Theje

In an interview for Wiwibloggs, after winning the 22nd edition of {{lang|sq|Kënga Magjike|italics=no}} in May 2021, Ramosaj revealed his intention to participate at {{lang|sq|Festivali i Këngës|i=no}} with the aim to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.{{cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Eurovision sing-a-long: How well does Albanian pop star Alban Ramosaj know the song contest? |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/06/13/eurovision-sing-a-long-how-well-does-albanian-pop-star-alban-ramosaj-know-the-song-contest/265738/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |date=13 June 2021 }} The following November, the Albanian broadcaster {{lang|sq|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar|i=no}} (RTSH) announced that they had selected Ramosaj among 20 other artists to compete in the live shows of the 60th edition of {{lang|sq|Festivali i Këngës|i=no}} in late December 2021.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)|title=Shpallet lista e këngëtarëve pjesëmarrës në Festivalin e 60-të |url=https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/shpallet-lista-e-kengetareve-pjesemarres-ne-festivalin-e-60-te |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109151515/https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/shpallet-lista-e-kengetareve-pjesemarres-ne-festivalin-e-60-te |archive-date=9 November 2021 |language=sq |date=9 November 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |publisher=ESCplus |title=Albania: anunciados los participantes de la 60ª edición del Festivali I Këngës |url=https://www.escplus.es/albania-anunciados-los-participantes-de-la-60a-edicion-del-festivali-i-kenges/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109105143/https://www.escplus.es/albania-anunciados-los-participantes-de-la-60a-edicion-del-festivali-i-kenges/ |archive-date=9 November 2021 |language=es |date=9 November 2021 |url-status=live}} Thereafter, "{{lang|sq|Theje|i=no}}" was independently released as a single in various territories for digital download and streaming on 3 December 2021. An accompanying lyric video was uploaded to Ramosaj's YouTube channel simultaneously with the single's release.

"{{lang|sq|Theje|i=no}}", which translated means "Break it", was composed and written by Ramosaj himself, with additional mastering and mixing as well as the production done by Albanian composer Marko Polo.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Albania shares 'Festivali i Këngës' songs |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-shares-festivali-i-kenges-songs |access-date=3 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203214556/https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-shares-festivali-i-kenges-songs |archive-date=3 December 2021 |date=3 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Tejeci |first=Erdi |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title='I do truly believe this is the right song for FiK'{{spaced ndash}}Alban Ramosaj talks about his Festivali i Këngës journey and Eurovision dream |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/12/16/interview-alban-ramosaj-fik60-journey-eurovision-dream/267740/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123141654/https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/12/16/interview-alban-ramosaj-fik60-journey-eurovision-dream/267740/ |archive-date=23 January 2022 |date=16 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |work=Gazeta Metro |title=Pas 'Thikat e mija', Alban Ramosaj publikon 'Theje' |url=https://gazetametro.net/pas-thikat-e-mija-alban-ramosaj-publikon-theje/ |access-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124231845/https://gazetametro.net/pas-thikat-e-mija-alban-ramosaj-publikon-theje/ |archive-date=24 January 2022 |language=sq |date=3 December 2021 |url-status=live}} The Albanian-language song is musically an ethnic ballad with a blend of traditional Albanian instruments and sounds.{{cite web |publisher=SoundsEuropean |title=Netherlands {{!}} Alban Ramosaj{{spaced ndash}}'Theje' |url=https://www.soundseuropean.com/2022/01/netherlands-alban-ramosaj-theje.html |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107071139/https://www.soundseuropean.com/2022/01/netherlands-alban-ramosaj-theje.html |archive-date=7 January 2022 |date=7 January 2022 |url-status=usurped}}{{cite web |last=Maude |first=James |publisher=ESC United |title=Albania: Festivali i Këngës 60 Reviews, Part One |url=https://www.escunited.com/albania-festivali-i-kenges-60-reviews-part-one/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123225052/https://www.escunited.com/albania-festivali-i-kenges-60-reviews-part-one/ |archive-date=23 January 2022 |date=26 December 2021 |url-status=live}} Lyrically, the song touches on the theme of unconditional love and delves into a past relationship of the singer, in which he forgave and continued to offer love and trust to his love interest.{{cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Alban Ramosaj on FiK60: 'My main goal is to be happy with what I deliver' |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/12/28/alban-ramosaj-on-fik60-my-main-goal-is-to-be-happy-with-what-i-deliver/268110/ |access-date=25 January 2022 |date=28 December 2021 }} Upon its release, "{{lang|sq|Theje|i=no}}" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. In a review for ESCUnited conducted by several staff members, "{{lang|sq|Theje|i=no}}" has been described as a "pleasant" and "epic" ethnic ballad with an "emotional vibe" and a traditional Albanian nature, which was praised by multiple writers. Incorporating what writer William saw as building in "unexpected ways", the song begins into a "mystery surrounding" developing from the verse into two following "epic" choruses before ending "out of nowhere". Writer Tom Padraig of Wiwibloggs similarly expressed praise towards the song's structure as well as Ramosaj's vocal delivery.{{cite web |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Wiwi Jury: We rank our favourites in Albania's Festivali i Këngës 60 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/12/26/wiwi-jury-we-rank-our-favourites-in-abania-festivali-i-kenges-60/268076/ |access-date=25 January 2022 |date=26 December 2021 }}

