Jako (song)
| "Jako" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Ladaniva | ||||
| from the album Ladaniva | ||||
| Released | 29 September 2023 | |||
| Length | 2:25 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Jasper Maekelberg | |||
| Ladaniva singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Jako" on YouTube | ||||
| Eurovision Song Contest 2024 entry | ||||
| Country | ||||
| Artist(s) | ||||
| Language | ||||
| Composer(s) |
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| Lyricist(s) |
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| Entry chronology | ||||
| ◄ "Future Lover" (2023) | ||||
"Jako" (Armenian: Ժակո, pronounced [ˈʒɑkɔ]) is a song by French-Armenian world music duo Ladaniva. The song was originally released on 29 September 2023 on the duo's debut self-titled album as a track. It is set to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
Background and composition[edit]
"Jako" was written by the duo together with Audrey Leclercq, and produced by Jasper Maekelberg.[1][2] The title of the song was derived from Jaklin Baghdasaryan's nickname. The song was described as Baghdasaryan's assertion of her "right to think freely and to be whoever she wants to be." She criticises society for imposing artificial limitations and norms, saying that these causes girls to lose sight of who they really are since they are often told how to act. She explains:
"They used to call me 'Jako' when I was little. Growing up I have always been told that girls should behave, be humble, dress normally, not talk too much, not do crazy things."
The song is further described as a message to herself and to "all the little Jakos in the world" to follow their true calling and stay true to their authentic selves, as she did through her art. The song is also described as an invitation to "get up and dance," no matter what people say.[3] David Tserunyan, Armenia's head of delegation, further explains, "[the] song touches upon a very important matter, but in a cheerful and playful manner. We hope to inspire people all over the world to embrace their inner Jakos and join this empowering dance of freedom!"[4]
Eurovision Song Contest 2024[edit]
Internal selection[edit]
The Armenian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 was internally selected by AMPTV. In January 2024, the duo was reported as the selected act by local and international media.[5] On 9 March 2024, the broadcaster officially confirmed the duo as the Armenian entrant for the 2024 contest, with the entry, "Jako", revealed on 13 March.[4][6]
At Eurovision[edit]
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final will progress to the final. On 30 January 2024, an allocation draw was held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country will perform in; the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[7] Armenia was scheduled to perform on the first half of the second semi-final.[8]
Release history[edit]
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Type | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 29 September 2023 |
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Single |
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Jako - Song by Ladaniva". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Conte, Davide (13 March 2024). "🇦🇲 Armenia: Ladaniva Release "Jako"". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix News. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Adams, William Lee (13 March 2024). "Jako! Armenia's LADANIVA share their Eurovision 2024 song". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Armenia's song for Malmö is released - 'Jako' by Ladaniva". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Ampatzidis, Ioannis (12 January 2024). "Armenia: With Ladaniva at Eurovision 2024?". Eurovisionfun. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ "Ladaniva will be representing Armenia at Malmö 2024". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (13 December 2023). "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Allocation Draw on January 30". Eurovoix. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.