Article in English, published by Wiwibloggs.com 27.11.2020

By William Lee Adams

Read the Original Article Here

 

It’s the holiday collaboration of the year — and one we never knew we needed. But now that Romanian star Roxen has teamed up with Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak on “Wonderland”, we’re not sure how we ever lived without it.
Roxen’s team say the story revolves around the “feelings she has experienced during this last period” — no doubt a reference to the ongoing pandemic that’s left so many of us stuck at home and feeling isolated.
The opening lyrics hint at that, but also Roxen’s underlying sense of optimism.“Alcohol and cigarettes seem to be my only friends,” she sings. “I lie awake ’til after five, thinking about all those crooked lies….and it gets hard to breathe and my tongue is tied, my broken dreams burst at the seams, somehow I still believe.”

 

Roxen’s “Wonderland” music video

 

 

In the music video she doesn’t just believe: She detaches herself from reality to create a “Wonderland” all her own. Her passport isn’t in her drawer, but between her ears as she embarks on a fantasy adventure in playful outfits — from sequinned parachute pants to frilly purple party dresses.

Just as Alice had a rather trippy trip down that rabbit hole, Roxen creates a world where she can dance with melting disco balls, vogue as white bunnies fall from a purple sky and roll around in glittering silver snow. The wintery swerve on the disco aesthetic needs to become an annual tradition.

Rybak’s influence can be felt most clearly in the strings, which mesh smoothly with the tropical house undertone.

They’re present but not overpowering, giving the electronic sound a warm, folksy feel.

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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“I’m glad we’re finally seeing the clip for Wonderland,” Roxen said in a statement sent to Wiwibloggs. “It is one of my favorites. I found myself completely in the whole concept, this whole story is a part of me, of my universe and vibrates just like me. I would like both the song as well as the video to make you dream and take your thoughts to a fantastic world.”

Alexander Rybak isn’t the only Eurovision star connected with the song. “Wonderland” was co-produced by James Richard Newman — the same James Newman who was due to represent the UK at Eurovision 2020. As well as being a singer he is also an experienced songwriter and producer.

The song was written and composed by James Daniel Lewis, Chelcee Maria Grimes and Alexander Rybak and produced by James Richard Newman and Mădălin Roșioru.

The video was directed by Raluca Netca, with Alex Chițu overseeing photography. The production was sealed, signed and delivered by Loops Production.

From the Video Description:

Music & Lyrics by James Daniel Lewis, Chelcee Maria Grimes, Alexander Rybak

Produced by James Richard Newman, Madalin Rosioru (MADS) (C) & (P) 2020 #GlobalRecords

Toate drepturile sunt rezervate. Orice upload neautorizat al acestui videoclip este ilegal si poate fi raportat oricand la Youtube.

All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. In order to avoid copyright infringement, please do not upload this video on your channel. #Roxen #AlexanderRybak

 Wonderland | LYRICS

Alcohol and cigarettes seem to be my only friends

I lay awake till after 5 thinking about all those crooked lies

And it gets hard to breathe and my tongue is tied

Wonʼt say a word till the day I die

My broken dreams burst at the seams

Somehow I still believe

So I just stay out till the morning comes

Dance all night till my body’s numb

I black out till the feelings gone

The only way I feel ok

And they say

Oh there she goes

Where she goes nobody knows

To a place she calls her home

Wonderland Woah oh oh

Oh there she is with a bottle to her lips

Fly away with just a sip

Wonderland Woah oh oh

Want a love so damn hard,

Harder so it leaves a mark

And it leaves me scarred, tears me apart

Leaves soul leaking up inside my heart

Coz I just wanna feel something real

Leave me broken thatʼs ideal

I know Iʼm dancing with the devil

But I promise ill be careful

So I just stay out till the morning comes

Dance all night till my bodies numb

I black out till the feelings gone

The only way I feel ok

And they say

Chorus:

Oh there she goes Where she goes nobody knows

To a place she calls her home

Wonderland Woah oh oh

Oh there she is with a bottle to her lips

Fly away with just a sip

Wonderland Woah oh oh