Romanian broadcaster TVR has just announced the list of 12 finalists, as chosen by the jury from the 160 songs that were submitted for Selectia Nationala. Apart from the expected names – Paula Seling and Ovi, Anca Florescu, Stefan Stan and TeddyK – we found a few pleasant surprises, but also some notable snubs.

Here are the 12 songs that will compete in Brasov on 1 March:

1. Stefan Stan feat. TeddyK – “Breathe”:

2. Naomy – “Daca tu iubesti”:

3. Bere Gratis – “Despre mine si ea”:

4. Silvia Dumitrescu – “Fiorul iubirii”:

5. Marcel Craciunescu – “Hardjock”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxtXffXlXOk

6. Anca Florescu – “Hearts Collide”:

7. Vizi Imre – “Kind of Girl”:

8. Renee Santana & Mike Diamondz – “Letting Go”:

9. Paula Seling and Ovi – “Miracle”:

10. Mirela Vaida Boureanu – “One More Time”:

11. The dAdA – “Unpredictable”:

12. The Zuralia Orchestra – “You Know”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTy9wBlrur0

 

The most notable absence from the list is Cobzality, the band that had hoped to win over the jury with the inclusion of popular traditional singer Matilda Pascal Cojocarita. Their song “Steaua de vis” fell flat on the jury members’ ears. Other notable absences are last year’s contenders Tudor Turcu, Andrei Leonte, Anthony Icuagu, Cezar Dometi, as well as Andreea Olariu (rumoured to have a song penned by Thomas G:son). British singer Krystal Mills didn’t make the cut either – her second defeat this ESC season after she was snubbed in the Swiss selection.

A pleasant surprise is the presence of transgender singer Naomy, who won over the jury with her rendition of “Daca tu iubesti”. We’re also glad to see Vizi, Vaida, and – for the second year in a row – Renee Santana on the list. The Zuralia Orchestra, who was a semi-finalist in 2013, also made it to the top of the list this year.

Romanian ESC fans find it questionable that Bere Gratis is on the list, seeing as the band’s frontman is the husband of the Romanian head of delegation, Liana Stanciu. She explained, however, that she is not involved in the selection process and that she would only accompany the winning entry to Copenhagen.

What do you think? We will come back with a poll this weekend, but until then we are letting you digest the songs and discuss the jury’s choices below.

Bogdan Honciuc is a Romania-based correspondent for WiwiBloggs.com. You can follow him on Twitter @stingovision. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.

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Georgiana
Georgiana
10 years ago

As alege Anca Florescu, dar b?ie?ii de la Bere Gratis sunt la fel de buni! Se cunoa?te când faci o melodie pentru public, sau una în vitez?, doar pentru a participa la Eurovision! P?rerea mea, e ca oricare altul în afar? de sus-numi?ii, ne-ar face de râs ?ara! În plus, voturile din casa mea, nu vor mai merge spre România (?inând cont ca sunt afar? ?i pot vota) Decí Hai România! Vota?i cu inima ?i cap! <3 😉

lola
lola
10 years ago

I totally enjoyed Bere Gratis and I think that this song can proudly represent us on Eurovision.
Anca Florescu could have been something, but the song get lost after she start to dance… really bad moves
Can we PLEASE, at least this time, to sent a decently dressed person? I’ll be chuffed seeing TV presenters around the world not being able to pass on comments as: prostitute, weird, communist.
And yes, as a Romanian I will be proud to hear on Eurovision’s final, a song in Romanian.

adrian
10 years ago

paula seling – miracle super ok, si celelalte melodii sunt ff ok ,in afara de silvia dumitrescu si the dada unpredictable nu imi plac.

Jordan
Jordan
10 years ago

Meh. The only song that stands out for me is “Miracle”.

val
val
10 years ago

Surprised to hear that Krystal and Mircea havent gone on, their song is beautiful. Hope they continue to record together. So proud of both of them x

sharron
sharron
10 years ago

Thanks Bogdan for clarification. I am reading lots of forums and various allegations and using google translate, so may be getting the wrong end of the stick. It would have been nice to have heard two semi finals like Julian said above. So many wonderful songs never qualified and where there are winners there will always be non winners ( I refuse to use the word losers) because everyone should be proud of what they have achieved and life is a lottery. This is not their time that is all. There will be another opportunity and keep persuing your dreams.… Read more »

joey
joey
10 years ago

Oh my Lord!!! Please vote for “Miracle”…..other songs are a totally vomit especially “Hearts Collide” and “Breathe”… “Letting Go” is tolerable though!!!!

Ugh!!!

Julian
Julian
10 years ago

They had enough good songs for 2 semifinals. That would’ve as well help hearing more people singing live and encourage sending songs for future selections.
Hardjock sounds better than Cobzality.
My choices:
Breathe
Despre mine si ea
Hearts Collide
Kind of Girl

Arianna
10 years ago

WTF at The Zuralia Orchestra? hahaha Ridiculous lyrics…

Franco
Franco
10 years ago

“Hearts”, not “hearths”. Sorry.

Franco
Franco
10 years ago

Anca Florescu with “Hearths collide” seems the best choice, to me.

Zolan
Zolan
10 years ago

“Hardjock” or “Breathe.”
Marcel is this year’s Electric Fence 🙂

Bere Gratis has a good entry. Seems worthy of a fair chance to me.

The Zuralia Orchestra have gone for a completely different style, but it seems a bit piled on; Snoop Dogg may have been one influence too many.

