Another day, another track. On Wednesday evening, superstar singer-songwriter VICTORIA revealed “The Funeral Song” — the fifth song in the running to represent Bulgaria at Eurovision 2021. The track is taken from VICTORIA’s upcoming EP a little dramatic.
Listen: VICTORIA – “The Funeral Song” (Potential Eurovision 2021 song)
Though its title is rather macabre, “The Funeral Song” is about learning to love yourself and celebrate life. In the words of the legendary Ms. RuPaul Charles, if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else? “The Funeral Song” is the fourth track taken from VICTORIA’s upcoming EP a little dramatic. It’s also the penultimate song on the shortlist to represent Bulgaria at Eurovision 2021.
“What happens when we lose everything? What should we actually appreciate most while we are here on Earth?” VICTORIA asks. “With this song I want to tell people that they should take care and live in the moment. We all need to love and cherish ourselves.”
The track features the songwriting talents of Helena Larsson, Chris Samuels, Nellie Fors and Oliver Björkvall. The Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra assisted with the final arrangement of the song — just as they did with “Phantom Pain” and the upcoming “Growing Up Is Getting Old”.
Coming soon: VICTORIA’s final potential Eurovision song
On Thursday 18 February, VICTORIA will release “Growing Up Is Getting Old” — the final track on the Bulgarian Eurovision 2021 shortlist. The lyric video will premier at 19:00 CET on eurovision.icard.com and VICTORIA’s YouTube channel.
Soon, the Bulgarian Eurovision team will launch a special online platform to allow music fans around the world to leave comments and feedback about VICTORIA’s six potential songs for Rotterdam. This will be part of Bulgaria’s internal selection process and will ultimately inform the song decision for Eurovision 2021. Additionally, VICTORIA and her team will also look for feedback from focus groups of music, TV, radio and Eurovision experts to make their final decision.
What do you think of “The Funeral Song”? Should this be VICTORIA’s song for Eurovision 2021? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Oh, I love love her song from 2020 and she is brillant artist, but this becoming annoying to me. Girl, pick the song you prefer and feel most comfortable and I’m looking forward to see you at the big ESC stage.
For me “Dive Into Unknown” is the best song. I don ‘t like “The Funeral Song”. One more song to go
Except “Dive Into Unknown” is bad grammar. It may not bother a lot of people, but I find it very cringeworthy when non-native English speakers try to write profound , artsy songs in English; and then these end up being riddled with bad grammar. Just stick to writing songs in your own language. For the love of God, language diversity in Eurovision is beautiful, so give us songs in your own language, please! Or at least get someone proficient in your target language to write the song for you, or hire a proofreader to go over the grammar.
Hi! Native English speaker with an English degree here! If Victoria is referring to “unknown” as a specific NAMED place she is headed to, then the “the” before it isn’t needed.
Nobody says “I’m flying to THE Paris.” They say “I’m flying to Paris.” Because Paris is the name of the place.
Unknown might be the name of the place she’s diving into. Considering how the rest of her grammar is overall fine, I’m pretty sure she made that choice on purpose.
Starting to think that maybe the six songs was a bit too ambitious. There’s not exactly a lot of musical diversity there. Whatever they pick, isn’t going to feel that unique or special if we’ve heard songs that are pretty similar to it already.
The lyrics are sad but the instrumental is quite happy I don’t get it
Love how the people in the comments think that just because we have had a rough time of it recently worldwide, nobody can write a sad song anymore. Like……do you really thing artists are going to write solely happy songs after what we all went through? Delusions
Yeah I don’t understand that often used argument either. Perhaps for them, happy music will cheer them up. But it doesn’t apply to everyone ; different personality types handle sadness and grieve differently. I wish emotions were that black and white easy, that a bop or happy music in general can wash your pain and sadness away. But for many it’s these type of slower, deeper meaningful ballads which help with coping grieve. For me at least it does.
Obviously there will be melancholic songs ( probably more so this year as writers write from personal experiences) however I am looking at it from a competition perspective( one night of songs) and thinking of the voter sitting at home watching the ESC final and hearing these songs once. Many will be touched by more meaningful ballads but many more will want something less dark.
wow this one actually has percussion
I think the Ugly Cry might be a front runner for Sticky Vicky as it’s the only one so far with the proper video.
