He’s the Norwegian-Belarusian star who won Eurovision in a landslide in 2009, bringing the contest back to Oslo. Now Alexander Rybak has paid tribute to the newest Eurovision winner with an English-language cover of “Amar Pelos Dois”.
Alexander is a man of many talents, but he has just set out to impress everyone all over again. After performing at Eurovision: You Decide — the UK’s national selection for Eurovision – back in January, Rybak is now gifting us all with some Eurovision realness.
Rybak has released a cover of Salvador Sobral’s winning song “Amar Pelos Dois”. As well as bringing along his violin, Rybak has also penned English lyrics for the song. The mesmerising version offers a new take on the modern classic and is a tribute to Luisa Sobral’s songwriting ability.
As Rybak explained on social media, he made it out of love for the music: “I know it’s not a traditional thing to do, but I’ve made a cover version of this year’s Eurovision winner song from Portugal. I’ve made it out of love for the music, and I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
He also shared with his fans how much he loves this song: “I fell in love with this song, and the video has been ready for a long time. It’s time and I hope people will see the big love and admiration I have for this song”. Interestingly, he didn’t publish his cover before yesterday’s grand final in order to avoid intervening in any way – that’s how you slay!
Alexander Rybak, who previously held the record for the biggest Eurovision win with his song “Fairytale”, has kept the melody of the original song, and created a stripped-back version. It feels heavenly, and mixed the romantic flavour with his violin touches.
But for this version Rybak wrote his own lyrics in English, which some fans didn’t enjoy as much as the original Portuguese ones. Rybak clarified that this is his own tribute and he’s wanting to expose even more people to this beautiful melody.
He explained, “The Portuguese lyrics are so much better, deeper and touching than the ones I wrote. This song is meant for Salvador and his unique voice. But since I saw that so many people dismissed this song only because they didn’t understand the lyrics, I just made my own tribute”.
The essence is still there, as he also clarifies that the story remained the same: “The only thing that binds the original lyrics with the ones I made up is the story about a boy who is not together with his love anymore. Direct translations never work in the world of music,” he says. “Just consider this as the Disney version, if you like.”
Rybak also hopes this version will work in the future as a teaser of the main event, “which is my man, Salvador Sobral,” he says.
Not only has Alexander Rybak covered this year’s winning song, but also last year’s one.
Earlier in this week, he released a violin cover of Jamala’s “1944”. The cover is instrumental, and Rybak lets his violin take the main vocal melody. His version captures the intense emotion of the song and is a reminder of Jamala’s skill as a songwriter.
Since 2009, Alexander has been always in touch with Eurovision. That includes his performances during the interval acts of 2012’s second semi-final and 2016’s hilarious and insightful Love Love Peace Peace.
He recently made us believe in Fairytales again after teaming with Greta Salome in a singing-violin performance during Songvakeppnin 2017 show. We felt the shared love affair with the violin!
What do you think about Rybak’s covers of “1944” and “Amar Pelos Dois”? Are they better than the originals? And would you like to see an Alexander comeback in the contest next year? Let us know in the comments box below!
Sorry for repeating myself, but I for one think that the tribute to “Amar pelos dois” is wonderful. I really like the crooner style that he brings to it. This of course is a matter of taste. But, what is not a matter of taste is what Salvador and Luísa said when they were asked how they felt about the versions that appeared on youtube. They said that it was a wonderful thing because the song ceased to be their own to become everyone’s own song, which is very gratifying for an artist.
No, thanks, this song should be sang in Portuguese only.
The violin cover is great! However, I think without it the song is stronger! But the violin really fiited the music!
I really loved the “Amar pelos dois” cover! He gave it another flavour! Of course there’s nothing like the original and I liked he changed the language to english even if it’s not the actual lyrics. The exact translation would have damaged the song.
Beautiful.
A cover for the song that has now the record of highest points ever in eurovision (in 53 years), even with the old system.
Thank you Portugal for that epic song.
When an artist falls in love with a song, he Sometimes makes a cover- version. It shows his love and admiration. As I know, this song has hundreds of covers on YouTube, which nobody complains about. I didn’t see anybody complain either, when Alexander told about his love for Portugal’s song on his official pages, before Eurovision started. Now, people behave, like Alexander has “stolen THEIR song” or “stolen spotlight”, when all he ever wanted, was to make more people recognise, what a beautiful song “Amar pelos Dois’ is. The song won Eurovision! It is loved! Salvador and Portugal will… Read more »
all those versions ARE versions
this is not!
Loved it! Both 1944 and Amar Pelos Dois!
Well done Alex!
