Yom Huledet

"Yom Huledet (Happy Birthday)" (Hebrew: יום הולדת; meaning "Birthday") was the Israeli entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, performed in Hebrew and English by Eden. The song was written by Yitzhak Baranes, Moshe Datz, Ya'akov Lamai, and Jacky Oved, and composed by Baranes, Lamai, Oved, and Gabriel Butler;[1] Datz previously produced the Israeli Eurovision entry in 1995,[2] as well as represented Israel in Eurovision in 1991 as part of Duo Datz with "Kan".

"Yom Huledet (Happy Birthday)"
Single by Eden
from the album Yom Huledet
Released1999
GenrePop/Rock[1]
Length3:00
LabelHed Arzi Music
Composer(s)
  • Yitzhak Baranes
  • Moshe Datz
  • Ya'akov Lamai
  • Jacky Oved
Lyricist(s)
  • Yitzhak Baranes
  • Gabriel Butler
  • Ya'akov Lamai
  • Jacky Oved
Producer(s)
  • Ya'akov Lamai
  • Jacky Oved
Eurovision Song Contest 1999 entry
Country
Artist(s)
As
Languages
Finals performance
Final result
5th
Final points
93
Entry chronology
◄ "Diva" (1998)
"Sameyakh" (2000) ►

Composition

The song is a lively and fast-paced tune, showcasing the Contest's growing emphasis on dance-friendly music. In the song, the band sings about the simple happiness of having a birthday and enjoying it with a party. The song's sound is somewhat reminiscent of American music, influenced by two of the singers, Eddie and Gabriel Butler, who are Black Israelites. Notably, their inclusion marked the first instance of black participants representing Israel at Eurovision.

According to Ya'akov Lamai, the song started out as a lower tempo song entirely in English.[3] The song was then rearranged by its four composers, together with producer Shlomo Tzach, into an up-tempo number with a mix of mostly Hebrew lyrics with some English lyrics sprinkled in the chorus and throughout.[3][4]

At the Eurovision Song Contest
Main article: Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999

The song was performed nineteenth on the night, following Austria's Bobbie Singer with "Reflection" and preceding Malta's Times Three with "Believe 'n Peace". At the close of voting, it had received 93 points, placing 5th in a field of 23.

It was succeeded as Israeli representative at the 2000 contest by PingPong with "Sameyakh".

Reception

The song, and the album of the same name, did well commercially.[3] Mako's Roie Hacohen named the song as the most iconic Israeli one-hit wonder, citing the fact the song is played in "almost every Israeli birthday party".[5] Aya Hayut of ynet also described the song as "one of the most listened to in every house in Israel" due to its popularity in birthdays.[6]

Charts

References
  1. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY Performer EDEN". ACUM. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  2. "AMEN Performer LIORA". ACUM. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  3. "1999: חתיכת סלבריישן" 1999: Hatikhat selebreishen [1999: A big celebration]. Israel Hayom (in Hebrew). 22 April 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  4. Neiman, Rachel (13 May 2019). "The secrets and surprises behind Israel's Eurovision love affair". ISRAEL21c. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  5. Hacohen, Roei (15 April 2021). "אחד משלנו" Ehad Mishelanu [One of ours]. Mako (in Hebrew). Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  6. Hayut, Aya (12 May 2023). "משלמה ארצי וטיפקס ועד "נתתי לה חיי": השירים ששלחנו לאירוויזיון - ושכחנו" Me'Shlomo Artzi ve'ad "Natati La Haiyai": Hashirim sheshalahnu la'erovizyon - veshakhahnu [From Shlomo Artzi to "Natati La Haiyai": The songs we sent to Eurovision - and forgot]. ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  7. Shemesh, Mor. "יום הולדת (עדן)" [Yom Huledet (Eden)]. Pizmonet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 14 August 2023.
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