They sat out of the competition for the last ten years. But after Salvador Sobral’s victory in Kyiv, Portugal’s broadcaster RTP decided it was time to bring the Portuguese children back to Junior Eurovision in 2017.
After a very competitive national final — Júniores de Portugal — 11-year old Mariana Venâncio won the right to represent the Iberian nation in Georgia with the uptempo track “Youtuber”.
The charismatic young talent oozed power, sass and control, giving the song — which producers made all of the children sing — major lift. She’s a kid, but she seems to have bossa nova in her veins. Give her a track and she’ll clearly deliver it with poise and attitude. Obrigado, babe!
All the juniors had the chance to sing the Junior Eurovision entry and impress judges and televoters. The winner came from a combination of both results.
Carlos Mendes (Eurovision 1968 and 1972), Inês Santos (Eurovision 1998) and Pedro Gonçalves (Festival da Canção 2017) decided 50% of the result.
Filipa Ferreira won the jury vote with Mariana Venâncio coming second. The televote gave its top mark to Mariana and second place to Filipa. Since both ladies had 9 points the televote broke the tie. Power to the people!
Júniores de Portugal was Mariana’s first musical competition. The Voice judge Aurea is her favourite singer and she loves to sing barefoot. Channeling some Loreen realness!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4FLHbin1yk
After singing “Youtuber”, Mariana gave a moving performance of Amor Electro’s “A Máquina”, showing off her vocal range and control.
Duarte Valença, Margarida Lima, and Matilde Leite were the three other kids that sang their hearts out in the hopes of getting to hold the coveted ticket to sing in Georgia, in November.
“YOUTUBER” LYRICS
The tune, which may remind you of elevator music from the 1980s, is built around themes of love, social media and the pursuit of fame.
Chasing the limelight isn’t an end in itself — it’s an attempt to snag the singer’s crush.
“YouTuber, YouTuber, I wanna be a YouTuber. I wanna see everything and share everything with never-ending shares. I wanna be viral, cuz in the end I just want him to look at me.” We’ve all been there!
The overt reference to YouTube may still pose a problem for Portugal. As you’ll recall, San Marino’s Valentina Monetta had to remove the word “Facebook” from her Eurovision 2012 entry “Facebook, Uh, Oh, Oh” because of its reference to the technology company.
Portugal was second to last with Pedro Madeira in 2006 and Jorge Leiria in 2007. Will Mariana be able to change this trend?
What do you think of Mariana Venâncio and “Youtuber”? Does Portugal have a chance at winning Junior Eurovision this year? Tell us in the comments section below!
YOUTUBER!
Bossa Nova Mariana! Good elevator music and I mean that in a good and bad way. This has played several times as I was reading the comments and it’s inoffensive and lovely because of Annita- I mean Mariana but the translation for the lyrics… Not endering.
I like the bass on this song, it’s funk, not my style but I can appreciate it! I hope they revamp the song to change the lyrics and maybe the instrumental less the bass.
Maybe RTP should inspire in Guy Sebastian and Laura Tesoro, “youtuber” is not bad at all, only lyrics, but it’s not a masterpiece.
the song is terrible, but mariana makes it sound good. i can assure it will be low with televoting but hopefully the juries will like it. as i said, if they chose one of the others it would still sound terrible, but mariana makes it good. i think it’ll get 16-11th place
She’s good. I just hope they don’t let her use the word ‘Youtuber’ and they change it for another one. Weak song anyway. I feel sorry for her.
Sung by a child is less annoying, but still it is. Anyway, I think Portugal won’t be two time lucky this year!
