Thursday 4 March is the day of many song reveals and now we have another. Belgian group Hooverphonic have released their entry for Eurovision 2021, “The Wrong Place”. The song was debuted on the MNM morning radio show, hosted by Belgium Eurovision commentator Peter Van de Veire.
The group describes the song as being about “a one night stand gone wrong” — a woman who wakes up and asks “What the f*** is he doing here?!” The song is more playful than 2020 entry “Release Me” and has the classic Hooverphonic sound.
Hooverphonic also explained that the song was not written specifically for Eurovision, but it’s vintage Hooverphonic. When the band first heard the song, they felt an instant effect and received a lot of enthusiastic reactions from their friends and family. The song has had a lot of work done on it — there have been 21 mixes of the song.
Lead singer Geike Arnaert, who recently returned to Hooverphonic says that the two male band members Alex Callier and Raymond Geerts have calmed down since her last time in Hooverphonic. “A lot has changed, but it still feels very familiar and I feel at home”.
The band is curious to see how Dutch listeners will react to the song. The Netherlands are able to vote for Belgium in the first semi-final of Eurovision.
Hooverphonic have already made their back-up performance for Eurovision 2021, having filmed it last Tuesday. At this stage, though, they aren’t saying anything about what will in store for their live performance in Rotterdam. However, the group have confirmed that the staging will be done by “Calm After the Storm” creative director Hans Pannecoucke.
Hooverphonic – “The Wrong Place” music video
Along with the audio, “The Wrong Place” music video has also been released. It is set in a spooky old mansion and stars lead singer Geike Arnaert. She’s dressed in white, evoking a bride — though there’s something a little creepy about things in this video.
The song tells the story of a woman waking up, full of regret to find herself dealing with a regrettable hook-up. “The Wrong Place” is full of evocative language, describing the guy as someone who gets up “because you need an organic cup of tea” (honey, that’s a red flag). She also asserts, “Don’t you ever wear my Johnny Cash t-shirt!”
“The Wrong” place conjures up a regretful morning after, but there’s very much the sense at the tea-drinking fellow may come to regret finding himself in the wrong place.
What do you think of “The Wrong Place”? What sort of performance do you think Hooverphonic will bring to Rotterdam in May? Tell us your thoughts below!
Read more Belgium Eurovision news here
Additional reporting from Esma Jansen
This has a dark and dreamy quality that I like, and a rather sinister and intriguing take on morning after angst. Interesting and different, it’s hardly your typical Eurovision song but that’s no bad thing, but it’s catchy and melodic, I really liked it.
Belgium 5/10
Quality song but rather boring. Also, I find the video dis-interesting and weird. Maybe I am not a fan of this kind of music but I cannot see this song go through to the final.
It’s spooky how the lyrics of this song remind me of a very specific incident in my life, years ago. But anyhow… Great vibes here. For a moment I felt I was listening to Debbie Harry on the vocals, and the dark edge of the music matches the singer’s tone very well. Without “Release Me” having come before it, “The Wrong Place” stands up very well. But, wiwiblogger Sabrina has a good point – “Release Me” was so memorable and melancholy that it leaves “The Wrong Place” in a cold space. It’s an unfortunate comparison, because otherwise the new song… Read more »
It’s an improvement from last year, but for me that’s not saying much. Sorry, this just isn’t doing it for me. Maybe it’ll grow on me but for now it doesn’t stick out.
I think it lacks a hook, or magic or power or something, but it’s a nice song and has its own personality. So I guess I like it. In my top 6 so far together with France, Spain, Romania, Ireland and Albania.
Better than Release Me, but I still think it will struggle.
Besides the fact that this is a smart and quality song, do not underestimate their international fan base!
I like it better than “Release Me”. I also like the athmosphere. Not a masterpiece but I enjoy it. I don’t know if it will be enough to qualify cause the general public may find it boring.
It’s such a good song, very high quality and I think it’s more suited to Eurovision (meaning: it’s more upbeat). This should qualify. Ironically, I think I still preferred Release Me even though I know it had 0 chance of qualifying. It was so elegant and emotional, I still listen to it and it always moves me.
I really didn’t expect anything and on top of that I was still a little biased because of all the ‘drama’ but I really really reeeally like this! It’s definitely a grower, though, and it’s gonna be interesting to see how they’re gonna do the staging, since I believe that could be a problem and a deal breaker for the song
This is so good! I cannot wait to hear this song on the main stage. Well done.
I loved On A Sunday by Ester Peony as a song. I have always loved Hooverphonic’s music.
This is a bit like On A Sunday done by Hooverphonic. 🙂
I agree! I get ‘On a Sunday’ vibes too. I like this but I don’t think it will do well in Rotterdam. I don’t see it having universal appeal.
I like it much more than Release me, but it’s despicable what they did to Luka.
Wrong song. Pathetic wrong dramaqueen female singer. Hooverphonic has become its own coverband.
I loved Release Me and I do think this song is quite similar, but I miss the melancholic vibes Release Me had tbh
I’m part of the minority who loved “Release Me” and this one may be a grower, but left me cold on a first listen. I don’t think the chorus delivers what the verses were building up to. I also feel it doesn’t take proper advantage of Geike’s strenghts as a vocalist. But she’ll for sure sell it well on the stage. It’s a very professional attempt, but for now I respect it more than I like it. They can make it work if the staging helps setting the mood they were aiming with this one.
