World Song Contest

THE WINNER

Country: South Africa
Artist(s): David Fourie featuring Eclips
Song: Baby Maak Net Oop Jou Deur

David Fourie is a South African singer, born in 1981. He was one of the 10 finalists of the South African version of Idol in 2002. David Fourie's story is no Hollywood fairytale, but that of plain hard work and a burning desire to succeed. As a little boy, growing up in a very small town called Wepener, in the southern part of South Africa, David was never exposed to the glitz, glamour or realities of the entertainment industry. He used to listen to his mother and grandmother playing the piano and singing together, he immediately developed an interest in music and joined in at local festivals and Christmas celebrations. David's mother urged him to become more serious about playing the piano and developing his vocal gift so he auditioned to be part of a national choir ¡V touring through South Africa and Europe crafting the art of performance. After he finished Gr. 5 in piano at Unisa he started performing as a solo-act locally and nationally ¡V aged 11. A Tenor who had just returned from working in big opera houses Germany saw David singing and asked him to be his duo partner over the festive season in South Africa in 1996 ¡V David aged 16. After school he became very serious about his solo career and joined a local dance group while being a lead vocalist for the local church band. Soon David had an act ready to compete on an international level- full backing vocals and a cast of 8 dancers performing all over the country. In 2001 David, aged 20, won a talent competition that boasted with approximately 1000 entrants. The prize included some studio time to record a demo, but the organizers refused to hand him his prize. Although a big accomplishment David wasn¡¦t satisfied and was determined to have his talents showcased\tested at National level. 'IDOLS SA 2002' gave him just that opportunity, although he wasn't allowed any dancers or backup vocalists he braved the judges and advanced to the top 50. Then David faced the biggest judge of all, the public of South Africa and was voted by the nation to be part of the final Top 10 of 'IDOLS SA', who would sweat it out in the finals of the competition. Media coverage and Television time in 'IDOLS SA' created a platform for David to be transformed from a nobody to become one of South Africa's established artists. He was offered a four album platinum deal with BMG Africa and released his first single during March 2003. He entered the Afrikaans market and therefor included two Afrikaans tracks, "Ek wil jou ken" and "Jy sprei my vlerke". His first album released during April 2004 is called "Land in die Suide" with a variety of different songs, Afrikaans and English, from up-tempo pop songs to serious medley¡¦s with only piano or guitar accompanying him. He is working with the best producers, songwriters and publicists to promote his talent and further his career nationally and internationally. David appeared on various television shows as guest artist such as "Egoli ¡V Place of Gold", "Die Casper Rasper Show", "Liriekeraai", "Dis hoe dit is met Steve", "Kwela", "Belboks", "Geraas", "In die kryt met Amore and Joost", "Kunskafee" and others. He was nominated for the Geraas awards as most stylish artist of 2003. He also received a nomination as most popular guest artist during the "Egoli ¡V Place of Gold" awards. The video of his song "Ek wil jou ken" reached second spot during the Geraas most favourite videos of 2003. "Just a boy" received a SAMA nomination in 2003 for Best composition by Joe Niemand. The album "Land in die Suide" was nominated as best pop album during the 2004 GMT awards. David was approached to try his hand in acting and was included in a cast of well-known actors for the play "Plofstof" which had a succesful run at the Klein Karoo Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn during April 2004. The album "Land in die Suide" was also nominated as best contempory Afrikaans album during the 2005 SAMA awards. The song "Land in die Suide" reached top 10 at the World Peace Song Festival in 2005 held in Italy. David signed a record deal with Select Music in 2005 and released an album in 2006. David is performing countrywide as well as in neighbouring countries.

Official website: http://www.davidfourie.co.za/

Eclips is a South African band consisting of Lizelle le Roux and Emrie de Klerk. They have released three albums together. There music is a mix of traditional African and Dutch sounds mixed with Classical. They studied at Pretoria university and have travelled to America, Russia and West Europe. Singles of theirs have been Hemel op Tafelberg, Hoeka Toeka, Time to say goodbye and Simply the best!

Official website: http://www.eclips.co.za/

Lyrics

Onthou jy nog by Hartenbos
Ek het my hart by jou gelos
My hart is huistoe saam met jou
Nou loop jy in my drome rond en ek verlang na jou
Oooh Baby ek kan nie meer wag
Gaan jy my glo as ek jou se ek staan voor jou deur

Baby maak net oop jou deur want ek klop klop alweer
Want ek wil vanaand daar langs jou kom le
Dit is warm in my arms en daar's 'n plek
'n Plek waar ek en jy mekaar net meer kan leer

Tel op jou tas - kom saam met my
Ek dink jy moet by my kom bly
Dit moet mos wees hoe liefde voel
Jy loop nog in my drome rond en ek's vir jou bedoel

Oooh Baby ek kan nie meer wag
Gaan jy my glo as ek jou se ek staan voor jou deur

Baby maak net oop jou deur want ek klop klop alweer
Want ek wil vanaand daar langs jou kom le
Dit is warm in my arms en daar's 'n plek
'n Plek waar ek en jy mekaar net meer kan leer

Neem jy die vrou vir jou, om vas te hou, net vir jou, neem jy die man, vir e-ewig

Baby maak net oop jou deur want ek klop klop alweer
Want ek wil vanaand daar langs jou kom le
Dit is warm in my arms en daar's 'n plek
'n Plek waar ek en jy mekaar net meer kan leer

Na Na Na¡K
'n Plek waar ek en jy mekaar net meer kan leer

YOUR COMMENTS

When the 35th edition of the World Song Contest started, 15 different countries won in the 15 previous editions. This was the longest serie of that kind since the contest started around three years ago. But it came to an end after the winner of WSC .35 was known.

The record of participants was broken once again as 68 countries took part, including new comers Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Ecuador and Peru and returning countries like India or Chile. It was the first time America was represented by so many countries (13), most of them from South America.

So once again semi finals had to help voters to find a winner as from 68 songs, only 35 took part in the final. The previous edition showed us the results of the semi finals were often respected, at least for the countries which won their heat. It was not the case this time, as Trinidad & Tobago finished first of its heat only to reach the 27th position in the final. On the other hand, Norway finished 8th of its heat but took the silver medal of the contest. The biggest star of this edition, Kylie Minogue, failed to qualify for Australia while South Africa with Pop Idol participant, David Fourie, easily won the semi final and became the final winner with the song Baby Maak Net Oop Jou Deur, the first ever winning song performed in Afrikaans. This was the second victory for South Africa.

Gallery of Participants

Christine Guldbrandsen

Tina Karol

Chambao

Aya Korem

My Little Airport

Tina Arena

Martin Klein

Cocoon