Tonight, Romania will hold its revamped national final Selecția Națională. The internally selected singer will perform five songs at the national final and Romania will vote for their favourite. But which song should Roxen take to Rotterdam? The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has listened to the five songs and ranked their favourites. Read on to see what we think!
Antranig
1. “Cherry Red”
The hype is building in Bucharest and I think it may be justified. However, there’s only one song that can live up to that hype. Truthfully, the other four — while all very different — are all pleasant but that’s about all they are. However, “Cherry Red” is a potential Eurovision dark horse. This is modern, slick, atmospheric and sexy. If they can replicate that vibe on stage, Bucharest may well and truly be calling. Romania haven’t had this much to be excited about since 2010.
2. “Storm”
3. “Beautiful Disaster”
4. “Alcohol You”
5. “Colors”
Åri
1. “Storm”
This track caught me when I was least ready for it. At first, I felt really uncertain about it being one of my favourites, but it’s actually one of the catchiest tracks of this ESC season. I don’t agree with the massive Romania hype, but this one has been playing in my head non-stop. The title “Storm” might become the new “Shine” in Eurovision, because I hope and foresee that this song wins in Romania.
2. “Cherry Red”
3. “Colors”
4. “Alcohol You”
5. “Beautiful Disaster”
Pablo
1. “Cherry Red”
Romania, what have you done? All quality songs, and all of my top three have the potential to do amazingly well in Eurovision. It’s very hard to pick a favourite, but I’m highlighting “Cherry Red” in this opportunity. This is what fans have been calling Romania to do for years now, smouldering dance-pop, and it is better than expected. And the great thing is that it doesn’t need a full-on diva production; Roxen’s cool attitude pairs perfectly with the song and lends itself for a great, unexploited angle for a dance-pop song. And I can confirm, the Spanish lyrics are kosher.
2. “Beautiful Disaster”
3. “Alcohol You”
4. “Storm”
5. “Colors”
Barnabas
1. “Beautiful Disaster”
I’m well aware that everyone is hyping Cherry Red, but let’s be real here, if you thought I’m also gonna back an otherwise catchy bop in Spanglish (Inna-ripoff?), then you’re terribly wrong. My choice is the piece of music that is actually current, blends the intimacy of Billie Eilish with the spooky sound of certain Twenty One Pilots songs, and with an emotional load that brings the entire thing to life. Trust me: if given the right staging, this track will turn into a steamroller live, that will demolish any competition.
2. “Alcohol You”
3. “Cherry Red”
4. “Colors”
5. “Storm”
Robyn
1. “Alcohol You”
These are five decent pop songs but not all of them would work as a good Eurovision entry. Despite its terrible title (which seems to be aimed at the dad-joke fans of Europe) “Alcohol You” is a great song. Roxen delivers the dark and gloomy lyrics along with the Billie Eilish-inspired production (well, it’s 2020 — what do you expect?). It’s the one entry that seems best suited for Eurovision — there’s a story to be told and Roxen is the person to tell it.
2. “Cherry Red”
3. “Beautiful Disaster”
4. “Colors”
5. “Storm”
Natalie
1. “Cherry Red”
There is absolutely no doubt that Roxen is going to take Romania back to its former Eurovision glory. Every one of these songs is amazing, modern and would stand out in Rotterdam. Of these, I pick “Cherry Red” as my favourite. It’s got an amazing beat and a very contemporary touch that will slay at Eurovision. It’s delicate, moody and very cool. This will look amazing performed on stage, they could do some very nice things with the break. I’m kinda hopeful that it might put Romania with a shot of winning but it might be a bit early to call that. Whatever the case, Roxen is gonna be a force to be reckoned with this May.
2. “Colors”
3. “Storm”
4. “Alcohol You”
5. “Beautiful Disaster”
Oliver
1. “Cherry Red”
This bunch of songs is such a pleasant surprise from a country that has unfortunately struggled the past two years at Eurovision; each one of these five fine songs would definitely be a valid choice for Romania. For me, however, “Cherry Red” is the number which keeps drawing me back. Roxen’s beautifully textured voiced coupled with such an infectious rhythm are surely the winning combination to bring Romania back into the top ten once again.
2. “Storm”
3. “Alcohol You”
4. “Beautiful Disaster
5. “Colors”
What do you think? Which songs are your favourites? What should Roxen take to Rotterdam? Tell us your thoughts below!
so much for the panel!!! she killed CHERRY RED..live murder on the stage.
Alcohol you all day long!
