I'm Alive (Elhaida Dani song)

In 2014, Elhaida Dani was announced as one of the twenty six contestants selected to compete in the 53rd edition of Festivali i Këngës, a competition for determining Albania's participant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. For following the competition's rules, the lyrics of the participating entries had to be in the Albanian language. Dani took part with the song "Diell" composed by Aldo Shllaku and written by Sokol Marsi and Viola Trebicka.{{cite web |last1=Brey |first1=Marco |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Elhaida Dani to represent Albania! |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=elhaida_dani_to_represent_albania |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101002707/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=elhaida_dani_to_represent_albania |archive-date=1 January 2015 |date=30 December 2014}}

In February 2015, the singer announced through a social media post that the song was withdrawn by the composer, due to personal decisions.{{cite web |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Albania: Elhaida Dani will not sing "Diell" at Eurovision |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2015/02/24/elhaida-dani-not-sing-diell-eurovision/81825/ |website=wiwibloggs.com |access-date=30 December 2019 |language=en |date=24 February 2015}} "I'm Alive" was simultaneously revealed as the title of the singer's competing entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. The latter song was written in Albanian by Sokol Marsi and translated into English by Lindita Halimi.{{cite web |publisher=eurovision.tv |title=Vienna 2015: Participants Elhaida Dani |url=https://eurovision.tv/participant/elhaida-dani |website=eurovision.tv |access-date=28 December 2019 |language=en}} It was composed and produced by Kosovo-Albanian duo Zzap and Chriss and arranged by Macedonian producer Darko Dimitrov.{{cite web |last1=Qendro |first1=Helio |publisher=ESCToday |title=Albania: I'm alive is finally here |url=http://esctoday.com/97953/albania-im-alive-finally/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=15 March 2015}} The song is musically a pop and R&B ballad incorporating modern and ethnic influences.{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Robyn |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Wiwi Jury: Albania's Elhaida Dani with "I'm Alive" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2015/04/29/wiwi-jury-albanias-elhaida-dani-with-im-alive/89029/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=29 April 2015}} Lyrically, it explores themes of female empowerment and discusses emotions such as love, hope, desire and finding inner strength.{{cite web |last1=García |first1=Belén |publisher=ESCplus |title=Elhaida Dani: "When "Diell" withdrew I thought that the possibility for me to sing on the Eurovision stage was over" (Albania 2015 – Exclusive Interview) |url=https://www.esc-plus.com/interviews/elhaida-dani-when-diell-withdrew-i-thought-that-the-possibility-for-me-to-sing-on-the-eurovision-stage-was-over-albania-2015-interview/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=26 March 2015}}{{cite web |publisher=A Bit Of Pop Music |title=Interview Elhaida Dani: 'I want to empower strong women with my song' |url=https://abitofpopmusic.com/2015/04/20/interview-elhaida-dani-i-want-to-empower-strong-women-with-my-song/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=20 April 2015}}

Upon its release, "I'm Alive" received generally positive reviews from music critics. In a review for the song conducted by several Wiwibloggs members, the song's contemporary lyrics, composition and production as well as Dani's vocal delivery were commended. William Lee Adams of the website called the song as the "most expensive-sounding song of the year", while Ramadan Besim described it as "modern, catchy and radio friendly". Overall, the reviewers on the website gave the song a score of 8.02 out of 10 total points.

