After missing out on the Eurovision grand final for two years running, Romania opted for a radical change in strategy and internally selected Roxen. Now, the star has revealed the five songs that she will perform at Selecția Națională 2020.

Shortly after selecting Roxen internally, TVR unveiled the new plan for Selecția Națională 2020. A songwriting camp was organized in January 2020 as a result of a collaboration with renowned label Global Records. Five songs were shortlisted by a jury of music experts to proceed to the revamped national final.

Roxen will sing the five potential Eurovision entries on 1 March. The winning song will be selected by a combination of jury and televote, in an even 50/50 split. In the case of a tie, the public vote will indicate the winning song.

And now, you can listen to the five songs that Romania will have at disposition to select from and send to Rotterdam this May.

Selecția Națională 2020: Competing Songs

Song 1 – “Alcohol You”

Composers: Ionut Armas, Viky Red

Lyricists: Ionut Armas, Breyan Isaac

Song 2 – “Storm”

Composers: Minelli, Vicky Red

Lyricists: Minelli

Song 3 – “Colors”

Composers: Julie Frost, Breyan Isaac, Alex Cotoi

Lyricists: Julie Frost, Breyan Isaac

Song 4 – “Cherry Red”

Composers: Theea Miculescu, Sebastian Barac, Marcel Botezan, Costel Dominteanu

Lyricists: Theea Miculescu

Song 5 – “Beautiful Disaster”

Composers: Breyan Isaac, Alex Coti

Lyricists: Breyan Isaac, Julie Frost

About Roxen

Deep House singer and performer Larisa Roxana “Roxen” Giurgiu has been involved with music from a young age and is currently one of the most played artists on Romanian radio. Her music and style has seen her compared to artists like Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa.

In September, she was featured vocalist on SICKOTOY’s “You Don’t Love Me”. The song was playlisted internationally and so far has clocked up over 4.5 million YouTube views.

In November, Roxen released her solo debut single “Ce-ti Canta Dragostea”. The electronic track has a folk-pop tinge with Romanian lyrics. To date, it has enjoyed more than 8.7 million views on YouTube.

The Romanian popstress was selected from the roster of Global Records, after being part of a shortlist that included two other artists.

What do you think? Which is the Romanian candidate song that you are most excited for? Let us know in the comments below!

Read more Romania Eurovision news here

182 Comments
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AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
4 years ago

‘Storm’ is the only one I’ve kinda enjoyed. I think there is no winning material, most probably not ‘grand final material’ either. Just making it commercial won’t help, I think that in the end the idea with the internal selection was just a waste.

Mil
Mil
4 years ago

Will someone explain me what “Alcohol you“ actually means?

Sorix
Sorix
4 years ago
Reply to  Mil

“Alcohol you” is actually
“I’ll ca (ho) ll you”

Andreww
Andreww
4 years ago
Reply to  Sorix

I will call you hoe when I’m drunk ?

Andreww
Andreww
4 years ago
Reply to  Mil

I will call you a hoe when I’m drunk ?

Chromium
Chromium
4 years ago

“[I]t may be the way to get back on track after missing the finals two years in a row.” I think that exactly is Romania’s short-term goal this year. I guess let’s see if they succeed with this goal, and then maybe they’ll try what you suggested in the future. Besides, there’s no one way to win ESC. And there’s no one way to satisfy any (or all) Eurovision fan(s), so I understand your frustration of this selection process. You value self-penned, probably singer-songwriter, songs. I value songs with great production/sound design. It would be great for a song to… Read more »

Apple
Apple
4 years ago

If Romania sends Alcohol You they will win

Anita
Anita
4 years ago

If only there were the rule that the composers must be from the sending country. And that composer and artist have been working together for at least two years or so. But unfortunately that wish is against the trend 🙁

Lourdes
Lourdes
4 years ago

I finally listened to the 5 songs, and I’m definitely on the ‘Alcohol you’ team. Well done Romania!

