After winning Festival da Canção — Portugal’s national selection for Eurovision — Salvador Sobral‘s life changed drastically. He’s now juggling the practical demands of sold-out concerts and TV appearances with the pressure that comes from success in the charts and new-found status as a favourite with bookies. Amid all of this the Sobral clan has had to deal with tabloid news regarding Salvador’s supposed health problems.

But he’s staying strong and remains keen to greet his fans. On Tuesday, the Portuguese star was the centre of attention at the official song presentation of OGAE Portugal and afterwards we grabbed him for an exclusive one-on-one interview — the first after his victory.

How have things been going since the win?

“They have been a bit crazy, I must admit. It’s been good because I’ve been touring with my first album this year and this past few weeks the concerts have been full and people are singing the song. It was the first time in my life everyone was singing one of my songs.”

When talking about the success of his song in the charts and with the betting agencies, Salvador had high praise for his sister Luísa Sobral, who wrote his song.

“I think people were touched by the song,” he said. “I don’t think anyone can be indifferent to the song. It’s a beautiful song, beautiful melody. The harmony. It’s so simple. It’s easy for people to be touched by the song and it happened. Every person that has a tiny bit of sensitivity will feel it.”

After receiving a special message of support from 2014 fan favourite Suzy, Salvador and Luísa Sobral presented the audience and the press with an acoustic version of “Amar Pelos Dois”. They took us on a journey where simplicity and tenderness reign over pop drops and glitter.

Do you think “Amar Pelos Dois” has a chance of making it to the top 10 in Kyiv? Or do you think it will crash in the semi-final? Tell us in the comments section or on our brand new app available on Google Play and Apple Store. 

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Contessa
6 years ago

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renate
renate
6 years ago

Fantastic song. Douze points from me. Sung so gently I almost thought it was Brazilian.

Helena
Helena
6 years ago

I love the song and Savador voice!
So sad that his health is not helping…2 operations and still one to go.

ABC
ABC
6 years ago

The worst song this year is Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Portugal.

Azzzul
Azzzul
6 years ago

With Salvador any performance is a “tartare among hamburgers”…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4tBJTwzCeg

Nitzan
Nitzan
6 years ago

I am positive this song will do very well, a TOP5 is very likely. It’s a ballad that manages to stand out among ballads, I think both the public and televoters will go for this.

There are 3 countries that I would love to see winning this year: Italy, Belgium and Portugal.

PJCC
PJCC
6 years ago

I’m from Canada, have been following the Eurovision since 1988 when Celine Dion participated and won. Every year a group of friends from different nationalities and fans of Eurovision get together and watch the “The Big Show ” It has changed sooooooo much over the years, from the language to presentation on stage to the voting to HOW BIG has gotten, etc in most part very positive changes, in others not so much (in my opinion) I find over the years most countries started to loose their identity, years ago we could tell what country was on stage by the… Read more »

Chupacabra
Chupacabra
6 years ago

Love that raw version. Portugal in my top5. Also first time in my life, that I agree to the bookie´s favorite Italy.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Thanks PP. I have seen similar statistical calculations from elsewhere that point to Sweden as the 2017 winners. Bizarre but true. But you know what – I have a feeling there will be a surprise winner this year. Statistics and predictions don’t always work out. Enjoy the music. 🙂

PP
PP
6 years ago

Guðrún Karlsdóttir I predict winner of 2014,2015 I knew that Austria would before rehearsals and poor betting odds in begging and reherasal .In 2015 that Sweden would won thanks to juries (because juries pumped so hard points for Sweden from 2012 ) In 2016 I predict that Ukraine or Australia would win thanks to overrated points by juries because that countries only thanks to juries have chance to beat Russia ,because all knwe that Russia would won televote last year. My prediction that Italy don t have chance to win 2017, and winner wili be Sweden or Belgium , but… Read more »

Escity
Escity
6 years ago

Amar Pelos Dois (Love for both) is the best song for two countries dont love each other this year. LOL
I hope next ESC wil be host in MEO ARENA Parque das Nações Lisboa.its looks morden and Amazing!!

