Last year he was one of the hosts of Junior Eurovision. Now Rafał Brzozowski will get his turn as a Eurovision competitor. The Polish singer, TV host and former wrestler has been confirmed as Poland‘s act for Eurovision 2021. He will sing the synth-pop song “The Ride”.

Polish broadcaster announced the news today, following weeks of speculation over who will be representing Poland in Rotterdam. The announcement of Rafał also confirms that 2020 act Alicja Szemplińska has not been given the return ticket.

Rafał also shared the good news on his Instagram, writing: “Finally, I can officially share this unique news with you! Yes, my song was selected for the Eurovision Song Contest. The adventure begins! Hold on for the ride of your life… Keep your fingers crossed!”

Rafał is well known in Poland as a singer and TV host. He came to fame in 2011 through participating on The Voice of Poland. Since then he has established a career both in music and on television.

Rafał came close to Eurovision in 2017. Back then, he competed in the Polish national final with the song “Sky Over Europe”. The song placed second in the grand final Krajowe Eliminacje 2017, only three points away from a win.

Rafał will sing “The Ride” at Eurovision 2021

“The Ride” is a synth-pop number, with the so-hot-right-now 1980s synth styles. The song also has a Dua Lipa vibe — but with the twist of having a male singer delivering the song.

In the song, Rafał is offering high-octane thrills, saying “So baby, hold on for the ride of your life high above ground, living it loud.”

The song comes with a music video, with Rafał dressed in all black, complete with a pair of dark sunglasses. He’s surrounded by bright neon lights and is joined by a group of dancers whose fashion choices offer more variety than just black.

The look of the video is courtesy of art director Mikołaj Dobrowolski, who will also create Rafał’s staging concept for Rotterdam.

“The Ride” has been written by a team of Swedish songwriters: Joakim Övrenius, Thomas Karlsson, Clara Rubensson and Johan Mauritzson.

What do you think of “The Ride”. Should Rafał take the neon of the music video to the Rotterdam stage? Tell us thought thoughts below!

Read more Poland Eurovision news here

244 Comments
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Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago

He listened carefully to The weekend. Is it original? Hell no! Is it bad? No it’s not! It’s an okay song!

Ben
Ben
3 years ago

kurwa mac why not Cypis?

Last edited 3 years ago by Ben
Nils
Nils
3 years ago

the melody of the chorus is alright, but the supposed 80s style isn’t any convincing at all. overall i’m rather bored than impressed. might still qualify, but i wouldn’t bet any high amount on it.

Emkay
Emkay
3 years ago

This song is honestly fine, if not a bit bland and safe. There probably is a larger reason for the major hate than just not liking the song.

Jules
Jules
3 years ago

He is the mascot of governmental television. When they announced his entry on Polish morning TV, he was boasting about how it’s been 10 years since he’s been making music, so unfortunately he’s not a beginner and he actually believes he can sing (and so do many Polish conservative grandmas..). I would urge you not to support this, since it is clearly the Poland’s populist party’s (which controls the main public TV station he’s in) desperate effort to seem more modern and make the world think living in Poland is better than it actually is. In reality, the current government… Read more »

ESCJudge
ESCJudge
3 years ago
Reply to  Jules

Poland could win Eurovision eventually, only if the governing party would allow TVP to win… but it’s not their agenda to bring it to Poland on their watch.
(was it polish president who said that LGBT community members are not pople?) Yeep. So obviously it will be no winning-potential song from Poland as long as current extreme conservatives govern.

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago

This and Cyprus are the worst entries so far (Belarus is out of the voting…)

Hellooooo
Hellooooo
3 years ago

In the music intro, I was, this can be great, then pufff, I am not sure about this. For me it’s a NQ…

Fatima
Fatima
3 years ago

He’s the John Barrowman of Poland

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

Don’t do John Barrowman like that

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

How? I don’t see the comparison.

Jo.
Jo.
3 years ago

3 minutes of cringing

Trip
Trip
3 years ago

He’s kinda hot …

Pancake
Pancake
3 years ago

Off Topic: Samanta Tina released the Latvian Entry today

Roo
Roo
3 years ago
Reply to  Pancake

Why not wait till there is a news story to discuss Samanta?

Teddy
Teddy
3 years ago

If this is any ride it’s the Thomas the Tank Engine Adventure – Fun if you’re 3 and goes nowhere 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddy

ROFL. 😀
Does Thomas exist in Poland?

