The doubt was there. On Saturday, Spain selected the song “Zorra” for Eurovision, with lyrics that intend to reinterpret the meaning of an insult traditionally yelled at women by repeating it and reclaiming it. Many feared the EBU wouldn’t accept it, but now they have given Nebulossa the green light.
In a press statement sent to Spanish media, the EBU has confirmed that “Zorra” is eligible for Eurovision in its current form:
“The EBU understands there are many interpretations of the title of the song submitted by RTVE to represent Spain in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Considering its intended use in the context of the song’s lyrics and message, as explained to us by RTVE, we have concluded the song is eligible to participate in this year’s competition. The staging of the song in May, as with all participating acts, will be agreed with producers at a later date.”
Therefore, Nebulossa will be able to represent Spain with the lyrics they created, and they won’t need to record a toned-down version for Eurovision.
Speaking on Sunday after the finale, Head of Communications at RTVE, María Eizaguirre, explained the difference with a well known case: Måneskin had to change the words “coglioni” and “cazzo” in their Eurovision 2021 winning song “Zitti e Buoni”. The difference, she argued, is that “Zorra” has wider meanings than those two words, and does not refer to an intimate part of the body.
What do the “Zorra” lyrics mean?
“Zorra” delivers a message of female emancipation, empowerment and reassurance: “I know I’m not who you want, I know, I get that you’re upset by it, but this is my nature, I can’t be bothered to change for you”.
The word “zorra”, in Spanish, literally means “vixen”. However, it is translated as “bitch” in a figurative sense, and that is the most commonly used meaning of the word.
This is actually one of the most blatant cases of built-in sexism within the Spanish language. While the male version of the noun, “zorro”, is used figuratively to refer to someone who’s astute, the female version of the word is much more widespread and used as an insult.
Nebulossa revolts against this and uses this insult in order to create an anthem of female empowerment: “I already know I’m only a bitch, that my past consumes you. I already know I’m the black sheep, the misunderstood one, the stone-cold one. But this is my nature, I can’t be bothered to change for you”.
Zorra: A government affair
The aftermath of Nebulossa’s victory at Benidorm Fest has made it clear that this year’s contest will have a big impact on Spanish society. Not only by becoming the first Benidorm Fest performance to hit one million views on YouTube, but also creating a lot of conversation.
Indeed, even Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, commented about the song. Asked about it on Al Rojo Vivo, Sánchez said: “I think feminism is not only just, but also fun. These kind of provocations have to come necessarily from culture. I get that the alt right media would love to have the “Cara El Sol” [a Francoist song], but I prefer to be represented by this kind of song”.
? Pedro Sánchez, sobre 'Zorra', la canción que va a representar a España en Eurovisión: "Entiendo que a la fachosfera le hubiera gustado tener el 'Cara al sol', pero a mí me gustan más este tipo de canciones" pic.twitter.com/NqBYLjj1jq
— AlRojoVivo (@DebatAlRojoVivo) February 5, 2024
Sánchez wasn’t the only member of government to speak about “Zorra”. Minister of Equality, Ana Redondo, found that the song “broke moulds” and “it was a proof of diversity, where we all fit”; whereas Minister of Science, Diana Morant, shared the news that the lyrics can stay and said: “It will be a delight to dance to the rhythm of Nebulossa at Eurovision. Go triumph in Malmö!”
What do you think about the “Zorra” lyrics? Are you happy that Nebulossa is representing Spain? Did you fear they would have to change the song? Let us know in the comments section below!
Just know the masked Robin Hood figure Zorro. So if a girl does the same she’s a sl*t. Lovely how sexist Spanish language can be.
Just know dog is a lazy person, and if a girl does it then she is a sl*t (bitch). Lovely how sexist English language can be.
Literally all of Western culture has been patriarchal at some point. There’s no point in criticising languages for build-in sexism when that very same criticism could be applied to most of them.
When people like a Song, they tend to speak about the song itself. When Finland’s song was released last year, before we how staging was going to be people liked the song and Talk about It… With this one, I just read comments about “the message”, staging, the guys behind and how old IS she… Not even people Who claim to love it, speak about the song itself
Also I find it hilarious that comments are disabled for Israel’s choice. Time to smuggle in some watermelon flags and Hatari merch
I might disagree, but the EBU has spoken. Nothing to do but to support Nebulossa all the way to Malmö; I’m pretty sure the song will grow on me. Fuerza y buena suerte a Nebulossa <3
I really like this song, but I really think it is going to be bottom 5 again :/
spain can get the Germanys place in the final.. #26
will they still need to cover their butt?
