This year, Romania opted for a radical change in strategy to Selecția Națională 2020, internally selecting 20 year old singer Roxen and shortlisting five songs to proceed to the revamped national final.

In the mix is an emotional love track “Alcohol You”, the empowering song “Storm”, the deep house sounding “Colours”, the Latino-infused “Cherry Red” and the edgy track “Beautiful Disaster”.

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.

With the national final on March 1, we are asking you to have your say and vote for your favourite song in our poll. After listening to the competing song entries below, vote for as many acts you’d like, but remember, you can only vote once!

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

[crowdsignal poll=10510717]

 

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? What song should Roxen sing at Eurovision 2020? Tell us your thoughts below!

Follow all of our Romania Eurovision 2020 news

83 Comments
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Zaz
Zaz
4 years ago

Can’t we have her sing all 5 in the Grand Final? I just can’t choose, all of them are incredibly good

Veta
Veta
4 years ago

“slave or master”

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

Roxen’s uploaded some live sessions of each song on her YT.
The performances look very promising.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Alcohol You, in particular, seems to work really well when delivered as a performance. It’s the one of the five that I see justifying the current odds Romania have.

Iberian
Iberian
4 years ago

All these songs have so much potential, yet it always feels like something is missing…
Like, it wets my appetite, but gives me no meal… you get what I mean?

Anyways, Alcohol You, Storm and Cherry Red are the best of the 5

Luna
Luna
4 years ago

If “Storm” wins it’ll be the third time in a tow that a song called “Storm” will be at the Eurovision Song Contest, after the United Kingdom and SuRie in 2018 and Estonia and Victor Crone in 2019. Just saying.

Andi
Andi
4 years ago

I already said that I like none of them, but if Romania has to send one of these, then “Beautiful Desaster” please

Yeoei
Yeoei
4 years ago

Alcohol you intro reminds me of Arcade melody …

Veta
Veta
4 years ago
Reply to  Yeoei

My mother said the same, she didn’t even realise it’s not Arcade until she heard Roxen’s voice. The intro is almost identical.

Gabi
Gabi
4 years ago
Reply to  Veta

Are you sure you have listened that song? Melody wise it has nothing common; the whole vibe and the decorations look similar but claiming that it is almost identical is not correct

Sergod Legendzarev
Sergod Legendzarev
4 years ago

Hands down for Cherry Red, even though Beautiful Disaster is my favourite

Mia
Mia
4 years ago

Wow, Una, love you from the bottom of my….. for this interpretation, it’s so beautiful 🙂
Btw Roxen published today different videos for all 5 songs.

Fun or ban?
Fun or ban?
4 years ago

Alcohol You, that’s the answer! Cherry Red is good, but not as good as Alcohol You!

Victoire
Victoire
4 years ago

Some of these could be decent, but the English is really broken in most. How come?

Veta
Veta
4 years ago

Agree about the lyrics

Veta
Veta
4 years ago

Look at her channel, the lyrics are in description. There are quoting signs. Her Spanish-speaking lover is saying “I’m leaving mi amor”, and then she sings “come back to me”

TheLastRide
TheLastRide
4 years ago

Song 4 – “Cherry Red” no question about it , this song is top 3 at the final for sure , the rest may even not qualify

Andres Mazariegos
Andres Mazariegos
4 years ago

This is a nice example of 5 entries capable of surpassing the semis, and some even might be considered winner alert. I’m so happy for her, this is truly a celebration of her as an artist and shows how capable of delivering are the team behind the production. Now we just need to hear her live and I couldn’t be more hopeful that she will deliver. In another note I’m so happy she has pretty much all 5 songs like quality entries, especially after the harsh and unjustified comments made by MIHAI. This dude needs to be cancelled, his ego… Read more »

MaryJane
MaryJane
4 years ago

Don’t get me wrong, I agree with most of what you wrote. However…
“I am not your toy,
You, stupid boy” is not entirely lyrical as well.

