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.
BoOOooO! NOBODY CARES!
I dont care what people say, I enjoy this song a lot! xD
look i know i shouldnt love this song but i do…
y’all seriously spent time dissecting this song’s lyrics which were probably put together in 5 minutes ? i-
Love song
Good luck Rafal
Good luck Poland
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…
He is working for broadcaster… He’s part of them.
Rafal works for entertainment, in tv shows that exist for ages, please..
Both his music video and this picture scream “How do you do, fellow kids? ” to me.
*wheezes in laughter* That’s exactly what I thought too.
What’s this cringe pose lmao. You ain’t qualifying.
LOL.. damn you really hate him…. OMG
I like this song and it is in my select playlist playing all time
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.
honestly it’s growing on me as much as i didn’t want it to
This year’s guilty pleasure. I like it!
It’s funny how badass he tries to pose as. Not convincing at all, but it makes it kinda cute. 😉
“Not gonna ask. Gonna take what’s mine. So hold on tight.”
It’s not sounding like I have much choice in the matter…
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!
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?
so you can blame the broadcaster… but why you hate him?? as you’ve said he just performing the song…
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.
Polish people should get a life!
Dawid, don’t spread lies. Rafal bought the song himself
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 »
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.
Maybe even higher if he performs completely shirtless. 🙂
Krystian is uber boring imho
Rafal is riding his way out of the final
The song is so middle of the road, no wonder it’s called The Ride.
Is he gay? please tell me he is, is he? please?
Would be really ironic if he was
Thats also an empowerment song for women
Do you really think anyone here actually cares about the way you rank your favourite entries?
Delusion by Jinkx Monsoon hehehehe
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!
https://www.plotek.pl/plotek/1,78649,5305572,rafal-brzozowski-nowy-wokalista-de-mono-ciacho.html shirtless Rafal
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..
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.
I really like this entry. It has a positive vibe and is empowering.