The wait is over in Portugal. The city of Elvas welcomed the grand final of Festival da Canção 2020. Eurovision 2018 host Filomena Cautela and Vasco Palmeirim conducted the show that culminated with Elisa winning the ticket to Eurovision 2020 with her song “Medo de sentir”.
After an intense voting sequence that saw Filipe Sambado top the jury vote with “Gerbera amarela do Sul” and Bárbara Tinoco as the televote favourite with “Passe-Partout”, Elisa came out on top with 20 points — 10 from the jury and 10 from the televote.
Elisa was one of the favourites among wiwibloggs readers. She placed second in our grand final poll, with 19.23% of the vote.
Festival da Canção 2020 – The Voting
Since 2017, the jury format remains the same for the Grand Final. Seven panels of juries represent the five regions of mainland Portugal plus the island of Azores and the island of Madeira.
The song with most points is awarded the famous 12 points. The song in last place with the jury is awarded three points. The same format is used in the televote — three points for the least favourite song and 12 to the favourite.
Festival da Canção 2020 – Overall results
- Elisa – “Medo de sentir” (20 points) 🏆
- Bárbara Tinoco – “Passe-Partout” (18 points)
- Filipe Sambado – “Gerbera amarela do Sul” (16 points)
- Kady – “Diz só” (15 points)
- Jimmy P – “Abensonhado” (13 points)
- Tomás Luzia – “Mais real que o amor” (11 points)
- Throes + The Shine – “Movimento” (11 points)
- Elisa Rodrigues – “Não voltes mais” (7 points)
Festival da Cancao 2020 – jury results
- Filipe Sambado – “Gerbera amarela do Sul” (12 points)
- Elisa – “Medo de sentir” (10 points)
- Kady – “Diz só” (8 points)
- Jimmy P – “Abensonhado” (7 points)
- Bárbara Tinoco – “Passe-Partout” (6 points)
- Throes + The Shine – “Movimento” (6 points)
- Elisa Rodrigues – “Não voltes mais” (5 points)
- Tomás Luzia – “Mais real que o amor” (4 points)
Festival da Cancao 2020 – televote results
- Bárbara Tinoco – “Passe-Partout” (12 points)
- Elisa – “Medo de sentir” (10 points)
- Tomás Luzia – “Mais real que o amor” (8 points)
- Kady – “Diz só” (7 points)
- Jimmy P – “Abensonhado” (6 points)
- Throes + The Shine – “Movimento” (5 points)
- Filipe Sambado – “Gerbera amarela do Sul” (4 points)
- Elisa Rodrigues – “Não voltes mais” (3 points)
Festival da Canção 2020: Who is Elisa?
Elisa was born in the island of Madeira and from a young age was influenced by names such as The Beatles, Queen, The Eagle and Eurovision legends ABBA. The 60s, 70s and 80s music scene played a huge role in her developing interest for music.
From an early age she started competing in local music competitions and at seventeen she began a Jazz course in Conservatório da Madeira. Now she studies music in Lisbon. Recently signed with Warner, Elisa is giving her first steps in the industry. “Medo de Sentir” is her presentation letter, composed by Marta Carvalho.
What do you think of tonight’s results? Are you happy with the outcome? How do you think Portugal will fair at Eurovision 2020? Tell us in the comment section below.
There are many , too many, angry, obsessive, mentally ill ESC fans out there!…
Portugal 6/10
I think the Portuguese jury punished Passe-Partout for being ‘too French’, the same way they celebrated Gerbera Ameral do Sul for being “very Portuguese”–it resembles their revolution songs from 70s…I wish Passe-Partout standing had not been so messy–it really needed some editing and more color–probably could’ve come across better if she was surrounded by musicians like a clarinetist and so forth
Barbara’s song and vocals are just ok. Nothing extraordinary. Her stage charisma is nearly non existent- sorry, Bárbara! These are the reasons why I thought she did not impress the juries much. I can’t blame them.
