After two semi-finals and a grand final, Ukraine’s national selection Vidbir 2020 has finally found its winner. Following an exciting finale, Go_A was crowned the winner with the song “Solovey” (Nightingale). Sung in the traditional “white voice” style, it melds folkloric sounds with modern production, creating a heady mix that’s at once arresting and enchanting. The staging — which was as mysterious and beguiling as the lead singer’s face — was at times eerie and foreboding, but ultimately quite inspiring. It’s no wonder that Go_A have become the first act to ever win both the jury and televote of Ukraine’s national final.
Vidbir 2020 winner: Go_A with “Solovey”
Go_A impressed both the jury and the audience with their originality and vocal prowess. Despite its very unique vocal delivery, which harks back to something ancient, the production is extremely contemporary. It represents the Ukrainian culture by combining the modern and with something more long-lasting and deep-rooted.
Taras Shevchenko and Kateryna Pavlenko are now set to represent the country in Rotterdam with their track “Solovey”.
Go_A winning despite strong competition
In the final of Vidbir 2020, six acts sang for the win. A combination of jury and televoting eventually decided who would take the ticket to Rotterdam.
Vidbir 2020 final results scoreboard
Jury voting results
6 points – Go_A
5 points – Krutь
4 points – Khayat
3 points – David Axelrod
2 points – TVORCHI
1 point – Jerry Heil
Televote voting results
6 points – Go_A
5 points – Khayat
4 points – Krutь
3 points – TVORCHI
2 points – David Axelrod
1 point – Jerry Heil
Are you excited that Go_A will represent Ukraine with “Solovey”? What was your favourite performance during the show? Let us know in the comments below!
People compare Go_A with Tulia, but these are two different stories: Tulia didn’t go through national selection process – it was internally selected, so audience didn’t quite know what to expect, and with Go_A – they showed two types of staging in the process, so people get more and more familiar with the song.
Who cares about the process? It sounds similar. Remember last year when people on this website were praising Tulia? Or Portugal? Also remember how these didn’t qualify because the rest of Europe was like WTF? This is Ukraine 2020. Don’t take praise on this site as any indication of how things will ultimately perform at Eurovision. Portugal 2019 came in LAST in the semi final after people on this site loved it! That was the most telling of all of how out of touch people here are with the actual results. Something weird and dark will not attract the casual… Read more »
A LOT of people care about the process.
And something dark and weird does attract people – such songs even win ESC (Finland 2005, Ukraine 2016).
Definitely something different which I appreciate. I really tried to get into it, however the monotone high pitch makes it too divisive for me, not my top 10.
I’m glad to see that we’re having more non-English songs for the Eurovision this year. Solovey looks like it could be the black horse of the semi-finals the same way that “City Lights” and “Amar Pelos Dois” were. Mind you, neither of those songs were expected to qualify into the finals and look where they are. The latter even won the contest.
Whether or not Solovey is the winning entry this year, it’s too early to tell.
I think a lot of Slavs will appreciate this, it speaks to them. Intro is so gripping and the song is so memorable. People will love it or hate it, but no one will forget it. I don’t know how will this do with jury, public vote will be divided but certainly majority of Slavic nations will reward this. I personally love this song, I think it is so well thought out and truly represents one country rather then being just another radio pop song from anywhere really. To be fair, I am Slavic myself and I am very well… Read more »
Did the slavic nations support Poland 2019? Nope. There’s your answer.
Yeah but Poland didn’t bring anything new. That’s my whole point, this is totally different and yet traditional, Polish song was just traditional and dated. I didn’t like Polish song last year, yet I adore Solovey. The only thing similar between Poland 2019 and Ukraine 2020 is singing technique, that’s all. I am sure Ukraine will do much better this year than Poland did last, but I guess we will find out in May.
It’s not only about bringing something new. Portugal 2019 brought something new too.
