Joci Pápai returns to represent Hungary for a second time. Previously, he came eighth at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv with 'Origo'. Music definitely runs in the family (his father was the leader of a big gypsy orchestra).
Joci struggled to find fame for many years, and considered giving up his dream, until he wrote about a song about it, called 'Origo'. And the rest is history.
Joci won the Hungarian Eurovision selection show A Dal 2017 and finished 8th at the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv as the first gypsy musician with a song that features elements of traditional music. His achievement made him a household name in Hungary and he played to sold-out concerts all around the country and music videos with tens of millions of viewers.
He returns to Eurovision this year with Az én apám (My Father) in which he pays homage to his beloved father and his roots.
Az én apám / My Father
Hungarian > English
My father has brought me up like the winds
Gentle songs he breathes, tales he sings
He used to live where all the roads come to an end
Forever and a day for my life couldn’t amend
Strings resound in my ear with his heart
Behold him now with aging time in the face of mine
His faith is mine - confessing it makes me proud
Forever and a day his tune I keep humming aloud
Days of the past, jolly lovely days
Memories that soothe my soul
He calls me and I’m right on my way
Just playing forevermore
Songs of the past, memories everlast
The rays of the sun make me warm
Yet I can hear as the wind blows
I can hear his voice as the wind blows
Na na na...
My sorrow’s gone as he sings his song
All I have: to him I always belong
I will tell my boy with my head held high
This is my father. And here’s the home of mine
Days of the past, jolly lovely days
Memories that soothe my soul
He calls me and I’m right on my way
Just playing forevermore
Songs of the past memories everlast
The rays of the sun make me warm
The wind breathes a lullaby, may I dream sweet dreams
The wind breathes a lullaby, whispers in my ear
Na na na...