Ay Jo
Ay Jo
6 years ago

WTH people?! He says “Every person that has a tiny bit of sensitivity WILL (not MUST) feel it”. There is nothing wrong or arrogant. Probably, other artists in their interviews have used these words million times.

#boycottkyiv2017
#boycottkyiv2017
6 years ago

@beccaboo1212: yaassss! glad that other countries are standing up for her. thanks for sharing.

Escity
Escity
6 years ago

I just google “MEO Arena Lisbon “. There is “Telecabine” and “Lisbon Oceanarium” (and shopping mall) near the meo arena in Parque das Nações Lisboa. http://eatsa2016.ipleiria.pt/files/2015/02/lisbon4.jpg
The arena designed by Regino Cruz is among the one of the largest indoor arenas in the EU with a capacity of 20,000 people and was built in 1998 for “Expo ’98”. It is named after its main sponsor, MEO.

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

not strong enough for a high place in televoting (unless the stage performance is surprisingly good) but i believe it will be top 10 . It will be extremely difficult to outpeak Portugal’s best position (6th).

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

OFF TOPIC: San Marino’s RTV Director General Carlo Romeo is upset with the wy the Ukrainian authorities are behaving, so he decided to speak out about Yulia having been banned from Kiev.

https://eurovoix.com/2017/03/24/san-marino-director-general-speaks-yulias-ban/

Stan
Stan
6 years ago

I really love this one. I hope it does well, but I’m afraid it will lack televotes. It has mine for sure 🙂

fikri
fikri
6 years ago

the song is good enough for a top 5. but to win? i think portugal need to wait another 40 years.

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago

chessguy99 He should just stay at the stage alone and sing it like he does. Nothing more. It’s perfect as it is.

Trans Mermaid
Trans Mermaid
6 years ago

PORTUGAL FOR THE WIN,ITS ABOUT TIME

chessguy99
6 years ago

It’s a nice song. IDT is will place well as RTP has a poor record when it comes to providing engaging staging for the acts they send.

52yofab
52yofab
6 years ago

As a 52 yeal old fan, who watched Eurovision in 1972 for the first time, I cannot describe how awful this song is, boring and dated even for my time. Hack, even Lis Asia’s winning song was more current.

Buskyta
Buskyta
6 years ago

I don´t like the message of this song. Someone begging for the love of the one who leaves him can only lack self-esteem. Love yourself first, please !! Guess I´m too sensitive!

4li3n
4li3n
6 years ago

@ABC for sure, I think it was made before Jesus Christ coming to world, shouldn’t able dinosaurs running to Eurovision 🙂

Kai
Kai
6 years ago

i see several people here who think eurovision is only about pop-song, “modern style” and bla bla. A 16 years old comment for sure!

ABC
ABC
6 years ago

This Song is oooold. Hate it. I hope its not going to the final.

Larissa D
Larissa D
6 years ago

No, my dear@ Mary, do not invent! This song has a very high level, regardless of who sings it. It is evident that he has a beautiful voice, but it can be sung by other singers with iron health, and it continues to be a prodigious song. It’s already a classic, even before Eurovision…
Good luck to all countries
Greetings from Belarus

MARY
MARY
6 years ago

I dont feel this song really……. to old style song for me for ESC and too simple live performance…… we can hear ballads on ESC -but now is time I think for expecting ballads in modern version….. I know he is sick and thats why he has more support than other artists…. but thats not should making for him better opportunity than for other countries to be on better place….. as the same for Russia…. Good luck for this song like for other songs – but I dont see this song in TOP 10 of ESC this year……

4li3n
4li3n
6 years ago

I’m so sensitive to many balads this year, not the case of Portugal because he doesn’t scream enought and my sensitive ears can’t bleeding. But hight notes of divas and other songs makes me feel my ears so sensitive and they bleed and my head feels sensitive with headpain. It’s obvious that the sensitivity can be approached differently, it doesn’t have to be necessary to make chicken skin or make us in tears. Just bring us a nostalgic side and we can consider a sensitive song – even the songs that I hate this year bring me a senility (but… Read more »

