Tornerò (Mihai Trăistariu song)

"Tornerò"
Shot of Trăistariu in front of a yellow-white background. Information on the song is superimposed on the rest of the artwork.
Cover for Romanian and Greek CD single.
Single by Mihai Trăistariu
from the album Tornerò
Language
  • English
  • Italian
English title "I Will Return"
Released 3 July 2006 (2006-07-03)
Format
Recorded January 2006
Studio
Genre
Length 3:00
Label CMC
Songwriter(s)
  • Cristian Hriscu
  • Mihaela Deac
  • Eduard Cîrcotă
Producer(s)
  • Eduard Cîrcotă
Romania "Tornerò"
Eurovision Song Contest 2006 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Mihai Trăistariu
Finals performance
Final result
4th
Final points
172
Appearance chronology
◄ "Let Me Try" (2005)   
"Liubi, Liubi, I Love You" (2007) ►

"Tornerò" (Italian: "I Will Return") is a song by Romanian singer Mihai Trăistariu from his eighth studio album of the same name (2006). Released by CMC Entertainment on 3 July 2006, it was written by Cristian Hriscu, Mihaela Deac and Eduard Cîrcotă, who also produced the song. With English verses and a refrain in Italian, "Tornerò" is a disco, pop, dance and rave song featuring Trăistariu using his higher vocal range.

The track won the Selecția Națională pre-selection show and represented Romania in the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing fourth with 172 points. Onstage, Trăistariu was accompanied by a dance group performing a mixture of ballet and contemporary dance. Music critics gave generally positive reviews of the song, praising its catchiness and the singer's vocal delivery. "Tornerò" received airplay in various countries and chartwise peaked at number 38 on the Romanian Top 100, and reached the top 10 in Finland and Greece, and the top 40 in Sweden.

Background and release

A disco, pop, dance and rave song whose strophes are in English and refrain in Italian,[1][2][3][5] "Tornerò" was written by Cristian Hriscu, Mihaela Deac and Eduard Cîrcotă, and produced solely by Cîrcotă. It was recorded at Art Music Studio in Bucharest in January 2006.[6] Throughout the song, Trăistariu uses his higher vocal range.[4] Writing for National Post, Sean Carrie compared "Tornerò" to the works of American singer Ricky Martin and Trinidadian-German performer Haddaway.[7] The track was released for digital download on 3 July 2006 by CMC Entertainment through the iTunes Store, lasting three minutes,[8] and was later included on his eighth studio album of the same name (2006).[9]

Critical reception and recognition

"Tornerò" received generally positive reviews from music critics upon its release. The song was one of the favorites to win the Eurovision Song Contest by both fans and Billboard's Fred Bronson,[10] and ascended on betting odds.[11] An editor of Antena 1 called the track a "phenomeon",[12] while Libertatea wrote that "Tornerò" remains "the best-known song by a Romanian artist at Eurovision".[13] An author of Tribune Business News considered it "probably has one of the most haunting refrains among all the Romanian [Eurovision entries]".[14] Including the single at number four in their list of "Eurovision [2006]: Top 10 Tips", BBC praised Trăistariu's vocals as "soaring", as well as the song as "the most contemporary offering [in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006]". The website further wrote: "Something about this makes it hard to forget – a very high scorer."[3] Ioana Matfeev of Top Românesc slightly criticized Trăistariu's accent in the song.[15] In a 2016 poll on Wiwibloggs called "What is your favourite Eurovision song from Romania?", it finished in fourth place with over 500 votes.[16] According to Giannis Argyriou of EuroVisionary, "Tornerò" remained popular among Eurovision viewers,[17] while fans of the song include Romanian singer Alexa and Romanian music critic Liviu Zamora; the latter praised Trăistariu's emotional delivery.[18][19] In a negative review, Nick Francis of The Sun stated: "Tries to be a serious and even spooky track but it fails to scare or impress. With an ultra-cheap Europop beat it's so bad it's just bad. Nil points, not even for naffness."[20]

