Biography
Harel Skaat was born on August 8, 1981, in Kfar Sava, Israel to a Yemenite and Iraqi Jewish family. Skaat's singing talents garnered attention from an early age. When he was 6 he won a children's singing competition and later appeared in an episode of a popular Israeli television show called Parpar Nehmad. In an interview with esctoday, Skaat said that he was taught how to sing by the Yemenite side of his family—his father, grandfather, and grandmother. After serving a mandatory stint in the Israel Defense Forces, he attended Beit Zvi, a college specializing in the performing arts.
Kokhav Nolad
In 2004, Skaat entered Kokhav Nolad, a televised singing competition based on Pop Idol. Skaat quickly emerged as the favorite, consistently receiving praise for his performances from the show's judges. He easily won his semi-final round against the competition, which included eventual winner, Harel Moyal, and went into the finals as the heavy favorite. Moyal's surprise win over Skaat in the finals illicited shocked reactions from music professionals associated with the show, including the producer and some of the judges and spurred accusations of voter manipulation by some of Skaat's fans. The allegations, which were denied by the producers of the television program, arose in part from perceived problems inherent in the voting system, which allowed for block voting and from online betting taking place before the finals. At the finals, Skaat sang a stirring rendition of an old Israeli popular song, "Hineni Kan" (Hebrew: "הנני כאן עכו"; English: "I Am Here"), a song which would go on to top the official Israeli music charts for a record 80 days and has since become a standard in his concert repertoire.
Early Career
Despite the surprise loss, Skaat emerged from Kokhav Nolad with a large fan base. Since 2004, Skaat has toured actively throughout Israel and has appeared at numerous state-sponsored events. He has also appeared frequently at the Zappa Club, popular rock night clubs in Tel Aviv and Herzliya. In 2005, Skaat was chosen to sing the Israeli national anthem, "Hatikvah" (Hebrew: הַתִּקְוָה; English: The Hope) in a soccer game between Israel and France. Also in 2005, he performed in a a major musical play, which in English is translated as He Who Dreamed based on the last 10 years in the life of Yitzhak Rabin, the former Israeli Prime Minister who was assassinated in 1995. The cast included Gila Almagor, Oded Teomi, and Shuli Natan, who sang one of the country's most beloved songs, "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav" (English: "Jerusalem of Gold") during the play.
Debut album
Skaat released his debut album, "Harel Skaat" (הראל סקעת), in the summer of 2006. The album produced a string of hits, including "Kama Od Efshar" (Hebrew: "כמה עוד אפשר"; English: "How Much More is Possible"), "Mashehu Mimeni" (Hebrew: "משהו ממני"; English: "Something from Me"), "Im Hu Yelekh" (Hebrew: "אם הוא ילך"; English: "If He Goes") and the romantic ballad, "Ve At" (Hebrew: "ואת"; English: "And You") which stayed number one on the major Israeli music charts for seven weeks. Initial reviews of the album were mixed. For instance, a review in The Jerusalem Post criticized the lack of spontaneity of the album, and the inclusion of dance-tracks which the critic claimed undercut the singer's talents, but praised Skaat's soothing vocals and his ability to move listeners. The album was certified gold less than one month after its release, eventually achieving platinum status. (It should be noted that because of its small market size, the Israeli music industry certifies an album to be gold when it sells 20,000 copies.)
Skaat won numerous awards for his work on the self-titled album. He was named 'Man of 2006 in Israeli Music' by "Keshet" and 'Male Singer of 2006' in the Hebrew Song Parade. He also won 'Singer of the Year' and 'Song of the Year' for "Ve At" (written by Israeli singer-songwriter Keren Peles) in the Music 24 Channel's Israel Music Awards (AMI). In addition, the Israeli Music Channel named the video for "Im Hu Yelekh" as the best music video of the year. During the same year, Israeli mobile phone operator, Cellcom, attempted to capitalize upon Skaat's popularity with the country's youth by developing a reality-based video series featuring the singer. The series was one of the earliest efforts by a mobile phone operator to provide exclusive video content via its users' cell phones.