{{See also|Festivali i Këngës 60}}

RTSH organised the 60th edition of {{lang|sq|Festivali i Këngës|i=no}} to select the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Festivali i Këngës, ëndrra e çdo artisti në edicionin jubilar të 60-të |url=https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/festivali-i-kenges-endrra-e-cdo-artisti-ne-edicionin-jubilar-te-60-te |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220214936/https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/festivali-i-kenges-endrra-e-cdo-artisti-ne-edicionin-jubilar-te-60-te |archive-date=20 December 2021 |language=sq |date=20 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |publisher=Eurovoix |title=Tonight: Albania Selects for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2021/12/29/tonight-%f0%9f%87%a6%f0%9f%87%b1-albania-selects-for-the-eurovision-song-contest-2022/ |access-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229092122/https://eurovoix.com/2021/12/29/tonight-%F0%9F%87%A6%F0%9F%87%B1-albania-selects-for-the-eurovision-song-contest-2022/ |archive-date=29 December 2021 |date=29 December 2021 |url-status=live}} The contest consisted of two semi-finals on 27 and 28 December, respectively, and the grand final on 29 December 2021.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Fest 60' nis sonte nata e parë |url=https://lajme.rtsh.al/artikull/fest-60-nis-sonte-nata-e-pare- |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227164459/https://lajme.rtsh.al/artikull/fest-60-nis-sonte-nata-e-pare- |archive-date=27 December 2021 |language=sq |date=27 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Sonte, nata e dytë e Fest'60 |url=https://lajme.rtsh.al/artikull/sonte-nata-e-dyte-e-fest-60 |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228135924/https://lajme.rtsh.al/artikull/sonte-nata-e-dyte-e-fest-60 |archive-date=28 December 2021 |language=sq |date=29 December 2021 |url-status=live}} Ramosaj was officially announced as a selected contestant to participate in the contest in November 2021. During his shows, Ramosaj's performance commenced in black and white with thunder being featured on the LED walls throughout the performance.{{cite web |publisher=ESC Kompakt |title=Live-Blog Albanien: FiK 60{{spaced ndash}}Das Finale des Festivali i Këngës 2021 |url=https://esc-kompakt.de/live-blog-albanien-heute-21-uhr-fik-60-das-finale-des-festivali-i-kenges-2021/comment-page-5/ |access-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125133823/https://esc-kompakt.de/live-blog-albanien-heute-21-uhr-fik-60-das-finale-des-festivali-i-kenges-2021/comment-page-5/ |archive-date=25 January 2022 |language=de |date=29 December 2021 |url-status=live}} While music critics were favorable towards both Ramosaj's vocal delivery and the song's ethnic nature, he was regarded by the media as a strong contender{{cite web |work=Panorama |title=Nis lufta për fitoren e Festivalit të Këngës, Ronela Hajati dhe Alban Ramosaj, dy emrat e përfolur ende pa filluar gara |url=http://www.panorama.com.al/nis-lufta-per-fitoren-e-festivalit-te-kenges-ronela-hajati-dhe-alban-ramosaj-dy-emrat-e-perfolur-ende-pa-filluar-gara/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212113848/http://www.panorama.com.al/nis-lufta-per-fitoren-e-festivalit-te-kenges-ronela-hajati-dhe-alban-ramosaj-dy-emrat-e-perfolur-ende-pa-filluar-gara/ |archive-date=12 December 2021 |language=sq |date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=FiK 60 poll results: Ronela and Alban are our readers' favourites to win |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/12/27/fik-60-poll-results-ronela-and-alban-are-our-readers-favourites-to-win/268091/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |date=27 December 2021 }} and became among the Eurovision fans favourite to win the contest.