The Roop Eurovision 2020 Lithuania ON Fire

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 The Roop — winners of Lithuania‘s Pabandom is Naujo — and their song “On Fire”. Did we feel their heat? Read on to find out!

The Roop – “On Fire”

“On Fire” reviews

Angus: “On Fire” is very clever. It is a modern pop song, but also has quirky notes that identify it as a Eurovision song too. Similarly to Iceland, it really needs live performance to have full impact. But in the studio cut here, the difference is the song sounds thoroughly of this time.

Score: 6.5

Barnabas: The only Baltic nation with no Eurovision victories under their belt took a deep breath and brought out the big guns, and made their mark with a memorable indie-pop song. The modern yet still not mainstream track (with an epic synth solo) packs a real punch with their live performance, where frontman Vaidotas Valiukevicius’ subtle playing with his voice is paired with an iconic dance. A contender to win, The Roop raised the bar for the future Lithuanian entries. If they keep up the pace, the win will only be a matter of time.

Score: 9

Lucy: I’m a sucker for indie entries in Eurovision, and this screams “Lithuania’s Hot Chip” to me. When the video of The Dance™ appeared all over my timeline I dismissed it slightly before hearing that bassline just before it begins — a full listen was required. This is no joke entry, it’s just not your standard Eurovision performance. And run-of-the-mill doesn’t get you a trophy, y’all! The Roop have given us high-art edition It’s alternative — and I shall grieve the fact we won’t see it on the Eurovision stage forevermore.

Score: 10

Luis: “On Fire” is such a perfect mix of fun and serious pop. Yes, it makes you smile, but there’s no way you can take this as a camp entry. The Roop execute this perfectly, and it’s impressive to watch the performance and notice how every single detail is thought out. This should become a new dictionary entry for the word “enjoyable”.

Score: 9.5

Pablo: There is literally no way that I can listen to this song without getting a smile on my face. This is perfection. Fun without being mocking, artsy without being pretentious and familiar without being derivative. How do you do fire-desire-higher? Exactly like this. “On Fire” transmits this unabashed joy across three minutes that go by flying. Lithuania has cracked the code, and could have gone extremely far. This is one for the playlist and one for the decade.

Score: 10

 

The Roop – “On Fire” rankings

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

Antranig: 7

Åri: 7.5

Bernardo: 7

Calvin: 5.5

Deban: 6

Esma: 9

Florian: 8.5

Jonathan: 6

Natalie: 7.5

Oliver: 9

Renske: 9

Robyn: 9

Ron: 5.5

Sebastian: 7

Tobias: 7.5

Tom: 7.5

William: 9

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 5.5 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.85/10

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

See all our Eurovision 2020 reviews and rankings

73 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Anita
Anita
3 years ago

I need to write this here. I have just listened to Mahmoods song Barrio. I hope The Roop didn’t steal from it… Just listen yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fmpz-wIkPY

Josh Sterling
Josh Sterling
3 years ago

I will give a 8/10 for this

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

Lithuania – 3/10 (37th/41)

Teddie
Teddie
3 years ago

Well, it was hands down the best ESC song this season, period. Alas, thanks to Covid and EBU, no win for Lithuania.

Milan
Milan
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddie

Why thanks to EBU? All major events everywhere have been cancelled – even outdoor ones. It’s not like ESC is an exception.

Ieva
Ieva
3 years ago
Reply to  Milan

Maybe the person means that EBU is not allowing to use the same songs in the next contest.

Milan
Milan
3 years ago
Reply to  Ieva

Ah, I see, thanks for clarification. But even if they did allow it, I guess most of the countries that were outsiders in 2020 would have made sure to send better entries in 2021, so the 2021 winner would most likely be a (fresh) 2021 song anyway. Unfair as it is to the favourites of 2020, I think covid-19 is the only one to blame.

Shanfa Chai
Shanfa Chai
3 years ago

Not among my favorites, but this could’ve been Lithuania’s best result. I’m still kinda pissed that Eurovision has to be cancelled. This is the first time ever since watching Eurovision for the first time in 2015 that I could actually enjoy listening to many of the songs. The fact that there’s no clear standout this year makes me feel even sadder about the cancellation. I would love to see how the scoreboards (jury, televote, overall) would turn out. I mean, all the songs this year seems to be cancelling each other out. I don’t want next year to be a… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

I appreciate this for what it is, a song that caught on and had a chance of delivering Lithuania its best ever result. If anything, for me, its all just a bit too slick, a bit too polished. I actually do like a lot of the Roop’s other music and Vaidotas is a very good singer. However, lyrically, this is a bit meh and musically, it is actually overly simple. It was in my top 15 but was never going to get much higher than that.

Chessguy99
3 years ago

A solid 3rd place with 3rd-4th televote and 8th-10th in juries.