Dmuyot
In the spring of 2008, as Skaat was rumored to be working on his second album, he was sued by his record company, Hed Artzi, for breach of contract. As a result of the legal dispute, Skaat was unable to record material for the new album for the rest of the year. A resolution seemed possible in December when the Israel Broadcasting Authority chose Skaat to be the country's representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, but the inability of Skaat and Hed Artzi to reach a compromise led to Skaat being forced to drop out of the competition. In February 2009, a court granted Skaat permission to return to the studio. Skaat eventually resolved his problems with his old record company, and entered into a new relationship with Aroma Music and Partner Communications. In May 2009, Skaat released the single, "Muvan Li Achshav" (Hebrew: "מובן לי עכשיו"; English: "Now I Understand"). The CD single of the song was sold exclusively through Aroma's chain of coffee shops and became a major hit in Israel. "Muvan Li Achshav" later was included on his second album, Dmuyot (Hebrew: דמויות; English: Figures), released on September 1, 2009. Since its release, Dmuyot has achieved gold status. Among the other songs to have been released as singles from the album include: "Boi Ha Yom" (Hebrew: "בואי היום"; English: "Come Today"), "Sof", (Hebrew: "סוף"; English: "End") and "Od Ya'ir Alay" (Hebrew: "עוד יאיר עלי"; English: "Shine on Me").
Song of the Decade
In 2009, in an Israeli music poll for the best singer and song of the past decade, Skaat came in second, after Eyal Golan, for the title of male singer of the decade. His single "Ve At" won fourth place for song of the decade ("Mima'amakim" by the Idan Raichel Project topped the list). Five hundred songs (50 for each year) contended for the honor. Results were revealed live on Israeli television at a special, all-star show at Jerusalem's Sultan's Pool.
Eurovision 2010
In December 2009, the Israel Broadcasting Authority selected Skaat to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. The announcement was made at the Knesset, Israel's legislative body. The selection was preceded by several days of speculation and confusion, and followed by criticism of the Israel Broadcasting Authority and calls for an investigation of the selection process despite the fact that the vote in favor of Skaat was unanimous.
In March 2010, "Milim" (English: "Words") written by Noam Horev and composed by Tomer Hadadi, was selected unanimously as the Israeli song entry for the Eurovision contest when it won the Kdam Eurovision, the country's pre-Eurovision selection competition. The four songs chosen as finalists for the Kdam Eurovision, including "Milim", were recorded in a studio by Skaat and released on a special CD entitled Eurovision 2010. To promote the Israeli entry, a music video of "Milim" was released, and Skaat recorded and released English and French versions of the song. "Milim" spent a total of five weeks at number one on the Israeli Reshet Gimmel Chart, one of the major Israeli music charts, including the entire month of May 2010. Hence it was number one during the period when Skaat was in Oslo competing in the Eurovision contest.
Skaat explained to the press gathered in Oslo for Eurovision that "Milim" is about loss, such as in a break-up, but that for him, it has a deeper meaning. Skaat said, "this song touches me deeply. My grandfather died just days before the selections in Israel, and this gives me a very deep feeling, I feel that I'm really singing this song for him. He wanted me to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest for five years, and then he got to hear that I was going to take part in the national selection before he passed away."
Despite being widely regarded as one of the favorites to winIsrael placed 14th in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. However, Israel swept the Eurovision sanctioned Marcel Bezençon Awards for 2010, winning for best artist, best composition, and best entry of the contest. It is the first time in the history of the awards (which are selected by the contest's accredited media and press, participating composers, and commentators) that a single country has won more than one award in the same year.
After the results were announced, Skaat expressed not disappointment but pride and gratitude. He told one reporter, "I am proud and thrilled with our representation and performance. We brought artistic respect to Israel. It was a fun experience and I enjoyed every minute of it."
עוד יאיר עלי
Harel Skaat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
את הכל מזמן ניסיתי
להתרגל היום רציתי
אבל הכל היה לשווא
את המחר שכבר בפתח
עוד לא הכרתי אך הנצח
יקח אותו ואז לבטח
עוד יאיר עלי, עוד יקרא אלי
עוד יקח בשתי ידיו
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה
שלא באתי עד אליו
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו
רק לאדמה יש כוח
להצמיח ולשכוח
אני כל כך רוצה לברוח
אבל לא ממש ברור לאן
אל מקום רחוק של אילו
בלי כמעט ובלי כאילו
שם אולי אותי יצילו
ואראה לרגע איך היום הזה
עוד יאיר עלי, עוד יקרא אלי
עוד יקח בשתי ידיו
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה
שלא באתי עד אליו
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו
עוד יאיר עלי
עוד ייקרא אלי
עוד יקח אותי אליו
עוד יאיר עלי, עוד יקרא אלי
עוד יקח בשתי ידיו
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה
שלא באתי עד אליו
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו
(עוד יאיר עלי (עוד יאיר עלי
עוד ייקרא אלי
עוד יקח אותי אליו
כבר שמעתי וראיתי
את הכל מזמן ניסיתי
להתרגל היום רציתי
.אבל הכל היה לשווא
The song "עוד יאיר עלי" by Harel Skaat is a heartfelt expression of longing and hope. The lyrics depict a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the present, as the singer expresses their desire for something more. They have heard and seen it all before, and they have tried to adapt and get used to their current situation, but it has all been in vain. The hope lies in the future, in the tomorrow that is still at the doorstep. The singer acknowledges that they don't yet know what the future holds, but they believe that it will take them to a new place, one they haven't been to before. In this new place, they will finally find peace and happiness, even if it is not visible at the moment.