First time hearing them all, Colors was the one that caught my attention the most followed by Cherry Red. Anyway, good luck to Romania. Hope you pick the best song. Don’t disappoint us. 🙂
I really think “Alcohol You” will get a more even score from juries and televoters. It really would be a potential winner. I could see “Cherry Red” as the kind of song that would be more favourable to televoters but would be more of a top 10 song rather than potential winner.
Alcohol You sounds like a potential winner in May – Cherry Red feels like a top five but not quite ….
I want Cherry Red, but I’m OK with any of them winning. I’m a bit concerned, however, with Alcohol You, because of the word alcohol in it, we don’t want to promote drinking to kids. Is it even allowed with the EBU guidelines? It’s forbidden to mention drugs, as I recall, what about alcohol, drinking etc?
Greece 2013
While I don’t dislike “Cherry Red” I would be sad if that one is finally chosen. I prefer “Alcohol you” or “Colours”. I’m ready to lose another personal fav in a NF though.
Barnabas is my man!!
Thanks! I’m glad I’m not the only one thinking so 😀
Robyn gets it.
There are three excellent songs to choose from and two good. Still, the reason Romania are 2nd in the odds atm has to be because of the potential of Alcohol You. All good songs aside, it’s the only one I could see as a potential ESC winner.
As for me
1. Beautiful Disaster
Very close 2. Cherry Red
other three i don’t like, so they share 3-4-5
My personal faves are alcohol you and beautiful disaster, I love their production a lot. Cherry red will be fun for eurovision, but I feel a little weird about a song like that coming from romania, would still like it though! Other 2 are not my favs and I wouldnt vote for them but I dont dislike them and I expect theyd get to final unless they mess up staging.
My only concern about Cherry Red is what the juries will say about it. They might find the message unclear.
Pick the one that won’t make us sleep, we had enough of that
Given that she already had the hype, no matter what song is selected she will end up with a good rank in May, probably at top 10. However, to contend for the crown one must think strategically, as far as I see it is better to select an upbeat song to stand among all previously selected songs and stay memorable.
i’m surprised to see a song that isn’t “alcohol you” or “cherry red” topping the poll for some, i feel like these two songs are quite objectively far ahead the other three. hoping they pick the uptempo one.
I think “Storm” has some chances too.
It has potential for a great staging and has a catchy chorus.
Still my favorite is Cherry Red
There is no “objective” in music. I personally think the only one that doesn’t suck is Beautiful Disaster. But I’m obviously in the minority. I just hope they don’t send Cherry Red. I’ve had enough of these up tempo “Spanish” pop songs that all sound the same and have no melody.
I only care if a song is good. I don’t care if it’s current.
I just wonder: for all these that are preferring Colors, Beautiful D, Storm and Cherry ….. would you pick up your phone and vote for it???? Because everybody can say everything……. but in the end we are gone do well or not!
So for me as an Romanian I think there are more potential for winning the entire contest in AlcoholYou! It’s just giving winner vibs, contemporary, modern, sentiments…… it’s what we need to have the attention of all the Europeans fans of Esc……
I think with the quality of these songs that yes, they would vote for them. If cherry red was picked, I’d vote for it in the semi (ireland’s in semi 1) and I’d vote for it in the final. I’d vote for it because I like the song, as I do with alcohol you, and storm and the other two are decent too. I always vote for songs that I really like and this would be no different. I also think that others would do the same.
My top: 1)Alcohol You: First time I heard it I cringed at the ‘fake news’ lyrics. Then I somehow fell in love with the song. I feel so sad everytime I hear it, especially after having had a break-up recently. It just connects with me. 2) Cherry Red: It’s just nice and catchy. I’m usually not a fan of the Latin vibes, but I like it. Might feel flat on the stage though, because the dance breaks are so long. 3)Colours: It’s just dreamy and beautiful. Makes me feel like I’m in the clouds, in a good place. Again, it… Read more »
As an American, it’s hard for me not to listen to the “fake news” lyric without Trump’s stupid face popping into my head. Our stupid orange dictator really does ruin everything for me 🙁
Yeah every time I listen to Alcohol you, I always think of Trump when she says “Fake news”.
I agree, the fake news part sticks out like a sore thumb and instantly reminds me of Trump, if its picked, they absolutely need to change that particular lyric, otherwise a fantastic song 🙂
1. Alcohol you
2. Cherry red
3. Beautiful disaster
4. Colors
5. Storm
Cherry red FTW PLZ!!! 🙂
1. Alcohol You
2. Cherry Red
3. Beautiful Disaster
4. Storm
5. Colours
Both of my top two are interchangeable, and I love all 5 songs.