“Disney version” indeed. The original Portuguese lyrics end with a heartbreaking line considering the romantic title – he will love for two, meaning he knows he will always feel alone. This complexity brings emotion, and a winning performance. Sorry Alexander — this sugary version does not feel Douze Points to me.
good point…
@ak
because it is not a cover or a version
he used the melody and invented new different lyrics
https://www.escxtra.com/2017/05/14/eurovision-2017-old-voting/ Portugal got 417 points in the old system, out of a total of 492, so NEW EUROVISION RECORD! 2017 Portugal – Salvador 85%!!!!!!!!! 2016 Ukraine – Jamala 57% 2015 Sweden – Mans 78% 2014 Austria – Conchita 67% 2013 Denmark – Emelie 62% 2012 Sweden – Loreen 76% 2011 Azerbaijan – Eli/Nikki 44% 2010 Germany – Lena 54% 2009 Norway – A. Rybak 79% 2008 Russia – Dima 54% ……… 2001 Estonia – Padar… 75% 2000 Denmark – Olsens 71% 1997 UK- Katrina 79% 1994 Ireland – Rock’n Roll kids 78% 1986 Belgium – Sandra Kim 77% 1982 Germany… Read more »
Am I the only one who thinks that it is a little bit “disrespectful” and egocentric to release a cover only a few hours after salvador’s victory?
Egocentric yes, disrespectful probably not, it’s a compliment in a way.
Egocentric, disrespectful and, as someone wrote down here, “attention seeking, vain attempt to share/steal the spotlight”. Can you imagine how many extra views he got just because his post is associated with “Salvador Sobral” and “Amar pelos dois”?
And, last but not least, allowing those poor souls who still cannot believe that their favorites have lost and that unleash their anger saying that this is better than the original (which it is not and EVERYBODY knows it!)
I love it because I’m sure the Sobrals hate it.
HAHAHAHAHA!!!! Me too! lol
I mean, I love Amar pelos dois in Portuguese, and I love them, but I indeed think they’d hate it… lol
@indi
The Sobrals are relaxing and getting ready to go on with their live shows. Both of them have shows next may 20 in 2 different cities. They have more important things to think about.
Both are wonderful. I feel like covers can really enhance the original song and keep the love of that song going! Alexander’s version has only made the song as a living work better as a whole. I’m so happy he continues to make music and share his thoughts and feelings with his fans.
I love both his covers! He became one of my favorite artists after his win at Eurovision. Rybak is always on point with his music.
I don’t think they are any better, I think they are different. I like much more the versions of Alexander, of course! And YESS! I would love to have Alexander again! ????
I watched this yesterday. It was really good and lost little of the original’s magic. Even in English. Just goes to show what a well-written song it is.
Alexander’s singing is still wonderful!
Love this cover and the lyrics are just as beautiful in English as they are in Portuguese.
I love Alexander’s cover and the lyrics are just as beautiful in English as they are in Portuguese.
The lyrics are different in the cover. Completely different lyrics in the inferior Portuguese version
My favourite Eurovsion winner! (If I’m not counting my own country- Serbia 2007) He was announced as the winner the day his song came out, everybody loved it and all that was left to do was to just sit, relax and watch him take all the points. Peaceful times. Now it’s like the Hunger Games, so stressful. Anyway love him
I wonder if Salvador will do a cover of Fairytale?
It would be awesome if the Sobrals did a cover of it.
Salvador will not lower himself to the level of this “disposable music, fast food music, without any content” after all only his music means something.
He liked other songs:
Belgium cover – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX7bBKT5l7I
Finland cover – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9c9kj3fr8g
Thank you Mr. Rybak. A real pleasure for my ears. And great fair play because for those that don’t know under the old voting system Portugal would beat the record of highest points ever (417!!). A new era begins in Eurovision next year in the gorgeous city of Lisbon. Bravo!
of course he likes this type of Music, nothing new there..
But he made me appreciate the original more, who would have thought it?
He sounds great and the violin is amazing, Alexander’s signature strength. HOWEVER, listening to this song is so cringeworthy as the lyrics makes no sense whatsoever. The Portuguese lyrics is a part of the song, taking it away and switched it to english entirely just..a big no no. it sounds forced.
Tribute or self serving, attention seeking, vain attempt to share/steal the spotlight?
Why not give Salvador (and his sister) time to enjoy the victory, decompress and decide how they want to move forward with the song and its presentation.
Timing is everything, and hours after the event is just too soon especially when comments of “this is better” are inevitable.
Exactly Rebecca!
Very unexpected coming from another musician :((((((((((
Muito feio Sr. Rybak thumbs down
I, for one, love his enthusiasm for the music. He was the first to mention it’s appeal when everybody was talking about Italy. I feel honoured that this sensitive musician made this wonderful tribute, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. I feel that, for once, a portuguese music doesn’t belong to it’s creators or country anymore and it’s part of the world canon, like the old american jazz standards. <3
I am very sorry but that is not a cover.
It is a personal version using the original music and totally different lyrics.
Love it! He made it is own and, in this way, is contributing to the timelessness of the song. Thank you, Alexander.
Style of soundtracks from Bambi cartoons!
Wonderful!