Rafał will represent Poland with the synth-pop number “The Ride”. And on Saturday,  the singer and television presenter performed his number live for the first time during the final of The Voice Kids Poland.

Rafał, who himself was a semifinalist in the first season of the adult version of The Voice, was a guest performer, delivering some of the 80s synth-pop and neon aesthetic that we saw in his music video.

He kept his look cool and minimalist, wearing a black suit and his trademark sunglasses. But around him was an explosion of distinctive synth-styled colour, with blue and pink LED graphics, and plenty dancers in pink and white suits with black accents. Rafał delivered a competent vocal performance, offering a hint of what he might bring to Rotterdam.

The winner of the edition was 12-year-old Sara Egwu-James. Notably, one of her performances in the finale was of “Husavik (My Hometown)” — the Oscar-nominated song from the film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. She gave a classy and vocally flawless live.

Poland’s Eurovision journey

Poland was one of the last countries to reveal their artist. On March 12, the country revealed they had internally selected Rafal to represent them with “The Ride”. Rafał is on his way to Eurovision fresh from hosting the most recent edition of Junior Eurovision last November. He also has attempted to represent the country before, placing second in the Polish national final of 2017.

Rafał will sing “The Ride” on the first half of the second semi-final in Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam, this upcoming May 20.

What do you think? Does the live performance bring a new perspective to “The Ride”? Let us know in the comments below!

Read more Poland Eurovision news here

59 Comments
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Alex
Alex
3 years ago

I’ve been listening to the song ever since it was released. I really like it.

After reading plenty of negative comments I gotta say I’m pleasantly surprised by this performance!

Yes, his vocals are a bit flat and monotonous but he still has some time to improve! 🙂

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago

Not bad live..

Last edited 3 years ago by Charli Cheer Up
tomtomtom
tomtomtom
3 years ago

Disagree. This is a good song. Not a winner but could qualify in SF2. Aren’t you the one that refuses to predict placement or qualification before the semis? Now you are predicting NQ?

Nitzan
Nitzan
3 years ago

I don’t mind the song buy WHAT’S WITH THE SUNGLASSES?!

Ess
Ess
3 years ago
Reply to  Nitzan

You don’t have to worry about the sunglasses staying on for the entirety of the actual performance (it will be quite different to this one), you have to wait and see!

Last edited 3 years ago by Ess
Sanne
Sanne
3 years ago

It’s not as bad many people say, it’s absolutely decent. And he is a competent singer, definitely not as ‘ehm’ as people expected it to be. It will do okay.

Oy oy
Oy oy
3 years ago

I think this actually will do a whole lot better than most seem to expect!

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago

It’s even funnier that some people are 100% that he will WIN ESC2021 after seeing this performance xd Not even kidding. That’s how TVP’s brainwash work

Héctor
Héctor
3 years ago

This gives me too many Eurovision vibes, not in a good way. Could be in the next Eurovision movie.

And, talking about the movie, “Husavik” is miles above the movie.

canada_piano
canada_piano
3 years ago

poland is underrated (dont @ me). the chorus is so catchy and the 80s synth gives me a really good vibe

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
3 years ago
Reply to  canada_piano

Agree

Henry
Henry
3 years ago

Not as bad as I expected. He kept up. The vocal is just so monotone and flat it gets boring fast.

Ben
Ben
3 years ago

yuck

Sjodni
Sjodni
3 years ago

Rafal was um…there was much left to be desired after that performance. HOWEVER, SARA EGWU JAMES my god that was beautiful!!!! Her voice is amazing, and when she changed it to Polish I was so excited and happy. It recreated the affect in the movie where they switch to Icelandic, in Polish it meant something, and that was clear. She is the star of this show and article.

Jofty
Jofty
3 years ago

Yes, it’s the first time I have actually warmed to this entry but sadly I don’t think there is enough to take it through. And for sure there is a lot worse out there.

Last edited 3 years ago by Jofty
Jake
Jake
3 years ago

This has “drunk uncle at a wedding hitting the dance floor” vibe to it crossed with “drunk office jerk doing karaoke at office holiday party” vibe. Good luck Poland—hope your diaspora comes through.

Pandaman
Pandaman
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

I hope our diaspora recognises that there are songs more worthy voting for.

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

How many years in a row we have to miss final so that people would stop this diaspora talk? Poland hasn’t qualified since 2017 and even then ended up 22nd

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
3 years ago

Everything here is so boring and uninspired… it’s definitely my number 39.

John
John
3 years ago

I hope they use the same LED background it really conveys the sense of the video clip. This performance would have won ESC in 2002.

