Zaleilah

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"Zaleilah"
Shot of the band behind a dark city background.
Single by Mandinga
from the album Club de Mandinga
Released16 September 2011
Length3:38 (Single version)
  • 2:58 (Eurovision version)
LabelCat
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Ioniţă
  • Dimitriu Silviu
Mandinga singles chronology
"Europarty"
(2011) 		"Zaleilah"
(2011) 		"Papi Chulo"
(2012)
Eurovision Song Contest 2012 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Languages
Composer(s)
  • Costi Ioniţă
  • Dimitriu Silviu
Lyricist(s)
  • Elena Ionescu
  • Ioniţă
  • Omar Secada
Finals performance
Semi-final result
3
Semi-final points
120
Final result
12
Final points
71
Entry chronology
◄ "Change" (2011)
"It's My Life" (2013) ►

"Zaleilah" is a song by Romanian band Mandinga for their fifth studio album, Club de Mandinga (2012). It was written by Costi Ioniță along with band lead singer Elena Ionescu and member Omar Secada. Produced by Ioniță and Dimitriu Silviu, it was released on 16 September 2011. Musically, "Zaleilah" has been described as Latin-influenced, with other inspirations including Balkan, Cuban, Gypsy and salsa music. A bilingual love song performed in English and Spanish language, its instrumentation consists of a bagpipe, marching drums, accordions and trumpets. Reviewers noticed similarities between "Zaleilah" and "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" (2010) by Colombian singer Shakira and "Zou Bisou Bisou" (1964).

"Zaleilah" represented Romania in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan, after winning the pre-selection show Selecția Națională. The country reached 12th place in a field of 26, scoring a total of 71 points. Mandinga's show featured the band members performing choreography and accompanying Ionescu, with pyrotechnics and fireworks also being used. The song received mixed reviews from music critics. While it was praised for its catchiness and dance nature, some viewed it as mediocre and unoriginal. "Zaleilah" received a nomination in the Best Song category at the 2011 Romanian Music Awards.

In order to promote and support "Zaleilah", Mandinga made various appearances to perform the song and embarked on a tour in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2012. An accompanying music video was filmed by Florin Botea in both Romania and Dubai, and was uploaded to YouTube on 9 February 2012. On the same date, the clip was shown at the Grand Cinema Digiplex in Băneasa Shopping City. It portrays Ionescu "waking up" in Dubai after putting on a ring she found near to a club's bathroom tap.[1] Commercially, "Zaleilah" reached the top 100 of various charts after Eurovision, and peaked at numbers two and six in Romania and Moldova, respectively. Uniunea Producătorilor de Fonograme din România (UPFR) certified the track Gold for exceeding 10,000 digital downloads in Romania.

Background and composition

"Zaleilah"
A 22-second sample of "Zaleilah", a bilingual Latin-influenced song performed in English and Spanish language. Reviewers also noticed inspiration from Balkanic, Cuban, Gypsy and salsa music.[2][3][4]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Zaleilah" was written by Costi Ioniță along with Mandinga lead singer Elena Ionescu and member Omar Secada, while production was handled by Ioniță and Dimitriu Silviu.[5] After being premiered on the group's website on 16 September 2011,[6] Cat Music digitally released the song in various countries on 7 February 2012, along with several remixes.[7] From May to September 2012, the song has also been released in Italy, Mexico and Scandinavian countries.[8][9][10] On 11 April 2012, an enhanced CD of "Zaleilah" was distributed in Romania by Cat Music, while a promotional CD was released in Europe through EMI Records that year.[5][11]

