For weeks, we’ve pondered which of her six songs would get the Eurovision ticket. But finally, VICTORIA has revealed her song for Eurovision 2021. She’ll sing “Growing Up Is Getting Old” for Bulgaria this year in Rotterdam.
The superstar singer-songwriter revealed her choice and performed the song during a concert livestreamed on YouTube.
VICTORIA — “Growing Up Is Getting Old”
VICTORIA presented her entry during the concert following an emotional speech:
“It was a very difficult decision. I am glad that BNT, Ligna and my team are totally united in our choice. Your feedback about the songs helped us a lot. The opinion of music and television experts from all over Europe helped up as well. Perhaps for me, choosing from my six songs was the hardest. Each one of them is very special to me. But when we had to choose between the two songs with the most supports from the viewers and the experts – ‘Imaginary Friend’ and ‘Growing Up Is Getting Old’ – I knew which song I would sing with all my heart and soul on stage in Rotterdam.”
The track is taken from VICTORIA’s EP a little dramatic. But it has been revamped for Eurovision, with a new music video to go alongside it. The first chorus has been trimmed down to fit within the three minute time limit, and there are more vocal flourishes throughout.
Thematically, the song is an ode to growth and overcoming anxieties. Against the backdrop of a ticking clock metronome, VICTORIA tugs at heartstrings as she sings a swaying melody above gentle piano chords and sweeping string passages. “You can grow in many different ways”, VICTORIA says. “Sometimes going back to your roots, to the place you feel safe and the people you love, helps you find your purpose on Earth. This is the case for me. When I listen to the song I think of my mother, my father, my sister, my friends. All the people that mean the world to me.”
VICTORIA co-wrote the track alongside Swedish songwriters Maya Nalani, Helena Larsson and Oliver Björkvall. Also, it’s one of the VICTORIA’s earliest songs, dating back to 2019. It was even included in Bulgaria’s internal selection for Eurovision 2020.
By winning the Bulgarian ticket to Rotterdam, “Growing Up Is Getting Old” beats out five other tracks. “UGLY CRY”, “Phantom Pain”, “Imaginary Friend”, “Dive into Unknown” and “The Funeral Song” were also in contention. BNT’s internal selection process saw VICTORIA and her team seek feedback on all six songs from music industry professionals and Eurovision fans alike. In our poll, wiwibloggs readers voted “Growing Up Is Getting Old” their third favourite of VICTORIA’s six potential tracks.
Marvin Dietmann to stage “Growing Up Is Getting Old” in Rotterdam
Additionally, VICTORIA announced that Marvin Dietmann will stage the Bulgarian Eurovision entry in Rotterdam. Dietmann is the artistic director behind many successful Eurovision entries, including Conchita Wurst’s winning performance of “Rise Like a Phoenix”. At Eurovision 2021, Dietmann will also oversee the staging for Austria’s Vincent Bueno and Cyprus’ Elena Tsagrinou.
“We are working non-stop with Marvin and I am really happy that we have such а talented director in our team. We worked together in 2020 on the staging for ‘Tears Getting Sober’ and I was really impressed with him”, VICTORIA says. “His feedback helped us a lot with our final choice on the song with the biggest staging potential for Rotterdam 2021.”
At Eurovision, VICTORIA will perform “Growing Up Is Getting Old” in the second half of semi-final two.
What do you think? Are you happy with VICTORIA’s choice? How will Bulgaria fair at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.
it’s like a cross of billie eilish and norah jones. nice! i especially like the strings.
Winner alert here! Kudos to BG for bringing such good songs in the last 5 years! Deserves the win with Victoria!
On repeat! This is masterpiece! And her live performance is…just AMAZING!
This was a bore fest! I now got my toilet break song.
Last year, I was meh with her song, now I’m quite excited, and she is in my top 5
Bit of a let down for me, she had better songs than this. It’s even last one on the Eurovision Scoreboard.
I am glad that Victoria was able to pick the song she wanted to perform rather than have the choice made for her. Regardless of the choice, the six songs are a great showcase for her talent anyhow, and also a true success in difficult times. Whether or not that success can be brought to Eurovision is the next challenge. Best of luck.
