Everyway That I Can

{{Infobox song

| name = Everyway That I Can

| cover = Everyway That I Can.png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Sertab Erener

| album = No Boundaries

| released = 23 April 2003

| recorded =

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

| length = 2:34

| label =

| composer =

Demir Demirkan
Sertab Erener

| lyricist = Demir Demirkan

| producer = Ozan Çolakoğlu

| prev_title = Yeni

| prev_year = 2001

| next_title = Here I Am

| next_year = 2003

| misc = {{External music video|header=Music video|{{Youtube|bRAjf9rFA58|"Everyway That I Can"}}}}

{{Infobox song contest entry

| embed = yes

| song = {{flagicon|Turkey}} "Everyway That I Can"

| image =

| caption =

| year = 2003

| country = Turkey

| artist = Sertab Erener

| as =

| with =

| language = English

| composer = {{hlist|Demir Demirkan|Sertab Erener}}

| lyricist = Demir Demirkan

| place = 1st

| points = 167

| prev = Leylaklar Soldu Kalbinde

| prev_link = Leylaklar Soldu Kalbinde

| next = For Real

| next_link = For Real (Athena)

}}

{{External music video|header=Official performance video|{{YouTube|j0_QrKnqd5E|"Everyway That I Can"}}}}

}}

"Everyway That I Can" (also spelled as "Every Way That I Can") is a song by Turkish singer Sertab Erener, with music composed by herself and Demir Demirkan, lyrics written by Demirkan, and production and arrangement by Ozan Çolakoğlu. It {{esccnty|Turkey|t=represented Turkey}} in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, held in Riga, winning the contest. It was the first entry from Turkey in the contest that did not feature any Turkish lyrics.

It went on to achieve commercial success throughout Europe, peaking at number one on singles charts of Greece, Sweden, and Turkey, as well as attaining top-10 peaks in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain. It continues to be ranked among the best Eurovision entries.

Background

= Conception =

"Everyway That I Can" was composed by Sertab Erener and Demir Demirkan with lyrics by Demirkan.{{Cite web|title=Everyway That I Can - lyrics|url=http://www.diggiloo.net/?2003tr|website=The Diggiloo Thrush}} Erener recorded it with production and arrangement by Ozan Çolakoğlu, famous for his works with pop idol Tarkan.[http://www.discogs.com/release/847577 Everyway That I Can - info] She recorded two versions of the song, one fully in English, and another with Turkish and English lyrics.

= Eurovision =

The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) {{esccnty|Turkey|y=2003|t=internally selected}} Erener as {{esccnty|Turkey|t=its performer}} for the {{escyr|2003||48th edition}} of the Eurovision Song Contest. On 24 February 2003, TRT announced "Everyway That I Can" as the {{esccnty|Turkey|t=Turkish entry}} for the contest.{{Cite web |title=Sertab Erener Eurovision’da |url=http://arsiv.ntv.com.tr/news/203127.asp |access-date=22 August 2023 |website=arsiv.ntv.com.tr}} Initially the song caused controversy with the Turkish public, considered too racy by some and too pop-oriented by others. Criticism also arose by Erener's decision to perform it fully in English at Eurovision.{{cite book |last1=West |first1=Chris |title=Eurovision! A History of Modern Europe Through the World's Greatest Song Contest |date=2017 |publisher=Melville House UK |location=London |isbn=9781911545002 |pages=222–223}}

A promo video was released with Erener in an Ottoman style castle, its rose gardens, imperial harem (living quarters) and Turkish Bath (hamam). Roses carry a major symbolism throughout the video. Erener is dressed in traditional Turkish styles, and Turkish female dancers are also present.

With its selection of singer and song, Turkey was regarded as having "set out to win" the contest, but Erener was not widely regarded as a front-runner in the lead-up to the event; "Ne Ver', Ne Boysia" by t.A.T.u. for {{esccnty|Russia|y=2003}} was regarded as a favorite to win.{{cite web |last1=Straumanis |first1=Andris |title=Predictions give Eurovision victory to Russia |url=https://latviansonline.com/predictions-give-eurovision-victory-to-russia/ |website=Latvians Online |access-date=31 January 2021 |date=20 May 2003}}{{cite web |title=UK act hits Eurovision low |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2935874.stm |website=BBC News |access-date=2 January 2022 |date=25 May 2003}}

On 24 May 2003, the Eurovision Song Contest was held in the Skonto Hall in Riga hosted by Latvian Television (LTV) and broadcast live throughout the continent.{{Cite episode|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2003|episode-link=Eurovision Song Contest 2003|series=Eurovision Song Contest|series-link=Eurovision Song Contest|network=LTV / EBU|date=24 May 2003}} Erener performed "Everyway That I Can" fourth on the evening, earning critical acclaim and becoming the only entry that received a standing ovation.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5zQrDwAAQBAJ&dq=2003+eurovision+everyway+that+i+can+standing+ovation&pg=PA147 | title=A Song for Europe: Popular Music and Politics in the Eurovision Song Contest | isbn=9781351577991 | last1=Tobin | first1=Robertdeam | date=5 July 2017 | publisher=Routledge }} The song had been slightly arranged to include some high notes and a belly dancing routine was added. Erener sang counter to the rhythm in places and the backing vocals were synthesised with Turkish stringed instruments.