A bilingual song performed in English and Spanish,[5][12] "Zaleilah" has been described as Latin-influenced; reviewers also noticed inspiration from Balkanic, Cuban, Gypsy and salsa music.[2][3][4][13] Lyrically, it revolves around "a woman deeply in love with her 'chocolate boy', [possibly] someone who is merely sweet, or someone who is of African descent". Lines from the verses, translated into English, include: "you touching me and kissing me makes me want to dance/ I'm so happy, I can shout out loud." During the refrain, "Zaleilah" contains lyrics written in poor English, such as "When you love you say, everyday, everybody", which corrected would have been "When you're in love, say it everyday and tell everybody".[14] The song's instrumentation consists of a bagpipe, marching drums, accordions and trumpets,[2][14][15] with a critic likening the accordion sequences to Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis's 1964 instrumental "Zorbas Dance".[14] According to the band, the name of the track belongs to a South American tribe and "actually does not mean anything. It is the name of the dance that [accompanies the song] and of the princess that [Ionescu] plays in the music video."[16]

Reception

Upon its release, "Zaleilah" was met with mixed reviews from music critics. Jan Feddersen, writing for Die Tageszeitung, praised the song for its catchiness and danceable nature.[4] An editor of RTVE similarly commended its catchy chorus and festive atmosphere,[12] while Urban.ro positively noticed the use of simple lyrics.[17] Giga.de and Grantland likened "Zaleilah" to "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" (2010) by Colombian singer Shakira and to "Zou Bisou Bisou" (1964).[18][19] Reviewers from Wiwibloggs had both positive and negative opinions of the recording, praising its optimistic and dance nature, but criticizing it as mediocre, incohesive and lacking originality. Overall, the reviewers on the website gave the song 6.25 out of 10 points.[14] In a 2016 Wiwibloggs poll called "What is your favourite Eurovision song from Romania?", "Zaleilah" finished in second place with over 700 votes.[20] At the 2012 Romanian Music Awards, the track received a nomination in the Best Song category.[21]

"Zaleilah" experienced moderate commercial success on record charts and got heavy rotated in several countries.[22] In Romania, the song peaked at number two on the national Airplay 100 chart in May 2012,[23] while also claiming the same position on Media Forest's radio and television airplay charts.[24][25] On the service's 2012 year-end chart, the track reached number 10.[26] The Uniunea Producătorilor de Fonograme din România (UPFR) certified "Zaleilah" Gold in the July of that year for exceeding 10,000 in digital copies sold in Romania.[22] In other countries, the song reached number six in Moldova,[27] as well as the top 50 in Sweden and Billboard's Mexico Espanol Airplay chart,[28][29] the top 60 in Austria and the top 100 in Germany.[30][31] "Zaleilah" attained lower success in Russia, where it peaked at number 157,[32] and in Flanders, peaking at number 23 on the Ultratip chart, which acts as an extension to the main Ultratop ranking.[33]

Music video and promotion

Locations for the music video of "Zaleilah" included Sheikh Zayed Road (pictured) in Dubai.[34]

An accompanying music video for "Zaleilah" was uploaded onto Cat Music's official YouTube account on 9 February 2012,[35] becoming one of their most-watched releases by May 2015.[36] On the same date, it was also shown at the Grand Cinema Digiplex in Băneasa Shopping City at around 19:00.[1][37] The clip was shot by Florin Botea[1] at Club Fratelli in Romania and in locations such as Sheikh Zayed Road, the Palm Jumeirah Monorail, and Burj Khalifa in Dubai.[34][37] All outfits used in the video were provided by Florin Dobre and Iuliana Dima.[37]

The visual opens with Ionescu talking with a man at the bar of a club. When she leaves to the bathroom and washes her hands, she discovers a purple ring near the tap and puts it on. The singer subsequently "wakes up" inside a skyscraper and is also seen walking on the streets and the beach of Dubai.[1] She also performs to the song in a desert and resides on a yacht while "search[ing] for love".[1] Towards the end of the video, Ionescu throws the aforementioned ring into the sea, and the clip ends with it being washed ashore. Interspersed shots show Mandinga during a concert at the club presented in the beginning.[35] An editor of Libertatea praised the music video and wrote: "[It] is truly a fascinating journey with exotic shots that make you think of summer, sun and heat".[1]