Commercial performance and accolades

"Tornerò" received airplay in over 30 countries after its release,[21][22] and attained commercial success in over 20, including multiple European territories such as Greece.[13][23] The song was also received well by the gay community and was played in European gay clubs.[24] It was also given notable airplay by a radio station in San Francisco, United States.[25] Chartwise, "Tornerò" peaked at number 38 on the native Romanian Top 100,[26] and at number four in Greece.[27] It debuted and peaked at number eight on Finland's Suomen virallinen lista chart in the week ending 17 September 2006.[28] The song also entered the Swedish Sverigetopplistan chart at number 49 on 21 September 2006, and rose to number 21 over the next two editions, lasting for a total of 14 non-consecutive weeks.[29] The commercial success of "Tornerò" positively influenced the trajectory of Trăistariu's career.[15][30] As of July 2009, the song sold over one million units worldwide according to Trăistariu (including multiple digital downloads coming from Greece),[31][32] and generated incomes of over €2.5 million along with other promotional endeavours.[33] "Tornerò" received a prize from Romanian V.I.P magazine and was nominated for an award at the Greek MTV Music Awards in 2006.[25] In the same year, the song received a nomination at the Romanian Top Hits Awards in the Boys – Best Hit category.[34]

Promotion and other usage

Greek singer Anna Vissi (pictured in 2007) recorded a cover version of "Tornerò", among other artists.[35]

Trăistariu made appearances to perform "Tornerò" on multiple occasions throughout the years, along with other endeavours.[33] An accompanying music video for the song was also filmed sometime in 2006, with it being included on a CD release of the track in the same year.[36] The visual portrays the singer lip synching to "Tornerò" while walking in a hallway with dancers and other people, occasionally interacting with them and joining their activities.[37] Trăistariu recorded a duet version of the song with Greek singer Tamta titled "Tornerò, Tromero",[38] while covers were done by artists including Greek recording artist Anna Vissi,[35] and Romanian singer Lora during Romanian television show Te cunosc de undeva!.[39]

At Eurovision

National selection

On 26 February 2006, the Selecția Națională was held in order to select the Romanian entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006.[40] Subsequently, "Tornerò" was chosen to represent Romania at the contest after the votes of a professional jury panel (12) and public televoting (10) were combined, resulting in 22 points.[1][40][41] Prior to being selected to represent his country at Eurovision, Trăistariu participated in the Romanian national selection multiple times.[21] Romanian-American singing-songwriting duo Indiggo, who placed seventh with their song "Be My Boyfriend", sparked controversy after demanding €100,000 from the Romanian Television (TVR) for allegedly not being votable by fans due to continuously busy lines. Their allegation was turned down by TVR.[1] Similar controversy occurred after Romanian group Akcent and Romanian singer Nico, who placed second with "Jokero", questioned Trăistariu's win.[13]

In Athens

The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 took place at the O.A.C.A. Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens, Greece and consisted of one semi-final on 18 May, and the final on 20 May 2006. According to the then-Eurovision rules, selected countries, except the host country and the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom), were required to qualify from the semi-final to compete for the final; the top ten countries from the semi-final progressed to the final.[42] In 2006, Romania automatically qualified to the final due to the top 11 result last year, where Trăistariu performed in 12th place, preceded by Macedonia and followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1][42]

TVR had a budget of €160,000 for Trăistariu's show.[43] Onstage, the singer was accompanied by three male and two female dancers from Romanian dance group Big Bounce, who performed choreography done by Romanian singer and choreographer CRBL. It contained elements from both ballet and contemporary dance, and was meant to "highlight [...] Trăistariu's song and voice."[10] Over the course of the preparations, dancers were partially replaced.[43] Romania's first rehearsal took place on 15 May 2006 to positive reactions from the audience. Various changes concerning the staging were also made on the same occasion.[44] In a review of Trăistariu's show, Caroline Briggs of BBC compared his look to a "ginger" Justin Timberlake.[4]

Points awarded to Romania

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Romania in the Grand Final of the contest. The country finished in fourth place with a total of 172 points, which remains their highest score until the introduction of a new voting system in 2016.[45] Points included 12 awarded by Moldova and Spain, as well as ten by Cyprus, Israel, Malta and Portugal.[46]

