The Code (Nemo song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The Code"
The cover artwork for "The Code". The cover features Nemo in a pink and blue dress. Behind Nemo is a drawing of an imperfect circle.
Single by Nemo
Released29 February 2024 (2024-02-29)
Genre
Length3:00
LabelBetter Now
Songwriter(s)
  • Benjamin Alasu
  • Lasse Midtsian Nymann
  • Linda Dale
  • Nemo Mettler
Producer(s)
  • Lasse Midtsian Nymann
  • Benjamin Alasu
  • Tom Oehler
  • Wojciech Kostrzewa
  • Pele Loriano
  • Nemo Mettler
  • Nikodem Milewski
Nemo singles chronology
"Falling Again"
(2024) 		"The Code"
(2024)
Music video
"The Code" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2024 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Language
English
Finals performance
Semi-final result
4th
Semi-final points
132
Final result
1st
Final points
591
Entry chronology
◄ "Watergun" (2023)
Official performance video
"The Code" (Second Semi-Final) on YouTube
"The Code" (Grand Final) on YouTube

"The Code" is a song by Swiss singer Nemo, released on 29 February 2024. It has been described by Nemo as a song that details their experience with coming to terms with their non-binary identity. They represented Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, where they won the contest with 591 points. In the process, the song became the first victorious song for the country since 1988 and the first winning song ever to have been sung by an openly non-binary person.

Background and composition[edit]

"The Code" was written by Benjamin Alasu, Lasse Midtsian Nymann, Linda Dale, and Nemo Mettler.[1] The BBC described the song as a "drum and bass EDM opera" and said its chorus was inspired by The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.[2] In press statements, Nemo stated that the song details their realization of their non-binary identity, stating that realizing they are non-binary has given them "freedom" and that by entering the Eurovision Song Contest, they can "stand up for the entire LGBTQIA+ community".[3] According to Nemo, when accepting that they didn't "feel like a man or a woman... I had to break a few codes";[4] the song references binary code, which is meant to represent the binary classification of genders. Mettler also declares within the song that they have found their "kingdom come", refusing to conform to traditional gender classification norms and stick to only one musical style.[5]

Initial rumours of Nemo being picked to represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 were reported on 25 February 2024 when Swiss news outlet Blick put out reports that they had been selected.[6][7] Three days later, the song title was rumoured to be titled "The Code".[8] On 29 February, they were officially announced to be Switzerland's representative for the contest.[9]

Music video and promotion[edit]

Along with the song's release, an accompanying music video was released on the same day.[10] To further promote the song, Nemo confirmed their intent to participate in various Eurovision pre-parties throughout the months of March and April, including Pre-Party ES 2024 on 30 March,[11] Eurovision in Concert 2024 on 13 April,[12] and the Nordic Eurovision Party 2024 on 14 April.[13] They also performed it during other occasions before the contest, including on Swiss television show MusicStar – Die Revival-Show on 31 March,[14] and a performance at the Embassy of Sweden in Bern to honor ABBA's 50th anniversary of winning the Eurovision Song Contest 1974.[15]

A remix of "The Code" by German DJ Felix Jaehn was released on 26 April 2024.[16] An orchestral version of the song with accompaniment by the Biel Solothurn Symphony Orchestra was released on 10 May 2024, alongside a video where Nemo wears an outfit similar to the one worn by Canadian singer Céline Dion when she won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988, also representing Switzerland.[17][18]

Critical reception[edit]

"The Code" has been largely well-received. In a Wiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 8.83 out of 10 points,[19] winning the site's annual ranking for that year.[20] ESC Beat's Doron Lahav ranked the song eighth overall out of the 37 entries competing in Eurovision 2024, praising Mettler's vocal abilities but admitting that the song's subject matter and fusion of musical styles "might be too complicated to digest".[21] Glen Weldon, writer for National Public Radio (NPR), deemed the song a favourite to win the contest, praising the blend of multiple styles within the song and declaring that it had "all the earmarks of a showstopper".[22] Erin Adam of The Scotsman rated the song 10 out of 10, and dubbed it a "veritable smorgasbord of a song" due to its mix of styles.[23] In contrast, Jon O'Brien, a writer for Vulture, ranked the song 22nd out of 37 songs, stating that while the song had a "great message of freedom, self-identity, and acceptance", he thought that "it gets lost in a cut-and-shut mix of drum and bass, pop opera, Eurorap, and The Greatest Showman that may leave you reaching for the Ibuprofen".[24]

In the months heading into the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, "The Code" was considered one of the favourites to win the contest based on betting odds. Hours after the song was released, it was placed 10th on the first set of betting odds that were released after "The Code" came out.[25] By 10 March, it increased to fourth place, threatening Italy's Angelina Mango for third.[26] In the beginning of April, directly after Nemo's performance of the song in Pre-Party ES 2024, they increased to first, becoming the favourite to win the contest with 7-to-2 odds.[27] Before rehearsals, "The Code" also had a 93% chance of qualifying from the second semi-final.[28] In response to becoming the favourite, Nemo stated to Aussievision that they weren’t "focus[ed] too much on them".[29]

Eurovision Song Contest[edit]

Internal selection[edit]