For promotional and supporting purposes, Dani embarked on a small tour between March and April 2015 with live appearances at multiple events, including in Amsterdam, Athens, Budapest, London and Skopje.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Tonight: Eurovision In Concert in Amsterdam |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/tonight-eurovision-in-concert-in-amsterdam |access-date=6 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506200511/https://eurovision.tv/story/tonight-eurovision-in-concert-in-amsterdam |archive-date=6 May 2020 |date=18 April 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Diego |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Interview: Elhaida Dani at the London Eurovision Party |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2015/04/28/elhaida-dani-london-eurovision-party-im-not-trying-someone-im-not/92416/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=28 April 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Besim |first1=Ramadan |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Watch: Elhaida Dani releases Albanian version "Në jetë" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2015/05/02/watch-elhaida-dani-releases-albanian-version-ne-jete/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=2 May 2015}} The same month, she went on to perform the song live on the fourth season of the Albanian television show X Factor.{{cite web |last1=Besim |first1=Ramadan |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=WATCH: Elhaida Dani performs "I'm Alive" on the X Factor Albania |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2015/04/22/watch-elhaida-dani-performs-im-alive-x-factor-albania/91737/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=22 April 2015}} In April 2017, footage of Nathan Trent, the representative of Austria for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, covering "I'm Alive" was broadcast during his ESC Acoustic Session.{{cite web |last1=Kristjans |first1=Kristin |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=He is alive! Nathan Trent covers Elhaida Dani's Eurovision 2015 song |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/04/26/alive-nathan-trents-last-cover-elhaida/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=26 April 2017}} Later that year, she performed the Albanian version of the song on the grand final of the 56th edition of Festivali i Këngës.{{cite web |last1=Senkishev |first1=Georgi |publisher=ESCToday |title=Albania: Recap of the first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës 56 |url=http://esctoday.com/154912/albania-recap-first-semi-final-festivali-kenges-56/ |access-date=6 May 2020 |date=21 December 2017}} The song was featured in multiple lists of the Eurovision Top 250 charts, from 2015 to 2018.{{cite web |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Eurovision Top 250: Loreen wins #ESC250 ahead of Il Volo and Sergey Lazarev |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2016/12/31/eurovision-top-250-loreen-wins-esc250-ahead-il-volo-sergey-lazarev/162509/ |website=wiwibloggs.com |access-date=31 December 2019 |language=en |date=31 December 2016}}{{cite web |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Eurovision Top 250: Loreen wins for sixth straight year with "Euphoria" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/12/31/eurovision-top-250-can-anyone-beat-loreen-euphoria-move-2018/206122/ |website=wiwibloggs.com |access-date=31 December 2019 |language=en |date=31 December 2017}}{{cite web |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=ESC250 full results: Loreen wins Eurovision top songs countdown for seventh straight year |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2018/12/31/esc250-rolling-results-of-the-eurovision-top-songs-countdown/230489/ |website=wiwibloggs.com |access-date=31 December 2019 |language=en |date=31 December 2018}} The song's highest position was at number 19 in 2015.{{cite web |title="Euphoria" remains at No. 1 of the 'Eurovision Top 250' chart |url=https://www.escradio.com/2016/01/euphoria-remains-at-no-1-of-the-eurovision-top-250-chart/ |website=escradio.com |access-date=31 December 2019 |language=en |date=1 January 2016}}

An accompanying music video for the song was premiered to the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 15 March 2015.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Elhaida Dani - I'm alive (Albania) 2015 Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/video/elhaida-dani-i-m-alive-albania-2015-eurovision-song-contest |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230155438/https://eurovision.tv/video/elhaida-dani-i-m-alive-albania-2015-eurovision-song-contest |archive-date=30 December 2019 |date=15 March 2015}} The same day, the video was broadcast on Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) at around 20:00 (CET).{{cite web |publisher=Ora News |title="I'm Alive" ja kënga që do na përfaqësojë në Eurovizion, Elhaida Dani: Kam dhënë më të mirën |url=https://www.oranews.tv/index.php/article/publikohet-kenga-qe-do-te-perfaqesoje-shqiperine-ne-eurovizion-elhaida-dani-e-kenaqur-me-klipin |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=sq |date=16 March 2015}} It prominently makes reference on the diverse role of women in Albanian society, including within highly male-dominated professions.{{cite web |publisher=Class Lifestyle |title=Elhaida Dani: Ju rrëfej këngën dhe klipin e "I'm Alive" |url=https://www.classlifestyle.com/d/84/142/1873/elhaida-dani-ju-rrefej-kengen-dhe-klipin-e-im-alive/ |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=sq |date=15 March 2015}} Filmed over three days in Tirana, intercutting scenes portray other females, including a journalist, a doctor, a traffic officer, a firefighter and a flight attendant.{{cite news |publisher=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZJdWUmxxZw&feature=emb_title |title=Elhaida Dani - I'm alive (Albania) 2015 Eurovision Song Contest {{!}} Official Music Video |date=15 March 2015 |access-date=6 May 2020}} The official music video for the Albanian version of the song, "Në jetë", followed in May 2015 and was premiered on the YouTube channels of the Eurovision Song Contest and Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH).{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Elhaida Dani - Në Jetë (Albania) 2015 Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/video/elhaida-dani-ne-jete-albania-2015-eurovision-song-contest |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424145902/https://eurovision.tv/video/elhaida-dani-ne-jete-albania-2015-eurovision-song-contest |archive-date=24 April 2020 |date=2 May 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Lako |first1=Niko |publisher=Infomedia Albania |title=Elhaida Dani – Në Jetë {{!}} Video Premiera sonte në RTSH |url=https://www.imalbania.com/elhaida-dani-ne-jete-video-premiera-sonte-ne-rtsh/ |access-date=24 April 2020 |language=sq |date=2 May 2015}}

