Spain, Alfred, 3

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rank and review the 43 songs competing in Eurovision 2018. Next we head to Spain where Operacion Triunfo 2017 stars Amaia y Alfred have “Tu canción” (Your song). Were we feeling the love? Read on to find out!

Amaia y Alfred with “Tu canción”

“Tu canción” reviews

Jordi: This year, Spain is oozing love from every pore. After facing three years in a row hitting the bottom of the scoreboard, Spain needs a change of game in the contest. And Amaia and Alfred could really serve it. The duo’s revamped version delivers much more than before with great doses of orchestral pleasure and giving what the song needed to compete: a climax! But caution is needed as this act could easily get overly sweet. But Amaia and Alfred share powerful ingredients to succeed: a good song, genuine love and talent. All I’m asking for: a simple yet polished staging. Would that be possible, Spain?

Score: 7.5/10

Chris: “Tu canción” is not a bad song. It’s perfectly fine, but it’s let down by one half of the pair. Amaia is clearly the star here — as their final OT placings suggest. In live performances, Alfred seems to struggle a little more, and it hampers the feeling. My ultimate worry for fans of the song is that they’ve mostly been following the couple’s story for months. At Eurovision, will it be easier for commentators to simply call them “just another reality TV show couple” and ruin the magic?

Score: 5.5/10

Bernardo: My body is ready to fly from Lisbon to Madrid and so is my soul. For some it may come across as cheesy, for me it’s magic. Amaia and Alfred represent the wonders of young love and “Tu Canción” is the perfect soundtrack to it. It was my number one before the revamp and now I can’t see any song taking that spot. Their voices are warm and inviting and the musical arrangement is perfectly crafted. This year, Spain brings a breath of fresh air — ready to make you fall in love or to mend your broken heart. It’s magic!

Score: 10/10

Luis: Okay, let’s be real: “Tu canción” is sugar, sugar and more sugar, but luckily Spain has found a way of delivering it without causing general diabetes over Europe. Amaia and Alfred are the highlights of the act: they are so professional, so natural and so magical together that, regardless of the result, the whole country can be so proud of them. While I usually dislike this kind of love duets, “Tu canción” always manages to move something inside me. It may be because I know about their love story, but it also may be because Amaia and Alfred know how to transmit pure love on stage. Awwwww.

Score: 8.5/10

Robyn: España, lay all your love on me. I wouldn’t have thought a song like this would appeal to me, and yet here we are. #Almaia are an adorable young couple and bring a sweet authenticity to the song. Their voices sound great together, delivering some knockout harmonies in just the right place, and the emotion of the song transcends any language barriers. And when the big climax hits, I find it a challenge to not be all cries in Spanish.

Score: 9.5/10

Sebastian: There’s something comfortably adorable about the chemistry between Alfred and Amaia. And months after their Operacion Triunfo win, I’ve yet to grow tired of their storyline or song. Together, they create a magical atmosphere in their entry that is not dated, but timeless. Almost reminiscent of Salvador Sobral’s final performance with Luisa last year, it’s quite the tearjerker.

Score: 9/10

In the Wiwi Jury we have 20 jurors but only have room for six reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Angus: 10/10

Anthony: 8.5/10

Antranig: 3/10

Bogdan: 5/10

Cinan: 7/10

Deban: 7/10

Jonathan: 5/10

Jovana: 8/10

Kristin: 7.5/10

Padraig: 6.5/10

Renske: 10/10

Ron: 8/10

Steinunn: 6/10

William: 10/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 3 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.69/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See all our Eurovision 2018 reviews and rankings

210 Comments
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Matt
Matt
5 years ago

One of my favorites already before but now I’ve found a new dimension for this song after reading some comments in here. This is a special one, sure not your “common love song”. Beautiful story in a musical environment between these two youngsters. Must’ve been a dream for them.

Maria
Maria
5 years ago

I do love Spanish songs. All of them. But in the previous years Spain always took one of the last places in the final. I wonder why this year Spain’s song is so much loved by everyone? Just because of their kiss at the end of the song?