May i understand how it is second for the bookies? It’s legit worse than last year, when most of the countries evolved
May we get which are those favoutites from last year who evolved? Victoria with a great staging will be a WOW act for anyone watching the contest on the night!
That’s why it is on 2nd place instead of 1st 😉
There has been this “tactic” used by some nations for a few years now. They are the ones who drug the bets to create attention on their songs (remember Equinox? LOL), but the reality will be very hard to face in May for Bulgaria, and others. Let’s see what Malta can do now!
Its funny thing what you are saying, considering BNT don’t have money and it is relaying entirely on private sponsorship for this participation. So exactly how they “drug” the betting odds?
“It’s relaying entirely on private sponsorship for this participation”. It’s funny ’cause you got exactly my point while trying to fight back what I said. Thanks 🙂
I thought there was a vote for the song? Am I wrong?
Yeah , you’d be mistaken in thinking that. There was the facade of a fan feedback and not voting involved but the choice was always going to be internal.
i see…. Thanks!
I do not understand, she could win with imaginary friend, but this song is nothing special at all:( more chances to win for other countries
I never understood all the hype about imaginary friend. From all the slower songs ‘Growing up is getting old’ was my favourite and I was scared they would choose Imaginary friend, so I’m glad with the song she chose.
Phantom Pain had a much better concept all together and the least Billie Eilish like.. Sorry but to me it feels like a missed opportunity.. This is bland..
It’s what they say. The original is always better than the copy!
I seem to be one of the few people who actually had this as his favourite from Victoria’s songs, so I am happy with her choice. This song just really resonates with me, it’s gorgeous and I love her artistry. Good choice Bulgaria.
i love victoria, she’s such an effortlessly cool girl and she’s smart, she knows what she’s doing. the song is beautiful, imaginary fad stans can seethe
Back to his hypocrite ways.
There’s really no need to get personal about musical preference.
Boring, downvote as much as you want bitches.
Imaginary Friend was robbed. Bulgaria’s probably not even gonna finish top 10 with this ;(
Toilet break for me and a massive snooze.. Sorry Bulgaria, but this might and possibly will stay in the semi and not advance further.. 🙁
Unlikely being in semi 2 it will get through jury vote alone. But , it might not do greatly with televoters. Focus on the word ‘might’
With epic staging this could actually qualify.
However, none of her 6 songs was very good, so I don’t want to complain about her choosing that song.
I’m sorry but we can’t take odds very seriously now. In 2018, Equinox was predicted to come top 5 most of the time, but it ended up on the right side of the scoreboard. “Replay” was predicted a top 10 finish, but it ended up almost not qualifying (from the weaker semi!). Conan Osiris was 7th in the odds before rehearsals and it came 15th in the semi.
Sorry but from all the songs , this is the only one i didn’t really like!!
?
My only real critique is that ” why did she make this facade of having fans to give feedback when she had to ignore it altogether ? And it wasn’t mixed feedback , it was overwhelmingly supportive of 1 particular song “. You can’t fault me for feeling deceived .
she wanted feedback from eurofans who are known for lacking taste (y’all like sugar and adrenalina unironically lmfao) so that she could do the opposite from what they said in order to succeed. i call this a genius plan !
Unfortunately despite your hypocrisy and whether you like Sugar ( I don’t really) or Adrenalina ( I do ) , you are also a fan of Eurovision. Well then she should have gone for Phantom pain , the song least liked as seen on polls. I’m just saying she could have avoided the facade. She could have released the songs as potential entries and held this concert and given us the entry as Growing up is getting old. I wouldn’t complain. But giving us this delusion that she wants our opinion , when she didn’t , just goes against her… Read more »
From what I understand, the broadcaster and surrounding team were keen to listen to opinions and feedback, and they reduced the choice to just a final two songs. Victoria then chose out of those final two, as she should be allowed to do. There are no delusions there, sorry.
it was just a joke, kristopher… either way she clearly already knew that she wanted to sing guigo from the get go, and took the occasion to create some hype. i appreciate the artistic freedom victoria is allowed, the representatives of some countries can only wish ! guigo is the one that works best live imo, so she chose well.
