"Rim Tim Tagi Dim" is a song written and performed by Croatian musician Marko Purišić, better known asBaby Lasagna. It was released on 12 January 2024 throughVirgin Music Group as the third single from Baby Lasagna's debut solo album,DMNS & Mosquitoes (2025). Self-described as a humorous song about theeconomic emigration of young Croatians, itrepresented Croatia at theEurovision Song Contest 2024, where it finished runner-up with 547 points. The result markedCroatia's best ever finish in the competition.
The song was met with widespread praise in both Croatian and international outlets, drawing praise for its musical style, its message, and for how the message of the song was presented. The performance of "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" was also well-received, earning praise frompast Croatian Eurovision representatives. As a result, the song became a favourite to win the contest. "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" enjoyed commercial success, peaking at number one in its native country of Croatia, and peaking within the top ten in an additional five other countries. It also received numerous accolades, including aMarcel Bezençon Award and anOGAE Poll victory.
"Rim Tim Tagi Dim" was written and composed solely byMarko Purišić.[1] According to him, the song was written by himself in his bedroom, and was inspired by an opportunity he had to take a job on a cruise ship that he refused.[2] It was originally meant to be a filler song for his debut album,DMNS & Mosquitoes (2025), but realized the potential of the song after it surged in streams and later decided to enter the song intoDora 2024.[3] The song was officially announced as a reserve song for Croatia's national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024,Dora 2024, on 2 January 2024 to serve as a backup if any entry in the main lineup withdrew,[4] which happened the following day.[5]
In numerous interviews, he stated that the song was inspired by a mass exodus of young adults leaving Croatia for better opportunities in foreign countries.[6][3] To Purišić, the song is a "humorous and light hearted approach" to the issue.[7] The song itself tells a story of a young, rural man who leaves his village for a better life in a foreign country; although excited, he is still wracked by anxiety over moving.[6][7][2] Purišić was also inspired by his ownanxiety. In the song lyrics, 'rim tim tagi dim' serves as the name of a fictionalfolk dance of the narrator's native village.[8] Sonically, "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" merges elements oftechno,heavy metal,pop andtrap;[9][10][11] Matilda Källén ofDagens Nyheter described it as "some kind ofpop punk with elements of techno and metal".[12] It is based on a sample taken from theSounds of KSHMR Vol. 2Splice pack.[13]
"Rim Tim Tagi Dim" has been largely well received. WhenVečernji list's Hrvoje Horvat dubbed the song the worst one atDora and compared it to the works ofDead or Alive,[14] the comment was condemned byIndex.hr writer Josip Bošnjak.[15] The song was also compared toKäärijä's "Cha Cha Cha" andPain's "Party in My Head"; in response, Purišić expressed admiration for the former artist.[16][17] Käärijä himself later praised the song, dubbing it "crazy".[18] Writing forIndex.hr, Martina Radoš called onCroatian Radiotelevision (HRT) to fire those who placed Purišić among the reserves.[19] In an article for the same publication, Bošnjak wrote: "It's an unusual musicaloxymoron. Sad everyday life in a cheerfulIstrian tone."[20] The song was praised by Croatian artistsMatko Jelavić,[21]Zorica Kondža,[22] andZdenka Kovačiček,[23] along with journalistVedrana Rudan.[24]
In reactions byWiwibloggs' William Lee Adams and Cinan, the two praised the song for its composition and lyrics. Adams stated in response to the song's composition, "nothing here feels sort of forced, cheesy, or generic; it feels sincere... this is quality. It just feels like a sincererock song."[25] Markus Larsson ofAftonbladet described the song as a "hard-to-digest but effective mix ofRammstein andSean Banan" and pointed out its likely victory at Eurovision.[26] Hanna Fahl ofDagens Nyheter evoked some of Larsson's sentiment, writing: "Aschlagerfied Rammstein for cat lovers and anxiety sufferers – it's both lovable and troll-friendly in all its simple silliness."[27]NPR's Glen Weldon acknowledged the song as a favourite to win the competition, praising the combination of the song's message and musical style, calling it a "narrativeturducken".[28] Roisin O'Connor fromThe Independent included the song on their list of ten potential favourites to win the contest, writing, "the staging for this is also nuts... Perfect Eurovision fodder, and very entertaining!"[29]
In aWiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 8.5 out of 10 points,[30] earning second out of the 37 songs competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on the site's annual ranking.[31] Another review conducted byESC Bubble that contained reviews from a combination of readers and juries rated the song first out of the 15 songs "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" was competing against in its the Eurovision semi-final.[32] Jon O'Brien ofVulture ranked the song as 12th overall, dubbing it "essentially a piece ofsocioeconomic commentary". He credited its "infectious rhythmic verses and slightly deranged leap fromBalkan techno to headbangingemo" for Purišić's status of a Eurovision favourite.[33]ESC Beat's Doron Lahav also ranked the song 12th overall, stating that while he believed the song would be remembered by listeners, he acknowledged Purišić's inconsistent live vocals during performances.[34]The Scotsman writer Erin Adam gave the song a heavily positive review, rating the song 10 points out of 10 and stating that the song was her personal winner.[35]