Olivier
Olivier
3 years ago

This song could be a huge worldwide hit ! The dance routine is so funny and sexy !

Héctor
Héctor
3 years ago

I can’t help but think this song was overrated by the fans. I mean… it’s good, original, I like it, but any other year it wouldn’t have been a potential winner. Well, I didn’t consider it a potential winner. Anyway, I’m glad Lithuania got to know what being the frontrunner feels. I’m sorry for both The Roop and the Lithuanian people, but I hope they manage to bring a better song next year and win Eurovizijos again. About the song itself: “On Fire” is weird and ironic, just like “Think About Things”, but it manages to be serious in its… Read more »

Josito
Josito
3 years ago

@Barnabas… don’t remember Poland ??, a Baltic nation, ever winning???

Ieva
Ieva
3 years ago
Reply to  Josito

Poland is not a Baltic state 🙂

Claire stringwell
Claire stringwell
3 years ago

I love it definitely a 10 from me

JDS
JDS
3 years ago

While I don’t love this song, I’m gutted for Lithuania. They don’t have strong record at all in Eurovision, and here they were in with a strong chance, and being talked about as a potential winner for the first time. Personally, I don’t think they’d have won (I predicted 3rd place) but to have a shot at a win or at least their first top 5 finish, and to have it taken away from them like this, is tough.

Zelenovi
Zelenovi
3 years ago

I’m kind of beginning to think Lithuania and Iceland were fishing for the same votes (I love both but musically I prefer Lithuania). I think either song could have won if the other wasn’t there, but they could have ended up eating enough of the other’s votes for both to go top 5, with the win going to… Bulgaria? Sweden? Malta?

Thoughts?

ESCLaura
ESCLaura
3 years ago
Reply to  Zelenovi

I personally agree With you, but I think Switzerland would have won. Such a shame we’ll never know now:(

Marionette
Marionette
3 years ago

I am sorry to sound harsh, because Lithuania is such an underdog since the beginning. But, I find this song very contrived and uninspired. It’s not an organically ironic song for me. The things they put together are not original, neither visually nor musically. And the lyrics are really basic. Fire higher desire, bye Kasia!

NickC
NickC
3 years ago

This would have been the winner. After Maruv’s siren song, another Eastern European gem got away.

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago

Lithuania 9/10

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago

It’s no secret that I never liked the song so I’m not going to pretend that I do now. Sorry…

Citizen of Memel
Citizen of Memel
3 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

But you do pretend and fail miserably. For an entry you don’t feel happy about from the start, you put quite a lot of effort so all of us would know what you think. :))

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago

So I am no longer allowed to give my honest opinion? So you do want me to pretend? Sorry that’s just not me. And for the record do you honestly believe that I am the only one who doesn’t like this song?

Liisa
Liisa
3 years ago

To me it sounds like a typical 4th, 5th or 6th place in the Grand Final but if we think about how weak this year is, then it could’ve been a winner – a massive winner (winning also jury vote).

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Liisa

It is hard to say. But to me it sounded like a solid Top 5 in both televote and jury. (We knew live which helps)
If it was a real winner, we would never know sadly. I thought Duncan had way more winning vibes than Keiino last year for example.. and watching live shows.. all changed. Eurovision magic.

Tamara
Tamara
3 years ago

Can’t understand the people who thinks that this song deserves max 7 points and I feel really angry about 5.5 points.. Sorry but what?!

Adopio
Adopio
3 years ago

Corona stole Lithuania’s first victory, and it makes me really sad..

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
3 years ago

I find this a million times more enjoyable than Icelands entry, this is a “quirky’ entry executed perfectly. It’s catchy, funny but also very powerful. Lithuania could have really won Eurovision this year, imagine that- I would have never expected that last year, after Lithuania sent 3 atrocious entries in a row. Their NF this year was incredible, they had more options than all their past 5 NF’s combined, and I’m hoping that they keep up tjeir good momentum next year. 9/10

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

3 atrocious? Ieva? She was great imo
Jurijus was good as well and got a good televote score.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

I appreciate what The Roop have tried to do with this track; it does have a nice groove to it. But the truth is that I really don’t like this one, for the following reasons: (Warning: Do not read the rest of the comment if you like this entry. May The Roop also forgive me…) There are only four chords; The higher/fire/desire cliché; OTT dancing instead of musical development; That awful siren noise (just switch it off); The calculated nature of it all – he’s meant to be “on fire”, not exercising! Is the entry trying to be funny, or… Read more »

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I guess you’ve got a point (while playing this song, your left hand is basically on autopilot the entire time), but I’d say it all comes down to the mind v heart debate. I love your reviews for the detailed technical analyses of songs, but what I value the most is the feeling a given song makes me experience. I reckon the simplistic structure is forgivable if one finds the whole package touching and magical (the Netherlands 2014) or unique and entertaining (Lithuania 2020). The dance isn’t random – it’s actually a visual representation of the song’s message and it… Read more »

Preuss
Preuss
3 years ago

I’m sure the televote would be strong for this one, but not sure about the juries. Depending how the jury vote goes, I can see this do something similar to Moldova 2017 and go top 3, which would be an excellent result. I don’t believe this is a winner, mainly because of the juries, but I’m confident that a top 5 would be a realistic result and nothing to be ashamed off.