Last edited 3 years ago by Purple Mask
Teddy
Teddy
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I googled it and YES! It’s called “Parowóz Tomek i jego przyjaciele” I guess they can call Rafa? for some promo 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddy

Fantastic! 🙂

Benny Hill
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddy

More like a Southern Rail. Stuck in the 80’s 😛

Teddy
Teddy
3 years ago
Reply to  Benny Hill

God is that a British Rail travel reference? I’m lucky the West Midlands have okay trains. Imagine paying £3000 to wait at a platform for two hours. Feels a little like listening to this 😛

Emily
Emily
3 years ago

I’m not really a fan of the whole 80s vibes trend, and this is more of the same. I mean, it’s not terrible but as it stands, it’s probably the least interesting entry so far.

Emily
Emily
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

to be more specific – I don’t mind the entries that have tinges of 80s/90s in them, but ones that heavily rely on it just rub me up the wrong way.

Amen
Amen
3 years ago

Well, Sweden has the best music market in the whole Europe, it’s obvious that artists want to work with the best of the best. It’s that simple my darling 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

At the risk of being unpopular, I like this track. It is perhaps a guilty pleasure of mine. The video is also rather slick and inoffensive. Actually the word “inoffensive” I think sums up this entry, unless you are a fan of Alicja Szempli?ska.
By the way – what happened to Alicja?! Up until yesterday, I had her listed as Poland’s 2021 artist, so that’s strange.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I had always thought you brazenly flew in the face of unpopularity! 😉

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Yeah, it seems Alicja has been royally dumped…for, by all accounts, a stooge of the state-backed broadcaster, TVP.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

Robyn just posted a separate article about Alicja, so that clears things up now. It was a different song that was rejected, not the artist. She can always come back over the next 50 years of course. 😀

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Hear, hear! Long live the ESC! 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

I’d still apply to write or sing at ESC even if I were 90 years old. 😀

Last edited 3 years ago by Purple Mask
Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Bon courage, Mask 🙂

Amen
Amen
3 years ago

I think this is actually a good song. Might get a little lost between Croatia, San Marino, Israel, Norway, UK (and I would like to mention here that UK’s song is actually really good for the first time in years!), Serbia, Moldova, etc. Like every year there are so many songs to dance to and it will probably be difficult for Rafa? to stand out from the crowd. That of course won’t stop me from keeping fingers crossed for Poland. Go get them, tiger!

Jay
Jay
3 years ago

Way to go people, so negative. I actually like it, throwback and catchy! This will qualify.

Amen
Amen
3 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Finally someone I can agree on that with 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

It feels like they had a basic pop song that was around for a few years without being recorded and, when the 80’s trend came, they put some synthetizers on top of it and tried to sell as something current. For a filler in Melfest, this would do OK, but as an internally selected song Poland could have done much better. And I agree with all of those who said his vocals are flat. It lacks variation, he sounds exactly the same from beggining to end.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I could definitely hear that ”trying out for Melfest” influences in here. This year’s Melfest has some much better tracks, though. In a year filled with 80s-inspired synth-pop and uptempo music in general, I think this might struggle. I also noticed a lack of variation. I’ll see how the song will fare on my second take.

Last edited 3 years ago by Colin
Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

The 2nd semi is so packed with uptempo entries (I’ve counted at least 9 of 17, but I guess this could even go to 10 depending on how we would consider the Albanian song after the revamp), that standing out will be very important. Bulgaria, Finland and Switzerland seem safe on this department, with 2 of the strongest ballads of the year and one being a rock song). And Iceland will obviously qualify too, no matter how the song is received. This would leave just 6 spots and with the possibility 1 or 2 more slower songs sneaking it for… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Sabrina
Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Second Semi Final so far…

Switzerland 9/10
Albania 9/10
Finland 8/10
Bulgaria 8/10
San Marino 6/10
Denmark 6/10
Serbia 5/10
Greece 4/10
Austria 4/10
Estonia 3/10
Latvia 2/10
Czech Republic 2/10
Portugal 1/10
Moldova 1/10
Poland 0/10

Samuel
Samuel
3 years ago

Another Swedish copy and paste track? Great, just what we needed! Thanks Poland.

Tenten Rurapente
Tenten Rurapente
3 years ago

This seems to be going down like a lead balloon. From what I’ve read about this character and the selection process, I do think Poland deserves better.

Jay
Jay
3 years ago

I am HATING my self but I like it but its terrible :O

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
3 years ago

Rafal is turning 40 this year and yet in the music video he acts like he’s a 20 year old. How embarassing. Certainly they could’ve hired someone younger to sing the song as Rafal is far too old for it.

Amen
Amen
3 years ago
Reply to  ESCFanGA

This is actually one of the most ridiculous comments I’ve read. How can someone be too old to sing a song? Come on, get your act together, your comment is not constructive at all.

