The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rate and review the 41 songs that had been selected for Eurovision 2020. Next up, we take a look at Portugal‘s Festival da Canção winner Elisa and her song “Medo de sentir”. Were we afraid to express our feelings about the song? Read on to find out!

Elisa – “Medo de sentir”

“Medo de sentir” reviews

Åri: The best ESC country supplies me with a second personal number one in three years. Staying true to their native language tradition, Portugal delivers a moving, painful, true song. My Portuguese is rusty, so at first I thought Elisa was saying “I was not like this, but now I have half the feeling”. Medo doesn’t mean half, it means fear. When I learned that, my whole perception of the song changed. I read the lyrics and I was stunned. Later the same day it was already my number one.

Score: 10

Bernardo: My girl Elisa is bringing class. My girl Elisa is bringing quality. My girl Elisa is bringing the feels. This was my favourite song in Festival da Canção, despite the fact I didn’t consider “Medo de Sentir” the most competitive out of the bunch. Having said that, a good result this year was probably not in the cards for Portugal. Worry not, we will be back next year (hopefully with a hint of Elisa, if not directly invited).

Score: 6.5

Luis: “Medo de sentir” is a charming little piece of Iberic pop whose strength resides in the lyrics. This ballad caresses your ears, and Elisa’s vulnerabilities drive you into the atmosphere. It’s difficult to convey such inner emotions in a live performance, but Elisa does it perfectly. While it may be a little forgettable, this is a solid song created with gusto and delivered beautifully.

Score: 8

Pablo: Since Portugal saw that being transgressive and original didn’t pay off, they made a total 180, becoming convenient and… boring. “Medo De Sentir” manages to transmit nothing in 3 minutes, and it just feels filler, which is sad as I feel Elisa can bring much more to the table than something that’s just… 101. It has an okay chorus in parts, but this is a “no guts, no glory” kind of entry. Portugal, you can be more interesting than this, you can be more than just filler.

Score: 3.5

Renske: Elisa is a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice and perfectly follows the craftmanship we have seen in the Portuguese Eurovision entries of the past few years. But as with Conan Orisris last year, I just don’t feel it. And that’s sad, because language should not be a reason why you can’t understand a song.

Score: 6

 

Elisa – “Medo de entire” rankings

In the Wiwi Jury we have 22 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Angus: 6

Antranig: 9

Barnabas: 7

Calvin: 3.5

Deban: 6

Esma: 7

Florian: 5.5

Jonathan: 6

Lucy: 5.5

Natalie: 4.5

Oliver: 4.5

Robyn: 5

Ron: 4

Sebastian: 5

Tobias: 5.5

Tom: 7

William: 3.5

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 3.5 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.75/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See all our Eurovision 2020 reviews and rankings

28 Comments
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ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

Portugal – 7/10 (24th/41)

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago

Portugal 5/10

Christian
Christian
3 years ago

I remember being downvoted a few years ago when I expressed that bringing in the same formula might not always work. That was in 2018, when Portugal reached the last place on home ground. The song didn’t seem to appeal the crowds back there, remembering that a song won in 2017, which is considered to be old-fashioned and maybe boring (not my words!), which seems to be fill the same pattern as the Portugese entry in 2018 did. And to be honest, for me, this song falls in exactly the same pattern. Not forgetting to mention earlier attempts from Portugal,… Read more »

Jalisse
Jalisse
3 years ago

I love this song so much. It’s simple but very pure and full of emotion.

vangelis vt
vangelis vt
3 years ago

I was much more of a favour of this when it won but more and more it sounds like going after their 2018 failure. Not one of the songs I will miss unfortunately even though it’s not objectively bad.

Rank 17/41
6/10

Jo.
Jo.
3 years ago

it’s cute and nice, just not really a big hit for Portugal.
6,5/10

Pedro Paulo
Pedro Paulo
3 years ago

For me this is a “No”…this wasn’t even popular here in Portugal, it did not reach radio, no one talks about it, complete the oposite of “Telemoveis” last year. ..”Medo de Sentir” is a poor hit even among our intense pop song industry right now. I’m sure this song wouldn’t reach the final this year. Elisa and Marta are two talented artists, but this song is just too bland, sorry… One thing eurovision fans should know, there’s some sort of “fear” among pop artists in this country to take part in Festival da Canção and even more in Eurovision. I… Read more »

Tom
Tom
3 years ago
Reply to  Pedro Paulo

Im not sure if its the same in Portugal, but in the UK and Ireland if you were an established artist who participated and didnt even make the final, it would be seen as extremely embarrassing

Veta
Veta
3 years ago

I am hearing some similarities to Arilena Ara’s “Nëntori” in the melody of the intro, verses and instrumental, and that was the way this song conquered me. I just remember, when “Nëntori” was a hit, how many people was saying how good it would be to have a song like this in Eurovision. So, Portugal is one of the reasons I am the saddest 2020’s songs can’t be carried on to 2021’s competition, so in the end, we were not meant to finally see such song in Eurovision. On the other hand, it probably wouldn’t have qualified anyway. But in… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

It’s a shame that Portugal went back to something like this after being a bit more adventurous last year with Conan. It’s a song that is hard to get excited about. I don’t think it was performed particularly well either time. They had also seen previously, with a much strong song in O Jardim, that this type of entry holds very little appeal outside of Portugal. FdC was one of (only) two NFs that I felt got their decision totally wrong this year and this was probably the song I was most confident about not qualifying.

