“October Rain”: First Glance at The Lyrics of Israel’s Eurovision 2024 Entry

Eden Golan won the final of “The Rising Star For Eurovision 2024” (“Hakochav Haba La’Eurovision 2024).
So she is set to represent the country at Eurovision 2024.

The song for Eurovision 2024 was finally selected, due to the decision of the professional committee.
The group behind the song is Keren Peles, Avi Ohayon and Stav Beger

• Stav Beger is an Israeli record producer, arranger, composer, songwriter and artistic director. He was one half of the duo who were in charge of “Toy” (Israel, Eurovision 2018). In addition, he was in charge of the production of “Golden Boy” (Israel, Eurovision 2015). He also co-wrote “Bassa Sababa” by Netta.
• Keren Peles is one of the veteran judges on “The Rising Star For Eurovision“. She has released 5 studio albums so far
• Avi Ohoayon is an Israeli composer and lyricist. His songs have been the most streamed on Israeli radio for 8 years.

While official approval of the song is still pending, Israeli media revealed more details regarding the mentioned song:

Based on the Israeli outlet “Israel Hayom“, we can reveal the following details:

• The majority of the lyrics are in English, but there are 2 lines in Hebrew.
• The song is a ballad with a build-up in the melody
• The title of the song is probably “October Rain”

Israeli broadcaster Kan has released the full lyrics of the song:

Writers of the history
Stand with me
Look into my eyes and see
People go away but never say goodbye

Someone stole the moon tonight
Took my light
Everything is black and white
Who’s the fool who told you
Boys don’t cry

Hours and hours and flowers
Life is no game for the cowards
Why does time go wild
Every day I’m loosing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride

Dancing in the storm
We got nothing to hide
Take me home
And leave the world behind
And I promise you that never again
I’m still wet from this october rain
October Rain

Living in a fantasy
Ecstasy
Everything’s meant to be
We shall pass but love will never die

Hours and hours and flowers
Life is no game for the cowards
Why does time go wild
Every day I’m loosing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride

Dancing in the storm
We got nothing to hide
Take me home
And leave the world behind
And I promise you that never again
I’m still wet from this october rain
October Rain
October Rain

לא נשאר אוויר לנשום
אין מקום
אין אותי מיום ליום
כולם ילדים טובים אחד אחד

(There’s no air left to breathe
There’s no space
I’m gone day by day
Everyone is good kids one by one)

As of the moment, the approval process for the song is still underway.
The EBU wants to make sure the song doesn’t carry any political messages.

The EBU commented:

We are currently in the process of carefully examining the lyrics – a process that is confidential between the EBU and the Public Broadcasting Corporation until a final decision is made
All broadcasters have until March 11 to submit their songs officially. If a song does not meet the criteria for any reason, the national broadcaster is given the opportunity to submit a new song or new lyrics, according to the contest rules

Kan headquarters commented:

The Israeli national broadcaster Kan is still holding discussion regarding the lyrics of the song for Eurovision 2024.
The national broadcaster has no intention replacing the chosen song, which has been selected as part of a discrete process, led by the professional committee.

Kan standing firm for the artists freedom and the chosen song.
While the lyrics of the song might be interpreted in several ways. The EBU is still wondering about the linkage of the lyrics to the horrible events that occurred in Israel last October.
However, the EBU has previously approved other songs, where some of them carry a significant political massage.

Among them, we can detect the Croatian entry for Eurovision 2023: “Mama ŠČ!”, who openly discussed the point of view of disc

What are your expectation from Israel at Eurovision 2024?
Eurovision 2024 will be held in Malmö, Sweden.
The semi-finals will be held on the 7th and 9th of May 2024, and the grand final will be held on the 11th of May 2024.
Israel will compete in the second half of semi-final 2.

Don’t forget to visit our Eurovision 2024 homepage