Cláudia Pascoal Isaura O Jardim Festival da Canção 2018 Eurovision 2018

Pink-haired wonder Claudia Pascoal has reached the top of the iTunes chart in her homeland with her beautiful song “O Jardim”. Smashing competition from Luis Fonsi (of “Despacito” success) and Rita Ora, Claudia is proving that the love she received from the Portuguese public endures well after her televote win at Festival De Cancao on March 4th.


The song – written by her on-stage backing vocalist Isaura – has been very popular on social media and YouTube ‘tops’ videos, with fans of the contest talking about a repeat victory for the Iberian nation.

Claudia is a talent show veteran in Portugal, having participated in the Portuguese editions of X Factor, The Voice and Idol (twice, in fact). She made it to the top 10 in most attempts, showing she has serious talent and broad appeal. She also attempted to present the long-running talk show Curto Circuito, but came third in the process. She’s keen to use her voice — and in a number of capacities.

Claudia’s song translates to “The Garden”, and discusses themes based around missing someone and the process of remembering them. Its simple tones and her soaring vocals have earned plenty of praise — and even some comparisons to London Grammar, a hugely popular British band on the continent.

It’s vastly different to anything in Eurovision so far this year, and it has the same beauty to it as Salvador Sobral’s “Amar Pelos Dois”.

If Claudia were to win on May 12th, she would be the first artist to take the trophy at a home contest since 1994, when Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan kept the show in Ireland.

Other artists that have come close include Sabina Babeyeva, who placed fourth in Baku in 2012, and Frans from Sweden, who placed fifth in 2016 in Stockholm.

Do you think Claudia can take it all? Let us know below in the comments!

Read more Portugal Eurovision news

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Dutch Karl
Dutch Karl
6 years ago

Oh, oh, oh, guys Portugal wins again, pay attention, listen twice and see if you not chanting it. Hammers all day in the head.

Ben
Ben
6 years ago

Amazing song and great voice! The more I listen to it, the more I like it! Dark horse. Definitely, TOP 3.

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

I had to read the translation to understand the appeal of the song. Now I get it. I don’t think this is as universally understandable as Salvador’s performance of Amar pelos dois, but it sure is quality. Hope they can convey the message and the feeling on the international stage.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

Its great that Portugal took this opportunity to send a modern sounding entry while they’re hosting ESC.

íosa
íosa
6 years ago

I’m obviously biased because I feel Portugal has never once sent a good song to Eurovision… as in EVER (last year apart, their results prove my point)…plus last year’s winner, for me, was worst in ESC history (overtaking Russia 2008…. )…. but this is just “noise” and I fail to see any attraction … I do like her look and hair though (but am I allowed by so shallow these days ????)… anyway, I wish her well… it must be an honour to represent your country on home turf

kai
kai
6 years ago
Reply to  íosa

iosa if your opinion is just and only beamed by the results, how can you say Portugal has never once send a good song? They had several top10…

Lua
Lua
6 years ago

I am Portuguese, and I only heard the song some days ago. I didn’t think I would like it tho, but I actually liked it a lot and listened to it a lot of times. But, I don’t think we’ll win again, last year was like a miracle…we already had jokes like “Doing that is as impossible as winning Eurovision” and to do it again would have to be another. Maybe a Top 10 or a Top 20…

paul
paul
6 years ago
Reply to  Lua

last year was a miracle??? winning with the highest score ever??? go sleep

Spaniell
Spaniell
6 years ago

Anyone think that this is very similar to some Coldplay’s ballad

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago
Reply to  Spaniell

Coldplay are following Salvador Sobral in instagram, it’s so random they only follow 15 accounts.

paul
paul
6 years ago
Reply to  desfolhada

ahahah so true.. how is that possible??? oh my god… i think they love the Claudia Pascoal song too,

isabel
isabel
6 years ago
Reply to  paul

No. Coldplay is following Salvador Sobral (not Cláudia).

roumiana valtcheva
roumiana valtcheva
5 years ago
Reply to  Spaniell

Yes – Clocks

Alvaricomg
Alvaricomg
6 years ago

This song is brilliant, the lyrics are haunting and she does a brilliant job on stage, she puts so many emotions.

