Montenegro’s 2012 Eurovision performance analysis Euro Neuro by Rambo Amadeus

 

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.

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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.

https://wiwibloggs.com/2012/04/03/rambo-amadeus-interview-montenegros-esc-star-talks-       euro-neuro/16028/

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