If love was a crime, then she’d be a criminal.

Or so Bulgaria’s Poli Genova says in the lyrics of her Eurovision 2016 song “If Love Was a Crime.”

The 29-year-old starlet released the lyrics to her track today, revealing a pop love song filled with clever word play.

All of the verses are in English except for a portion of the chorus in which she sings “Day mi lyubovta” — or, “Give me the love”.

The song encourages people to love who they love, even when others say it’s wrong. Love, she suggests, will give you the strength to push past the shade.

Given the ongoing criminalisation of homosexuality in many parts of the world, this could read as a pro-LGBT anthem. “If love was a crime, then we would be criminals, locked up for life, but I’ll do the time…day mi lyubovta…they will never break us down.”

Thankfully the lyrics do not bang the diversity drum too loudly, allowing the song to apply to a number of situations beyond same-sex-relationships and to appeal to a broader audience. The nasty mother-in-law, disapproving friends, busybody neighbours who don’t like your man — Poli argues they can’t bring you down either.

“If Love Was a Crime” lyrics — Poli Genova

You and I we collide
Like the stars on the summer night
We can shine forever

And you and I we’re alive
What we feel is what is right
We can run like never

If love was a crime, then we would be criminals
Locked up for life
But I’ll do the time

If love was a crime
Then we would work miracles
High above the ground

Day mi lyubovta (Give me the love) 3x
They will never break us down
Day mi lyubovta (Give me the love) 3x
They will never break us down

Never mind
Wrong or right
Our love ain’t got no pride
So we change for better

Unafraid
Never fade
When it’s dark we illuminate
Can we rise together

If love was a crime, then we would be criminals
Locked up for life
But I’ll do the time

If love was a crime
Then we would work miracles
High above the ground

Day mi lyubovta (Give me the love) 3x
They will never break us down
Day mi lyubovta (Give me the love) 3x
They will never break us down
Together we’re untouchable

You and me against the world
Together we’re invincible
Together we’re untouchable
You and me against the world
Together we’re invincible
They will never break us down

Read more Bulgaria Eurovision news

31 Comments
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Alex Warner
7 years ago

For me, Poli has already won!!!

Redfox
Redfox
7 years ago

I am confused. did like half the contestants receive the same lines of lyrics and had to write music on it?

nellic07
nellic07
7 years ago

Dear Sir William Lee Adams
Could you share some more Eneda Tarifa’s feet shots please?

johan
johan
7 years ago

Azaad

I think that Greece wili go to final thank to televote. I m affraid that Czech Republic my favorite 1, will stay in semifinal.

Azaad
Azaad
7 years ago

Is it weird that Bulgaria and the Czech republic look more likely to qualify than Greece at this point?

Christoph
Christoph
7 years ago

@Colin @ Latvia Homosexuality is CRIMINALISED in many parts of the world. The title is “If love was a crime.” So yes, this is a good interpretation. But the author points out many contexts apply. “Thankfully the lyrics do not bang the diversity drum too loudly, allowing the song to apply to a number of situations beyond same-sex-relationships and to appeal to a broader audience. The nasty mother-in-law, disapproving friends, busybody neighbours who don’t like your man — Poli argues they can’t bring you down either.”

Florian
Florian
7 years ago

I am really curious to listen to this song, as Poli’s entry is the very last chance for me to really get excited about a 2016 Eurovision entry. I like Greta, Ira and Douwe Bob and some other to fill a proper TOP 10, but I did not have one single “wow-moment” this year. Poli, take it away!

James
James
7 years ago

@lt united and others. The songs were still submitted by March 14, the full audio was presented, they just hadn’t completed a music video which isn’t hugely relevant as many countries just submit their national final video anyway. It’s not like they picked a song or artist after March 14 so I don’t see an issue. The music video doesn’t necessarily indicate how an entry will be staged so I don’t think the EBU should use it to decide the running order, I think they should just use the audio for genres of similar songs not to be grouped together… Read more »

LATVIA
LATVIA
7 years ago

Why the f*** you think it’s everything about you? First I read the lyrics and only then your comments. While I was reading the lyrics I imagined that the video could include a couple consisting of a bad boy from streets and a good girl from rich family. They are really in love and having amazing time, but her family is against their relationship. And then I read your irrogant comment….

johan
johan
7 years ago

Austria 2014, Serbia 2015, Bulgaria 2016

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

I am a strong supporter of LGBT rights, yet I am always amazed how Wiwibloggs find gay message in everything. Yes, the lyrics COULD be interpreted that way given the right context, but it could also be about two people of different religions, social status or nationality. Last year Lithuania gave us a cute song that included both gay and straight couples, and it was awesome! However, it had to be done in a context to be seen that way. Lyrics are quite gender neutral and male-female vocal dynamics even implies a straight couple. But the context was given in… Read more »

MGR
MGR
7 years ago

It is only the truth and nothing more.

ZanderZion
ZanderZion
7 years ago

I just hope somehow someday Bulgaria will send their beautiful Chalga on ESC stage

Ban MGR NOW
Ban MGR NOW
7 years ago

Where’s the mods on the comments? Ban MGR and his anti-ESC comments now! You’re going to lose more readers because of this Debbie Downer! Ban him now!

MGR
MGR
7 years ago

“Walk On Water” is weak, boring, tiring. “Chameleon” was more pleasant, flying, catchy. Malta ruined their entry because of Germany, Russia and Sweden.

nellic07
7 years ago

Still better than generic plagiarism that Iceland sent!

MGR
MGR
7 years ago

Germany, Russia and Sweden are one great mafia. They ruined results of Armenia and Poland in 2014 (bad starting positions and jury), Estonia and Israel (bad starting positions and jury) in 2015. They ruined Maltese entry for ESC 2016 (request to change the song for worse) and they will ruin Hungarian entry in Stockholm (staging, starting position and results).

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
7 years ago

I like the lyrics!!!!! I wish they would hurry up though, they had like 6 months (they had to host jesc) and it’s a bit disrespectful to the other countries.

Klaasje
Klaasje
7 years ago

Is she a lesbian confirmed?

MGR
MGR
7 years ago

Germany, Russia and Sweden are one great mafia.

PL
PL
7 years ago

So cheesy

Comi
Comi
7 years ago

I have a feeling we’re goin’ to Sofia next year 😀

Christoph
Christoph
7 years ago

The rule is that they have to submit their song TO THE EBU by that date — not to the rest of the world. Nothing unfair, nothing wrong. Go Bulgaria.

lt united
lt united
7 years ago

Edwin and Sufle

They wait to hear 40 songs to submit their eurovision effort for 2016.

sufle
sufle
7 years ago

At least Bulgaria submitted the song by the deadline. That should be more important, right? as for the lyrics, they sound kind of cheesy but I like the use of Bulgarian.

Edwin
Edwin
7 years ago

I don’t see how it’s disrespectful to anyone. They submitted the song by the deadline but they didn’t have the presentation video ready. The submission deadline is clearly not the presentation video deadline so there is no special treatment going on.

HelmaR
HelmaR
7 years ago

All the songs presented except this, really gives no sense making us wait this long. :s

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

hold on to your barrels guys… we haven’t heard thr song yet.

No Name
No Name
7 years ago

@lt united
They do nothing wrong? The songs were sent in before deadline, they are just releasing them a few days later. Several countries do the same every year, it’s nothing new.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

San Marino LOOK!
There’s still time to find ANY other artist and a new song!……

P.S. : Bulgaria is going strong for once I see

lt united
lt united
7 years ago

I don t like what Bulgaria and Malta do this year, and all that allow EBU.