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Dana International

Sinead O'Connor said about her: she inspires me and gives me courage. Jean Paul Gaultier called her my muse and the in 1998, Time magazine chose her as one of the important people in the world. Dana International's story is not only the story of a successful singer; it is a rare and inspiring story about courage and the victory of the human spirit.

At the age of 20, Dana started to perform in Tel Aviv nightclubs and was very popular amongst the crowd. A year later, she released a song from her club performances, Saida Sultana to the radio stations, and the song immediately became a big hit. This success led to the recording of a full dance album, and the second hit released from it was Dana International. Ever since, this name stuck with her, and a couple years later it became reality.

In 1994, Dana released her second album, Yeshnan Banot. The album became a big success, sold platinum records and Dana was chosen as Israel's singer of the year. She participated in the Israeli Pre-Eurovision Song Contest and achieved second place. She tells that that night, in which she didn't win, was one of the saddest in her life: "I cried all night and I felt terrible. If only an angel would have visited me and whispered in my ear that two years from now I'm going to win the real thing, it could have spared me so many tears". Two years later, her third album, Maganuna came out, and Dana set her status as one of the successful singers in Israel.

In 1998, she was chosen to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Diva, written by Yoav Ginai and Tzvika Pick. She took the first place and turned overnight into an international star. Dana's victory had a strong impression on the world, and she became a cultural icon. In Israel, on the night of the victory, thousands of people celebrated on the streets, and Dana completed the cultural revolution she started with her first album; a symbol of liberalism and human rights.

In the following years, Dana released two international albums, and went on a tour around the globe; from Japan to the United States, from Australia to England. She especially succeeded in Eastern Europe, left Israel and lived on the road, singing and performing all around the world. In 2003 she returned to Israel and released a new album in Hebrew. In 2005, she released the album HaHalom HaEfshari and in 2008, the album HaKol LeTova with the hits Love Boy and Seret Hodi became the greatest hits of that year in Israel. She also wrote the song that represented Israel in the Eurovision of that year, Keilu Kan, performed by Boaz Mauda.

This year, Dana represents Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest once again with the song Ding Dong written by her. She writes, "if you have a dream of your own, don't be afraid go on with your heart, close your eyes and hear the bells of your soul", something that probably describes her life story; a Cinderella story of success that proves to everyone that our lives are not a predetermined fate. Our lives are in our hands and if we stick with our truth, without being afraid and with inner faith, any dream can come true.

Music video

Lyrics of Ding Dong

ואולי הימים הטובים
כבר הגיעו הם כאן
רק עוד רגע קטן
והכל ישתנה מעכשיו
ונאהב איך נאהב
if you have a dream of your own
don't be afraid go on with your heart
close your eyes and hear the bells
of your soul

Ding dong say no more
I hear silent prayer and its making me
high and fly I know where to go
and I'm comming now

ואולי זה כמעט זה קרוב
עכשיו בא תורו של הרגע הטוב
הכאב שבלב מסתובב והולך ועוזב

Ding dong say no more
I hear silent prayer and its making me
high and fly I know where to go
and I'm comming now
הללי את היום שמביא את הלילה
הללי את הזמן שיאיר אותך
הוא יביא לך גאולה

Ding dong say no more
I hear silent prayer and its making me
high and fly I know where to go
and I'm comming now
Maybe the good days
Arrived already and they're here
Just one more moment
And everything is going to change
And we'll love
Oh, we'll love

if you have a dream of your own
don't be afraid go on with your heart
close your eyes and hear the bells
of your soul
Ding dong say no more
I hear silent prayer and its making me
high and fly I know where to go
and I'm comming now

And maybe it's almost happening, it's close
Now comes the turn of the good moment
The pain of the heart turns around and leaves

Ding dong say no more
I hear silent prayer and its making me
high and fly I know where to go
and I'm comming now
Praise the day that brings the night
Praise the time that will shine on you
It will bring you salvation

Ding dong say no more
I hear silent prayer and its making me
high and fly I know where to go
and I'm comming now