Indiana07
Indiana07
3 years ago
Reply to  Preuss

The juries didn’t hurt Netta enough to ruin her victory so I don’t think they would have put “On Fire” very low. I can’t see anybody else winning in 2020 but Lithuania.

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
3 years ago
Reply to  Indiana07

Yeah, I also think Lithuania would have scored high enough with the juries like 2nd or 3rd place, and it would be the televote that would push them to victory.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Preuss

Juries would have been all over the place probably that they wouldn’t ruin anybody I think. Hopefully not another Keiino situation.
The Roop would have been Top 5 still. It was slick and professional to appeal to them.

Kredential
Kredential
3 years ago

Never been a fan of the song and found it quite overrated, but it’s a damn shame that Lithuania, who tends to send below average entries and has yet to have their moment on the Eurovision stage, won’t get their chance to shine thanks to this stupid virus.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
3 years ago

We all love underdog stories, don’t we? It’s much more fun to root for a country that has never been in top 5 rather than a country like Sweden, which is in top 10 almost every year. And there was a reason to root for Lithuania this year – in 2020, where a lot of entries were “pleasant, but just pleasant”, “On Fire” seemed like a beacon of pure joy and a perfect balance of silliness and cleverness. It had everything – a charismatic singer, important message of enjoying life against all odds, an incredibly catchy hook, ideally planned staging,… Read more »

Odysseas
Odysseas
3 years ago

WOW! Didn’t expect that at all from Lithuania. Everything on this song is original, great job by the Roop! Too bad cause they might not be at Eurovision next year…

Overall: 9.8/10 (2nd)

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

Now that both reviews have been done, I would want to point out an interesting (at least to me) trivia about Lithuania and Poland. Both song use fire as a key motive, yet do it in quite an opposite way. Poland uses the metaphor of fire as something destructive and dangerous, while Lithuania uses it as something positive, a spark of life. It just showcases how same motives can be effectively used for entirely different purposes and still make a point. Well, to me they both landed well, as both entries are in my top 10.

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

An interesting thing that I’ve noticed from doing my lists are that 9 out of my top 10 are about adversity and the struggle to overcome it (with Russia thrown in for a bit of light relief!) It’s fascinating to me how I think we all gravitate towards connections that mean something to us on a personal level.

On the subject of fire, I am on Eleni’s team!

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Yes, Eleni’s Fuego is another example of a good fire-themed song with yet another meaning. Hers is closer to The Roop’s than to Alicja’s, but she add a dimension of sexuality to it, making it different.
Russia (on my 9th spot) is also the only entry in my Top 10 that I don’t consider to be lyrically challenging (even if On Fire is admittedly more simple than, say Switzerland or Romania). What makes it so fun is how unapologetically simple and funny it is. 🙂

Thanos
Thanos
3 years ago

Really creative and original indie pop song. It also has a very addictive hook and a great funny choreography. Well done Lithuania!! My top so far: 1. Switzerland 2. Italy 3. Romania 4. Bulgaria 5. Croatia 6. United Kingdom 7. Norway 8. Lithuania 9. -–10. Denmark 11. Russia 12. Australia 13. Albania 14. Finland 15. Israel 16. Ireland 17. Moldova 18. Estonia 19. — 20. –21. Belgium 22. — 23. Poland 24. Georgia 25. Czech Republic 26. — 27. Slovenia 28. France 29. Portugal 30. Armenia 31. Spain 32. Austria 33. North Macedonia 34. Cyprus 35. Belarus 36. –37. Ukraine… Read more »

Zsófi
Zsófi
3 years ago

You seriously put Norway higher than this? A generic, already sang by uk song over this genius creation by one of the most underappreciated country in the history of Eurovision? I’m sad.

Mia
Mia
3 years ago

This is not your Eurovision joke entry, undertone is actually very serious. My favorite from the Lithuanian selection from the start, it has everything- catchy song, well crafted performance and ofc hot daddy Vaidotas who is the star! I’m really pissed we won’t see them next year, but who knows in the end..
10/10

Emily
Emily
3 years ago

Hah! Never thought I’d see Kings of Convenience here! I agree with the Hot Chip comment. In a way it’s there but I guess I’m comparing this one song to all HC’s (and the band member’s other projects) discography, here.

