Let’s Learn a Song From the Eesti Laul Competition
We might still be in deep winter, but there is always a party to keep us going until spring arrives. For example, the awesome Eesti Laul competition is already in full swing. The 15 original finalists were announced in late 2024 and the last 16th finalist was chosen by a public vote. These 16 artists will compete to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 that will take place in Switzerland.
Out of the 16 finalists, five songs are in Estonian. The rest are in English, but there are a few special surprises like Tommy Cash’s song Espresso Macchiato, with the lyrics being a mix of English and basic Italian words, and Marta Lotta’s song, which is in Estonian, but includes a verse in French.
If you are looking for new songs in Estonian to add to your playlist, here is the list of songs that qualified for the show and are in Estonian.
An-Marlen - Külm (Cold)
Räpina Jack feat. Kaisa Ling - Tule (Come)
Tuuli Rand - REM
Andrei Zevakin feat. Karita - Ma ei tea sind (I don’t know you)
Marta Lotta - Tantsin veel (I’ll dance more)
As with previous editions of Eesti Laul, we will fully translate one song, and this time the song we have selected is Tuuli Rand - REM.
[Verse 1] Sügavalt, palavalt Tunnistan, kõik vaid üksinda Toon ei tunne ma süüd Järel vaid igatsev hüüd
[Pre-Chorus] Kuhu maha vaadata? Ennast varjata? Vastused, milles sulada Küsimused nii palavad Paljastavad ja hoiavad
[Chorus] Igas toonis näen Karjun vaikuses Meeleheide Põletab nii magusalt
[Verse 2] Kustuta, paranda, joonista Mida silme eest kaotada Suudab vaid tuul Mälestus kaunistab suud
[Pre-Chorus] Kuhu maha vaadata? Ennast varjata? Unetus laseb ärgata Unelmad, mida soovida Paljastavad ja hoiavad
[Chorus x2]
| [Verse 1] Deeply, fervently I confess, all alone everything I bring, I feel no guilt Only a longing cry remains
[Pre-Chorus] Where to look down? Hide myself? Answers in which to melt Questions so hot Reveal and keep
[Chorus] In every hue I see I scream in silence Desperation Burns so sweet
[Verse 2] Erase, mend, draw What you lose sight of Only the wind can Memory decorated the mouth
[Pre-Chorus] Where to look down? Hide yourself? Sleeplessness makes you wake up Dreams to wish for Reveal and keep
[Chorus x2]
|
A more advanced song is Räpina Jack feat. Kaisa Ling - Tule (Come), which evokes traditional Estonian songs, and so the lyrics are complicated and make references to cultural themes.
Here is the first verse of Tule translated to English:
Tule, kui tuulel on tallad all
Vihur viinud viinakuu Viljandi alt
Tule mu suule kui luule, kas kuuled
Lase lustiliugu leebelt läbi Liivimaa
Lase lustiliugu leebelt läbi Liivimaa
Peida end piibrite pilkudes
Piilu pajude vahel ja põlispedajates
Hiili mu teele mu meelde mu keelde
Maali mu mällu end maias Maarjamaa
Jah, maali mu mällu end meelas Maarjamaa
Come when the wind is under your feet
The storm has blown the vine from the vineyard of Viljandi
Come to my mouth as poetry, can you hear?
Let the merry tale flow softly through Livonia
Let the merry tale flow softly through Livonia
Hide yourself from the prying eyes of the peeping owls
Hiding among the willows and in the native groves
Sneak onto my way, into my mind, onto my tongue
Paint yourself into my memory, sweet Maarjamaa
Yes, paint yourself into my memory in sweet Maarjamaa
Let us know if you have already heard these songs and which is your favorite one! Will you also be watching the finalists compete? Let us know in the dedicated forum thread here!
Ingrid, OLS Community Manager – Estonian