For further promotion, Mandinga performed "Zaleilah" on several occasions. On 16 September 2011, the band appeared on both Romanian talk show Neatza cu Răzvan și Dani,[38] and the 2011 Romanian Music Awards, presenting a medley with "Danza Kuduro" (2010) by Don Omar and Lucenzo on the latter.[39] In 2012, Mandinga performed on Cronica Cârcotașilor in March,[40] as well as on Europa FM in April[41] and on Radio ZU in May.[42] In the same year, the band also embarked on a tour in Belgium and the Netherlands to perform the track.[43] Outside of the promotion phase of "Zaleilah", it was performed on Pro FM's "Bagă Mare" beach event in August 2013,[44] and on Radio 21 in October 2014[45]

At Eurovision

National selection

Main article: Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012

The Romanian Television (TVR) organized the Selecția Națională in order to select Romania's entrant for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and opened the submission period for artists' and composers' entries between 6 and 23 February 2012. Out of all submissions, a jury panel internally selected 15 songs to participate in the contest's final held on 10 March 2012. Subsequently, "Zaleilah" was chosen to represent Romania at Eurovision after the votes of a jury panel (ten points) and public televoting (12 points) were combined, resulting in 22 points.[46][47] Mixed reactions followed after Mandinga's win, with multiple individuals criticizing the song itself and attributing the band's victory to arranged voting.[48][49] Others however favoured the band's win and praised "Zaleilah".[50][51]

In Baku

Mandinga performing during a rehearsal for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 took place at the Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan and consisted of two semi-finals on 22 and 24 May, and the final on 26 May 2012. According to the Eurovision rules, all participating countries, except the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), were required to qualify from one semi-final to compete for the final; the top ten countries from the respective semi-final progressed to the final.[52] Mandinga sang sixth in the first semi-final following Albania and preceding Switzerland, while they performed 14th in the Grand Final following Azerbaijan and preceding Denmark.[52] At the first semi-final, Ionescu's ear monitor malfunctioned, prompting the show's organizers to issue an apologize for the problem.[16][53]

During Mandinga's performance, the LED background displayed images of drums moving along to the song's rhythm, as well as of beating hearts in several colors including purple, yellow and orange "representing the strong fiery nature of the Latin beat". Pyrotechnics were used along with "strobe lighting" and fireworks towards the end of the performance.[54] Mandinga, along with Slovenian choreographer Anze Skrubehad,[43] also created a choreography and released a tutorial video online; its central focus is the theme of love.[55] During their show, lead singer Ionescu wears an orange dress and is accompanied by her band members;[56] they carry instruments which were designed by Alexandru Ghilduş and Costel Badea.[43] Holger Kreitling of Die Welt likened Ionescu's appearance to that of American singer Nicole Scherzinger and criticized the outfits of the rest of the group.[57] An editor of Realitatea positively noticed the singer's appearance as playful and attractive.[58]

Points awarded to Romania

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Romania in the first semi-final and Grand Final of the contest. On the first occasion, the country finished in third place with a total of 120 points, including 12 from Spain, Ireland and Moldova, ten from Italy, and eight from Russia, Israel and Greece.[59] In the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, Romania finished in 12th position, gathering a total of 71 points, including 12 awarded by Moldova, ten by Spain and seven by Italy and Greece.[60]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Romania[22] Gold 10,000[22]

Release history

Country Date Format Label
Romania[6] 16 September 2011 — —
Various[7] 7 February 2012 Digital download Cat
Romania[5] 11 April 2012 Enhanced CD
Scandinavia[8] 4 May 2012 Digital download Parlophone
Italy[9] 13 July 2012 DIY
Mexico[10] 9 September 2012 Mas Label/
Empo
Europe[11] N/A 2012 CD single EMI

