Montenegro’s 2012 Eurovision Performance Analysis
Euro
Neuro by Rambo Amadeus
Before we get started as
mentioned from blog post one, Montenegro’s national identity is mainly focused
on their Montenegrin Language, the Orthodox religion, and along with the shared
Serbian Orthodox church since Serbia serves as the “Other” for Montenegro. Continuing,
Montenegro participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 when Rambo
Amadeus performed his song Euro Neuro. The song was a “nonsensical rhyming and
rap spoken song” which he performed in the hosted country Azerbaijan in Baku (Adams,
2012).
Initially Amadeus was
asked to perform and participate in the Eurovision Song Contest by the
Montenegrin broadcast unit, “RTCG” since he is an important figure in
“alternative music in Montenegro from the 90’s” (Adams, 2012). Additionally, Rambo
Amadeus is just a stage name, his actual real name is Antonije Pušić, and he is
from Herceg Novi in Montenegro. Also, he is not only an artist of music but a sail
champion, and eco-activist. His stage name Rambo Amadeus is connected to the
unique music genre, “Turbo folk” which is “aggressive folk music” that is well
known in the Balkan states (Eurovision TV, 2012). He’s popular for his outrageous
character and humorous, satirical-political songs, as well as his musical
combination of jazz, rock, hip hop, and turbo folk. His music contains a combination
of “satirical lyrics” used in different genres like “rock and jazz with adding
some spicy ironic wit” while poking fun at the “foolishness of some politics” (Eurovision
TV, 2012). Above all according to the Eurovision tv website he’s been “declared
for being the first ambassador of UNICEF in Montenegro 6 years ago” helping out
“against violence in schools” (Eurovision TV, 2012).
Since Amadeus likes
to include satire and politics in his songs, he uses some gimmicks to really express
the overall performance in the Eurovision Song Contest. For instance, at the beginning
of the performance Amadeus is not seen as he is covered in a black robe making
his first appearance on stage. He then takes the robe off after 25 seconds and
starts laughing and begins to perform his song. This seems to be already showing
augured “ill for Europe if its leaders remain
rigid in their approach” towards the European debt crisis at the time happening
(Adams, 2012). As he starts to sing on the stage there is a big Trojan donkey
which is an intentional reference of being a downgrade of the trojan horse from
Greek myth while also being a symbolism of “rural poor” (Adams, 2012). The
style of the music seems to be a “nonsensical rhyming rap spoken song” along
with the guitar bass and drums being used in the background (Adams, 2012). In addition,
for the staging there are photos of money using the euro currency that
Montenegro uses played in the background screen. Furthermore, on the screen
there is also scenery of the Coast in Montenegro with a big yacht. These images
are meant to show the wealth difference between Montenegro being a poorer
country compared to a financially rich country like Germany with the imagery of
rich scenery and a donkey from Montenegro. This then also relates to the three
other backing dancers on stage. Two of them are dressed in black suits and the
other dressed like a citizen with hints of red, which the red is symbolism of
the Montenegro flag that is all red. These backing dancers in suits likely
represent rich German representatives of the EU or bankers that put pressure on
small poor countries like Montenegro itself. Especially since Germany is part
of the EU and a very rich country with more power. During the performance,
there also appears to be three red signs that the backing dancers unravel as
Amadeus performs. The first one translated seems to say, “we’re having octopus”
said in a mix of German and Serbian (Adams, 2012). Which references back to the
promotion video and since octopus-Hobotnica is also a popular dish in the
Balkan states. Then the second sign says, Euro Neuro give me a chance to
finance, which references the struggling countries in need for help “facing
debt problems” (Adams, 2012). Then finally the last sign states, euro neuro
monetary break dance which is meant to be a reaction from after the finance
Ministers announced “they would contribute an additional $670 billion to the
financial firewall” in late March (Adams, 2012). Additionally, the two backing
dancers wearing the black suits seem to represent the working government in the
EU and the other backing dancer in red representing a citizen of Montenegro. This
is shown to be when during the performance, the two backing dancers in suits start
to tie up and wrap the other citizen backing dancer with the three signs. Furthermore,
expressing that the government of the EU causes conflict trying to control
small poor countries like Montenegro causing citizens to be disconnected
financially. Following this at the very end of the performance Rambo Amadeus
ends the performance with him taking his pockets and emptying them out, showing
to be a hint towards poor countries like Montenegro being affected by the European
debt crisis poorly, and having trouble financially.
The reason for Amadeus to perform his song euro Neuro and
have all this symbolism in his performance was to bring light on the debt
crisis happening at that time and especially Montenegro since they are a small poorer
country being affected. In fact, that same year of Amadeus’s performance at
Eurovision, “Montenegro began negotiations to join the EU in 2012” (Forbes,
2018). Although till this day though Montenegro is still not part of the Eurozone,
the country continues to use euros as the currency. Another issue was polluted air
quality in Montenegro, for example air pollutant concentrations were “much
higher than what the EU and the World Health Organization have set to protect health”
(Puljić, 2014). Above all Rambo Amadeus includes many references from the
European debt crisis affecting poorer countries and overall, how the EU is
governing since some countries withdraw from participating at the Eurovision
Song Contest due to “economic reasons” (Kukolja,
2013).
