The Tower (song) explained
The Tower |
Cover: | The Tower (song).jpeg |
Alt: | The cover artwork for "The Tower". The cover features Luna in a red and white outfit amongst a grey background. In the middle of the image, the words "The Tower" in red are printed. |
Type: | single |
Artist: | Luna |
Genre: | Pop[1] |
Length: | 3:00 |
Label: | Universal |
Producer: | Paul Dixon |
Prev Title: | Lost and Wild |
Prev Year: | 2023 |
Misc: | Embed: | yes | Song: | "The Tower" | Year: | 2024 | Country: | Poland | Artist: | Luna | Language: | English | Place Semi: | 12th | Points Semi: | 35 | Prev: | Solo | Prev Link: | Solo (Blanka song) | Prev Year: | 2023 |
|
"The Tower" is a song by Polish singer-songwriter Aleksandra Katarzyna Wielgomas, also known mononymously as Luna. Self-described as an account of the journey of strength and self-realization from the depths of darkness and negativity, it was co-written by Luna, Paul Dixon and Max Cooke, and was released on 23 January 2024 by Universal Music Polska. The song represented Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, and finished in 12th place with 35 points during semi final 1.
Background and composition
"The Tower" was written and composed by Aleksandra Katarzyna Wielgomas, Paul Dixon, and Max Cooke.[2] In interviews, Wielgomas has stated that the song is about a journey to self-realization and self-actualization from the negativity humanity faces. The song uses the metaphor of a tower of negativity and limited potential, urging the listener to topple the tower with strength.[3] Wielgomas later stated in an interview with Wiwibloggs that she wanted others to "create your own rules in the world, your own terms and build your own tower – the one that leads to your destiny, something that is great for your life and for your happiness".[4]
The song officially premiered on 23 January 2024 at the Spatif nightclub in Warsaw.[5] Around a month later, the song was announced by Polish: [[Telewizja Polska]]|i=no, Poland's broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, to represent the country for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
Critical reception
Vultures Jon O'Brien ranked the song seventh out of 37 Eurovision entries, opining that it "echoes" Ellie Goulding, Aurora and Grimes. He concluded: "[It] is the kind of featherlight synth-pop that seems tailor-made not for Eurovision but for trendy Spotify playlists. In years to come, this may be regarded as 2024's lost gem."[6] On the other hand, Erin Adam of The Scotsman gave the song a rating of 6 out of 10, but called it "frothy" and "catchy".[7]
Music video and promotion
Along with the song's premiere, an accompanying music video was released. According to Wielgomas, the music video uses the metaphor of chess to describe the relationships she has endured. Wielgomas has stated in interviews that the appearance of her opponent represents struggles in her life, including "crossing boundaries". The duel itself represents her facing different loved ones and their relationships, and by the end of the video, she is battling herself, knowing that she has to defeat her past self to create her own fate.[8]
To further promote the song, Wielgomas confirmed her intent to participate in several Eurovision pre-parties, including the Nordic Music Celebration,[9] the London Eurovision Party,[10] Pre-Party ES 2024,[11] and the Barcelona Eurovision Party 2024.[12]
Eurovision Song Contest
See main article: Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
Internal selection
Poland's broadcaster Polish: [[Telewizja Polska]]|i=no (TVP) announced its intent to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on 20 September 2023.[13] Following a controversy surrounding the previous year and its selection, TVP considered switching to an internal selection;[14] this was later confirmed in January 2024.[15] After 22 songs were shortlisted, a five-member internal committee awarded scores from 1 to 10 to ten of the received submissions on 13 February.[16] Six days later, Luna and her song were revealed to be Poland's representatives for the contest, winning by one point over second-place finisher, Justyna Steczkowska's "Witch-er Tarohoro".[17]
At Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. During the allocation draw on 30 January 2024, Poland was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.[18] She was later drawn to perform sixth in the semi-final, ahead of Ukraine's duo of Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil and behind Croatia's Baby Lasagna.[19] For its Eurovision performance, creative artist Jerry Reeve was put in charge of the song's staging.[20] The song failed to qualify for the final.
Charts
Release history
Notes and References
- Web site: Eurovision 2024: Your guide to all 37 songs. 5 May 2024. Mark. Savage. BBC. 11 May 2024.
- Web site: Gabriel . Zephaniah . 19 February 2024 . Poland: It's LUNA for Eurovision 2024 with "The Tower" . 21 February 2024 . ESC United . en-US . 21 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240221161018/http://www.escunited.com/poland-its-luna-for-eurovision-2024-with-the-tower/ . live .
- Web site: Kamil . Polewski . 19 February 2024 . Eurowizja 2024: Luna reprezentantką Polski! "The Tower" do Malmö . Eurovision 2024: Luna will represent Poland! "The Tower" to Malmö . 21 February 2024 . Eurowizja.org . pl-PL . 19 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240219092557/https://eurowizja.org/eurowizja-2024-luna-reprezentantka-polski-the-tower-do-malmo-2/ . live .
- Web site: Hendryk . Tom . 4 April 2024 . "Rise up, shout it louder!" — Luna encourages listeners to be brave and to live honestly in "The Tower" lyrics . 6 April 2024 . Wiwibloggs] . en-US.