Notes

  1. ^ This is a summary of all versions of "Zaleilah" found on its digital releases in multiple countries.[7][8][9][10]
  2. ^ Apart from five audio tracks, the enhanced CD featured "extra data" consisting of facts on Mandinga and "Zaleilah", footage of the band, the song's lyrics and its official music video.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Mandinga a lansat Zaleilah la Grand Cinema Digiplex din Băneasa Shopping City" [Mandinga have released Zaleilah at the Grand Cinema Digiplex at Baneasa Shopping City]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 10 February 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Piesa "Zaleilah" de la Mandinga, descrisă drept "frenezie ţigănească" de presa internaţională" [The song "Zaleilah" by Mandinga is described as a gypsy song by the international press]. Gândul (in Romanian). 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  3. ^ a b Lambrecht, Marco (22 May 2012). "Rumänien: Mandinga" [Romania: Mandinga] (in German). Eurovision.de. ARD. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Feddersen, Jan (26 May 2012). "Alter vor Zwilling: Warum Engelbert gewinnt" [Why Engelbert is going to win Eurovision]. Die Tageszeitung (in German). ProQuest 1016063594. (subscription required)
  5. ^ a b c d e f Zaleilah (Enhanced CD). Mandinga. Cat Music. 2012. r3758589.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ a b Scris de Oza (16 September 2011). "Mandinga – "Zaleilah" (single)" (in Romanian). Urban.ro. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  7. ^ a b c Citations regarding the release of "Zaleilah" in multiple countries:
  8. ^ a b c Citations regarding the Scandinavian release of "Zaleilah":
  9. ^ a b c "Zaleilah di Mandinga su iTunes". iTunes Store Italy. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  10. ^ a b c "Zaleilah de Mandinga en iTunes". iTunes Store Mexico. 9 September 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  11. ^ a b c Zaleilah (CD single). Mandinga. EMI Music Publishing. 2012. r3768758.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ a b "Rumanía, ritmo latino y letra en español para Eurovisión 2012" [Romania, Latin rhythm and Spanish lyrics for Eurovision 2012] (in Spanish). RTVE. 12 March 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  13. ^ Fricker, Karen (22 May 2012). "Preparing for Eurovision no party for Jedward". Irish Times. ProQuest 1015038924. (subscription required)
  14. ^ a b c d Lee Adams, William (31 March 2012). "The Wiwi Jury: Romania's Mandinga with "Zaleilah"". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  15. ^ Holmwood, Leigh (26 May 2012). "I'll wear my lucky Elvis charm tonight: Says Engelbert Humperdinck". The Sun. ProQuest 1016471149. (subscription required)
  16. ^ a b Fernández, Eduardo (24 May 2012). "La otra española de Eurovisión: La cantante y modelo, elegida 'mujer más sexy' del Festival, lleva a la final a Rumanía con una canción en castellano que está entre las favoritas" [The other Spanish Eurovision: The singer and model, elected 'sexiest woman' of the contest, advances Romania to the final with a song in Spanish that is among the favorites]. El Mundo (in Spanish). ProQuest 1015396424. (subscription required)
  17. ^ Scris de Alex (9 February 2012). "Premiera: Mandinga – Zaleilah (videoclip)" (in Romanian). Urban.ro. Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Top 5 Eurovision-Plagiate: Loreens "Euphoria" vs. Rihanna, Shakira, David Guetta, One Direction..." [Top 5 Eurovision Plagiarisms: Loreen's "Euphoria" vs. Rihanna, Shakira, David Guetta, One Direction...] (in German). Giga.de. 28 May 2018. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  19. ^ Lambert, Molly (29 May 2012). "Grading the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest Finals!". Grantland. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  20. ^ Honciuc, Bogdan (24 April 2016). "Poll: What is your favourite Eurovision song from Romania?". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  21. ^ Scris de Edi (12 May 2012). "Nominations Romanian Music Awards 2012" (in Romanian). Urban.ro. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  22. ^ a b c d Ghiță, Oana (13 July 2012). "Mandinga a primit Discul de Aur pentru 10.000 de descărcări digitale ale hitului "Zaleilah"" [Manding were awarded a Gold certification for the digital downloads of their hit "Zaleilah" amounting to 10,000 copies] (in Romanian). Mediafax. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  23. ^ a b "Airplay 100 – 13 mai 2012". Media Forest (in Romanian). Kiss FM. 13 May 2012. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  24. ^ a b "Media Forest – Know You Are On Air". Media Forest. 27 May 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2018. Note: Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
  25. ^ a b "Media Forest – Know You Are On Air". Media Forest. 27 May 2012. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2018. Note: Select 'Songs – TV'. Romanian and international positions are rendered together by the number of plays before resulting an overall chart.