Pass-Partout had a huge problem…weak chorus :/
It was one of my favourites but the live act was not what I was expecting..That chorus didn´t convince me..However its a nice song .
About Gerebera amarela sul you´re right..Sound like their revolution songs from the 70´s and for that reason i would never choose that song.
Medo de sentir is a nice song but i think they need to fix some stuff…instrumental, powerfull vocal and backvocal in the last chorus and for sure a great cam work wth very nice angles
Preach, my friend!
Barbara was obviously robbed by the jury….
It’s like firing at an ambulance…
The last 2 editions of FdC were the best 2 editions I have witnessed. But paradoxically, with the exception of Telemóveis, I never had the feeling the songs stood a chance @ Eurovision. Portugal does its own thing and apparently they’re very happy about it. I wish RTP would take another approach & would choose songs that can compete & fight for the TOP10. But that’s not gonna happen. …oh well, at least they differentiate themselves from the other countries. As for yesterday’s result. I think the best song won, even though Elisa’s performance wasn’t as good as in the… Read more »
Nope, Portugal is not happy at all with it…actually there’s a lot criticism in social network, newspapers and everywhere regarding the lack of quality of the songs. Today was a hard day for RTP, if they want to listen!
Interesting! I love Portugal but couldn’t help feeling these were a very mediocre bunch of songs.
Jury totally ignored the public winner passe partout
*Barbara Dexter winner alert*
usually Portugal´s representantive use a different costume for eurovision…don´t worry honey
Little Big have booked that award 🙂
oh honey that spot is probably going to be challenged by Montaigne and her Clown look or Arilena with her dominatrix choice. Count on that lol.
While cooking I was faced with the sorrow of all juries giving 12to Gerbera Amarelha do sul, and I can’t explain myself WHY ON EARTH WAS THE MARGIN SO EXAGERATED. Thankfully in the end they did asigned a measly 12 points, while punishing Passe Partout with 6, did they even listened, I mean… she did a stellar performance. I’m happy for Medo de Sentir since it was my fav of the night and both the jury and the people gave top points but, why is there such a diaparity within the points? I’m guessing jury didn’t wanted passe partout to… Read more »
Well, jury saved Portugal in 2017, without them Salvador Sobral would have stuck in his semi. So, I guess we’re still fortunate Portugal uses a jury. As for Passe-partout, it may have been a slightly better choice, but FdC was very strong this year, almost whatever they send would have been OK with me. Thanks, Portugal!
I’m not contesting the fact that jury sometimes do their job correctly, but TBH this year the scores were pretty much inverted for both Gerbera Amarehla do Sul and Passe Partout. I cannot stress the fact that this makes people unhappy that a jury would fail to see what they obviously see when picking a song like PP, and I can see why they gave top points to GADS. But you really are telling me that PP wasn’t stellar? NO, that isn’t possible. That’s what I contest, FdC was in fact really strong this year and I’m totally supporting Eliza… Read more »
I don’t think Bárbara did amazing. She was average. And I understand why the juris would have thought the same.
Off topic, it’s so lame that Russia and Azerbaijan publish songs at the latest moment, like those egomaniac types who arrive last to the party trying to grab attention.
Like the Netherlands last year? 🙂 Russia is releasing the song so late because they are working on the video clip.
Netherlands 2019?
Like Russia last year. Scream was released after Arcade.
Like Armenia, Malta, and Israel in 2019, right?
Yeah let’s put them in a ditch
NQ from the start
This is actually very weak…not for me, sorry.
This is nice. I like it. And loooove the language.
Very good point! I second that. To have a “good voice”, in the sense of being powefurl and/or with a wide range or even with an interesting timbre is NOT enough. I think this assumption has been spread during the last decades with those “talent” shows. In order to be a singer you need to an interpreter! And that takes time to learn OR a great innate talent.
