They were among the favourites to win Eurovision 2020 with their song “On Fire”. But ahead of Eurovision 2021, The Roop made it clear that they wanted their new song “Disoteque” to burn with its own unique flame. Writing on Instagram, they said their new Pabandom is naujo entry would not be a copy. And it turns out they didn’t lie.

Although the song contains some of the weird, hard-to-describe sonic flourishes we loved last year, “Discoteque” comes with a more haunting production that pulsates and bounces on the border with darkness. Despite that vibe — which is central to this unsettling earworm — the “Discoteque” lyrics are all about seeing the light and lifting yourself up from whatever is holding you back. Everyone is welcome at this discoteque, which is deliberately misspelled without the letter h. That’s because this is a dance floor all its own.

“The new song ‘Discoteque’ talks about personal inner liberation,” frontman Vaidotas Valiukevicius explains in the official press release. “Rather often we say that we are free and that we live in a free world. But most of our restraints come from the inside. So this song and movement aims to liberate our minds, which contain too much self-criticism, fear of appearing different, reluctance to accept our bodies.”

Scroll down for “On Fire” lyrics

Lithuania in Eurovision 2020: The Roop “Discoteque”

Along with bandmates Robertas Baranauskas and Mantas Banisauskas, Vaidotas has delivered an 80s style music video that references both Alice in Wonderland and iconic 90s drama Twin Peaks. Both of those works had a trippy vibe — Alice went through all sorts of madness after going down that rabbit hole, and Twin Peaks — an American mystery horror-drama — still has folks scratching their heads.

The video was directed by the award-winning director Saulius Baradinskas, who has previously been named the best music video director in The Baltics. According to the team, “the song comes together with an energetic dance which allows you to escape and let loose. Some of the moves of the dance was inspired by legendary Lithuanian basketball player Arvydas Sabonis.”

The band says the main melody line is reminiscent of old folk songs if sung in legato. However, they deliberately present it in staccato to help pull it to the dancefloor. It also fits with their unique brand of mindf*ck fabulous.

The ROOP have had plenty of time to consider their entry and video. After emerging as favourites to win Eurovision in 2020, only to watch the show get cancelled, the group were invited back to this year’s national selection. They were granted an automatic spot in the final. The free pass was well-earned. Last year they won Germany’s primetime alternative to Eurovision, and they also placed first in the first annual Wiwibloggs scoreboard.

What do The Roop’s “Discoteque” lyrics mean?

As ever, The Roop invites you to their inner world for a song that carries a message along with its melody. It’s fitting that the video opens as they walk off stage after performing “On Fire” — they’re moving away from that song and toward their new beginning. And apparently that begins with a lot of inner work. It’s no coincidence we see them move away from public view toward their dressing room and then a step further to a room even more secluded from that. It’s like stepping into their heads but then moving a bit closer to their hearts.

The band describes the new song as “a tool to liberate and express feelings that are kept deep inside of our hearts.” Read in that context, the growing beat and urge to dance isn’t just about letting off some steam. It’s about a reckoning with oneself. Doing that requires total freedom and honesty — after all, the most difficult dance we do is with ourselves.

You could read this verse as someone learning to go with the flow and embracing themselves, regardless of their perceived flaws: “My eyes are blinking, and I don’t know what is happening, I can’t control it, Don’t wanna end it, There’s no one here, And I don’t care, I feel it’s safe to dance alone.”

In facing your inner demons — like the bad habit of compare and despair — the band hope you can all hit reset. They convey this idea musically too. As drummer Robertas says: “Part C or the so-called bridge of the song is full of mouth sounds which carries us back in time thousands of years ago. It’s a return to the very beginning of us, where we can start all over again.”

Dancing may seem flashy to some, but guitarist Mantas wants to stress that’s not the case: “It’s not about showing yourself off. It’s more about being with yourself and accepting yourself the way you are.”

Discoteque lyrics – The Roop (Lithuania ESC 2021)

Written and composed by: Vaidotas Valiukevičius, Robertas Baranauskas, Mantas Banišauskas, Ilkka Wirtanen and Kalle Lindroth,

Ok, I feel the rhythm.
Something’s going on here.
The music flows through my veins.

It’s taking over me.
It’s slowly kickin’ in.
My eyes are blinking
And I don’t know what is happening.

I can’t control it.
Don’t wanna end it.
There’s no one here
And I don’t care
I feel it’s safe to dance alone.

Let’s discoteque right at my home.
It is ok to dance alone.
Dance alone, dance alone, dance alone, dance alone
I got the moves – it’s gonna blow.