Yeah but you can’t really compare the 2. Conan’s song was new and I LOVED IT, but the performance was a little bit of let down, I get why it didn’t go through. That music, it just doesn’t appeal to majority of the audience. As I said Ukraine is sending traditional song performed with modern electronic sound, and that whole setting around the song and symbols behind them… it’s revolutionary way represent folklore song. I’ve never heard anything like that from Eastern Europe before… It can appeal to everyone, a grandma and a teenager could equally like this and vote… Read more »
The fact that you loved Portugal should make you rethink how you’re judging these things. Portugal came in last place in the semi final. That’s basically like last place out of all 40 countries. This despite a lot of people (like you) on this website who loved it. Ukraine might not be as bad as Portugal, it’s more like Poland, but its just not a qualifier in the first semi final which has the strongest countries.
Oh look another Tulia.
Because Tulia invented white voice
Yes the Tulia comparison is obvious to me too. I don’t know why people are so defensive about it.
Finally Ukraine sending a bad song. Solo tulia :~}
Totally right. It is the same people who loved Poland 2019 or Portugal 2019 that love this. Then the rest of Europe watches and is like WTF no way.
Some songs grow on you after several listenings. But here, quite the opposite. Every time I listen to it, I get more irritated and nervous.
An ethnic song with a nice beat. I really like this. Its uplifting and happy.
I don’t want to support Ukraine for all the drama they created these last few years in Eurovision, but I would put this song in my top5 so far.
It is ethnic with a beat indeed. Unfortunately they forgot to wrote a decent song and that singer doesn’t look that happy 😀
The lyrics aren’t all that happy
Ukraine didn’t create any drama this year. Don’t they deserve your support now? Also whom exactly do you blame for the drama? STB? UA:PBC? Jamala? Go_A? All Ukrainians?
I just don’t get this kind of logic.
They did, restricting the acts who could submit an entry to Vidbir whith some rules about performing in Russian territory and their active political views on the subject. I blame the broadcaster (and probably the government), definitely not Go_A and not the ukranians. To the downvoaters: I stand by my opinion, i am allowed to have one. I will not support Ukraine, I dont want their song to win. I think they dont deserve, they have not respected the spirit of the competition these last few years. But i do like the song and i wish Go_A lots of success… Read more »
Which means that you’re hopelessly biased
Its’s not the drama, as you call it, and it was never intentional. It’s the tragedy Ukrainians are experiencing today. Europe forgot what to fight for freedom and to struggle against invaders mean. Europeans do not understand how hard it is to preserve ethnicity, even the language, if you have such a powerful but evil neighbour. Ukrainians managed to do this. You shouldn’t blame them for their attempt to survive, but support. The song is really diversive, but moving. It deserves being on top.
I think this is great. An originall uptempo song with folk motives. And I love that it’s sung in Ukrainian. This will do well in the sea of slow boring songs.
If only I could vote for this… The UK is voting in the second semifinal and this’ll be performed in the first…
I’m obsessed with this song!!! This is the most exciting entry so far, so original and edgy! Well done, Ukraine
just love this song, the combination of folk and contemporary music has been proven before. Remember Sanomi by Urban Trad……. Will do surprisingly well in my opinion.
Remember Poland 2019? That’s the best comparison.
How can you compare? I watched Tulia, and it is totally different style and song, and beat, and voice… everything! only one thing that is similar between them is the traditional motives. But that way we can say that all pop songs that are 90% of eurovision songs are the same as well.
Tulia is very very weaker song then Solovey.
I’ll tell you how to compare with Tulia. Same monotone screeching voice thrown in with some ethnic flair.
Excellent point, I had exactly the same sense, since the flute solo reminded me immediately of ‘Sanomi’. I agree that this and Bulgaria’s 2007 ‘Water’ are the best comparisons that can be made for ‘Solovey’.
I love Water and Sanomi both dearly, so that’s a good sign.
BAD SONG, UGLY SINGER! NO FINAL!
And what’s the problem with being old and ugly as long as you can sing the song that you’re there to sing? This is not a youth or beauty contest. It’s a song contest. So perhaps don’t say anything if it’s not constructive and then you will not cause any offence.
So how’s pre-school going for you?
She has the most magnetic eyes I’ve ever seen
We’ve had ugly singers at ESC before too.
When someone on the Internet says things like this, they usually are not that confident of themselfs. So they take out their own hang-ups on someone else.
I think Katya looks really nice. She can make people laugh, cry, or fear with just her eye expressions. She only needs to learn how to use what she’s got.
Also if you look up some of Go_A interviews, you’d know that she is the sweetest person.
