Same here. I heard a short clip whilst watching a TV programme yesterday. I immediately started singing the chorus and wondered how I remembered the words/melody. I was 13 in 1978...
I was 13 too! Loved watching Eurovision Song Contest then and I remember this song very distinctly. By chance I read about the meaning of the lyrics today.
My mum, who can't even remember who won last year, still remembers this song winning despite being 12 years old at the time. Apparently it made it onto UK radio too!
I was also 12. It had success in the UK because Terry Wogan (who used to do the commentary for the UK's coverage of Eurovision and was a DJ on the breakfast show on Radio Two) 're-imagined' the lyrics to be, 'I want to be a Polar Bear' and would play it on his show constantly. Radio One and Two had a lot of sway on the UK Charts. Wogan did the same with a Brass Band number called, 'The Floral Dance'. He started singing a lyric on his show, expanded it. And the next thing you know, he's APPEARING on Top of the Pops as the lead singer!!
Me too Pal , sorry who are you🤣some one else said about the vocals a wanna be a polar bear,Guaranteed, just Realised been getting it Wrong , did wonder why Israel we’re talking about Polar bears, but🤷🏻it’s The Eurovision x
@@stevenburvenich168 Yes, but it’s still very rare when you analyse the number sung in English compared to the number sung in own language (aside from the country where English is the indigenous language) and that’s a fact!
@@AntonioSedicina You’re missing the point. I’m well aware that Italy won this year with a song sung in Italian, but that’s because Italy is one of the FEW countries nowadays who usually send their entries in their own language (another one is Serbia, who will almost always sing in their own language). Compare that to how many countries sing in English nowadays, then compare it to how many sung in English when this song won for Israel in 1978! That was my point!
If you were to begin singing this song in the middle of a crowd in Israel, there is a 75% chance other people would start singing. People sing this song even to this day. 😊
What an addictive song! It's amazing that people still come to hear it! Amazing songs for Israel in Eurovision! long live a-ha-va (love ) עם ישראל חי 💙
you are so right, this song will live forever . In my appinion the reason is the authentic that comes out it . the singer with endless optimism,the great vocal voices , the addictive precussion in the arragnement, and the brass section is amazing. I will hear it as long as I live
I was in 8th grade & my friend told me Israel had won Eurovision a couple days previously & that one of our local "top 40" fm radio stations was playing the Abanibi in HEAVY rotation! I literally RAN home getting off the bus in my neighborhood to go hear it & it was TRUE! An Israeli pop song was PLAYING ON AMERICAN RADIO!
I was in 8th grade & my friend told me Israel had won eurovision a couple days previously & that one of our local "top 40" fm radio stations was playing the Abanibi in HEAVY rotation! I literally RAN home getting off the bus in my neighborhood to go hear it & it was TRUE! An Israeli pop song was PLAYING ON AMERICAN RADIO!
saludos ... creo que volvieron a ganar el año siguiente con ALELUYA ,..... hay una bella historia ese año creo que iba ganando España con Betty Missiego ... pues bien el ultimo en votar era España ... y le dieron los votos ... y con eso el triunfo a ISrael ... saludos Rafael ...
@@gustavocastellanosantana-ce5tmasí fue estimado seguidor, quién no recuerda aquel Festival de Eurovision de 1979, memorable!!!, y que buenas canciones había, yo tengo unas cuantas,,saludos...
This brings back memories of growing up in Queens NY with my sis and Israeli parents, listening to Hebrew music, classical, opera being alive and having my family alive and happy.
Ah I am ao sory MANGA- We Could Be the Same NOT A WINNERS because judge is not here in 2012 Eurovision. Ah I am really sory again. Judge never happen in eurovision. ( usually)
I am from Corfou island.and I like all the songs of Israel at all the Eurovision I remember all the songs but this song are from the better. Wonderful!!!!
