Even though English has been the dominant language in Eurovision since the language rule was revoked in 1999, there are always some countries that choose to sing in their own language. And this year’s contest is no exception as we have nine countries that are representing their own mother tongues on stage.

In this poll, we are only including entries where the majority of the song is in a non-English language. However we are excluding tracks that are primarily in English and with just a few sentences in other languages, like Croatia’s “Tick Tock” or The Netherlands’ “Birth of a New Age”.

So, as you brush up on your Albanian, Danish, French, Italian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, and Ukrainian, we want you to name your favourite non-English song of 2021. You can listen to all of the songs below and then vote for your favourite. You can vote for as many songs as you like but remember that you can only vote once.

Non-English songs of Eurovision 2021

Albania: Anxhela Peristeri – “Karma”

In some years, Albania has translated the Festivali i Këngës winning song into English for Eurovision, but this year they’ve left the lyrics of “Karma” in Albanian. It’s a dramatic, emotional song, with Anxhela Peristeri singing about a woman in a crisis she’s brought on herself.

Denmark: Fyr & Flamme – “Øve os på hinanden”

Denmark hasn’t sent a song entirely in Danish since the national language rule was lifted in 1999. While there was talk of “Øve os på hinanden” being translated into English, Fyr & Flamme stuck to their guns and will keep their synth-pop bop in Danish. The song captures the magic and nervousness of sharing the first dance with someone.

France: Barbara Pravi – “Voilà”

France usually sticks with song in French, but a lot of the time they’ll also throw in some lyrics in English. Not this year, though. Barbara Pravi is serving her take on French chanson and the lyrics to “Voilà” are entirely in French. Barbara’s song is a declaration of herself as a singer — and a challenge to the listener to accept her for what she is.

Italy: Måneskin – “Zitti e buoni”

As usual, Italy are sending a song in Italian. Måneskin have cleaned up the lyrics from their Sanremo performance, into a more family-friendly version for Eurovision. The song is a celebration of uniqueness and says never mind anyone who doesn’t get it.

Russia: Manizha – “Russian Woman”

Despite having an English title, Manizha’s “Russian Woman” is mostly in Russian, with just a few English lines thrown in for good measure. It’s the first Russian Eurovision entry performed in a local language since the Buranovskiye Babushki sang in Udmurt in 2012. Manizha’s song is a message of strength for women.

Serbia: Hurricane – “Loco Loco”

Hurricane’s song has a Spanish title and throws in a few English words, but the song is a slice of Serbian pop. The song is a celebration of being a strong, independent woman who also knows how to have a wild time.

Spain: Blas Cantó – “Voy a quedarme”

Spain usually enters a song in Spanish and 2021 is no exception. Blas Cantó sings “Voy a quedarme”. The romantic ballad is sentimental and full of longing, a declaration of fidelity.

Switzerland: Gjon’s Tears – “Tout l’univers”

Despite having four national languages, the last time Switzerland sent one of these languages to Eurovision was in 2010. But this year Gjon’s Tears insisted that his song, a message of love and strength, be sung in French. Fans have noted that Switzerland’s two previous victories were both French language songs — can lightning strike three times?

Ukraine: Go_A – “SHUM”

Ukraine haven’t sent a song with Ukraine lyrics sing GreenJolly performed “Razom nas bahato” on home turf in 2005. Go_A use traditional folklore styles mixed with intense modern electronica on their track “Shum”. The song evokes the seasons and takes inspiration from the natural environment.

What is your favourite non-English song of Eurovision 2021?

[polldaddy poll=10789180]

Vote in more of our Eurovision 2021 polls here

47 Comments
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Tonton Fée
Tonton Fée
2 years ago

Gjon tears a dit avec une très belle manière que ce n’est pas l’anglais qui doit primer mais la langue du cœur, celle avec laquelle le message transmis est authentique, pur et émotionnel.
J’aime cette idée.
Love and peace.
Good luck Barbara

Tonks
2 years ago

I like Denmark, Russia and Switzerland

Yannis
Yannis
2 years ago

Love that only 9 out 39 songs and the 3 hot favorites are in non English

Steven
Steven
2 years ago

Although I am still waiting for the rehearsals, I mostly listen to Voilà, Tout l’univers, and Loco Loco.

Last edited 2 years ago by Steven
Rottendam
Rottendam
2 years ago

They really ought to bring in a 50/50 language rule, like at JESC. Just too many English songs! You have to sing at least half of your song in your native language and the rest freestyle.

Make the contest more interesting!

Ravencrow Neversmiles
Ravencrow Neversmiles
2 years ago

People who want countries to send song in their national language hear me out: There are other ways to represent your culture than just language. Eurovision already restricts the artist by not allowing songs over 3 minutes. Why take away more of their artistic freedom by telling what language the song should be? And most importantly there are a lot of immigrant artist who take part in national finals. Some of them haven’t learned an official language yet. We shouldn’t discriminate against them. Then there are countries who’s language isn’t generally seen as poetic or beautiful (of course all languages… Read more »

Ende
Ende
2 years ago

Why not just forcing broadcasters to implement national contest to select the candidates and let the Eurovision fans of those countries to vote for the candidate they want to see representingtheir country? I can understand that some people feel offended because their candidate does not sing in their language.
With this system we can hope that at least some good songs in official languages are represented in the national contests and it would bring more fairness as if at the end the candidate sings in English at least it would have been the choice of the country’s people.