Adam
Adam
3 years ago

I’m very much a fan of this indie-pop genre and I think the production is modern and refreshing. I also have to compliment his quirky performance and the unique timbre and richness in his voice: he’s clearly an artist with ambition and a natural stage presence. That being said, I find the lyrics rather trite and awkward at times, even if the message is clearly conveyed. Unlike many others, I prefer to listen to the song without the visuals. This song is middling in my ranking but I’m sure it would have effortlessly secured a Top 10 result had the… Read more »

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

Lithuania>>>>>>>Norway

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago
Reply to  Tom

Chill out, why does every one of your comments have to be about Norway?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Because the fjords there are so beautiful. 😀

Emily
Emily
3 years ago

Being a big fan of Hot Chip, hearing about this band got me really excited, but on first (or, more like the first three) listen I was expecting a bit more. If anything, the music video is very reminiscent of HC’s ones (and remind me of several of Two Door Cinema Club’s MVs) more than the actual song. However I do like Vaidotas’ voice, and this could have been Lithuania’s best placing to date. Do I think it’s amazing? No – but do I think it’s top 10 worthy? Absolutely.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

LITHUANIA – Often, there is one song I start liking only after the national final season has finished and this year, it’s Lithuania. Don’t get me wrong, I always thought that this is a good melody, but I just couldn’t figure out what was this all about and it bugged me. I guess I just couldn’t connect at first. But then, suddenly, *I got it* and I connected. I believe this song is about having fun in life at any age and not letting society define you by their standards. It does so in a very likable way. They aren’t… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

You changed your mind! LOL, I feel bad now, because I didn’t change mine.

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Colin, we have gone in opposite directions on this! I absolutely loved it during the semi-final and was really pleased it won the final (there were a lot of detractors at that time if I remember correctly?). But something has just gone wrong with it as time as progressed. I can’t put my finger on it but now I invariably skip it when it comes on my playlist.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Kosey: Listener fatigue? Or, because of a musical reason? (i.e. The electro sirens are irritating.)

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I think it is a “performance” song that works best when the visuals and audio are combined. The group bounce off each other very well and there has clearly been a lot of thought gone into the visual elements. As an audio only track, the song seems quite sparse and dare I say it a little basic? Without the visuals to go with, the vocal becomes strange and over-exaggerated and yes, with no dance to go with it, the electro siren becomes just a siren – and I can hear one of those at my local emergency services department

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

@Purple Mask and @Kosey – Hmm… now I feel awkward, as I felt I was the only one around here not over the moon with this song. I wanted Monique or MM to win. But then, as some time passed, I found myself strangely fascinated with it. It’s quirky, different, interesting. I’m still happy to hear some (more) negative comments too, as it might help explaining my initial indifference to it. 🙂

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I am really surprised that you came round on this one!

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

You and me both! 🙂
Biggest grower this year next to Armenia.
Estonia, on the other hand, is my biggest decliner.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago

very simple but effective lyrics, song structure in line with the current instrumental chorus trend à la billie eilish, meme-worthy performance… i’m not really a fan but i’m gonna admit it could’ve been lithuania’s best result

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

Ooo, it’s the really divisive one: The Roop.
I am going to wait for your other comments first, as my review might be a bit too shocking to start off with. Comments please…

Mia
Mia
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Just go on, you can’t shock me so easily 😉 I like reading different opinions.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Mia

It’s posted. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 😉

Mia
Mia
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I read it and like that it’s your alarm 😀

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

23. Lithuania – 6.5/10 – The quirkiness and inventiveness drew me in during the national semi-final. The artsy-electro composition is insanely catchy. I also respect the anti-ageism message. This feels more sophisticated than the other obviously “entertainment value” entries in the competition. However, it has a tendency to get irritating on multiple listens as hence it has slowly slid down my rankings as other entries were released. Additionally, I also find that I need the visual of the video or live performance to appreciate the song, when it comes on in isolation on Spotify, I am more often that not… Read more »

Dimos
Dimos
3 years ago

Lower than I expected. If Norway wins the Wiwi Jury with that cliché, outdated ballad, I quit

Nordic
Nordic
3 years ago
Reply to  Dimos

It’s not even in first place right now? Maybe try being not so negative?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Nordic

Which entry is leading the Wiwi Jury so far?

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

1. Switzerland – 7.95
2. Norway . 7.90
3. Lithuania – 7.85

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Thanks Colin. Looks like a low-scoring year, perhaps.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Well, according to many, this is a weak ESC year. For me, it’s your average post-2012 ESC year, with about 15-20 songs ending-up on my playlist and under 10 songs scoring below average. Not as strong as 2018 or 2015, though.

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Sore point. Norway was, but apparently the score was wrong (yet more voting controversy?) and now the Switzerland score has been revised and it is now top.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Owh. Wow, what a twist.