| "Marija Magdalena" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byDoris Dragović | ||||
| from the albumKrajem vijeka | ||||
| Language | Croatian | |||
| English title | Mary Magdalene | |||
| Released | 7 March 1999 (1999-03-07) | |||
| Studio | TM Studio (Zagreb, Croatia) | |||
| Length | 3:03 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Composer | Tonči Huljić | |||
| Lyricist | Vjekoslava Huljić | |||
| Producer | Tonči Huljić | |||
| Doris Dragović singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Eurovision Song Contest 1999 entry | ||||
| Country | ||||
| Finals performance | ||||
| Final result | 4th | |||
| Final points | 118 | |||
| Entry chronology | ||||
| ◄ "Neka mi ne svane" (1998) | ||||
| "Kad zaspu anđeli" (2000) ► | ||||
| Official performance video | ||||
| "Marija Magdalena" onYouTube | ||||
"Marija Magdalena" ("Mary Magdalene") is a song by Croatian singerDoris Dragović, released on 7 March 1999. It was composed and produced byTonči Huljić, penned byVjekoslava Huljić, and arranged by Remi Kazinoti. The song wonDora 1999 and represented Croatia in theEurovision Song Contest 1999 where it finished in fourth place with 118 points. The song also functioned as the lead single for Dragović's twelfth studio album, titledKrajem vijeka. Within Croatia, the song achieved significant popularity and emerged as one of her most prominent musical successes.
Dragović had previously participated in the Eurovision Song Contest when she represented Yugoslavia at theEurovision Song Contest 1986 inBergen, Norway with the song "Željo moja".[1] Her performance secured an 11th place finish with a total of 49 points.[2] Croatia made its debut as an independent country at the1993 contest.[3]
Since 1995, Dragović has been collaborating with songwriterTonči Huljić, who would go on to compose "Marija Magdalena" for her twelfth studio album, titledKrajem vijeka.[4] Lyrics were written by Vjekoslava Huljić, and production was done by Remi Kazinoti.[5] The song was recorded at TM Studio in Zagreb and was officially released on 7 March 1999.[6] It made its debut live performance at Dora 1999 where it won the first prize.[7] Following her victory at Dora, the song was released in CD single format by Tonika Records and Orfej for the Croatian market, and it was also made available through Jupiter Records for the European market.[6] An English version titled "Maria Magdalena" was also recorded and released.[6]
On 8 May 2023, a revised rendition of the song was unveiled, featuring the songwriter Tonči Huljić in a collaborative effort.[8][9]
The music video accompanying the song was under the directorial expertise of Katja Restović.[10] Filming took place amidst the springtime of 1999, set against the backdrop of the island ofBrač.[10] Within the video, Dragović is prominently featured clad in a black dress, delivering her performance at diverse locations throughout the island.
On 7 March 1999, Dora 1999, the selection show to find Croatia's Eurovision Song Contest 1999 representative was held.[7] In a field of 24 entries, Dragović was 21st to perform her entry.[11] During the voting sequence the song received 195 points from the regional juries with additionally receiving a set of 12 points from the public thus winning the competition with 207 total points.[11]
The song representedCroatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, after it was chosen through Dora 1999.[12] Due to the high number of countries wishing to enter the contest arelegation system was introduced in1993 in order to reduce the number of countries which could compete in each year's contest.[13] Croatia had a high enough average points total to qualify to the final of the 1999 edition held at theInternational Convention Center in Jerusalem on 29 May 1999.[14]
The song was performed fourth on the night, following Spain'sLydia with "No quiero escuchar" and preceding the United Kingdom'sPrecious with "Say It Again". She commenced her performance wearing a white gown and cloak, attire symbolic of the titularMary Magdalene,[15] while also evokingMilla Jovovich's costume inThe Fifth Element (1997) and the image of aMediterranean diva or goddess.[16] A sole female backing singer, dressed in black, provided vocal support during the performance. As the second verse began, Dragović removed her cloak, revealing a tight bodice. At the close of voting, it had received 118 points, placing fourth of 23.[14]
To manage the increasing number of countries seeking entry, Eurovision introduced an average scoring system, based on each country's previous performance. It was discovered that offstage accompaniment in the form of vocals by a male voice choir, not present on stage, had been used during Dragović's performance.[17][18] Consequently, Croatia faced a penalty in the form of one-third deduction from its average marks. No deductions were made to the song itself, and thus, the song's placement in the competition accurately reflects the points it was awarded.[19] Huljić has made various remarks in several interviews asserting that the deductions in question were attributed to the song itself.[10] However, it is worth noting that this assertion remains unverified and unproven to date.[17] The inquiry into the issue of pre-recorded backing vocals was initiated on behalf of the Norwegian delegation,[17] which was led byJon Ola Sand.[19]
Croatian CD single[6]
European CD single[20]
In addition to its appearances at the Dora and Eurovision events, the song "Marija Magdalena" has become a consistent feature in Dragović's concert repertoire, regularly performed as a solo piece or as part of a medley alongside her other songs in various shows and gigs.[10] As per Dragović's stated practice, she frequently chooses to initiate her concert performances with this song due to its "formal and dramatic attributes", making it a well-suited choice for an opening act.[10] The most recent occasion on which it was employed as the opening piece occurred during her concert held at theSpaladium Arena in Split, commemorating her 40-year career.[21]
On 14 June 2018, during the Zlatni Studio Awards ceremony, Dragović andDanijela Martinović collaborated in performing a medley featuring a selection of their Eurovision entries, which included "Marija Magdalena", "Željo moja", and "Neka mi ne svane".[22]
The song is widely regarded as one of Croatia's standout Eurovision entries and enjoys substantial support among Eurovision fans and critics.[10][23] In a 2012 online survey on the Croatian Eurosong website, "Marija Magdalena" was voted as the country's best Eurovision entry.[24] In a May 2018 poll conducted by Eurofest Hrvatska, the Croatian Eurovision Song Contest fan group, "Marija Magdalena" was ranked as the second-best Croatian ESC entry, trailing behindDanijela Martinović's "Neka mi ne svane".[25]
The song has undergone several cover versions in recent years, with notable renditions including one by the Russian singer and songwriterPhilipp Kirkorov in the year 2000, performed in theRussian language. In 2021, another rendition of the song was presented by Croatian singerAlbina Grčić, who representedCroatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[26] The same year,ToMa, a Croatian singer who had taken part in theDora 2021 music competition also rendered a rendition of the song as part of the Eurosong Od Doma online concert, an event orchestrated by Eurosong.hr.[27]
Furthermore, this song has become a recurring favorite in talent shows acrossSoutheast Europe.[28] It is frequently selected as a showcase for impressive vocal abilities, and it has been featured in various talent competitions, includingZvezde Granda,Supertalent, andTvoje lice zvuči poznato, among many others.[29]