Lejla (song)
{{Short description|2006 song by Hari Mata Hari}}
{{other uses|Lejla (disambiguation)}}{{Infobox song
| name = Lejla
| cover = Lejla_(Hari_Mata_Hari_song)_cover.png
| alt = The official cover for "Lejla"
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Hari Mata Hari
| language = Bosnian
| released = 5 March 2006
| genre =
| length = 3:01
| label =
| composer = Željko Joksimović
| lyricist = {{hlist|Fahrudin Pecikoza|Dejan Ivanović}}
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{Infobox song contest entry
| embed = yes
| song = {{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} "Lejla"
| year = 2006
| country = Bosnia and Herzegovina
| artist = Hari Mata Hari
| language = Bosnian
| composer = Željko Joksimović
| lyricist = {{hlist|Fahrudin Pecikoza|Dejan Ivanović}}
| place = 3rd
| points = 229
| place_semi = 2nd
| points_semi = 267
| prev = Call Me
| prev_year = 2005
| prev_link = Call Me (Feminnem song)
| next = Rijeka bez imena
| next_year = 2007
| next_link = Rijeka bez imena
}}
}}
"Lejla" ({{IPA|bos|lejla}}; {{translation|"Layla"}}) was {{esccnty|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2006}}'s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, performed in the country's native language by Hari Mata Hari.{{cite web |title=Eurovision Explained: by culture |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-explained-by-culture |website=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=1 August 2021 |date=29 January 2021}} It was composed and written by Željko Joksimović, the runner-up of the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 representing Serbia and Montenegro, with co-writers Fahrudin Pecikoza and Dejan Ivanović.
The song was internally selected to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina after being selected by BHT 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina's broadcaster for the contest. It remains the nation's highest-ranking achievement in Eurovision to date.
Eurovision Song Contest
{{Main|Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006}}
= Selection =
On 9 February 2006, the broadcaster announced that they had internally selected Hari Varešanović to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in Athens.{{Cite web |title=bh final 06 |url=http://eurobosniamp3.netfirms.com/final06.html}} The song to be performed at the contest, "Lejla", was also selected internally and was presented during a television special entitled BH Eurosong 2006 on 5 March 2006. The show was broadcast on BHT 1, BHT SAT as well as streamed online via the broadcaster's website pbsbih.ba.{{Cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |date=15 February 2006 |title=BHT prepares for official presentation of its entrant |url=http://esctoday.com/5598/bht_prepares_for_official_presentation_of_its_entrant/ |website=Esctoday}}
= At Eurovision =
The song was first performed in the semi-final, as Bosnia and Herzegovina had not finished in the top ten at {{escyr|2005||the previous contest}}. Here, it was performed twenty-second, following {{esccnty|Estonia|y=2006}}'s Sandra Oxenryd with "Through My Window" and preceding {{esccnty|Iceland|y=2006}}'s Silvia Night with "Congratulations". Here, it received 267 points, placing second in a field of 23 and qualifying for the final. The song later on also won the journalists' award for best composition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2006.[http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6226 Željko Joksimović wins award for best composition in Athens]
In the final, it was performed thirteenth, following {{esccnty|Romania|y=2006}}'s Mihai Trăistariu with "Tornerò" and preceding {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2006}}'s LT United with "We Are the Winners". At the close of voting, it had received 229 points, placing third in a field of 24 and meaning that Bosnia and Herzegovina would have an automatic final berth in their next contest. It became Bosnia and Herzegovina's highest ranking in Eurovision, beating Dino Merlin's seventh place in {{escyr|1999}}.[http://diggiloo.net/?ba The Diggiloo Thrush]. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
The performance featured the entire band wearing white suits and, as the final bridge began, linking arms and walking towards the front of the stage.
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable"
!align="left"|Chart (2006) !align="left"|Peak |
| align="left"|Croatian Top 20 Chart[http://www.hrtop20.info/toplistaarhiva.php?top=ZAB&w=2006/28 Croatian Top 20 Chart] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721205447/http://www.hrtop20.info/toplistaarhiva.php?top=ZAB&w=2006%2F28 |date=2011-07-21 }}
|align="center"|1 |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2006}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Eurovision songs of 2006