Plus, of course, the song in terms of composition is nothing special too, but that “generic” characteristic permeates all Eurovision. Look at the current Eurovision winner… big yawn :O
I just heard the song (didn’t watch the festival last night, so I have no idea if she was the best option) – I have to say, I really like it. I’m not sure it will qualify as it stands though, it needs a revamp, more power by the last minute. It’s not building as much as I want it to, but it’s a beautiful song and I hope it does well. Maybe I will even vote for Portugal in May, this is the kind of music I like – and in portuguese as well, love it!
Nq
Portuguese shot themselves in the foot by eliminating “Rebellion”… This will struggle to attract support.
Rebellion was such a weak live act at the semi final…
Rebellion was 3rd with televote and it tie in that 4th place with Movimento. Juries prevail
It’s just my opinion… From Blasted’s performance, I got the feeling they were doing it more for the fun of it than in a mindset of doing the best they can in order to compete and be selected.
If Rebellion had been chosen to represent PT, people would still be complaining that the song was no good & that its structure was all wrong & that it doesn’t have a climax or whatever. And finally, often enough Eurovision likes to say: let’s celebrate diversity. But the fact is: rock has only done well on very few occasions. Die-hard fans only care for bops & screaming-diva ballads.
I don’t particularly like this song but i hate people saying Portugal is always boring, just say you hate Portugal period. Last year they sent THE MOST DARING SONG (and performance) after iceland and europe pretty much boycotted them. I’m sure if sweden sent a ballad like this everyone would be calling it a “masterpiece”. No matter what they send, Portugal and the balkans are always gonna be underrated unfortunately
Not exactly true since Portugal did prove it can gain support from Europe if they send a great song. I’m not saying this year entry of Portugal is completely bad, but it doesn’t have that factor which would drive people to vote for this instead of Poland or any other mediocre quality ballad (there are mediocre ballads like Slovenia and masterpiece ballads like Romania). Personally, I’ll never even consider voting for a flat ballad in a foreign language. For a ballad in native languages to get votes from me it has to be empowering or unique in performance. There’s none… Read more »
Ooops they did it again!
Its Portugal sending quality to Eurovision 🙂 However im affraid this may not be enough to reach the final..
Good luck Portugal
Stop calling every ballad quality challenge
Indeed high quality! Portugal has upped their game after 2017 which is very nice to see!
is this a new hight for Portugal?…they always choose the most boring song in the whole contest. This one manages to be both generic and bland at the same time. Congratulations to the portuguese!
Yes always the most boring that in 2017 git them to win.
@Bernardo Pereira or other Portuguese people. Any thoughts on the huge difference between juries and televote? I was watching the show last night. First I was very surprised that Filipe Sambado won nearly all the 12 p from the juries. Then I thought it must something very powerful in the message of his song that motivates all this, to me, unexpected enthusiasm. I don’t understand much Portuguese, you see. Then I was surprised again to see that the public didn’t agree and put him second to last… What are your thoughts about this? Happy that Medo de Sentir won, btw!
I will be guessing, but here are my thoughts. Gerbera Amarela do Sul is a poem that even i cant quite understand the full message. It has a lot of different meanings. Its a satire to the society, and how you don’t need to be competent at anything in particular to get a top spot in a career. And how everyone has an opinion on everything like they are experts. And then he gets one of those spots and he is happy about it. Something like that… It’s a very avant garde artistic performance. After Telemoveis last year, I guess… Read more »
Obrigado! I appreciate it. Even though I didn’t understand much of what Felipe was saying, I also got that impression of him. Loved the combination og flamboyance, humility and thoughfulness he seemed to exhibit.
No final for Portugal
My favorite together with Swiss and Ukraine. Best of luck Portugal *
Semi Final 2 is turning into a strange one. The first half is jam packed with upbeat bangers while the second half is jam packed with ballads.