RoseDN
RoseDN
5 years ago

The slow evolution of this song. Like those newborn baby first steps, shiftings, mistakes and improvements. Summarizing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmcGcnNnI-Q (A quick recap of the first listen for them and first time singing snippets of it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYwnMnJjMqY (First and only practice with the composer of “Tu Canción”) Rehearsals before the Eurovision OT Gala: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWZe5BaYoKo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efw7jAHV0CM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4erwI_iTIs (Starting at 5:55) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuQH5s2PNps 1st mic rehearsal in front of their teachers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh6xHwIHUGI 2nd mic rehearsal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDm-GGHYfU4 (First live performance ever) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gb_OdvTnic (Second performance in the Eurovision gala, considered the iconic one) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQxYZvvEd7k (When “Tu Canción” was announced as the Spain’s song for ESC ’18) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DDlmGeMiWQ… Read more »

Matt
5 years ago

I’m not sure what it is about this song that leaves me cold, but there is just nothing at all here that piques my interest? It’s sweet enough (a molar or two are still sore), it’s nice enough, it’s cute enough – in fact, I can actually visualise it coming on (easy listening) radio and my mother reaching for the volume knob. It’s just very middle of the road. Perhaps that’s my issue with it. It’s the sort of thing you’d find on a hastily curated love songs compilation cynically rushed out for Mother’s Day. It really doesn’t do it… Read more »

Zebb
Zebb
5 years ago

Dunno what can I rate here. Don’t like melody at all and how repetitively it chews through. Vocals also aren’t gracing or saving it for me. The other OT song where Amaia used special vocal tech – even that one worked better to me, but overall mine was Arde.
1/10, for sake of lyrics.

Ubta
Ubta
5 years ago

Plagiarism! Check out Ludovico Einaudi – Nuvole Bianche at 2:08 omg!

https://youtu.be/O-HsW142T5g?t=2m8s

Jorge F.
Jorge F.
5 years ago
Reply to  Ubta

This was brought to discussion like two months ago. It was a short discussion, to be fair. EBU/UER didn’t even make a statement so…

Try using their email service.

Giancarlo
Giancarlo
5 years ago

That guy is clearly mimicking Salvador Sobral.
On the other hand, I think the song is lacks charisma for my taste, seems a bit kitsch and is likely targeted just for teenagers. 4/10 here.

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Am I the only one who always reminds of “Elton John – Your Song” everytime i hear this song???

This song is ok, i guess… But I don’t like it, it’s not my cup of tea.

Marco
Marco
5 years ago

Chris makes an interesting point. So, If I was the broadcaster from any country, I would introduce Spain as something like this: “A marriage of music, youth and tenderness that brought to life your song, TU CANCIÓN. Amaia & Alfred, Spain.” As they got to meet each other for the only reason of sharing a passion for music and their will to become professional artists, I think it is important to mention “music”. Alfred says about Amaia’s voice that: “it’s not entertainment, but spiritual experience” Amaia loves Alfred’s mental ability of composing music. He composed more than 30 songs during… Read more »

L'oiseau
5 years ago

I know it is not a masterpiece and I am perfectly aware of its cheesiness, especially for the younger crowds. However the song has a great classic feel and is well constructed. For me, the voices combine in perfection (yes! I do like Aldred’s voice). It has a timeless quality to it, which is both enchanting and involving. Besides, this entry offers us by far the most compellig narrative: young newfound love. What could be more universal than that? For all the romantics, like me, this is a killer, even if it makes you crinch a little bit. 8,75/9

L'oiseau
5 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Just wanted to add that I prefer the first version. Only strings and piano would suffice, but unfortunately Spain did surrender to giving a grander finale, which for me doesn’t work as well. That is why it is not a 9,5/10

isabel
isabel
5 years ago

One of the best songs this year, along with Estonia and France.

Anabel
Anabel
5 years ago

I’m beyond glad that the major critics for this song are that they are inspired by Sobral (just because it’s a ballad) and they are taken from a telenovela (when this has nothing to do with the kind of drama that a telenovela plays). You guys are terrible to justify your hatred lmao

Ivana
Ivana
5 years ago
Reply to  Anabel

Telenovelas couldn’t come up with a tender and juvenile relationship like this one. Reality always beats fiction.