Tobias Andersen
Tobias Andersen
3 years ago
Reply to  John

2002 was a very weak year so perhaps 😀

Anke
Anke
3 years ago

Poland – fire that choreographer ASAP…sooo 2002. The song itself isn’t the worst one in the competiotion, but the choreo really sucks

Maldric
Maldric
3 years ago

I thought his vocals were worst…But at eurovision he cannot use so many dancers and clearly he cannot dance. Use some back vocals and lets see what will happen

Film
Film
3 years ago

I dont mind the song that much, but his voice is just so lifeless.

ESCb
ESCb
3 years ago
Reply to  Film

Totally agree! The demo version features vocals from one of the original songwriters and it’s SO much better.

Ethan1994
Ethan1994
3 years ago

I like it 🙂

Tchoubit
Tchoubit
3 years ago

eh..quite a weak live performance I must say, not even mentionning the vocals. I guess this will be approximately the same in May.

Last edited 3 years ago by Tchoubit
Sot
Sot
3 years ago

Well, in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest he didn’t wear sunglasses at all so I guess he thinks he looks cOoL

Henry
Henry
3 years ago

This performance was not so cringe as some here say… it was a decent performance and his vocals are okay.. But to qualify for the final their’s a lot more to do for the Polish team…

Sot
Sot
3 years ago

Gotta say, it was a guilty pleasure when I first listened to it but next time you show a performance of Rafal please put in the subtitle “Cringe alert”

Last edited 3 years ago by Sot
Roodi
Roodi
3 years ago

we see in may

Alex Gottlieb
Alex Gottlieb
3 years ago

Alright.. i think this song would be not qualified for the final.

Romeo
Romeo
3 years ago

I love this song but the live version is terrible! If Poland wan to qualify for the final Rafa? needs to sort his vocals out

Last edited 3 years ago by Romeo
Emily
Emily
3 years ago

See, this song would be okay if he didn’t have the charm and charisma of piece of wet cardboard.

(I liked the dancers, though. They were alright.)

Last edited 3 years ago by Emily
Paul
Paul
3 years ago

The songs not awful but for some reason it feels like he makes it a novelty record

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

It’s a guilty pleasure and, believe it or not, my borderline qualifier from the second semi. Yes, it’s stale and generic. It still manages to be enjoyable for how (unintentionally?) funny it is.

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
3 years ago

I like this song. I hope it makes the final.

Whoareyou?
Whoareyou?
3 years ago

His voice is clearly a bit edited.

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago
Reply to  Whoareyou?

Well The Voice Poland is known for their use of autotune on contestants so maybe they sprinkled some on Rafal too.

Craig
Craig
3 years ago

I still find it a bit of a beige song, but the performance and staging were decent.

Fatima
Fatima
3 years ago

A great live performance. I think it’s safe to say that Poland will be in the final. It reminds me of the Buggles, which is a good thing.

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

It was ok though i am not sure this was live. I want him in the final though.

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago

The robot-dad dance was enough for me. This guy is the ultimate cringe.

Thisisntourlastdance
Thisisntourlastdance
3 years ago

I dont care what people say it, I really enjoy this

Fefe
Fefe
3 years ago

Same, I’m loving this awkward midlife crisis realness.

Tommy
Tommy
3 years ago

Benny Cristo’s live is actually much worse than Rafal’s. You can watch it on the instagram stories of eurovision official account. It’s a pity his vocals are bad 🙁

Roodi
Roodi
3 years ago
Reply to  Tommy

His vocals were okay racist

Doris
Doris
3 years ago

If this was the swedish product bought by Malta this would be the number in the odds. And if Rafal was singing je me casse then it would be like now at the end of the odds.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago
Reply to  Doris

…because his act is creepy and unappealing, and in the way he is he’d be low in the odds with any song. it’s like katy perry gave “firework” to lana del rey, it would’ve never been a hit lmao

Sanne
Sanne
3 years ago
Reply to  Doris

SOOOOO true. Malta is so overhyped

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

I thought people said he couldn’t sing? This was a great live performance, really bright and engaging. Here’s my prediction – Poland makes it to the final.

Kpow
Kpow
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

There’s nothing to sing though.

Paul
Paul
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Live??

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

It didn’t sound like the studio cut so i can only assume that it was live.

Ant
Ant
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Artists often use partially or completely pre-recorded vocals that aren’t studio version for their performances. Slightly more sophisticated than basic lip-sync. This didn’t look or sounds like an actual live performance to me

Giolo
Giolo
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Don’t get me wrong, I really like Rafal, but if Tulia didn’t make it with more voting allies, Rafal isn’t going to the final, too

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago
Reply to  Giolo

I loved Tulia and was gutted that it didn’t get through. Rafal’s effort is more accessible to most viewers than Tulia so I expect it to do better with the televote.

Kristian
Kristian
3 years ago

Also , until Rafal shouted Let’s go , the lack of breathing made me think he was lip-synching.

Kristian
Kristian
3 years ago

Poland’s young stars are really talented.