He was among the first acts confirmed for Eurovision 2020. Now Austria‘s singer Vincent Bueno has released his song for Rotterdam, “Alive”.
The song was debuted this morning on the Austrian radio station Ö3 — the usual home of Austria’s Eurovision announcements.
The song is a funk-inspired pop track, with a Justin Timberlake or Bruno Mars feeling — and of course there’s some Michael Jackson in there. The song is upbeat and the lyrics are positive, with Vincent singing “You make me feel like I’m alive again”. In Eurovision terms, it’s along similar lines to Guy Sebastian’s 2015 hit “Tonight Again”.
Vincent is playing to his strengths as both a singer, songwriter and an experienced Eurovision performer. The song builds and lets Vincent show off his vocals.
The song has been released with a music video where Vincent shows off his dance moves and ease as a performer. Set in an abandoned warehouse, Vincent performs the song both on his own and surrounded by a group of people wearing black masks. It’s stylish and smooth and may offer hints of the staging that Vincent will bring to Rotterdam.
Vincent Bueno – “Alive” (Austria Eurovision 2020)
What is behind “Alive”
In December, Vincent dropped several clues about the song, with five hashtags and a brief explanation of their meaning.
#vincentbueno
“I love to laugh. I’m a motivated guy. ‘Troubleshooting’ is my personal motto! I love my family above all, have a deep faith and both give me strength in my life. I love music, I love people. I’m very sensitive, which can sometimes be a disadvantage – ‘open-hearted’.”
#alive
“From the moment I let go of the fast-paced confirmation of social media and its pressures to be something specific, I reconnected with my identity. That makes me feel alive.”
#fireshots
“My happiness comes from deep within. It is something that no fame or money in this world could ever give me. I would like to use this energy purposefully.”
#behindthewall
“All of us fight our own egos. An ego is like a high wall. If you break it down you realize how much easier and freer life can be.”
#hiddenheroes
“Each and every one of us has the DNA of a hero or a heroine.”
Who is Vincent Bueno?
Vincent Bueno was born and raised in Vienna, Austria. He is of Filipino ethnicity. Vincent came to fame in 2008 when he won the Austrian talent show Musical! Die Show. The show aimed to find the next Austrian star of musical theatre. The following year, he competed on Dancing Stars, where he placed seventh.
Vincent has also released two albums — the German-language Wieder leben (Being Alive Again) from 2016 and the English INVINCIBLE in 2018. He is already experienced when it comes to Eurovision. Vincent competed in Austria’s 2016 national selection and in 2017, he provided backing vocals to Nathan Trent.
What do you think of “Alive”? Can it get Austria back into the grand final? Tell us your thoughts below!
A Big NO from here
It’s ironic that Victor sang backup for Nathan Trent in 2017 because Victor’s ESC song sounds just like Nathan’s post ESC song called OVER YOU which he released with J-Mox.
His name is Vincent.
Guy Sebastian copycat. Not going to work.
It sounds unremarkable and soulless to me compared to other entries.
Another horror show. Although I am a huge eurovision fan my interest is really waning this year. The quality and originality of the songs is appaling.
If that’s your opinion, maybe you’re not as much of a fan as you thought you were.
I like à Bueno from time to time, but most definitely not this one, for the record I mean the song. Maybe because i’m not really into this kind of music, but still. I have no idea if it’s gonna do well or not, but I pass
so glad, austria is sending an uptempo song. and i really like it. best wishes to our neighbours. Rotterdam will dance to.
Yeah, this is good. “What’s the Pressure” springs to mind, and we all know how well that song did! 🙂 This bodes well for Austria.
By the way: Black masks in the video! Considering what some of the world is going through right now, that might take on a whole new meaning!
Catchy Bruno Mars-song. But….. he gives nothing to this song except good vocals.
“You make me feel alive again”
Wow that sounds awesome, you feel…
Oh, do you feel… alive…. No? Someone just told you to sing that? Oh….
Another negative swede I suppose.
I like listening to it….but will it be memorable? We’ll have wait and see….
Austrian K-pop.
He is Filipino not Korean lmao
I wasn’t talking about his nationality.
I do hope you understand the difference between a music genre and a human race or a nationality. And you don’t have to be a Korean to sing K-pop.
What I was trying to say is the production of the song is very like today’s K-pop. That’s it.
Guy Sebastian feeling, but far from it! Nice to have some uplifting funky music in the contest though, and with the right vocals and performance it could end up near the top 10.
Decent entry, but it sounds like the kinda song played in H&M stores, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing 🙂
It’s very good. But the chorus sounds a bit repetitive.
Nice average song, but nothing stands out here.. who’s gonna vote for it?
I don’t have a strong opinion on this. It passes by as an average quality song, very repetitive and forgettable, but with a nice contemporary beat.
I know we’re supposed to have forgotten about his “controversial” comments, and people will probably resent me for even bringing them up – but I can’t warm to him, and so I can’t warm to this song. Sorry.
Allow me to laugh at they hypocrisy of all those who complain about how this is unoriginal and generic, but were the first to go crazy over the German entry which is just about the most generic entry this year. Sure, Alive isn’t a revolutionary song, but it’s a very solid one, well-produced and put together, cool and funky, and even if some of lyrics do feel a bit cliché, it certainly feels more authentic and less manufactured than what Germany or France are offering for instance. A good surprise overall, and a very welcome more upbeat song. Would really… Read more »
With so many ballads and melancholic songs, I should thank uptempo entries; otherwise I will fall asleep in the couch next May. This song is fine, but it lacks that “wooooooow” moment. Maybe it can be a borderline qualifier.
