Which Jeangu Macrooy Eurovision song is your favourite?

Following the cancellation of Eurovision last year, the majority of the class of 2020 received the comeback ticket to sing again at Eurovision 2021. A massive 26 artists will return to represent their countries at Eurovision 2021. But as per the standard Eurovision rules, they’ve all got new songs.

Thus, comparisons to their previous entries are inevitable. So, we want to hear from our readers. We’re running a series of polls to ask — do you prefer the returning artists’ 2020 or 2021 songs?

Today, we’re saying hallo to 2021 host nation the Netherlands. In 2020, Jeangu Macrooy was set to take “Grow” to Rotterdam. This year, he’ll be singing “Birth of a New Age” at Eurovision 2021. But which song is your favourite? Vote in our poll now!

Scroll down to vote in our poll.

“Grow” (Netherlands 2020)

Jeangu was internally selected for Eurovision 2020 with his song “Grow”. And that’s exactly what the song did, slowly building through its three minutes to an emotional climax. The Dutch star utilised his rich vocals to deliver a soulful track that discussed the journey of growing older.

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — awarded “Grow” an average score of 7.03/10. In his review of the song, wiwiblogger William commented:

“It’s the highs and lows that make you grow. That’s one of the many lessons hidden in Jeangu Macrooy’s Eurovision 2020 song “Grow”. The slow-built ballad sits at the intersection of dark soul and gospel. At times it’s so pared back that it seems naked: Jeangu’s rich voice is completely exposed. Thankfully he shines in these moments, showing just how strong a vocalist he is. The lyrics suggest his travels haven’t always been easy, and the clean production brings that pain and struggle into sharper focus. Sincere, raw and completely authentic, this song isn’t just to be heard, it’s to be felt. It hits you like a tonne of bricks straight to the heart.”

“Birth Of A New Age” (Netherlands 2021)

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS was very quick to announce that Jeangu would be chosen again for Eurovision 2021 and given the opportunity to finally represent the Netherlands on home soil.

This year, Jeangu will be singing “Birth Of A New Age”. It’s more upbeat than his previous entry, but still contains the singer’s soulful character. The song also includes a repeated phrase in Sranan Tongo, a language spoken by people in Jeangu’s birth country of Suriname.

Poll battle — Netherlands: Which Jeangu Macrooy entry do you prefer?

In this poll, you can only vote for one song — so choose wisely. And as always, you can only vote once. Let the battle commence!

[crowdsignal poll=10776130]

 

Which song did you vote for? Are you team “Grow” or team “Birth Of A New Age”? Let us know in the comments below!

Vote in more Eurovision polls here

44 Comments
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PP77
PP77
2 years ago

2021

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

Jeangu is a great artist and his songwriting is outstanding, especially his lyrics. Both songs resonate with me.
I like “Birth of a New Age” a bit better because it feels closer to what Jeangu wants to say, and it fits really well with the contest’s wider identity. But, “Grow” is a beautiful song in its own right, with one of the best “Outro” sections I have ever heard at ESC. (It’s sad that we never got to hear that one at the contest.)

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
2 years ago

“Grow” was one of the bravest, competitive host entries we’ve had in ESC for a while. I really responded to it and had it high up in my top ten. I honestly thought it had a shot of winning the jury vote.
“BOANA” is a bit more typical of what a host entry is. It’s in no way bad but it’s safe. Musically, it keeps things low-key and the message is a non-objectionable, on-trend one. I don’t think many will have it ranked at the bottom nor do I think many will rank it at the top, either.

tomtomtom
tomtomtom
2 years ago

Not even close. Grow was fantastic and this year’s song is not good.

Bella
Bella
2 years ago

That’s a no brainer: Grow was amazing. Ironically I don’t think it would have done well in the contest, but it was subtle, soothing, emotional, and building up nicely. The new one is not bad, but just doesn’t do anything for me.

MrBrightside
MrBrightside
2 years ago

‘Grow’ was my winner of 2020 ESC. This year’s entry is just… there. I’ve had high expectations for Jeangu. 🙁

Kuhkatz
Kuhkatz
2 years ago

Its the complete opposite to Benny Cristo.
Omaga is missing those african elements Kemama had and here Grow is missing those surinamese elements Birth of a new Age has.

And I do like when languages from outside Europe are being included. This is what open up stands for.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
2 years ago
Reply to  Kuhkatz

You’re right, Birth of a New Age is a great way for the host to embrace their own motto 🙂

As for other languages, maybe one day well even get an entry completely in a fictional language, something like High Valyrian or Klingon. Maybe Purple can take a DuoLingo course and pen the song!

Sally
Sally
2 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

There already was an act that used a made up language. Belgium 2003

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
2 years ago
Reply to  Sally

Oh yeah, and they came 2nd! Nice reminder 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

Well I already know Klingon, but I’ll leave those awesome drinking songs to the Star Trek canon. 🙂
Indeed, I’m a big fan of Urban Trad’s “Sanomi” (Belgium 2003). But a bigger challenge would be to write something in an actual ancient language. It might be too difficult for me to do though.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
2 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Qapla! 😉

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
2 years ago

Grow was in my Top 3 last year.
Birth of a New Age is in my top 10 this year.

