{{Short description|2017 song by Lindita}} {{About|the Lindita song|other songs|World (disambiguation){{!}}World}} {{good article}} {{Infobox song | name = World | cover = World_-_Lindita.jpeg | alt = The official cover for "World" | type = single | artist = Lindita | released = {{start date|df=yes|2017|03|29}} | studio = | genre = Pop rock | length = 2:56 | label = *RTSH *Universal | lyricist = *Gerald Xhari *Lindita Halimi | composer = Klodian Qafoku | producer = *Andrea Camilletti *Klodian Qafoku *Shpetim Saraci | prev_title = Cold World | prev_year = 2015 | next_title = Rock Whine | next_year = 2017 | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|cP0aQAdYNjY|"World"}} }}{{Infobox song contest entry | embed = yes | song = {{flagicon|Albania}} "World" | year = 2017 | country = Albania | artist = Lindita | language = English | composer = Klodian Qafoku | lyricist = {{hlist|Gerald Xhari|Lindita Halimi}} | place = | points = | place_semi = 14th | points_semi = 76 | prev = Fairytale | prev_year = 2016 | prev_link = Fairytale (Eneda Tarifa song) | next = Mall | next_year = 2018 | next_link = Mall (song) }} }} "'''World'''" is a song by Kosovar singer and songwriter Lindita. It was issued as a single on 29 March 2017 by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) and Universal Music. The song was written by the singer herself together with Gerald Xhari, and composed by Klodian Qafoku. An English-language pop-rock ballad, it is lyrically a manifesto that discuss the challenges within a modern society simultaneously calling for rising up against wars and pleading for peace and love.
The song represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine, after Lindita's victory at the country's pre-selection competition Festivali i Këngës with the song's Albanian-language version "Botë". It ultimately failed to qualify for the grand final also marking the country's seventh non-qualification in the contest. During her minimalistic performance, she was accompanied by four backing vocalists while the LED screens portrayed a variety of imagery.
"World" was positively received by music critics, who praised Lindita's vocals, as well as the song's composition and lyrics. For promotional purposes, the singer performed the song live on multiple Eurovision-related occasions, including in Amsterdam, Madrid and Tel Aviv. An accompanying music video for the song was premiered to the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 13 March 2017. It prominently features scenes of Lindita singing her song within an alternate dimension.
== Background ==
In 2016, Lindita was announced as one of the twenty-five contestants selected to compete in the 55th edition of Festivali i Këngës, a competition to determine Albania's participant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Following the competition's rules, the lyrics of the participating entries had to be in the Albanian language. Lindita took part with the song "Botë" written by Gerald Xhari and composed by Klodian Qafoku.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Escudero |first=Victor M. |date=24 December 2016 |title=Albania: Lindita wins Festivali i Këngës! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-lindita-wins-festivali-i-kenges |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230213748/https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-lindita-wins-festivali-i-kenges |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref>
For the purpose of the singer's Eurovision Song Contest participation, "Botë" was remastered and translated to "World".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=26 December 2016 |title=Albania: "Botë" Will Change Language For Eurovision |url=https://eurovoix.com/2016/12/26/albania-bote-will-change-language-for-eurovision/ |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=Eurovoix}}</ref> The latter song was then rewritten by Lindita herself together with Gerald Xhari, and composed by Klodian Qafoku.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kyiv 2017 Participants Lindita |url=https://eurovision.tv/participant/lindita |access-date=23 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref> It was mixed by Marco Borsatti and further produced by Qafoku alongside Andrea Camilletti and Shpetim Saraci.<ref name="tidal" /> It was premiered on 13 March 2017, while being digitally released on digital platforms and streaming services on 29 March 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Danny |date=13 March 2017 |title=Lindita Releases The Final Version Of 'Botë'! |url=https://escbubble.com/2017/03/lindita-releases-the-final-version-of-bote/ |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=ESC Bubble}}</ref><ref name="World" />
== Composition and critical reception ==
"World" was musically characterised by Sebastian Kettley from ''Daily Express'' as an English-language pop-rock song.<ref name="Express" /> Chris Zeiher from ''SBS'' called it a "Bond-style ballad", while ''Eurovision.de'' writer Stefanie Grossmann said, "World" is a spherical power ballad that brings Lindita's powerful voice to the fore".<ref name="SBS">{{Cite web |last=Zeiher |first=Chris |date=1 May 2017 |title=The artists of Eurovision 2017: Lindita – "World" (Albania) |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2017/05/01/artists-eurovision-2017-lindita-world-albania |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=SBS}}</ref><ref name="Eurovision.de">{{Cite web |last=Grossmann |first=Stefanie |date=10 May 2017 |title=Lindita Halimi: Träumen unbedingt erlaubt |url=https://www.eurovision.de/teilnehmer/Biografie-Lindita-Halimi-Albanien-ESC-2017,albanien422.html |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=ARD |language=de}}</ref> Regarding the song's lyrics, Grossmann said, "the song is about the challenges within a modern society and also calls for rising up against wars and pleading for peace and love".<ref name="Eurovision.de" /><ref name="Paul Jordan">{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Paul |date=18 March 2017 |title=Lindita is ready to take on the world for Albania |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/lindita-albania-2017-world |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230213747/https://eurovision.tv/story/lindita-albania-2017-world |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=18 April 2020}}</ref> Sebastian Kettley from ''Daily Express'' described it as a pop-rock song noting a "powerful" message of spreading love.