Best of luck to Roxen, and thanks for your great selection!
I said from the beginning, „Alcohol you“ is AVANTGARDE. But „Cherry red“ will win . In any case Romania will be in Top 10 . Good luck
Im pretty sure that Alcohol You is the one that will win tonight, but we will see very soon. We all know that staging and performance matter so anything could happen. Im rooting for Cherry Red.
Cherry Red should win, but it’s probably rigged for Alcohol You.
As Israel, this selection is so unauthentic and pre fabricated. All the songs are computer made in a respective genre that have done well recently, This is completely against the ESC spirit. Romania should look at Pre-elections like Estonia or Iceland to have done inspiration and involve some real local talent.
Just for reference, Estonia selected a song that sound like it is from 2000 or 90s, and it is written by the ‘dream’ (nightmare) team.
I totally agree that the Estonian song is bad, but Kontopoulos did a fantastic job with Greece! To tell the truth I think that “Arcade” (the team that co-written the song) contributed A LOT, so yeah Greece will bring sth fresh this year, besides William himself said that!
How do you know though. We haven’t heard the song yet. It is today in ert. Have you heard it somewhere as well as some people? I personally being a Greek don’t trust them nor arcade. I don’t like their music. I like Stefania though and her sound. Let’s see.
No I did not hear the song but I know people who have heard it, also william said that in the video for Stefania (who also heard the song)! Everyone that have heard it, have said that it is amazing!
I mean, only one way to find out, it will be out in a couple of hours 🙂
Yes indeed. Estonia selected wrongly, but that doesn’t take it away that their pre selection was amazing. Any song from Estonia would be better than those fake songs for Romania, including the one that actually won.
It’s really not, are you suggesting that songs by pre selected artists who are only in competition with themselves such as Israel or Romania cannot have well produced songs?
No. This not what I am saying. Quite the contrary. What I am questioning is exactly why do the songs need to be so unauthentic?
I must be one of the only people whose favorite of the five is colors…I’m absolutely disappointed that it’s the only song of the five that isn’t on the US itunes or spotify for some reason
Honestly though I enjoy all five songs and if think Romania is a serious contender, especially if they end up having their staging look like the lyric videos
Same here in Australia, for some reason Colours isn’t available.
Agree that all the songs are great, Romania and Israel really doing well with taking the artist and fitting good songs around them!
Cherry Red <333
“Alcohol You” all the way!
Right, I’m sorry but I have to complain. For a start, I hate it when I hear fans reactions before I’ve heard the song, the same happened with Duncan last year. Now I’ve listened to all 5. They’re good, modern, like what you hear on the radio. But special? Hell, no! None of them grab you, pull you in and won’t let you go. There is honestly not much difference between these songs and say, the UK, but the fan reactions are wildly different. I just don’t get it. I wish her well like every entry, but please tone down… Read more »
Im sorry, but she cant sing.
Says who?
Wiwi Jury’s ranking (points 1-5)
1. “Cherry Red” 31p.
2. “Alcohol You” 21p.
3. “Storm” 20p.
4. “Beautiful Disaster” 19p.
5. “Colors” 14p.
Having different favourites proves that this is one of the best shortlists for a singer of the last few years.
Alcohol you is my personal favourite, as it was the one which grabbed by attention to the point of listening to it on repeat. I believe it is a strong contender for the win in May.
On the other hand if the focused on one of the pieces, their chances would’ve been higher.
Exactly, and that’s a great scenario to be in. Personally my preferences would be cherry red or alcohol you, I think both are excellent in their respected genres, however all 5 of the songs are great. So I don’t think I’ll be annoyed with whoever wins. I think also cherry red and alcohol you in particular have great staging potential so I’m really looking forward to see how they stage them today. Sure, if one song was the absolute favourite it would have a better chance but I still think with cherry red and alcohol you seeming to be talked… Read more »
The mix of favorites by the Wiwi jury is a testament to me of how good these songs are.. My favorites are Alcohol You and Colors, the latter gets me so emotional.. Cherry Red in third, it’s all very close and it changes every time .. Romania back in top 5, listening only to the tracks.. Romanians out there must be so excited as all fans of Eurovision should be to me.. Love it!
I dont see mixed opinion. 4 out of 7 people put Cherry Red first. This suggests its a very clear favorite here.
1. Alcohol you
2. Cherry red
3. Storm
All 3 are contenders of Top10 in the final of Eurovision.