…and yes, it reminds me of Dance You Off.
Can’t say I’m overwhelmed. After yesterday’s renditions of Switzerland and Netherlands, this is a visible step down in songwriting department. ”I’m alive” stretched several times around. It’s not bad, but I’m just not vibing with it at first like I did with Running on Air and Nobody But You. A bit like a mid table Melfest song. Anyway, good luck to Vincent and Austria.
Exactly what I think. Couldn’t have said it better!
It’s… alright, kinda reminds me of the music you can hear in a clothing store, which I guess is not really a compliment, but it was my first thought. A passable entry, I expected a bit more from Austria than just another “millennial whoop” song, yet I’m not very disappointed either – I hope Vincent will make this song feel more “alive” with his performance in May.
It’s Just Bueno
Hahaha
This is the kind of song that i want to like, but i’m not sure if i do (it’s to much Bruno Mars for my taste). Maybe because it’s not my coup of tea, but i recognize that has some qualities, and it’s something diferent in the competition. I want to see a live performance, maybe it will grow on me.
Not my cup of tea, but better than the similar entry from Germany
Austria 3/10
Not a good eurovision year…
take me back to 2012 or 2016, 2018
Take me back to 2015
a great year:)
Making this contest feel alive again. Most of the entries are so slow and dreary and boring. Glad Austria sent something more upbeat.
It’s not bad, but it’s quite basic. Robyn mentioned Guy Sebastian and, even if stylewise it makes complete sense, I missed the carefree fun and charm of “Tonight Again”. Based on Vincent’s previous work, I was already afraid it would be something without much personality. The cliché lyrics and the endless repetition of “You make me feel alive again” aren’t helping his case. But it’s a dance song, so they can still elevate it with an energetic and slick performance.
Really nice song even if isn’t my cup of tea. Good luck Austria!
I like it fine – but I want to see it performed live (haha) with the dancing element. The worst part of the song are the very thin lyrics which don’t really have much to say. Even Imri Ziv’s “Alive” had better lyrics.
Although it resembles Sweden’s “ dance you off” it’s still a little bit of a bop for sure, a little bit cheesy with the lyrics, but still it’s not bad…
yeah and if that came low in the televote, this would to. In other case it shows people only vote for countries, same style.
Yeah definitely although The Netherlands & Portugal’s win says different, but if Sweden gives Austria good votes then your point is validated.
Sounds like a bad Benjamin Ingrosso copy paste, he is bad enough.. Another big dissapointment this year. Btw after listening to the swiss entry again today, I have to say it has grown a lot. I regret saying yesterday that the song was a pass for me. I think it definately could qualify
I know 100% you only dislike benjamin because he is a swede, if the song was from portugal or Finland you would love it, true or false, Be honest
im swedish myself lol and no, if he was from any other country id still dislike him
jaha jag förstår,då är de okej:)
TBH, I prefer Thea Devy.
Lmao should have picked judgement day
Not my cup of tea, but the song is decent and is worth a spotlight in the GF. Good job, Austria!
I’m not that much into funky songs I’m afraid. It’s an okey song well-produced and sung so I wish the best to Austria. Given the fact Austria is in the 2nd SF they may qualify if the staging is dynamic and modern. In fact the staging could ignite the whole entry so we should wait with this one. For now it’s a mid-table for me. But let’s see in May with the live performance.
I like it, Austria!
People who hated Benjamins song. In that case this will end super low in the televote to. In other case its just sick.
I think this song is much better than Benjamin’s song.
Really, Austria? I have it already forgotten, sorry.
I don’t get it, why people compare this to Germany’s entry? Because they are uptempo? Germany’s song is clearly more electronic pop/house. And this is funk/disco.
Please can Eurovision song composers consider this logic:
1] Have you included an “Oh-oh-oh-oh” in the chorus?
2] If yes then think of something else (because it’s been done to death) and return to 1]
3] In no, continue
Yeah, these oh-oh-oh choruses are really getting boring.
Melovin lol
Maybe I should’ve waited until later in the day to listen to this as opposed to just after waking up. It’s a bit too low-key for me, but like Ireland, it might be one of those songs whose full potential we haven’t seen yet. If the performance is great, I could see Austria back in the final, but if it’s too lowkey they might slip through the cracks. He’s charming, though, and I do like the beat.
It’s a bop and he’s hot. Justin Timberlake vibes, I’d say he’s a borderline qualifier, this won’t do as well as She Got Me unfortunately, whereas I actually think I prefer this a little bit.
Kinda repetitive, but at least it makes you feel alive… very fresh, funky and radio friendly
I fear that these funk entries always comes off as to polished, to slick when they are staged. The song itself is good but Germany did it better..
No… very monotone, it stays on the same note
Ireland has much better song!!!
Well Austria well done I was expecting yet “another” dreary male ballad as we seem to inundated with those this year. But wow this pops off love it!
It’s either another bop or another ballad. Seems like the same balanced amount as previous years.
It’s the same as Germany, just with a different voice.
The German song sounds too much fabricated and artificial, such as everthing Symphonix. This has an authentic feel and a fresher feel to it, at least in my ears.
Its fine, but I have heard it all before. The jurys will probably go for it. It’s got that radio fodder vibe they seem to like.
sounds like another budget bruno mars but it’s not too bad
The Weeknd is budget Bruno Mars. Anyway, the song’s not that great but it’s enjoyable, not gonna lie.
it is not bad, but not a top 10 either..