However I’m concerned about how early it was released and the excitement might have worn off a bit by now.
That worn out excitement you are talking about is honestly merely for a minority of the whole Eurovision fandom.
Also a fun coincidence.
When I was singing Dive Into Unknown to myself earlier trying to add my own flavour, I noticed how similar the progression and the melody of the chorus is to a slowed down version of Blondie’s ‘Tide Is High’.
I love the production. The melody is not as haunting as I expected and not as memorable, unfortunately. It’s actually quite cheerful for a funeral song though. Cannot connect with the lyrics at all.
And who the heck holds a funeral at 6AM on Sunday? Get real, Helena, Chris, Nellie and Oliver.
I feel really saddened by some comments (on most of Wiwibloggs articles on Victoria’s songs), some people really lack empathy. Yes, it’s a complicated time for most of us. Yes, her songs are dark, disturbing and sad. Yes, she does talk about death, depression, sadness, loneliness and etc. But is that a problem ? What is the point of being an artist if they can’t even express their feelings and their memories through what they do best ? Please just try to understand that some people need to share these things not only for them but also for some of… Read more »
What’s wrong in expressing the feeling that we want to hear a positive , feel good song this year ??
I’ve not read the exact comments you’re mentioning , but everyone including Victoria is allowed freedom of expression whilst not harming anyone else.
You have every right to want a positive song! I’m not asking to have only sad and dark songs of course. I was mainly referring to people who feel that her music is all the same and that she tries to make herself look morbid. I just wanted people to understand that you have the right not to like the songs or that you want something else but that you still have to respect a minimum of a person’s work. Moreover, as an artist, she has the right to play a character or to express what she wants through her… Read more »
This girl thinks she’s so edgy and deep lol
you dont know her life or anything shes been through
I find it really hypocritical that people are complaining that it is the “wrong time” for this song if she ends up picking it, while a lot of you were trying to defend “la la love” as Eden’s possible entry when the covid references in that song were a lot more blatant compared to this one
Yeah yeah fire
Just because it’s pandemic the contestants should send party and upbeat songs…
Blas’ preferred nf song by ESC fans is also quite sad and no one talks how he should go with Memoria and not with other song.
Yes, this song is a little bit weird and depressing, but I think it can still do very well in Eurovision.
Imaginary Friend, that I also like, is lyrically somehow quite poor and straightorward compared to this or Tears Getting Sobber.
r/im14andthisisdeep
lol my thoughts exactly
The title is going to put off voters in the year that is in it. I firmly believe the winner of ESC 21 will be an upbeat song as joy is what everyone wants this year.
Not everyone listens to happy music…. and just because its a pandemic artists cant send sad songs?
I agree but that is not my point. I am thinking of the context of songs being heard- a one off event with a variety of songs. There maybe a sad song that catches the mood and feeling of the audience but in general people watching Eurovision will want to be entertained and uplifted.
Ugly Cry is still the best choice imo. With great staging, she’ll easily land on success.
I don’t find this song amazing either, but these complaints are unfair. First of all, there are all of the complaints about this being too depressing. I understand that some people like to listen to happy music in darker times, but do you really want “La La Love” x42? A lot of people like to listen to sadder songs when sad, and this is personally great for me. And this song isn’t even sad? Like it’s very bittersweet, but I would not call it sad or depressing, it is actually more uplifting, if you actually listen to the lyrics. I… Read more »
Honestly this one’s my favorite so far. I don’t care if people downvote me for it but it is. The bittersweet lyrics combined with the poppier sound remind me of a couple of other indie artists I like even though she doesn’t sound the same as them.
‘ life is a mess that makes you mad
you try so hard to make it count
that’s why a funeral is pretty damn sad
cause in the end
you realise
you already been through hell. ‘
these lines are so true lol.
So far i still think she really has to go with Ugly Cry, that has the most potential to do well i think
i’m done with this
I just love that she is not playing directly into the hands of the fans and just express herself as that kind of artist that she wants to be
Makes it more interesting in general imo
I WOULD LOVE THIS!!!……ANY. OTHER. YEAR (but hun, during a deadly pandemic?)