West
West
4 years ago

For me the clear winner is Beautiful Disaster, but Alcohol You is also great.

Andres Mazariegos
Andres Mazariegos
4 years ago
Reply to  West

I’m perhaps one of the few people who loves beautiful disaster as an act. But to be honest that song isn’t winning ESC, europe isn’t ready. Alcohol you seems like a more plausible contender.

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

“Alcohol You” and “Colors” are my favs. Both have potential to do well with both jury and televote. “Cherry Red” is good too but I don’t like the song that much. Especially because of the latin style and the Spanish lines.

Karworld
Karworld
4 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I guess you are Spanish, so I fully understand your point. For me the forced Spanish in the song sounds terrible

Veta
Veta
4 years ago

She sings “why do fairytaleS fail”

Jørgen
Jørgen
4 years ago

Cherry red is a good radio friendly song, it would do very well but i don’t see it having winning vibes….. Alcohol you is very atmospheric and it has potential with a very good staging to win (at least in juries) and enter top 5 in televoting…….

Veta
Veta
4 years ago

Need to say neither of the songs left me really impressed. They are not bad at all, in fact, I really like some things about them, they just like… lacking smth, don’t reach their maximum potential by now. Cherry Red was really good until that “instrumental”-wanna be part, it’s just freaking me out, can’t listen to it at all. Alcohol You… personally I find the verses, the bridge, the instrumental, the word plays and some of the rhymes (“refuse-fake news” for example) very beautiful and high-qualitative, yet the chorus sounds a bit of a downgrade to me, but that’s not… Read more »

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

Alcohol You and Cherry Red are equally excellent choices for Romania.

Rainer1
Rainer1
4 years ago

roxen” could compete with any song for any country and would look good anywhere. I prefer “you alcohol” and would be my number 3 at the moment

NscoN
NscoN
4 years ago

I hope that Alcohol you will be chosen, but only if her voice can convey live the same emotions as in the studio version. Otherwise, Cherry red will be a much safer choice. My ears will be glued to TVR this Sunday to discover how she can sing live.

Erik
Erik
4 years ago

My top 3

Think about things
Alcohol you
Solovey

Helene
Helene
4 years ago

How is she live? Definately a contender for the win. But if she is not good live it will not happen.

Stan
Stan
4 years ago
Reply to  Helene

Nobody really knows… she’s a newcomer with almost no stage experience.

Helene
Helene
4 years ago
Reply to  Stan

Well lets hope she can make it.

Emett
Emett
4 years ago
Reply to  Helene

Check for her channell – She posted a live session for every song .. she is very ,very good..

Kobe
Kobe
4 years ago

All of them 😀

Mia
Mia
4 years ago

This selection is one of the highlights of the season for me, such a pleasant surprise.
“Alcohol you” , it’s not “another ballad”, I just love this song, listening on repeat <3
Wouldn't mind Cherry red tbh, but personally I like more Alcohol you.

Stan
Stan
4 years ago

Personally I’d choose Cherry Red. love the beat and most of the lyrics minus the spanglish and the na-na-na. But I don’t think it fits Roxen who doesn’t seem to be a dancer or much of a stage performer. Alcohol you prolly fits her the most. I’d just wish they would elevate the chorus and create some sort of climax towards the end, then it would be perfect.

Danny
Danny
4 years ago

I’d be ok with any but Cherry Red. It’s the only song that doesn’t show off her uniqueness as much.

Ron
Ron
4 years ago

Cherry Red, Alcohol You or Storm will most likely do very well. Either way, I hope she releases a CD after Eurovision with these kinds of songs because she’s AMAZING

Lourdes
Lourdes
4 years ago

Tbh, I’ll be very disappointed if they don’t choose Alcohol You.

Erik
Erik
4 years ago
Reply to  Lourdes

Y?

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

I love both Cherry Red and Alcohol You. Need to see how Roxen sell them live and in which one she feels more comfortable.
Alcohol You might be another ballad but it would the ballad. Romania would not have a problem.

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
4 years ago

Too much ballads for the moment. If Romania wants to stand out, Cherry Red is the only good option. All songs are good but Cherry Red is the best

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4 years ago

Cherry Red, Storm or Colors.

Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

anyone knows why “colors” isn’t on spotify? not that i complain since it’s by far the worst one, i just don’t get why it wasn’t uploaded.

Robert
Robert
4 years ago

Worst is quite much isn’t it!!

Serafina
Serafina
4 years ago

Alcohol You is nice, but since we’re getting too many ballads this year, for now I’m team Cherry Red

Harut Hovhannisyan
Harut Hovhannisyan
4 years ago

Alcohol you is an EPIC entery , it’ll be in Top 3 !
Cherry red is more radio friendly and surely will do well but Alcohol you is very Avantgarde

cozmin_cozma_Italy
cozmin_cozma_Italy
4 years ago

Alcohol you!
Art, stunning, deep, emotional, like wiwi said “contemporary “!
Go for gold, Roxen!

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4 years ago

Is there any non contemporary song is this selection?

Edu
Edu
4 years ago

Cherry red FTW PLZ!!! <3 🙂

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

No one seems to like Colors ! I find it quite good

Cherry red needs to remove one of the Rakata and replace it with the “in this cherry cherry red ” part and then it’d be perfect

Malmklang
Malmklang
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Colors is my favorite, but surprised to see it at the bottom of the poll…

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
4 years ago

Cherry Red is by far the most contemporary song and would do the best at Eurovision.

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

all of them are really good, well done ROMANIA!

Alcohol You and Cherry Red are by far the best choices. I pick Cherry Red bc it is not a ballad and it could be a huge hit after Eurovision + staging will help a lot. It’s summerish and catchy. Eurovision needs a modern song like this.

Alcohol You is superb but it might not reach the wide audience that Cherry Red will.

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago

I prefer Alcohol you or Beautiful disaster. Cherry Red is not my cuo of tea.

Luke Gallagher
Luke Gallagher
4 years ago

Cherry Red 100% for Romania! ??

Yahel Aviv
Yahel Aviv
4 years ago

Definitely Cherry red! I can’t wait to hear this song all Summer on the beaches here in Israel. Romania, pls pls pls pick this song to represent you, it’ll be a club banger all over Europe and I wanna see it on Eurovision stage, too! 12 points for Cherry red from Israel

esc1234
esc1234
4 years ago

i wouldnt mind any country taking any of the 4 songs that wont make it through. They are extremely well produced and enjoyable

Jeydelrey
Jeydelrey
4 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

Yes! I’ll take any of them over the one representing my country (France)

samoylover
samoylover
4 years ago

Alcohol You is amazing, a ballad which doesn’t need high notes to stand, and the lyrics are so deep. Cherry Red is a good option too, with one of those Romania can reach the TOP 5 this year easily, but I think Roxen have more potential than singing ‘hola mi amor’ ‘ la costa del sol’ ‘down the streets málaga’…

Fatima
Fatima
4 years ago

I’m rooting for the amazing Cherry Red! I wanna vote for this in the first semifinal. No more dramatic ballads, pls! We wanna see a TV show, to be entertained, and not to cry. Greetings from Azerbaijan

Salvador Sobral
Salvador Sobral
4 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

We live in a world of disposable music; fast food music without any content. Music is not fireworks; music is feeling. So let’s try to change this and bring music back.

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4 years ago

Don’t be so fundamentalist. Even the real Salvador Sobral has changed his mind about it.

Armand
Armand
4 years ago

Cherry Red will stand out among all those ballads in the 1st semifinal. It may even close the semifinal! Romanians, please…be smart and vote for it! Us, the foreigners are betting for it in the betting odds, and not for a ballad from Romania!