Last month, Stig Rästa teased us with a snippet and the mystery of an unnamed singer. Now we know the vocalist is Sergiu Bolota, a 31-year old singer from Transylvania — and he just released “We Were Young”, one of the 84 submissions for Selectia Nationala 2017.

Sleekly produced, “We Were Young” is a surprisingly upbeat track, taking into account the bitter-sweet, nostalgic lyrics. The dynamic rhythm marks a departure from Sergiu’s usual sound, which is more sombre. However, things have been looking up for him lately, and “We Were Young” certainly reflects that. With a pitch-perfect performance at the live auditions, the song should have no problem advancing to the semi-final on 26 February.

Who is Sergiu Bolota?

Sergiu Bolota is a singer-songwriter who was born in the Transylvanian city of Sibiu, Romania. He started singing since he was a little child in various school events but also in churches. Between 2009-2011, he was in a band called Zao Thusia, which released an album in November 2010. In 2013, Sergiu quit his day job in a skate shop in order to focus on his musical career and he started singing in pubs, bars and cafes in various cities, but also at festivals. He also tried his luck at X Factor Romania in 2015.

While Sergiu hasn’t submitted a song to Romania’s Selectia Nationala before, he’s been following Eurovision on television. His favourite songs are Luminita Anghel and Sistem’s “Let Me Try”, Hovi Star’s “Made of Stars” and, of course, Elina and Stig’s “Goodbye To Yesterday”. The Eurovision hit was the one that made him contact the songwriter for a collaboration. Sergiu travelled to Tallinn, where he recorded the song in Stig Rästa’s studios.

The live auditions for Selectia Nationala 2017 will be held between 25-27 January. Until 15 February, we should know the 15 semi-finalists, which will face off at the semi-final on 26 February. Ten songs will advance to the National Final based on 100% jury votes. The winner will be decided based on 100% televote at the National Final on 5 March.

What do you think about “We Were Young”? Does Stig Rästa’s name offer the traction it needs to guarantee success at Selectia Nationala? Let us know in the comment section below!

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Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

I got bored. I don’t even see it making it to any radio station.

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

This is current. And I like it. It’s what you may expect when you turn on the radio. 🙂

But, as usual, nothing comes as I wish in the ESC world. LOL

Keep your taste poor, ESC fans, keep it up. 😉

Hahahah

redfox
redfox
7 years ago

nothing special, sorry, Stig, plus the video is just a copy of Nii või naa

irish esc
irish esc
7 years ago

wow this song is amazing has to go to kiev
romania don’t screw it up please

mad-professor
mad-professor
7 years ago

Wow brilliant!

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
7 years ago

Wow! Didn’t expect sth that weak from a guy giving sth that good as an interpreter in the contest. I know only 6 songs from Romania’s selection so far and this is by far the weakest one. And the fact that that many people are impressed by it… this is not like Eurovision goes, this people are the youtubers-like. So far, they didn’t predict too many winners.

James
James
7 years ago

KYLLITO

Likewise. It feels like a cut from a Calvin Harris track but it’s not a problem for me at least. 😀

EUROFAN MEXICO
7 years ago

ME ENCANTAAAAA greath melody, THIS CAN WIN

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

I wouldn’t mind seeing this in Kiev, good song!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

I like this a lot. I find the lyrics of the song very relatable, and the Chorus is quite good. This might do very well. 🙂

KYLLITO
KYLLITO
7 years ago

There’s something too familiar about it. Not sure if it is his voice (he sounds like Mans Zelmerlow), or the song. They both sound like something I have heard before.

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

Finally, a song I like from the first listening! Where to start. Good production, good voice, catchy, modern song. I imagine this at ESC. For Moldova this is a great song. Well done!

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

It feels like without much progression upbeat track coerces it’s potential power to spill energy…

eurovision6
eurovision6
7 years ago

The chorus and the drop is really good but im a bit let down by the verses.. although its much better than anything else ive heard so far from Romania.. So atm its my fav of the romanian nf

Ari
Ari
7 years ago

It’s ok but I prefer the moodier songs Stig has written. I think this could do well broadly speaking as an inoffensive pop track but for me it all just goes over my head. It’s lacking any real depth.

5/10

MrBrightside
MrBrightside
7 years ago

Romania, better pay your debts because this may be your first win in ESC!

D
D
7 years ago

I don’t really like it. I prefer the more dreary stuff he’s written.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

Love it, it’s very contagious.

EscGreekFan
EscGreekFan
7 years ago

To be honest i didn’t expect Stig to get into that genre but it sounds really current,catchy and the combination of the beats with the acoustic guitar leaves a great feeling.
I do hope for a strong Romanian final nevertheless.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Did Stigma really write that song? It sounds nothing like the snoozefests he’s been giving out… Great song!

Thomasfan22
Thomasfan22
7 years ago

Dangerously catchy! I think i smell NF winner potential….!

Maxime TISSOT
7 years ago

It’s very good! It would easily reach the final in Kyiv, and maybe event the top 10!

pasi
pasi
7 years ago

He has better chances then Mihai. But well it isn´t that amazing song I think.

ORE92
ORE92
7 years ago

Great song! So far, my favourite from Romania 🙂