Poland 2011 : Magdalena Tul

Artist name:

Magdalena Tul

Song title:

Jestem

Song writer(s):

Magdalena Tul

Year:

2011

Language:

Polish

Country:

Poland

Starting position semi-final 1:

Rank in semi-final 1:

Points in semi-final 1:

About the song:

Jestem was written by the versatile singer herself, and can be described as a mixture of funk, soul and cabaret with a dash of sassy attitude! Magdalena has chosen to perform the song in Polish, probably much to the delight of many fans. Instantly catchy, Poland's entry this year is thoroughbred pop, in stark contrast to previous years, where the public has favoured a more ethnic sounding entry. Jestem is to be released as a single and will be included on Magdalena's forthcoming album, which she is currently in the process of recording and has yet to be given a title.

About the participant:

Magdalena Tul, also known as Magda, was born in 1980 in Gdańsk. Her passion for music started when she was 12, her interest for the subject grew as she took part in a childrens vocal group. From there onwards there was no stopping her. She featured in numerous groups during her teens, giving her vital recording and performing experience. Magdalena started her first band, which were privileged enough to support numerous well known acts of the Polish music scene.

At school she was always interested in the performing arts, and it was therefore only natural that she pursue her passion even further, when in 1999 she began secondary level music studies in her hometown Gdańsk. Here she studied classical singing during a year and was able to hone and perfect her talent. At the same time she was also engaged in studies at the Bygdoszcz Academy, where she studied a specialized subject of artistic education at the faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology. She graduated with a masters degree in arts in 2004.

Her involvement in the theatre and stage came about in 2000, following a move to Warsaw, where she first found work at Studio Buffo, a musical theatre. Here Magdalena landed major roles in the musicals Metro, Ukochany Kraj, Niedziela na Glownym and Wieczór Cygański. In 2003, she began a stint at a new theatre, Roma, which presented her with the opportunities to star in the musicals Cats, Miss Saigon, Grease and Academy of Mister Kleks.

The multi talented starlet has even more feathers in her cap, having been invited in 2002 to sing in a popular TV show, Name That Tune. She simultaneously was involved in numerous projects with bands such as Miennta, Janowski Project and with Kukla Band. Magdalena has also recorded previously, her voice was used on a song for the Polish version of the Disney film The Emperor's New
Groove. In 2004, Magdalena got her first taste for Eurovision, when she was shortlisted to the final 10 acts of the Polish Eurovision selection. Magdalena has previously released the album The Victory if Heart, and is currently working on a new album, which includes the songs Jestem and Nie Ma Jej.

About the selection:

The Polish Eurovision selection began with state broadcaster TVP confirming their participation in Düsseldorf, despite mediocre results for the last two years and not managing to reach the final since Isis Gee sang For Life in 2008. The broadcaster then made a further announcement in December, stating that it intended to put together a jury, which consisted of 8 music professionals, with backgrounds from both show business, the music industry and TVP. Their task was to select around 10 candidates to compete in the show Krajowe Eliminacje.

A preliminary shortlist of 5 acts (including Magdalena Tul) was revealed by TVP in late December. The broadcaster also maintained the right to issue wildcards to invited artists as they saw fit. Indeed, the first three wildcards were made known in mid January, with one of the acts originally announced, The Positive, being disqualified owing to their entry being posted on Youtube in 2009. A further three wildcards were announced a few days later, thus bringing the total number of competitiors in the national final to ten.

The final of Krajowe Eliminacije was held on the 14th of February in Warsaw. The outcome of the show was to be determined by 100% televoting. Magdalena Tul and Jestem won a unanimous victory with over 44% of the available vote, with second placed Anna Gogola barely managing half of her score, with a meagre 22,5% of the votes.

Lyrics:

Jestem

Jestem – w Twym słowie, myślach, każdym geście
Jestem – jak Woda, Ziemia, Ogień i Powietrze
Jestem - w ramionach mych roztapiasz się jak lód

Czekasz, na choćby jeden uśmiech, jedno słowo
Co dnia próbujesz zdobyć mnie na nowo
Z Tobą oswoiłam się

A gdy kłopot jakiś mam
U drzwi stajesz pierwszy
Teraz wreszcie pewność mam
To ty kwiaty do mnie ślesz co dnia

Jestem Twym natchnieniem
Dla łez ukojeniem
Twój świat kręci się wokół mnie
Jesteś moim cieniem
Na każde skinienie
Pojawiasz się tuż obok mnie
Skaczesz w ogień gdy chcę

Czuję jak raz po raz ogarnia Cię niepokój
Jak talie kart odkrywam Cię po trochu
Z Tobą zapominam się

A gdy noc kołysze nas do snu,
Myśli biegną
W stronę Twoich oczu, Twoich ust
By upewnić się, że wciąż jeszcze

Jestem Twym natchnieniem
Dla łez ukojeniem
Twój świat kręci się wokół mnie
Jesteś moim cieniem
Na każde skinienie
Pojawiasz się tuż obok mnie
Skaczesz w ogień gdy chcę

English translation of the lyrics:

I Am

I am – in your word, thoughts, every gesture
I am – like water, earth, fire and air
I am – in my arms you melt like ice

You’re waiting – for at least one smile or one…
Word - every day you try to win my heart once again
With you
I’ve become familiarized

And when I’m in trouble
You’re the first at my door
Now finally I’m sure
That’s you
You keep sending me flowers day by day

I’m your inspiration
The consolation for your tears
(your world is spinning around me)
You’re like my shadow
Whenever I call you
(you appear right next to me)
(You would jump into the fire if I wanted)

I feel
How again and again you’re overwhelmed by fear
Like a pack of cards I reveal you step by step
With you
I forget about everything

And when the night embraces us
Before we fall asleep
My thoughts turn
To your eyes your lips
To assure myself that still…

I’m your inspiration
The consolation for your tears
(your world is spinning around me)
You’re like my shadow
Whenever I call you
(you appear right next to me)
(You would jump into the fire if I wanted)