Molitva

"Molitva"
Single by Marija Šerifović
from the album Molitva - The Best Of
Released	July 27, 2007
Format	CD Single, Maxi Single
Length	3:03
Label	Connective
Writer(s)	Vladimir Graić, Saša Milošević Mare
"Molitva" Eurovision Song Contest 2007 entry Country Serbia Artist(s) Marija Šerifović Language Serbian Composer(s) Vladimir Graić Lyricist(s) Saša Milošević Mare Finals performance Semi-final result 1st Semi-final points 298 Final result 1st Final points 268 Appearance chronology Oro (2008) ►

"Molitva" (Cyrillic: Молитва; English: "Prayer") is a song by Serbian singer Marija Šerifović. It was the winning song of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. It was Serbia's Eurovision debut as an independent nation; the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro having dissolved in June 2006. The song was released as a CD single in nine different versions on June 27, 2007 by Connective Records.^[1]

Background

Marija Šerifović performing "Molitva" for Serbia.

Molitva was the first song containing no English language lyrics to win since 1998; the 2004 winner "Wild Dances" by Ruslana had been sung mostly in Ukrainian but contained some English phrases. It was also the first time a ballad has won since televoting became the standard. The song is also notable for its stage presentation because it lacked dance routines, revealing or showy costumes, pyrotechnics and other gimmicks. The Eurovision Song Contest is often accused of concentrating on these things instead of the music itself. Many elements of "Molitva" contrasted with the previous winner, "Hard Rock Hallelujah".

Marija's performance was complemented by the notable presence of the five backing singers, who joined together afterwards to form Beauty Queens.

Other versions

The English version is titled "Destiny", the Russian version is titled "Молитва" (Molitva). The Finnish version is called "Rukoilen" and was performed by the Beauty Queens, not Marija. The song has also been released as a dance remix and a remix named "Jovan Radomir mix" by Swedish TV-presenter Jovan Radomir, who also wrote the English lyrics. An instrumental version has also been released as well as a karaoke version.^[2] The UK oompah band Oompah Brass [1] recorded an instrumental version of "Molitva" on their album Oompocalypse Now (2008) [2], premiered at the 2007 Belgrade Beer Festival.

Use of the song

Molitva has been often played for many successes Serbia has had in the year 2007. It was played at a welcome party for Serbia's tennis players after their French Open successes .

During Wimbledon 2007, Molitva was often used during clips displaying the courts and players on the BBC. It was mainly used before and after footage or interviews with the Serbian players.

At the final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on May 24, Šerifović sang "Molitva" as the opening.

The short 10 sec instrumental theme of the song can be heard even today on Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) (between scheduled broadcasts as short intermezzo or when presenting RTS programme/image).

Track listing

1. "Molitva" (Serbian Version) – 3:03
2. "Destiny" (English Version) – 3:04
3. "Molitva" (Russian Version) – 3:01
4. "Molitva" (Magnetic Club Reload Mix Serbian Version) – 4:26
5. "Destiny" (Magnetic Club Reload Mix English Version) – 4:23
6. "Molitva" (Magnetic Club Reload Mix Russian Version) – 4:25
7. "Molitva" (Jovan Radomir Remix) – 3:38
8. "Rukoilen" (Finnish Version) – 3:06
9. "Molitva" (Instrumental) – 3:02

Charts

Chart (2007)	Peak position
Swedish Singles Chart[3]	9
Swiss Singles Chart[4]	19
UK Singles Chart[5]	112

See also

• Modlitba, Slovak entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1998

References

1. ^ "Marija Serifovic "Molitva/Destiny"". Gooves-Inc. http://www.grooves-inc.com/marija-serifovic-molitva-destiny-connective-records-cd-maxi-single-p-1734643.html?language=en&currency=USD. Retrieved 2008-08-23. 
2. ^ "Marija Šerifović - Molitva". Radio Television of Serbia. http://ww1.rts.co.rs/euro/molitva.asp. Retrieved 2007-05-15. 
3. ^ swedishcharts.com - Marija Šerifović - Molitva
4. ^ Marija Šerifović - Molitva - swisscharts.com
5. ^ UK Singles Chart

External links

• Lyrics at diggiloo.net
• Molitva live at Beovizija 2007
• Molitva - versions

Preceded by "Hard Rock Hallelujah" by Lordi	Eurovision Song Contest winners 2007	Succeeded by "Believe" by Dima Bilan
Preceded by "Ludi letnji ples" by Flamingosi feat. Louis	Beovizija winners 2007	Succeeded by "Oro" by Jelena Tomašević