<ref name="Express">{{Cite web |last=Kettley |first=Sebastian |date=9 May 2017 |title=Albania Eurovision 2017: Lindita – World |url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/798437/Albania-Eurovision-2017-Lindita-World |access-date=18 April 2020 |publisher=Daily Express}}</ref> An editor of ''The Telegraph'' concluded, "another Eurovision staple: the what is happening to the world? power ballad".<ref name="Telegraph">{{Cite web |date=13 May 2017 |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2017: a guide to all 42 entries - and who's made it through to the grand final |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/eurovision-song-contest-2017-competitors-taking-part/albania-lindita-world/ |access-date=18 April 2020 |publisher=The Telegraph}}</ref> Reviewers from Wiwibloggs were generally positive, praising the singer's vocal delivery, as well as the song's composition and instrumentation, while labelling it as being "organic" and "contemporary".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuster |first=Luis |date=19 April 2017 |title=Wiwi Jury: Albania's Lindita with "World" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/04/19/wiwi-jury-albania-lindita-with-world/180475/ |access-date=18 April 2020 |publisher=Wiwibloggs}}</ref>
== Music video and promotion ==
An accompanying music video for "World" premiered on the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 13 March 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2017 |title=Lindita - World (Albania) Eurovision 2017 - Official Music Video |url=https://eurovision.tv/video/lindita-world-albania-eurovision-2017-official-music-video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230213744/https://eurovision.tv/video/lindita-world-albania-eurovision-2017-official-music-video |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 2017 |title=Lindita - World (Albania) Eurovision 2017 {{!}} Official Music Video |publisher=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP0aQAdYNjY |access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref> Chris Halpin of Wiwibloggs praised Lindita's appearance as well as the music video itself noting the maintenance of "many hidden messages".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halpin |first=Chris |date=13 March 2017 |title=Albania: Lindita reveals revamped English version of "World" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/03/13/albania-lindita-reveals-revamped-english-version-world/ |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=Wiwibloggs}}</ref> In an exclusive presentation for San Marino RTV, commentator John Kennedy O'Connor gave a favourably review saying, "This is definitely one of the most beautiful and inspiring videos of this year's previews".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albania - Eurovision Song Contest 2017 |url=https://www.sanmarinortv.sm/programmi/eurovision-song-contest-p48?v=60350#video60350 |access-date=23 April 2020 |publisher=San Marino RTV |language=it}}</ref> For further promotion, Lindita made several appearances throughout Europe to specifically promote the song at various events, including at Amsterdam's Eurovision in Concert, PreParty ES in Madrid and Israel Calling in Tel Aviv.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Paul |date=29 March 2017 |title=Eurovision in Concert sets a new record with 33 acts |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-in-concert-2017-33-acts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230221009/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-in-concert-2017-33-acts |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fuster |first=Luis |date=1 April 2017 |title=Madrid calling! 19 acts will take part in Eurovision Spain Pre-Party |url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/04/01/madrid-19-acts-pre-party/184021/ |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=Wiwibloggs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Laufer |first=Gil |date=5 April 2017 |title=Tonight: Israel Calling 2017 to be held with 28 participating countries |url=http://esctoday.com/143788/tonight-israel-calling-2017-held-28-participating-countries/ |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=ESCtoday}}</ref>
== At Eurovision ==
=== Festivali i Këngës === {{Main|Festivali i Këngës 55}}
The national broadcaster of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), organised the 55th edition of Festivali i Këngës to select the country's entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2016 |title=Festivali i Këngës në RTSH – Fest 55, strukturë dhe konceptim tërësisht të ri |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/festivali-i-kenges-ne-rtsh-fest-55-strukture-dhe-konceptim-teresisht-te-reja/ |access-date=28 March 2020 |publisher=RTSH |language=sq |archive-date=16 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016053002/http://rtsh.al/lajme/festivali-i-kenges-ne-rtsh-fest-55-strukture-dhe-konceptim-teresisht-te-reja/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The contest took place in December 2017, for which 24 songs had been internally shortlisted by a jury panel made up of music professionals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2016 |title=Fest '55, publikohen emrat e konkurrentëve |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-55-publikohen-emrat-e-konkurrenteve/ |access-date=28 March 2020 |publisher=RTSH |language=sq |archive-date=10 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510144905/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-55-publikohen-emrat-e-konkurrenteve/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Subsequently, after the grand final, Lindita and her Albanian-language song "Botë" were chosen to represent Albania in the contest, after the votes of an expert jury panel and the internet were combined, resulting in 85 total points.<ref name="Paul Jordan" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2016 |title=Lindita Halimi fiton Fest '55 |url=http://www.festivali-rtsh.al/lindita-halimi-fiton-fest-55/ |access-date=28 March 2020 |publisher=RTSH |language=sq}}</ref>
=== Kyiv === {{Main|Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017}}
[[File:ESC2017 - Albania 01.jpg|thumb|right|Lindita performing during a rehearsal prior the first semi-final in Kyiv.]]
