Rafał Brzozowski represents Poland at Eurovision 2021 with “The Ride”. But what is his 1980s-inspired song about?

Scroll down for “The Ride” lyrics

Poland in Eurovision 2021: Rafał “The Ride”

Rafał is well known in Poland as a singer and TV host. He came to fame in 2011 through participating on The Voice of Poland. Since then he has established a career both in music and on television. He was one of the hosts of Junior Eurovision 2020. Rafał came close to Eurovision in 2017. Back then, he competed in the Polish national final with the song “Sky Over Europe”. The song placed second in the grand final Krajowe Eliminacje 2017, only three points away from a win.

What do “The Ride” lyrics mean?

“The Ride” was written by a team of Swedish songwriters: Joakim Övrenius, Thomas Karlsson, Clara Rubensson and Johan Mauritzson. It’s a synth-pop number, with the so-hot-right-now 1980s sound. It is a powerful and uplifting song with a message to never give up.

Initially, Rafał seems to be playing out the script of a Hollywood movie. The song begins with him trudging dark and rainy streets. He appears to be on the outside — “all the faces that I meet, tell me I’m wrong” — but Rafał is filled with self-belief and confidence. He’s creating his own narrative, certain that he’s on the right path and that everything will be alright. “Makin’ up a storyline, Got to hold on, (I’m) not lost, even in the dead of night, I can make it out alright”.

Rafał is offering high-octane thrills, saying “So baby, hold on for the ride of your life high above ground, living it loud.” He’ll overcome whatever obstacles there might be. But this shouldn’t be confused with a motivational anthem. It’s more a statement of intent. He’ll take what’s his and no one’s going to stop him. “I’m gonna take on the world tonight / Not gonna ask / Gonna take what’s mine”. And he’s going to do it all by himself. Those who join him for “The Ride” will merely “follow my tracks”. Is he being cheekily confident or amazingly arrogant? You decide!

The Polish delegation expands on why they picked “The Ride”. “In pandemic era people want to have fun, to play, to dance and they need more positive energy that is why “The Ride” has been chosen”. They add, “There is also the connection between lyrics and the music video. Neon lights can be heard in the lyrics and seen in the video. Neons are a symbol of Polish streets back in 80s and that’s also Rafal’s childhood. He was born and raised in the city of Warsaw, full of colours and neons at that time.”

“The Ride” lyrics – Rafał (Poland ESC 2021)

Written and composed by: Joakim Övrenius, Thomas Karlsson, Clara Rubensson and Johan Mauritzson.

English Text

Lights, beating down a rainy street
All the faces that I meet,
tell me I’m wrong
Bright, starin’ at the the neon signs
Makin’ up a storyline
Got to hold on
(I’m) not lost, even in the dead of night
I can make it out alright
Just let me go
Yeah I, I will make it through somehow
Let me figure out what is in and out…

So baby hold on for the ride of your life
High above ground, livin’ it loud
I’m gonna take it to the end of the line,
Takin’ the fight, make it alright
It doesn’t matter if I stumble and fall
I’ll make it through,
I’ll never touch the ground
So baby hold on for the ride your of life
Hold on real tight, make it alright

Heart, I will give my heart and soul
I am going for the gold
No holding back
I’m gonna rise,
High up in the atmosphere,
I ain’t got no time to fear
Follow my tracks
Not lost, following the neon lights
Shooting’ through the summer skies
Just let me go
Yeah I, I will make it through somehow
Let me figure out what is in and out…

I’m gonna take
on the world tonight
Not gonna ask
Gonna take what’s mine
So hold on tight
Baby let’s get high
High above the ground
Bright, starin’ at the the neon signs
Let me figure out what is in and out…

Do Rafał’s lyrics speak to you? Sound off in the comments below.

Read more Eurovision 2021 lyrics.

40 Comments
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Reus
Reus
2 years ago

BoOOooO! NOBODY CARES!

Thisisntourlastdance
Thisisntourlastdance
3 years ago

I dont care what people say, I enjoy this song a lot! xD

canada_piano
canada_piano
3 years ago

look i know i shouldnt love this song but i do…

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago

y’all seriously spent time dissecting this song’s lyrics which were probably put together in 5 minutes ? i-

Luk
Luk
3 years ago

Love song
Good luck Rafal
Good luck Poland

marron
marron
3 years ago

wait.. the broadcaster is anti LGBT?? that’s why people hate him soo much??
but if the same broadcater sent the singer that a lot of polish people want (i forgot her name) than it was fine?? if the broadcaster is bad you need to solve it…

And I think he is gay but on the closet.. my GAYDAR never wrong…

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  marron

He is working for broadcaster… He’s part of them.

PommeFraise
PommeFraise
2 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Rafal works for entertainment, in tv shows that exist for ages, please..

willchrisiam
willchrisiam
3 years ago

Both his music video and this picture scream “How do you do, fellow kids? ” to me.