Ahahaha! Maybeeeee
It’s the obvious choice, especially watching to the live event.
Imaginary Friend is a great studio cut but loses part of it’s magic in a live setting, while Growing Up excels in it.
Exactly!
True. Studio wise, GUIGO didn’t make my 3 of Victoria’s songs, but the live version easily became a huge grower. GUIGO works out the best live of Victoria’s songs.
I feel like a lot of people are being negative here. While Funeral Song is my favorite, this song is also my favorite I feel like this, out of all the possible songs, has a lot more heart to it and I’m glad Victoria made her choice. Also, I find this song more relatable because I’m literally in this position where I am confronted about my future so this speaks volumes a lot and I feel like it could resonate with the younger generation.
12 points to Bulgaria and good luck, thank you for bringing this song to ESC.
And again! Billie did NOT invented this style and genre, it’s been around for quite a while now.
I hope this closes semi 2.
running order is the same as last year, with Switserland ending on Semi 2. Bulgaria is in 2nd half though : https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2021/semi-final-2
This is neither the running order of last year nor this year – it´s just alphabetical. And I´m sure there will be a new running order since there`s a whole new set of songs.
Ugly cry was the best choice. Had attitude for the stage but I do love the lyrics of Growing up.
I agree, Ugly Cry was different and not slow.
Why they choose this? I think Imaginary Friend is better. Bulgaria will be struggle to go against Voilar and Tout I’univers since they all kinda have a same vibe.
‘Growing up’ has a much deeper meaning, a universal, RELATABLE message, a catchy chorus, a clever concept and a better build-up. Pure nostalgia and pure magic. The whole package.
Big dislike, she let the last song on poll to win…
shows she is a real artist in my opinion…
LMAO why?
Sorry, but for me this is a glorious snooze fest…SOOOOO boring
Another toilet break..
I don’t think there’s anyone on this comment section who is less of a fan of her music than I am but even I thought that she had two can’t-miss songs when it came to ESC and an obvious top ten finish.
She picked one of the other ones.
I’m really surprised. They asked for feedback and then they picked a song that very few people wanted.
It is a bit strange that they picked this song even though it clearly wasn’t a favourite across fan polls, social media, or judging by streams. It seems like the team just went with their/Victoria’s choice regardless of all the feedback. I think this will be the biggest hurdle for Victoria and her team: overcoming the sense of her own importance. I like Victoria, she and her team are obviously very creative – but I found the music video for this song a bit too ostentatious for my liking, and overcooked with ideas, albeit many that are very beautiful individually.… Read more »
Exactly. She wanted for fans to think ” oh she is such a people’s person . She cares for our opinion ” or ” yay! Free promotion of my EP” . But it has definitely left me feeling dejected and alienated by her.
Your opinion is not as important to me as the opinion of atleast 10,000 more people or my opinion.
But your opinion is more important to you than all of those 10000 people.
She selected the song you liked is good for you , but not that great for the other larger number people who wanted a different one.
I think this was the best choice for Victoria, other than Imaginary Friend, which I think has quite a poignant message and seems very fitting for our increasingly digital world, especially after a year of multiple lockdowns, where so many people are connecting to others they may never meet in person. I like the audio track for Growning Up Is Getting Old. I find the combination of strings with Victoria’s voice very effective for the type of message in the song. She has quite a soporific tone, which suits her style. I imagine this soporific quality will sound soothing and… Read more »
I can’t believe they actually made the correct choice, what a positive surprise!
I’m not particularly happy with her choice. The lyrics are very non-musical with some strange word choices ‘tetris ‘ , ‘nervous system’. I also highly doubt this was the Top with imaginary friend in fan reviews cause it wasn’t in the Top 2 anywhere I saw a poll.But it’s her decision and best of luck to her. I would have had imaginary friend at 6th /31st for me and this is also 15/31st for me. So still a safe qualifier because most of the songs above it are songs from semi 1.