The voting on the night saw Russia, Turkey, and Belgium switch places at the top a number of times before Slovenia eventually gave Turkey the victory by two points; the song received the maximum 12 points from four countries, the second-highest number (following Russia).{{cite web |title=Results of the Final of Riga 2003 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/riga-2003/final/results |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=31 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407200035/https://eurovision.tv/event/riga-2003/final/results |archive-date=7 April 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2003 – Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=217#Scoreboard |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=31 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924042947/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=217#Scoreboard |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}

= After Eurovision =

Erener was hailed in Turkey as a national hero by the public and the press and was congratulated by the President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.{{cite news|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/sertab--devletle-tanisti/magazin/magazindetay/28.05.2003/958668/default.htm|title=Sertab, devletle tanıştı|newspaper=Milliyet|page=3|location=Ankara|date=28 May 2003|access-date=25 April 2003}} She was awarded the State Medal of Distinguished Service, among others.{{cite news|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/gunaydin/sb-mevlut_tezel/2014/05/20/somanin-isimsiz-kahramanlari|title=Soma'nın isimsiz kahramanları|newspaper=Sabah|first=Mevlüt|last=Tezel|date=20 May 2014|access-date=26 April 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=154981|title=Müyap Ödülleri dağıtıldı|newspaper=Hürriyet|date=23 June 2003|access-date=26 April 2015}} Additionally, this success was celebrated as a step forward in the Turkey–European Union relations.

As the winning broadcaster, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) gave TRT the responsibility to host the {{escyr|2004||following edition}} of the Eurovision Song Contest. Erener performed "Everyway That I Can" with male dancers and the same choreography as part of a medley at the Eurovision final in Istanbul on 15 May 2004.{{cite news|url=http://hurarsiv.hurriyet.com.tr/goster/haber.aspx?id=226017|title=10 numara|newspaper=Hürriyet|first=Cenker|last=Tezel|date=17 May 2004|access-date=26 April 2015}} The single was also included in her first English album No Boundaries.{{cite news|title=CD|newspaper=Milliyet Cumartesi|page=13|date=5 June 2004}}

The song continues to perform well in rankings of the all-time best Eurovision entries. On 22 October 2005, the song competed in Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest as one of the fourteen best ever Eurovision entrants, and finished ninth. Erener herself appeared onstage to perform the final verse of the song.{{Cite episode|title=Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest|episode-link=Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest|series=Eurovision Song Contest|series-link=Eurovision Song Contest|network=DR / EBU|date=22 October 2005}} In 2006, it was entered in Die Grand Prix Hitliste, a German version of the above, and beat off stiff competition from "Waterloo" by ABBA and eleven others to finish second. "Wild Dances" by Ruslana the {{esccnty|Ukraine|y=2004|t=Ukrainian}} {{escyr|2004}} winning entry, was first.

The song was also included in a compilation album of Erener's national and international hits released in 2007.The Best of Sertab Erener - En İyiler (album booklet). Sertab Erener. Columbia Records. 2007. 88697089492.

On 9 May 2024, Erener performed the song as part of a sing-along interval act in the second semi-final of the {{escyr|2024||2024 contest}} held in Malmö, Sweden.{{efn|In a medley with "My Number One" by Helena Paparizou and "Take Me to Your Heaven" by Charlotte Perrelli.{{Youtube|zITpWTXZjgk|"Sing-Along Greatest Hits"}} at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 second semifinal}}{{Cite episode|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2024 second semifinal|episode-link=Eurovision Song Contest 2024|series=Eurovision Song Contest|series-link=Eurovision Song Contest|network=SVT / EBU|date=9 May 2024}}

Charts performance

Following its win, "Everyway That I Can" was released throughout Europe and sold well. It reached the top of the charts in Turkey, Greece, and Eastern Europe, holding the number-one position in Sweden for three weeks, breaking the top ten in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Austria and charting within the top twenty in Germany and Switzerland. It received a platinum certification in Greece and a gold certification in Sweden.