The lyrics also touch upon the power of the earth to grow and forget. The singer desires to escape, to run away to a distant place where they can start anew, almost as if they would disappear. They believe that in this new place, someone might save them and they will briefly glimpse how that day feels. Again, the hope is in the future, in the possibility of a better place where the singer can find solace.
Overall, the lyrics of "עוד יאיר עלי" express the yearning for change, for a brighter future, and the belief that it will come eventually.
Line by Line Meaning
כבר שמעתי וראיתי
I have already heard and seen it all
את הכל מזמן ניסיתי
I have tried everything a long time ago
להתרגל היום רציתי
I wanted to get used to it today
אבל הכל היה לשווא
But everything was in vain
את המחר שכבר בפתח
The tomorrow that is already at the doorstep
עוד לא הכרתי אך הנצח
I have not yet met it but eternity
יקח אותו ואז לבטח
It will take it and then for sure
לאתמול ידמה או שהיום הזה
Yesterday will resemble or this day
עוד יאיר עלי, עוד יקרא אלי
It will still shine on me, it will still call me
עוד יקח בשתי ידיו
It will still take me with both hands
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה
To a new place that has not yet been
שלא באתי עד אליו
That I haven't reached
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב
There it will be good for me, that's definitely close
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו
Even if it's not seen right now
רק לאדמה יש כוח
Only the ground has power
להצמיח ולשכוח
To grow and forget
אני כל כך רוצה לברוח
I really want to escape
אבל לא ממש ברור לאן
But it's not really clear where
אל מקום רחוק של אילו
To a distant place of ifs
בלי כמעט ובלי כאילו
Almost without almosts
שם אולי אותי יצילו
There maybe they will save me
ואראה לרגע איך היום הזה
And I will see for a moment how this day
עוד יאיר עלי, עוד יקרא אלי
It will still shine on me, it will still call me
עוד יקח בשתי ידיו
It will still take me with both hands
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה
To a new place that has not yet been
שלא באתי עד אליו
That I haven't reached
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב
There it will be good for me, that's definitely close
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו
Even if it's not seen right now
עוד יאיר עלי
It will still shine on me
עוד ייקרא אלי
It will still call me
עוד יקח אותי אליו
It will still take me to it
עוד יאיר עלי, עוד יקרא אלי
It will still shine on me, it will still call me
עוד יקח בשתי ידיו
It will still take me with both hands
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה
To a new place that has not yet been
שלא באתי עד אליו
That I haven't reached
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב
There it will be good for me, that's definitely close
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו
Even if it's not seen right now
כבר שמעתי וראיתי
I have already heard and seen it all
את הכל מזמן ניסיתי
I have tried everything a long time ago
להתרגל היום רציתי
I wanted to get used to it today
.אבל הכל היה לשווא
But everything was in vain
Writer(s): בשן עפר, רוט פיטר, סקעת הראל, בשן בני
Contributed by Cole O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yuri Samarin
כבר שמעתי וראיתי
את הכל מזמן ניסיתי
להתרגל היום רציתי
אבל הכל היה לשווא
את המחר שכבר בפתח
עוד לא הכרתי אך הנצח
יקח אותו ואז לבטח
לאתמול ידמה או שהיום הזה
עוד יאיר עלי, עוד יקרא אלי
עוד יקח בשתי ידיו
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה
שלא באתי עד אליו
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו
רק לאדמה יש כוח
להצמיח ולשכוח
אני כל כך רוצה לברוח
אבל לא ממש ברור לאן
אל מקום רחוק של אילו
בלי כמעט ובלי כאילו
שם אולי אותי יצילו
ואראה לרגע איך היום הזה
עוד יאיר עלי...