She is amazing and the whole band too.. just watched their live performance at some radio station..
I’m in awe of them <3
Does wiwibloggs care to remove stupid and offensive comments like the above?
I bet they call it “freedom of speech”.
Poland 2019 is back with different costumes! Same screeching voices. Sorry Ukraine this will not qualify.
How is it screeching?
I hated this in the semi final but… I kind like it now?! The vocal’s still too loud for my taste, but not AS LOUD
Would I have still chosen 99 as the winning song? Yes, definitely, but I’m not mad at this, and I mean… In a year where it feels like we’ll have a huge number of english ballads, this one does stand out.
I love this to death, this is a slavic Telemoveis and I’m living for it! My winner for now, and I don’t see how anybody can top this!
I can see it as NQ just like Telemoveis. And I liked Conan much more than this song
Conan is a genious!
This is an awesome choice for Ukraine! Greetings from Serbia!
It’s somewhere in the middle for me. I do like the folk element but overall i’m not sure if the song is that great. The vocalist looks like death, lol.
If she’s death the she’s probably trying to kill you for posting stupid and offensive comments, and I totally support her in this!
Why does this singer have such an angry/sad facial expression all the time?
passion.
Sorry that is not your Disney princess 😛
Ukraine hosted 3 years ago, has an impressive record through the years. It’s time to experiment and try new things, they are not aiming to win anyway, and sending again a wannabe Swedish/American pop songs with broken English is not the best thing. I hope it will do well.
So do I!!!!!
I really enjoy the sound of Solovey and it’s combination of folk/techno/dance. I also like how fierce the lead singer serves it on stage.
Please keep the song in Ukrainian!
Agreed and signed. I get more Bulgaria 2007 than Poland 2019 vibes from ‘Solovey’, plus the flute solo which I personally find an excellent and very memorable hook.
A top 10 for sure ! I was behind them since the beggining so very happy the y ve won ! And i ukrainian : thank you !!!!
Sorry Ukraine, really not a fan of this. Props to them for doing something different but probably my least favorite so far this year. I would expect better from Ukraine.
Agree
My bottom three: Ukraine, France, Armenia
Ukraine’s entries give me so much nostalgia from my childhood before I became a fan that’s listening to all the songs and follow some of the national finals, but their last entries haven’t been my cup of tea, sadly. “Siren Song” would’ve taken them back to the top in my personal ranking, but I didn’t like Melovin or their 2017 entry at all, and for this, I give them A for effort but a generous 4 out of 12 points. They usually know how to stage their entries tho
It was kinda off-putting when I heard it first, but then I started to like it. I find it pretty interesting, I like the ethnic element and the staging is great too. Anyway I still find her high-pitched voice a bit unpleasant and I would hope for some more dynamic movements on stage.
I’m just watching this one now. Wow, it’s atmospheric and gripping. I love the modern change-up of the backing beats. It’s another one for my playlist, bravo!
Strong season for me. So far the only entry I cannot listen to any more is from France.
“You are…you are..you are…”
hehehe. Just kidding. 🙂
I don’t it will qualify
Watched the whole thing live, they were my second favorite after Krut’ with 99. Honestly, I’ve heard far better songs melding white voice with edgy production values. Even at Vidbir. Still, I’m happy they won and they’re my current favorite of the songs currently selected for Eurovision (mostly because I’m a big fan of the genre).
Fingers crossed the rest of the countries come up with serious contenders!
Let´s live diversity at Eurovision ! I did hope this evening for two non-english songs and it was not in vain.
And we are sure now Portugal not sending an english song too.
I’ll believe when I see it on ESC stage in may 😉
And if someone wants to get to know the lyrics, here’s a link to a video with English subtitles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6ZrmQMuouI
It definitely isn’t a radio-friendly song; most people won’t buy this and keep it on repeat. On the other hand, the contest missions the universal aspect of the music and it’s preferrable to have different tastes — be it cultural, traditional or wide variety of genres.
I liked Khayat more, but I’ll be OK with this.
I liked Khayat’s studio track better than this one and even though his final performance was way better than in the semi, he was quite bad. He was pitchy and his accent is atrocious. And that comes from someone who’s self taught and has an atrocious accent as well. lol
Yessss! Great addition to this year. Love it!
the wonderful jerry heil getting last place makes me almost as disappointed in ukraine as the travesty that happened last year
Haha Jerry deserved last place, kudos to Ukraine.