Sad jimmy p or Barbara didn’t win, at least they were different. This performance is nowhere near the studio version, please hire some professionals to help you both vocal coach and staging! But at least a vocal coach, she has a very nice tone but she needs to practice a lot to have a decent performance in Rotterdam, the semi final outfit was way better, the hairsryle too and the staging I don’t understand all the blue, I think it would go better with dark and yellow or silver maybe! And let’s not even start with the camera work, we… Read more »
off topic but I guess we wont see Aly Ryan at Rotterdam this year
Another boring and outdated song from Portugal. If they won with a lame song they think they’ll made it again? This country refuses to send something up-tempo or modern. They’ll be stuck in the semifinal for centuries….
Im almost certain you could not call Conan boring and outdated. Portugal tried something very different last year and look how that ended up for them. Ok so this year a ballad won but if you look at the other songs in the national final atleast they were trying to bring something different. I applaud Portugal for standing on their own and not trying to just “fit” in even if it doesnt bring them to the final.
“lame song”? “amar pelos dois”? Ok…
758points 😀
Average for me. I wanted Barbara to win.
This will not qualify.
Off topic but I guess we won’t be seeing Aly Ryan in Rotterdam
Fast food music really is dead… and with it any form of joy
Definitely a NQ. But to be honest Passe partout or Gerbera amarela or any of the other songs would struggle in ESC as well, so …
Agree..
Songs were not competitive enough unfortunately this year.
Why Portugal always sending ballads, Im tired of it . Well it’s good to see something ethnic , in portuguese but they should break the borders .
Yes!
I want a lovely happy song like the portuguese entries in 2009, 1998 and 1996.
I’d love to see the Cavaquinho instrument back to Eurovision
Telemoveis, Ha Um Mar Que Nos Separa, Quero Ser Tu, Amar, Coisas de Nada, et al.
How is Portugal “always sending ballads”?
Super happy with this one, it was my favorite from the beginning. Not sure she will qualify, but who knows. We might be up for some surprises in May.
At this stage now I hope Malta bring it and achieve their destiny !!! Otherwise I think we could have a Swiss win if the live is incredible .. I don’t see Lithuania or Iceland winning this year
I’m afraid that Malta is either going to be the same kind of thing like Mamas or a big bland ballad. Russia will probably be a joke/troll entry and Macedonia another ballad. The only hope is Azerbaijan.
I actually like this
Meh
Zzzz
I like, I think it’s pretty cute but it really doesn’t stand put. Filipe Sambado would have been my choice.
Yesss another average song. We’re so going to win this year. LITTLE BIIIG!!!
Many many better ballads than this already.
Probably the best of the bunch. Its nice . Shame Blasted screwed up so badly . What a shame.
I love love love this song. It’s beautiful, delicate and full of emotions. And it sounds genuinely Portuguese; not like something out of a Billie Ellish or Ed Sheeran album. In my top 5
Elisa, Marta and Elisa’s record company need to invest in staging if they want to stand out in Rotterdam. The idea of putting her in the middle of the stage with the LED they had in Elvas is too basic and gives the song little to be remembered by. It’s a lovely song but they need to have a special something that will make press and viewers take notice on the Eurovision stage.
BOO! Passe Partout should’ve gone! Such a different song from the rest of this year. Barbara’s song was so beautiful!
Portugal had a chance to make an impact with Passe Partout. Most probably not a winner but it had so much charm and character… This is blander than bland and a non-qualifier, and also Passe Partout is already on repeat on my iPod.
I am feeeling a bit low at the moment , and would have welcomed an emotional ballad, but the song left me cold. ..very nicely sung, but nothing more.
Lol after that jury voting, the public saved us haha
It’s a beautiful song, it goes straight to your heart if you know Portuguese and are singing along. I guess it doesn’t stand out enough but that’s ok. The most important message to Portuguese artists is that any genre is welcome and whatever the type of music you do, you can have a chance to represent Portugal. There’s more than some other countries can say for themselves and that’s why there’s so many generic pop songs with absolute zero feeling or soul
And I thought my top 5 of the boring songs this year was already made.