  26. ^ a b "Media Forest – Chart 2012". Media Forest. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  27. ^ a b "Media Forest – Know You Are On Air". Media Forest. 6 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Mandinga – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  29. ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah". Singles Top 100.
  30. ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  31. ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  32. ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah" (in Russian). Tophit. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  33. ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  34. ^ a b "Dubai backdrop for Romanian Eurovision entry". 7days. 23 May 2012. ProQuest 1015409124. (subscription required)
  35. ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah (Official Video)". YouTube. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  36. ^ "Canalul de YouTube al Cat Music, primul canal din România cu 1.500.000 de abonați" [Cat Music's YouTube channel is the first Romanian channel to reach 1,500,000 subscribers] (in Romanian). Europa FM. 25 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  37. ^ a b c Scris de Alex (8 February 2012). "Mandinga - Zaleilah (making of videoclip)" (in Romanian). Urban.ro. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  38. ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah @"Neatza cu Razvan si Dani"". YouTube. 16 September 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  39. ^ "Mandinga – Danza Kuduro & Zaleilah – Romanian Music Awards 2011 (Live!)". YouTube. 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  40. ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah Live / Studio Version [Cronica Carcotasilor]". YouTube. 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  41. ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah – Live at Europa FM". YouTube. 26 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  42. ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah (Acoustic – Live la Radio ZU)". YouTube. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  43. ^ a b c "România va face un super spectacol la Eurovision" [Romania will have a good show at Eurovision] (in Romanian). Gazeta Românească. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  44. ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah Live @ Costinesti (ProFM Baga Mare)". YouTube. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  45. ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah (Live @ Radio 21)". YouTube. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  46. ^ Selecția Națională 2012. 10 March 2012.
  47. ^ Busa, Alexandru (1 February 2012). "News – Romania: National final on March 10th". EscToday. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  48. ^ "Gabriel Cotabiţă le recomandă celor de la Mandinga să nu se bazeze pe talent" [Gabriel Cotabiţă suggests that Mandinga not count on talent]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 11 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  49. ^ "Lucian Viziru a depus plângere la DNA privind preselecţia Eurovision 2012" [Lucian Viziru filed a complain at DNA following the national selection for Eurovision 2012] (in Romanian). Observator. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  50. ^ "Luminiţa Anghel: "Mandinga a avut o piesă pozitivă, cu un show tonic"" [Luminiţa Anghel: "Mandinga had a positive song with a tonic show"]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 11 March 2012. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  51. ^ "Mihai Trăistariu: "Mandinga merită să ne reprezinte la Eurovision. 'Zaleilah' este o piesă bună!"" [Mihai Trăistariu: "Mandinga deseves to represent Romania at Eurovision. 'Zaleilah' is a good song!"]. Libertatea (in Romanian). 12 March 2012. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  52. ^ a b Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Baku, Azerbaijan. 22–26 May 2012.
  53. ^ "Romania goes to Eurovision final with Mandinga's Zaleilah despite technical problems in semi-final show". Romania Insider. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  54. ^ "Romania brings the Latin beat to Baku". European Broadcasting Union. 13 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  55. ^ "Romania: Learn the dance steps to "Zaleilah"". European Broadcasting Union. 13 April 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  56. ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah – Live – Grand Final – 2012 Eurovision Song Contest". YouTube. 26 May 2012. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  57. ^ Kreitling, Holger (26 May 2012). "Schweden gewinnt Grand Prix, Deutschland Achter" [Sweden wins Eurovision, Germany finishes in eighth place]. Die Welt (in German). Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  58. ^ "Care au fost cele mai proaste dar si cele mai bune momente ale noastre la Eurovision" [Which were the best and worst of our moments at Eurovision] (in Romanian). Realitatea. 10 May 2018. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  59. ^ "Eurovision 2012 Semi-final 1 Results". Eurovision World. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  60. ^ "Eurovision 2012 Results: Voting & Points". Eurovision World. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
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