Mia
Mia
4 years ago

Excuse me, but why point that singer is inexpierenced? If she is inexpierenced that doesn’t mean automatically she is bad singer. Mihai has bashed before that she is “kid”. We didn’t see her yet how she perform to judge her based on that. I think she has beautiful voice and personally I like this singing style.

Mia
Mia
4 years ago
Reply to  Mia

Yeah, now I see your point, sorry for misunderstanding 🙂 You mean she will be “faking” it? Idk, I immediately felt conected to “Alcohol you” song even though I didn’t write it. We’ll see the way how she perform and if she is capable to share emotions of the song to the audience..

Andi
Andi
4 years ago

Popcorn is not allowed here?

Andi
Andi
4 years ago

If you concatenate all 5 songs to one song you probably wouldn’t even recognize that the outcome is made of 5 different songs. Absolutely replaceable. Not a fan of any of these and if I had to make a choice it would be “Beautiful Desaster”.
What the hell is this “Ey eyeyehehe” in the refrain of “Storm”? Never heard something more nasty than that.

Henry
Henry
4 years ago
Reply to  Andi

Totally agree with you, they all sound the same, not bad and final might be possible but no “Winner” song amongst them…

cozmin_cozma_Italy
cozmin_cozma_Italy
4 years ago
Reply to  Andi

I just wonder what was your impression when you heard Fuego at the very first time ….. ?? However anyone can share he’s point of view ?….

Cristi Chris
Cristi Chris
4 years ago

You need to enjoy more the music and not to analyse every word of the lyrics. It’s speld colors because is written by an american the song that’s why …
I’m affraid to ask you what kind of songs do you like …
GO ROXEN … CHERRY RED ???

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

Yes but that simply hasn’t been working recently (inviting composers and artists to submit their stuff). And that may be because the artists (and I’m not trying to criticise them) didn’t put enough effort into their Selec?ia Na?ional? entries. Or maybe it was the jury’s fault, or bad luck, I don’t know. Mixing things up a bit, even if not in an organic manner, seems to have worked, at least up to a point, and they managed to put out much higher quality songs than what we’ve had in the past two years at Selec?ia Na?ional?, at least in my… Read more »

Luk
Luk
4 years ago

Cherry red is ok
I am waiting for Poland song
Good luck Romania

Helene
Helene
4 years ago

It is extremly produced but sounds nice. It is hard to know if she really connects to the songs. It has to be seen live to know if it is really good.

ImJJ
ImJJ
4 years ago

Cherry Red and Alcohol you tbh

Roxen my love
Roxen my love
4 years ago

ALCOHOL YOU for the win!!

Anthony
Anthony
4 years ago

All these are indedd decent songs…BUT i really can’t understand the hype around them since yesterday?They are nothing special at all!

Frank Arthur
Frank Arthur
4 years ago

Cherry Red the best far away and because is very latin power,love when say in spanish : vente paca racata .:) 12 points from Spain sure.

Currikitaum
4 years ago

Lol downtown Málaga is… Downtown Málaga. Málaga is a big city and has a downtown, the historical centre, if you prefer it.
PS: I’m from Malaga and I love Cherry Red.

aroncido
aroncido
4 years ago

All of these sound like non-qualifiers tbh

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

YOU HAVE BAD TASTE. PERIOD.

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex

no he doesn’t, it is all nq material

ester on a sunday was much better than all this

Andi
Andi
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

I agree. I don’t like any of these. Beautiful Desaster is ok, but not more. And that “Ey yeheeheheheh” in Storm is super nasty…

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
4 years ago
Reply to  aroncido

I totally agree.

Sergod Legendzarev
Sergod Legendzarev
4 years ago

I don’t know why my comment got deleted, no idea really, but
personally I like beautiful disaster the most, cherry red would be close second

Talentina Monetta
Talentina Monetta
4 years ago

I’m impressed! This is one of the best selections of the year

Film
Film
4 years ago

The production on these is good, but i wished for more Romanian ethnic sounds. All these are decent, but i dont love any of them and they all have parts i like and dislike. I can only say that Storm is probably my least favorite. Im waiting to see them performed live with stagings. Good luck to Romania.

