Life was the Macedonian entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul performed by Toše Proeski. Toše was also originally represent Serbia and Montenegro in the 2003, but they withdrew, they coincidently did debut this year Toše performed.
Lyrically, the song is elliptical in meaning. Proeski sings about the need to make the most of life ("Life is a book and you gotta read it/Life is a story and you gotta tell it") and appears to be mourning the end of a relationship ("Roaming through my old emotions/I find new feelings of misery").. The performance also had performers which appeared after the first chorus, which hint at his suffering.
It qualified from the semifinal in 10th place. In the grand final, it was performed 15th following Russia and preceding Greece. At the close of voting, it finished in 14th place with 47 points.
Lyrics[]
I saw my ID and it wasn't me
It was someone else's identity
Why do I need to prove myself
And who is the judge of my sanity
Roaming through my old emotions
I find new feelings of misery
I bet with my soul to get back the truth
Where I will face reality
Life is a book and you gotta read it
Life is a story, and you gotta tell it
Life is a song and you gotta sing it
You've got to know how to live it
Life is a book and you gotta read it
Life is a story, and you gotta tell it
Life is a song and you gotta sing it
You've got to know how to live it
Walking around, some thoughts on my mind
I search for a place where I'll be free
From all that is said and all that's been done
It'll be hard to find it inside of me
Life is a book and you gotta read it
Life is a story, and you gotta tell it
Life is a song and you gotta sing it
You've got to know how to live it
Life is a book and you gotta read it
Life is a story, and you gotta tell it
Life is a song and you gotta sing it
You've got to know how to live it
I know that I've gotta try
No one can see me cry
I can't take it anymore
I must find a way to let myself go
Oh yeah
(Life is a, life is, life is, life is a, life is, life is)
Life is true, you know it, don't you
Life is a book and you gotta read it
Life is a story, and you gotta tell it
Life is a song and you gotta sing it
You've got to know how to live it
Life is a book and you gotta read it
Life is a story, and you gotta tell it
Life is a song and you gotta sing it
You've got to know how to live it
Life is a book and you gotta read it
Life is a story, and you gotta tell it
Life is a song and you gotta sing it
You've got to know how to live it
Trivia[]
- This was the first song from North Macedonia to be performed in English; a Macedonian version, "Angel si ti" was performed in the national final.
Videos[]
Life
Tose Proeski - Life (F.Y.R. Macedonia) 2004 Eurovision Song Contest