Track listing

Charts

Chart (2006) Peak
position
scope="row"Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[28] 8
Greece (IFPI Greece)[27]
4
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[26]
38
scope="row"Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] 21

Release history

Territory Date Format(s) Label
United Kingdom[8] 3 July 2006 Digital download CMC
Scandinavia[36] 30 August 2006 CD single Warner
Greece[47] N/A 2006 Enhanced CD Capitol/
Planetworks
Romania[6] CD single Chips

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mihai Traistariu startet für Rumänien in Athen" [Mihai Traistariu represents Romania in Athens] (in German). Eurovision.de. ARD. 21 May 2006. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 Van Gorkum, Steef. "Romania: Ilinca & Alex Florea go to Kiev with Yodel It!". EscDaily. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Osborn, Michael (22 May 2006). "BBC News | Entertainment | Eurovision: Top 10 Tips". BBC. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Briggs, Caroline. "BBC News | Entertainment | Reporter's log: Eurovision 2006". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 May 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  5. 1 2 Gadd, Michael (20 May 2006). "Songs remain the same". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via ProQuest.
  6. 1 2 3 Tornerò (Liner notes). Mihai Trăistariu. Romania: Chips Records. (Barcode: 4029758696880). 2006.
  7. ↑ Carrie, Sean (8 May 2006). "Who shall reign as the overlord of the Eurovision contest?". National Post. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via ProQuest.
  8. 1 2 3 "Tornero (Eurovision Song Contest 2006) – Single by Mihai Traistariu on iTunes". iTunes Store. 3 July 2006. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  9. ↑ "Tornerò by Mihai Trăistariu on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 1 January 2006. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Mihai Trăistariu merge la Atena pe mâna lui CRBL" [Mihai Trăistariu goes to Athens at the hands of CRBL] (in Romanian). Adevărul. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  11. ↑ Carbis, Ian (12 May 2006). "The Boot Room betting ring". South Wales Echo. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via ProQuest.
  12. ↑ "Mihai Trăistariu nu renunță! Cu ce piesă are de gând să participe, în 2018, la Eurovision: "Foarte bună piesa! Iți merge la inimă"" [Mihai Trăistariu does not give up! See with which son he will compete at Eurovision in 2018: "The track is very good! It goes to your heart"] (in Romanian). Antena 1. 29 December 2017. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 "Vezi românii care au participat, de-a lungul vremii, la Eurovision" [See all Romanian Eurovision entrants] (in Romanian). Libertatea. 14 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  14. ↑ "Romania's participations in Eurovision - from 'Beyond the Clouds' to 'It's My Life'". Tribune Business News. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via ProQuest.
  15. 1 2 Matfeev, Ioana. "In seara asta aflam castigatorii semi-finalelor concursului Eurovision" [This evening we will know the winners of the semi-finals of the national selection for Eurovision] (in Romanian). Top Românesc. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
  16. ↑ Honciuc, Bogdan (24 April 2016). "Poll: What is your favourite Eurovision song from Romania?". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  17. ↑ Argyriou, Giannis (22 October 2015). "Mihai Trăistariu announces another Eurovision bid". EuroVisionary. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  18. ↑ "Interviu: Aurelian Temișan & Alexa" [Interview: Aurelian Temișan & Alexa] (in Romanian). Star Gossip Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  19. ↑ Constanda, Alexandra (27 May 2015). "Criticul muzical Liviu Zamora, despre Eurovision 2015" [Music critic Liviu Zamora, on Eurovision 2015] (in Romanian). Adevărul. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  20. ↑ Francis, Nick (20 May 2006). "Wogan's heroes". The Sun. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via ProQuest.