MF
MF
10 years ago

My faves in no particular order:
Stefan Stan feat. TeddyK – “Breathe”
Naomy – “Daca tu iubesti”
Anca Florescu – “Hearts Collide”

A total NO to Silivia Dumitrescu & The Zuralia Orchestra.

D
D
10 years ago

My favourites are “Breathe” and “Hearts Collide”. However, I don’t think the former would do or sound good at Eurovision while I think the latter would. But, “Breathe” is a better song in my opinion, so I’m torn. Either would be fine, just please not “Miracle”. I don’t think any of the other songs have a chance against those three, even though “One More Time” and “Unpredictable” sound pretty cool.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Oh – and Hardjock is actually a pretty good song. Maybe not great for Eurovision, but I’d enjoy listening to it.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Hahahaha there’s a song called “Hardjock”…

Ivan
Ivan
10 years ago

If Romania wants to have a chance in Copenhagen, they’ll choose Anca Florescu. Ovi&Paula is a big dissapointment, while Vaida Boureanu has a good song but I don’t know if it is enough for an international final. I have to notice the absence of Emmah Toris and Cozbailty, their songs were much better than Santana’s, Bere Gratis or Zuralia for example. The the biggest absence remains Traistariu’s “I’m sorry”, the only song which could even win the ESC in Copenhagen.

Ivan
Ivan
10 years ago

“A pleasant surprise is the presence of transgender singer Naomy”-what’s so pleasant?

Srebrenko
Srebrenko
10 years ago

My favorites are:
Anca Florescu – “Hearts Collide” and
Stefan Stan feat. TeddyK – “Breathe”

eurana
eurana
10 years ago

Oh Gosh. This year is… 🙁
Well, what can I say?
Vaida – One more time
Anca Florescu – Hearts Colide
ok

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

I really like The dAdA, Paula Seling & Ovi, Anca Florescu and Renee Santana. God, I wish Vaida doesn’t get through. I know she is expected to be voted by a lot of people.

Dhani
10 years ago

omg! Paula & ovi are back!!

but with a crap song…….

Srebrenko
Srebrenko
10 years ago

This is the strongest national selection so far. Congratulations to Romania!

Tom
Tom
10 years ago

I am so happy to see Anca in the final. SO happy. My bet is that either she or Paula&Ovi will win. However, it kinda looks like a sure win for Paula&Ovi. There are some pretty strong contenders besides them: Stefan Stan&TeddyK (love them too), Renne Santana&Mike Diamondz, Mirela Vaida, Vizi Imre, even Bere Gratis. Good final indeed.

Mex
Mex
10 years ago

@Bogdan

I wasn’t referring to them specifically, but to that “party” or something music. And “Miracle”, by my humble opinion (with my OKish knowledge of the Romanian dance music) is nowhere near representing that part of the Romanian music industry. Miracle is just plain Eurovision schlager pop. I can make even comparisons with songs sounding like this in nearly every Melodifestivalen deltavling every year. Honestly.

I listened the songs and I’ll say again – Romania, see you in 2015.

Maybe “Miracle” will win, and it may do something in CPH, but, I’ll pass. 🙂

Z24
Z24
10 years ago

They didn’t want to end as runners-up three years in a row.

anto475
anto475
10 years ago

Devastated! Unde sunt Electric Fence?!?!?

Mex
Mex
10 years ago

I like: Naomy (for some reason, don’t know) & …

Question: Where’s the music for which Romania is known in the world nowadays (from the likes of Inna, Alexandra Stan and everything similar in terms of music)? Maybe Renee Santana & Mike Diamondz – “Letting Go”?

Big dislike for the above mentioned songs.

aaaa
aaaa
10 years ago

take a look at Paula & Ovi’s live performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsfOXjcQ-MU

Victoria
Victoria
10 years ago

There were other songs better than many on this list. 🙂 Well… I am cheering for HEARTS COLLIDE, ONE MORE TIME AND BREATHE.

Melissa J
10 years ago

I didn’t know that Renee Santana was even going to enter this year! Even more good music to look forward to. Also glad to see Naomy make it to the final as well.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Update 😀 : THIS IS ROMANIA THE LAND WHERE EVERYTHING IT’S POSSIBLE!!! WELCOME!!! they chose some names just because they bring them audience or because they are relatives ( sorry for my english :D, hope you understand my message) SHAME ON YOU TVR

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

I’m very dissapointed we had very good songs and i think some of the ”artists” from the list haven’t been there if it was a corect jury!!!!! Silvia Dumitrescu so outdated song ughhhhhhh……… Bere Gratis should have stayed home, their presence in the National final is very suspicious as is wrote upper…….. The zuralia orchestra = gipsy joke (”manele” on english)…….I have nothing with Naomy, he/she is a good singer but i think that there were songs better than ”Daca tu iubesti”…….Marcel Craciunescu-i have no idea who is this man :))) anonymous….. and The dAdA-nothing special…….. I feel very sorry… Read more »

sharron mills
sharron mills
10 years ago

Very disappointed to hear Krystal and Mircea never made the final on this occasion. Some great songs in there but am surprised at some and hope it is’nt true that the head jury is married to one of the artists qualified (alleged). Thank you to all who supported Mircea Cioclei and Krystal Mills and you can still catch them on tour this week in Braila. They will release their song and video shortly for download and good luck to Paula & Olvi and Naomy.