Just because it’s pandemic it doesn’t mean people shouldn’t be reminded to appreciate their life now cause later would be too late. And it’s not as if you can’t protect yourself from getting infected coronavirus.
It’s a No-No. I agree with some fans who say this could be triggering for some people. How can I put it? I have a neighbor under a big depression. She tries to be ok, she’s under treatment (She lost somebody due to Covid-19). She makes efforts to be fine, but any depressing thing generates a breakdown. I understand life is a sort of Ying and Yang, but we’ve had enough of depressing things. Why would we need more? This girl should stop mirroring Billie Eilish and find her own style -she’s amazingly talented and her voice is stunning!!! No,… Read more »
Yeah, like every slow and more dark singing girl is immediately Billie Eilish.
She didn’t invent this style and doesn’t own it.
Just accept that it is Victoria’s style? Even if it is similar?
Let her be herself through her music instead of trying to change her.
This is a song contest and not something for healing those who suffer depression. That’s why hospitals and psychologists exist. It annoys me how ESC fans started judging which songs are appropiate and which are not appropiate for Eurovision.
La La Love – nah, the song about infecting the generation with love is not appropiate
The Funeral Song – definetly not appropriate!
-_-
‘Great title’ for such a depressing year
Im tired of all these news about her…. too much noise for nothing special in fact …
The instrumental sounds like a song that would be used in an Apple commercial.
Now that you said it I can’t unhear it lol
Off-topic: TIX has shared on Instagram a very small snippet of Fallen Angel, the translation for Ut Av Mørket. If I understood correctly it is released on Saturday (please correct me if this is wrong)
Loved it! The song will be awesome! My #1 from Norway selections
My favorites are still Dive Into the Unknown, Imaginary Friend and Ugly Cry. When it comes to funeral songs, I prefer Danny’s offering from UMK, as it sounds way more personal. This feels like ”what if”, while Danny’s feels like ”when”, which makes a huge difference in impact. I still believe that we need dark songs too. I sometimes need catharsis. Sometimes, I need to hear about anger, stress, depression and death. Sometimes, I feel like listening to something ironic, spicy or even crass, as long as it’s not mean-spirited. Happiness is beautiful and much needed, but it’s not the… Read more »
there is a difference between sad song and funeral song,lol
Arcade was a very sad song actually, but this one just depressing and with casket and ‘dead’ body in videoclip sends really dark vibes that I don’t like
Hi Colin, you are of course 100% right, a variety of portrayed emotions of course makes for a better contest, I don’t think anyone would want to restrict that. I think my worry, as shown by a few posts below, is that a song like this could be triggering for some people. My Chemical Romance had a problem with many teenagers taking their own lives around the Black Parade era and Blink 182 no longer play Adam’s Song when they heard that some fans took their own life to it. I am sure there are other examples. I am not… Read more »
I agree with you that this particular song has some (accidental) triggers on the lyrics and that’s why I don’t like them, but I feel Colin was actually addressing the rant of some that all Victoria’s song are sad and people want happy songs during the pandemic (or normally in Eurovision). I can be wrong, of course, but since he also said that he prefers other songs, I assumed it. I don’t think we need to worry though. I don’t see this one being picked. It would be too tone deaf. Though it’s a song that fits the concept of… Read more »
Definitely agree with you Sabrina, this song very much feels like a direct follow-on from Phantom Pain as part of a wider story. As others have said, I just can’t see how you would stage this song anyway so yes, I can’t see that it will make it to Eurovision. And Colin, didn’t want you to feel bad in any way, I agree with you 100% that the darker side is absolutely welcome in ESC – Blackbird, Icebreaker, Wake Up, City Lights – these are some of my favourite recent entries and they all deal with the darker side of… Read more »
Thank you for understanding and nice responses, Kosey, Sabrina and Nick. Sabrina is right – I was more addressing general rejection of heavy subjects than questioning the subtlety of this song in particular. I agree that there’s something… IDK… slightly off in a way it handles it’s difficult subject. Usually, I find Victoria’s song more subtle when approaching difficult subjects. For instance, My Imaginary Friend is quite melancholic, but triggers just the right feelings of nostalgia. Also, songs like Blackbird and Icebreaker are melancholic, but without going overboard at any point. I’m a big fan. I also very much agree… Read more »