{{Main|Festivali i Këngës 53}}

The national broadcaster of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), organised the 53rd edition of Festivali i Këngës to determine the country's participant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna, Austria.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=[UPD] 26 songs for Albanian national selection announced |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/upd-26-songs-for-albanian-national-selection-announced |access-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430205440/https://eurovision.tv/story/upd-26-songs-for-albanian-national-selection-announced |archive-date=30 April 2020 |date=16 December 2014}} It opened a submission period for artists, bands and composers between 14 and 15 October 2014, while a jury panel internally selected 28 songs to participate in the competition's semi-finals.{{cite web |last1=Juhász |first1=Ervin |publisher=ESCBubble |title=RTSH Calls For Songs For Festivali I Kenges |url=http://escbubble.com/2014/09/rtsh-calls-songs-festivali-kenges/ |access-date=24 April 2020 |date=10 September 2014}}{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Albania: Eurovision entry selected in Festivali i Këngës |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-eurovision-entry-selected-in-festivali-i-kenges |access-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122145134/https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-eurovision-entry-selected-in-festivali-i-kenges |archive-date=22 January 2019 |date=31 October 2014}} During the end of the grand final, Dani and her Albanian-language song "Diell" was chosen to represent the country at the contest, after gathering 82 total points.

{{Main|Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015}}

File:20150515_ESC_2015_Elhaida_Dani_7496.jpg performing during a rehearsal before the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.]]

The 60th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest took place in Vienna, Austria, and consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 21 May, and the grand final on 23 May 2015.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Eurovision Song Contest–Vienna 2015 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/vienna-2015 |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419150244/https://eurovision.tv/event/vienna-2015 |archive-date=19 April 2020}} According to the Eurovision rules, each participating country, except the host country and the "Big Five" including {{Esccnty|France}}, {{Esccnty|Germany}}, {{Esccnty|Italy}}, {{Esccnty|Spain}} and the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom}}, were required to qualify from one of the two semi-finals to compete for the grand final, although, the top ten countries from the respective semi-final progress to the grand final.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Eurovision Song Contest–Rules |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/rules/ |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408073043/https://eurovision.tv/about/rules/ |archive-date=8 April 2020}} On 26 January 2015, it was announced that Albania would be performing in the second half of the first semi-final of the contest.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Allocation Draw results: Who's in which Semi-Final? |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/allocation-draw-results-who-s-in-which-semi-final-1 |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823205852/https://eurovision.tv/story/allocation-draw-results-who-s-in-which-semi-final-1 |archive-date=23 August 2019 |date=26 January 2015}}

During the first semi-final, Albania performed fourteenth, following {{Esccnty|Denmark|y=2015}} and preceding {{Esccnty|Romania|y=2015}}, and qualified for the grand final in tenth place with 62 points, ranking tenth by the jury's 61 points and eighth by the televote of 66 points.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Running order of Semi-Finals revealed |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/running-order-of-semi-finals-revealed |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230152447/https://eurovision.tv/story/running-order-of-semi-finals-revealed |archive-date=30 December 2019 |date=23 March 2015}}{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Vienna 2015: First Semi-Final Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/vienna-2015/first-semi-final |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421161821/https://eurovision.tv/event/vienna-2015/first-semi-final |archive-date=21 April 2020 |date=19 May 2015}} At the grand final, the country performed twenty sixth, following {{Esccnty|Russia|y=2015}} and preceding the {{Esccnty|Italy|y=2015}}.{{cite web |last1=Storvik-Green |first1=Simon |title=Running order for Grand Final revealed! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/running-order-for-grand-final-revealed |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331021751/https://eurovision.tv/story/running-order-for-grand-final-revealed |archive-date=31 March 2019 |date=22 May 2015}} Albania finished in the seventeenth place in a field of twenty seven with 34 total points, ranking twenty sixth by the jury's 4 points and eighth by the televote of 93 points.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Vienna 2015: Grand Final Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/vienna-2015/grand-final/results |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510102600/https://eurovision.tv/event/vienna-2015/grand-final/results |archive-date=10 May 2019 |date=23 May 2015}}

Elhaida Dani's performance begins in yellow and black colours on the LED screens changing throughout his performance to warmer tones consisting of beige and cream colours.{{cite web |last1=Brey |first1=Marco |last2=Omelyanchuk |first2=Olena |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=A spectacular crescendo for Albania |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/a-spectacular-crescendo-for-albania |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103095926/https://eurovision.tv/story/a-spectacular-crescendo-for-albania |archive-date=3 November 2019 |date=12 May 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Escudero |first1=Victor M. |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |title=Albania is alive with Elhaida Dani |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-is-alive-with-elhaida-dani |access-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103095909/https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-is-alive-with-elhaida-dani |archive-date=3 November 2019 |date=15 May 2015}} The tragedy of the song's message was reflected through broken pieces of glass on the background. The singer was accompanied during her performances by three female backing vocalists.

• Digital download

1. "I'm Alive"{{spaced ndash}}3:06

{{Reflist}}

{{Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=collapsed}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2015|state=collapsed}}

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Category:2015 songs

Category:2015 singles

Category:Elhaida Dani songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Darko Dimitrov

Category:English-language Albanian songs

Category:Eurovision songs of Albania

Category:Eurovision songs of 2015

Category:2010s ballads

Category:Pop ballads

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads