Salvador Sobral 2021
Photo: Warner Music

He holds the record for the most points ever scored at Eurovision. However, Portugal’s 2017 winner Salvador Sobral sparked controversy with his comments from the very moment he lifted the famous glass trophy.

However, the “Amar pelos dois” singer has mellowed since his win in Ukraine. Now, in a reflective interview with Germany’s Augsburger AllgemeineSalvador acknowledges that he said some “nonsense” over the years.

Salvador Sobral labels some of his past Eurovision comments as “nonsense”

As he admitted before, including in January 2020, the Portuguese jazz man is very grateful for the song contest and the career boost it brought. “Even if I said some nonsense after winning the ESC”, he adds.

The interviewer probes for examples of this “nonsense”. Sobral mentions his victory speech first. Upon winning in Kyiv, he famously said “We live in a world of fast-food music. This is a victory for music.” He tells the German outlet that “Even after the award ceremony in Kyiv, I absolutely had to get rid of the fact that we live in a world full of fast food music without content. A lot of people got it down the wrong track and thought I was an arrogant snob”.

He also thinks back to his 2019 appearance on the Norwegian-Swedish talk show SkavlanThen he cast a wry eye over Eurovision, describing his participation in the song contest as his “prostitution”. Now he feels differently. “Later, on a talk show, I cut the line that the ESC was my personal prostitution. I shouldn’t have done. I wanted to be funny and come across as a little rebellious. Today I know how important that was, for my country, but also for Europe. For example, when you come to Iceland and hear people singing “Amar pelos dois” in Portuguese, that moves you a lot”.

He concludes that “I’ve always loved music that touches you, that comes deep from the heart. Not this synthetically glued together business. Nevertheless, I like the unifying idea of ​​the ESC”.

Salvador Sobral says Eurovision is history for him

Many Eurovision winners continue to pop up at the contest years after their victory. But in a May interview with the BBC, Salvador says that Eurovision is in his past. “I think my history with Eurovision ended there [in 2017/2018]. Now I have to go my own way and have some other goals.” However, “if you’re true to your art and honest, I think it’s a great platform for people to know you throughout Europe and the world.”

While the song contest may be in his past and his future remains uncharted, Salvador’s present is all about his new album bpmThe LP features 13 jazz songs, including the recent single “sangue so meu sangue”. While most of the tracks are in Portuguese, there are also two English-language songs.

What do you think of Salvador’s reflections? Is he right about his comments? Let us know below.

Follow all of our Portugal Eurovision 2022 news.

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Aldeebaran
Aldeebaran
2 years ago

Sadly, his words are aged like wine now. Eurovision don’t deserve him, but we need him.

Veta
Veta
3 years ago

Never seen anything wrong with his winning speech and his comments afterwards in the first place. So I’m glad he actually didn’t change his mind that much on those as I can see from this article. His words about the world of disposable music were just a spot-on truth. Heck, I would even get that quote of his tattooed if I had money, ngl. The overtaking domination of steaming services in the past years just proves his point right. Some people took his speech as something about music genres he personally likes or dislikes, or about songs from Eurovision, but… Read more »

Veta
Veta
3 years ago
Reply to  Veta

Actually, in this new German interview, besides rethinking his past Eurovision comments, he also elaborates that stairs-moment even more (I have just read the interview with a help of Google Translate), saying that his only thought in that moment was “it would be humiliating to die right after you have just won something”, so he numbed himself of all the emotions in order to not trigger heart failure. God, this is even worse. I don’t know if there is even a point to ask why did you decide that part was not that important and worth translating…

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Veta

Indeed!

maria
maria
3 years ago
Reply to  Veta

They decided that part of the interview was not important and worth of translating for the same reason they never mentioned many other interviews Salvador had given, where he had expressed gratitude for all that Eurovision has provided, as a plataform for his own music and carrear. Unfortunately, Wiwibloggs just runs after the clickbait and is the epitome of that praise for disposability, single-use-fast-bored listening of music. Their reviews of many Eurovision songs is nothing more than that… see Deban’s and William’s reaction to this year’s Portuguese entry, for example. Fortunately, their opinion proved to be irrelevant. Thank you very… Read more »

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Veta

Thank you for this super interesting and thoughtful comment, to which I entirely agree on.

Ern
Ern
3 years ago

To be honest, he has a point.

That being said, he should have kept it to himself. It’s not very gracious of the winner to talk like that about other songs in the contest.

And by the way … he looks a lot better with short hair.

Ffs
Ffs
3 years ago

Never really liked him then and I can’t stand him now. He played the sympathy card well and he’s a “has been”

Miss X
Miss X
3 years ago
Reply to  Ffs

He is only a “has been” for some Eurovision fans who live inside a bubble. Check how is career is going and compare it to other recent winners.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Ffs

He can be everything you want and you might not like him, but a “has been” he is certainly not. Tell that to all those people that pay good money to see his concerts all over Europe or Warner Bros. who invests heavily in him. Unlike a certain ESC winner who had rely to crowdfunding to make a record…

Last edited 3 years ago by L’oiseau
msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Ffs

If he’s a ”has been” i wonder what the others are? i actually feel sorry for others, they are either being influencers, serving tables or at some random tv show as judges. Salvador is one of the few eurovision artists who’s still touring, being paid to perform and whos song is sung outside of europe, like Korea for example. Without him we wouldn’t have people like Victoria and Barbara pravi in Eurovision. If he had played the ”sympathy card” he would fake a smile and tell eurofans what they want to hear, like most artists do. Still, he always says… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
Veta
Veta
3 years ago
Reply to  msn

Manizha actually said too that she used to think kinda low about ESC until she saw Salvador winning.

-only that for some reason she thought he had a guitar on stage, I wonder if she still does-

Last edited 3 years ago by Veta
Maya G
Maya G
3 years ago

He’s obviously an a**hole, but this was blown out of proportion. So he said a few mean, bitchy things. Who cares, he’s a singer not a politician and his opinions don’t matter. I like his song and IMO it was one of the best winners of the last decade, his personality doesn’t interest me much.
Same for Jamala who is an incredible singer and a very worthy winner in my eyes, regardless of her nasty uncomfortable question.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

He made a mistake and he admitted it, that should be the end of this “drama”. He’s a human being after all, we make mistakes, we learn and change. Now he’s releasing new music, and all what I can say is: good luck, Salvador! Keep working and doing what you love.

Daggu
Daggu
3 years ago

“I’ve always loved music that touches you, that comes deep from the heart. Not this synthetically glued together business”

So nothing changed. He’s still a snob that thinks low of other types of music lol

I wish he’d just get that music is just for fun. Stop being negative about what others enjoy, it’s unnecessary .-.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Daggu

I don’t see anything wrong with that. He doesn’t like that style of music, like Eleni Foreira doesn’t like Opera as she said in 2018, obviously referring to her Estonian colleague. Do you like ALL types of music?

Daggu
Daggu
3 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

It’s not about liking it or not, it’s about the way he phrased it. Synthetically glued together automatically degrades it and sounds condescending.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Daggu

Well that is the absolute truth. Many songs are made this way and yes it is degrading, for everyone involved. Many other artists say exactly the same. BTW, music can be for fun, but it can be for many other things too.

Erik
Erik
3 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

I happen to love opera. But I listen to a variety of music. Dubstep, Gabriel Fauré, contemporary R&B, opera, Swedish pop, desert blues, choir music, rap, jazz, Maghreb music etc.
I constantly discover new stuff from all over the world.

BUT….

I would never say bad stuff about the music I don’t like. Of course it will suit someone else. It’s just about taste. Maybe someone only listens to country music. Good for them. It’s not my favourite, but I let them listen to that without judging.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Erik

He never ever said or criticized people who listen to what he called “fast food music”. His criticism is directed towards the music industry that in many instances has become a sausage factory “feeding” people always the same menu. Unfortunately you are part of a small minority that is open enough to listen to many genres. And this is exactly his point.

Fatima
Fatima
3 years ago

Interesting that none of the “nonsense” came until after he’d won. When we saw him on the red carpet that year he was as nice as pie and his momentum towards victory started at around that time.

msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

That’s not true lol in some interviews, he mentioned that it was different from what he was used to.

OberonYronwood
OberonYronwood
3 years ago

He still is my favourite eurovision winner of all time along with Jamala, thay dared to bring something different and representative of their culture and won big time.

That being said, what he said after winning was quite unfortunate, nonetheless, he has publicly admited that he was wrong and that’s enough for me.

TheDr Mistery
TheDr Mistery
3 years ago
Reply to  OberonYronwood

And Jamala lost some credibility with “uncomortable question”.

Luc
Luc
3 years ago
Reply to  TheDr Mistery

What’s the uncomfortable question you’re talking about? I didn’t follow the 2016 edition 🙁

Mariia
3 years ago
Reply to  TheDr Mistery

Not for Ukrainians, most of us only respect her more after that

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  TheDr Mistery

Well, it was a scenario that was gonna occur to any ESC artist if you ask me. Eden was asked by a journo from Al Jazeera about what she thought about the recent resurgence of violence in her country during ESC week during a presscon.

vetrina
vetrina
3 years ago

He did sound arrogant, pretentious and snob though! Artists have to be humble and supporting fellow artists. He seemed ungrateful for the momentum he gained through ESC, without of which he would only sing in local pubs. It was his choice to compete to a “fast food music contest”! 200M ppl watched him and voted for a song in Portuguese, which is an amazing feat he couldn’t have had otherwise! Be humble, be kind, be thankful!

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  vetrina

If you read the article, he is thankful. He has always said it even 4 years ago.

vetrina
vetrina
3 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

He constantly showed arrogance with his comments, it wasn’t just one unfortunate moment! I watched his Skavlan i/v and many othe?s, a long time ago and they were all under the same Eurovision-snobby and ungreatful note.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  vetrina

Where you see arrogance, I see honesty and musical sensibility.

Michael Green
Michael Green
3 years ago
Reply to  vetrina

Even this year he was supporting The Roop. If he doesn’t care about Eurovision at all he wasn’t supporting artists coming here.

Ana
Ana
3 years ago

Like, anybody still cares about him? He is one of the less memorable ESC winners (if he didn’t give that stupid speech after winning I doubt anyone would care to talk about him at all). Just a rude and pretentious hypster that thinks that he knows music better than anyone because he does Jazz or something.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

You are very wrong about that. Maybe in our little ESC bubble the majority of fans prefer to see Mans, Netta or Conchita in ESC related events. But I challenge anyone to find a recent ESC winner that had a bigger number of concerts all over Europe and counting. The time he had on the Story of Fire Saga, as compared to other artists, says it all.

Ana
Ana
3 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

So you value your artists by how much screen time they had in a silly as* Will Ferrell comedy? An achievement for sure. Forget the international charts, that’s the new success evaluation.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

If you read fully my reply that was meat just an example, as somebody else mentioned here the movie, but yes I think that it is also telling. Again I challenge you to see how many concerts he gave and will give. You might not like him and that is your right. But belittle him as an insignificant artist is plain wrong. Also, international charts is not the full success story. How many concert you give, in which venues and festivals and how many people come to see the concerts determines the real success. And in that he remains unbeatable,… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by L’oiseau
msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

LMAO international charts. Sobral was the only eurovision winner invited to the jimmy fallon show for a reason. Streams/charts dont bring enough money (unless you are Ed Sheeran or BTS). It’s all about touring and selling albums in a digital era. If you wanna talk about new success evaluation, Kpop artists win against any ESC artist baby boo, eurovision winners can’t top them, stop trying. That’s why sobral and most people think eurovision doesn’t have any impact in music, bc it doesn’t, i’m saying this as an eurofan. No one gives a dmn if a ESC winner had songs in… Read more »

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

He ended one Eurovision country’s long winless drought and won with a song sung in a language that’s not English for the second time since the lifting of the language rule. That’s actually makes him even more memorable.

That fact you still talk about him only further reinforces that.

Ana
Ana
3 years ago
Reply to  James

You can talk about his achievements forever trying to avoind the conversation about how rude, pretentious and disrespectful his behavior was. If Netta, for example, would say that his song was terrible or boring or his voice sounds like a h0rny cat (which unfortunately it is) you wouldn’t say that “she has a right to have her own opinion” you would cancel her. For some reason this dude always gets a pass.

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

And you’re talking about him yet again. 🙂

msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

Lmao, That spelling and pettiness, you’re definitely a spaniard. Anyway, it’s ironic to see a rude and disrespectful person calling another guy rude, he doesn’t like eurovision, get over him. Stop projecting, how people treat us is a reflection of themselves. You need to heal and fix your issues, it’s not personal or sobrals fault. Y’all bully, harass and insult people online every single day because you have this anonymous protection and your words wont have any consequences in rl, stop acting like you’re better than him. You’re worse. The fact that his words still have an effect on you… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
Catherine
Catherine
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

Judging by the number of concerts he has been giving all over Europe since he won, I would say yes, somebody still cares about him.

Last edited 3 years ago by Catherine
T.J.
T.J.
3 years ago
Reply to  Catherine

It’s not the number of concerts, it’s the number of people who go there. And that is a different story…
If you care to look at the number of views and likes on youtube for his songs after 2017, LMAO. The insta of my cat has more than that.

allenakaalan
allenakaalan
3 years ago
Reply to  T.J.

Well, you can clearly see that in any of the concerts he gives, the venues are packed. So clearly there’s a large audience across Europe for Salvador.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  T.J.

You are completely right. It’s about the number of people that go to the concerts, meaning actually pay a ticket to go see him. And on that account he beats them all. He has always full houses and plays in the best and big and prestigious venues. Otherwise he wouldn’t have so many gigs. (4 in Ukraine alone in June). But if you prefer artists whose existence is sitting as jury in talent shows and trying to make a buck out of their YouTube channels, or have an annual appearance in the ESC show until they’re 70, be my guest… Read more »

Catherine
Catherine
3 years ago
Reply to  T.J.

How many concerts have Loreen, Emmelie de Forest, Conchita, Netta given all over Europe? Oh what, they haven’t! No wonder, they don’t even have enough songs for a concert.

Last edited 3 years ago by Catherine
T.J.
T.J.
3 years ago
Reply to  Catherine

Oh Conchita fills the Sydney operahouse, but yeah – what‘s that in comparison to some jazzclub somewhere in … (alread forgot where) LOL

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  T.J.

Are you seriously comparing Conchita to Salvador??? LOL You could have picked Duncan, Mans, Lordie, Netta or Dilma. Even that would fade. But Conchita??? That is the worst possible comparison. Conchita might fill one Opera House in a gay-related event in a very gay-friendly and ESC-friendly city or be the attraction of a gay parade. I give you that. But Salvador fills many many Opera Houses and Concerts Halls (not jazzclubs) all over Europe for four consecutive years (bar lockdown) for people who likes his music. If you want discuss Sobral’s career check your facts first.

msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  T.J.

LMAO is your cat a kpop idol? no offense boo but it’s cute how some of y’all think eurovision artists are relevant like i- they aint relevant outside the ESC bubble, italy has a huge market so does spain but none of them aint making it or maintaining a career in the long run, they’re nobodies specially when you compare them to kpop bands or ed sheeran. Those views and likes aint paying them enough to get some food LMAOOOO let’s accept the fact that success doesn’t = achieving x number of views. You’re probably 16 but, specially for a… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
Sot
Sot
3 years ago

Salvador, my man, one of the most anti-Eurovision winners of our times

Nils
Nils
3 years ago

I’d say he officially redeemed himself, didn’t he?

Erik
Erik
3 years ago

Because I come from both worlds I’m glad he changed his mind about separating elitist music from popular music. In the original statement he was saying only one of them is music. The paradox is also that he won the contest. A lot of people voted for him. He may consider himself Russian caviar, but he is still wrapped in a three minute paper and served with a toy on McDonald’s. Eurovision is about building bridges and by his statement he burnt many bridges for people who never tried caviar before. Ironically he had burnt bridges on the elitist side… Read more »

Elsa
Elsa
3 years ago
Reply to  Erik

But his winning speech was never referring to the other Eurovision competing songs. He was referring to the syhthesized mass-production music industry, which he (and any professional musician) has all the reason to fight. If you read “The song machine” by John Seabrook, for example, you will see what this is all about

Veta
Veta
3 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Exactly. And what’s more important, he wasn’t wrong at all.

maria
maria
3 years ago
Reply to  Erik

I don’t agree with what you say that Salvador Sobral had “burnt bridges on the elitist side just by participating in a contest like this”.
Actually, he has been invited to some of the most prestigious jazz festivals, such as Jazzaldia, even though the public and the organization of those festivals is quite elitist. It is true there was a risk that his reputation could be damaged by Eurovision, but he was able to earn respect by his own merit.

Mana
Mana
3 years ago

It’s funny to see eurofans thinking that he made apologize about what he said FOUR years before because “he needs to be relevant and begs the eurofan’s pardon” when now he is currently in his fourth european tour (with dates booked until november and with new dates and places every day -for example four dated in Ukraine and two in the Zalgirio Arena, the biggest baltic arena, also with five dates in the Benelux-) and his album is now #1 in the portuguese charts and is always #1 in Portugal with any project that he participates (and this is a… Read more »

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
3 years ago

It was so many factors, but I don’t have the time…

eurovis.emu
eurovis.emu
3 years ago

lets not forget it’s a ‘song contest’ not a ‘personality contest’

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

I think he was one of those contestants (like Barbara) that never watched Eurovision before. Barbara was more prepared due to the Junior Eurovision but still.. Sobral was very shady towards other contestants and Eurovision in general, he then said that Eurovision was his prostitution period. While i get it that as a jazz singer, Eurovision was the most mainstream he ever gone but still he needs to be able to express himself without being disrespectful to the show that made him tour in Europe. Happy to see him regretting for what he said, well he’s pgot a new album… Read more »

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

He was not shady to other contestants. He did not say one bad thing about his colleagues that year. On the contrary he praised some of his favorite entries, like all others do. He just said in 2018 that he didn’t like Toy. I don’t blame him… You might not understand, but that was what happened and let me tell you that he has a huge following outside the ESC bubble. And finally he got in the film, because he is a great singer and it was with this song that the director actually got the idea to make this… Read more »

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

I totally get that he doesn’t like most ESC songs and Toy. The words he used were ridiculous and very childish. Same for the words he used to describe his Eurovision experience. Everyone was being so kind to him and Eurovision made him the name he currently is.

The director did not make the movie because of Sobral, who told you that?

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

I didn’t say he made the film“because” of him. He said it himself in an interview that the song inspired him to write the script, which is different. This is why he gave so much time to him in the movie. Anyway, yes I agree that he was a bit childish and he used strong words. He could have been more diplomatic. He recognizes this now and this is the whole point. But at least he was honest and said out loud what many artists (even former ESC artists) think. On him not being kind, I challenge you to give… Read more »

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

And about he not being kind and respectful: in every concert he gives in a foreign country he sings a song in the local language, which not only is absolutely amazing, it shows enormous respect and kindness towards his audience.

Luc
Luc
3 years ago

I think it won because of its beautiful and sophisticated composition, and also because it was so out of place -if we take all of the contest’s songs into account, that it stood out.

Last edited 3 years ago by Luc
Jake
Jake
3 years ago

People can hate him all they want. It won’t alter his legacy. his win is still historic—and not just because it ended his country’s longest drought of winless participation. He is the biggest point getter. And #1 with televote AND juries. The only act so far in this new vote system to win both.

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Thank your for your comment. Salvador gave me one of the greatest moments in the history of ESC. It doesn´t really matter for me what he said. On the other side there are few postings here with so much hate speech – absolutely no comparison with his words.

Last edited 3 years ago by Mr X
Ana
Ana
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Pity points for Portugal and his health. Don’t forget those.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

Yeah all over Europe public and jury alike gave massive voting out of pitty… what was that about being rude and humble, again?…

msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

ana, look at you, using your anonymous protection to write rubbish and proving him right. Salvador could easily put you on trial for that, it’s called DEFAMATION. You’re lucky you’re just an irrelevant person and no member of his family will read your comment. One day, when celebs start taking action, people like you will stop because your words will have consequences, that’s what you’re scared of. Health is not a joke. People are only mean to others because they dislike themselves. We both know you’re a different person outside the online world. I can imagine you in your 70s… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
Sot
Sot
3 years ago
Reply to  Ana

Not you again…

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Well we all know how weird the Eurovision voting can be, remember Estonia 2001 and Azerbaijan 2011. He might have gotten the most points in a weak Eurovision year but his song did not become a hit.

Catherine
Catherine
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Hits are only relevant when it comes to pop music which clearly Amar Pelos Dois isn’t. Nor is Salvador a pop singer. He will continue to have a career in many years to come.

Last edited 3 years ago by Catherine
L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

It is interesting to note the bias of the ESC fan community… when we don’t like the winning song, we dismiss it that the voting was “weird”… People have to accept that he won by a landslide from televote and jury simply because the song appealed to so many people outside the ESC bubble. Full stop. We are seeing every single year that it is not the most ESC-bubble friendly songs that win, but the ones that make a cross-over. And he certainly did it with his song. Still this year we had contestants and press talking about Amar pelos… Read more »

msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

If it wasnt a hit then why was sobral the only ESC winner invited to the jimmy fallon show? Why is his song sung in korean and other music shows around the world to this day? Mind you this is a jazzy song sung in a different language, he, unlike other winners, was able to change the publics view of ESC and bring different viewers to watch it. There’s a reason eurofanns only mention him winning when locals criticize eurovision and bring the political excuse, remember? Y’all always claim you want different musical genres and then get pressed when we actually… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
Ang
Ang
3 years ago

I think we need to cut him some slack because of his health too. At the time, Salvador was literally dying. Without his heart transplant in December 2017, he would probably be dead now. For all he knew, when he got on the Eurovision stage, that might have been the last time he ever performed. His emotions would have been all over the place. Happy, sad, worried, anxious, even angry all at the same time. There are 2 types of organs involved in transplants, & your likelihood of surviving until 1 becomes available depends on that type. Firstly you have… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Ang

SOS Refugees. That’s what he was worried about in Kyiv, even with all his own problems. He is a good person.

Ang
Ang
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I didn’t know that. I understand his concerns. My worries are refugees too, & I also focus on children & LGBTQ+ issues. I think the world is moving in the wrong direction, with the rise of populism. We all need to fight it whilst being more kind to others to offset some of the damage done by people like Trump, Bolsonaro, Putin & Orbán. I opened champagne when Trump lost. ?

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
3 years ago
Reply to  Ang

Damn, you got me crying here. I wish you all the best.

Ang
Ang
3 years ago
Reply to  pastel de nata

Why are you crying, sweetie? Please don’t get upset. There’s a lot to love & enjoy about life even when you can’t take part properly because of poor health. Yes, it’s hard when you’re first diagnosed, when you’re told that your life is different to everyone else or that it might be shorter, but you surround yourself with people who mean something & focus on the good things. For Salvador it was his music & his sister (I’m sure he has more than that but I don’t know, although I think he got married shortly after his ESC win), for… Read more »

Veta
Veta
3 years ago
Reply to  Ang

This. I’m sure many of us, if offered something we’ve never tried, knowing there is a huge chance that could be the last time we could try it, would agree even if we considered ourselves not really belonging to that activity before. And, if we had an opportunity to speak on a big event for the possible last time in our lives, we most likely would make sure to be vocal about what’s the most important to us and what changes in the world we want to see the most.

Emma
Emma
3 years ago

Did he get a new heart?
Maybe that heart actually changed him 😉

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Emma

I hope you realize that is a terrible bad joke

Car
Car
3 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

Actually, it is said that people can change when they get a new organ… google it!

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Car

This is not a true at all. Still a very bad joke

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago

He was too bold in the winning night but he was and still is right. Exactly the same message Duncan said, but nobody picked on him… Salvador is a great artist and yes with a big ego. But dishonest he is not. So people should get over it.

sTommie
sTommie
3 years ago
Reply to  L’oiseau

Duncan said: music first always, or something like that. In what way can that be considered negative towards anyone or anything? (Although we should never underestimate bitter Eurovision fans).

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  sTommie

Negative towards fireworks.

Helena
Helena
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Dutch media were very proudly saying how amazing it was that he won without fireworks etc., but Duncan himself literally responded that he loved Netta’s performance and would have used fireworks himself (as he loves them) if he didn’t have a ballad. I think with his comment he meant that music is important in his life and maybe that it should come before all else, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put on a show if you have great music. At least that’s how I interpreted it, especially with the comments he made afterwards 🙂

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
3 years ago
Reply to  Helena

I’m pretty sure that in “the fireworks” spoken by Salvador, it was a metaphor for gimmicks, not only fireworks. Things can’t beall taken literally… it kind of reminds me of the Portuguese people who couldn’t understand that Conan’s song wasn’t really about breaking phones… (insert roll eyes) But they were preety convinced he was stupid enough to write a song about such thing. Go figure!
So, people that can’t interpret a speech (and a poem) are a bit braindead.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Helena

I don’t see any difference, still. Duncan obviously knew about all that polemic from 2017/2018 and did not want to get into that.. So when asked,
he was more diplomatic and apparently liked Toy, anyway. For him it was a good song, Salvador also liked ociddentalli karma and sunset project. Salvador also did not say that he cannot put up shows. What he said is if you only do that without good music, then it’s empty. Exactly same thing.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  sTommie

It is not a question of being negative or positive. Salvador said music is not fireworks it is feeling, meaning what matters most should be music and not everything that surrounds it. Duncan said music first always, so the same message for me, just much more subtle and diplomatic

Sapphire
Sapphire
3 years ago

Sounds to me like he’s just seeking attention at this point

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Sapphire

Yes, that’s the whole point of giving interviews.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Sapphire

Believe you me, he has all the attention. He doesn’t need to talk about Eurovision for that. He was asked and he answered. That’s all

ESC fan
ESC fan
3 years ago

I’m glad Salvador has matured. And for the people who got offended by what he said in the contest… get some help.

Moonstar
Moonstar
3 years ago

Nonsense! He’s just being insincere. He has always been like this, at least ever since I saw him participating on the Portuguese Idols show when he was a teenager. He’s just trying to sell his new songs.

msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Moonstar

He’s not. He has said the same thing a few years ago in an interview. People ask him questions and he answers. He’s consistent. Simple.

AM2PM
AM2PM
3 years ago

Is there a rule on this blog that half of all articles have to start with ‘he’/‘she’/ or ‘they’?

Pandaman
Pandaman
3 years ago
Reply to  AM2PM

And what exactly is wrong with that?

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
3 years ago
Reply to  AM2PM

That’s how you write a sentence! ( sponsored by Alexander Rybak)

Catherine
Catherine
3 years ago

Sophisticated music is not for everyone.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Catherine

Indeed!!!

T.J.
T.J.
3 years ago

He needs four years to come up with this lame pseudo-excuse?!? Get lost!

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  T.J.

He was asked about it so he answered.

T.J.
T.J.
3 years ago
Reply to  James

Great! you can define the word „interview“! be proud of yourself!

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
3 years ago
Reply to  James

Same as with the “Netta gate” thing. He was asked, so he answered. Simple.

T.J.
T.J.
3 years ago
Reply to  pastel de nata

some people say clever, interesting, smart, likeable things when they are asked in interviews, others give arrogant, stupid answers. simple.

msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  T.J.

Some people will fake a smile and say what eurofans want to hear, others are honest and genuine, something people like you arent used to. Simple. Stop projecting, it’s not that deep, kid.

James
James
3 years ago

There was really nothing wrong with what he said that night when he won. No winner can be expected to have a perfect beauty pageant-styled speech prepared moments after being announced the victor of the grand prix.

Somehow, a spontaneous moment of honesty opened up a conversation over authenticity and commercialism in the music industry.

Aeria
Aeria
3 years ago

I feel like he’s more trying to convince people to think he’s not as much of an arrogant jerk as you may think, now you should stream his music

Charles
Charles
3 years ago
Reply to  Aeria

Personality? Maybe
Streaming? Nah he is more of a stage live musician than a record seller or track streaming guy …. “go see me live” is more his thing.
Now what is undeniable in your words is how his anti-fastfood or anti-firework speech was, that still hurts your love for the entire Britney Spears discography, cause I presume 2007 “Blackout” must be your own 1991 “Nirvana”. What would Kurt Cobain say?

Elsa
Elsa
3 years ago
Reply to  Aeria

Yes totally, I think he knows very well (or his agent) that he only gets that media coverage for his album release because he is a past Eurovision winner, otherwise nobody would care!

Paul
Paul
3 years ago

“Eurovision is my past” however I have a new album to promote so I’m going to talk about it again….

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

It comes with the territory of being interviewed so it will always going to be brought up in one way or another.

Charles
Charles
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

And while he promotes his new album and continues to be asked about Eurovision, let me trash him down for trashing down my plastic recycled trash pop that I love so much… is what you still think after all these years.

Paul
Paul
3 years ago
Reply to  Charles

To be honest I don’t really care what he said – we can all like and dislike whatever music we want to but don’t be a hypocrite about the situation to promote yourself

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

I don’t think using his comments is a way of promoting themselves when the topic is raised to him by his interviewer.

kei
kei
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

He’s not promoting anything, He said the same thing a few years ago actually. The guy was asked a question and he answered.

Last edited 3 years ago by kei
msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Paul

How is he promoting himself? he’s saying the exact same thing he said in previous interviews? a few years ago he said he was thankful to eurovision, but it’s like y’all only choose to ignore what’s convenient

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
esc1234
esc1234
3 years ago

its good that he understood his mistake. If it wasnt for eurovision his life would be so different, its nice to appreciate what helped you.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago

the thing is that so-called ‘synthetic’ songs can touch your heart deeply. it’s entirely subjective, and I found Salvador so so arrogant about his own music and the way he treated netta with the trophy. his music is great but he needs to have an attitude check

Charles
Charles
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

Try telling that to all the great musicians of all time to see if they see eye to eye with you about your love for commercial disposable music. Netta may be huge in Israel, but Salvador has found an European audience that probably doesnt even follow Eurovision. Netta can be happy if she gets to perform in Pride festivals instead of iconic theatrical stages.
You wanna jump listening to her…
Others want to listen to him simply …

Giolo
Giolo
3 years ago
Reply to  Charles

I agree, music is not entirely subjective, all musicians I know agree with this. The only thing that is subjective is taste, not every people enjoy the same genre, but complexity and commitment in a song are not questionable.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Giolo

Music (as all art) is made of objective and subjective components. Some things are an objective fact (the key, bpm, instruments used, which words are said, as well as stuff like is the song repetitive, does it have an ”explosive” chorus or a more linear one, is its production polished or not…) But there are also subjective components, like – is the lack of variation boring or not, is the usage of certain words offensive or not, are the metaphors to be taken as A) or B), is the ”color of singer’s voice” pleasant or not… And all of that… Read more »

Kristian
Kristian
3 years ago
Reply to  Charles

Yes , loved netta and bassa sababa

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Charles

you rly are attacking people for liking pop music huh. take your superiority complex and go babe

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

He was very nice and cordial when we passed on the throphy to Netta. Even she herself said so.

Eugenie
Eugenie
3 years ago

Strange thing, but I feel more sorry about his apologies than about his original phrase. I mean, he said what he wanted to accidentally. Yeah, people disliked him, but he was sincere and for me it’s better than “love love piece piece” hypocrisy. Now things he say… They’re better but I’m not sure if it’s his opinion. It looks more like fright of Eurovision fanatics cancel-culture. And it kinda disappoints me, because it seems like we’re living in “corporate age”, if you know what I mean.

