Serhat has revealed that “Say Na Na Na” was written on the streets of Cologne, following a phone call from San Marino RTV.
Speaking to INFE Cyprus, Serhat has revealed the story behind his song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. The singer explained that his return to Eurovision wasn’t something he had been actively seeking out since 2016.
Serhat explained that he was approached by San Marino RTV to represent the nation for a second time. The phone call came while he was in Cologne and he told San Marino RTV that:
If we have a good song, I will do it
He then wrote “Say Na Na Na” while on the streets of Cologne and rang the broadcaster back five minutes later to say that “we have the song”. According to the singer “Say Na Na Na” is an:
Invitation to celebrate life. It gives hope and happiness to everyone. We all need and deserve it always but especially in these days.
Who is Serhat?
Serhat has previously represented San Marino in 2016 in Stockholm with the song “I Didn’t Know” which did not qualify for the final after finishing in 12th place in the first semi final. Despite not qualifying however, it was San Marino’s third highest placing in their history at the contest.
Serhat has become the second artist to represent San Marino on multiple occasions, following Valentina Monetta who competed three times from 2012 to 2014 and then once more in 2017 with Jimmie Wilson.
In his previous attempt in 2016, listening to fans on social media, Serhat decided to perform the disco version of his entry “I Didn’t Know” despite originally releasing a slower version of the song.
Source: INFE Cyprus
San Marino debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 alongside Azerbaijan. On their debut they were represented by Miodio and the song “Complice”, and finished last in their semi final with just 5 points. San Marino withdrew from the contest before returning again in 2011. Since then the country has participated annually and in 2014 qualified for their first final. The nations worst result came in 2017 when Valentina Monetta represented San Marino for the fourth time alongside Jimmie Wilson with “Spirit of the Night.” The pair finished last in their semi-final with just 1 point.