Well… the lyrics are horrible, just horrible, but to be honest I love the beat lol. I also like Mariana’s voice. It’s very kid friendly and I can see kids voting for it, but the adults not so much. Unfortunately, there are more adults voting than kids, so I doubt this is going top 10. Shame 🙁
Ok, it’s my second only after (bela)russian one, but this is much easier and even came as more enjoyable. Lyrics though… The judges may not get it or even dislike for lycirs, yet also the song overall can fall as rather good filler between something more banging/loud. Still kinda well done, I think she connects with song’s ‘message’ cough-cough.
xx. Portugal – Enjoyable easy-listening mood with silly lyrics, very sweet performer
xx. (Bela)rus – good package overall but way less memorable than Zhyvaya Voda (2016 Rus), skilled performer
Well I see some good reactions… Sorry to say, but “I told you so” 🙂 The song is not that bad, sung by Mariana. It’s not a masterpiece, but it is a child-friendly song and she has a good presence… OMG, what is happening to me??? I am actually developing an interest in Junior Eurovision???… 🙂
I bet there will be problems about the name of the song, hence 2013 Belarus’ entry using Google Maps in their lyrics.
2014 was when Belarus had a problem with the entry from the regular Eurovision.
Now that I heard the whole song… not bad, not bad at all! Actually I kinda like it – it has a nice rhythm, I don’t understand the lyrics (they might be bad, I don’t care) and Mariana has a nice voice – it’s not a perfect vocal performance by far, but I think she was just nervous, it’s clear that if she’ll train her voice, she’ll become a great vocalist. Good job, Portugal!
At least they selected a more competent singer with very good vocals. However, that doesn’t prevent the fact that the song itself is beyond horrible.
Good luck Portugal. You will need a lot of it…
“Good luck Portugal. You will need a lot of it…”
i think Portugal is used to hearing that. Even if musically they’re miles apart, Salvador had the same reactions, quoting “THEY WILL END UP BOTTOM” “Horrible song!!! portugal will not go to finals”.
I guess people will never learn, even if they got previously ‘slapped’ in the face.
Last year, I had the same thoughts about Georgia for JESC 2016, so if this song exceed expectations, I might be convinced how good the song is. Once bitten, twice shy.
Anyway, since this is the JUNIOR Eurovision Song Contest, the kids’ opinions matter more. Hey, it may be to their taste, so you’ll never know until the actual performance.
is there going to be a videoclip?
Probably soon, because there’s gotta be something to top the live performance! 🙂
Call me crazy, but the rhytm is actually enjoyable. The lyrics are hilariously bad, though. But… it will be memorable. Good luck to Mariana. All the kids deserve it. 🙂
Hi Bernardo. I got confirmation from RTP’s Eurovision Facebook page that the EBU has cleared Portugal’s song so it’s no longer a problem now. 🙂
Sweden must change lyricks about Coca Cola in adult Eurovision 1987, San Marion about Facebook, but EBU baby Australia didn t must to change lyricks in adult euroviosn 2016 about Facetime, and Portugal in junior Eurovision 2017 becuase Youtube.
It’s all about context.
In “Sound of Silence”, the word “Facetime” doesn’t come across as a brand name because the lyrics could easily just come across as “Trying to feel your love through face time…” instead of “Trying to feel your love through Facetime™…”
hahaha Robyn xD
I was so worried at first! 🙁
These haters should learn their lesson by now, especially when it comes to anything that’s related with Portugal, such as their JESC 2017 entry “YouTuber”. Seriously people, you should learn to like it! 😮
It’s nice to know opinions don’t matter and we are being forced to “learn to like” anything Becca likes.
Hahahahah. Seriously, RTP? There are amazing entries this year, and you send this nonsense ? It’s like you are not even trying in your comeback, unlike in the senior contest!
So far we have two sets of song: those who are amazing, and those terrible ones.
Great: Russia, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine.
Terrible: Italy, Malta, Portugal, Serbia.
What a joke. Poland, Russia and Belarus are boring ballads who sound the same. Get some ears.
Ballad? Have you heard the Belarusian song? Lol
I did. It’s a depressing ballad with an eletronic sound, a failed attempt of being Lorde.
If you say the Belarusian song is a depressing ballad and is a “failed attempt of being Lorde” it’s just like saying Amar Pelos Dois is a catchy and upbeat song
What a silly comparison. Amar pelos dois is also a ballad, just from a different genre.
Jane is so right.
Russia or Belarus are such pretentious dark ballads. Super boring
I don’t think she’s supposed to sing a Grammy-winning song, even though this one is probably better than some of them.
