Gerard James Borg, who wrote the lyrics of the Maltese Eurovision Song Contest entries Desire, 7th Wonder and On again... off again, is trying his luck in two countries this year. Together with Philip Vella he wrote the song Déjà vu for the Eurovision Song Contest selections. Last year’s Malta Song for Europe runner-up Olivia Lewis will perform Déjà vu. Gerard also wrote the lyrics for the song Velvet Blue, to be performed by Kathrine Strugstad in the Norwegian national final Melodi Grand Prix 2005.
What does Gerard think of Malta Song for Europe, its foreign composers, his song Déjà vu, the participation of Chiara and Fabrizio Faniello? What happened to Claudette Pace, Ira Losco and Julie and Ludwig since they represented Malta? And will the cooperation with the Dutch women of Ebonique continue? How did he end up in the Norwegian national final? And does Gerard have more international plans?
This can all be found in Roel Philips’ esctoday.com’s interview with Gerard James Borg.
This year you have only one song in Malta Song for Europe, less than in previous years. Do you have an explanation and are you disappointed?
Well, it is only one less than the other years! Then again, I am not at all disappointed because even if you have two or three songs competing, you always feel that only one of them is a real winner! Déjà vu was the song I believed in from day one. In my opinion it is a brilliant song. If somebody had to give me the option of removing Déjà vu and putting five other songs of mine, I would say NO! I am very happy that this song made it to the Malta finals!
What’s your opinion on allowing foreign composers in Malta Song for Europe?
Well, I do think this issue has been blown a little bit out of proportion by the media this year! There is always something controversial every year I suppose… that is also part of Eurovision… otherwise it would be less exciting! I think what happened was that some people were upset because last year Maltasong promised that the rules would be discussed beforehand, and they were not. And some composers would also have liked to participate in other countries but could not do because the rules in those specific countries (with an open contest) did not allow it, for citizenship reasons. So basically, as I see it, the problem was more with the composers from those countries who did not allow the Maltese to participate – not with everybody. I personally think that there should be some kind of local element in the team. No matter which country.
Ralph Siegel, together with John O’Flynn, has written six of the 22 entries in the Maltese final. What do you think of that?
I think the jury must have liked them, because otherwise they would not be there. I have not heard these songs, nor the other songs submitted so I can’t really compare. Now, one will have to see what the people in general will think… and respect the choice they make. I suppose we will know that on 19 February!
Olivia Lewis, last year’s runner-up, will sing Déjà vu. Why did you ask her to sing the song? Is the mix of a good song and a popular performer the recipe to win the Maltese national final?
Philip Vella and myself got the idea to write Déjà vu at the same time! The funny thing was that I called him to tell him about my idea, and just before I said anything he told me his, and it was the same! Olivia was an automatic choice. We needed somebody with a very good voice and lovely exotic looks… and one name sprang to mind! Olivia Lewis! Obviously, if a popular performer is singing your song, it could be an added plus, but it does not mean anything. As we have seen in the past, many popular performers in many countries tried their luck, and failed! Bottom line is… you need a very good song to convince people to vote for you too!
Can you describe Déjà vu? Does it have some French lyrics too?
Mmmm… well, I can say it is a very particular song, and I am almost sure it will be very different from all the other songs competing… which is good! I do believe that you can have many good songs, but it is important to do something which stands out from the rest! I think we found the right formula with Déjà vu. I would say it is ethnic – pop, and we decided to give it a Maltese touch by adding an entire stanza in Maltese. But, it is not thrown in just for the sake of having some Maltese words… the way it is they fit in like a glove! And, no… no French lyrics in Déjà vu! This expression has become part of the international vocabulary, so the word is widely used in many countries. I also chose it, because a very particular song requires a very particular title in my opinion. All I can say is that I am extremely happy with this song in many ways.
There is tough competition this year from former Eurovision Song Contest participants Chiara and Fabrizio Faniello. Do you think their popularity and Eurovision past will have an influence on the Maltese televoters and how will Olivia Lewis make people vote for her?