@fifthof there is no such thing as a bad Eurovision song. Each song means something to the performer and those who vote for it. Eurovision is a neutral zone where all preconceived ideas are discarded. We can be astounded at what strangeness each country decides represents them each year, but no song ever gets 'nil points' overall. It's not real life. It's an escape from reality. It's a living cartoon spectacle.
I remember singing this song in the Kitchen while we were working and listening to it at the Tel-Aviv Youth Hostel at 36 Beni Dan. Such joy and happiness.
remember this song so well - and I was in Israel the following year when they hosted and won it again! This started our family's love for Eurovision especially my sister Jude Habib
I really enjoyd Isreael's song when I first heard it,was little younger than today. but still remembering the rhythm and feeling the Song. Loved it then. And, suprisingly, still love it. In the year of 2020....
One of my top 5 favourite Eurovision songs. I have a link to it in my home screen and play it whenever I feel like a self-indulgent moment. Just played it to my husband for the first time who has no memory of it. He said it was a great song. The orchestra too are fantastic.
My folks moved to United States from Israel in 1978. I was 8, unfortunately by 9 I forgot most of the language But this song, I remember. 45 years later I decide to look it up Getting a lump in my throat. 🥲
This brings back memories. I was in the Royal Albert Hall for the ESC in 1968 (held in Britain because the UK had won in 1967 with Puppet on a String). That was the one and only time I saw Cliff Richard perform live. I thought Congratulations was a wonderfully uplifting song but then so was La La La. Those were the days! Signed: An old fogey.
I don't understand a word, and I still listen & bob my head to the song multiple times =D Something is just really attractive about a song in native language.
Je me souviens avec émotion de ce grand prix eurovision retransmis depuis le palais des congrès de paris . Nous étions si fiers de l'organiser en1978. Le décor était magnifique et la soirée fut merveilleuse. Mes favoris étaient :Luxembourg .Italie.Irlande et Israël. Bravo Israël pour cette belle victoire .
I wanted to explain what does "ah bah ni bi aboe beh" mean. The singer tells us about a special language, where the words made by the same words as Hebrew, but the letter "b" is written in the middle. It means, that the key to the language is to remove all the "b" from the sentence. So, after we remove (not all) the "b"s from the sentece, we have "Ani ohev otah, ani ohev otah meod", that means "I love you, I love you very much".
listened and seen thai version of this song in 2006 thai movie "The Possible" since then i am fan of this song..... never known that original is Israeli; the country which reside in my heart beside my home country India.....!
fun fact! the song is actually in hebrew pig latin, and translates to "I love you" so its basically the repitition of I love you over and over again, and I think thats really sweet
Israel must win Eurovision every year!! Beautiful country. I want visit this country buy i'm in quarantine!!😭😭. I Will visit you and love from Italy!! Forever Israel 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱!!!
In the first year Israel joined the Eurovision Song Contest (Paris,1978), they already came out with a strong, winning song ! I had the honour to meet them backstage at that time and loved their spontanious behaviour (especially from the girls) and their good laughs and sense of humor......It was also the year in wich the State of Israel celebrated its 30 years existance !
I was 9 in '78 and remember Wogan jokingly refer to this as 'I wanna be a polar bear' on his radio show, and I still hear them lyrics when this is played. :-)
Simply great song! Polar Bear or not, with or without a bra, this song if remade today (with new tech and arrangment) would have been again a huge hit worldwide.
![All Winners of Eurovision Song Contest [1956-2023]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/V5bu_lZMb8E/mqdefault.jpg)
I came here after humming this to myself this morning. It still pops into my head since hearing it at 12 years old and I’m 57 now!
Same here. I heard a short clip whilst watching a TV programme yesterday. I immediately started singing the chorus and wondered how I remembered the words/melody. I was 13 in 1978...
Same here!
I was 13 too! Loved watching Eurovision Song Contest then and I remember this song very distinctly. By chance I read about the meaning of the lyrics today.
My mum, who can't even remember who won last year, still remembers this song winning despite being 12 years old at the time. Apparently it made it onto UK radio too!
Neta from israel with the song :toy
Yes I was also 12 in 1978 and remember it very well.. it got to number 20 in the Top 40.