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
3 years ago
Reply to  willchrisiam

*wheezes in laughter* That’s exactly what I thought too.

Somebody
Somebody
3 years ago

What’s this cringe pose lmao. You ain’t qualifying.

marron
marron
3 years ago
Reply to  Somebody

LOL.. damn you really hate him…. OMG

eurana
eurana
3 years ago

I like this song and it is in my select playlist playing all time

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago

This is my guilty pleasure song of the year. I think I may listen to this a bit more often than I should, but whatever.

sam
sam
3 years ago

honestly it’s growing on me as much as i didn’t want it to

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

This year’s guilty pleasure. I like it!

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

It’s funny how badass he tries to pose as. Not convincing at all, but it makes it kinda cute. 😉

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

“Not gonna ask. Gonna take what’s mine. So hold on tight.”
It’s not sounding like I have much choice in the matter…

marron
marron
3 years ago

Why everyone hate him soo much? it’s a nice song, he’s hot! maybe not the best singer but I feel like he can deal with this song live..

Did you ever thought how he feel when he read your hateful comments? it’s not okay.. it’s just a song contest.. like for real.. chill out!

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  marron

Because there were better singers yet he’s got picked internally due to his connections with broadcaster. They gave him song and made music video – he’s just performing it. It’s broadcaster known for stating as a fact that LGBT are not people for example. Not even kidding. Doesn’t matter if he agrees with them or not – he works for them to improve their image. Are you really that surprised that ESC fans from Poland aren’t extatic about this choice?

Last edited 3 years ago by Dawid
marron
marron
3 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

so you can blame the broadcaster… but why you hate him?? as you’ve said he just performing the song…

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  marron

I mean, its broadcaster that people hate. He’s somewhat disliked at most. He’s just a face of it right now. Basically, he’s representing TVP, not Poland. It’s not like he’s forced to perform. He knew he’s got to go to ESC not because of his voice, song he wrote or because people wanted him to go, but because of CEO of TVP (similar to Belarus when you think about it, just with better song) and he’s totally fine with taking advantage of people who aren’t promoted by homophobic, anti EU, orthodox catolic broadcaster.

Last edited 3 years ago by Dawid
Tom
Tom
3 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Polish people should get a life!

PommeFraise
PommeFraise
2 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Dawid, don’t spread lies. Rafal bought the song himself

MrBrightside
MrBrightside
3 years ago
Reply to  marron

In Poland we tend to say that someone has “a short bench”. And TVP’s bench is really, really short. Literaly no one of important Polish musicians want to be connected with TVP in any manner since the broadcaster turned into goventment propaganda medium, very anti-EU and extremely anti-LGBT. We have a festival in Poland with long traditions called Opole. It’s something like Sanremo for Italians but in last few years after populist right-wing party took power and control on TVP, who host the festival, only some anonymous singers take part in Opole’s shows.Most of the popular Polish singers avoid appearing… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by MrBrightside
Roo
Roo
3 years ago
Reply to  MrBrightside

Interesting. What is the likelihood of another broadcaster picking up ESC? I can’t understand why these organisations would think Eurovision is a platform for their propaganda. They know what the contest is like.

Nobody Important
Nobody Important
3 years ago

Maybe even higher if he performs completely shirtless. 🙂

Tom
Tom
3 years ago

Krystian is uber boring imho

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

Rafal is riding his way out of the final

Nobody Important
Nobody Important
3 years ago

The song is so middle of the road, no wonder it’s called The Ride.

marron
marron
3 years ago

Is he gay? please tell me he is, is he? please?

Dawid
Dawid
3 years ago
Reply to  marron

Would be really ironic if he was

Ende
Ende
3 years ago

Thats also an empowerment song for women

Mariah
Mariah
3 years ago

Do you really think anyone here actually cares about the way you rank your favourite entries?

Mariah
Mariah
3 years ago
Reply to  Mariah

Delusion by Jinkx Monsoon hehehehe

marron
marron
3 years ago

Why he always with a shirt?? wtf?? I want to see him shirtless.. or better.. NAKED.. in my bed.

yeah I know.. I’m thirsty as fuck!

Last edited 3 years ago by marron
marron
marron
3 years ago

He is soo hot… if he want to be in the final he will need to be shirtless but with the sunglasses.. and maybe add more shirtless guys with him..

I’m sorry but I had to say it..
the song is mehh tho..

Last edited 3 years ago by marron
Mariah
Mariah
3 years ago

I don’t get it, why are you wasting your time bashing Polish entry? I’ve seen your multiple posts doing it. Seriously dude, get a life.

Last edited 3 years ago by Mariah
Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

I really like this entry. It has a positive vibe and is empowering.