- Web site: Blazewicz . Maciej . 24 January 2024 . Eurowizja 2024 Polskie preselekcje: Luna prezentuje "The Tower", fani oceniają • Ile poczekamy na ogłoszenie wyników? • Kiedy kolejne premiery piosenek i kto jeszcze się zgłosił? . Eurovision 2024 Polish preselections: Luna presents "The Tower", fans rate • How long will we wait for the results to be announced? • When are the next song premieres and who else has signed up? . 21 February 2024 . Dziennik-Eurowizyjny . pl-PL . 19 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240219132544/https://dziennik-eurowizyjny.pl/2024/01/24/eurowizja-2024-polskie-preselekcje-luna-prezentuje-the-tower-fani-oceniaja-ile-poczekamy-na-ogloszenie-wynikow-kiedy-kolejne-premiery-piosenek-i-kto-jeszcze-sie-zglosil/ . live .
- Web site: O'Brien . Jon . 6 May 2024 . Every 2024 Eurovision Song, Ranked . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240507032323/https://www.vulture.com/article/every-2024-eurovision-song-ranked.html . 7 May 2024 . 13 May 2024 . . en.
- Web site: Adam . Erin . 7 May 2024 . Eurovision Song Contest 2024: All 37 songs reviewed ahead of semifinals, including UK's Olly Alexander . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240510235940/https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/eurovision-song-contest-2024-all-37-songs-reviewed-ahead-of-first-eurovision-semifinal-including-uks-olly-alexander-4617993 . 10 May 2024 . 16 May 2024 . The Scotsman.
- Web site: 24 January 2024 . Luna "The Tower". Artystka chce reprezentować Polskę na Eurowizji 2024 . Luna "The Tower". The artist wants to represent Poland at Eurovision 2024 . 21 February 2024 . Open FM . pl . 19 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240219130721/https://open.fm/muzyka/luna-the-tower-artystka-chce-reprezentowac-polske-na-eurowizji-2024-6988122462407456a . live .
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . 28 February 2024 . Luna First Eurovision 2024 Participant Announced for Nordic Music Celebration . 6 April 2024 . Eurovoix . en-GB . 29 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229202428/https://eurovoix.com/2024/02/28/first-eurovision-2024-participant-nordic-music-celebration/ . live .
- Web site: Percy . Lucy . 28 February 2024 . Poland's LUNA will dazzle the London Eurovision Party with her song "The Tower" . 6 April 2024 . . en-US.
- Web site: 21 February 2024 . Luna to perform at Pre-Party ES 2024 . 6 April 2024 . That Eurovision Site . en-GB . 7 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240407040025/https://thateurovisionsite.com/2024/02/21/luna-pre-party-es-2024/ . live .
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . 5 March 2024 . Spain: Eleven 2024 Acts Confirmed For Barcelona Eurovision Party 2024 to Date . 6 April 2024 . Eurovoix . en-GB . 7 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240407040027/https://eurovoix.com/2024/03/05/eleven-barcelona-eurovision-party-2024/ . live .
- Web site: Jiandani . Sanjay . 20 September 2023 . Poland: TVP confirms participation at Eurovision 2024 . 20 September 2023 . ESCToday . 20 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230920164851/https://esctoday.com/191590/poland-tvp-confirms-participation-at-eurovision-2024/ . live .
- Web site: Polewski . Kamil . 2023-08-10 . Eurowizja 2024: kto z Polski? Oto pierwsze spekulacje . Eurovision 2024: who for Poland? Here are the first speculations . 2023-08-10 . Eurowizja.org . . pl . 10 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230810232638/https://eurowizja.org/eurowizja-2024-polska-szmajkowski-szpak/ . live .
- Web site: Hendryk . Tom . 9 January 2024 . Poland: TVP announce internal selection for Eurovision 2024 act . 21 February 2024 . . en-US.
- Web site: Polewski . Kamil . 21 February 2024 . Eurowizja 2024: TVP ujawnia pełne wyniki preselekcji! Jak wyglądała klasyfikacja? . Eurovision 2024: TVP reveals full pre-selection results! What was the classification like? . 21 February 2024 . Eurowizja.org . pl-PL . 22 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240222194550/https://eurowizja.org/eurowizja-2024-tvp-ujawnia-wyniki-preselekcji/ . live .
- Web site: Diaz . Sebastian . 19 February 2024 . Poland: Luna heading to Eurovision with "The Tower" . 21 February 2024 . . en-US.
- Web site: 30 January 2024 . Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results . 20 February 2024 . . . en . 30 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240130182906/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2024-semi-final-draw-results . live .
- Web site: Adams . William Lee . 26 March 2024 . Eurovision 2024 Semi-Final Running Order Revealed . 6 April 2024 . . en-US . 27 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240427034238/https://wiwibloggs.com/2024/03/26/eurovision-2024-semi-final-running-order-revealed-tonight-from-1800-cet/280818/ . live .
- Web site: Granger . Anthony . 17 March 2024 . Poland: Luna Reveals Her Creative Team for Eurovision 2024 . 6 April 2024 . Eurovoix . en-GB . 7 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240407040025/https://eurovoix.com/2024/03/17/luna-creative-team-eurovision-2024/ . live .
- Web site: 2024 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). lt. AGATA. 17 May 2024. 17 May 2024.
- Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay. OLiS. pl. 2 April 2024. Select week 23.03.2024–29.03.2024.. 23 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123185634/https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-airplay. live.
- Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. 7 March 2024. Select week 23.02.2024–29.02.2024.. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202134558/https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-sprzedazy/single-w-streamie. live.
- Web site: 23 January 2024 . The Tower - Single by Luna . 6 April 2024 . Apple Music (US) . en-US . 21 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240221232138/https://music.apple.com/us/song/the-tower/1724738382 . live .