Long before Poland’s RAFAŁ performed “The Ride” on the Eurovision Song Contest stage for Poland, the artist and his team had confirmed it was originally intended for one of its songwriters. And now Swedish singer-songwrtier Clara Rubensson has come forward and released her original version of the synth-pop song. Hold on tight and have a listen below.
The song was originally composed by the Swedish team of Joakim Övrenius, Thomas Karlsson, Johan Mauritzson and Clara herself.
When both Rafał and the song were revealed to be TVP’s choice, users discovered an early demo floating around the internet of the song, credited to someone by the name of “Klara Rubaszna”. This was later confirmed to be Rubensson. The demo was then deleted, with only a snippet available.
But now Clara Rubensson’s version of the song has been released as a single in its own right.
Clara Rubsensson – “The Ride”
In an interview with Poland’s Dziennik Eurowizyjny, the composers discuss that they sent to Polish broadcaster TVP. This wasn’t their first foray in Poland; Thomas and Johan were in Charizma, a band that featured in the Polish National Final in 2007.
“At first, I didn’t understand how big of a deal was having this song performed in Eurovision,” Rubensson commented. “But when we saw the music video together, I realized, it was really happening. It also really sounded great in Rafal’s lower key.”
RAFAŁ’s version of “The Ride” was selected to represent Poland in Rotterdam. It featured in the second semi-final, earning only 35 points — including one lot of 12 points from the juries in San Marino. It placed 14th in a field of 17, therefore did not manage to qualify to the grand final.
What do you think? Which version of “The Ride” do you prefer? Should Clara submit a song to Melfest 2022? Tell us your thoughts below!
Both this and the Eurovision version are pretty good for me, I don’t understand all the hate. I think I prefer this one tho.
Still, I wish Alicja returns for 2022.
Doesn’t really make the song better to be honest
Off-topic: Dino Jelusi?, the first JESC winner, is now part of Whitesnake. The band of former Deep Purple member David Coverdale! What a success!
It ‘s still a weak song, I don ‘t like the song no matter who ‘s singing it. It ‘s still a sad thing that Poland did not give Alicija her second chance, that she deserved.
I love her voice. Please try to be in Melfest 2022, gurl ^^
See I always thought ever since I heard the original that this song was more suited for a female voice.
Though ngl? This version sounds kind of like a song Stefania would have as like a filler song on an album. Not good enough to be a single but like to fill the album out.
I kind of love this! Should it win the whole contest? No. But is it a fun song to listen to, with an engaging singer? Yes! And Rafal’s version is a fun guilty pleasure.
Poland’s version is better
Both versions suck tbh
Both versions are totally bland
The song is very standard, but Rafal’s faux swagger definitely made it into a guilty pleasure of a sort. 😉
I will never ever be over how Poland did not re-select Alicja
Me too, that was a poor decision. I swear the Polish broadcaster was just throwing in the towel because they hosted Junior Eurovision twice in a row and didn’t want to win the adult edition too soon. They better bring Alicja back for 2022.
Rafal is a major TVP employee so it was nepotism.
Wanna know why so much hate around this entry?
For me Rafal’s original version is much better, anyway I like it.
this screams 7th place melodifestivalen entry
doesn’t help it either.
Still meh.
There is a reason it was a reject. Songs that are rejects should stay rejects
It was never submitted to Melfest so technically it’s not a reject.
Danish entry in 2010 was rejected too at melfest and we know what happened that year… So some rejected entries can be actually successful elsewhere.
Denmark 2018, a MelFest reject actually got a score 9 times superior to Sweden 2018 one with the public
To be fair, it never shouldve been second last with the public. That was harsh and uncalled for.
It was not second to last and 21 points were deserved imo, juries gave them plenty of points just because of production values and being modern
… and coming from Sweden & Swedish broadcaster. Everybody knows about the secret friendships of many Head of Delegations with Swedish broadcaster, simply hoping to become part of Melodifestivalen jury one day (just look it up on Social Media).
I think the weak point in this song is the most crucial part of it: the chorus. I thought at first that I didn’t like it because of Rafal’s voice, but no, the chorus is just not well written. The verses had potential
Interesting that got 12 points from the juries of San Marino in the sf and then in the final, San Marino took it s only 12 points from the juries of Poland.
interesting enough that rafal and senhit recorded a duet before eurovision and a live perfomance. *coincidence*
Plot twist: The song was also sent to Senhit to sing it for Eurovision, but she declined and chose another song.
mariah carey could sing this song and it would still be awful, so yea no matter who sings it you can’t really save it lol
Carey would probably make it worse because The Ride with extra and over the top riffing would be messy
This kind of song is not her style though, and doesn’t even leave enough space for her to do her usual vocal flourishes.
I’m afraid even this version didn’t pay attention to the song’s biggest weak point, and that is the severe lack of impact. It’s a decent song and her voice, though heavily processed, sounds alright, but it still doesn’t manage to leave a lasting impression.
Song sounds weak even with Clara herself but maybe It would have been performed with more charisma..
With that being said I doubt It would do wonders in Melfest!
Its mindblowing that some swedish amateurish producers gave a such huge country with such rich culture (40 million population) a such a poor and weak product like “The Ride”
Well, Clara’s version does seem strange in my mind, as I’ve gotten used to listening to that song performed by a male middle-aged presenter instead of a young girl full of charisma.
In my opinion melfest rejects should stay as melfest rejects, even though that wasn’t one I suppose… It would be better to see each nation’s real attempt to present their own culture through music instead of having Sweden, Sweden2, Sweden3 and Sweden4 in the contest, as it happened this year
Sadly the vocals are as processed and sterile as in Rafal’s version. No way she would have made it to the live shows. I expected a lot more personality and vocal freedom.
If Lisa Ajax was in melfest I think this song suited her voice so well
including one lot of 12 points from the juries in San Marino
How suspicious, since Poland gave 12 points to San marino in the final…
still sounds like a demo. if only the instrumental was the one used for Rafal (which sounds more polished), it would be the best version for this song.
‘more polished’ great choice of words haha
I think we had one other 80’s/90’s-inspired retro pop song in this year’s Melfest so had it been submitted in time, we would probably have had this version in the roster instead of the one we eventually got.
This actually sound pretty good, assuming this also happens to be the demo.
I can’t offer an opinion about the nostalgic entries in MelFest because I didn’t watch any of it. As for the ESC, we had Fyr og Flamme’s “Øve Os På Hinanden” for Denmark, which was reminiscent of the stuff Modern Talking released in their first year or two (1984-86); and Tix’ “Fallen Angel” for Norway, reminiscent of the alt-pop/rock of the mid-1990s.
It remains to be seen if more countries dare to take the synthwave route next year. The failures of Rafal and Fyr og Flamme might give them second thoughts.