Sekret

"Sekret" (Albanian: [sɛˈkɾɛt]; transl. "Secret") is a song by Albanian singer-songwriter Ronela Hajati. It was written by Hajati herself and produced by Marko Polo. Musically, it is an Albanian-language upbeat "ethno" pop song with folk instrumentation included in its instrumentation that tells the tale of a forbidden relationship and Hajati's "intense longing for the sexual desire of her love interest to be fulfilled." Originally released as a single on 5 March 2022, it represented Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, after winning the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës in December 2021.

This article is about the song by Albanian singer Ronela Hajati. For the Soviet rock and roll band, see Sekret (band).

"Sekret"
An image depicting a female and the song's title
Single by Ronela Hajati
Language
  • Albanian
  • English
Released5 March 2022 (2022-03-05)
Genre
Length3:01
LabelIndependent
Songwriter(s)Ronela Hajati
Producer(s)Marko Polo
Ronela Hajati singles chronology
"Leje"
(2021)		 "Sekret"
(2022)		 "Gips"
(2022)
Alternative cover
First edition cover
Music video
"Sekret" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2022 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Languages
Finals performance
Semi-final result
12th
Semi-final points
58
Entry chronology
◄ "Karma" (2021)
"Duje" (2023) ►

Background and composition

"Sekret" was written by Hajati herself and produced by Albanian producer Marko Polo.[2] Combining traditional and modern elements, "Sekret" is an Albanian-language upbeat "ethno" pop song whose instrumentation includes folk instrumentation.[3][4] The song tells the tale of a forbidden relationship and Hajati's "intense longing for the sexual desire of her love interest to be fulfilled."[5] In an interview in January 2022, Hajati revealed that the song would undergo a revamp with Dutch producer Diztortion in London.[6]

"Sekret" was independently released as a single on digital platforms and to streaming services on 2 December 2021.[7] For the purpose of Hajati's Eurovision participation, the song was revamped and made available on the aforementioned formats on 5 March 2022.[8][9]

Music video and promotion

An accompanying music video for "Sekret" premiered on the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 4 March 2022.[10][11] Filmed in Gjirokastër and along the Vjosë River at Byllis and Tepelenë, the video is a tribute to the Albanian mythological snake of Bistricë.[12][13] Regarding the video's theme, it was aimed to increase public awareness and conservation efforts for the threatened Vjosë River, which is often dubbed as Europe's last living wild river.[13]

To further promote the song, Hajati went on to perform "Sekret" at the Eurovision pre-parties in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid and Tel Aviv between March and April 2022.[14][15][16][17] She also performed the song live during Romania's national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, Selecția Națională 2022, on 5 March.[18]

Reception

Spanish singer Chanel incorporated "Sekret" on her exclusive Spotify playlist Eurovisión: Las favs de Chanel.[19] The song further received a nomination for the Best Non-Qualifier at the 2022 Eurovision Awards.[20]

At Eurovision Song Contest

Before Turin
See also: Festivali i Këngës 60

The Albanian national broadcaster, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), organised the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës to choose the nation's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.[21] It consisted of two semi-finals on 27 and 28 December, respectively, and the grand final on 29 December 2021.[22][23] Prior to her participation at Festivali i Këngës, Hajati stated that it has always been her dream to participate at the Eurovision Song Contest.[24] While music critics were favorable towards both Hajati's vocal delivery and the song's ethnic nature, the singer has been regarded by media as a strong contender to win the contest.[25][26][27][28][29] A postcard video introduced Hajati's performances, portraying the close relationship she had with her father, Marash Hajati, who had led the national broadcaster, RTSH, for several years.[3] During her warrior-inspired performances, Hajati wore a black and gold costume, which featured bold epaulettes and a tight corset, to convey her strength.[3] Onstage, the singer was accompanied by numerous dancers and a variety of dark imagery was displayed on the LED backdrop.[3] In the grand final of the contest, Hajati was announced as the winner of the contest and the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[30]

In Turin
See also: Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 took place at the PalaOlimpico in Turin, Italy, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 10 and 12 May and the grand final on 14 May 2022.[31] According to the Eurovision rules, all participating countries, except the host nation and the "Big Five", consisting of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals to compete for the final, although the top 10 countries from their respective semi-finals progress to the grand final.[32] In March 2022, it was announced that "Sekret" would be performed first in the first semi-final of the contest.[33]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and YouTube.[34][2]

Original
  • Ronela Hajati – composing, songwriting, vocals
  • Marko Polo – arranging, producing

Revamp

Track listing
  • Digital download[7]
  1. "Sekret" (Festivali i Këngës) – 3:33
  • Digital download[9]
  1. "Sekret" (Eurovision version) – 3:01