Nope wrong choice there sorry! This isn’t winning and I feel Bulgaria and Romania will sort of cancel each other out when it comes to votes this year.
Is it just me that is finding listening to VICTORIA getting a bit tedious? Would be nice if their was a bit of versatility, I only listened to the first few seconds and knew it would be another moody, feeling down kind of song. We need fun and happiness this year, hopefully we will be celebrating a back to some kind of normality with this year’s edition of ESC.
And BTW I do love a ballad, but for me this is just another predictable song that she would sing.
Hmmm taking your comments on board, will listen again now then with an open mind hehe! I didn’t mind Tears Getting Sober, but wasn’t near my top 10 really last year.
It does get a lot better, find the fist very long verse a little of a challenge stil though.
Tetris and nervous system , horrible lyrically
OK…. Gave it another go, I can see why people are loving it, it does get quite anthemy, still it can be very slow at some points, would be interesting to see how that transpires on the ESC stage, I’m struggling to imagine it.
I’m so in love with this song!
On repeat.
Thank you Victoria, Thank you Bulgaria.
While “Imaginary Friend” would have probably been the wisest choice for Eurovision, “Growing Up Is Getting Old” has been my personal favourite song of the six since the moment I heard it. It has that wonderful Presley/Orbison ’60s love ballad sound to it, and the passing of time is naturally a very relatable and touching theme. It does kinda seem that the writers tried to recreate the magic of “Tears Getting Sober”, but, in all fairness, I think they actually succeeded – this is in no way a direct copy, if anything it’s a continued exploration of the genre with… Read more »
Beyond excited! This was my favorite from the beginning. I loved all the songs because they’re all good and Victoria even said this was the one she knew she could sing the best at Eurovision. Even if your favorite didn’t win this one national selection, please continue to support Victoria!
This is a big downgrade from last year’s. Maybe it’s because I am not a huge fan of this kind of songs, but to me it is not memorable and a bit boring. The title of this song is a bit cringey to me as well… I hope staging would elevate this song .
My only regret is they had to trim half of the first chorus to be able to edit to song down to 3 mins.
Could have gotten top 5, but chose to pick one of her lesser songs. Pity.
Ugly Cry or phantom pain could have done it.
Another two disappointments
Growing Up Is Getting Old wasn’t my favorite of Victoria’s songs, but I do like it. Based of my taste, today was the best day of the Eurovision 2021 reveal days.
Don’t think Eric will win Melfest
I probably get downvoted for this, but there is a chance that Eric might win. The lyrics and epic staging kinda gives me Robin Bengtsson vibes a little bit despite having a totally different kind of song. But yes, Eric probably won’t win and will lose to Tusse. (Unpopular opinion tho: I love Tusse’s song)
All the songs released today are so boring! This is the worst choice! I have my faves already… maybe something good will come with the remaining entries!
You want a bangaah?
I don’t understand the excitement over this song. Has a message, yes, but so does have other songs, and stronger ones. Is not memorable enough, and I wanted to fast-forward after 1,5 minutes, which is not a good sign. Usually I like slow songs/ballads but this doesn’t touches my feelings. I wish them good luck though.
It’s a solid song. Not as good as last year. But solid and decent. It should qualify but I don’t see it competing to win like last year.
I think this year’s winner will be something that has to feel different enough from Arcade…this (and Switzerland) feels of the same ilk–I do think there’s a better chance for something funner and faster to capture Europe’s attention this year
Agreed! We need a banger this year!
Enter San Marino to answer your calls.
Can we also talk about how emotional and POLISHED this new video is?
I didn’t listen to her other songs, maybe I’ll go do it now, but this is absolutely beautiful. It’s very much in her style, it’s heartfelt, it’s touching, I love it. I like it a lot more than last year’s entry too.
Btw am I the only who thinks she looks exactly like Elizabeth Olsen in Wandavision here?
Beautiful song, but I think that dive into unknown is quite underrated 🙁