But this doesn’t matter. It’s all about music on may 12th. Some wiwibloggs out of topic gossip 😀

Follow
Follow
5 years ago

Cringe, cheesy acts also do well. We got the cringiest winner in 2010, so who knows. It all depends on the performance.

There’s no Eurovision formula to do well, guess you just have to execute it to perfection, doesn’t matter if cheesy or very serious.

Ts80
Ts80
5 years ago

Overrated.
They are so cringe.

Tauro
Tauro
5 years ago

For Spain, sharing these two with Europe was an opportunity we couldn’t miss. Their personalities shine through and go beyond music. We’re not even getting close to win this year, mainly because it is a very strong one. Votes will get distributed and Spain has a lot to lose in these circumstances. Thanks to Wiwi team for the love although a bunch of songs will score better at the end. Best of luck to all.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

6,5/10

LCH
LCH
5 years ago

I’m not big on Disney-type-ballads which this is to me but it does have orchestral moments that I quite enjoy in the second half. And can we talk about how Amaia so is the star of this (along with the violins!)? Particularly live she shines and kind of leaves poor Alfred in the dust. Bless.

Not among my personal favourites but they should do respectably well this year – and deservedly so. I can see this having broad appeal. Possibly top 10, depending on the other artists’ performances.

oggy
oggy
5 years ago

I see Spain in Eurovision 2018 from National Selection to Winner Entry is American Latin theme.

Alfred & Amaia (Tu Cancion) = Mexican Soap Opera/Telenovela
Ana & Aitana (Lo Malo) = Colombia/Panama Salsa.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago

With song and video evaluated, after my 1st evaluation, Amaia and Alfred are my number 10.

salvabore
salvabore
5 years ago

sad that an independent site feels they have to appease to angry rude spanish fans by giving the song high scores

JULEN
JULEN
5 years ago
Reply to  salvabore

Mabye you should stop being a bigot. Would u blame all Germans for the holocaust? NO. Don’t take a minority of passionate and rude spanish fans to represent us all.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

This is what you have to do at Eurovision. This song has the potential to just “click” in a one-off performance and do very well. It could also potentially come last in the final. A brave selection. The song is “just” good enough that it could really be elevated by a good performance. Staging and instrumentation-wise, I have always thought that less is more with this song but Spain continue to throw more at it. I hope they scale this back on the night because Spain deserve a good result considering some of the great songs they have sent only… Read more »

Jordan
Jordan
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

I personally loved Manel’s song last year. It may not be your thing but it deserved to be there.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago
Reply to  Jordan

Am glad you liked it! It sucks when a song is universally hated.

But it did come last….so they literally could have sent anything else and it couldn’t have done any worse. Actually, that’s not true. They could have sent a song called, “We hate everything about Portugal” and lose those 5 televote pts that they got.

DooWahDah
DooWahDah
5 years ago

Should get DQ, but I’m not worried…22th

frysk
frysk
5 years ago

First time I heard and saw this song I could not bare it. Cringeworthy sweet. Yuk. They have improved the performance by taking the icing and the sugar of the cake but it is still far too sweet for me. It will do well but not win I think.

Picky
Picky
5 years ago

Some rare NF rehearsals footage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMm_GOSzRT8
(+ short interview in spanish including some of those trademark Amaia’s “bua” and “ho” :D)

Kaz
Kaz
5 years ago

Not a big fan, it is not a bad song but it is nothing special. First always comes the SONG and It is pretty cliche. This doesn’t deserve to be top of the wiwi jury in my humble opinion, I think people are fawning over them as a couple rather than their song. I do think Alfred has a better voice and style than Amaia although I feel like it is wasted on this song. A 5.5/10.