Pablo Rodriguez Mdr
Pablo Rodriguez Mdr
6 years ago

This is a case study , a song that goes totally against the musical standards of Eurovision and yet it awakens so much the attention of so many people: 1. It is not a song in crescendo; on the contrary, at 2/3, instead of a key to end in apotheosis, does the reverse, ends as a whisper; 2. Absolute scenographic simplicity; 3. There is not a single electronic sound: a string quartet, a piano and an angel voice build the melody; 4. Zeroooo english. This has an explanation: Luísa Sobra, Salvador’s sister and composer of this song, was trained by… Read more »

Marlon
Marlon
6 years ago

Well I don’t feel it at ALL… guess I am just insensitive ha!
A bit arrogant, right?

Paul D.
Paul D.
6 years ago

”Every person that has a tiny bit of sensitivity will FEEL it.” (not LIKE)

Some people here have MAJOR issues regarding the english language comprehension. But you know what they say – what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger 😉

brunowskii
brunowskii
6 years ago

Certainly top 3.
We can love pop drops, we can love ballads, we can love even schlager, we can love english and non-english songs…. so this is the magic of Eurovision.

Alison
Alison
6 years ago

No. I have sensitivity and am touched by many songs but I don’t like this song. Don’t assume something about people just because they don’t like your song, comes across as arrogant.

lacrymea
lacrymea
6 years ago

Off topic:
Don’t feed the raging troll. Just saying.

dean wilcox
dean wilcox
6 years ago

MY TOP 5.

1st- portugal
2nd- itaily
3rd- belgium
4th- sweden
5th- fyr-macadonia.

doliep
doliep
6 years ago

why gabbani’s and sobral’s fans are so pathetic?

doliep
doliep
6 years ago

good barkings from watch dogs , good job, keep it , it s so funny

Pedro
Pedro
6 years ago

Haters gonna hate :p

Paul D.
Paul D.
6 years ago

Wow the haters are pressed, they can’t handle Salvador’s success lmao keep slaying us with your talent mr.sobral 🙂

Anita Hildberg
Anita Hildberg
6 years ago

This is real music. This is what Eurovision should be and not what it has become: a horrible circus. The false divas worshipers are possessed because they can not deny the unique beauty of this song so simple and genuine. So, the haters can be reduced to insignificant smallness.
Kisses from Germany
Go Salvador

Adam
Adam
6 years ago

I still think Italy will win, but if there’s any dark horse to challenge that it will be Portugal. This is a definite Top 3 Jury vote, and under the right conditions I can imagine this being in the Top 5 in televotes if it creates the right nostalgic atmosphere people love nowadays.

Try again
Try again
6 years ago

Lol @ everyone who thinks this will even make it out of the semi.

Catherine
Catherine
6 years ago

I adore this song. I adore Salvadore. My #1 after french revamp. EBU, please, give me a chance to vote for it. I’m frome Russia.

doliep
doliep
6 years ago

guorun you re so pathetic with your ridiculous predictions we don t care a lot about it

Daniel_2017
Daniel_2017
6 years ago

Well, I must be an insensitive bastard then, because I don’t like the song at all.

Guðrún Karlsdóttir
Guðrún Karlsdóttir
6 years ago

I still think that this guy will win this year’s Eurovision. I was right with Azerbaijan in 2011, Austria 2014, Sweden 2015, Ukraine 2016 and now I say Portugal will win Eurovision 2017!!

doliep
doliep
6 years ago

look at this watch dogs… lol always the same thing

Esc Petit
Esc Petit
6 years ago

What he meant was that his song, a tartar, is much simpler compared to the others competing this year, burgers. He actually says in the video that he liked some of them, even stating that he loves Italy’s song. That’s all.

4li3n
4li3n
6 years ago

C’mon we are a bit arrogant, presumptuous, nobody is perfect lol, look at yourselfs…
Stop being dramatic like media and defaming him.