The song Euro Neuro is written by Amadeus himself and is
performed in mostly English and a mix of German, Serbian and Montenegrin. The
lyrics contain multiple philosophy terms, for instance, hermetic, eclectic, dialectic,
dogmatic, and pragmatic. Although one of the terms that stuck out to me was
Eurosceptic which means, “a person, esp. a politician, having doubts or
reservations regarding the supposed benefits of increasing cooperation between
the member states of the European Union” (Oxford, 2008). The word Eurosceptic
is the first lyric for the song and sets the song to be a whole criticism
towards the EU since especially Montenegro is largely impacted by the European
debt crisis since they are not a western country and is instead a “small
country on the sidelines” being ignored (Adams, 2012). The song also seems to mention
Zanjice which is a popular place part of the Montenegrin coast. Moreover, Amadeus
sings and says, “need contribution from the institution/ to find solution for
pollution” which connects the European debt crisis and “suggest poorer
countries need help from the wealthier ones” (Adams, 2012). Along with
“European bailout funds and toxic debts from pollution,” since the air quality
in 2012 in Montenegro was not safe at the time and needed attention from the EU
(Adams, 2012). Overall, Amadeus’s performance presents the message that
countries like Montenegro are struggling to repay or refinance their movement
debt during the European debt crisis because of the way the EU is governing and
lack of mechanisms.
Initially when people first saw the performance, they were
very puzzled and confused since not only was it random with the chosen random
philosophy words but also was the first beginning performance to start off the Eurovision
Song contest. However, Amadeus explains that “the song is directed to everyone
feeling a bit nervous about not being able to understand things like the
financial roots of the euro-zone crisis,” he says, “I am looking forward to
their vote” (Adams, 2012). Different from the EU, people who are struggling and
fear the European debt crisis are the target audience of Amadeus performance since
the song appeals to them the most, explaining that it is the EU’S fault.
Lastly through the performance Rambo Amadeus includes hints
and expresses the national identity of Montenegro. For instance, there are
multiple hints of red during the performance which is a symbol for the
Montenegro flag. Then in the lyrics there is a mention of Zanjice which is a
small popular place by the coast of Montenegro. Adding on there is a mix of
Serbian spoken lyrics during the performance, although Serbian isn’t the
official language of Montenegro it is the most spoken and is very alike to the
Montenegrin language. Lastly since the overall performance is about the
European debt crisis and the EU, this connects to Montenegro since they use
euros even if they are not part of the eurozone. However, starting that year
Montenegro initiated the process of trying to be included in part of the eurozone,
and till this day still trying. In conclusion Rambo Amadeus’s Euro Neuro
performance at Eurovision 2012 is a great performance that includes satirical
lyrics explaining the dilemma of the European debt crisis, interpreting the EU
in the process, and expressing the national identity of Montenegro itself.
Word count: [1564]
References
Adams, W. L. (2012, March 16). "Euro-neuro"
Lyrics - Rambo Amadeus (Montenegro, ESC 2012). wiwibloggs.
https://wiwibloggs.com/2012/03/16/euro-neuro-lyrics-rambo-amadeus-montenegro-esc-2012/15407/
Adams, W. L. (2012, April 6). Rambo Amadeus' 'Euro
neuro': Eurovision takes on the Euro Zone. Time.
https://world.time.com/2012/04/06/rambo-amadeuss-euro-neuro-eurovision-takes-on-the-eurozone/
Adams, W. L. (2012, April 3). Rambo Amadeus interview:
Montenegro's ESC Star Talks "Euro Neuro". wiwibloggs.
EuroVisionary. (2012, March 4). 2012: Rambo Amadeus -
Euro Neuro. EuroVisionary.
https://eurovisionary.com/participant-profile/2012/euro-neuro/rambo-amadeus
Kukolja, K. (2013, May 15). Euro debt crisis hits
Eurovision. SBS News. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/euro-debt-crisis-hits-eurovision/291z956il
Montenegro. (2018). Forbes Magazine.
https://www.forbes.com/places/montenegro/?sh=58e8aac16dd4
Oxford English
Dictionary.(n.d). Eurosceptic. In OED Online.
https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/269632?redirectedFrom=eurosceptic#eid
Puljić, V. M. (2014). Air pollution and health in
Montenegro. HEAL Briefing - Health and Environment Alliance.
http://env-health.org/IMG/pdf/heal_briefing_air_mng_eng.pdf
Rambo Amadeus. (2012). Eurovision.tv.
https://eurovision.tv/participant/rambo-amadeus
