Selectia Nationala 2018 semi-finalists highlights

Over the last week, TVR has hosted the live auditions for Selectia Nationala 2018. We already know that the jury selected 60 out of the 72 entries to advance to the semi-finals, but now we have the chance to actually listen to all the songs of the lucky acts who went through. And there are a few surprises.

You can listen to all the semi-finalists’ songs here.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is Alex Florea. “Nobody Told Me It Would Hurt”, written by Jonas Thander and Aidan O’Connor, is a typical love ballad custom-made for Eurovision. However, the voice on the track published by TVR is not Alex’s, apparently. In the past day, it has been revealed that Alex Florea allegedly submitted the demo (sung by Jonas Thander) instead of his own vocals. If this is true, TVR should have disqualified him already. However, Alex obviously performed the song at the live auditions and he went through. It remains to be seen if this revelation will lead to Alex Florea’s replacement with another act.

Another controversy surrounds Freia. Her song “Fix It” is alleged to have been publicly released before 1 September 2017, which, if proven correct, is grounds for disqualification.

Another interesting fact is that Feli has chosen to submit the song “Buna de iubit” in Spanish — although it bears the Romanian language title. We get to listen to the Iberian take on the song, which adds extra spice on an already lively track. We’ll see if Feli decides to stick with the Spanish version, as we hear that an English language version is also on the table. What is sure is that Feli is so far the biggest name in the selection and we wouldn’t be surprised to see her and M I H A I battling it out out for the first place in the final.

Eduard Santha, who placed eighth at the National Final in 2017 with “Wild Child” (infamously getting a measly 1.9 out of 10 points in our Wiwi Jury) is back in contention. This time, he submitted a song that is heavily influenced by Gypsy music, with a Romani language title, “Mesom Romales”. The track also has a reggae sound in parts and the resulting fusion is a bit cacophonic but definitely interesting. We expect a lively performance and a place in the National Final.

Also, if you are wondering with Anuryh and her infectious dance track “In My Head” are, we have learnt that the singer withdrew from the competition. But don’t fret: there’s another Inna wannabe in town. Serena and her “Safari” will surely bring the sexy back to Selectia Nationala! The song, which was released in November, already has a steamy video.

Our picks for the Selectia Nationala 2018 final

All in all, as a result of the low turnout — 72 entries which meant that only 12 acts had to be cut — most of the 60 songs are disposable. There are a few gems, but it is difficult to find 15 songs that should reach the National Final on 25 February, and it all relies on their live performance and semi-final staging. However, our Top 15 favourites so far are, in no particular order:

  • M I H A I – “Heaven”
  • Jukebox feat. Bella Santiago – “Auzi cum bate”
  • Xandra – “Try”
  • Serena – “Safari”
  • Feli – “Buna de iubit”
  • Alessandro Danescu – “Breaking Up”
  • Elena Hasna – “Revival”
  • Eduard Santha – “Mesom Romales”
  • Zoltan – “Daca dragostea e oarba”
  • Teodora Dinu – “Fly”
  • Sergiu Bolota – “Every Little Thing”
  • Alexia & Matei – “Walking on Water”
  • Freia – “Fix It”
  • Evermorph – “Live Your Life”
  • Elena Turcu – “The Perfect Fall”

During the five semi-finals, the jury will select 15 songs (three songs from each show) to advance to the national final. On 25 February, the 15 acts will fight for the ticket to Lisbon, when only the viewers will choose the winner via televote.

Until then, what do you think about our choices? And who are your favourites for the final of Selectia Nationala 2018? Let us know in the comments!

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Matthew
Matthew
6 years ago

What, am I the only person who seems to like Elena’s song.

ESC Jacob
ESC Jacob
6 years ago
Reply to  Matthew

No! I honestly love her song so much that I would be perfectly fine with it winning all of Eurovision this year…

Matthew
Matthew
6 years ago

Revival gave me goosebumps.

RBU
RBU
6 years ago

“Run For You” – Miruna Diaconescu
Is my favorite without any doubts

??ran
??ran
6 years ago

Fellow Romanians, I believe that Satra Benz would have been a good addition for next year’s contest. They would have brought trap / mumble rap at Eurovision which is SO different from everything else. They are charismatic, know how to make a show and have those rockstar attitudes which can boost their chances of finishing pretty high and getting televotes. Let’s go 2019 ciorilor!!!

ete na
ete na
6 years ago
Reply to  ??ran

So weird comment. Why are you calling them crows (ciorilor). Year after year many say that romanian selection is weak, but in the end Romania does well in televote (and not because diaspora). Is useless to try to please the jury. Ask Jacques Houdek.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
6 years ago

The best in my opinion:
Eduard Santha – ‘Mesom Romales’
Erminio Sinni & Titziana Camelin – ‘All The Love Away’
Jukebox ft. Bella Santiago – ‘Auzi Cum Bate’
Claudia Andas – ‘The One’ (Maybe my choice, absolutely magnificent voice and high quality music)

Going wild in Safari
Going wild in Safari
6 years ago

Dallah czeeban! Dallah czeeban!! Dallah czeeban!!!

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

We have to keep in mind that these are demo versions. Some of the songs submitted have a decent melody and might be not so bad if they had a more elaborare arrangement. Mihai’s song, which I hadn’t been too enthusiastic about, actually sounds far more professional and thought-out than any other entry in the selection at this point. Overall, Romania’s selection takes me back to Lithuania 2004, when pretty much anyone who submitted a song was able to compete, which made the whole selection look quite amateurish. However, if there are too many songs competing, in the end we… Read more »

escfan
escfan
6 years ago

no winning songs in this selection, no ESC in Romania in 2019 sorry,

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  escfan

yeah, I have to agree with you… Despite the claims of Bucharest 2019, I don’t see that happening. Top 10 is plausible, though.

escfan
escfan
6 years ago

alex florea is out of the game, his song is so cheesy, moreover they don’t deserve their top 10 in esc 2017 with their pseudo song yodel , beurk

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
6 years ago

Safari FTW!!

