Who is Moldova’s Eurovision Song Contest 2017 entry? SunStroke Project set to perform Hey Mamma! in the final
MOLDOVA has chosen SunStroke project to represent them at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest - and the band have reached the final.
SunStroke Project were one of 10 finalists confirmed on Tuesday night but what’s their background, how were they selected and what are they singing?
Who is SunStroke Project?
SunStroke Project is a famous Moldovian band made up of Sergei Yalovitsky on the vocals, composer and violinist Anton Ragoza and saxophonist Sergey Stepanov.
They are often joined by female singer Olia Tira who performed with them in the 2010 Eurovision, when they previously represented Moldova.
The group's name was chosen by Anton, as he managed to get sunstroke when working in the army with Sergey out in a field.
How was SunStroke Project chosen to represent Moldova?
SunStroke Project entered a national competition to become the artist that would represent Moldova in this year's contest.
The show, O melodie pentru Europa 2017, was organised by Moldavian broadcaster TRM and involved one round of semi-finals followed by a grand final on February 25.
SunStroke were awarded first place in the show after a very tight public vote.
What song is SunStroke Project performing?
The band is singing the song Hey, Mamma! which was composed and written by the band themselves along with Alina Galetskaya.
What are the odds on Moldova winning?
At the time of writing, SunBets gives odds of 40/1 for Moldova winning the Eurovision Song Contest.
Acts pipped to perform well include Robin Bendtsson who is representing Sweden and Portugal’s Salvador Sobral.
For the latest odds, check out the .
How did SunStroke Project make the final?
SunStroke Project competed in the semi final on Tuesday night, and was one of 10 qualifiers chosen from 18 entries.
The UK’s singer, former X Factor contestant Lucie Jones, automatically earned a place in the final.
The acts were announced in no particular order – with Moldova, Azerbaijan, Greece, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Armenia, Australia, Cyprus and Belgium all nabbing spots in the final.
This means that Georgia, Albania, Montenegro, Finland, Iceland, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Latvia all crashed out of the competition.
What are the lyrics to 'Hey, Mamma!'?
Hey, hey you
You will never hide what you think of me
I see your clue
Know, you worry, but it don't meant to be
Hey, hey you
It's your girl and maybe should sleep at home
But I'll steal her alone.
And I say...
Mama, mama, don't be so down
I am not that unfounded boy
Mama, mama don't be so down
All it keeps going round and round
Mama, mama, don't be so mad
If you knew me, you'd be surprised
Mama, mama, don't be so mad
She'll be back home till sunrise.
Like the sun in the sea
She will disappear tonight with me.
And I will not anymore
Do what other guys did before.
Hey, hey you
It's your girl and maybe should sleep at home
But I'll steal her alone.
And I say...
Mama, mama, don't be so down
I am not that unfounded boy
Mama, mama don't be so down
All it keeps going round and round
Mama, mama, don't be so mad
If you knew me, you'd be surprised
Mama, mama, don't be so mad
She'll be back home till sunrise.
How many times has Moldova won the Eurovision Song Contest?
Moldova has taken part in Eurovision 12 times since their first appearance in 2005.
They have never taken home first prize in the competition but their strongest ranking was in 2005 when they came in sixth, with the track Boonika bate toba sung by Zdob și Zdub.
They also did well in 2007 when their entrant Natalia Barbu came in tenth with her song Fight.
When and where is the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 final?
The final of Eurovision 2017 is taking place tonight (May 13). It will be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm.
The event will be broadcast live from the International Exhibition Centre in Ukraine’s capital of Kiev.
The reigning champion Jamala will be in attendance on the night, to hand over the iconic glass microphone trophy to this year’s winner.