Zorra’, Nebulossa’s song for Eurovision, becomes the third most viral in the world
The second one,now.
Good. Censorship is wrong. I was thinking EBU double standards again, but I don’t speak Spanish or Italian and the explanation why it’s allowed here and not there sounds plausible. I guess the f-word Sweden 2017 originally had doesn’t leave much room for interpretation. Still should have been allowed. Not like bitch is much cleaner.
If they don’t wanna end up 21st (which is very likely) they need to change the staging and make sure people get the message. The audience won’t be full of Spanish people screaming.
Yeah, I would add subtitles here and there like Konstrakta did in 2022
I can’t remember when I was so obsessed with the Spanish entry. I hope she wins in May, at least the televotes!
Nebulossa are a duo we should remember! Maria and Marc.
So spain just want to troll us
Well good that EBU didn’t decide to do conservative propaganda. Btw Ban Israel
Why would enforcing the contest’s rules be “conservative propaganda?” I mean, I expected this from EBU, given their inconsistent enforcement of rules, though
lol
no huge threat for Israel honestly
a israeli esc win is very much needed now, a win against a.n.t.i.s.em.itism.
If Israel wins good luck getting any of the Nordic countries, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Albania etc. to compete – it would probably just be Israel and Germany ?
It’d be pretty cool if Nebulossa performed Zorra in Gaza imo
Why is my comment being downvoted? Aren’t we all in for diversity and inclusion and against Israel’s occupation?
It’d be pretty cool if Nebulossa performed Zorra in G4z4 imo
So? Not my problem
I also hope israel become european champions in the football either
It will be your problem when they need to cancel Eurovision because only a handful of artists would feel comfortable or safe participating in Israel
next year there won’t be a war anymore though over there, when we are done with p.a.l.es.t.i.n.e.
I guess they are not competing in the Olympicz this year either, right?
I dont really see how a win on ESC would be a win against anti semitism. But I could see Israel win, without having over the top great song, be an end of Eurovision as we know it.
This is one of the songs that are hyped up by the fandom but ends up bottom 5 in May, at least it doesn’t get its essence ripped apart
Exactly what happened with LUM!X and Pia Maria in 2022 when it didn’t even qualify.
Spain will be in the final for sure. And if Spain ends up bottom 5, well, it is not a tragedy, at least the message will be listened in Malmö.
This will be the Konstrakta of 1024
2024!!!
LOL
AHAHAHAHAHAHA
not even close to
1024?! i knew she was old but i didn’t imagine she was that old
They can keep the title and the lyrics, the juries won’t vot for…this song, anyway
Exactly
I feel like them saying like all participating acts staging is agreed with producers at a later date was put in there to suggest there will be no tushies at Eurovision.
What double standard problem does the world have that is afraid of a butt or a tit and then they and their sons and daughters consume hardcore pornography on the Internet?
There were tushies in 2022. For me, it isn’t a problem.
What about the dancers? I hope they don’t have to change either 🙂
We have seen a lot of female booties in Eurovision already (Chanel), I don’t think male booties will be banned either.
I thought the rule was: men can show their nipples, women can show their booties. So, Nebulossa’s dancers would need to show theirs, I’m afraid. But let’s see if they allow it this time!…
Booty is allowed.
RTVE said the stagings will be talked about later. I don’t think EBU will accept it as it is…although the Benidorm performance is already in their Youtube channel.
Nebulossa are gathering momentum. Good Luck
Wonderful. Changing the lyrics would be against the whole spirit of the song.
Fcuk the patriarchy!
It’s hardly a protest song if the whole system supports it, though
#WeAreAllZorras !!!
Zorra no, zorrísima *nails emoji*
Yo soy zorraza! Y tú?
spain you get … zero points
Grow up
I’m sorry I dont like the song at all. Forgive me ):
It’s not because you don’t like it that it can’t be successful in Eurovision.
You’re right, it’s because the song is bland
Subjectivity not real fact
I know, but I still can’t see it being succesful
X2, president Sánchez says you’re a fascist if you don’t like the song
That’s not true. I watched the interview (I live in Spain) and he was talking about his political adversaries, who use the song to attack his goverment.
He literally said that you’re part of the “fascist sphere” if you don’t like zorra.
He’s tagging and lumping everyone who doesn’t like the song into the same bag. Idk him much, but I get the vibe that he’s very weedy and likes to cause discord