The 62nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest took place in Kyiv, Ukraine, and consisted of two semi-finals held on 9 and 11 May, and the grand final on 13 May 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest–Kyiv 2017 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812083739/https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2017 |archive-date=12 August 2019 |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref> According to the Eurovision rules, each participating country, except the host country and the "Big Five" including {{Esccnty|France}}, {{Esccnty|Germany}}, {{Esccnty|Italy}}, {{Esccnty|Spain}} and the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom}}, were required to qualify from one of two semi-finals to compete for the grand final, although, the top ten countries from the respective semi-final progress to the grand final.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest–Rules |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/rules/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408073043/https://eurovision.tv/about/rules/ |archive-date=8 April 2020 |access-date=25 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref> On 31 January 2017, it was announced that "World" would be performed in the first half of the first semi-final of the contest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paul Jordan |last2=Helena Nilsson |date=31 January 2017 |title=Eurovision 2017: Which country is in which Semi-Final? |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/results-of-the-semi-final-allocation-draw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328153645/https://eurovision.tv/story/results-of-the-semi-final-allocation-draw |archive-date=28 March 2020 |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref> During the live show, Albania performed fourth following {{Esccnty|Australia|y=2017}} and preceding {{Esccnty|Belgium|y=2017}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Paul |date=31 March 2017 |title=Semi-Final running order for Eurovision 2017 revealed |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/running-order-eurovision-2017-revealed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230221011/https://eurovision.tv/story/running-order-eurovision-2017-revealed |archive-date=30 December 2019 |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref> The country eventually failed to qualify for the grand final in fourteenth place with 38 points ranking fourteenth by the jury's 38 points and twelfth by the televote of 38 points.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2017 |title=Kyiv 2017: First Semi-Final Scoreboard |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2017/first-semi-final |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812083746/https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2017/first-semi-final |archive-date=12 August 2019 |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref>
The well-received performance of Lindita begins with her singing the song in front of dark green lights while wearing a white costume which symbolises "peace" and "elegance".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kryvinchuk |first=Yullia |date=30 April 2017 |title=Lindita: "Celebrating diversity is about loving each other" |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/lindita-celebrating-diversity-is-about-loving-each-other-albania |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}</ref> Following the first refrain, a clock appears on the LED screens and fills the entire circular stage floor, ticking to the song. Later in the show, the screens shows sailing spaceships and numerous chandeliers flowing on the stage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halpin |first=Chris |date=30 April 2017 |title=Albania: Lindita rocks clocks and spaceships during first rehearsal |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/04/30/albania-lindita-first-rehearsal/186646/ |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=Wiwibloggs}}</ref>
== Personnel ==
Credits adapted from Tidal.<ref name="tidal">{{Cite web |title=World / Lindita Tidal |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/72124716/credits |access-date=17 April 2020 |publisher=Tidal}} ''Note: Open "Credits" for credits.''</ref>
* Lindita{{spaced ndash}}performing, vocals * Klodian Qafoku{{spaced ndash}}composing, producing * Shpetim Saraci{{spaced ndash}}producing * Andrea Camilletti{{spaced ndash}}producing * Gerald Xhari{{spaced ndash}}songwriting * Marco Borsatti{{spaced ndash}}mixing
== Track listing ==
*'''Digital download'''<ref name="World" /> #"World"{{spaced ndash}}2:56
== Release history ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row" | {{center|Various}} | 29 March 2017 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | {{hlist|RTSH|Universal}} | <ref name="World">Citations regarding the digital release of "World" by Lindita in various selected countries: *{{Cite web |date=29 March 2017 |title=World{{spaced ndash}}Single by Lindita on Apple Music Australia |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/world-single/1445046050 |access-date=28 March 2020 |publisher=Apple Music}} *{{cite web |publisher=Apple Music |title=World{{spaced ndash}}Single by Lindita on Apple Music Germany |url=https://music.apple.com/de/album/world-single/1445046050 |access-date=28 March 2020 |language=de |date=29 March 2017}} *{{cite web |publisher=Apple Music |title=World{{spaced ndash}}Single by Lindita on Apple Music United States |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/world-single/1445046050 |access-date=28 March 2020 |date=29 March 2017}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=collapsed}} {{Eurovision Song Contest 2017|state=collapsed}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2017 singles Category:2017 songs Category:2010s ballads Category:Pop ballads Category:Pop rock songs Category:Rock ballads Category:English-language Albanian songs Category:Eurovision songs of Albania Category:Eurovision songs of 2017 Category:Universal Music Group singles