiv 2017 Participants Lindita". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  4. "World / Lindita Tidal". Tidal. Retrieved 17 April 2020. Note: Open "Credits" for credits.
  5. Lynch, Danny (13 March 2017). "Lindita Releases The Final Version Of 'Botë'!". ESC Bubble. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  6. Citations regarding the digital release of "World" by Lindita in various selected countries:
  7. Kettley, Sebastian (9 May 2017). "Albania Eurovision 2017: Lindita – World". Daily Express. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  8. Zeiher, Chris (1 May 2017). "The artists of Eurovision 2017: Lindita – "World" (Albania)". SBS. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  9. Grossmann, Stefanie (10 May 2017). "Lindita Halimi: Träumen unbedingt erlaubt" (in German). ARD. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  10. Jordan, Paul (18 March 2017). "Lindita is ready to take on the world for Albania". Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  11. "Eurovision Song Contest 2017: a guide to all 42 entries - and who's made it through to the grand final". The Telegraph. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  12. Fuster, Luis (19 April 2017). "Wiwi Jury: Albania's Lindita with "World"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  13. "Lindita - World (Albania) Eurovision 2017 - Official Music Video". European Broadcasting Union. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  14. "Lindita - World (Albania) Eurovision 2017 | Official Music Video". YouTube. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  15. Halpin, Chris (13 March 2017). "Albania: Lindita reveals revamped English version of "World"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  16. "Albania - Eurovision Song Contest 2017" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  17. Jordan, Paul (29 March 2017). "Eurovision in Concert sets a new record with 33 acts". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  18. Fuster, Luis (1 April 2017). "Madrid calling! 19 acts will take part in Eurovision Spain Pre-Party". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  19. Laufer, Gil (5 April 2017). "Tonight: Israel Calling 2017 to be held with 28 participating countries". ESCtoday. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  20. "Festivali i Këngës në RTSH – Fest 55, strukturë dhe konceptim tërësisht të ri" (in Albanian). RTSH. 10 October 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  21. "Fest '55, publikohen emrat e konkurrentëve" (in Albanian). RTSH. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  22. "Lindita Halimi fiton Fest '55" (in Albanian). RTSH. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  23. "Eurovision Song Contest–Kyiv 2017". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  24. "Eurovision Song Contest–Rules". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  25. Paul Jordan; Helena Nilsson (31 January 2017). "Eurovision 2017: Which country is in which Semi-Final?". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  26. Jordan, Paul (31 March 2017). "Semi-Final running order for Eurovision 2017 revealed". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  27. "Kyiv 2017: First Semi-Final Scoreboard". European Broadcasting Union. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  28. Kryvinchuk, Yullia (30 April 2017). "Lindita: "Celebrating diversity is about loving each other"". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  29. Halpin, Chris (30 April 2017). "Albania: Lindita rocks clocks and spaceships during first rehearsal". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
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