In an interview on Georgia’s TV-1 today, Georgia’s representative at Eurovision 2020 revealed several details about his entry.
32-year-old Tornike Kipiani, who won the right to represent the Caucasus nation at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands by winning Georgian Idol on New Year’s Eve, told TV-1 that the name of his entry is “Take Me As I Am.”
Tornike Kipiani's song for Rotterdam "Take Me As I Am" is described as a mix of classic rock, electro and dubstep! 🇬🇪 #OpenUp pic.twitter.com/kkgX9tBxw6
— Georgia in Eurovision 🇬🇪 (@geo_eurovision) January 30, 2020
Additionally, he mentioned that he composed “Take Me As I Am,” and as many fans suspected with his song choices during Georgian Idol, the song will be a blend of rock, electronica, and dubstep.
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.”
Aleko Berdzenishvili is a renowned producer, recording engineer and bassist, and will assist Kipiani with the composition of “Take Me As I Am.”
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 Georgia’s decision to go with a rock entry? A sure qualifier, or Georgia’s fourth non-qualification in a row? Let us know in the comments below, on social media, or in our forum.
