Greece's harrowing Eurovision lyrics explained as song 'addresses separation'

Wales Online

15-05-2025

Greece's harrowing Eurovision lyrics explained as song 'addresses separation'
Greece is amongst the countries competing in the second Eurovision semi-final, with Klavdia performing the song Asteromata, which translates to 'Starry-eyed'
Asteromata is performed by Klavdia
(Image: EUROVISION )
The second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest is about to commence, with Greece among the contenders vying for a spot in Saturday's grand finale.
Before the 2025 competition, Greece had graced the Eurovision stage 44 times since its first appearance in 1974.
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Greece has claimed victory once in the contest's history, with Helena Paparizou's performance of 'My Number One' in 2005.
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This year, Klavdia, who reached the final of The Voice of Greece under the mentorship of Eurovision champion Paparizou, will represent the nation.
Klavdia shares 'personal connection' to song
Klavdia has already made waves in the music industry with platinum-selling hits like 'Haramata' and 'Vasanizomai', earning her the Best Newcomer title at the Super Music Awards in Cyprus in 2023. At just 22, she has shared the stage with some big names in the industry.
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Her Eurovision entry, 'Asteromata', which translates to 'Starry-eyed', features poignant lyrics such as: "My sweet mother, do not weep. Though they dress you in mourning black, This faded, weary body of mine. No flame can ever crack, The swallows born of fire's embrace."
The song is characterised as "an ethnic ballad that addresses separation in every possible form."
The song's description further reads: "From what we love, from our childhood, from a place we left behind... It's open to interpretation but, in its essence, it shares a message of hope and resilience."
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While she didn't pen the lyrics herself, she found it easy to connect with the song on a personal level, affectionately referring to it as "her little baby".
Speaking to Eurovision, she revealed: "The lyrics were ready since last year. They were in some drawer just sitting and waiting to be used.
Klavdia representing Greece attends the Turquoise Carpet of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Opening Ceremony
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"I did the melody in some parts. In the verses, to be exact. And I totally feel like this song is my little baby."
She described the process as organic, saying: "I literally went with the flow. I read the lyrics and the melody came by, it was very natural.
In fact, all about this song was natural and we were all on the same page."
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She also shared that she has received numerous messages from fans who were moved by the song. The lyrics continue: "My sweet mother, do not weep. My life's a vessel, drifting free. Forever searching for its home. The wind, its sail at sea."
This isn't her first attempt to represent Greece at Eurovision; she tried in 2023 but wasn't successful. "Back then the process was different. We didn't have a national selection contest," she explained.
The second Eurovision semi-final will be broadcast on BBC One on May 15 at 8pm. Viewers outside the UK can watch it on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.