{{cite web |last=O'Donoghue |first=Tom |publisher=ESCXtra |title=Xtra Decised: Ronela Hajati{{spaced ndash}}'Sekret' |url=https://escxtra.com/2021/12/26/xtra-decides-albania-ronela-hajati-sekret/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226222027/https://escxtra.com/2021/12/26/xtra-decides-albania-ronela-hajati-sekret/ |archive-date=26 December 2021 |date=26 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Roberts |first=Dale |publisher=Aussievision |title=Albania: Aussievision's Festivali i Këngës 60 rankings |url=https://www.aussievision.net/post/albania-aussievision-s-festivali-i-k%C3%ABng%C3%ABs-60-rankings |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227162200/https://www.aussievision.net/post/albania-aussievision-s-festivali-i-k%C3%ABng%C3%ABs-60-rankings |archive-date=27 December 2021 |date=8 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Christou |first=Costa |publisher=ESCXtra |title=You have predicted Alban Ramosaj to win Festivali i Këngës 60! |url=https://escxtra.com/2021/12/29/you-have-predicted-alban-ramosaj-to-win-festivali-i-kenges-60/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230001450/https://escxtra.com/2021/12/29/you-have-predicted-alban-ramosaj-to-win-festivali-i-kenges-60/ |archive-date=30 December 2021 |date=29 December 2021 |url-status=live}} During the grand final of {{lang|sq|Festivali i Këngës|i=no}}, the singer eventually ended up finishing in second place.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=The 'Sekret' is out: Ronela Hajati will represent Albania |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ronela-hajati-for-albania |access-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229224558/https://eurovision.tv/story/ronela-hajati-for-albania |archive-date=29 December 2021 |date=29 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Ronela Hajati fiton vendin e parë në Festivalin e Këngës |url=https://lajme.rtsh.al/artikull/ronela-hajati-fiton-vendin-e-pare-ne-festivalin-e-kenges |access-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229225546/https://lajme.rtsh.al/artikull/ronela-hajati-fiton-vendin-e-pare-ne-festivalin-e-kenges |archive-date=29 December 2021 |language=sq |date=29 December 2021 |url-status=live}} He later expressed his gratitude and thanked his fans for their support through a social media post, while saying that he counts 2021 as his year.{{cite web |last=Dervishi |first=Anja |publisher=Top Albania Radio |title=Alban Ramosaj ndan me ndjekësit disa fjalë pas eksperiencës së tij në Festivalin e Këngës! |url=https://www.topalbaniaradio.com/v7/alban-ramosaj-ndan-me-ndjekesit-disa-fjale-pas-eksperiences-se-tij-ne-festivalin-e-kenges/ |access-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124233407/https://www.topalbaniaradio.com/v7/alban-ramosaj-ndan-me-ndjekesit-disa-fjale-pas-eksperiences-se-tij-ne-festivalin-e-kenges/ |archive-date=24 January 2022 |language=sq |date=31 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |work=Telegrafi |title=Alban Ramosaj reagon për herë të parë pas humbjes në Festivalin e RTSH-së |url=https://telegrafi.com/alban-ramosaj-reagon-per-te-pare-pas-humbjes-ne-festivalin-e-rtsh-se/ |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231111850/https://telegrafi.com/alban-ramosaj-reagon-per-te-pare-pas-humbjes-ne-festivalin-e-rtsh-se/ |archive-date=31 December 2021 |language=sq |date=31 December 2021 |url-status=live}}

Credits adapted from YouTube.{{cite AV media |publisher=YouTube |title=Alban Ramosaj{{spaced ndash}}Theje {{!}} Official Lyric Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETRUj71stp8 |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123140024/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETRUj71stp8 |archive-date=23 January 2022 |date=3 December 2021 |url-status=live}} Note: Open description for credits.

• Alban Ramosaj{{spaced ndash}}composing, choir, guitarist, songwriting, vocals
• Marko Polo{{spaced ndash}}choir, mastering, mixing, producing
• Alex Seitaj{{spaced ndash}}choir
• Kris Breshaj{{spaced ndash}}choir
• Xhesika Polo{{spaced ndash}}choir
• Telando Feto{{spaced ndash}}recorder

• Digital download

1. "{{lang|sq|Theje|i=no}}"{{spaced ndash}}3:04

{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2020s ballads

Category:2021 singles

Category:2021 songs

Category:Songs in Albanian

Category:Festivali i Këngës songs