Even Axelrod Jon Snow was better 😀
He is a good looking guy and the new staging and banishing of the wings elevated that sing a lot higher. Vegan rubbish deserved the bottom I agree. Tired of the agenda type songs.
It looked like she purposely tanked her performance, both on her singing and staging. That’s what all the discussion afterwards with the judges was all about. She got a lot of hate after the semis on social media and wound up listening to what the “haters” said despite the judges telling her no to, Verka (Andrey) even asked her “Do you really want to win? ” with this.
The song is great but the performance wasn’t.
Her new staging didnt fit the song at all. This time it looked empty and dark with weird colors. It felt like she cut some of her cost and sabotage herself, but she looked interestingly surprised when they announced her last place.
It’s an interesting song, I actually like it. I’m not a fan of her singing style and voice though. It reminds me of Poland 2019 and they did actually qualify with the televotes. I don’t think this will go through, this is the kind of song the juries tend to dismiss. Good luck Ukraine! Also welcome back 🙂
Poland – Tulia love
Good luck ukraine
Tulia! Yes that’s right, thank you! I am still sad they didn’t make it to the finals.
LOve it. It reminds me of Bulgaria’s song from a while back. *Water*
It’s because they use the same White Voice singing technique as Tulia did!
Yea baby yeah…. bring these folk stuffs to Eurovision. Make Eurovision great again!
This woodpecker lady is simply scratching my brains like chalk on a tableboard with her voice…. The studio version is not bad, but her live singing is just irritating! No final for Ukraine this year, mark my words…
It has something no doubt, but not enough for the higher scores and too much for the instant love.
We have to hear the rest of the song from the 1. SF as it could happened that this song end up as borderline.
I was rooting for them. This is great song, maybe not winner material, but one that eurofans will appreciate long after the contest.
This is my favorite Ukrainian entry ever (besides 1944). Love love love love love it!
You do know it wasn’t written by G:son ?
Thank goodness
Ukraine proved once more why it’s my all-time favorite country in Eurovision!
Whole of their NF was a great deal of quality . Something for everyone. Loved the calm Tina Karol over the stress drama llama Jamala
Ukraine was one of the countries with 100% qualifying record? Well, after this song…..not anymore. It’s pure noise
Drama drama from Ukraine check TVORCHI Instagram
My personal winner!!! For all those folks complaining about Katya’s voice. There is a tradition of white voice / choral music in most Slavic countries and this will not have any trouble qualifying to the Final. It especially will appeal to the older audiences. However, the addition of the EDM elements will also add some younger televotes as well. They also can amplify the lighting and graphic elements so that the focus can shift around during the song. The camera work at Vidbir was pretty atrocious. They kept being late on focusing on the right area of the stage.
They’re definitely in a good spot regarding countries with Slavic languages, since they’ve also got Belarus, Croatia, North Macedonia, (the televote of) Russia, and Slovenia voting in their semi.
There is also a history of polyphonic singing in Lithuania. There are also 1M emigrants from former Soviet Union in Israel.
Katya was one of my favorites. I have been bingeing on her other songs. Loved her duet with Jamala on Voice UKraine
ESC fans: “We wAnt UkrainE nOt To qUalify bEcAuse theY pOliticised tHe cOntEst iN 2019.
Iceland 2019: Won’t shut up about the Israeli P@lestin!an conflict that have nothing to do with the contest, inviting Israels Prime Minister to wrestle, showing P@lest!nian flags during ESC final.
ESC fans: *Hysterically applauding and fainting from excitement*
Can you people be more consistent about your position regarding politicising the contest?
Contestants sending political messages during the contest is OK.
Screwing over your own contestant because of political reasons isn’t.
That’s an interesting logic. It’s their own national final, their drama that was affecting them only. So you say using the ESC platform and the hosts hospitality to politically embarrass the hosting nation is normal but dealing in your own country with your own problems and politics, without them even reaching Eurovision stage is somehow worse? Would it be better for you if Maruv would sit in the ESC green room with a sign “Crimea is Ukraine”? Or screaming this at the Russian delegation? Would it be a better scenario than Ukraine just saying “you know guys, in this political… Read more »
All contestants can do whatever they want for all I care.
