Way back in December Austrian broadcaster ORF internally selected Vincent Bueno as their 2020 Eurovision representative. The announcement came as no surprise, as rumours had been circulating about Vincent’s participation, who was already very well-known within the Eurovision bubble.
Vincent’s funky, upbeat song “Alive” is a feel-good number that’s all about empowerment. It suggests that Vincent, like all of you, has a fire inside that can burn through the darkest of times. Sometimes we just need someone else to flip the switch. As he sings: “I’m like a little match box, all I need is a little spark to light this whole world up, prepare for fire shots, only you can make me feel alive again.”
As the world continues to come together to slow the spread of the global pandemic, his words seem more apt than ever.
Scroll down for the “Alive” lyrics
Austria in Eurovision 2020: Vincent Bueno “Alive”
Vincent may be best known to Eurovision fans for his previous attempt at representing Austria. In 2016 he competed in the last Austrian national final with the dance song “All We Need Is that Love”. It received a mid-table score from the jury and didn’t make it to the super final. That being said, the R&B star is no stranger to the Eurovision stage. In 2017, Vincent supported Nathan Trent on backing vocals for “Running On Air”.
It took another whole 3 months before Eurovision fans were treated to Vincent’s entry “Alive”. 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”.
It comes with a glossy video that proves Vincent knows how to move just as well as he sings. The urban aesthetic, floating effects and energy all suggest that he could have brought something truly uplifting to Rotterdam.
What do Vincent Bueno’s “Alive” lyrics mean?
Luckily for those of us searching for the meaning behind Vincent’s up-tempo lyrics, he dropped a few hints on Twitter, releasing 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.”
Vincent’s “Alive” rings true to his journey as an artist, which has stretched across two continents for over ten years. Vincent shows us, through his lyrics, that he is a seasoned performer who has plenty of experiences with the pressures of the spotlight. He’s learned what motivates him, and what could have the power to bring him down.
His message is a one of focusing on the positive influences in life, and not allowing the negatives to impact your day, week, or mood.
These are important lessons for all of us to learn, especially the fresher-faced Eurovision artists and fans who are still navigating their way through social media, and other pressures of this generation. Think of “Alive” as a guide to channeling positive energy, and knocking down the wall of negativity!
Alive lyrics – Vincent Bueno (Austria ESC 2020)
Shackle bolts around all these thrones come screaming
Behind a wall of egos, there is a hidden hero in us, in us
In all of us
You make me feel like, oh-oh-oh
You make me feel like, oh-oh-oh
You make me, you make me feel like, oh-oh-oh
You make me feel like
You make me feel alive
You make me feel like I’m alive again, alive again
Only you can make me feel alive again, alive again
I’m like a little match box
All I need is a little spark
To light this whole world up
Prepare for fire shots
Only you can make me feel alive again, alive again
Sticks and stones, oh-oh
Might break all I own
Come beat it
Behind a wall of egos, there is a hidden hero in us, oh-oh-oh
You make me feel like, oh-oh-oh
You make me, you make me feel like, yeah, oh-oh-oh
You make me feel like
You make me feel alive
You make me feel like I’m alive again, alive again
Only you can make me feel alive again, alive again
I’m like a little match box
All I need is a little spark
To light this whole world up
Prepare for fire shots
Only you can make me feel alive again, alive again
I give you fire shots
Shackle bolts hidden around
Everybody sing, come on
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
You make me feel alive
You make me feel like I’m alive again, alive again, oh-oh
It’s overthrown
And I’m on my own
Alive again
How do you think Rotterdam would have reacted to Vincent Bueno and “Alive”? Let us know in the comments!
Such a shame we won’t be able to see on the ESC stage . I feel like its one of those songs that light up better on a live performance than in the studio.
I really liked the song, and it had the potential to win.
(That song was one of my favs!)
But now that the contest is cancelled, I honestly hope ORF can give him a second chance.
(But with a different song.) (Because the EBU will only allow new songs for 2021.)
Anyway, it was a great song, and it could’ve won.
But for now, we all have to keep our hopes held high.
Funny how people who LOVE songs like Voda or Wild Wind (forgot what’s original name) call this song outdated or cheesy. Like, wtf. Feels like he gets all this hate due to unfortunate interview about this catolic stuff. Sad rok see that
Wild Wind = Divlji vjetre
Sweden’s Benjamin Ingrosso ought to take some singing lessons from this guy!
I think Vincent is quite high up in the irony awards with his song title this year.
He looks nice, he sings nicely, the song is professionally produced. Sadly though, pretty much everything about this song (the production, the presentation, the lyrics) make me feel dead. I feel like I’ve heard this song about 10,000 times before, so this matchbox is unfortunately very much a damp squib.
I don’t mean to be mean though, it’s just my personal reflection of what this song does to me.
It was in my top ten and one of the few songs I was really excited to see on the stage due to the quality of the performer delivering it. I definitely think a lot of people would’ve been converted by the live performance.
It’s “bones” not “bolts”. ? misheard lyrics.
Shackled bones, around all these thrones come screaming.
One thing I won’t miss about Eurovision being cancelled this year is this song. Basic, dated and hollow production.
This was a trend in many songs. Tbh im happy that this edition, it would have been the worst Eurovision in many years..
Agreed. Don’t get why it’s getting so many downvotes, you don’t need to pretend like the songs this year are absolutely amazing just because the contest is cancelled, cause a majority of the songs this year were downright tripe
I agree but the juries would give it a lot of points
Dated? Do you live in the future? Tell me who won in Eurovision 2050?
This song doesn’t make me feel very alive. More like musically sedated again.