Thank you for understanding and nice responses, Kosey, Sabrina and Nick. Sabrina is right – I was more addressing general rejection of heavy subjects than questioning the subtlety of this song in particular. I agree that there’s something… IDK… slightly off in a way it handles it’s difficult subject. Usually, I find Victoria’s songs more subtle when approaching difficult subjects. For instance, My Imaginary Friend is quite melancholic, but triggers just the right feelings of nostalgia. Also, songs like Blackbird and Icebreaker are melancholic, but without going overboard at any point. I’m a big fan. I also very much agree… Read more »
It will be difficult with an avalanche of Eurovision songs coming on the corner, but I intend to listen this EP without distractions to figure out the bigger picture. For now, I’m under the impression that both “Phantom Pain” and “The Funeral Song” were handled with “heavy hands”. The first one goes too far with Billie’s influence to the point it got artificial and this one is probably too graphic with the lyrics and its theme. By the way, both have the same songwriters signing it along with Victoria, so maybe I just don’t like their style. The 3 previous… Read more »
I totally agree. And I would add that siding a melancholic song, a cheesy love song, an angry song and a carefree uplifiting one usually ends up being a good way to showcase the strenghts of all of them. Ying and Yang. Life is the balance of positive and negative, bright and dark. Or, twisting the words of a recent Eurovision winner, feelings AND fireworks.
All of these songs are way too similar for me to put up a top list and this song would fit Melanie Martinez better than VICTORIA in my opinnion. I can most honestly say Ugly Cry is still the obvious choice to go for.
not bad but a bit boring and depressing,
and I can’t imagine appealing staging for this kind of song…
dive into unknown my fav so far, i wish Victoria good luck, I love her music,
She’s so predictable.
Absolutely.
The last one is a polka.
Nah. Just kidding.
I like the coherence of her selection of songs. She is not trying to jump through all kinds of genres that have no connection to her or that potentially spark “a banger”. Her songs are profound and melodious. Together with her delicate, crispy voice she has some great output here with a lot of potential to do great in the contest. However, The Funeral Song is the one with the least instant appeal to me. I hope BNT and her team choose one of the other songs.
What this girl is doing is simply unacceptable, Billie can easly sue her broke @ss for ripping off her whole sound and aesthetics.. meh even the stylization of the title,.. no words
Get some positivity in your life fast. You always write negatively. I hope you find something you like.
Lol you peace peace love love ho3s need to get thicker skin it’s 2021
Nobody owns a sound. No offense but your comment is probably the dumbest thing I read today. If singers and songwriters could actually sue each other for having similar sounding music than you could kiss the entire dang music industry goodbye.
She clearly doesn’t know how to step out of her comfort zone. She has zero versatility. All her songs sound the same.
I love it just like the last 4! But she should pick Imaginary friend or Dive unto unknown since they are the least dark, and could potentially appeal to more general audiences!
Another dark song…. she is really trying to bring her Billie Eillish to the world. I would have liked if there was more diversity in her songs. It is all kind of the same type which makes me think that it should have been 1 internal song instead of 6 potential songs since everything is the same genre (so no selection). Don’t get me wrong I like her as an artist and some of these songs has potential but I also would have liked if she also showed her other qualities rather than using the same type of song all… Read more »
Shes dropping an ep (album) with all of the songs, its not an internal selection, thats why she is releasing them all, she is using this as promo for her album!
It is an internal selection as there will be no public voting, right?
Public comment, but no public voting.
I strongly suspect that they’ve already picked the song, and it will be one of the two (so far) that has an obvious break at exactly three minutes.
In other words, not this one.
Exactly!! It’s a promo
So far “Imaginary Friend” is my fave.
sameeee
Ok, so musically this a great. It’s well produced and I adore the chorus. But as Kosey below mentioned: the lyrics do offer some issues. The problem is that in the end this song could trigger and speak to some people with mental illness in the wrong direction. And this has to be mentioned.
I wouldn’t call it glorifying but it’s a questionable, controverse topic and is not that sensitive. I would put it in my playlist but I’m not sure if it’s the best song under the current circumstances.
it’s a big NO for me, song about death on Eurovision stage after horror we all been through with covid, we lost so many lives and we still keep losing our people, I don’t wanna hear it, sorry
I so disagree with you and everyone sharing this opinion. Artists should talk about WHATEVER they want. This is not a fan serve!
esc songs written for listeners, for fans,
if she wants to sing about death this year, ok, but then don’t complain if people will not want to vote for it
exactly my point. She should be able to sing about whatever she wants and the fans can hate or love it.
so why you then disagree with me when I said i don’t wanna hear the song about death this year in Eurovision? it’s my choice too, I wouldn’t vote for it
Everyone can sing about what they want, but then they must accept when people say harsh things back.
All in all I am sure, this song will not be her esc song. 🙂
Well, why would anyone say harsh things because you dont like some topic? You can also say things in a more respectful way, right? We human beings always have a choice in how to respond to a certain topic, to a song, to other people. Be aware of that choice you have. If you want a better world, it starts with yourself, from within.
This is song contest,its totally a fan serve, at least 50% of it
imagine Jamala thinking “hmmm, maybe I shouldn’t sing a song about genocide at a song contest”
well, it was a personal real story, her own pain, tragic history of whole folk, not just a song about death, musically it was absolutely brilliant and had the great climax and phenomenal performance, it was sad but not depressing song
don’t think Victoria with this depressing bland song could appeal too much audience, I wouldn’t vote for it either
i think she has much better songs for Eurovision
You’re missing the point. Both songs can be personal, you just hate Victoria’s. The point is that they both prioritized their integrity and personality and not the “fan serve” aspect.
I don’t hate the song, I just don’t like the vibes it sends, that’s it all, and I would listening it and ceretently wouldn’t vote for it
Jamala is example how you can win the contest with a really tragic song, but it’s very rare case.
‘funeral song’ is forgettable, it’s not bad song but not good enough to vote for it, just a depressing song that I don’t wanna hear again…
she is just promoting her album
oh, then it makes sense, lol
That I agree with.
As long as she’s not singing ABOUT covid, I couldn’t give a crap. Death is a natural part of life. Have you even realized how many songs about death Eurovision has already had? We get like, at least one every year.
I love the text, but I don’t like instrumental at all.
I like it but it makes me feel really uncomfortable and brings up some upsetting feelings of loss and death. I am on my own currently no support bubble in lockdown and have been for 2 months. I won’t be revisiting this song again for my own state of well being. I love her as a performer I can’t wait to hear the final song.
Good song. Bad vibe for Eurovision
I like the title, I like the production…but I’m increasingly beginning to agree that maybe a song so explicitly about death and funerals might not be the vibe this year. Lord knows I love me some melancholy Eurovision songs, but even I’m kinda feeling the songs with more energy and “life” (so to speak) so far. Obviously, there are exceptions (especially if Norway does their due diligence and picks IMERIKA).
Don’t think it’s a good idea named ESC entry ‘funeral song’ , pandemia killed so many of us and our loved ones during last year, please no…
pick Ugly Cry, it’s a top 10 material
I like it, but not as much as Ugly Cry or Diving into Unknown.
I just still don’t see it. The tracks make a pretty interesting and distinct EP up but they’re not singular. It just feels like she’s disenchanted with the contest and just using the platform and the exposure. If she had a collection of five diverse songs the whole process of gradually revealing them would make much more sense. Those songs we are being treated until now should make for a much more wholesome experience if experienced continuously when playing the EP.
I like it. Another good song.
Honestly this is my favorite of the songs so far. I wish people would just leave all the comparisons with Billie and other artists alone because I think she sounds unique and one artist doesn’t own an entire genre. Enjoy the music for what it is
I’m getting annoyed at this point because first we had people whining about all her songs sounding the same. And then she comes out with this one which in my opinion, is the most distinct sounding of the bunch so far, but it’s also the one people seem the most keen to hate on and it’s almost entirely because of the title.
Ugly cry still the strongest for me so far. Saving the best for last maybe?