I was 12 in 1978 like your mum, I still remember it and enjoy listen it :)
I was also 12. It had success in the UK because Terry Wogan (who used to do the commentary for the UK's coverage of Eurovision and was a DJ on the breakfast show on Radio Two) 're-imagined' the lyrics to be, 'I want to be a Polar Bear' and would play it on his show constantly. Radio One and Two had a lot of sway on the UK Charts. Wogan did the same with a Brass Band number called, 'The Floral Dance'. He started singing a lyric on his show, expanded it. And the next thing you know, he's APPEARING on Top of the Pops as the lead singer!!
Me too Pal , sorry who are you🤣some one else said about the vocals a wanna be a polar bear,Guaranteed, just Realised been getting it Wrong , did wonder why Israel we’re talking about Polar bears, but🤷🏻it’s The Eurovision x
Greetings to Israel from Cyprus (Greek side)! Love Israel!
Cyprus is Greek and was always
@@fuckucantevendrinkwithme9011 Cyprus is turkish
@@dsadunnodudeish4535 Cyprus is Turkish and Greek
@@haddakhalfi1775 İn History Cyprus was a Turkish Land Nowadays Cyprus is a Country Of Turks and Greeks So Don^t Need to Fight
Half of Cyprus is Greeks other half is Turks
When countries sang in their own languages!
countries still do that. but english is more widely used because many european countries have mandatory english education
top 3 2021 in own language
@@stevenburvenich168 Yes, but it’s still very rare when you analyse the number sung in English compared to the number sung in own language (aside from the country where English is the indigenous language) and that’s a fact!
Italy won with a song in Italian
@@AntonioSedicina You’re missing the point. I’m well aware that Italy won this year with a song sung in Italian, but that’s because Italy is one of the FEW countries nowadays who usually send their entries in their own language (another one is Serbia, who will almost always sing in their own language). Compare that to how many countries sing in English nowadays, then compare it to how many sung in English when this song won for Israel in 1978! That was my point!
I would've never imagined that I'd be enjoying an Eurovision song that came out 22 years before I was born.
Same, One of my favorite eurovision songs is 34 years older Then me (jedan dan 1968)
Absolutely the same
@@lauraheeft8832yes I remember it was like a fairytale song
That is the wonder of Eurovision!
I was born 22 years later too!
This song is 1000% fire and it stills goes hard in 2024.
One of my favourite songs from Eurovision , love from
Somalia .
Nice ואם אתה ישראלי ואת צודק
I’m israeli and is the favorite
I was a very little Child and this is still one of the Best of Eurovision
Thanks you very much.
Love from israel
Yes, very nice song, simple and very catchy!
One of the best Eurovision tracks back then when Eurovision was a real song contest !
Still a so positive song to sing! Greek greetings to Israel. Shalom
Çok güzel şarkılar vardı "bir zamanlar" Şimdi nerede O eski şarkılar vede sanatçılar
Sas efxaristo poli ❤
thanks love from israel
If you were to begin singing this song in the middle of a crowd in Israel, there is a 75% chance other people would start singing. People sing this song even to this day. 😊
90%
I think it's more about 90% haha
yup
as a israeli i can confirm
Why not....the songs a classic.
What an addictive song! It's amazing that people still come to hear it! Amazing songs for Israel in Eurovision! long live a-ha-va (love ) עם ישראל חי 💙
עם ישראל חי🇮🇱🇮🇱
you are so right, this song will live forever . In my appinion the reason is the authentic that comes out it . the singer with endless optimism,the great vocal voices , the addictive precussion in the arragnement, and the brass section is amazing. I will hear it as long as I live
The obvious winner that year. 12 points...! Greetings from Athens. 😊🇬🇷
I was in 8th grade & my friend told me Israel had won Eurovision a couple days previously & that one of our local "top 40" fm radio stations was playing the Abanibi in HEAVY rotation! I literally RAN home getting off the bus in my neighborhood to go hear it & it was TRUE! An Israeli pop song was PLAYING ON AMERICAN RADIO!