Kaz
Kaz
5 years ago
Reply to  Kaz

I also think Arde and Lo Malo would’ve been better choices

beccaboo1212
5 years ago

My FAVORITE Spanish Eurovision entry! 😀

10/10

Nimo
Nimo
5 years ago

I can’t help it – I feel that it is one of the most boring and overly cheesy songs this year. Sure, they are a cute couple, but I just don’t care. The fact that Amaia is a better singer than Alfred (a lot better) doesn’t help either. 3/10. I generally like Spain’s songs, but this year just doesn’t do it for me.

Dafne
Dafne
5 years ago

They both are huge Harry Potter fans. Amaia gifted Alfred with an amulet called “Peter Pan’s Tingle Kiss”. Alfred took it with him until the very last gala (as they were both finalists) See now why their official video has this magical atmosphere.

Every single verse of these short lyrics has something to do with their OT experience but as I don’t see much interest in here nor that is important for the Eurovision performance, I will not elaborate about this, but if anyone is interested, let me know…

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Dafne

We don’t care, can you understand this?!

Elke
Elke
5 years ago
Reply to  Dafne

i care and am interested, tell us about if Dafne 🙂

Dafne
Dafne
5 years ago
Reply to  Elke

“I never got to imagine that traveling to the moon would be for real” This “moon” thing responds to the academy itself. An isolated building. They were locked there for more than three months. An isolated experience, pretty much what would be staying in the moon. Alfred though he wasn’t good enough to make it into the academy (explained in his ESC profile video) Secondly, Alfred confessed later, that the first time he saw her singing in a gala “Starman Gala 0” (a song that talks about travelling to the sky) made his mind travel with her voice. Alfred is… Read more »

Rubén
Rubén
5 years ago
Reply to  Dafne

There’s also the snow that has a double function and it might be pixie dust too (another Peter Pan reference)
That’s why before flying they are sprinkled with it.

M_K
M_K
5 years ago

The basic melody is really beautiful. Sadly, what has been done with it, in my opinion isn’t. The arrangement is so cheesy that I could hardly sit through the song for three minutes the first couple of times I listened to it. The lyrics are kitschy in a cringeworthy way and it is actually one of the very, very few cases when I would have indeed preferred an English version for Eurovision. The two voices don’t harmonise exceptionally well (I guess it’s rather the background story that tricks some people into believing that those are great vocal harmonies) – Alfred’s… Read more »

Pablo
Pablo
5 years ago

Oh boy, this song. You either think you’re going to Madrid in 2019 or hate this one’s guts. I am more in the middle. This feels somewhat of “let’s go with what was successful last year, easy peezy”, but they deliver it. The lyrics and the feel will give me a diabetic shock, and the bridge is cloying. But the chemistry can sell this, and it doesn’t need much to really shine, their voices working great together, and the instrumentation both stripped back and grandiose. This might end up either way, and I’m glad Spain, like Germany, has recovered its… Read more »

Tu Canción
Tu Canción
5 years ago

Today is the International Kissing Day

I see what wiwibloggs did here…

Jo
Jo
5 years ago
Reply to  Tu Canción

Guess I’m on the hunt tonight.

Isa
Isa
5 years ago

The level of trolling in here is just…almost unreadable
A solid commentary every five of them
Now everybody loves Lo Malo and Aitana, I bet they’d love the Inquisition if that was necessary to put this one down

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

5.0/10

Africavision
Africavision
5 years ago

So about two weeks ago, I finally listened to all 43 songs of Eurovision 2018 for the very first time. There are many excellent songs, but there was one that just stood out and stirred all sorts of emotions in me… And that was ‘tu cancion’. Whilst listening to the 43 songs, I rapidly went from one song to the next. But when I heard Spain’s entry, it just made me pause for a few minutes after it had ended, and after I came back down to Earth, I thought: “wow”. This is just such a beautiful song… On the… Read more »

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

Spain
Jury: 7.69(1st/29)
Modified score: 9.44(1st/29)
Total: 17.13 (1st/29)

Nicky
Nicky
5 years ago

They are a playful pair and yes, they are cheesy, tacky, cringy. I also was at 19.
Go keep both the biggest smile on that Lisbon stage and feel the music.
Make it infectious for everybody and silent the doubters.

Too much talking about everything but the song itself. On may 12th, it is all about the music.

