Voltaj, the band who entered Selectia Nationala 2015 with “De la capat”, has won tonight’s national final in Craiova and will represent Romania in Vienna. For Romanian fans of Eurovision, it was a foregone conclusion, as Voltaj is hugely popular there and their song has been a radio hit for months. Moreover, the band’s social campaign and video, focusing on bringing Romanian parents who work in Western Europe back to their children, made national headlines in recent weeks and struck a chord with the viewers.

Despite winning Selectia Nationala with “De la capat”, Voltaj said that they would consider performing the English version of the song in Vienna, “All Over Again”, in order to reach a broader audience and to have their message better understood.

However, not everyone is happy with the decision to send the English version to Vienna. In a wiwibloggs poll, less than 10% of the readers wanted to hear “All Over Again” at the Eurovision Song Contest, with a clear majority of almost 60% preferring the Romanian version, “De la capat”.

[polldaddy poll=8696679]

At the national final, Voltaj chose to perform the Romanian version, “De la capat”, and won the televoting in a landslide. Although the expert jury – which included yours truly  – did not unanimously back the song, the band accumulated enough points to pass Eurovision veteran Luminita Anghel and the other ten acts.

Thus, with 12 points from televoting and 12 points from the jury, Voltaj got the ticket to Vienna. Luminita Anghel’s “A Million Stars” was second place with 18 points overall and Ovidiu Anton’s “Still Alive” was third, with 15 points.

Televoting results:

romania-televote

Jury plus televoting, combined results:

romania combined vote 2015

Jury Member says vote clean and fair

Our first reaction

Fan Message

Did you watch tonight’s national final from Craiova? What do you think about the result?

Photo: TVR

Follow all of our Romania Eurovision news here.

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Vicente
Vicente
9 years ago

Don’t care the results at all. I JUST LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH.
Whether singing in Romanian or English is ok for me due to its deep emotion and strong message. Romanian is a little bit better, but the idea of singing in English is also good, so maybe, just maybe, both languages used in the contest as Ruth and Tinkara last year will be considerable if the team combines them well.
Gogogo Roimania!!! I’ve never thought that I’ll be so satisfied with your country’s song one day and this year it just come true:)

ESC2016
ESC2016
9 years ago

1. Romania great voice , 2016 Bucharest

Marius
Marius
9 years ago

The song with the puppy eyes! 🙂

Melissa J
9 years ago

I doubted I was going to like this at first, but I do! The Romanian language is so beautiful in general, and in this song in particular it sounds great! They should keep it as it is.

ct
ct
9 years ago

A very Eros Ramazzoti song. When I heard the romanian version, I thought it might sound better in english but no, the english version is way too bland.

This is a decent entry but my main worry is that he looks pretty uncharismatic and wanders aimlessly on stage. They should definitely work on that. It does give me the feeling that this song might do wonders with a different, more gifted performer…

adriana_gabrielauk
adriana_gabrielauk
9 years ago

Last year we all had predictions who wil gonna win and who willl be in Top 5 .and none of them was true,same will be this year and i wont be surprised if UK wins.

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

At yesterday’s conference Voltaj said they don’t know yet if a English version is better than a Romanian one.I think the best option would be to keep it in Romanian and refrain(chorus) in English so that the message could be understood by everyone.

beccaboo1212
9 years ago

I’m sorry, Romania, but “Miracle” was better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVTGnT3Bur0

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

It’s a good Song. Qualified 4 sure. They should sing in romanian. Maybe s refrain in English to make the message clear.

Ranting Ruby
Ranting Ruby
9 years ago

Love the song but I can’t understand his lyrics in English (I’m a native English speaker). Can’t we have subtitles? Seriously? Hope it does well – beautiful song.

Otna
Otna
9 years ago

Pretty glam either way tbh. Love the song either way.

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

A moving song, but not a winning one. It will be overshadowed by the powerful ballads. The most importantly, “A million stars” didn’t win, since it was just a dated song. Lastly, regardless of who won, Ruslana was a true winner of yesterday’s show;) She is so frank, maybe larger than life, but it works. Even though I have never been fond of her song from 2004, I perceive her as a brave and really true person.

Maxie Saucedo
Maxie Saucedo
9 years ago

The answer is simple and well and truly tested in Eurovision, you sing a bit of both English and Romanian.

Nikos
Nikos
9 years ago

I like this entry, it is unexpected from Romania so hearing it especially with the Romanian lyrics is very nice change.

