She’s the blue-haired songstress who’ll represent Austria at Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv. And given that she very clearly does things her way — from her eccentric hair to the unique spelling of her name — it’s only natural that Paenda wrote her entry “Limits” all by herself. This marks the very first time a woman has penned the Austrian Eurovision entry on her own.
The 31-year-old singer-songwriter dispenses some much-needed advice in her ambient entry: In order to live your best life, you need to know your “Limits”. It’s not a matter of holding yourself down. It’s more about knowing your boundaries and having a healthy inner dialogue. In our quest for success or love, we sometimes forget to listen to that voice that says stop.
“I sense the pain, but it doesn’t hurt anymore
It’s even number than the ache I felt before
So I smile for a while, let the torture begin.”
What do Paenda’s “Limits” lyrics mean?
Paenda makes it all clear in an interview with Austrovision. She said: “It is about limits, about love for oneself, about the way to see oneself, so that you can say ‘Hey, I’m not feeling good.’ And I have the right to say that I’m not feeling good. ‘Limits’ is about the pain you suffer when you exceed those limits, and to ask yourself if you’re happy how you feel now. It’s also about learning how to deal with a situation.”
Ultimately the song is about recognising the pain we encounter but too often hide from others and ourselves. Who’s the “you” she’s singing to in the chorus? It’s Paenda herself and anyone who is listening. It’s “’bout you and the luck you try to find” — no matter what the personal costs.
Paenda – “Limits” lyrics
Mind’s got to move but I’m so trapped within me
Expanded all my limits too carelessly
And I’m counting on the time to get me back in line
‘Cause nothing really makes sense no more
But I’m set on hold so I needn’t be bold anymore
‘Cause the face in the mirror
Just couldn’t look clearer right back through me
And how I’d like to say
It will be better tomorrow or any day
Yeah I’m talking ’bout you, you, you…
And the luck you try to find
You, you, you…
And how hard you try to hide it
I sense the pain, but it doesn’t hurt anymore
It’s even number than the ache I felt before
So I smile for a while, let the torture begin
The pressure on my chest becomes almost routine
It’s not like I don’t care, but there’s nothing left to bare
Yeah I’m talking ’bout you, you, you…
And the love you try to find
You, you, you…
And how hard you try to hide it
And I’m letting it all come crushing down
Come breaking in
It’s like the rain just left back blurred outlines
Yeah I’m talking ’bout you, you, you…
And the love you try to find
You, you, you…
And how hard you try to hide it
Do you feel the pain in Paenda’s lyrics? Did you unlock the meaning behind it? Sound off in the comments below!
I really hope, this will qualify. It stands out in a very special, quiet and emotional way. And if not – she’s a really great artist anyway and will for sure have a successful career.
OMG, the boringest song in ESC ever! No hate Austria.
I only hear ” oooh oooh ooh-oh ohh ooohh”
Sorry Panda if you read this, but you wont be the new Conchita WÛRST
She’s very poetic. Nice. But Conchita who??? Lived up to his name, Worst[English]. You crazy Tomato.
Maybe, some of us wonder ‘how can she hit those high notes? There’s so many of them!’
I found a video in Yout*be of PAENDA singing her song ‘Cinema’ which is full of high notes, even higher than those in this song. Since this will get filtered if I copied you the link, the title is ‘PAENDA – CINEMA (BalconyTV)’.
I really like this song
One of my faves, looking forward to seeing her at eurovision in concert!