Remixes of the song were also released, including a Turkish version, a club remix, and a European dance remix.{{cn|date=May 2024}} A live version was brought out and also included on the original single CD, along with two Galleon club remixes. The track was included on the official Eurovision 2003 CD as the original version, however.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

=Weekly charts=

scope="row"\| Australia (ARIA){{cite Ryan\|page=248}} \| 63
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (2003) !Peak position
{{single chart\|Austria\|10\|artist=Sertab\|song=Every Way That I Can\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Flanders\|6\|artist=Sertab\|song=Every Way That I Can\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Wallonia\|30\|artist=Sertab\|song=Every Way That I Can\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine\|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2003/MM-2003-07-05.pdf\|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles\|magazine=Music & Media\|volume=21\|issue=28\|page=12\|date=5 July 2003\|access-date=29 June 2020}} \|16
{{single chart\|Germany\|12\|artist=Sertab\|song=Every Way That I Can\|songid=5639\|rowheader=true\|access-date=22 May 2019}}
scope="row"\|Greece (IFPI){{cite web\|url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm\|title=Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 30/11–06/12\|publisher=IFPI\|language=el\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031209112825/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm\|archive-date=9 December 2003\|access-date=29 June 2020}} See Best Position column. \|1
scope="row"\| Hungary (Editors' Choice Top 40){{cite web \|title=2003/37. heti Editors' Choice Top 40 slágerlista \|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/editors-choice-radios-jatszasi-lista/2003/37 \|publisher=MAHASZ\|language=hu\|access-date=30 April 2025}} \| 21
{{single chart\|Ireland3\|35\|artist=Sertab\|rowheader=true\|access-date=18 January 2020}}
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|7\|year=2003\|week=26\|rowheader=true\|access-date=2 June 2019}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|4\|artist=Sertab\|song=Every Way That I Can\|rowheader=true\|access-date=2 June 2019}}
scope="row"\|Romania (Romanian Top 100){{cite web\|url=http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10088.html\|title=Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 37, saptamina 29.09–05-10, 2003\|publisher=Romanian Top 100\|language=ro\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050110103622/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10088.html\|archive-date=10 January 2005\|access-date=29 June 2020}} \|3
{{single chart\|Scotland\|71\|date=20030621\|rowheader=true\|access-date=2 June 2019}}
{{single chart\|Spain\|5\|artist=Sertab\|song=Every Way That I Can\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Sweden\|1\|artist=Sertab\|song=Every Way That I Can\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Switzerland\|17\|artist=Sertab\|song=Every Way That I Can\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\|Turkey (Turkish Singles Chart)[http://www.billboard.com.tr/pages/Turkiye_top20.aspx/ Turkish Top 20 Chart] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305044916/http://www.billboard.com.tr/pages/Turkiye_top20.aspx/\|date=5 March 2009}} \|1
{{single chart\|UK\|72\|date=20030621\|rowheader=true\|access-date=2 June 2019}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (2003) !Position
scope="row"\|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web\|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2003\|title=Jaaroverzichten 2003\|publisher=Ultratop\|language=nl\|access-date=2 July 2019}} \|39
scope="row"\|Germany (Media Control GfK){{cite web\|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-2003\|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2003\|publisher=GfK Entertainment\|language=de\|access-date=2 July 2019}} \|80
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web\|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2003\|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2003\|publisher=Dutch Top 40\|language=nl\|access-date=9 February 2020}} \|73
scope="row"\|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web\|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2003&cat=s\|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003\|publisher=MegaCharts\|language=nl\|access-date=2 July 2019}} \|46
scope="row"\|Romania (Romanian Top 100){{cite web\|url=http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-2003.html\|title=Topul anului 2003\|publisher=Romanian Top 100\|language=ro\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050122205325/http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-2003.html\|archive-date=22 January 2005\|access-date=4 May 2020}} \|24
scope="row"\|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web\|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=2003&dspp=1\|title=Årslista Singlar, 2003\|publisher=Sverigetopplistan\|language=sv\|access-date=4 May 2020}} \|22
scope="row"\|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web\|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2003\|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003\|language=de\|access-date=2 July 2019}} \|85

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2003)

!Position

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2003|title=Jaaroverzichten 2003|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=2 July 2019}}

|39

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control GfK){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-2003|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2003|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=2 July 2019}}

|80

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2003|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2003|publisher=Dutch Top 40|language=nl|access-date=9 February 2020}}

|73

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2003&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=2 July 2019}}

|46

scope="row"|Romania (Romanian Top 100){{cite web|url=http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-2003.html|title=Topul anului 2003|publisher=Romanian Top 100|language=ro|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050122205325/http://www.rt100.ro/topul-anului-2003.html|archive-date=22 January 2005|access-date=4 May 2020}}

|24

scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=2003&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar, 2003|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=4 May 2020}}

|22

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2003|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003|language=de|access-date=2 July 2019}}

|85

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2003|certyear=2003|certref=|access-date=29 June 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2003|relmonth=04|certyear=2003|certmonth=11|access-date=2 July 2019|refname="glf"}}

Legacy

In 2010, Elhaida Dani performed the song live on {{ill|E diela Shqiptare|sq}}, an Albanian variety show. Dani would later go on to represent {{esccnty|Albania|y=2015}} at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZwvJZZ1jns |title=Elhaida Dani - Everyway That I Can - Live at E Diela Shqiptare |publisher=YouTube.com |date=14 January 2015 |access-date=14 January 2015}}