WELL DONE PORTUGAL

paul
paul
6 years ago

Portugal, a possible Eurovision Winner in 2018, again… A modern and contemporary ballad song, complex, great voice, an addictive, emotional and hyped song, more you listen, more you love it… The song will be revamped, and extended to 3 minutes, and in the last minute should raise the tone and accelerate a beat… This song could win Eurovision again.

isabel
isabel
6 years ago
Reply to  paul

The Eurovision youtube account calls it “official video” (not “national final performance”), so I guess that implies the song is ready and won’t be changed. That makes sense. If the song wasn’t finished, it should be competing in the first place.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  isabel

Isaura reached out to Portuguese ESC fans via social networks asking for suggestions to improve the song, staging and promotion. She already said she is going to charge the song it bit. So, we can expect a different version for the show.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

*change

A
A
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

I’m happy to hear it will be extended! I’ve really liked this song ever since the first listen and the only thing I have wanted to change about it is the length of it.

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Are you in the group Tugavision? I just want a instrumental break in middle, it will makes the song better. Can you tell her? And I wish a videoclip too! Her videos are so beautiful!

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  desfolhada

Yes I am. 🙂 I agree. This is one of the things I have put in my commens. I don’t think that the song should be altered a lot or add new instruments (like violins, as someone suggested). But it does need a middle section to create some sort of suspension for the finale.

paul
paul
6 years ago
Reply to  isabel

it’s confirmes the song will be changed and raise to 3 minutes.. by her,

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Get those 10 copies!

Matt C
Matt C
6 years ago

Love this song. Magical, emotional, enchanting. Will be happy with a 2nd Portuguese win in a row! I actually prefered the Semi-Final performance than the Final. Isaura is good, but she should be more of a backing vocalist than try and be a featured artist. Her voice does not compliment the song when she’s trying to full-on sing it. Claudia on her own would be the best option for ESC.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  Matt C

Absolutely. Fully agree with you. I even already suggested that to Isaura.

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

I really don’t know what it is, but I really really don’t like anything about this, I don’t think Europe will respond to it like they did with Salvador, I think it’ll be pretty near the bottom unless it attracts jury attention.

fr
fr
6 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Many people didnt think europe would respond to Salvador either and said it would be bottom too. Dont worry about winners hun, enjoy the show. xoxo

Linde Rottiers
Linde Rottiers
6 years ago

are reactions censored here?

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
6 years ago

The song is growing on me.

:(
:(
6 years ago

wiwibloggs have you noticed that Malta has released their music video. sites are not even promoting Malta… 🙁

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  :(

And yet, it’s outvieweing Greece’s boring video. Talent always finds its way to victory somehow.

Georgia
Georgia
6 years ago

Speaking of iTunes, Jessica Mauboy’s we got love is also number 1 in Aus

Uka
Uka
6 years ago
Reply to  Georgia

It even got no.2 in Malta yesterday.

Ben005
Ben005
6 years ago

Wouldn’t mind to see Portugal as the winner of Eurovision 2018. Brilliant song and performance.

Hellogoodbye
Hellogoodbye
6 years ago

Stunning, simple and well constructed song .. This is how less is more can be done by working on atmosphere .. would also like to hear an English version ..
If this won the contest I would be happy ..

My top 5 so far in no particular order

Portugal
Belgium
Israel
Netherlands
Australia

Pasadena
Pasadena
6 years ago

Incredibly beautiful, both lyrics and harmonies. What is it with Portuguese music. For the second year straight their entry touches me to the core.

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago

itunes means nothing these days, Spotify make the official charts everywhere.
Madame Monsieur were #3 in the sales and yet only #72 in the official chart

John Born
John Born
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Dude….If Spotify is so important how Felix is 1st on Sweden´s Spotify and still didnt win the televote? On Spotify you can hear whatever you want but on ITunes you have to buy the song and if you buy it thats because you really like that song and perhaps it have a huge chance of got youre vote……so yeah

Kobe
Kobe
6 years ago
Reply to  John Born

The official charts are not only about sales anymore.
Like Pavel is saying now it’s all about Spotify streams, radio airplay and official downloads.It’s called “cross counter system”…

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  John Born

Even in Italy the song that won went #2 on the charts while the runner-up went #1. Streaming is more important than iTunes to calculate chart success, he said nothing about the victory of a national selection where the performance counts more apparently.

Shaun
Shaun
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Official charts in every country are made by combining physical sales, iTunes sales and Spotify streams (with iTunes and Spotify not being 1:1 equivalent for obvious reasons). Being #1 in any of them, or on the overall, does not necessarily mean being successful at Eurovision (or on your NF), but means you have a fair degree of success in your own country. That’s about it.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Shaun

It depends on the country. Going #1 on iTunes in, say, Germany, where the top song sells 1,000 copies in a day is one thing, going #1 in Malta where you need 2 copies is irrelevant.