I kinda wanted to dislike the song because how dirty they did Luka, but it’s a great song. Not sold on the t-shirt part though, especially as an ending.
I gave it some more thought. It sort of works the first 2 times but by the 3rd time it becomes super predictable. I like abrupt ending if they are done right. They can shock you and make you think. But here it just felt lazy. I was like ,,Ok, was that supposed to impress me?”. It almost felt pretentious but I might be projecting because of Alex’s previous statements.
It’s not something that I’d listen to usually, but it’s better than last years ‘Release Me’.
Honest opinion…I don’t know yet what to think of it.
Like literally the only I can comment on is that I like she’s wearing a camisole under the stays, because a lot of people thinks wrongly that stays and corsets were directly over skin.
That’s it.
I wasn’t that fan of Release Me either, so, it’s just an issue of me not connecting with their songs, most probably.
good opening, definitely better than last year
I’m really happy with this entry. I liked Release Me, but this is absolutely better.
Talented songwriting and some nice chromatic developments in musical arrangement. Not a very Eurovision sound..but may qualify and possibly prosper..
This is excellent. Well done Hooverphonic!
I must say I like this song a lot, but maybe not love it. It’s definitely going high in my top, but I feel like I’m missing something. Maybe if I’ll listen to it few more times. Still 4,5/5
Good voice an Music but Rare Song, Sorry I Prefreer releseme
This is a way better track than release me last year. This one definitely caught my attention a lot more. I really like it and I wish them luck.
I couldnt stand Release me. Just not my cup of tea, very depressing. But this one is very good! This is again quality and the beat draws me in from the start. A song i would like to listen to more often. Final? Definitely in my book.
I seriously dig this. This is the EXACT kind of music I like listening to outside of Eurovision and everything from the production to Geike’s vocals to the lyrics is brilliant. Best Belgian entry in years, headed right for my top five.
It reminds me a little of “Wall of Glass” by Liam Gallagher, which is also a song I really enjoy.
No point in me updating my top until Moldova and the Netherlands are out too, but I’m already in a good mood. SF1 is looking to be very strong!
Wow I just want to say “Thank you”, cause that’s a huge compliment. Liam Gallagher and especially Oasis are one of my favorite artists!
I’m currently looking at a poster I got in London of the original single release of “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” one of my favorite songs of all time. You are more than welcome – I feel exactly the same way!
I don’t think Oasis lyrics really had the personality of this song, though, maybe I’m wrong.
Depends on the song. A song like Supersonic has plenty of personality
I more meant this particular type of personality, whatever the word for that is…
I like it a lot, and hope it gets the result it deserves.
The last place in the semi, period.
Have you heard Slovenia?
Is that a headless man in the video? I know they’re trying to be controversial, challenging stereotypes, metaphorical, etc, etc, but are we happy with that? Just picture a gender switch on this and oh boy we have a different song!
Personally I think it is gratuitous and really detracts from an otherwise quite decent experience.
It’s so so.
I mean it’s not bad, but it’s not good. One of the Hooverphonic guys has such an attitude though it makes me hard to support them.
BUT this is a SONG contest and the other members shouldnt suffer for his attitude.
This is borderline.
Thankfully RTBF should be taking the reigns again for Belgium next year.
Better than last year which was very bad, but The Wrong Place is at my #11.
i enjoy this! i think eurofans are just gonna hate because they know the drama with hooverphonic already which blinds their judgment. all of that aside, this is much much better than “release me”
Yeah, I’m past that. Old news.
Yeah, judge the song, not people’s past actions (yes, they’re weren’t good, but it’s time to move on).
this is interesting. it’s gonna have to sit with me a bit more before I can make a full opinion on it.
Bit of a strange one!
Kill Bill Part 3 soundtrack.
For all those who keep bringing up what happened last year. With Love shine a light or even with Luka.. Allow me to share what my Swedish grandmother sometimes says. WHAT’S THE MEANING OF LIVING IN THE PAST, WHEN YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE.
It’s not bad, but rather boring. And they deserve to flop after what they did.
Wrong place…you bet…Eurovision 2021
This is a good song. Interesting dark atmosphere, elegant instrumental and good lyrics. Objectively, I think this should do well. If they didn’t have the attitude they did, I might have supported them with more passion. Still, I like it.
Y’all are just hating on Alex and letting that affect your view of the song. It’s a really cool song with easily the best lyrics of any English language so far. Geike’s vocals suit the song incredibly well and the dark jazz ambience doesn’t sound like anything else so far in the competition.
Meh.
Thank you.. NEXT!!!!!!
I feel like this is going to do so much better than what we will expect. The song seems ok for a lot of people but we all know that it is quality (we can dislike it though). But I think Hooverphonic will give another dimension to the song in Rotterdam, just like Common Linnets did in 2014 (remember that almost everyone thought they weren’t even top 20 material). I don’t say that Hooverphonic will finish on the podium but it could do a top 10 that I wouldn’t be surprised. We’ll have a better idea when all the songs… Read more »
As much as I liked Luka and loved “Release Me” last year, this is the kind of Hooverphonic song that just works best with Geike. Love it, don’t know where it will rank for me but Belgium is keeping up their streak of quality entries. I hope they will qualify.
Kicked your singer for this ? Good luck, you will really need it…
I liked last year’s more
Snooze fest
I like more the chorus of the song this year, but i liked more release me as a whole. Hooverphonic is not a pop band but their song is more pop than last year. I would like for them to keep their style even if they don’t reach the eurovision audience!