Gravity (Zlata Ognevich song)

“Gravity” was composed by Mikhail Nekrasov, a Russian-born producer and songwriter, with lyrics by Karen Kavaleryan, a prominent Russian lyricist known for writing many Eurovision entries. The song was specifically crafted for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, which was held in Malmö, Sweden. Ognevich had previously attempted to represent Ukraine in 2010 and 2012, and this time she was selected through the national final.

The song is written in the key of E minor and has a moderate tempo of 128 beats per minute. It features a distinctive whistling motif that recurs throughout, which became a signature element. Lyrically, “Gravity” explores themes of love and the irresistible pull between two people, using the metaphor of gravity to describe an emotional force that cannot be denied. The production incorporates pop and dance elements with a subtle ethnic flavor, reflecting Ognevich's style.

Ukraine participated in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, held on 14 May. Ognevich performed “Gravity” wearing a long white dress, and the performance included a dramatic staging with a wind machine and a male dancer. She qualified for the final, which took place on 18 May. In the final, she performed 19th in the running order and received a total of 214 points, placing third behind Denmark's Emmelie de Forest (winner) and Azerbaijan's Farid Mammadov (runner-up).

The song received 12 points from the juries of Belarus, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, and 10 points from several other countries. It was particularly popular with televoters, receiving the maximum 12 points from Belarus, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, and 10 from Russia, among others. The third-place finish was Ukraine's best result since 2008, when Ani Lorak finished second.

“Gravity” was released as a digital single on 13 March 2013 by the label Best Music. It was also included on Ognevich's debut album, also titled Gravity, released later that year. The song charted in several European countries following the Eurovision final, reaching number 36 on the Swedish Singles Chart and number 40 on the Belgian Ultratop 50 (Flanders). It also appeared on the Ukrainian Airplay Chart, where it peaked at number 1.

The single was accompanied by a music video directed by Alan Badoev, a well-known Ukrainian director. The video features Ognevich in a futuristic setting, with visual effects that play on the theme of gravity, including floating objects and weightless movements. The video was released on 20 March 2013 and has garnered millions of views on YouTube.

“Gravity” received generally positive reviews from music critics and Eurovision fans. Many praised the song's catchy melody and the whistle hook, which was considered memorable. The performance was also lauded for its visual impact, with some noting that the staging was one of the most striking of the contest. However, some critics felt that the song was not as strong as other entries and that the staging overshadowed the vocal performance.

In a review for ESC Today, the song was described as “a well-crafted pop song with a strong hook,” while Wiwibloggs noted that it “had the potential to win” but ultimately fell short. The song's third-place finish was seen as a respectable result, and it contributed to Ognevich's popularity in Ukraine and internationally.

One lesser-known fact is that “Gravity” was originally written for another artist, but Nekrasov and Kavaleryan offered it to Ognevich after she won the national selection. The song's whistle was performed by Nekrasov himself, who is also a session musician.

The song's title and lyrics have been interpreted by some as a metaphor for the political situation in Ukraine, with the “gravity” representing the pull of the country towards Europe versus Russia. However, the songwriters have stated that the song is purely about love.

Ognevich's Eurovision performance was notable for its use of a wind machine, which was a last-minute addition to the staging. The wind machine caused her dress to billow dramatically, which became one of the most talked-about moments of the contest.

After Eurovision, Ognevich released a Russian-language version of the song titled “Gravitaciya” (Гравитация), which was included on her album. She also performed the song at various events, including the 2013 Crimean Music Festival.

In 2014, Ognevich was appointed as the official representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the “Orange the World” campaign, and she has cited “Gravity” as a song that helped raise her international profile.

Eurovision Song Contest

An annual international song competition held among member countries of the European Broadcasting Union.

Whistle hook

A melodic phrase played by whistling, often used as a memorable instrumental motif in pop songs.

National final

A competition held within a country to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.