Israel's 2019 Eurovision Song Will Be Very Different From Netta's 'Toy'

Kobi Marimi's "Home" has been chosen as the song to represent Israel in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest taking place in Tel Aviv in May.

The 27-year-old Marimi was elected in February, winning the honor after coming in first place in the reality television show "The Next Star."

Unlike last year's "Toy," a fast-paced pop song, Israel's 2019 nominee will present a ballad, to be revealed on March 10.

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The song was written and composed by Ohad Shargai and Inbar Weitzman, both previous contenders on Israeli reality shows.

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Two hundred songs were submitted to the selection committee, including ones written by well-known Israeli musicians such as Keren Peles and Shiri Maimon. Doron Madali, the man behind "Toy," last year's sensation which won Israel the song contest, did not submit a song this year.

The committee convened Tuesday to listen to a shortlist of submitted songs, which Marimi had recorded.

Marimi said that from the first time he heard the song, he found it very touching and connected to it immediately. He thanked the committee for choosing a song "that fits me to a T," adding that in several days "everyone will be able to be moved by it together with me."

Marimi will perform the selected song on May 18 in the Eurovision finals, which Israel automatically qualifies for since it won last year's contest, granting the country hosting rights.