On Saturday, after months of anticipation, Macedonian entrant Tijana Dapčević finally released her song for Copenhagen.  On a special edition of MRT’s music program Hit na mesecot featuring performances by Eurovision alumnas Elena Risteska and Karolina Gočeva, Tijana gave us both versions of her entry: “To the Sky” in English, and “Tamu kaj što pripagjam (There where I belong)”.

In English (which we’ll likely hear in Denmark):

And in Macedonian (with lyrics by Elena Risteka):

The song was written by the team of Darko Dimitrov and Lazar Cvetkoski, who also gave us last year’s entry, “Pred da se razdeni” and, in Darko’s case at least, 2006’s “Ninanajna“.  Tijana’s sister, Tamara Todevska, who represented the nation in 2008 with “Let Me Love You“, will be featured as a backing vocalist.

As for my opinion, I think this is a smart move out of Skopje.  As a seasoned performer, Tijana has a confidence and likeability that can easily transcend the boundaries of the region where she’s already a star.  (Which will be important in a year where neighboring Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina will be absent.)  So far, really only “To the Sky” and Ukraine’s “Tick Tock” have brought truly danceable pop to Copenhagen, although Macedonia appears to be doing so with more finesse and less overt sleaze.  (And, of course, fewer lyrics that compare one’s lover to one’s brother. Yeesh.)  From the looks of it, Tijana’s on the way to having one of Eurovision 2014’s fan favorites…at the very least, at the Euroclub.  It’s very plausible that Tijana could give Macedonia it’s highest placement ever, beating “Ninanajna”‘s 12th place.  But, of course, only time will tell…