Reġina Explained

Reġina
Cover:Reġina cover.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Aidan
Album:This Is Aidan
Released:12 February 2023
Genre:Pop
Length:2:23
Producer:Boban Apostolov
Chronology:Aidan
Prev Title:Rip (Rest in Peace)
Prev Year:2023
Ritmu
Year:2023
Next Title:Hey Anna
Next Year:2023

"Reġina" (in Maltese pronounced as /rɛːd͡ʒɪnɐ/;) is a song by Maltese singer Aidan released on 12 February 2023. The song was disqualified from representing Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 but reached number two on Malta's singles charts.

Background and release

"Reġina" was produced by Boban Apostolov and features lyrics in three different languages: Maltese, English and Spanish. The song was dedicated to Aidan's mother.[1]

The song was described as "one of the favourites" to win the competition by Giulia Magri of the Times of Malta and as the "straight-up winner from the get go" by Culture Fix but was disqualified from the competition due to unauthorised social media posts.[2] Aidan was later asked to perform as an interval act during the final of the national competition under the condition that he did not sing his disqualified entry.[3] On 12 February 2023, a day after the national final, Aidan made the song available on streaming platforms and released a live performance video in which he wore the designer outfit that he would have worn had he not been disqualified.[4] [3]

"Reġina" was featured in his debut album This Is Aidan released in March 2023.[5]

Critical reception

The song reached number two on Malta's weekly singles charts behind the winning song of Malta's national competition, "Dance (Our Own Party)" by the Busker, and placed number nine on Malta's yearly chart of 2023. Culture Fix praised the songs "pulsating grooves" and Aidan's "confident vocal turn".[4]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Malta (BMAT PRS)[6] 2

Yearly charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Malta (BMAT PRS)[7] 9

Notes and References

  1. AIDANOfficial__. 1607815069794029568. Reġina is my entry for Malta #Eurovision 2023, based on a true story and dedicated to my mother. 27 December 2022. 27 September 2024. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20240927182119/https://x.com/hobbittrash/status/1839125210211168374?mx=2. 27 September 2024.
  2. Web site: Singer Aidan Cassar disqualified from Malta Eurovision Song Contest. Giulia. Magri. 23 January 2023. Times of Malta. 27 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240421222906/https://timesofmalta.com/article/singer-aidan-cassar-disqualified-malta-eurovision-song-contest.1009047. 21 April 2024. live.
  3. Web site: Aidan to return as guest singer in Eurovision final show. Mark Laurence. Zammit. 10 February 2023. Times of Malta. 27 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240615064207/https://timesofmalta.com/article/aidan-return-guest-singer-eurovision-final-show.1012983. 15 June 2024. live.
  4. Web site: Aidan Drops 'Reġina' and Delivers Thrilling Live Performance at Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023. 13 February 2023. www.culturefix.co.uk. 27 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240927170432/https://www.culturefix.co.uk/?p=25863. 27 September 2024. live.
  5. Web site: Malta: Aidan releases debut album "This Is Aidan". Jessica. Cole. 31 March 2023. Eurovoxx. 17 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240117183403/https://eurovoxx.tv/malta-aidan-releases-debut-album-this-is-aidan/. 17 January 2024. live.
  6. Web site: 2023-04-16. PRS Malta on Facebook: The PRS for music Malta BMAT Airplay Chart. 27 September 2024. Facebook.
  7. Web site: 2024-01-01. BMAT PRS Malta Top 10 Airplay Chart of 2023. 27 September 2024. Facebook.