2:40 that part is priceless! Amazing 70’s music.
Such a catchy number to brighten up the day. Well done Israel
YES!!
I was a kid at that time but this song is still twisting my mind . Great job Israel, you deserved to win the contest !
I was in 8th grade & my friend told me Israel had won eurovision a couple days previously & that one of our local "top 40" fm radio stations was playing the Abanibi in HEAVY rotation! I literally RAN home getting off the bus in my neighborhood to go hear it & it was TRUE! An Israeli pop song was PLAYING ON AMERICAN RADIO!
@@bertskoi became an international hit! It was played in discotheques from the mid 70s to early 80s (at least in my country, Greece).
I was a 7,5 years aged child then and honestly was remembering the song, the win and it's great success, it had stayed in my mind!!!
Mine too after all these years!
Great to hear it again exactly as I remember it, thanks to the miracle that is UA-cam!
so a catchy song and one the songs that I remenber so much among winners songs, congratulations Israel !!!....love from Madrid 🇪🇸...
saludos ... creo que volvieron a ganar el año siguiente con ALELUYA ,..... hay una bella historia ese año creo que iba ganando España con Betty Missiego ... pues bien el ultimo en votar era España ... y le dieron los votos ... y con eso el triunfo a ISrael ... saludos Rafael ...
@@gustavocastellanosantana-ce5tmasí fue estimado seguidor, quién no recuerda aquel Festival de Eurovision de 1979, memorable!!!, y que buenas canciones había, yo tengo unas cuantas,,saludos...
This brings back memories of growing up in Queens NY with my sis and Israeli parents, listening to Hebrew music, classical, opera being alive and having my family alive and happy.
This is one that stuck in my memory from my childhood. Good luck to Israel in the 2024 competition, they have a great song this year.
Thanks. These old songs have some groove the new ones are lacking
@@smmshoe I thought this song was "Groovy". 😂
One of the proudest moments in my life watching this performed live, along with the rest of Israel...and WINNING!!!
And with an orchestra!!!
A thing that is forgotten these days .
בשוק שהשיר הזה גדול ממני ב33 שנה ואני שומע אותו עדין!!!!!
I am 53 now but this song stay in my rememberance greatings to everyone from Belgium
Nurit Hirsh's arrangement was great. Such a talented lady.
Love from Greece 🇬🇷🇮🇱
Beautiful, beautiful song, I remember this song, I was a little girl!!, 🥰🥰
One of the best songs ever. Love from Belgium.
One of my favorite songs of esc ever.Shalom Israel
Shalom Israel. Blessings from Poland 🤗🙏❤️🇵🇱❤️
שלום גם לך ❤
I love this song!
Love from Spain
12 points from Greece
I think Israel One of the bests winners in Eurovision
MagicalElf121 me too
I’m israeli
Wtf UKRAINS 1944? WE COULD BE SAME FROM MANGA?
Ah I am ao sory MANGA- We Could Be the Same NOT A WINNERS because judge is not here in 2012 Eurovision. Ah I am really sory again. Judge never happen in eurovision. ( usually)
Too bad Ofra Haza didn’t win :(
I am from Corfou island.and I like all the songs of Israel at all the Eurovision I remember all the songs but this song are from the better. Wonderful!!!!
Thank you very much from Japan .
I like this song very much.
This is still ringing in my head over 40 years later....😂😂
After all these years I still love the song
Fantastic performance❤❤❤ bravo israel😊😊😊
Me and my Dad call this: "I wanna be a polar bear"
This is amazing
hahaha 😂
ahahahah thanks from Israel
Thank Israel forever
@fifthof there is no such thing as a bad Eurovision song. Each song means something to the performer and those who vote for it. Eurovision is a neutral zone where all preconceived ideas are discarded. We can be astounded at what strangeness each country decides represents them each year, but no song ever gets 'nil points' overall. It's not real life. It's an escape from reality. It's a living cartoon spectacle.
I remember singing this song in the Kitchen while we were working and listening to it at the Tel-Aviv Youth Hostel at 36 Beni Dan. Such joy and happiness.
❤
remember this song so well - and I was in Israel the following year when they hosted and won it again! This started our family's love for Eurovision especially my sister Jude Habib
I really enjoyd Isreael's song when I first heard it,was little younger than today. but still remembering the rhythm and feeling the Song. Loved it then. And, suprisingly, still love it. In the year of 2020....
wow I never thought that I will listen a song coming from 1978. Now it's November 2020 and even my mom was 1 year old at that time, crazy !
One of the best Eurovision winners!
non désolé à l'époque c'est juste pour le monde ils conetra l´eta esrael
I fell in love with Izhar Cohen that year :-p
Going through vintage vynal brought me here these wonderful ppl israle I send my love 😢 prayers
Israeli music is beautiful! This song rocks!
One of my top 5 favourite Eurovision songs. I have a link to it in my home screen and play it whenever I feel like a self-indulgent moment. Just played it to my husband for the first time who has no memory of it. He said it was a great song. The orchestra too are fantastic.
Nurit Hirsh Is My Favourite Conductor
The best song ever siged in Eurovision.
@xodiac good to hear man, and that we agree
This is one of my favorite songs
Beautiful song!🤍💙😍👏🔝❗
Nurit Hirsh wrote many many songs. Most popular were performed during this concert: ua-cam.com/video/fo5NwWXcOW0/v-deo.html
Omg. ..I heard this wen I was a pre teen...N I loved it
Una linda canción que causó sensación y luego fue versionada en español. ¡Bravo Israel!
¿Sabes como se llama la versión en español?
@@burmesenurse Abanibi - el chaval de la peca
Cool!
I dont know that its have cover in spanish. And im from israel!
So im gonna check it right now.
My folks moved to United States from Israel in 1978. I was 8, unfortunately by 9
I forgot most of the language
But this song, I remember.
45 years later I decide to look it up
Getting a lump in my throat. 🥲
Catchy song ideal for this contest at the time
Back then when the music and songs were a Lot better
Realmasterorder and it wasn’t so political.
Judging by Germany and their entries the next year, I think you're right...!
Its just that you are getting old.. No offence
100%. Toy is garbage compared to this.
This brings back memories. I was in the Royal Albert Hall for the ESC in 1968 (held in Britain because the UK had won in 1967 with Puppet on a String). That was the one and only time I saw Cliff Richard perform live. I thought Congratulations was a wonderfully uplifting song but then so was La La La. Those were the days! Signed: An old fogey.
❤
I don't understand a word, and I still listen & bob my head to the song multiple times =D
Something is just really attractive about a song in native language.
here from israel real glory for our country
The sudden ending of this song (along with the Bet language) is amazing
One of my top three favourite entries ever. Even in 2021 it still sounds as amazing as it did on the day it won.
Shalom, Israel!
Mucho amor desde España🇪🇸❤️🇮🇱
I never new i would vibe to a 70 music
Knew
Abanibi aboebe,quiere decir te quiero amor.❤
What does Israel sing about? LOVE! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Shalom
The girl in the middle is so pretty , great song worthy winners 👍🏻
Je me souviens avec émotion de ce grand prix eurovision retransmis depuis le palais des congrès de paris . Nous étions si fiers de l'organiser en1978. Le décor était magnifique et la soirée fut merveilleuse. Mes favoris étaient :Luxembourg .Italie.Irlande et Israël. Bravo Israël pour cette belle victoire .
The backing singer in the middle was gorgeous 😍
Yeah we realized that Israelis are gorgeous.
And I'm from Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
So much respect to these song!!!
I love this song. Me and Janet sing this when we get together in Spain. I love Eurovision. Israel have catchy songs.