Love them both, for different reasons—but I also really appreciate how the two songs can be understood together. They are related. Jeangu has grown, he is both reborn and birthing a new age. Let’s do it together 🙂

Rashad
Rashad
2 years ago

Neither.

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago

Grow grew much more on me

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
2 years ago

I like both songs but if I had to choose I’d say “BIRTH OF A NEW AGE”  .

blahh
blahh
2 years ago

broccoli

Joey
Joey
2 years ago
Reply to  blahh

Yeah… this didn’t age well…

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Lyrically speaking, both are outstanding. Deep, introspective one, and then a socially significant one, with actually meaningful lyrics. Jeangu, as a poet, deserves top notch marks. Musically, so far, I’d say that I vibe with Grow more. It’s in my top ten of 2020, and so far, Birth of a New Age isn’t in my top ten of 2021. Still, I can see it going higher on my list. Primarily due to fantastic lyrics, usage of a beautiful language in the chorus, and Jeangu himself.

Last edited 2 years ago by Colin
Bob
Bob
2 years ago

It’s not African, it’s surinamese.

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago
Reply to  Bob

Suriname is in South America not in Africa do research.

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
2 years ago

Tell me, please, that I’m not the only one who likes Birth of a New Age. The Surinamese touch gives the contest a little of variety, at least since my point of view.

Sean
Sean
2 years ago

Thank god people are actually saying nice things about it in the comments! I have no idea what people think is bad about it, honestly. I’m lost.

blahh
blahh
2 years ago

ur not of course ur not

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago

The name of the song is Birth Of A New Age not Boana racist

Aeria
Aeria
2 years ago

Grow is too slow and uneventful for me. Birth of a New Age has a lot of creative input, and aside from the million broccoli jokes, I really like the Surinamese touch

Sally
Sally
2 years ago
Reply to  Aeria

Grow was masterful but its unconventional structure wasn’t for everyone. Birth of a New Age is more accessible and also very good.

Last edited 2 years ago by Sally
eurovision suo
eurovision suo
2 years ago

if Sweden would’ve sent Grow or Birth of a new Age ALL OF YOU WOULDVE BEEN CRAZY!!! Everybody would hate it!! But now Netherlands send it and you’re calling it a masterpiece (ready for the dislikes)

Last edited 2 years ago by eurovision suo
Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago
Reply to  eurovision suo

how’s life in Stockholm?

Erasmus
Erasmus
2 years ago

Grow was much better imo.. but kinda looking forward to see what the Netherlands bring next year.. this year’s entry is their worst since Joan Franka and I lowkey prefer her.

Erasmus
Erasmus
2 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

kinda hoping Blanks or Davina will represent them next year.

Sean
Sean
2 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Sha-La-Lie is my guiltiest pleasure of all time. That and Fusedmarc…

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
2 years ago
Reply to  Sean

I recognise how bad the song is but I totally go back and listen to all the different NF versions of “Sha-La-Lie” more than I should.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

There is no worse Dutch entry than Shine from 2009, and it’s not like they didn’t try. Shine is likely among the worst entries of 2000s, and that’s saying a lot.

Nicky
Nicky
2 years ago

birth of a new age, a masterpiece

and grow is just a lifeless dud, glad we never got to hear it at esc

Safiya
Safiya
2 years ago

Both are one of my favorites. I voted for Grow because I personally relate more to this song, but I love this year’s entry, too and I hope Jeangu will do well!

Robert
Robert
2 years ago

Like both a lot but if I had to choose I’d say Grow..

Ivar
Ivar
2 years ago

Kudos to Jeangu and the Netherlands for entering something real, something different from the ordinary Swedish factory style. “Grow” was lovely and my favourite of the two

Nicky
Nicky
2 years ago
Reply to  Ivar

we dutch must become the second sweden pls

Thisisntourlastdance
Thisisntourlastdance
2 years ago

I kinda liked Grow, but Birth of new age is coming dead last in the final.

acp
acp
2 years ago

The two are great quality entries, but “Birth of a New Age” gets my vote. I love the lyrics and it sounds like a Disney movie song. I really like the surinamese sounds, the lyrics and everything of the song basically. Probably my favourite host entry in these last 11 years.

Richard
Richard
2 years ago

They are very different songs and Grow was a beautifully understated entry that I still love, but for 2021 I’m drawn to the rhythm and message of Birth of a new Age, so that gets my vote. And credit to Jeangu for both entries, he has class.

Kobe
Kobe
2 years ago

Grow was my number 1 last year, Birth of a New Age is my 33th this year…

IceDragon
2 years ago

”Grow” is so much better, ”Birth of a new age” just doesn’t have anything going for it imo, and also It’s really repetitive, like I get it ”your rhythm is rebellion”’don’t need to say 100 times.