Shortly after "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" wonDora 2024, the song was listed on 29 February 2024 as the overall favourite to win the competition, at 4.82-to-1 odds.[36] By 10 March, although Purišić still remained the favourite, his odds had slightly decreased.[37] 12 days later, his odds decreased to the lowest a Croatian entry had ever been placed.[38] AfterPre-Party ES, on 1 April, the song fell to second place in the betting odds, falling behindSwitzerland'sNemo and their song, "The Code".[39] After rehearsals, the song still remained in second place.[40] However, after the semi-finals, the song was listed once again as the overall favourite to win the contest.[41][42]
An accompanying music video for the song was released on 20 February 2024.[11] The video was directed by Purišić's partner, Elizabeta Ružić, and filmed in her nativeKaštelir-Labinci.[43][44][45] According to aJutarnji list review, the music video features a rural man, surrounded by fellow rural residents and farm animals, emigrating out of Croatia in search of a better life.[46] In the video, the rural man displays that, while excited to move out of his rural lifestyle, he is still overtaken by anxiety and fear.[47]
Purišić performing "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" at Pre-Party ES. He embarked on a promotional tour in order to promote the song.
On 22 March, Purišić performed the song at the 30thVečernjak's Rose Awards.[54][55] To further promote the song, Purišić announced his participation in various Eurovision pre-parties, includingAmsterdam'sEurovision in Concert,Madrid'sPre-Party ES, and theLondon Eurovision Party.[56][57] During his visit to the Netherlands, Purišić also performed the song onBeau, a Dutch talk-show series, on 12 April.[58] On 21 April, Purišić performed the song on the Slovenian TV showNedeljsko popoldne.[59][60][61]
HRT, Croatia's broadcaster, organized a 24-entry competition,Dora 2024, to select Croatia's representative for theEurovision Song Contest 2024.[66] The competition consisted of two 12-song semi-finals that culminated into a grand final, with eight songs qualifying from each semi-final. In the final, the winner was selected from a 50/50 combination of votes from the public and a jury that consisted from international and local Croatian juries.[67]
Purišić was announced on 2 January as a reserve entry in the case of anyone in the main lineup's withdrawal.[4] The following day,Zsa Zsa withdrew from the competition, with Purišić taking her spot.[5] It was drawn to perform seventh in the second semi-final, which took place on 23 February.[68] The performance was choreographed by Luana Kličić and Sebastijan Žeželić, who also took part in it as backing dancers,[49] as well as Purišić's brother Martin who played the drums.[18] It featuredCroatian folk elements such aslace,headscarfs, and awashboard, with Purišić wearing a Valentina Pliško-designed costume consisting of a black leather vest, a shirt made of silver rings, faded black jeans with a pink twine, and white baggy sleeves inspired by theCroatian traditional clothing. The sleeves were compared to those worn by Käärijä at theEurovision Song Contest 2023.[8][18][69] The performance also featured a suitcase, symbolizing emigration, andneon farm animals on the LED backdrop.[12]
The song managed to qualify for the grand final,[70] and was later drawn to perform 14th.[71] Purišić performed a repeat of his semi-final performance. Upon the announcement of the voting results in the grand final on 25 February, the song was revealed to have won the competition, winning both the jury and televote with a combined total of 321 points, 239 more than Vinko Ćemeraš' "Lying Eyes", the runner-up. He also won 247 points from televote, 220 more than Alen Đuras' "A Tamburitza Lullaby", the televote runner-up; all other entries earned 218 points from televote combined. As a result, the song won the right to representCroatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[72]
Kličić, Purišić and Žeželić (left to right) during a rehearsal before the first semi-final
TheEurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at theMalmö Arena inMalmö, Sweden, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. During the allocation draw on 30 January 2024, Croatia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.[73] He was later drawn to perform seventh in the semi-final, afterPoland'sLuna and beforeIceland'sHera Björk.[74]
