Israel has completed its pre-selection to the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest last night. After Lior Narkis was selected in last November as the entrant, the song Many Words for Love was chosen last night as his song for the contest.
The show, which lasted 90 minutes, was broadcast from the Oman 17 club in Jerusalem but also had other clubs in Tel-Aviv and Haifa on live connection. About 200 people crowded in the Jerusalem club and danced to Eurovision music. The show was fast, since it featured a lot of items. The Israeli broadcaster (IBA) gave free flights and entrance to the Eurovision Song Contest's final to two people: One of the televoters and a contestant in a special quiz that was organized for fans.
The winning song, Many words for love (or as it is called in Hebrew: Milim la'Ahava) won by a clear margin over the other 3 songs, as it gained 92% of the jury's vote, and 75% in total calculation. God bless the universe reached the 2nd place. The winning song was writen by Yossi Gispan and composed by Yoni Ro'eh who said after the show: “I am so thrilled about this outcome, that's the song I wanted for Riga. There is still much to be done with our singing and stage directing, but it will reach the highest position it deserves”.
Lior Narkis himself seemed very excited of the honor he was given by the IBA and even more by the winning song. Throughout the recent week he said in numerous occasions that this was his favourite song. After it had won the show, Narkis jumped on the stage, happily, with the song's writers. “I'm only 26, and I remember they gave Yardena Arazi the same show (on 1988), and now it happens to me, and it's tremendous. The winning song fills my heart because it reflects me”, the excited artist said.
The Israeli song's chorus says:
“It's my way to say I want you, sagapo, je ta'ime, I love you, te amo, o pashut ohev otah…”. You can listen to the song at the Israel 2003 page.