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

Also, Aliona Moon’s “O Mie” is proof that a song in Romanian can do well in ESC.

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

Wow. This is really, really good!

It would be nice to have this song performed in Romanian. It sounds really nice this way, and there are too many songs in English (as usual). His English isn’t that great anyway. But with the Romanian version, Voltaj heads straight into my top 10!

MF
MF
9 years ago

Best choice!

Nitzan
Nitzan
9 years ago

This is a very charming song, in both Romanian and English (actually this type of song is better off in English I think but the singer needs to work on his accent).

It sounds really nice but when you see the video and read what the song is about – then it becomes really moving and beautiful. Real substance, compared to last year’s hollow dance tune.

I hope they manage to convey those emotions on stage. If they do – I think Romania can do pretty well.

This song is in my top 5 for now. Good luck!

Andreea
Andreea
9 years ago

OMG I am so happy
I was rooting for this song

oops
oops
9 years ago

Why Romania? Why? Why this typical sad poprock-song?

You had great songs like “A Million Stars”, “We Were In Love”, “Superman”, and “Nowhere”.

blondboybc
blondboybc
9 years ago

This song, along with Luminata’s, was my favourite to win. Very pleased it did. Regardless of which language they sing it it in, it’s a lovely song with much meaning and sentiment…kind of reminds me of Hungary’s song last year. This song is now in my top 10! Best wishes to Voltaj! 🙂

Julian
Julian
9 years ago

They should keep it in Romanian. The song is not easy to translate and a singer should use the language he/she is more comfortable with.

As about the other entries Ovidiu Anton was very good, I liked Tudor Turcu as well, Luminita was good but somehow below expectations, CEJ, Blue Noise were ok, Cristina Vasiu was surprisingly good vocally, Lara Lee was awful (seeing her in X Factor was not surprised about it), last 4 were just bad.

Dodo_ESC
Dodo_ESC
9 years ago

If English language is so loved by the Eurofans can someone explain to me why the f**ck Italy and Finland are in top 3 in the betting odds??? They definitely don’t sing in English

EF0912
EF0912
9 years ago

They SHOULD keep if in Romanian but knowing how disappointing this year has been, they’ll probably turn it to English.

Also, I think that Semi Final 2 actually is starting to look much more stronger than semi final 1.

Adams
Adams
9 years ago

This is the best Romanian entry ever. A song with a meaning and with nice and pleasant music. Way better than many cheep entries from Romania in the past. The official video is beautiful. Nice work, guys! 🙂

Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love
Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love
9 years ago

I agree with Eugene here..
The english version is going to do way much better business in Vienna 4 this reason..
But its not only that…I prefer the english version because except from the fact that i can understand what im listening to his voice sounds more sweet and lovely.. <3
The song gets its true meaning & message with that version..

Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love
Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love
9 years ago

Romania has serious chances of hitting the top10 after 5 years since 2010 that was the last time 4 that..
If this hopeful scenario happens it will be the 6th time that Romania will get placed in the top10 4 the record.. 🙂

Timselvision
Timselvision
9 years ago

I love it! Great choice Romania ^^

Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love
Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love
9 years ago

Edit ~ Why most of the content of the comment that i posted is missing..?
Ok Again..
*Zaleilah* of 2012 was fantastic <3
*Change* of 2011 was descent..
*Miracle* of 2014 was nice enough..
*Its My Life* of 2013 was ~ ok that was dreadful indeed.. 😛
So the rotten fruit was only 1 in 4…So what r u talking about really dude..
Your claim is so non true..

Tom
Tom
9 years ago

After seeing Lara Lee dubiously sinking at the bottom of the scoreboard and my hopes crushing along with that, I thought “Well, damn. Just let Voltaj win this.”, and so they did. I don’t know If I should be happy or – actually, I know. I’m disappointed. Big time. I’m happy for Voltaj, though. Hope they will fare well at ESC as their song is okay.

Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love
Mario ~ My Vision of Gay Love
9 years ago

*Zaleilah* of 2012 was fantastic ok that was dreadful indeed.. 😛
So the rotten fruit was only 1 in 4…So what r u talking about really dude..
Your claim is so non true..

Titaniumsparrow
Titaniumsparrow
9 years ago

Meh. Romania hasn’t brought a decent entry since 2010 yet still qualifies every year. I don’t get it..