עוד יאיר עלי
עוד ייקרא אלי
עוד יקח אותי אליו
Trans Lator
Shine on me
Lyrics: Ofer Bashan, Benny Bashan, Harel Skaat
Melody: Ofer Bashan
English Version: Me
I have heard and I have seen it
Everything have tried, I mean it
Gotten used to being in it
But then everything was just a waste
This tomorrow, soon to enter,
I haven’t met yet, but forever
Will win it over and then later
Would to yesterday resemble; or today
Will now shine on me, Will now call to me,
Will now take me by the hand
To a brand new place, which I’ve never seen,
Which I haven’t yet obtained
This would feel so good, be quite close it would,
Though it still seems like pretend
Only earth could hold the wonder
To make growth or turn to powder
Wish I could escape and wander
But yet not so clear which way to turn
To a faraway location
Everything is there for certain
I’ll be saved and not forsaken
And then maybe I would get to see today
Will now shine on me, Will now call to me,
Will now take me by the hand
To a brand new place, which I’ve never seen,
Which I haven’t yet obtained
This would feel so good, be quite close it would,
Though it still seems like pretend
Will now shine on me, Will now call to me,
Will now show me that new land
Sapir Banit
כבר שמעתי וראיתי,
את הכל מזמן ניסיתי.
להתרגל היום רציתי
אבל הכל היה לשווא.
את המחר שכבר בפתח
עוד לא הכרתי, אך הנצח
ייקח אותו - ואז לבטח
לאתמול ידמה או שהיום הזה
עוד יאיר עליי, עוד יקרא אליי,
עוד ייקח בשתי ידיו
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה,
שלא באתי עד אליו.
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב -
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו.
רק לאדמה יש כוח
להצמיח ולשכוח.
אני כל כך רוצה לברוח -
אבל לא ממש ברור לאן.
אל מקום רחוק של אילו,
בלי כמעט ובלי כאילו.
שם אולי אותי יצילו
ואראה לרגע איך היום הזה
עוד יאיר עליי, עוד יקרא אליי,
עוד ייקח בשתי ידיו
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה,
שלא באתי עד אליו.
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב -
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו.
עוד יאיר עליי,
עוד ייקרא אליי
עוד ייקח אותי אליו.
כבר שמעתי וראיתי,
את הכל מזמן ניסיתי.
להתרגל היום רציתי
אבל הכל היה לשווא.
ברצ'ו עיצוב שיער
כבר שמעתי וראיתי
את הכל מזמן ניסיתי
להתרגל היום רציתי
אבל הכל היה לשווא
את המחר שכבר בפתח
עוד לא הכרתי אך הנצח
יקח אותו ואז לבטח
לאתמול ידמה או שהיום הזה
עוד יאיר עלי, עוד יקרא אלי
עוד יקח בשתי ידיו
אל מקום חדש שעוד לא היה
שלא באתי עד אליו
שם יהיה לי טוב, זה וודאי קרוב
גם אם לא רואים עכשיו
רק לאדמה יש כוח
להצמיח ולשכוח
אני כל כך רוצה לברוח
אבל לא ממש ברור לאן
אל מקום רחוק של אילו
בלי כמעט ובלי כאילו
שם אולי אותי יצילו
ואראה לרגע איך היום הזה
עוד יאיר עלי...
עוד יאיר עלי
עוד ייקרא אלי
עוד יקח אותי אליו
Marcelo Guimaraes
boa noite , meu nome e marcelo ,gostaria de aprender o hebraico e pesquisando emcotrei sua música e gostei muito , se puder mande a letra para eu estudar e poder entender o que ela diz ..
obrigado
(desculpa eu nao sei men o ingles e men o hebraico possio estou usando o google tradutor )
Good evening, my name is Marcelo, I want to learn Hebrew and researching emcotrei his music and really enjoyed it, if you can send the letter for me to study and be able to understand what she says ..
thank you
(sorry I do not know men the English and the Hebrew men Possio am using the google translator)
Thierry Nizard
הראל, אתה אמן אותנטי. הרגישות שלך נדירה ויקרה, השירים שלך נותנים שמחה. לְעוֹדֵד! שהשם יברך אותך
חני שוורץ
שיר מדהים ויפה❤
Natalie Yontov Mano
שיר אופטימי. מדהים!
weizmani
Od yair alai (will shine on me) Od ykra elai (will call me) Od ykakh bi-shtei yadav (will take with it's both hands) El makom hadash (to a new place) Shae-od-lo haya (that hasn't been before) Shae lo bati ad elav (that I haven't reached so far) Shan yiye li tov (there I'll feel well) Ze vadai karov Gam im lo ro-im akhshav (it will happen soon, even though we can't see it now) (I'll post the second part soon)
סיון פז
נסיך שיר מושלם!!!❤
shachar Rahman
שיר נדירררר חולה עליך הראל !
Grzesiek D
Fajna muza mimo to że nie rozumiem ani słowa to i tak jest zajebista!!!
rayoflightcanada
my god this guy is talented, we need to broadcast his songs in Toronto
Atr Tr
His amazing
פרוכטר הדס
שיר ענק!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!