I wanted to explain what does "ah bah ni bi aboe beh" mean. The singer tells us about a special language, where the words made by the same words as Hebrew, but the letter "b" is written in the middle. It means, that the key to the language is to remove all the "b" from the sentence. So, after we remove (not all) the "b"s from the sentece, we have "Ani ohev otah, ani ohev otah meod", that means "I love you, I love you very much".
listened and seen thai version of this song in 2006 thai movie "The Possible" since then i am fan of this song..... never known that original is Israeli; the country which reside in my heart beside my home country India.....!
Still a hot jam 42 years on.
Wonderful song!! I was 14years old when it came on Eurovision,I was crazy about it!!! Still sounds as good as back then😍
Magnifique chanson 👍🙏 très beau d'écouter l'hébreu 👏👌...
Omg. This song had a severe impact on my childhood in Sweden. 🎶Abatta bia bai bae🎶 One of my favorite dolls, i called this 😂❤👏🏼
fun fact! the song is actually in hebrew pig latin, and translates to "I love you" so its basically the repitition of I love you over and over again, and I think thats really sweet
Abatta Bia Bai Bae
Abanibi obo ebev ❤
@@ani2756 abanibi obo eve
@@ani2756 abanibi obo eveb
I love it fantastic amaizing FABULOUS ❤❤❤❤
I like the way he dances.
Israel must win Eurovision every year!!
Beautiful country.
I want visit this country buy i'm in quarantine!!😭😭.
I Will visit you and love from Italy!!
Forever Israel 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱!!!
Wow cool.. and thanks i like our music but not Neta.
Went there for the Eurovision in Tel Aviv 2019, and it was literally the most fun time I've ever had!!! Wish they win again very soon! 😍
how good is that stage design shown in the begining?
it looks in style and ultra-modern even in 2017
The French know how to host a good ESC! ;-)
@@sonjapetersen4410 Let's hope for another French victory, followed by a Eurovision Song Contest in France.
All 3 had impressive stages.
Cannes 59 had revolving backgrounds
Cannes 61 was extravagant
Paris 78 was modern
All 3 had impressive stages.
Cannes 59 had revolving backgrounds
Cannes 61 was extravagant
Paris 78 was modern
In the first year Israel joined the Eurovision Song Contest (Paris,1978), they already came out with a strong, winning song ! I had the honour to meet them backstage at that time and loved their spontanious behaviour (especially from the girls) and their good laughs and sense of humor......It was also the year in wich the State of Israel celebrated its 30 years existance !
1978 wasn't the first year Israel participated. 1973 with Ilanit at Luxembourg was the first time.
I was 13 years old then, but I remember this wonderful song as if it were yesterday.
Came here after seeing him on 2019 Eurovision
He hardly aged!
@@dudewatcheskpop2022
Also how I got here haha
love it....one of the best songs ive heard....54 now..still love it
Killer dance moves!
I was 9 in '78 and remember Wogan jokingly refer to this as 'I wanna be a polar bear' on his radio show, and I still hear them lyrics when this is played. :-)
Simply great song!
Polar Bear or not, with or without a bra, this song if remade today (with new tech and arrangment) would have been again a huge hit worldwide.
One of the greatest Eurovision songs. We need songs to be sung in their original language 🎉
It’s half Hebrew and half gibberish
@@GULI100 bah humbug... It is a great tune none the less😂
12 points from California - love this song! ❤
Anyone here in 1990? Greetings from Yugoslavia.
Υπεροχο
So many times I danced this on summer parties, I was 11😄
The best ever eurovision song amazing
Ο τραγουδιστής μοιάζει πολύ με το δικό μας Θέμη Αδαμαντίδη όταν ήταν νέος φυσικά.Καλα με το τραγούδι είχε γίνει χαμός 11 χρόνων ήμουν το 79
When Eurovision was fun!
The VHI jump makes it so real ❤ I'm transported to my childhood
I C O N I C T O P S O N G !!!!
Great song with masterful choreography
The male backing singer on the left is fabulous!😂😂
The lead singer, Izhar Cohen, came out of the closet also, just a few years ago (even though everyone guessed it)
What a cool song, after all those years ago. Great voice and the music really throws a punch.