Zaleilah
"Zaleilah" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Mandinga | ||||
from the album Club de Mandinga | ||||
Released | 16 September 2011 | |||
Length | 3:38 (Single version)
| |||
Label | Cat | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Mandinga singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Eurovision Song Contest 2012 entry | ||||
Country | ||||
Artist(s) | ||||
Languages | ||||
Composer(s) |
| |||
Lyricist(s) |
| |||
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
"Zaleilah"
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" 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
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
Music video and promotion
An accompanying music video for "Zaleilah" was uploaded onto Cat Music's official
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,
At Eurovision
National selection
The
In Baku
The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 took place at the
During Mandinga's performance, the
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]
Points awarded to Romania (Semi-Final 1) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
Points awarded to Romania (Final) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
Track listing
|
|
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end 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
- ^ This is a summary of all versions of "Zaleilah" found on its digital releases in multiple countries.[7][8][9][10]
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ ProQuest 1016063594. (subscription required)
- ^ 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) - ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Citations regarding the release of "Zaleilah" in multiple countries:
- "Zaleilah by Mandinga on iTunes". iTunes Store Romania. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- "Zaleilah by Mandinga on iTunes". iTunes Store United States. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- "Zaleilah by Mandinga on iTunes". iTunes Store United Kingdom. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- "Zaleilah by Mandinga on iTunes". iTunes Store Russia. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ a b c "Zaleilah di Mandinga su iTunes". iTunes Store Italy. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ a b c "Zaleilah de Mandinga en iTunes". iTunes Store Mexico. 9 September 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ 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) - ^ 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.
- ProQuest 1015038924. (subscription required)
- ^ 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.
- ProQuest 1016471149. (subscription required)
- ^ ProQuest 1015396424. (subscription required)
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Media Forest – Chart 2012". Media Forest. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Mandinga – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah". Singles Top 100.
- ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ Tophit. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
- ^ Ultratip. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
- ^ ProQuest 1015409124. (subscription required)
- ^ a b "Mandinga – Zaleilah (Official Video)". YouTube. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 1 September 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah @"Neatza cu Razvan si Dani"". YouTube. 16 September 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah Live / Studio Version [Cronica Carcotasilor]". YouTube. 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah – Live at Europa FM". YouTube. 26 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah (Acoustic – Live la Radio ZU)". YouTube. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah Live @ Costinesti (ProFM Baga Mare)". YouTube. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Mandinga – Zaleilah (Live @ Radio 21)". YouTube. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ Selecția Națională 2012. 10 March 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Baku, Azerbaijan. 22–26 May 2012.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Eurovision 2012 Semi-final 1 Results". Eurovision World. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
- ^ "Eurovision 2012 Results: Voting & Points". Eurovision World. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.