After a slow drip of hints and song snippets via social media, Tornike Kipiani debuted his Eurovision 2020 entry for Georgia, “Take Me As I Am,” on 1TV’s “New Day” breakfast show.
32-year-old Kipiani, who won Georgian Idol to earn the right to represent Georgia, co-wrote the song with famed Georgian producer and bassist Aleko Berdzenishvili. “Take Me As I Am” has been described by Kipiani as a mix of classic rock, electro and dub step.
It was revealed earlier today that Emilia Sandquist, who worked with Sacha Jean-Baptiste’s company, will direct the staging for “Take Me As I Am.” Sacha Jean-Baptiste directed the staging on Georgia’s entry in 2015 (Nina Sublatti’s “Warrior”), 2016 (Nika Kocharov and the Young Georgian Lolitaz’ “Midnight Gold), and 2017 (Tako Gachechiladze’s “Keep the Faith). Sanquist also has extensive experience with staging for Sweden’s Melodifestivalen and as director of last year’s Swedish version of the Academy Awards.
Earlier last month it was revealed that Kipiani will also take three familiar Georgian voices with him to Rotterdam as his backup vocalists: Marian Shengelia, Mariko Lezhava, and Aleko Berdzenishvili.
Viewers of Georgian Idol will no doubt recognize the first two names. Mariam Shengelia came in 6th place in this year’s Georgian Idol behind Kipiani, Barbara Samkharadze, Tamar Kakalashvili, Mariam Gogiberidze, and Davit Rusadze.
Mariko Lezhava has served as a co-host of both the 2018 and 2019 seasons of Georgian Idol, and also came in 6th at the Georgian national selection in 2017 with “Light it Up.” Tako Gachechiladze won that year with “Keep the Faith.” Kipiani himself came in 23rd that year with “You are my sunshine.”
Georgia will perform in the second half of Semi-Final 2 on May 14, 2020. Kipiani will want to break a three year non-qualification streak. However, Georgia fans will consider it a good omen that Kipiani is sticking to his rock roots as one of Georgia’s best performances to date was nu-metal band Eldrine’s “One More Day” at Eurovision 2011, who achieved Georgia’s highest placing with 9th despite the genre fading from popularity and having to swap out their singer due to a contract dispute. Sopho Nizharadze also achieved 9th place in 2010 with “Shine.”
What do #YOU think of Tornike Kipiani’s “Take me as I am?” Do #YOU think this will break Georgia’s non-qualification streak? Let us know in the comments below, in our forum, or on social media.
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