Elisa Portugal Eurovision 2020 Medo de Sentir

Elisa was due to represent Portugal at Eurovision 2020 with “Medo de Sentir”. Its title translates to “Fear of Feeling”. The song is fully in Portuguese, staying true to Portugal’s tradition. Over the past few years, the country has had its fair share of diverse lyrical topics. This song tells the relatable story of getting hurt by a broken relationship.

Scroll down for “Medo de Sentir” lyrics

Portugal in Eurovision 2020: Elisa with “Medo De Sentir”

Elisa Silva — or simply Elisa — faced some strong competition at Festival da Canção 2020. She came second with both the jury and the televote, but that was enough for her to emerge victorious with “Medo de Sentir”.

It’s a low-tempo ballad that progresses from a gentle orchestral sound to a dramatic climax, followed by an enchanting final chorus.

Lyrically the song speaks about a topic that we can surely all relate to. In becoming “afraid to feel”, Elisa is trying to avoid loving too hard. She’s afraid of having her heart broken again.

What do the “Medo de Sentir” lyrics mean?

“Medo De Sentir” is not your usual love ballad. It speaks about the experience of having your heart broken from a retrospective point of view.

In the refrain, Elisa says: “I was not like this, but now I am afraid to feel. Ask the time, it knows everything about me”. This refers to the cognitive change that one experiences after a failed love story.

Later, as the song dramatically builds up to a climax before the end, a new theme emerges in the lyrics.

In a similar fashion to the final verse of Cláudia Pascoal’s “O Jardim” from 2018, Elisa looks back at her attempts to change and how things turned out eventually.

The lyrics, penned by Marta Carvalho, explain the circumstances under which the singer failed to see an actual. “I already tried to change, but life took away the best that I had in me”, Elisa sings. “And if I were to return someday, will you wait for me?”. The question remains unanswered as the song ends with a final chorus.

“Medo de Sentir” lyrics — Elisa (Portugal ESC 2020)

Written and composed by: Marta Carvalho

Portuguese text

Qual é a saída
Eu acho que já não sei amar
E se o amor me convida
Agora não consigo aceitar
Parece que é rotina
A minha solidão teima em voltar

Eu não era assim
Mas agora tenho medo de sentir
Pergunta ao tempo, ele sabe tudo sobre mim
Pergunta ao tempo, ele sabe tudo sobre mim

Se me dás a tua mão
Eu não sei como vou reagir
Se falas de coração
Parece que estou outra vez a ouvir
Mais uma ilusão
Que não tarda muito em partir

Eu não era assim
Mas agora tenho medo de sentir
Pergunta ao tempo, ele sabe tudo sobre mim
Pergunta ao tempo, ele sabe tudo sobre mim
O que ele guarda, diz tudo o que eu sinto por ti

Eu já tentei mudar
Mas a vida levou
O melhor que eu tinha em mim
E se um dia eu voltar
Esperarás por mim?

Eu não era assim
Mas agora tenho medo de sentir
Pergunta ao tempo, ele sabe tudo sobre mim
Pergunta ao tempo, ele sabe tudo sobre mim
O que ele guarda, diz tudo o que eu sinto por ti

English translation

What is the way out?
I don’t think I know how to love anymore
And if love invites me
Now I can’t accept
Looks like it’s routine
My solitude insists to return

I was not like this
But now I am afraid to feel
Ask the time, it knows everything about me
Ask the time, it knows everything about me

If you give me your hand
I don’t know how I’ll react
If you speak from the heart
It’d seem like I’m listening again
One more illusion
That doesn’t take long to leave

I was not like this
But now I am afraid to feel
Ask the time, it knows everything about me
Ask the time, it knows everything about me
What it keeps away says all about how I feel for you

I already tried to change
But life took away
The best that I had in me
And if I were to return someday
Will you wait for me?

I was not like this
But now I am afraid to feel
Ask the time, it knows everything about me
Ask the time, it knows everything about me
What it keeps away says all about how I feel for you

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Africavision
Africavision
3 years ago

Beautiful girl, beautiful language, beautiful lyrics, beautiful song… What more can one ask for? Portugal gives a rat’s ass for following norms and musical trends. Instead, they bring to Eurovision an undeniable authenticity, and use the contest as a platform to showcase their language, artistry, and country. They understand that sending songs to achieve good placements isn’t always the most important, but being true to themselves, and showcasing their identity and heritage is just as rewarding. Their entries may not always be well-received, nor the most impactful, but Portugal does Eurovision by their own standards, and “generic” is never a… Read more »

Jake
Jake
3 years ago

I really like this song, so unpretentious. Well done, Portugal.

Female Lotus
Female Lotus
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

I still feel quite disappointed about this year cancellation, because it’s rarely my favorite can won national final.. and this year medo de sentir got my heart.. and I am so sad it cant be performed live in Eurovision 2020..