Voxtaylor
Voxtaylor
3 years ago

My sixth favorite in this year’s lineup. A well-crafted ballad, even though it was my sixth favorite in FdC as well I’m still glad it’s here. That said, it feels way too basic coming right after the dizzying highs of ‘Telemóveis.’

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
3 years ago

It’s good in the studio, but this live performance was so surprisingly weak in FdC. Like Belgium, it’s stood song but I also feel like this wouldn’t have qualified in a semi with Switzerland and Bulgaria (even in the same half… yikes) Still a 6,5/10- I think it’s kinda catchy.

The Roop is On Fire
The Roop is On Fire
3 years ago

If this was a Sanremo entry, lots of people would start to like the song.

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

Portugal same as Belgium sending great quality to ESC and that’s something I always respect, even though it’s not “competitive”. She has great stage presence and I love her voice! The song is the type of ballad I just love! It’s very classical with some modern touches – but doesn’t sound dated at all!

So this is a solid 8/10

1. Belgium 9/10
2. Portugal 8/10

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

My notes: There’s nothing wrong with the song; it’s perfect. “Medo de sentir” is a lovely song that would sound even more perfect if it were played over the end titles of a romantic film. The song has a nicely expressive melody and some nicely recycled chords for two verses and two choruses. Then there is a very good ‘Bridge’ section, where the melody goes up to a top note. A short cool down then leads into the Reprise. Done, dusted, bravo. Or so it seems. My issue is with the live performance at Festival da Canção, which I felt… Read more »

Mia
Mia
3 years ago

It’s funny that same country sends Conan (who was in my top 5 last year) and this song just year after, but I like that unpredictability. Unfortunately, I’m not vibing with “Medo de sentir” and not impressed with her performance either.
5/10

VanDerGraf
VanDerGraf
3 years ago

The studio cut was a perfect 10 for me and it was in the top 5. Even though the live version was a little disappointing, it is still in the top 10 of mine, the lyrics are golden bringing so much emotion and feeling, it succeeds to create such a calm and charming atmoshpere.

Odysseas
Odysseas
3 years ago

Portugal is 24th on my list. I have to say that this song was in 9th place of my festival da cancao top so i was disappointed when it qualified. It’s an ok song but way too classic and kinda boring.
Overall: 5.5/10

Miles
Miles
3 years ago

So far
1. Belgium 7/10
2. Portugal 7/10

Both quality songs that probably wouldn’t have qualified and I would have been upset

Kazakhstan is Europe
Kazakhstan is Europe
3 years ago

By not choosing Barbara, Portugal missed their “Passe Partout” the final!

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

My Rating:
Portugal-7.5/10

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
3 years ago

To feel or not to feel, that is the question. Hands down, one of the best lyrics of this year’s edition. I also love the character Elisa creates on stage – a shy, reserved, hurt girl, afraid to give in to love once again. How I wish the music was as good as the words of the song. But it’s not – musically “Medo de sentir” is an ordinary pop ballad, that’s neither current nor timeless, just kinda dated, which is a shame. But you gotta respect Portugal for sticking to their style. 6/10

Héctor
Héctor
3 years ago

One of my favs in FdC but as part of a larger and better line-up it feels not enough. Also her live performance was a bit dissapointing. I would have placed around 16th-18th in its SF. I do like it in its studio version more than other entries but for personal use not for a contest. Portugal is way too classic.

14. Belgium – Hooverphonic – Release Me (6.75)
24. Portugal – Elisa – Medo de sentir (6.5)

Jose
Jose
3 years ago

Hey, my country. 22nd of my top. I like it. I don’t mind if I listen. But if I want to replay? No. The song has a beautiful instrumental, but I feel like it’s not the most original one. It’s really predictable – nothing new, nothing exciting. I find Elisa’s voice really angelic. You can recognize it easily and it’s really sweet. However, the best of this package are the lovely lyrics. It’s a message of sadness, but and at same time hope: they are precious. Unfortunately, Europe wouldn’t understand, and I feel that Elisa has not enough stage experience… Read more »

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

PORTUGAL – Elisa’s gentle ballad is filled with genuine emotion. I can connect with her fear of allowing herself to love again. The Portuguese language is very beautiful and adds to it being very sincere and relatable. It is a type of song one would expect from Portugal and it might be the only thing keeping it from being a big show-stopper. After bravely picking an extravagant art piece last year, they returned to the safe love ballad they are usually good at. While the ”safe” vibe might work against it’s competitiveness, it works very well in favor of it… Read more »

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

18th place: Portugal – 7.5/10 – I love the relaxed melancholia in this song. It makes me feel so chilled when listening to it, like it is gently stroking my hand. Sometimes though I need my hand squeezing tightly and as such it remains a fleeting moment of tenderness rather that something that stays long in the memory.

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
3 years ago

Reading the lyrics made me like it. Juries should have pushed this to the final, if she actually managed to perform well.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago

This song is so good…..in the studio cut. Elisa just cannot do it live and it loses all of its magic. The studio cut is something i will forever listen to but the live just ruined it for me.