  21. 1 2 Murgoci, Anca (7 March 2016). "Eurovision 2016. Mihai Trăistariu distruge juriul după aflarea câștigătorului" [Eurovision 2016. Mihai Trăistariu destroys the jury after the winner's announcement] (in Romanian). DC News. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  22. ↑ Solomon, Tatiana (7 March 2016). "Mihai Trăistariu îi atacă pe jurații finalei naționale Eurovision 2016" [Mihai Trăistariu attacks the jurors of the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016] (in Romanian). Click!. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  23. ↑ Chirilă, Raluca (11 February 2014). "Eurovision 2014: Mihai Trăistariu, o nouă șansă la trofeu cu "I'm Sorry"" [Eurovision 2014: Mihai Trăistariu, a new chance at the trophy with "I'm Sorry"] (in Romanian). InfoMusic. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  24. ↑ Fricker, Karen (2007). "Performing Global Networks". Google Books. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  25. 1 2 Dinulescu, Gabriela (9 June 2006). "Mihai Traistariu, nominalizatla Premiile MTV din... Grecia" [Mihai Traistariu has received a nomination at the MTV Music Awards in Greece] (in Romanian). România Liberă. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  26. 1 2 "Romanian Top 100". Romanian Top 100 (in Romanian). Jurnalul. 17 June 2006. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  27. 1 2 "Top 50 Singles – 27/8 – 2/9/2006". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 1 September 2006. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  28. 1 2 "Mihai: Tornero" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  29. 1 2 "Swedishcharts.com – Mihai Tràistariu – Tornero". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  30. ↑ Dr. Wolther, Irving (8 March 2016). "Ovidiu Anton: Gothic-Rockwalzer für Rumänien" [Ovidiu Anton: Gothic-rock song for Romania] (in German). Eurovision.de. ARD. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  31. ↑ "Mihai Trăistariu a făcut 1 milion şi jumătate de euro, în trei ani, din Tornero" [Mihai Traistariu earned 1,5M euros from "Tornero" in three years] (in Romanian). Gândul. 13 July 2009. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  32. ↑ "In Grecia, "Tornero" este piesa cea mai downloadata de pe Internet" [In Greece, "Tornero" is the most downloaded song from the Internet] (in Romanian). România Liberă. 11 September 2006. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  33. 1 2 ""Tornero" i-a adus lui Traistariu 2,5 milioane de euro" ["Tornero" earned Mihai Traistariu 2,5 million euros] (in Romanian). Evenimentul Zilei. 9 January 2007. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  34. ↑ Royston, Benny (2 July 2007). "Mihai nominated in Romania & USA". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  35. 1 2 "Anna Vissi – Tornero (by Mihai Traistariu) – Live – in concert". YouTube. 6 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  36. 1 2 3 Tornerò (Liner notes). Mihai Trăistariu. Scandinavia: Warner. (Barcode: 5051011654350). 2006.
  37. ↑ "Mihai Traistariu – Tornero ( Official Video )". YouTube. 13 April 2010. Archived from the original on 24 January 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  38. ↑ "Mihai Traistariu feat. Tamta – Tornero, Tromero". YouTube. 7 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  39. ↑ "Lora, in pielea lui Mihai Traistariu!" [Lora, imitating Mihai Traistariu!] (in Romanian). Antena 1. 24 March 2012. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  40. 1 2 "Primii finalisti la selectia nationala Eurovision 2006" [The first finalists for the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006] (in Romanian). HotNews. 25 February 2006. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  41. ↑ Selecția Națională 2006. 26 February 2006. Event occurs at 23:15 (EET).
  42. 1 2 Eurovision Song Contest 2006. Athens, Greece. 18–20 May 2006.
  43. 1 2 Solomon, Tatiana (10 March 2016). "Ovidiu Anton plăteşte scump victoria de la Eurovision România" [Ovidiu Anton 'pays' for his victory at Eurovision Romania] (in Romanian). Click!. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  44. ↑ "Mihai Trăistariu a păşit cu dreptul la Atena" [Mihai Trăistariu stepped right to Athens] (in Romanian). Telegraf. 20 May 2006. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  45. ↑ Scris de Anca (19 May 2013). "Rezultatele României în 19 ani de participare la Eurovision" [Romania's results in 19 years of participation at Eurovision] (in Romanian). 1Music. Archived from the original on 11 March 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  46. ↑ "Eurovision 2006 Results: Voting & Points". Eurovision World. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  47. 1 2 Tornerò (Liner notes). Mihai Trăistariu. Greece: Capitol Records/Planetworks. (Barcode: 0094637051726). 2006.
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