Nastya
Nastya
4 years ago

Cherry Red. I don’t see other choice. This song isn’t something special and good, but at least isn’t another boring song which you forget after few seconds and Cherry Red is good background for making some nice show.

Romania Music
4 years ago

All the 5 songs are amazing, but Alcohol You is something else. A lot of you would say that is just a ballad, but no, it’s just pure MAGIC! About Cherry Red, we all know that the Eurovision fans always get hyped about this type of songs and when it’s come to the vote, well, the things are changing.

West
West
4 years ago

I liked the snippets and now I’m not disappointed – my favourites are Alcohol You and Beautiful Disaster and hope they’ll pick one of them (or Cherry Red), but all five have a space safe for them on my iPod playlist.

xohxoh
xohxoh
4 years ago

The songs are cute, but i’m not sure how she will sound live.

Sergod Legendzarev
Sergod Legendzarev
4 years ago

okay this is definitely unpopular opinion, but somehow “beautiful disaster” stand out the most for me, second in the list would be “cherry red”

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
4 years ago

For some reason on my country’s itunes (US), all of the songs are on there except for colors. Idk why that one would be the only one missing but it is…

An American Eurovision Fan
An American Eurovision Fan
4 years ago

Same thing with Spotify in the US! That is weird, maybe we should wait a little longer for “Colors”…

Beth
Beth
4 years ago

I think my expectations were too high. No hate on Roxen but I didn’t like any song at all. I really wanted to like at least one of them but I didn’t. Maybe the winning song will grow on me by May but for now, Romania isn’t on my radar. It doesn’t help that I’m not into this kind of style of music. Wasn’t a fan Billie Eilish’s music style either so that probably explains why I don’t like any of the 5 songs. But I still wish Roxen luck though and it would be nice to see Romania in… Read more »

Angelika
Angelika
4 years ago

I’ll choose “Beautiful Disaster” is something mysterious

Erik
Erik
4 years ago

Alcohol you is my winner among these. It’s a bit unexpected song and then I don’t know many songs entirely on the theme “drunk calls”.. It’s also a bit crazy song and much more giving than several decided acts for this years esc. I hope this song will be picked. The production overall is really smooth. Sadly, several lyricists seem to want to rhyme more than making sense. Now I want a nice staging. I imagine a gala dress and kayal that is messy clearly because she’s been crying. So a bit polished but messy. Maybe we get the same… Read more »

Chromium
Chromium
4 years ago

“Colors” has the least awkward English lyrics because its primary songwriter is an English speaker. :))

“Alcohol You” seems to be a play on words for “I’ll call you” (“call” being sung as two syllables).

Chromium
Chromium
4 years ago

I did not expect the Spanish lyrics for “Cherry Red”. :)) I liked “Alcohol You” and “Cherry Red” more as snippets, but I still prefer these two over the others. Actually, any of the songs except “Storm” are pretty good choices.

An American Eurovision Fan
An American Eurovision Fan
4 years ago
Reply to  Chromium

I thought “Storm” was the best one!

BleuKnaveXD236
BleuKnaveXD236
4 years ago

Okay, relistened to all five songs(y’all people gotta quit releasing songs when a girl is at work lol XD), there’s not a bad one in the bunch. I rather like them all, so still anyone of these can win and I’d be quite happy. Alcohol You – love the word play Storm – Just a good pop-ish song Colors – another good pop song Cherry Red – love the mixed in Spanish Beautiful Disaster – gives me Billie Eilish vibes which isn’t a bad thing My favorite two are now Alcohol You and Storm, but the other three are equally… Read more »

Hillbra
Hillbra
4 years ago

Personal favourite here is “Colors” – I just hope they fix the spelling before May

Hello hi
Hello hi
4 years ago
Reply to  Hillbra

Why should they change the spelling of “colors”
After all is written by an American

Jimmy Smit
4 years ago
Reply to  Hello hi

It was supposed to be “Collars”.

