Tijana Bogicevic will sing 'In Too Deep' for Serbia at Eurovision 2017. The song is a modern EDM track, probably not what you expected from Serbia. It is quite a change for the country that has so far mainly sent ballads. But it’s already proving to be a fan favourite.
“I have to tell you that the song is excellent and that’s what makes all this easier and what gives me confidence!" Bogicevic tells SBS Serbian.
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful collaboration.”
The song is written by Borislav Milanov, Bo Persson, Johan Alkenas and Lisa Ann-Mari Linder and the singer herself couldn't have higher praise for them.
"This team has an impressive biography behind them, and I am really honoured that they picked me for this song, among all the potential singers."
Milanov and Person already have one big Eurovision success under their belts: they co-wrote Poli Genova’s “If Love Was a Crime” in 2016. That of course gave Bulgaria fourth place last year, their best ever result.
Can they go even further with Tijana?
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful collaboration,” she says.
Listen to the song below:
The song is intended to be a celebration of falling in love, disguised as a cry for help — she sings, “I’m in lightning speed and I can’t slow down/My heart is racing when you’re around."
The melody echoes this feeling of mad love, with its uplifting and positive sound. “Won’t somebody save me tonight? Feels like I’ve been sentenced to life,” sings Bogicevic. It’s not a bad situation to be in!
The US-based singer explains to SBS Serbian how she was chosen for Eurovision. Bogicevic was given the honour through an internal selection, conducted by the editors of the music department at RTS - Serbia's participating national broadcaster the song contest.
"When I heard the song, I knew I was the logical choice.”
“I wasn’t expecting a call, but it didn’t surprise me either," says Bogicevic. "When I heard the song, I knew I was the logical choice.”
Tijana Bogicevic is already a high-profile pop star in Serbia, who built her career as a backing vocalist to many famous Serbian singers. She can also already lay claim to some Eurovision experience of her own, as she backed Serbian 2011 entrant Nina Radojicic on the contest in Dusseldorf.
Bogicevic claims she doesn’t feel the burden of being in the focus: “this is my vocation, which I know how to do, so it’s up to me and and the whole team behind me to do this job the best way we can.”
Bogicevic says the Eurovision Song Contest is important to her for a few reasons.
"Firstly, in Serbia we are traditionally big Eurovision fans - and representing Serbia was my childhood dream," she says.
"Secondly, it's a big honour to represent my country, and last but not least, it's just soooo much fun!"
"I couldn't believe how much Euro Song is appreciated in Australia."
Speaking about Australia's participation in the competition, for the third year running, Bogicevic says that she is in no way surprised.
"Back in 2011 when I was backing Nina in Dusseldorf I realised how many huge and mad Eurovision fans are Australians," says Bogicevic. "At that time I couldn't believe how much Euro Song is appreciated in Australia."
"I also know how many Serbians are following Eurovision in Australia and are able to vote now that Australia is in the competition. I do hope they will love my song and vote for me!"
Listen to the Tijana Bogicevic's full interview (in Serbian) with SBS Serbian below:
