This is me. Here I am. Accept me for what I am, voilà. That’s the simple but powerful message found in Barbara Pravi‘s Eurovision 2021 song. The “Voilà” lyrics are simple and direct, portraying a woman who has been hiding in the shadows, marinating in the insecurities and shame that come with living on mute. In her text we hear a woman ready to take ownership of herself and her dream to write music and to sing.
“Listen to me, Me, the wannabe singer,” she sings. “Talk about me to your loved ones, to your friends. Tell them about this girl with black eyes and her crazy dream. Me, what I want is to write stories that reach you. That’s all.”
Scroll down for “Voila” lyrics
Barbara Pravi: What do the “Voilà” lyrics mean?
Whether you speak French or not, the journey of a woman from insecurity to strength, from self-doubt to self-acceptance comes through clearly in the dramatic swells of “Voilà”. In an interview with me ahead of the final, Barbara connected this to her own story — that of a woman who has overcome her own demons and the ugliness of domestic violence.
“I often think that ‘Voilà’ is the end and the beginning of something,” she said. “It’s the end of twenty five years of a battle with myself to feel happy, to feel proud, to understand that I am capable of doing things. It’s the beginning because now I am ready to say hello, that’s me, and I don’t mind if you like me…because that’s just what I am. That’s everything I am…..This is all I have, this is all I got, here I am, and voilà.”
“My crazy dream is to spread messages and say things. I want my things to be heard by people. This is the only thing I have — I only have my voice, my soul, all my body and everything to sing. This is the message of ‘Voilà’. It says please hear me because I only have this. If you aren’t here to hear me, then I am nothing.”
It’s like coming out as a singer — something Barbara says she was fully able to do during the Eurovision submission process last September.
“Until September my music was confidential. I live in Paris, so I know that people in Paris know me. It’s only a small town. I want to make music for the world. I want all the world to hear my songs and it will be a dream. The difference is I don’t want my music to be confidential anymore. If it can be more gigantic I will be very proud and very happy.”
“Voilà” lyrics — Barbara Pravi (France ESC 2021 selection)
French textÉcoutez moi Voilà, voilà, voilà, voilà qui je suis Regardez moi, ou du moins ce qu’il en reste Voilà, voilà, voilà, voilà qui je suis Ne partez pas, j’vous en supplie restez longtemps Voilà, voilà, voilà, voilà qui je suis Voilà |
English translationListen to me Here, here, here, here I am, Here I am Look at me, or at least what’s left Here, here, here, here is who I am, Here I am Don’t go, I’m begging you stay a long time It may not save me, no Here, there, here, here I am, Here I am Here |
What type of staging do you hope to see in Rotterdam? Let us know in the comments box down below!
Barbara, thanks very much to bring such a beautiful song to the world! It’s an energetic song, full of power and enthusiasm! Do hope to see your concert someday in future! Greetings from Hong Kong again!
Such an emotional song! Greetings from Hong Kong!
I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS SONG!!!!!!
I saw the interview with Barbara, it was so great !! She is so sweet and I am very happy she represent France in Eurovision and I hope she will get the succes that she deserves. I will vote for her because I love her beautiful song Voilá. I play it the whole day !!
It reminds me of Edit Piaf’s “Padam Padam”. That’s all I wanted to say.
Very nice lyrics.
YES !!! My favorite song won !! And my second favorite came second !!
France has chosen wisely 🙂
what a fright! I thought she won.uffff
Yuhh me too haha
Hahah, sorry — I meant to publish this before the show but only got to it now! <3
“Ma gueule ” in that case means “my face” in a no politically correct way, the kind of word you won’t tell in a royal cocktail ?
Love you honneeyy ! ?
Oops, my symbols didn’t work 🙂
I meant “… the kind of word you won’t tell in a royal cocktail 😉
Love you honneeyy ! :-)”
She won !
I had a panick attack when I saw her name i thought it was a post saying she’s won. Fingers crossed for andriamad
They didn’t even make the second round oof.
Ahhh stop i cant get France tv in irelamd