English has been the dominant language in Eurovision since the language rule was revoked back in 1999. But there are always countries that choose to sing in their mother tongue — or even some other language besides English. And this year is no exception, as we have 10 countries enjoying the linguistic smörgåsbord that Europe has to offer.
In this poll we’re including bilingual songs where the majority of the song is in a non-English language. However, we are excluding the Russian song because even though we have a few words in Spanish there, the majority of it is in English. The same applies to the Israeli song because even though it has sentences in three other languages, the majority of the song is in English.
So, brush up on your Serbian, Portuguese, Belarusian and Ukrainian, and tell us your favourite non-English song of 2020. You can listen to all of the songs below and can then vote for your favourite. You can vote for as many songs as you like, but remember you can only press submit one time — so make it count!
Non-English songs of Eurovision 2020
Belarus: “Da Vidna” – VAL
This is only the second time Belarus has a song in Belarusian, the first being in 2017. The title “Da vidna” translates to “Until dawn”. The lyrics come with the message of female empowerment and say that it is every woman’s choice with whom to be happy.
Croatia: “Divlji Vjetre” – Damir Kedžo
The majority of songs from Croatia have been in Croatian. This is, however, the first time since 2013 it is entirely in Croatian. The title “Divlji vjetre” translates to “Wild winds” and is a song filled with sadness and melancholia.
France: “Mon Alliée (The Best In Me) – Tom Leeb
France still hasn’t had a song sung entirely in English, but this will be the 8th time their entry’s lyrics are a mix of French and English, making it the only bilingual song of 2020. The French part of the title “Mon Alliée” translates to “My Ally”.
Italy: “Fai rumore” – Diodato
Italy has always sung in Italian, with the exception of a few songs including parts in English and one song entirely in Neopolitan. The title of this year’s song “Fai rumore” literally translates to “Make Noise”, which is a plea for a former lover to give a sign of love and life.
Portugal: “Medo De Sentir” – Elisa
Portugal has always sung entirely in Portuguese, with three exceptions where English formed a minor part of the lyrics. The title “Medo De Sentir” literally translates to “Fear of Feeling”.
Serbia: “Hasta la Vista” – Hurricane
This is the 10th time and third year in a row Serbia has sung entirely in Serbian, but the title “Hasta la vista” derives from Spanish. The song comes with a message of empowerment and encourages you to say goodbye (Hasta la vista) to those who do not appreciate you.
Slovenia: “Voda” – Ana Soklič
This is the 14th time Slovenia sings entirely in Slovenian and the third year in a row. The title “Voda” translates to “Water”, which embodies a universal parable open for the interpretation of the listener of the song.
Spain: “Universo” – Blas Cantó
Spain has only once had a song entirely in English, but have occasionally mixed Spanish and English. This year the Iberian nation is sticking to Spanish. The title “Universo” translates to “Universe”, whereas the song is about asking for forgiveness after hiding the truth.
Switzerland: “Répondez-moi” – Gjon’s Tears
Switzerland has four official languages to choose from. This year they choose to sing in French, which is the first time since 2010. The title “Répondez-moi” translates to “Answer Me”.
Ukraine: “Solovay” – Go_A
This is the first time Ukraine sings entirely in Ukrainian — before only parts of songs have been in the native language plus once in Crimean Tatar. The title “Solovey (Соловей)” translates to “Nightingale”.
Which are all basically the same language with different names lol (Talking about Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian and Montenegrin) Same language which in linguistics is officially called Serbo-Croatian.
1) Ukraine
2) Switzerland
3) Belarus
4) Italy
5) Serbia
6) Slovenia
7) Portugal
8) Spain
9) Croatia
10) France
2. Italy
6. Portugal
7. Switzerland
8. Ukraine
16. Belarus
22. Spain
32. Slovenia
34. France
38. Croatia
41. Serbia
Personally think last year was better for foreign language entries, but Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, and Ukraine are all gems
Switzerland, Italy and Portugal! The latter one is especially underrated…
Ukraine and Italy for me.
Hurricane!
Portugal, its the only song I’ll be listening to six months from now.
Belarus with VAL is my fave. I still cant believe how much of you dont appreciate this song.
