Kaelakee hääl

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Kaelakee hääl (Estonian: "Voice of the necklace") is a song performed by Maarja-Liis Ilus and Ivo Linna that represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996. The composer was Priit Pajusaar and the lyrics were written by Kaari Sillamaa. [1]

In the Estonian preselection Eurolaul, the winner was selected from 13 entries by an international jury. After the voting, Kaelakee hääl was tied by points with Me rõõm ei kao ("Our happiness won't disappear") by Kadri Hunt, but was declared winner because it had received more top votes of 10 points. [2]

The song was performed eleventh in Eurovision (following Greece's Mariana Efstratiou with Emis Forame To Himona Anixiatika and preceding Norway's Elisabeth Andreassen with I Evighet). At the close of voting, it had received 94 points, placing it 5th out of 23. [3]

It was succeeded as Estonian representative at the 1996 Contest by Ilus, performing solo, with Keelatud Maa.

While not resulting in a win, the performance was the first occasion on which a state previously part of the USSR had placed in the top 10.

[edit] Lyrics

The song is a love duet, with the singers expressing their heartache at not being able to be with each other all the time. Ilus sings about giving Linna a necklace, from which he is able to hear her voice even if she is away. [4]

[edit] Translations

Two English versions were made of the song, the first Away from home, sung by Ilus and Linna, and the second titled Just a dream away, which was recorded by Maarja and Morgan Johansson in 1997 for Maarja's album "First in line". Maarja also recorded the latter with Greek singer Yiorgos Doukas (Duke), including a version with some Greek lyrics added in, titled Πάλι εσένα θα ονειρευτώ. [5] [6]

Cover versions have been made in various languages, including in Finnish and Swedish, and a Spanish version by a group from the United States. [7]