Jorge BG
Jorge BG
3 years ago
Reply to  ESCFanGA

Oh please! 40 is still young and he looks great.

sam
sam
3 years ago

kinda messed up how they just threw alicja to the side… she won a national final and clearly wanted to represent poland again, so the question is: why???

Amen
Amen
3 years ago
Reply to  sam

Well, Poland is not the only country which decided to give a shot someone else and to be honest, if anybody is going to be missed this year it’s Little Big, not Alicja. She won last year, that’s true, but it doesn’t have anything to do with ESC 2021. It might be actually good thing because when it comes to returning artists they need to handle pressure of their songs for 21 being compared with the ones for 20. Some did better, some did worse. It’s great to have something fresh in the competition, how boring would it be to… Read more »

GreenTea
GreenTea
3 years ago

When the demo version sounds better than the final one… XD Smells like another lost year for Poland. I’m annoyed because our potential is bigger than this. I didn’t like ‘Empires’ but Alicja’s entry was much more acceptable. I feel sorry for Alicja because TVP treated her in a pathetic way. She really wanted to represent us at Eurovision but our broadcaster completely ignored her and left without any information. Rafal’s song is just weak and I don’t think I’ll ever like it. Flat, monotonous and dated. And this music video in which he pretends to be ‘like a boss’…… Read more »

Someone11
Someone11
3 years ago

This feels like a parody. A kinda catchy song, with such a silly MV and singing, wasted chance.

Amen
Amen
3 years ago
Reply to  Someone11

Poland always finds a way to screw things up and it could be much worse in my opinion 😉

zoliszekely
zoliszekely
3 years ago

I just don’t understand all this hate. This is a pretty good song and for me it’s a top 20 contender at least.

Jay
Jay
3 years ago
Reply to  zoliszekely

I enjoy it too

Amen
Amen
3 years ago
Reply to  zoliszekely

True, it makes me wanna dance! Good track with a solid chance for final!

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

After the gorgeous Bondish-ballad in 2020, which was in my personal Top 5, this is such a robbery to Alicja…

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago

10/10 France
9/10 Lithuania Switzerland Albania
8/10 Finland Ukraine Bulgaria
7/10 Germany Belgium Spain
6/10 Russia Ireland San Marino Denmark
5/10 Romania Netherlands Israel Serbia
4/10 UK Greece Slovenia Austria
3/10 Italy Estonia Australia
2/10 Norway Czechia
1/10 Portugal Croatia Moldova North Macedonia
0/10 Cyprus Poland

no voting Belarus

Davidinho
Davidinho
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

How can Germany rank higher than Poland 🙂

MollieLouise
MollieLouise
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

Germany 7/10? Lol

Amen
Amen
3 years ago
Reply to  MollieLouise

I didn’t enjoy Germany’s song at first too but now, when 33 songs are released, it’s a solid 23rd place among my favourites 😀

hello Hi
hello Hi
3 years ago

Hope this doesn’t qualify . I’m afraid with diaspora voting it could qualify and take place of more deserving song .. then again could have repeat of 2018

Kinga
Kinga
3 years ago
Reply to  hello Hi

Disapora? Poles hate Rafal

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  hello Hi

In past 10 years, we’ve qualified 4 times. Once got to top10, once ended somewhere in between of scoreboard and twice we’ve been last or 2nd to last in final. Can we already stop saying that there’s this mythical polish diaspora that cares about Eurovision? Again – in last 10 years we had good score 2 times. Like one in 5 years

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago

I was expecting a disaster, but it’s surprisingly not that bad. Yes this isn’t the best song in the contest, but if being a cheesy 80s throwback is the worst it can be, then it’s OK. It’ll probably be by guilty pleasure for this year’s Eurovision. How will it do at the contest? I don’t know, but I’m not expecting to hear Poland announced as a finalist.

Reus
Reus
3 years ago

Lily Allen’s ‘Not Fair’ was written as a response to Rafal’s ride.

Last edited 3 years ago by Reus
Reus
Reus
3 years ago

Margaret was right there… SHE WAS RIGHT THERE!

Reus
Reus
3 years ago
Reply to  Reus

THERE

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  Reus

They would rather withdraw than invite Margaret. She was supposed to be selected internally in 2016 until current CEO of TVP took over and decided there’s gonna be selections instead

Ann
Ann
3 years ago

It’s not the best song I’ve heard, but very ok.
It’s catchy and that’s what a country need at Eurovision. Not a beautiful song you must listen to 10 times to remember it.

Last edited 3 years ago by Ann
LazarusSpain
LazarusSpain
3 years ago

I like the song. Obviously not for winning the contest, but at least to get to the final… A top 20. I like the 80s vibe with the Synthesizer. If the voice of the singer was better I’d place it even in the top 10…

3art
3art
3 years ago

I wonder how he will use that vocoder when singing live..
Btw here’s the demo they bought: https://streamable.com/l0p7on

raspberry
raspberry
3 years ago
Reply to  3art

Using vocoder live is allowed. Norway used it as a sample so that’s why they had to get the permission.