By dancing on my own
I’m healing wounded soul.
My body’s shaking,
Heart is breaking, have to let it go.

I need to get up.
And put my hands up.
There’s no one here
And I don’t care
I feel it’s safe to dance alone.

Let’s discoteque right at my home.
It is ok to dance alone.
Dance alone, dance alone, dance alone, dance alone
I got the moves – it’s gonna blow.

Let’s discoteque right at my home.
It is ok to dance alone.
I got the moves – it’s gonna blow.
It is ok to dance alone.

Chiki chika…

Let’s discoteque right at my home.
It is ok to dance alone.
I got the moves – it’s gonna blow.
It is ok to dance alone.

Do THE ROOP’s lyrics speak to you? Are you ready to dance alone? Sound off in the comments below. 

21 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Yorkster
Yorkster
3 years ago

I love the Roop and their aesthetic, and was 100% here for ‘On Fire’, more so than ‘Think About Things’ when it came to the cooky uptempo entries in 2020, so I’m gutted that this song falls completely short for me.

I think it’s near obvious that this will become Lithuania’s entry, and maybe after a few listens, I may eventually grow to somewhat admire its charm, but as it stands, I don’t find myself wanting to listen to it other than the two performances on the Eurovision stage, and their national final performance. Kinda gutted 🙁

Edin
Edin
3 years ago

meh it is ok

AdD
AdD
3 years ago

I don’t get the hate this is getting. I thought that people understood that the Roop was not going to reinvent music, and couldn’t compete with “On Fire” again. But this is at least on the same level as “On Fire”. It’s also pretty obvious that Vaidotas is legit a fun person. Everyone who has no life and come here to talk crap about it, you do have a couple choices. Mainly, you can not vote for this in PiN/Eurovision. That is how voting works, the system is in place for that. Otherwise, you can show how you are more… Read more »

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

See Israel, this is how you do a Covid-related theme without being offensive! I quite like Discoteque’s content.

Jo.
Jo.
3 years ago

Pretty good!

Swe esc
Swe esc
3 years ago

It’s good. The song is very present-day. Billie Eilish type catchy tune, awesome shapes and colours in the video. Well done!

ABC
ABC
3 years ago

I’m so over all the hype re Roop and their Discoteque-entry. Let’s raise the bar and move on!

AdD
AdD
3 years ago

You are aware that you have the choice to not read an article that you’re not interested, right?

AdD
AdD
3 years ago
Reply to  AdD

You know what is kind of “weird” too? Visiting a forum with over one thousands pages of articles spanning over a decade and opening articles to complain about them. Downright insane.

AdD
AdD
3 years ago
Reply to  AdD

Quick lesson: One decade = ten years. 154 years + 15.4 decades. Eurovision (and the internet, mind you) hasn’t been a thing for that long Surely you have some other interests (or at least I hope you do). If you don’t find the coverage here adequate, again, you have are free to look elsewhere that pleases you Lockdown is obviously hitting you hard. Get help.

Last edited 3 years ago by AdD
Bamborough
Bamborough
3 years ago
Reply to  AdD

Get Roasted Ana

zelenovi
zelenovi
3 years ago

They are SUCH KINGS. Can’t wait to see how this looks on the Eurovision stage! Lithuania had better prepare for their best ever result.

Michaela
Michaela
3 years ago

think ive heard it like 50 times at least already… <3

AmberLynx
AmberLynx
3 years ago

Amazing, edgy, deep and hypnotizing…in love with this song…so much style and class in it…and….I am ready to dance alone…It is ok, right? this songs is a pure medicine for my soul…

Me!
Me!
3 years ago

Written By: Ilkka Wirtanen, Kalle Lindroth, Mantas Banišauskas, Robertas Baranauskas & Vaidotas Valiukevi?ius

There’s two more songwriters, and Kalle Lindroth is also behind Aksel’s song “Hurt” in the finnish selection this year

Popo
Popo
3 years ago
Reply to  Me!

Ah yes, The Roop is from Finland, very exiting.

Me!
Me!
3 years ago
Reply to  Popo

No, the two songwriters are from Finland and Kalle is also behind Aksel’s song which is competing in Finland. The Roop is Lithuanian as a band, not Finnish

Popo
Popo
3 years ago
Reply to  Me!

I know, I was trying to do a funny joke.

Bamborough
Bamborough
3 years ago
Reply to  Popo

well that backfired

yay
yay
3 years ago

I love that The Roop songs always has a deeper meaning

AdD
AdD
3 years ago
Reply to  yay

It’s a bit obvious in this one too. I’m just happy that it’s not too explicit!