PP
PP
9 years ago

My TOP 26
1.Italy
2.Slovenia
3.Estonia
4.Serbia
5.Spain
6.Malta
7.Iceland
8.The Netherlands
9.United Kingdom
10.Romania
11.Denmark
12.Switzerland
13.France
14.Moldova
15.Georgia
16.Cyprus
17.Belarus
18.Portugal
19.Lithuania
20.Germany
21.Greece
22.Hungary
23.F.Y.R Macedonia
24.Ireland
25.Latvia
26.Finland

Razvan
Razvan
9 years ago

@Eugene – As much as I agree with your point I think it would be best if the song stays in romanian. The english version is really off-putting. It’s not just the horrible pronunciation (although, dear Lord is it horrible!) but I feel that the english lyrics clash with the melody’s rythm quite a lot. Besides, if Europe truly wants to know the message of the song they can always check the english version on YT. In Vienna, however, I’d rather have the guys sing in Romanian.

Oostenrijk
Oostenrijk
9 years ago

This song moves me, it’s amazing!!

Easpag
Easpag
9 years ago

In Romanian, it’s quite nice, about a 7/10.
The English version is nowhere near as good, 4/10.

adriana_gabrielauk
adriana_gabrielauk
9 years ago

Eugene has right,the song needs to be in english so people can get their message,otherwise in romanian language ,only romanian people wil get their message .

Mar
Mar
9 years ago

They will qualify sor sure, there are many weak songs in the first semi, and they have Moldova.

Razvan
Razvan
9 years ago

In hindsight I think Voltaj is the best choice, honestly. Sure, their song has no chance of winning ESC 2015 but what set it apart from the others tonight is that it didn’t feel as manufactured and shallow. There’s a certain honesty to it that resonated with many people. Luminita had her glory 10 years ago but she hasn’t kept up with the times. Quite the contrary, it feels like she went further back in time, all the way to the early 90s where she stubbornly chooses to take her inspiration from. With three failures in a row (2010, 2013… Read more »

Maia
Maia
9 years ago

I know most of the Europeans will find it really boring given the last ‘gimmicks’ that Romania used in the previous songs. But for the first time, in many years, I am very proud of the song that we decided to throw in the big Eurovision jungle of songs, and I am pretty sure I am not the only Romanians think like that. I also know that, mostly because of the public vote, this won’t even come too close to the Top 10 in the Final (because it will qualify, let’s be honest), but I am beyond thankful for this… Read more »

adriana_gabrielauk
adriana_gabrielauk
9 years ago

Ruslana just nailded tonight,fantastic show from her.

lollalo
lollalo
9 years ago

Thanks god we dont have next female singer with the same song like 20 other in this year edition. Whole Europe is so happy, that Luminita or Superman didnt win and we have fresh pop rock band with nice song! Thank you Romania, that you wants to make this year edition interesting, unlike Wiwi readers.

lucas
lucas
9 years ago

good choice. Liked the english version too.

WTF
WTF
9 years ago

Great choice, I was torn between Voltaj and Lara Lee but her live performance put me off a bit so I voted for them in the end. As for qualifying, if we made the final with Cezar and that 2011 generic crap then Voltaj should really have no problem.

BenBet
BenBet
9 years ago

I really want them to keep it in romanian. No matter how they will do in the final, I want, for the first time in eurovision to be proud of my beautiful mother tongue, romanian. The song is 100 times better in romanian. In a long time we are sending a quality song with great lyrics and musical composition. HAI ROMANIA!!!

Attila B.
Attila B.
9 years ago

I’m hungarian and I’m saying SUPERB CHOICE ROMANIA.Very strong message for all parents in Europe to return to their children’s from west.From Romania left 3 million people and their children are back home in Romania.The problem is huge.This song is those children’s voices. Really really good decision Romania.I love this song and message along with our entry from Hungary.Booth good message and song. This song should do great in Vienna.The show was great and love the support from Romania and Hungary towards Ukraine.You have my vote Romania in May.

adriana_gabrielauk
adriana_gabrielauk
9 years ago

This year i have no top anymore..I really dont know who will gonna win this year..Remember last year no one knew Conchita would be favourite to win till the bookies bet on her on the big final.

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
9 years ago

Ruslana stole the show. Volt-who? 🙂

D
D
9 years ago

Romania just shot themselves in the foot. Don’t like the song in its Romanian or English versions but we all knew this was gonna win all along. Lara Lee had a disappointing live as did some of the other favourites, but this might struggle to qualify. I’ve always wondered how Romania has qualified every year since their only big ally I believe is Moldova. 6/10