Elsa
Elsa
3 years ago
Reply to  Eugenie

Yep! That’s it completely! He wants to appease media gatekeepers

msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Eugenie

It’s not because of cancel culture otherwise he would’ve said this in 2018. Salvador doesnt care about what eurofans say, he doesnt even have social media. This ”apology” has been going around since 2 years ago i think? It’s not new, he’s more mature now i guess. He was sincere but there is a place and time for everything and i think that he realised it was the heat of the moment, he was sick, emotional and tired at the time. Many ESC artists agree with Salvadors message but they would have never said it in a stage in front… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
3 years ago

My main problem with him was how he awarded the trophy to Netta in 2018
Of course he doesn’t have to be nice and stay there with her and the hosts but I do think he could have been more respectful at that moment
Anyway, I see the change he’s done since his winning speech 🙂
He is allowed to dislike some genres and people shouldn’t bash him for that
I wish him the best for the future 🙂

Elle
Elle
3 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

Yes, people shouldn’t bash him for disliking certain genres. And he shouldn’t bash people for liking certain genres.

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
3 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

Well, I didn’t really see her trying to hug him either! Lmao
It was just awkward, and it’s ok, we all knew what was going on.

L’oiseau
L’oiseau
3 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

Again, he was nice and a gentlemen when he handed the throphy to Netta. What are you talking about??? Even Netta said so herself in the press conference

Denis
Denis
3 years ago

LOL, who cares? Most people stopped caring about him and his asinine opinions the day he won ESC, He still thinks his win means more than it does and still think he is bigger than the contest

MTD
MTD
3 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Ah, Denis, Denis…

His win DOES mean more than it does – a first for Portugal (THE Portugal), with record points, on a native language, far away from the fast food you up there in Sweden are so in love with. 🙂

Kirby
Kirby
3 years ago
Reply to  MTD

Exactly, MTD!!!

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

I also agree with you both !

Vale
Vale
3 years ago
Reply to  MTD

Do you mean on terms of music impact or Eurovision impact?

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Those who do.

Catherine
Catherine
3 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Most people as in “bitter Eurovision fans”? Yes, true.

ESC fan
ESC fan
3 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Honey, if people really had stopped caring about him, he wouldn’t be invited to appear in a film about Eurovision.

Last edited 3 years ago by ESC fan
msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Lol,still pressed because of his speech? the guy literally answered a simple question. Eurofans literally mention salvador or the iconic phrase ”fast food music” every year LMAO. He been living RENT FREE in eurofans heads since 2017 and you’re claiming they stopped caring? Eurofans like you still sthink Eurovision is super big as if most of the audience doesnt mock it and forgets about it after the final, can’t you see how none of eurovision artists could maintain a career? Ask yourself why most people think ESC is a joke and why successful artists dont wanna take part in it.… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
msn
msn
3 years ago
Reply to  Denis

LOL Eurovision for most people is a joke of a contest to laugh at for 3 days, it’s hilarious how the eurovision winner with more points is literally an eurovision hater. No wonder you’re bitter. Salvador is the only winner who was invited to the jimmy fallon show, who’s still touring and whos song is sung in asian talent shows, he’s not 1 hit wonder or sitting in a tv show chair like the other winners so yes, he’s bigger than the contest. His opinion still affects y’all to this day and it shows. Him giving an answer to an… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by msn
Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
3 years ago

“Fast food music” is such an iconic phrase, though. So thank you for that at least lol.

Jake
Jake
3 years ago

Agreed. He at least coined a phrase that everyone uses. Even wiwi references fast food this year to talk about so many entries that are “Spotify-sequel” pop. And he might be cocky, unaware or too self-serious, but as this year’s contest proved—it seems even Europe rather have honest authentic self-penned music and artists than manufactured pop you buy from other countries. I never took his comments as he didn’t like pop— he just didn’t like frivolous music as his own personal taste or what people think is “perfect for Eurovision”. Seems like lots of Europe agrees.

James
James
3 years ago

And of course, we wouldn’t have you here if not for the now infamous phrase. 🙂

Charles
Charles
3 years ago

And you must be excited to get some brand new pop album filled with autotuned vocals, monosyllabic lyrics and suffocated by beats and grooves with no meaning or purpose cause who cares about those. Whose album? It doesnt even matter.

Kristian
Kristian
3 years ago
Reply to  Charles

Yes , well said. I literally don’t care whose album is it. As long as the song is nice it could be anybody singing it . I hate these “Star fans ” as If just because they lent their voice to the song , the song became great .

Eugenie
Eugenie
3 years ago
Reply to  Charles

The problem is not auto-tune, but authenticity. We’ve got electronics which always use auto-tune and there’s nothing wrong with it. But only if you write good , full of individuality music. If you don’t, auto-tune suddenly turns into flaw.