IMRI will represent Israel in Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song ‘I feel alive’. IMRI is 25 years old, born and raised near Tel Aviv and won this year’s Rising Star (“HaKokhav HaBa”).
Since a young age, IMRI has been singing professionally in many languages, including Spanish, English and Hebrew. He has been performing at concerts all around the world.
In addition to singing, he also plays the guitar and the piano, he has studied acting and played various Hebrew voice-over roles in animated series. IMRI is currently a second-year Visual Communications bachelor’s degree student.
Interview with IMRI
Congratulations on winning “HaKokhav HaBa” and the right to represent Israel in Eurovision.
Could you introduce your song, “I feel alive”, to our readers? What message would you like to send out to Eurovision-viewers across the world?
The song is a contemporary dance song that mixes electronic beats as well as pop elements to create an up-tempo anthem. The song is about the journey that I had singing as a back vocalist in the last two Eurovision song contest and now I am here again but as the lead , fulfilling my dream and feeling alive. The message of it is never to give up on your dreams cause they just might happen 🙂
You have been a backing singer for Israel the last couple of years. And your music video also features clips from your time in Vienna and Stockholm. How would you describe your experiences in Eurovision so far, and what it has meant for you?
Those were amazing experiences. I’ve never been to such events that so many people watch. The atmosphere is just crazy and I enjoyed every minute of it.
It meant a lot and the fact that I took part in those two Eurovisions just made me more hungry to make it in the music industry.
What made you decide to enter the spotlight this year after 2 years as a backing singer?
My good friend Hovi Star who represented Israel last year at the Eurovision, encouraged me to take part in “Hakochav Haba” which is the most viewed singing competition that I won and got me the right to represent Israel this year and Hovi can be very persuasive.
Can you reveal something about your plans for the staging and song presentation in Kiev? Will you be alone on stage, or will you bring your dancers?
My song is upbeat and a kind of song you you feel like dancing to. So what I can only tell you is that there will be me and dancers also and that it will be fun, but other than that you’ll have to wait and see.
In “Hakochav Haba” you performed songs by big international stars, such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. How would you describe your own musical style and influences?
My music style is between pop ,dance and R&B . I really like Bruno mars and Justin Timberlake and this is the kind of music that I can relate to and want to do.
At Hakokhav Haba I sang songs by really great vocalists because it was a competition and you got to bring your best.
In the video we see some beautiful scenes from the beach in Tel Aviv, a lot of happy, dancing people and foam 🙂 Can you tell us a bit about the shooting of the video?
Although it was a very hot that day I enjoyed every minute. We shot in 3 different locations but the one with all the beautiful people dancing at the foam party was so much fun.
My good friends were there dancing so it really felt like a party to me.
Have you been following the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years and do you have any favorites from the contest?
I love a lot of songs, but Golden boy where I sang as backing vocalist is definitely my favorite 🙂
Do you have a special message for the readers of good-evening-europe.dk (Denmark)?
I feel that the Eurovision competition is all about celebrating diversity and culture through music. I Hope to Dance together with all my Danish brothers and sisters.
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Lyrics
Performer: IMRI
Song title: I Feel Alive
Music by: Dolev Ram & Penn Hazut
Lyrics by: Dolev Ram & Penn Hazut
The secret of my life
Is never givin’ up
Now I’m close to you
Walking through the stars
Brings me to the start
When I won with you
I was waiting way too much
For something good to come
And I’m a bit fragile
Was waiting way too much
It’s like an hourglass
And you like trouble
Breaking me to pieces
I wanted you to know that
Every piece broke from you
Breaking me to pieces
‘Coz every time
You come around
I feel alive
Now I’m trying
I’m trying
I feel alive!
I feel alive!
The years I’ve been alone
Far away from home
Reminded me of you
My job is almost done
Baby I can now
Escape away with you
I was waiting way too much
For something good to come
And I’m a bit fragile
Was waiting way too much
It’s like an hourglass
And you like trouble
Breaking me to pieces
I wanted you to know that
Every piece broke from you
Breaking me to pieces
‘Coz every time
You come around
I feel alive
Now I’m trying
I’m trying
I feel alive!
So alive
Alive, alive, alive
Breaking me to pieces
I wanted you to know that
Every piece broke from you
Breaking me to pieces
‘Coz every time
You come around
I feel alive