Charts
Chart performance for "Sekret"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Albania (The Top List) 3
Greece International (IFPI)[35] 67

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Sekret"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various
 2 December 2021
Festivali i Këngës Independent [7]
5 March 2022 Eurovision Song Contest [9]
Cyprus
 25 April 2022 Panik [36]
Greece
 [37]

References
  1. "You've got to listen to 'Sekret' by Ronela Hajati". Illyian Pirates. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  2. "Ronela Hajati – Sekret | Official Audio Video". YouTube. 3 December 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021. Note: Open description for credits.
  3. Adams, William Lee (28 December 2021). "Albania: Ronela Hajati may add some English lyrics to 'Sekret' if she goes to Eurovision". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  4. Lahav, Doron (27 November 2021). "Around the Continent 2022 – Week 21". Esc Beat. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  5. Bardh Krasniqi (4 March 2022). "You've got to listen to 'Sekret' by Ronela Hajati". Illyrian Pirates. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  6. Granger, Anthony (3 January 2022). "Albania: 'Sekret' to Undergo Revamp Ahead of Eurovision". Eurovoix. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  7. "Sekret – Single by Ronela Hajati". Apple Music. 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  8. Christou, Costa (4 March 2022). "Ronela Hajati releases 'Sekret' revamp". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  9. "Sekret – Single by Ronela Hajati". Apple Music. 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  10. "Ronela Hajati – Sekret – Albania – Official Music Video – Eurovision 2022". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  11. Ronela Hajati – Sekret – Albania – Official Music Video – Eurovision 2022. YouTube. 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  12. Dervishi, Anja (10 February 2022). "Ronela Hajati nis xhirimet për videoklipin që do të përfaqësojë Shqipërinë në Eurovision, me një mesazh për Vjosën!" (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  13. "Ronela Hajati: Kënga ime, ndër më të mirat e Shqipërisë në Eurovision" (in Albanian). Euronews Albania. 17 February 2022. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  14. Geiser, Julian (18 February 2022). "It's a date! Eurovision in Concert 2022 confirmed for 9 April at AFAS Live…and with Ronela Hajati singing". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  15. Wilson, Katie (19 January 2022). "Barcelona Eurovision Party: Ronela, We Are Domi and Conchita confirmed for March 26 event". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  16. Rico, Vicente (15 February 2022). "¡La albanesa Ronela Hajati inaugura el cartel de la PrePartyES 2022!" (in Spanish). Eurovision Spain. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  17. Rössing, Dominik (28 March 2022). "The first five acts have been announced for Israel Calling 2022". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  18. Luukela, Sami (28 February 2022). "TVR invites artists from seven countries to the Selecția Națională 2022 final". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  19. "Eurovisión: Las favs de Chanel". Spotify. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  20. "Get voting! The Eurovision Awards return this December". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  21. "Festivali i Këngës, ëndrra e çdo artisti në edicionin jubilar të 60-të" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 20 December 2021. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  22. "Fest 60' nis sonte nata e parë" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 27 December 2021. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  23. "Sonte, nata e dytë e Fest'60" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  24. "Ronela Hajati ka një ëndërr të madhe, të shkojë në Eurovizion – por ka vetëm një problem" (in Albanian). Sinjali. 6 June 2021. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  25. "Nis lufta për fitoren e Festivalit të Këngës, Ronela Hajati dhe Alban Ramosaj, dy emrat e përfolur ende pa filluar gara" (in Albanian). Panorama. 12 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  26. Reka, Sindi (4 December 2021). "Tani mund të dëgjoni të plotë 'Sekret-in' e Ronelës për Festivalin e Fundvitit!" (in Albanian). Top Albania Radio. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  27. O'Donoghue, Tom (26 December 2021). "Xtra Decised: Ronela Hajati – 'Sekret'". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  28. Roberts, Dale (8 December 2021). "Albania: Aussievision's Festivali i Këngës 60 rankings". Aussievision. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  29. Adams, William Lee (27 December 2021). "FiK 60 poll results: Ronela and Alban are our readers' favourites to win". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  30. "The 'Sekret' is out: Ronela Hajati will represent Albania". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  31. "Turin, Italy, to host the 66th Eurovision Song Contest in May 2022". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 9 October 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  32. "Rules–Eurovision Song Contest". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 12 January 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  33. "Eurovision Song Contest 2022 Semi-Final running orders revealed!". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 29 March 2022. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  34. "Sekret / Ronela Hajati Tidal". Tidal. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  35. "Official IFPI Charts Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 19/2022". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry Greece (IFPI Greece). Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  36. "Sekret – Single by Ronela Hajati". Apple Music (Cyprus). 25 April 2022. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  37. "Sekret – Single by Ronela Hajati". Apple Music (Greece). 25 April 2022. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
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