‘Only bilingual song of 2020’? Feker libi has 4 languages!
Bilingual = 2 languages I’m pretty sure
Italy and Switzerland have the best songs of all <3
My winner Switzerland and my Top 4 Italy, for sure!! <3
Oculis Videre. Oh, wait…
Thankfully it’s not here
My ranking based on my Top 41:
1. Switzerland (10/10 and 1st overall)
2. Spain (8/10 and 12th overall)
3. Portugal (7/10 and 23rd overall)
4. Italy (6.5/10 and 26th overall)
5. Slovenia (6.5/10 and 27th overall)
6. France (6/10 and 28th overall)
7. Belarus (5/10 and 32nd overall)
8. Croatia (5/10 and 33rd overall)
9. Serbia (5/10 and 34th overall)
10. Ukraine (2/10 and 39th overall)
1 and 2 in my “faves” category, 3-6 in my “middle of the road” category and 7-10 in my “don’t need to listen twice” category.
Switzerland by large. I’m glad that the Swiss have come back to French. With all the good songs and the importance it has had in the history of esc, it seems English has completely overshadow this lovely language.
I also think Croatia deserves to be higher in this poll. Beautiful ballad and touching lyrics even if one doesn’t know what they mean.
Slovenia
switzerland easily. why does everyone like ukraine? i think it sounds like a fork in the garbage disposal while someone simultaneously scrapes their nails on a chalkboard
downvote me as you all do with every comment i make
Gladly
I don’t like Ukraine’s either, but to answer your question: Because people have different tastes and what you think is your opinion, not a fact? Mindblowing right? Who would’ve thought we’re different people with different tastes.
If you respect other tastes and opinions, you wouldn’t downvote them.
Then why, pray tell, does the downvote button exist?? It is not a personal attack, it is simply saying ‘I don’t agree’ and then moving on. For example, I am downvoting you now nor because I hate you or don’t respect your opinions, but because I disagree. You are more than welcome to downvote me if you would like. That is what it’s there for.
No questions! Switzerland, la suisse.
Italy by far
Well that’s easy it’s the same as my favourite Eurovision 2020 song. Switzerland.
my favorite is either serbia or ukraine, but i’m voting for belarus since no one else will vote for them lol
Hahaha go Hurricane girls tho 😀
Italy, Slovenia, Serbia, Switzerland, Croatia
Why is Russia not included in this poll if France is included?
Cuz Russia’s song is a joke?
Switzerland and Ukraine, periodtttt
Wow, didn’t realise there was this little non-English songs…
There has been years with way less, like 2017
It’s kinda sad that while some countries keep sending songs in their language, others stopped doing that a long time ago. In the last 10 years we haven’t heard a single word in Norwegian, Czech or Maltese, many other languages have been used very sporadically. On the other hand, I’m glad Ukraine and Belarus were planning on sending entries entirely in their mother tongue, for the first and second time in history respectively, Slavic languages are really beautiful and I’d love to hear them more often at Eurovision.
Thats kind of why I watch junior eurovision. There is so much more language diversity in jesc for some reason – there was even Maltese last year!!
The reason being: In JESC, at east 40/50% of each song has to feature their native language, that’s why the only countries allowed to send a song entirely in English are the UK, Australia and Malta
The last time the UK were in JESC was like, 2004?
The ex-Yugs are back tho.
I think the introduction of the jury is responsible for decreasing the number of non-English entries year after year. Since 2017, this has changed a little bit, but in that same year they sabotaged Origo.
Slavic languages are so ugly
Then I’m assuming you feel very at home among them.
Excepted during the darkest period of the ESC (2014-2017) we ear almost every years slavic and latine language every years. The main problem are germanic country since the end of the language rule, Sweden have revamp and translate all this swedish song in english (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2006) same situation for Denmark (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005) except in 2019 with Leonora’s song. Norway send finally a good song in their language in 2006 and Iceland every years except in 2013 and 2019, Netherlands had translate in english too in 2007 and 2011 And for Germany… Read more »
As Italy, Switzerland and Ukraine are in my very top, I voted them.
Switzerland and Ukraine