Marija Magdalena

"Marija Magdalena" ("Mary Magdalene") is a song by Croatian singer Doris Dragović, released on 7 March 1999. It was written and composed by Tonči Huljić and Vjekoslava Huljić, and produced by Remi Kazinoti. The song won Dora 1999 and represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 where it finished in fourth place with 118 points. The song also functioned as the lead single for Dragović's twelfth studio album, titled Krajem vijeka. Within Croatia, the song achieved significant popularity and emerged as one of her most prominent musical successes.

"Marija Magdalena"
Single by Doris Dragović
from the album Krajem vijeka
LanguageCroatian
Released7 March 1999 (1999-03-07)
StudioTM Studio, Zagreb
Length3:03
LabelTonika Records, Orfej
Songwriter(s)Tonči Huljić, Vjekoslava Huljić
Producer(s)Remi Kazinoti
Doris Dragović singles chronology
"To"
(1998)		 "Marija Magdalena"
(1999)		 "Sudnji dan"
(1999)
Music video
"Marija Magdalena" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 1999 entry
Country
Finals performance
Final result
4th
Final points
118
Entry chronology
◄ "Neka mi ne svane" (1998)
"Kad zaspu anđeli" (2000) ►

Background and release

Dragović had previously participated in the Eurovision Song Contest when she represented Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 in Bergen, Norway with the song "Željo moja".[1] Her performance secured an 11th place finish with a total of 49 points.[2] Croatia made its debut as an independent country at the 1993 contest.[3]

Since 1995, Dragović has been collaborating with songwriter Tonči Huljić, who would go on to compose "Marija Magdalena" for her twelfth studio album, titled Krajem vijeka.[4] Lyrics were written by Vjekoslava Huljić, and production was done by Remi Kazinoti.[5] The song was recorded at TM Studio in Zagreb and was officially released on 7 March 1998.[6] It made its debut live performance at Dora 1999 where it won the first prize.[7] Following her victory at Dora, the song was released in CD single format by Tonika Records and Orfej for the Croatian market, and it was also made available through Jupiter Records for the European market.[6] An English version titled "Maria Magdalena" was also recorded and released.[6]

On 8 May 2023, a revised rendition of the song was unveiled, featuring the songwriter Tonči Huljić in a collaborative effort.[8][9]

Music video

The music video accompanying the song was under the directorial expertise of Katja Restović.[10] Filming took place amidst the springtime of 1999, set against the backdrop of the island of Brač.[10] Within the video, Dragović is prominently featured clad in a black dress, delivering her performance at diverse locations throughout the island.

Eurovision Song Contest
Main article: Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999

At Dora

On 7 March 1999, Dora 1999, the selection show to find Croatia's Eurovision Song Contest 1999 representative was held.[7] In a field of 24 entries, Dragović was 21st to perform her entry.[11] During the voting sequence the song received 195 points from the regional juries with additionally receiving a set of 12 points from the public thus winning the competition with 207 total points.[11]

At Eurovision

The song represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, after it was chosen through Dora 1999.[12] Due to the high number of countries wishing to enter the contest a relegation system was introduced in 1993 in order to reduce the number of countries which could compete in each year's contest.[13] Croatia had a high enough average points total to qualify to the final of the 1999 edition held at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem on 29 May 1999.[14]

The song was performed fourth on the night, following Spain's Lydia with "No quiero escuchar" and preceding the United Kingdom's Precious with "Say It Again". She commenced her performance dressed in a white gown and cloak, an attire symbolic of the titular Mary Magdalene.[15] A sole female backing singer, dressed in black, provided vocal support during the performance. As the second verse began, Dragović removed her cloak, revealing a tight bodice. At the close of voting, it had received 118 points, placing fourth of 23.[14]

Controversy

To manage the increasing number of countries seeking entry, Eurovision introduced an average scoring system, based on each country's previous performance. It was discovered that offstage accompaniment in the form of vocals by a male voice choir, not present on stage, had been used during Dragović's performance.[16][17] Consequently, Croatia faced a penalty in the form of one-third deduction from its average marks. No deductions were made to the song itself, and thus, the song's placement in the competition accurately reflects the points it was awarded.[18] Huljić has made various remarks in several interviews asserting that the deductions in question were attributed to the song itself.[10] However, it is worth noting that this assertion remains unverified and unproven to date.[16] The inquiry into the issue of pre-recorded backing vocals was initiated on behalf of the Norwegian delegation,[16] which was led by Jon Ola Sand.[18]

Track listing

Croatian CD single[6]

  1. "Marija Magdalena" – 3:03
  2. "Marija Magdalena" (English version) – 3:02
  3. "Marija Magdalena" (Instrumental) – 2:48
  4. "Marija Magdalena" (Music video)

European CD single[19]

  1. "Maria Magdalena" (English version) – 3:02
  2. "Maria Magdalena" – 3:03
  3. "Maria Magdalena" (Instrumental) – 2:48

Live performances

In addition to its appearances at the Dora and Eurovision events, the song "Marija Magdalena" has become a consistent feature in Dragović's concert repertoire, regularly performed as a solo piece or as part of a medley alongside her other songs in various shows and gigs.[10] As per Dragović's stated practice, she frequently chooses to initiate her concert performances with this song due to its "formal and dramatic attributes", making it a well-suited choice for an opening act.[10] The most recent occasion on which it was employed as the opening piece occurred during her concert held at the Spaladium Arena in Split, commemorating her 40-year career.[20]