Switzerland's broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), announced their intent to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on 7 July 2023,[30] utilizing an internal selection to select their representative and song.[31] Submissions for the Swiss bid occurred in two rounds: an initial jury round which was used to shortlist five candidates for another jury round.[32][33] On 29 February, Nemo was officially announced to have won the rights to represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[9]

At Eurovision[edit]

Nemo performing "The Code" at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. During the allocation draw on 30 January 2024, Switzerland was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.[34] Nemo was later drawn to perform fourth in the semi-final, after Greece's Marina Satti and before Czechia's Aiko.[35]

For their Eurovision performance, Swedish choreographer Fredrik Rydman was placed in charge of the staging.[36] Nemo wore a pink and white fur suit designed by Malmö-based designer Linnea Samia Khalil [sv], who had also designed the outfit Nemo wore for the "Turquoise Carpet".[37][38] During the performance, Nemo is shown on a white circular prop, occasionally jumping on and off of it .[39] "The Code" finished in fourth, receiving 132 points and securing a spot in the grand final.[40]

Nemo repeated their performance during the grand final on 11 May. The song was performed 21st, following Cyprus' Silia Kapsis and before Slovenia's Raiven.[41] The performance received positive reactions. Daily Telegraph music critic Neil McCormick praised Nemo's vocals and "wild energy" during the performance, stating that although they thought the song lyrics were unusual, their energy "turned [the performance] into something transcendent in its own ridiculous way".[42] After the results were announced, Nemo finished with a total of 591 points, with a split result of 365 points from the juries and 226 points from the televote. The total was enough to earn Nemo the victory, earning 44 more points than the runner-up, Croatia's Baby Lasagna.[43][44] The song received 22 sets of the maximum 12 points.[45] It also received one set of 12 points from the televote, with it coming from Ukraine.[46] As a result of winning, "The Code" become the first victorious song for Switzerland since 1988, with Nemo becoming the first openly non-binary artist to win the competition.[47][44]

Track listing[edit]

Digital download and streaming

  1. "The Code" – 3:00

Digital download and streaming – remix[16]

  1. "The Code" (Felix Jaehn remix) – 3:18
  2. "The Code" – 3:00

Digital download and streaming – orchestral version[17]

  1. "The Code" (orchestral version) – 3:07
  2. "The Code" – 3:00

CD single[48]

  1. "The Code"
  2. "The Code" (karaoke version)
  3. "The Code" (Felix Jaehn remix)

Charts[edit]

Chart performance for "The Code"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[49] 5
Germany (Official German Charts)[50] 14
Greece International (IFPI)[51] 34
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[52] 9
Ireland (IRMA)[53] 17
Italy (FIMI)[54] 61
Lithuania (AGATA)[55] 3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[56] 37
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[57] 13
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[58] 29
Norway (VG-lista)[59] 13
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[60] 5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[61] 22
UK Singles (OCC)[62] 18

Release history[edit]

Release history and formats for "The Code"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various 29 February 2024
Original
[63]
26 April 2024 Felix Jaehn remix [16]
10 May 2024 Orchestral [17]
CD
  • Original
  • karaoke
  • Felix Jaehn remix
 [48]
Italy 13 May 2024 Radio airplay Original EMI [64]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Stojanović, Nikola (29 February 2024). "Listen to Nemo with 'The Code' – the Swiss entry for Eurovision 2024". ESCBubble. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  2. ^ Savage, Mark (10 May 2024). "Eurovision final: Evil Kate Bush, fiddlesticks and 5 other things to watch for". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  3. ^ "SWITZERLAND: NEMO has "The Code" to win Eurovision 2024!". OGAE Greece. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  4. ^ Dell'Anna, Fabio (29 February 2024). "Nemo à l'Eurovision: «Je veux montrer que la Suisse est diversifiée»" [Nemo at Eurovision: “I want to show that Switzerland is diverse”]. Le Matin (in French). ISSN 1018-3736. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  5. ^ Tudor, Ruxandra (1 May 2024). ""I'm done playing the game" — Nemo shares their non-binary journey through the "The Code" lyrics". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  6. ^ Imhof, Michel (26 February 2024). "Nemo fährt für die Schweiz zum ESC" [Nemo is going to the ESC for Switzerland]. Blick. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
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  9. ^ a b Adams, William Lee (29 February 2024). "Nemo will sing "The Code" for Switzerland at Eurovision 2024". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
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  36. ^ Adams, William Lee (2 April 2024). "Nemo: Switzerland's Eurovision 2024 singer is "so happy" with Benke Rydman's stage plans". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
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  42. ^ McCormick, Neil (12 May 2024). "Nemo's winning song The Code is a Eurovision rarity – it's actually great". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  43. ^ Garrie, Emma (11 May 2024). "Eurovision 2024 results: Nemo wins for Switzerland". Aussievision. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
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  48. ^ a b "The Code - Nemo - Exklusives Limitiertes Bundle" (in German). Digster Pop Shop. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  49. ^ "Nemo: The Code" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  50. ^ "Nemo – The Code" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
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  64. ^ Fontana, Stefano (13 May 2024). "Nemo - The Code (Radio Date: 13-05-2024)". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved 13 May 2024.
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