Filip
Filip
5 years ago

Why this song gets so high scores is beyond me come on let’s talk about boring this is for me the ideal toilet break. Although I understand that some people like this and I totally respect that but for me this is an absolutely zero overall

Kultur
Kultur
5 years ago

Good to see the lowest explained score talks about the importance of knowing their story to score high. Knowing that doesn’t play a realistic role.

This is like saying they would get all the votes if there was an aerial advertising during their performance: “look, they are a couple”.

Music and even more, performances, are meant to be inspiring, something where we mirror ourselves and our personal experiences. Current people are not narrow-minded sheeps.

Per14
Per14
5 years ago

What music would be without being attached to some story or feeling?

Nothing.

zelenovi
zelenovi
5 years ago

Eugh. I’m not much of a ballad person and this is just way too sugary and cliché for me.

Still so sad that “Lo Malo” didn’t make it. It’s been a viral hit in Spain so clearly it had the potential to make a major impact in Europe… if only there had been two competent singers performing, instead of one good singer (Amaia) and the one who can’t sing. Missed opportunity!

zelenovi
zelenovi
5 years ago
Reply to  zelenovi

*I meant Aitana obviously. oops!

Torres M.
Torres M.
5 years ago

Jeje, como se sobreanaliza todo y cada detalle para quitar crédito a una canción

Que más dara, al final son solo tres minutos rápidos, es un sentimiento a transmitir

La gente normal y corriente no hila tan fino

Gracias por el esfuerzo, wiwibloggs

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Torres M.

Wiwi esta con vosotros porque eres muchos y locos, y no por la verdad! Dejan de ver miraculos, tu cancion no es tan agradable! Mejor que el ano pasado pero no por mucho, lo siento!

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

Hmm….. So Amaia’s voice really creates an atmosphere and makes you want to fall in love but then Alfred comes in with his nasal vocals and destroys the vibe and once the atmosphere is gone the huge drawbacks and dull pace of the song come into the forefront. This is clearly loved by the Spanish fans… Don’t know of they love the song itself though or not?
5/10

Hydra
Hydra
5 years ago
Reply to  Kris

They just have to be happy to live this experience together. I mean, “Tu Canción” would’ve stayed in the composer’s desk if Amaia wasn’t doing this to Alfred f.e….Look at 29:15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkZ0UvKY1f8

Meant to happen. Now protect our kids, Europe! 😛

SM
SM
5 years ago

Like the song, love the singers, speacially Alfred, I think is voice is different and original, I know that all the people prefer Amaia but I really like Alfred, I know this song won’t win but it would be a very good successor of Amar pelos dois…. music is feeling, and please don’t cry over lo malo, Lo malo is pop trash

Madre
Madre
5 years ago

In case you read here, thanks for this one Raúl Gómez. I will thank you again and again. Your finesse is just…

Soon to represent us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNcMNLhoYNU

ESPJFC
ESPJFC
5 years ago

I want them to perform around a very artistic staging cause their talents belong to music more than to specific singing.
Something very honest to who they are and what they’ve represented in the long OT series run. A performance that I can watch year after year and never get tired of it.
Position? I cared some years ago, but weak results taught me not to care anymore. If I’m satisfied with what I see… I’ll take it.

Gobio
Gobio
5 years ago

Just kitsch and nothing else for me, sorry.

Sasha
Sasha
5 years ago

Two cute teens sing romantic cheesy song into each other faces lol …its not bad song but no top 10 material for me…dont feel anything special about it, but its decent entry anyway

Carrie
Carrie
5 years ago

Won’t do S

18th position is my prediction

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago

Quite ok but nothing special compared with f.ex Edurne’s Amanecer that was terribly underrated. The best from Spain in this decade was Pastora Solar/Quadete conmigo. Still listening to it in 2018. But at least Spain will not be the 26th this year.

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Timo1962FI

???

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
5 years ago
Reply to  Timo1962FI

You – this is not the forum for criticizing other people’s sayings – if you don’t have anything but off topic – what if you go to an other site and troll there. Bye.