Broadcasters/national delegations doing stuff for their own in-country political benefit is against my taste.
Interesting logic, I know.
Maruv screwed herself over by not properly reading the contract she was given. And instead of going to someone – you know, like a lawyer, as an adult would’ve done – she made fuss about it online, representing the terms wrongfully, which led to her not representing Ukraine, as she could’ve done despite everything else, as the broadcaster fully meant to honour the people’s choice. She ruined it for herself. Get over it, people.
By the way, the contest expressly forbids political messages during the contest.
I’m not sure why we should base our opinions on what is and isn’t right on EBU’s rules.
Also not sure why the arbitrary opinion of someone on the internet should matter more than the rules of the EBU. I’m personally going with the EBU.
Good for you. But there’s no particular reason to do so. It’s not any more valid than anyone else’s take. The EBU has a lot of things to consider when it makes those rules, much more than we do as we search for our inner sense of “right”.
This is a forum for discussion. If you prefer rules laid down by old men 50 years ago you need to shape up. But of course you will be loved in Russia, Israel, Hungary and Poland. By the regimes, not the unfortunate people.
The “unfortunate people” of Israel choose their “regimes” in perfectly democratic elections. You make it sound like its Iran or something. I guess in those other countries (except Russia) it’s the same case.
Of course it is. Russia is an authoritarian invader. They interfere in democracies throughout the world. They should be banned from the competetion!
Yes! Couldn’t agree more!
Why is a country that has no respect for human rights and invades other countries competing in Eurovision?
I dont see any connection in that at all.. and I dont see all these ESC fans saying they dont want Ukraine to qualify because they politicised the contest. Furthermore Hatari made fun of how the contest itself already is political. So them bringing politics into Eurovision doesnt make sense as it already is full of politics..
I literally just saw a comment of someone saying that Ukraine should not qualify because they politicised the contest (I see it was removed). More than anyone Hatari used and made fun of the P@lestin!ans and their real problems. P@lestin!ans begged countries not to participate, to boycott, to make a bold statement and not to shoot a pretty postcard that promotes tourism in Israel, make a perfect show on stage, and then, in the very end, pull off this useless flag stunt to “show solidarity”. This was a PR stunt to promote Hatari as “edgy” and “gutsy” and too cool… Read more »
So what is your point?
That ESC fans are being hypocrite regarding the politics in the contest. Some politics are allowed and even admired, and some are awaking anger and the claim that “the contest is non political”. My opinion is that there are enough platforms to discuss politics, and it’s refreshing to have one that is not involved in that.
But it is political. Just see how the juries are voting. And brute regimes like russia are using the event to promote themselves. And they influence undemocratic forces in eastern europe. Its all politics.
Trying to make the Eurovision Song Contest non-political is like trying to make a song with no sound.
Then the whining about Ukraine bringing politics into their national selection or ESC shouldn’t exist. But It does. Why’s that? ESC is a political stage, where’s all the hate coming from?
She was the best option out the bunch since KHAYAT didn’t seem to fix what was wrong. TVORCHI’s live was worse than in the SF and Krut’ was really boring. I still have to get used to her voice. Also Krut’ or Go-A were relatively predictable choice since Ukraine is undergoing a nationalist era. The most Ukrainian act won. It’s a risky choice since her voice + the lighting make it sound like a dark ritual and it all really blows straight forward on your face.
It’s nothing special. Just that.
I was happy if either Solovey or Call for Love won tonight. I think Solovey could do quite well in Rotterdam, it’s a great song and it’s something totally different for Ukraine, and I don’t think they’ve ever sent a song completely in Ukrainian, so I hope they keep 100% Ukrainian lyrics, Well done Ukraine!
Translating even a bit of the song into English would be dumb. The white voice vocal technique works best with Slavic languages.
I was enjoying watching the programme on YouTube, then some racist comments started to flow in the chat during TVORCHI. What a pity. I’m pleased with the winner, though. You could see that it meant a great deal to her and I warmed to her.
How sad. I wonder when the human race will get past this? I hope some time soon.
Probably when blue aliens arrive from a nearby star system. Sad indeed.
*Cue Eiffel 65 song.