Well, both Chiara and Fabrizio are very popular artists, but then again I do not think the Maltese public will favour them just because they are popular. I do believe that people will vote for the song – and I am glad it will be 100 per cent televoting this year, because I do feel that the people watching have a right to select the song THEY want. After all we write for the people, so their voice must be heard, and acknowledged. I think Olivia Lewis does not need to do much. She will just sing her song, in the beautiful way she knows how to sing, and her voice, in combination with the music, the words, and a very special act, will be enough.
You have written the lyrics of three former Maltese Eurovision songs: Desire, 7th Wonder and On again...off again. Which song gives you the best memories?
Ooh lala! Each one of them has a very special place in my memory: Desire was my very first song, and experiencing Eurovision for the first time in beautiful Stockholm was something I shall never, ever forget. I still have very fond memories of Stockholm 2000. Naturally, 7th Wonder was also a very beautiful experience… because it is so exciting to be close to winning the big contest…and I can tell you I went crazy on the night jumping up and down! And with On again... off again, it is an equally beautiful memory. Julie & Ludwig are so nice to work with, and of course, making it from the semi finals to the finals was very exciting (and stressful!). And we had such a good time, laughing almost all the time!
It has been very silent around Claudette Pace and Julie & Ludwig in Europe since they represented Malta. What are they up to now? Are you still writing songs for them?
Okay… Claudette is doing more TV nowadays, besides being a full time mom. She has a daughter now called Kristina, and I imagine that takes more than half her time. As for Julie & Ludwig… well, they are always busy doing this and that. I know they were invited to perform in quite a few countries after Eurovision. Philip Vella and myself are currently working on an album with them which will include the song Mood Swing, which came second in the Megahit festival in Istanbul last September.
Ira Losco recently released a new album, but it didn’t have any song of yours. How come?
The first song I wrote for her was Shine when she was still unknown in Malta. Then she made a hit with Spellbound in 2001, which the Maltese people really loved and earned Ira second place in the Maltasong contest. Then naturally, 7th Wonder was her crowning glory, and made her the icon she is today for young people. Our paths went in different directions and Ira now writes her own songs.
Two years ago you reached the Dutch final with the song Heatwave, performed by Ebonique. Will you cooperate with them again in the (near) future?
I know they did toy with the idea of taking part again for the Netherlands last year, but then bigger projects came along and they could not do it. I would love to work with them again when and if the opportunity arises, because they are amazing women with exceptional voices.
This year you have been selected for the Norwegian national final. How did a Maltese songwriter end up in Norway?
I got to know Arve, who is really a very nice man, and we decided we should do a song together. Join our creative forces, so to say, and so I came up with the lyrics of Velvet Blue. Arve really liked the lyrics and the song was born. It was later given to Kathrine Strugstad. NRK invited composers, songwriters, and artists this year.
Can you tell us more about Kathrine Strugstad and the song Velvet Blue?
Kathrine! What I do know is that she is a very talented singer and a very good dancer too. She has a lot of stage experience and a winning personality, which I do find to be important in this field. Besides, I think she is very beautiful. She reminds me vaguely of Kylie to be honest! About Velvet Blue? Well, I would say that these lyrics have to be one of my favourites together with Déjà vu and Shine. Arve, has done a wonderful job with the music; the first time I heard it I just loved it. Maybe I could describe it as hauntingly mysterious… pop, and Kathrine’s beautiful voice makes it really… wow!
Do you have more Eurovision plans beside Malta and Norway?
It looks like Malta and Norway…! If anything new comes along…I would not mind embracing it! I feel very content this year because two of my best songs ever are competing in the finals… and no matter what happens, I do feel lucky that I was given this chance to have these songs performed in public. Now, I suppose I just have to keep my fingers crossed! Come what may!
What’s your favourite Maltese and non-Maltese Eurovision Song Contest entry ever?
Well, I am not going to mention any of my three entries of course, because naturally I would be biased. But yes, I can say that my favourite Maltese entry is More than love by Chris and Moira. And the non-Maltese entry would be Once in a lifetime which was sung by Ines in Eurovision 2000. I really like this song!
Esctoday.com thanks Gerard James Borg for the interview.
I have to thank you for being so nice and taking the time to interview me. Above all, I’d love to thank all the Eurovision fans who make Eurovision the special occasion it is. I do believe that Eurovision would not be the same without the fans! Thanks so much… or even better …Grazzi!!!