Set Me Free (Eden Alene song)

"Set Me Free" was chosen by Israeli viewers in a televised selection on January 25, 2021, after advancing from a larger pool of submissions.[7] Written by Amit Mordechai, Ido Netzer, Noam Zaltin, and Ron Carmi, it frames escape from a toxic relationship as a broader message of self-empowerment and freedom.[1] The song replaced Alene's planned 2020 entry, "Feker Libi," after the European Broadcasting Union required countries to submit new songs for the 2021 contest.[2]

"Set Me Free" emerged from a layered national selection process organized by Israel's public broadcaster, Kan.[8][7] Nine candidate songs were uploaded for public voting in December 2020, from which two finalists advanced through the public vote and a third was chosen by a Kan committee.[8] In the first round, the candidate songs were performed by various artists rather than Alene.[8] The three finalists were then recorded by Alene, and viewers voted again through an app over a six-day period to determine Israel's Eurovision entry.[8][7]

On January 25, 2021, "Set Me Free" was announced as the winner during a televised broadcast hosted by Lucy Ayoub, defeating "La La Love" and "Ue La La."[7] The nine-song shortlist had been selected by a Kan committee from about 200 submissions before the three finalists advanced.[7]

Kan retained Alene as Israel's representative after her planned 2020 Eurovision entry, "Feker Libi," went unperformed when the contest was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Broadcasting Union required participating countries to submit new songs for 2021, so "Set Me Free" replaced "Feker Libi."[2] "Feker Libi" had incorporated English, Hebrew, Amharic, and Arabic,[1] while the new entry was sung primarily in English with a Hebrew phrase in the chorus.[3]

The song was written by Amit Mordechai, Ido Netzer, Noam Zaltin, and Ron Carmi.[1][7] Its central theme is self-empowerment — specifically, breaking free from a toxic relationship — though its creators gave it a broader message intended to resonate with anyone seeking freedom.[1]

Lyrically, the song is mostly in English, with the Hebrew phrase "Chalas im ha'shiga'on" woven into the chorus. The phrase translates to "Enough with the madness."[3] The Times of Israel interpreted lyrics including "feeling like in prison" and "feels like no tomorrow, everywhere that I go, babe, I'm gonna lose my mind" as an emotional response to the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic.[9]

A new sound mix and music video for "Set Me Free" appeared in March 2021.[4] Walla described the revision as more pop-oriented, stronger, and more modern than the original, with the modulation at the end of the original version removed. The outlet also reported positive reactions from Eurovision video bloggers, although one reviewer expressed disappointment with the altered ending.[4]

The music video was directed by Nimrod Peled, filmed at the Design City complex, and produced by Tali Eshkoli. Behind-the-scenes footage was released in April 2021.[10] Visually, the video depicts Alene waking a grey, slumbering world that gradually fills with color and energy as the song progresses.[9]

A distinctive element of the revamped version was a high whistle note near the song's ending. Alene's vocal coach, Naama Ofek Levy, explained that the note — identified as a B6 — was not part of the original song. It was added during preparations for the new version, when the team was searching for a strong improvised moment to enhance the performance.[5]

Alene, Israel's first Eurovision contestant of Ethiopian descent, performed "Set Me Free" in the first semifinal in Rotterdam on May 18, 2021, and qualified for the grand final.[1][11] Mako highlighted the strength of the high notes at the conclusion of her semifinal performance. After performing, she thanked the audience in Hebrew, Arabic, Amharic, and English.[11]

In the grand final on May 22, Alene performed third among the 26 competing entries, accompanied by five dancers and wearing two dresses designed by Alon Livné. Ynet described the performance as precise, polished, and full of fun. She again thanked the audience in Hebrew, Arabic, English, and Amharic.[12]

Israel finished 17th with a total of 93 points: 73 from the professional jury and 20 from the public televote.[6]

The national selection process drew criticism from Eurovision-industry participants and fans because the finalists were presented through music videos rather than live performances. Eurovision specialist Alon Amir argued that video clips did not give viewers a complete picture of how Alene would sing the songs live, how staging would work, or how well each song suited her as a performer.[7]

Before the semifinal, a Jerusalem Post preview reported speculation that the conflict with Gaza could affect Alene's chances at Eurovision. This was presented as speculation and does not establish an explanation for the eventual result.[1]

The claim that Alene's B6 note set a new Eurovision high-note record — previously associated with Croatia's Maja Blagdan in 1996 — was not officially confirmed by the contest. The assertion came from members of the Israeli delegation and Eurovision fans, and Eurovision did not issue a formal ruling on the matter.[5]