“Toy”, the Israeli entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, has charted on iTunes charts in various countries across Europe.
In Spain it reached number 17 in the iTunes chart; 36 in Poland, 46 in the Netherlands and 54 in Norway. In Israel the song topped the iTunes chart. The song’s video has also gone viral and has 12.5 million views on YouTube.
Several other entries have charted outside their countries. “Fuego,” the Cypriot entry, has reached number 3 in Cyprus, number 6 in Greece and number 140 in Spain. The Swedish entry, “Dance You Off,” has reached number one on the Swedish iTunes chart but has only reached number 31 in neighbouring Norway.
The popularity of “Toy” is not only seen globally, like in a video by Ugandan youth chairty Spoon Youth, but is also seen through her spot at the top of the betting odds, where she has remained for a few weeks.
The Israeli entry has been written and composed by Doron Medalie and Stav Beger. Doron is known for having written the Israeli entries for the Eurovision Song Contest in both 2015 and 2016. The submission window for songs was open until February 19th, which allowed songwriters submit their songs for Netta to perform.
The Next Star has been used to select the Israeli Eurovision representative since 2015. This has proven successful for Israel. In 2015, Nadav Guedj gave Israel its first top 10 finish since 2005 and its first qualification since 2010 with “Golden Boy”. Israel has qualified for the final every year since then. Imri finished 23rd in this year’s final with “I Feel Alive”.
IPBC is organising the Israeli entry for the first time this year. Despite not yet achieving full EBU membership, the EBU has allowed Israel to continue participating in Eurovision events.
Source: Haaretz
Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest
Israel debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973, and were represented by Ilanit who finished in 4th place with the song “Ey Sham”. Their first victory came in 1978 with Izar Cohen and the Alphabeta. Israel won again the following year with Gali Atari & Milk and Honey. Israel’s most recent victory came in 1998 when Dana International performed “Diva” in Birmingham, beating Malta to victory in a tense voting sequence. Israel struggled in the contest during the early-2010s, failing to qualify for the final from 2011-2014. However since the HaKokhav HaBa selection process was introduced in 2015 they have qualified three times, with Nadav Guedj finishing in 9th in 2015, Hovi Star finishing in 14th in 2016 and Imri finishing in 23rd in 2017.