Bella
Bella
4 years ago

I made a big mistake: I read the comments before listening to the songs, which led me to believe I’d actually hear something good.

eurana
eurana
4 years ago

Cherry Red is the best.

Gil Dadia
Gil Dadia
4 years ago

Good luck from israel. I think that romania will compete for the win this year. Top 5 for sure. Shalom

MTD
MTD
4 years ago

Cherry Red.

Bye.

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
4 years ago

I can’t be the only one let down? Beautiful Disaster is the only moderate stand out. But I’ll have forgotten these song within the hour.

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago

And it could be a beautiful disaster in the scoreboard too 😀

Poli-Genova
Poli-Genova
4 years ago

I actually agree..

Andi
Andi
4 years ago

Exactly my thought, thank you 😀

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

I really don’t know if I like more Alcohol you or Cherry Red. Very different but I enjoy both moods.
Such a tough choice

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

Colors and Beautiful Disaster are co-written by Eurovision winner Julie Frost!

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
4 years ago

Great songs but my big favorite one is: Alcohol You. I hope that this song will be the entry for Romania

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago

MIHAI come back !

Jac
Jac
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

No don’t

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

No Laura come back

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

no don’t

Andi
Andi
4 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

No. Cezar come back! (No… wait… I didn’t say that, lol)

Paul
Paul
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Laura comeback

Polliu
Polliu
4 years ago

I don’t know…..I like them because they are quality radio songs but I can’t find one to be the contender to win the whole thing. The snippet of Alcohol You is amazing but the whole track is just good but not amazing. Cherry Red is just another pop tune that people would like it but it lacks a big moment…The build-up of Storm is really good but the chorus is kind of okay.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago
Reply to  Polliu

At the very least, romania should get the chance to return the final.

Polliu
Polliu
4 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

They will.

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
4 years ago

I’m quite impressed with the quality of the five songs. If I had to choose right now, my favorite would probably be Cherry Red (although this might change).

Jimmy Smit
4 years ago

Sorry to post here (couldn’t find a general forum):

I have a feeling that the BBC / BMG are going to announce Hurts as the entry for UK — what do you guys think?

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
4 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

Well, it’d be better than anyone they’ve sent in a while…

Jimmy Smit
4 years ago

Yeah I think they’d be awesome. I’ve been trying to work out who on BMG’s books would make sense as the entry. Hurts have plenty of touring experience in Europe, haven’t released new music since their 2017 album, and now would be a great time to come back.

Something like Beautiful Ones could be top 5 material? https://youtu.be/LmVAaID4H7w

Yannis
Yannis
4 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

it would be great but they are in Columbia records

Jimmy Smit
4 years ago
Reply to  Yannis

Oh damn, you’re right it might be unlikely then — I missed that Columbia is no longer associated with BMG. That’s a shame.

Milan S.
Milan S.
4 years ago

Beautiful disaster is generic!? Cherry red is generic!? I haven’t heard two less generic songs in a while!

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  Milan S.

Cherry Red is a Fuego-Siren Song mix

An American ESC Fan
An American ESC Fan
4 years ago

All I can say is, Romania is almost definitely going to be in my Top 10 again. There are 3 very different, yet absolutely wonderful songs here, and even so, the other 2 are still well-produced and good songs. Not a single bad one here. My favorite is probably “Beautiful Disaster”. I love the creepy and dark Billie Eilish vibes. Next would be “Alcohol You”, followed very closely by “Cherry Red”. I think any of these 3 could bring Romania at least to the Top 15, likely higher. Could we be seeing Bucharest 2021? I’d say maybe! All in all,… Read more »

Moongaze
Moongaze
4 years ago

In fact I like all of them, except that culebron-linked so eurovisionfansappreciated “cherry red. The 1st 3 ones, though, they look a bit the same. But” beautiful disaster” is GREAT and different