Purišić's performance at Eurovision featured certain modifications compared to the one fromDora: Pliško created new costumes more heavily inspired by the traditional clothing, as well as masks for the dancers inspired by Istriančentrini. Martin Purišić was replaced by Matija Klaj on the drums.[18] Purišić's costume consisted of white shirt and trousers made of lace, as well as a red vest with golden and silver details. The outfit was rounded off with achoker, black boots and a tousled hairdo. The performance also featured a backdrop of dancingLED cats.[75] At the end of his semi-final performance, Purišić winked at the audience and meowed, whichZadovoljna.hr interpreted as a reference to his one-eyed cat Stipe.[76] The performance drew positive reactions from previous Croatian Eurovision participants, including the2017 representativeJacques Houdek and the2023 representativesLet 3.[77] "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" won the semi-final, scoring 177 points and securing a position in the grand final.[78][79]
Purišić performed a repeat of his performance in the grand final on 11 May. The song was performed 23rd, ahead ofSlovenia'sRaiven and beforeGeorgia'sNutsa Buzaladze.[80] After the results were announced, he finished second with 547 points, with a split score of 210 points from the juries and 337 points from public televoting.[81] Regarding the former, the song received two sets of the maximum 12 points fromCyprus andSerbia. It also managed to receive nine additional sets of 12 points from the public televote, winning the televote in the process.[82][83] The result was Croatia's highest ever finish in the contest.[84] In response to his finish, Purišić expressed contentment, stating that he was "surprised how happy I am... We didn't fake anything, everything was done exactly as we imagined, as it should have been."[81]
On 12 May, the day after the final, Purišić arrived from Malmö to Zagreb, where he was welcomed by a crowd of fans and his parents at theZagreb Airport. He was then taken to theBan Jelačić Square by a panoramic bus. At the square, he was welcomed by thousands of fans, to whom he expressed his gratitude and broke down in tears. He then performed "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" two times in a row. Prior to his arrival, the crowd at the square was entertained by performances fromEmilija Kokić (Yugoslavia 1989),Tajči (Yugoslavia 1990) and Let 3 (Croatia 2023).[85] Those who welcomed Purišić at the square also included theMayor of ZagrebTomislav Tomašević and thePrime MinisterAndrej Plenković.[86] On 16 May, Plenković revealed that theGovernment would reward Purišić with€50,000 for his success;[87] Purišić, however, refused to accept the money and asked that €25,000 each be donated to two hospitals that he himself had chosen.[88] On 19 May, Purišić was announced as the winner of theYou're a Vision Award.[89]
Purišić's success at Eurovision became a cultural phenomenon in Croatia. He was shown support byRTL Vijesti, theCroatian National Tourist Board,Croatia Airlines and theCroatian Football Federation. In an op-ed forAgroklub, Leticija Hrenković wondered if "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" could change the attitude of the average Croatian towards the rural.[90]Večernji list's Ana Hajduk andGloria's Ana Strizić credited Purišić for restoring the popularity of lace.[91][92]
Prior toDora, "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" debuted at number 24 on theHR Top 40 issue dated 14 January 2024,[93] before peaking at number four the following week.[94] Following its triumph atDora, it reached the new peak of number one on the chart issue dated 3 March 2024.[95] It also debuted at number two onBillboard'sCroatia Songs chart issue dated 9 March 2024, behind "Fantazija" byGrše andMiach.[96][97] On the chart issue dated 25 May 2024, it ended"Fantazija"'s 15-week reign and reached the chart summit.[98]
On theUK Singles Chart issue dated 17 May 2024, "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" debuted at number 36.[99] The achievement made Purišić only the second Croatian artist to appear on the chart, afterIvo Robić who peaked at number 23 with "Morgen" (1959).[100] Other territories where the song reachedtop 40 include Austria,[101][102] Finland,[103] Greece,[104] Iceland,[105] Ireland,[106] Latvia,[107] Lithuania,[108] Luxembourg,[109] Norway,[110] Poland,[111] Sweden,[112] and Switzerland.[113]
On 26 February 2024, a day after theDora final,Vatrogasci released theirCroatian-language parody cover of "Rim Tim Tagi Dim", titled "Rim Tu Tiki Tiki".[116]
On 5 May 2024, the weekend before the Eurovision week, Croatian actress Marija Kolb impersonated Purišić'sDora performance in the tenth episode of the eighth season ofTvoje lice zvuči poznato, winning the episode. Her performance was endorsed by Purišić.[117][118]
On 12 May 2025, Purišić performed anacoustic version of "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" in the morning programme ofOtvoreni Radio.[119] The version was described ascountry by multiple publications.[120][121][122] Five days later, on 17 May, Purišić and Käärijä performed a mashup of "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" and "Cha Cha Cha" in the grand final ofEurovision Song Contest 2025.
^Sedlar, Jelena (20 February 2024)."Baby Lasagna objavio spot za pjesmu "Rim Tim Tagi Dim"" [Baby Lasagna released a music video for the song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”].Muzika.hr (in Croatian).Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved26 February 2024.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 20. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