On 14 June 2018, during the Zlatni Studio Awards ceremony, Dragović and Danijela Martinović collaborated in performing a medley featuring a selection of their Eurovision entries, which included "Marija Magdalena", "Željo moja", and "Neka mi ne svane".[21]

Legacy

The song is widely regarded as one of Croatia's standout Eurovision entries and enjoys substantial support among Eurovision fans and critics.[10][22] In a 2012 online survey on the Croatian Eurosong website, "Marija Magdalena" was voted as the country's best Eurovision entry.[23] In a May 2018 poll conducted by Eurofest Hrvatska, the Croatian Eurovision Song Contest fan group, "Marija Magdalena" was ranked as the second-best Croatian ESC entry, trailing behind Danijela Martinović's "Neka mi ne svane".[24]

Cover versions

The song has undergone several cover versions in recent years, with notable renditions including one by the Russian singer and songwriter Philipp Kirkorov in the year 2000, performed in the Russian language. In 2021, another rendition of the song was presented by Croatian singer Albina Grčić, who represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[25] The same year, ToMa, a Croatian singer who had taken part in the Dora 2021 music competition also rendered a rendition of the song as part of the "Eurosong od doma" online concert, an event orchestrated by eurosong.hr.[26]

Furthermore, this song has become a recurring favorite in talent shows across Southeast Europe.[27] It is frequently selected as a showcase for impressive vocal abilities, and it has been featured in various talent competitions, including Zvezde Granda, Supertalent, and Your Face Sounds Familiar, among many others.[28]

References
  1. "Eurovision 1986 Results: Voting & Points". Eurovision World (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  2. "Eurovision 1986 Yugoslavia: Doris Dragović "Željo moja"". Eurovision World (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  3. "Eurovision Song Contest: Croatia". eurovision.tv (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  4. "Tonči Huljić otkrio tajnu velikog hita Doris Dragović". Večernji list (in Croatian). 8 May 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  5. "Jeste li čuli obradu hrvatskog megahita? Opet su je radili Tonči i Doris, poslušajte". Direktno.hr (in Croatian). 9 May 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  6. "Doris Dragović - Marija Magdalena (1999, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  7. "Croaita: Dora 1999". Eurovision World (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  8. "Tonči Huljić i Doris Dragović snimili novu verziju pjesme Marija Magdalena". Večernji list (in Croatian). 8 May 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  9. Anđelo Jurkas (May 15, 2023). "Kritika pjesme "Tonči & Orchestra, Doris Dragović - Marija Magdalena"". Mixer.hr.
  10. Rožman, Klara (22 April 2023). "Čak četvrt stoljeća od nastupa u Izraelu, legendarna 'Marija Magdalena' dobiva novu verziju". Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  11. "Dora 1999.- Zagreb". eurosong.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  12. "Doris Dragović". eurovision.tv (in Croatian). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  13. Jordan, Paul (18 September 2016). "Milestone Moments: 1993/4 – The Eurovision Family expands". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  14. "Eurovision 1999 Croatia: Doris Dragović - "Marija Magdalena"". Eurovision World (in Croatian). Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  15. "Skandal Marije Magdalene prije točno 20 godina u Izraelu i Danijelino skidanje na pozornici!". Dnevnik.hr (in Croatian). 16 May 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  16. Sean Sieczka (11 October 2018). "Opinion: In ESC and JESC, rules don't matter anymore". ESCXtra. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  17. "Zbog Doris i njezine pjesme se 1999. dogodio skandal, htjeli su je diskvalificirati" (in Croatian). 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  18. Josip Bošković (9 May 2021). "Hrvatska na Eurosongu: Zlatno doba". eurosong.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  19. "Doris - Marija Magdalena (1999, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  20. "Doris Dragović priredila spektakl u Splitu: Publika u jedan glas pjevala Mariju Magdalenu". Gloria (in Croatian). 12 December 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  21. "Danijela Martinović otkrila zašto ju je Doris Dragović švercala u hotelsku sobu". Tportal (in Croatian). 20 October 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  22. "Tonči Huljić i Doris Dragović obradili Mariju Magdalenu, internet oduševljen". Index (in Croatian). 8 May 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  23. "Najbolja eurovizijska pjesma - "Marija Magdalena"". eZadar (in Croatian). 8 February 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  24. "Fanovi Eurosonga odabrali koja je bila najbolja hrvatska pjesma na tom natjecanju. Slažete li se s izborom?". Novi list (in Croatian). 3 May 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  25. "Albina Grčić na Narodnom obradila "Mariju Magdalenu" Doris Dragović". ZG Portal (in Croatian). 28 February 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  26. "Prikazana emisija Eurosong od doma – pogledajte nastupe". eurosong.hr (in Croatian). 30 January 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  27. "Nešto sasvim drugačije: Ana Uršula Najev izvela reggae verziju "Marije Magdalene"". Međimurje Express (in Croatian). 16 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  28. "Talenti iz sinoćnje emisije Super Talent Show". OG Portal (in Croatian). 2 October 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
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