Candy
Candy
3 years ago

I mean not bad but so outdated. Currently sitting 27th in my top

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago

comment image

Adam Karny
Adam Karny
3 years ago

Polish fans of Esc dont accept this decision. It was made by regime TVP – government tube of propaganda. Its asamed this ‘singer’ was chosen. He is kind a servant of TVP’s directory Jacek Kurski. That is why Rafa? Brzozowski was chosen. They ignore Polish fans, taste and ideas. That is why we have weak songs in ESC. We have many great artists with amazing songs, but they dont want listen to regime television. That is why gevernmental TV have ‘their own’ Singers like Rafa?. We are sorry about that. We hope Europe understand that we dont have bad taste… Read more »

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago

Just an opportunist working for homophobes and racists I’d say. You can judge him for that

Pandaman
Pandaman
3 years ago

Poland want to win the “real” Eurovision. We just need to figure out how to convince those responsible for internally picking Eurovision entries to actually start listening to any music, because it feels like they are stuck at Eurovision 2003. TVP has proven multiple times now that they have zero knowledge of what is being played throughout Europe and beyond and how the contest changed in the last 20 years or so.

Pandaman
Pandaman
3 years ago
Reply to  Pandaman

Absolutely. What I meant is, Poland want to win, not TVP. There is a more legit reason for so many Polish people disliking our entries than just us loving to complain in general 😀

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago

Well, Poland did win junior Eurovision twice in a row so I can see that they may not want to aim to win the grown-up edition anytime soon.

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago

Xd This is not Poland. This is TVP. Trust me, they forgot about Eurovision and he’s just there.

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
3 years ago

“The ride of your life”. To where? 2010?

I mean it’s not bad and I won’t say I dislike it or think it is a bad song but like….it’s maybe the middle of my ranking at best though. A lot of the other songs are just too good this year for an “okay” song to make it.

...
...
3 years ago

I don’t like it… All I can say is good luck to you, Poland.

P.S.: Tbh, I really don’t understand this ’80s-ish trend…

Last edited 3 years ago by ...
Safiya
Safiya
3 years ago

He was chosen because he works for the broadcaster. I don’t think Rafal personally ever said something offensive or expressed any racist/homophobic views, so we can’t accuse him of that. He’s probably just a guy who got lucky and got a good job (he was a host of one game show, now he is a host of another one, he was a host of JESC, he also hosts many extra concerts and shows for the broadcaster, for example for New Year’s Eve etc. – so he really does a lot for them) This alone does not make him evil though… Read more »

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

an entertainment guy but not an entertaining guy

Jake
Jake
3 years ago

Thank you for those who mentioned the demo versions. I was wondering if there was something I was missing with this song. For a fast-ish song it feels so monotonous and it comes down to his voice. He simply doesn’t modulate his voice as Clara does in the demo. It still feels like it lacks a finished production and is still in demo mode. For a country that has figured out JESC and now regularly pushes modern adult-like radio songs there—this feels so out of touch of what the modern 80s sound actually is.

ESCb
ESCb
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Do you know where we can find those demo’s?

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  ESCb

it’s on youtube

Brit-bit
Brit-bit
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

can you tell me please whats call it in youtube… because when i search Clara Demo version of The Ride … i dont find it :/

3art
3art
3 years ago
Reply to  Brit-bit
Mika
Mika
3 years ago

Poland’s TVP had limited budget apparently…This language sounds bizzare, Russian&German mix

Luk
Luk
3 years ago

Bravo Poland!
Good luck in Rotterdam!

Thorula
Thorula
3 years ago

Quite funny because it juste confirms what I was thinking after Norway’s final that is to say that the Eurofan community is a bit consanguin group and the harder is to be a part of it. Once you’re in, people will back you more easily even if that means spitting on other contestants. I mean not all the fans are like that but at some moment you just give the good and bad points and singers get stuck with their image on the first impression the first year they’re in. But remember that the casual viewer doesn’t give a damn… Read more »

annabeth
annabeth
3 years ago

Song itself is not bad: swedish production, catchy, upbeat. But there are few problems. First and the most important is his vocals – his voice sounds pretty flat and he does’t sound the best live. Second – it needs a very good staging and in last few years polish presentations on scene were not the best (2018 was a nightmare). Then the issue how he was chosen and Alicja was ignored. Finally – the broadcaster is not liked by most people in Poland becouse of all of the hateful and homophobic propaganda. But in the end, the decision was made… Read more »