Miss Uncongeniality, the one and Only
Miss Uncongeniality, the one and Only
6 years ago

I don’t know what to think, even after readfing all comments.. I like Romania at Eurovision, they usually send good tracks. But this year all songs sounds like demos, Feli’s is totally annoying, totally don’t understand the hype about it, and don’t care if she’s the romanian ecofriendly version of Beyonce, but the song is pure crap, Serena’s is interesting but too much repetitive, it’s like she repeat the same fragment for three minutes, Mihai’s is soooo “cool wanna be”, I totally want what He is sniffing, he’s totally hallucinating a cheesy vision of the universe with some cheap glitter… Read more »

Cassy
Cassy
6 years ago

Alex a sexy hunk? I’ll give him sexy, but have you seen his ridiculously skinny arms? His cheesy sad love ballad kinda fits him but I wonder what on Earth makes him submit the demo version. Maybe he’s doing it for attention, lol.

Gobio
Gobio
6 years ago

Ive gotta say I don’t really like any of the songs that much like in fik for example, everyone is like trying too hard, either being sexy and appealing or being a typical Eurovision dated ballad, but I guess the more I listen to the song I’ll be find a favorite eventually.

Gobio
Gobio
6 years ago
Reply to  Gobio

I’ll be able to*

Azaesc
Azaesc
6 years ago

Haven’t heard all of them but I’m liking Feli and Jukebox+Bella Santiago. I think Spanish works well for “Buna De Iubit”

javier
javier
6 years ago

Miruna’s “Run For You” could do very, very well.
Oh, and I love that Melfest reject that is “Reborn”, by Waleska.

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

I listened to all 60 songs, and only three really caught my attention.

“Auzi Cum Bate” – Jukebox feat Bella Santiago
“Reborn” – Waleska
“Safari” – Serena

Of course, that could all change once I see them performed on stage.

Dorito
Dorito
6 years ago

Xandra needs to change things. The same style song again and again is boring. She deserves a new type of song for her great voice. IMO!

zheng
zheng
6 years ago

Great Romanian selection this year. Much good songs, my favorites are:SAFARI,Breaking up,Auzi cum bate

EurovisionUK
EurovisionUK
6 years ago

My favs are:

– Fly
– Safari
– Every little thing
– Buna de lubit

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I haven’t listened to all the songs yet (60 songs??), but I’ve listened to aroung 20 songs I think. Very few stand out for me. MIHAI and Xandra and also “Breaking up”.

allexo
allexo
6 years ago

FELI

Bambi sato
Bambi sato
6 years ago

Serena – Safari is amazing yes !!!! please Romania

Bambi sato
Bambi sato
6 years ago
Reply to  Bambi sato

i cant stop replay this amazing song .

Aaran
Aaran
6 years ago

These songs stood out to me:
Breaking Up
Every Little Thing
Daydreamer
Heaven
La La La
Mesom Romales
Reach Out For The Stars
Walking On Water

Every Little Thing is probably my favourite but I would be happy with any of these. I like Serena’s but the ‘drop’ with the male voice ruins it in my opinion and it would be difficult to replicate live. Feli’s is just not my taste.

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

All sounds the same, too many 2011’s summer beats :~)

Dave
Dave
6 years ago

Serena all the way!

Adriana
Adriana
6 years ago

Feli or Serena one of these two have to be. 🙂

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  Adriana

Agree , I want some African beats in Eurovision this year:)

Eurovisionfan12
Eurovisionfan12
6 years ago

Feli has to win!

D
D
6 years ago

Feli, Serena, and Sergiu Bolota are by far the best. Alexia & Matei are also really good.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Strong selection! My absolute favourite isn’t on your list: SAVE – “All We Need” I also liked (and considered strong entries) Iliana – “I Won’t Lie” Feli – “Buna de iubit” Evermorph – “Live Your Life” Other entries that stood out (but not necessarily my favs): Elena Turcu – “The Perfect Fall” Jukebox feat. Bella Santiago – “Auzi cum bate” Serena – “Safari” Lina – “A Love Worth Falling for” The Humans – “Goodbye” Miruna Diaconescu – “Run for You” Freia – “Fix Me” Alex’s entry is a complete 180º from “Yodel it”. It’s ok, but I don’t expect him… Read more »

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

But I feel like this will change a lot after the live performances.

Falcón J
Falcón J
6 years ago

Fix Me Is so awesome ??????????
Go Freia ????????

Tomás Patrick davitt
Tomás Patrick davitt
6 years ago

Is that just a flattering pic or has Mihai bulked up?!

Marcus (Day One)
Marcus (Day One)
6 years ago

I’m glad that a lot of countries have gone all out on their selections.
Having such a large selection is a good thing because it allows a wider style of music to compete.
And gives almost everyone a chance to perform on a stage.

Jess
Jess
6 years ago

My top 5:

“Buna De Iubit” – Feli
“Fix Me” – Daniel Freia
“Run For You” – Miruna Diaconescu
“Safari” – Serena
“Tears” – Denisa Trofim

Special mention to “Mesom Romales”, “LA LA LA”, “Breaking Up”, “So Good Without You” & “Goodbye”