This is a Masterpiece…..i love Limits and Paendas Voice
Its me right now 🙁
I love it! These emotions… And honestly, the message of “limits” is very important and also interpretation of everyone. For me it’s about recognizing that sometimes you have to let a person go that you like very much and you only want the best for him, but if he doesn’t want to feel the same way, then see your limits, let him go and let him live his life 🙂 (Seriously: With love to Hamburg, may you be forever healthy and happy <3)
I have heard that Pænda reads Wiwibloggs. So maybe if you read my post, Gabi: I like Limits a lot, but have to confess that it grew on me with every listening. Unfortunately you have to make a big immediate impression at Eurovision. So my advice: One of the best parts of Limits for me is the final bridge. It is just very short with about 4 to 5 seconds. I would love to hear a longer bridge, maybe just double the current bridge and make it even more impressive and orchestral the second time and in exchange just skip… Read more »
If Paenda really reads wiwibloggs, then:
I’d love if you’ve prepare something unexpected. An arresting performance, an unexpected stage show, A story, anything. As cliché as it is, the power is in your hands. Good luck!
Its similar to the quiet song from a French guy a few years ago. By similar I just mean it has no climax, crescendo.
Grower. Gr8 lyrics. Fit to song. But performance must B 120% on the point to connect with people, then dark horse. Go Paenda!
These are some of the best lyrics we have this year. They’re personal, meaningful and Paenda is really good on describing emotions and the impacts they have on us. Though even the biggest strenghts of this entry are tough to sell in a competitive environment. Eurovision songs tend to address other people (after all, you need the audience’s support to succeed), while this is an inner dialogue. I like that Austria took this risk.
hmm no. Limits is a sure NQ, imo.
Taking a risk…sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. For Austria, unfortunately, it doesn’t.
my limit with her song before the pain gets too much is 30 seconds
You have a worryingly short attention span then
Austria is a little Jack in the box, so to speak. Lyrically, it’s amazing. It’s an introspective song with a lot of symbolism and double meaning. In that regard, reminds me of Beovizija’s entry, Viktorija. But while that song had an explosive “breakdown” around a third quarter of the song, this one stays around the same tone till the end. That can be boring unless Paenda can really connect with the audience. It’s one of my last 8 to rate because it’s so difficult to rate. If performed right, I can even see it snatching the jury vote in the… Read more »
May I ask which are the other seven, Colin?
Australia, Malta, Switzerland, Cyprus, Georgia, Poland and Portugal. Some of them I like, but have to compare to see do I love them enough to end-up on my playlist. Some of them I just don’t know what to think of.
Songs like the ones from Cyprus and Switzerland are always complicated for me to rate, because at the same time they’re not for my taste, they do well what they are intended to do. But the most difficult for me to rate are Georgia (I feel it’s the most ‘national” song of the year) and San Marino (how do you rate a song that’s far from great, but makes you happy?). The others you mentioned I really like, so it’s just a matter of finding the right place for them.
Songs which aren’t my style, but done well vs. songs which are, but objectively need polishing is always a good debate. With Cyprus, it’s also that as a standalone song, it’s totally fine, but how to ignore the fact that it’s so similar to their previous one. I respect the opinion that the song should be taken only on itself, but still, I don’t know can I in this particular case. With Georgia, it’s almost the opposite. It’s very unique, but is it melodic?
My doubts about the Georgian entry are more about the lyrics. It’s hard for me to judge (and feel them) being an outsider. And I questioned myself the same thing about “Replay”, if it’s possible to rate it without having in mind that is too similar to their previous entry.
The lyrics are also very hard to “feel” as a foreigner, but I like the lyrical content, because I see it’s well thought through.
I think this one has been underrated. For sure I was disappointed on first listen as I had very high expectations but I have a feeling it could really be amazing live. It could also flop hard. ha
Even if the lyrics are good it cant overcome the fact that this is lacking a lot especially on the first hear.
really respect the austrian delegation taking a risk this year, the song is quite nice, and agree what other say lyrics are beautiful, this also feels very modern and not outdated 🙂
This is growing on me and arguably these are some of the best lyrics this year
This is a grower for me. I can feel the emotions and hope it will qualify.
Beautifl song, hope it will qualify.
I guess this is why it connected so much to me. I can feel how I suffered many times because I’m ‘expanding my limits too carelessly’ as if it had to be perfect life. It’s a great inner dialogue for those who need some time to calm down.
Serbia song is revamped and out now!!!