People need to relax, it’s kids party!!!
Call me crazy, but this may win. All the entries so far, this is my fave. It has a certain 80s vibe- a bit Stevie Wonder, a bit Bananarama, a bit Billy Ocean, a bit Diana Ross. It is so different, it clearly stands out.
And Remember, when Salvador was chosen, half of you were also bashing him.
I think Portugal may become the first country in history to hold ESC and JESC titles at the same time.
You’re crazy hahahah?
Still don’t like the lyrics but this girl made the music interesting for me. Go Mariana!
Was expecting worse tbh at least it’s kid friendly. Nice voice also
Better than the boringness of Italy, but not amazing in any way. I like this 1953470584 times more than when that horrible male singer sung it, she has a great voice and is relatively charismatic. Needs dancers to stand out more.
This JESC so far is divisive, amazing entries from Belarus, Russia, The Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine, and meh to bad entries from Malta, Serbia, Italy and now Portugal. Still waiting for the other countries.
there’s nothing amazing about Poland and the entry from the netherlands is an awful copy of one direction.
Poland is super boring and the entry from Netherlands is an amateur c0py of one direction.
Comparing Poland and Italy, Poland had more presence in her singing compared to Italy. I remembered Poland but Italy I forgot.
1. Italy – AMAZING!!
2. Russia – I like this one, too.
3. Belarus – Nice song, but she looks adult for kid’s competition
4. Ukraine – Cute song, nice voice. I also liked the revamped version
5. Poland – Cliche female ballad with no emotions, plus she looks way too adult for kid’s competition
6. Serbia – They’re cute, but the song gets rather repititive and it’s kinda annoying
7. Malta – They literally copied other JESC song and it doesn’t even sound good.
8. Portugal – I like her. But the song is just TERRIBLE!
Italy’s song is boring. It wasn’t catchy. It’s just plain, it’s more plain than Poland. The video lacks everything that would make me vote for her. Portugal’s song has a good beat and rhythm, though the lyrics sucks bad as hell. Compared to Serbia, Serbia has cuteness but it comes off a cheesy. Russia is frankly overrated, I don’t get it. At first I thought Belarus was strong but it sounded less strong as I progressed to hear it.
Changed my mind it’s not so bad. But it’s boring as hell, and it’s not even a ballad! This has to finish second to last or last place. It’s just so monotone and quite annoying tbh. This can’t even compare to great entries from Belarus, Russia and the Netherlands. Ukraine and Poland aren’t bad as well.
as soon as she gets on stage she’ll be even more comfortable. she should have some dancers with her on stage, will it have dancers or a choir? hope rtp manages to add something on stage but if shes alone it can work too
Better than Poland & at least i can move my hips and jam to it.
I like it. It isn’t a masterpiece but it’s not anything to be ashamed of either. It sounds like a mix of jazzy music and K-Pop. Wishing all the best to the girl 🙂
Lucas Agree, it’s very dangerous and unnecessary, specially since we’re talking about children after all. He complains about bullyy ing but what’s what he’s doing.
honestly I like the song, it’s better than Serbia tbh and has some rap part and has that genuine Portuguese jazzy vibe, it has both modern and old times.
Girl girl girl girl… It will be really “funny” edition. Sorry, I wont watch it. Nothing interesting and diverse…
At least it’s very kids-friendly, though–can’t say the same about certain other entries.
yes! a kids song for a kids competition. it fits.
The song could be a bop but I think she lacks charisma and stage presence. The song needs a stronger beat and there need to be backing dancers to make up for the current gaps.
I think that is a bit harsh. Calling a song a cancer is beyond acceptable. And saying it will lead to bullying in school is a bold and dangerous claim.
The song isn’t bad at all – but she doesn’t seem or sound pretty strong. She really needs to work on her vocals and her stage presence if she wants to avoid bottom-3 in Tbilisi…
For your information, Mariana DOES sound strong, and she DOES have the charisma to do so! 😮
The song is stuck in my head, not sure if it’s a good or a bad think lol Youtuber Youtuber Youtuber