Home (Kobi Marimi Song)

"Home" began as a personal song written by Inbar Weitzman — a singer-songwriter who performs under the name Lukah — about her own experience with bulimia and a period when she felt unseen by the world.[7] In its original form, the song had a poppier, edgier tone written for and by Weitzman herself.[8]

When the Israeli public broadcaster KAN opened a submission process for Eurovision 2019, Weitzman approached Ohad Shragai — her former voice-development teacher — to help adapt the song for Kobi Marimi.[7] In the revision, the chorus Weitzman had originally written and composed remained intact, while the verses were reworked to suit Marimi's voice and style.[7] Weitzman described the finished song as optimistic and full of hope, noting that she and Marimi had both grown up feeling rejected and overlooked; she believed the song suited him, though she noted the particular vocal delivery chosen for the recording was not to her personal taste.[7]

The resulting arrangement was a slow ballad backed by piano and choir — a marked departure from the upbeat, winning song Israel had entered the previous year — and was seen as well suited to Marimi's operatic vocal style.[8][9]

KAN selected "Home" for Marimi to perform at Eurovision from approximately 200 submissions — a figure KAN stated was 30% more than in previous years.[1] A six-member judging committee oversaw the process.[1] As part of the selection, Marimi recorded samples of a shortlisted group of songs so the committee could hear the entries in his voice; the songs were played anonymously during judging.[1]

The full song was publicly introduced on March 10, 2019, during the Israeli television awards ceremony broadcast by KAN.[10] Marimi said he was moved the first time he heard it and immediately connected with it, thanking the selection committee for choosing a song he felt suited him.[1] The song's official music video was directed by Guy Sagie.[9]

Sung entirely in English, "Home" is a heartfelt ballad about self-discovery and homecoming.[2] Marimi described its subject as "empowerment and personal faith," saying he believed listeners everywhere could connect with it.[2] The song's narrator describes gathering scars, standing tall through hardship, and ultimately returning home; the refrain carries the declaration "I am someone."[3] The song's closing line states, "And now I'm done, I'm coming home."[2]

The National Library of Israel published a Hebrew translation of the lyrics alongside an essay situating the song within the context of Eurovision 2019.[3]

Ahead of the contest, Marimi released an updated version of "Home." The new arrangement was somewhat faster than the original and removed the operatic vocal cry that had opened the original recording, which had drawn criticism from some Israeli reviewers.[11][5]

Israeli critical response to the original had been cool, with some characterizing the song as slow and lacking personality, while Eurovision fans abroad were reported to be more appreciative.[11] At a pre-contest rehearsal in Tel Aviv, reviewers praised Marimi's assured and emotional vocals.[11]

Marimi gave the song its live debut at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam on April 6, 2019, performing before an audience of approximately 5,000.[12] The performance was briefly interrupted when Marimi stopped singing because he could not hear the backing track through his earpiece; once the technical problem was resolved, he continued and his vocals drew loud applause from the crowd.[12] Addressing the audience afterward, he said, "I'll see you all in my home: in Israel, in Tel Aviv, in May."[12]

Israel hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv after Netta Barzilai's "Toy" had won the 2018 contest for the country.[4] Israel qualified automatically for the grand final as the host nation and did not compete in the semifinals.[13][10]

In the grand final, held on May 18, 2019, "Home" was performed 14th among 26 entries.[5] Marimi performed the revised arrangement, omitting the original vocal introduction.[5] He was backed by a small chorus in evening wear and moved toward the front of the stage during the performance.[13] At the conclusion of the song, Marimi began crying onstage.[5] The performance drew applause, and Marimi later said he was happy with how it went and proud to represent Israel.[5]

Israel finished 23rd out of 26 finalists with "Home."[6] Initial results reported following the contest gave Israel 47 points, including 35 televoting points and 12 jury points attributed to Belarus.[14] The European Broadcasting Union subsequently determined that the Belarus jury result had been based on incorrect results and cancelled those 12 jury points.[6] Israel retained its 35 televoting points and its 23rd-place ranking, which was unchanged by the correction.[6]

Israel's path to the 2019 contest had an unusual prelude: the Shalva Band, one of the competitors in the Israeli selection process, forfeited the opportunity because it would not participate in the required Shabbat rehearsals. A request by Culture Minister Miri Regev for an exemption was denied, and Marimi was subsequently chosen as Israel's representative.[15]

The contest itself was staged in Tel Aviv rather than Jerusalem, a decision the Jewish Virtual Library attributes to political objections to holding the event in the capital.[4]