Blackcat
Blackcat
2 years ago

Ukraine for me. Excellent composition.

Bdzhilka
Bdzhilka
2 years ago

Shame so many countries sing in English. Eurovision is not MTV. We should exchange our cultures through songs in native languages.

Datme
Datme
2 years ago

The top 4 songs in the poll are in my personal overall top 4.

Last edited 2 years ago by Datme
Shuester
Shuester
2 years ago

Spain, Serbia, and Albania are extremely underrated. France, Italy, and Switzerland are very strong too. Ukraine is not for me at all, but I appreciate Go_A bringing something different to the contest.

Honestly, I’m hoping for all non-English songs to do well. I want to see more of them in the future!

Ende
Ende
2 years ago

Interesting to see that with this limited set of options, Italy and France succeed to challenge Switzerland.

Ant
Ant
2 years ago

I actually like all of them (Denmark too haha), 7/9 are among my favorites

Hellooooo
Hellooooo
2 years ago

Wow, 6 of those are in my top 14, I guess I like languages other than English

Last edited 2 years ago by Hellooooo
Richard
Richard
2 years ago

A strong selection so I voted for my top 3 overall, Switzerland, Ukraine and France

Devilchu
Devilchu
2 years ago

Italy, Ukraine and Switzerland are in my top 5 this year!

VanillaGirl
VanillaGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Devilchu

Same!! With France in 7th.

Henry
Henry
2 years ago

Off topic: Running order for the two semi finals.. just revealed.. 1e halve finale, dinsdag 18 mei: 01. Litouwen: The Roop – Discoteque 02. Slovenië: Ana Sokli? – Amen 03. Rusland: Manizha – Russkaya Zhenschina 04. Zweden: Tusse – Voices 05. Australië: Montaigne – Technicolour 06. Noord-Macedonië: Vasil – Here I Stand 07. Ierland: Lesley Roy – MAPS 08. Cyprus: Elena Tsagrinou – El Diablo 09. Noorwegen: TIX – Fallen Angel 10. Kroatië: Albina – Tick Tock 11. België: Hooverphonic – The wrong place 12. Israël: Eden Alene – Set Me Free 13. Roemenië: Roxen – Amnesia 14. Azerbeidzjan: Samira… Read more »

Joey
Joey
2 years ago
Reply to  Henry

Dit weten de meesten hier al, maar bedankt! 😉

Tim
Tim
2 years ago

Thankfully, All my favorites songs of this year’s contest are non-English
Switzerland, Italy, France, Ukraine and Albania

Ende
Ende
2 years ago

Italy !

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Random fact: Aside these 9 non-English songs, there are nine more with bits and pieces in languages other than English – Croatia, Netherlands, Germany, San Marino, Cyprus, Israel, Czech Republic, Malta and Azerbaijan. Even if a lot of these parts are extremely short, it still adds to the number of languages heard on ESC stage. 🙂

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Switzerland, Ukraine, France and Italy are all in my top ten and all have top notch songs. I voted for all four of them. 🙂

I am happy that for the first time in this millennia, Denmark is sending a song in Danish. I really hope that the possible non-qualification won’t make them think it was because of the language and that they’ll give it another shot in the next few years.

Viggz
Viggz
2 years ago

Switzerland

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago

its sad to not see Portugal on this list

kir
kir
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

You mean such a relief, right?

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago
Reply to  kir

….no I don’t

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

I miss it so much. But I think ist will be again next year.

Benji
Benji
2 years ago

It’s a pity Belarus is missing. In that case, we would have a great trio!

Mws
Mws
2 years ago

I’ve always thought that the UK should perform a non-english song one year just to troll the other countries that don’t vote for them and sing in their language. Lol

Julia
Julia
2 years ago
Reply to  Mws

I’d love to hear a Welsh language song at Eurovision.

Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago
Reply to  Julia

Me too….

Ende
Ende
2 years ago
Reply to  Mws

Still do not understand why they never tried…

Craig
Craig
2 years ago

Picked all but Denmark lol

Grft
Grft
2 years ago

Only 9 non English songs on 39… that’s sad

Hellooooo
Hellooooo
2 years ago
Reply to  Grft

And even sadder that 21 are only in English

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

Go_A wins this for me. By the way, I don’t think I’ve seen an article on the English translation of the lyrics – is one coming?

impressiveinstants
impressiveinstants
2 years ago

The only song I really don’t enjoy here is Denmark.Italy, Switzerland, Ukraine, and France are in my top 10, the first being my winner so far. And I actually believe Spain is underrated so there you go haha.

Benji
Benji
2 years ago

ESC fans from Italy must be very numerous here. That’s the only way I can explain the nightmare song “Zitti e buoni” to be so high in every Wiwi poll. One of the worst Italian entries ever!

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago
Reply to  Benji

Even in the contest , Italy gets a lot of votes , just saying

Leo
Leo
2 years ago
Reply to  Benji

Just because you don’t like a song doesn’t mean it’s bad or a nightmare

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Benji

Subjective.

Ivar
Ivar
2 years ago

Switzerland, France, Ukraine

Stan
Stan
2 years ago

Italy!

Robert
Robert
2 years ago

B A R B A R A P R A V I
V O I L A

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago

Never voted this early , lol
I’ve only got 1 non-english song in my Top 10 , Switzerland

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago
Reply to  Kristian

Also I have 6 of them in my bottom 10 !! Do I not like other languages is it ?