For Spain’s Manel Navarro the days of the Hawaiian shirts and Eurodramas are over.

And on Friday the Catalan singer reminded the world of that with the release of his music video for “Keep on Falling” — his follow-up single to “Do it for Your Lover”.

The song marks a huge step in his ongoing re-invention and sees him move from the happy clappy, sing-along stylings of his Eurovision tune toward something more mature and moody.

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Back in May, when he released the audio of “Keep on Falling“, a large elephant entered the room shouting, “Why didn’t he sing that at Eurovision?”

And now, with the release of the touching music video, that question comes full circle, as the video showcases the power of Manel’s voice and his ability to tackle the uncomfortable theme of bullying — an issue with which he is well-accustomed.

The song offers hope to anyone — a.k.a. all of us — who have ever been mocked or harassed. On Friday he uploaded a clip from the video to Instagram along with this message for his 65,000 followers.

For those of you that think ‘I can’t get up from this’: I think we’ve all been through something like that. But you get up. We all do. It’s not the person who doesn’t fall that’s greatest, but he who stands and tries again. This is my little message of overcoming and anti-bullying. May you help me to share it with the world and spread the love.

That messages comes through during the video. It’s as if Manel is opening his heart and telling you everything he felt — potentially during the Objective Eurovision fallout. But the video takes the narrative further.

There’s Manel singing in a dimly lit room while three young people cope with their own episodes of being bullied. All of them have words like “sad”, “clumsy”, “coward” or “nerd” written on their faces à la Svala’s “Paper” cover art.

But they each have a cute way of overcoming their problems: they pass a tiny music box that carries Manel’s strong message of perseverance. There’s also a second message if you reach for it: Music can help you overcome your problems.

Towards the end of the clip we see Manel building the little music box. At the same time the three other people erase the words that torment them from their faces.

Contrasting with the sad theme of the video, Manet must be buzzing following the wave of positivity in the Spanish press. Media outlets — including Bluper, Vertele and Formula TV — have all praised it.

Several figures in the music industry have also congratulated Manel on Twitter, including Brequette Cassie, Los 40 Principales’ main DJ Tony Aguilar and…Objetivo Eurovisión judge Xavi Martínez.

We’re super happy to see Manel evolve. When we first met him back in January, we weren’t sure what he wanted to tell with his music. Now he’s opening his heart in a super cute and warm music video. Who said Eurovision ruins careers?

What do you think of “Keep on Falling”? Do you prefer it to “Do it for Your Lover”? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Kermit
Kermit
6 years ago

I didn’t rate his song so highly. Maybe average. Better than their ballads though. Still, a disggraceful way how the fans treated him!

Music is the key
Music is the key
6 years ago

To be honest…sometimes I feel embarrased by the behaviour of some ESC-fans…Be it “pink chauvenists” (people who wants ESC to be an all gay event, who seems to dimiss the fact that we are many straight / female fans too) , people who detest everything which sounds a bit more daring than schlagers / euroballads, rude / arrogant people etc….And those who bullied Manel! Just like with the Finnish band with their GREAT punk rock song (too good for it’s own good), and Electro Velvet from UK, in 2015….Some fans really beahve like rude, “uncivilized” kids. OK – maybe I… Read more »

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

I’ve nothing against schlager, I love it tbh, but I agree with you 100%, it wasn’t his fault he won.

Evan
Evan
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

It was his teams’ fault that they resorted to corruption. And I believe his team couldn’t have gone about it without asking him first.So yeah in a way it’s his fault.

Evan
Evan
6 years ago
Reply to  Evan

This is not to say this song isn’t good. I think this is so much better than his ESC entry though his pronunciation here is worse!! I still like the song and continue to despise the corrupt.

Music is the key
Music is the key
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Erasmus – I don’t think ALL schlagers in ESc are bad either! 🙂 But….nowadays. They all seem so cliched, bana, genric….typical cheesy bad crap just tailormade for ESC..no life outside the contest! Bad music…Fastfood music indeed…as the great Salvador would say. For instance…:Contigo is so fake. Tries toe be “latino”. But it’s another bad generic schlager…and of course. A Swedish composer. NOT a good sign either. Very dull and unoriginal song…bad. So for me…schlager after 2000 in ESC…bad! But when you listen to some old schlagers from ESC history – or NFs…let’s say from the 60s / 70s / 80s….you… Read more »

Loll
Loll
6 years ago

Great opinion! I am tired too with the obsession of shouty divas and solo female europop by LGBT fans in every national final. Still the same. I think Eurovision should be unique with many genres, original mix of genres, new trends etc. Why UK makes national final only with flat pop songs by unknown soloists, if they have great projects like Rizzle Kicks for example. And yes, PKN and O.Torvald was great moments in ESC history. Interesting stories, different music, more bands with their own music, diversity, thats what we want. Manel was last, but he was the only singer… Read more »

Music is the key
Music is the key
6 years ago
Reply to  Loll

Agree 100 % 🙂

Kermit
Kermit
6 years ago
Reply to  Loll

Loll – great post!

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
6 years ago

That was so touching! Loved it!

James
James
6 years ago

And here I am, el nuevo estudiante de idioma español, trying to decipher his Instagram post by figuring out the conjugated verbs in his sentences.

raulvalero
raulvalero
6 years ago
Reply to  James

Good luck on your journey! 🙂