Photo: Hugo Manso

Portugal achieved their best ever result at last year’s contest. Now they’re aiming to continue the upwards trend at Junior Eurovision 2022. Nicolas Alves has the job of representing the Iberian nation in Yerevan with his song “Anos 70”.

Scroll down for “Anos 70” lyrics

Portugal in Junior Eurovision 2022: Nicolas Alves with “Anos 70”

Broadcaster RTP used the Portuguese edition of The Voice Kids to select an entrant for Junior Eurovision 2022. Since the age range of participants on The Voice Kids is different to that at Junior Eurovision, the honour went to the highest-placed act who would also be eligible to compete at Junior Eurovision. Thus, it was runner-up Nicolas Alves who was eventually chosen. He competed on the show as pat of Team Carolina Deslandes, who also wrote Nicolas’s song for Junior Eurovision.

Nicolas was born in England to Brazilian parents, and he lived in the UK until he was 10 years old. In 2019, the family moved to Torres Vedras in Portugal, where they now live with Ben the cat and Rocky the dog.

The young performer started singing at age four. He watched videos of Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury, hoping to one day become a singer just like them and unite people through music.

What do the “Anos 70” lyrics mean?

Nicolas was known on the The Voice Kids for his gravelly vocals, performing hits by 1970’s icons such as Queen and Michael Jackson. Carolina Deslandes wrote the song with this in mind, and so the entry focuses on Nicolas’s love for “Anos 70” (“The ’70s”).

I play an old tune like my father does
If I’m with myself, I really feel at peace
I try to explain, but no one understands
That I should have been born in the ’70s

The young singer notes that not everyone appreciates his style. However, he hopes they will just let him be, as we should always encourage people to be their true authentic self rather than forcing them to be something they’re not.

I sing hoarsely
But let me just be me
‘Cause I don’t know how to be anything else
And I don’t want anything else

“Anos 70” lyrics – Nicolas Alves (Portugal JESC 2022)

Music and lyrics by: Carolina Deslandes and Agir

Portuguese text

Manda avisar
Que hoje não ‘tou pra ninguém
Hoje eu vou dançar
Eu ‘tou falando

Manda avisar
Que eu não ando bem
Meio fora do lugar
E se eu for eu vou errando
E vou errando

Toco um som antigo que nem o meu pai faz
Se eu ‘tou comigo, eu ‘tou na maior paz
Eu tento explicar, mas não há quem entenda
Que eu devia ter nascido nos anos 70
Que eu devia ter nascido nos anos 70

Deixa eu ser louco
Só um pouco
Ter um pouco desse céu
Deixa eu ser louco
Canto rouco
Mas me deixa só ser eu

Que eu não sei ser mais nada
E eu não quero mais nada
E eu não sei ser mais nada
E eu não quero mais nada

Toco um som antigo que nem o meu pai faz
Se eu ‘tou comigo, eu ‘tou na maior paz
Eu tento explicar, mas não há quem entenda
Que eu devia ter nascido nos anos 70
Que eu devia ter nascido nos anos 70

Deixa eu ser louco
Só um pouco
Ter um pouco desse céu
Deixa eu ser louco
Canto rouco
Mas me deixa só ser eu

English translation

Let everybody know
That today I’m off
Today I’ll dance
I’m telling you

Let everybody know
I’m not doing well
A bit out of place
And if I go, I’ll go wrong
And I’ll go wrong

I play an old tune that not even my father does
If I’m with myself, I really feel at peace
I try to explain, but no one understands
That I should have been born in the ’70s
That I should have been born in the ’70s

Let me be crazy
Just a little
Have a small piece of the sky
Let me be crazy
I sing hoarsely
But let me just be me

‘Cause I don’t know how to be anything else
And I don’t want anything else
And I don’t know how to be anything else
And I don’t want anything else

I play an old tune that not even my father does
If I’m with myself, I really feel at peace
I try to explain, but no one understands
That I should have been born in the ’70s
That I should have been born in the ’70s

Let me be crazy
Just a little
Have a small piece of the sky
Let me be crazy
I sing hoarsely
But let me just be me

Are you a fan of “Anos 70” just like Nicolas Alves? Which decade of music represents you best? Let us know in the comments below.

18 Comments
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Bálint
Bálint
1 year ago
Reply to  KESC

Wiwibloggs, you might wanna take a look at this comment.

Miguel
Miguel
1 year ago

Dark horse

Eurotoxic
Eurotoxic
1 year ago

My winner

Jake
Jake
1 year ago

Well no one gave them a fighting chance last year and the lack of buzz probably sunk the jury scores which often lean on what they think the popular choices are. And then they came third in public vote by standing out in a unique way. This too will stand out in a myriad of girls doing modern dance pop to various degrees of success.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

This is unfortunately in my bottom 3 of the year. I dig his voice, it has a really cool vibe to it, but I can’t say much more than that. I saw someone else comment on YT that it reminded him of Intention (Bulgaria’s ESC entry in Turin) in a way that it’s a rock song with a lack of power. This song will very easily fade into the background and probably won’t score much from the online voting which will of course decide the results more actively than the juries do. I think it’s either this song, or Albania’s… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Unless they’re wearing armbands, I can not care who goes through.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

A yellow card is not much to be afraid of. Just wear a rainbow band, or a black one for all the modern slaves that died so you could play a game. Sad. The joy has really gone from this World Cup for me.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Yes, FIFA is to blame. Which is why I can not support this tournament or anyone participating in it.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

I wonder if the children of today would be so impressed with Harry Styles if they knew Mick Jagger had already done it all fifty years ago. Same with so many other artists.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Perhaps this little person will wear a frock in tribute to Styles and his like. He already is good to go with that ridiculous hairdo. Sorry if I am “offending” anyone – lol.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jofty

Another reason why I can’t like the junior contest. People passing comment on the appearance of children. There’s nothing ridiculous about his hair. If it was on a girl, you’d think it was fine.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Everything a junior contest song should be, except for it being written by adults. Very good.

Bálint
Bálint
1 year ago

Toco um som antigo que nem o meu pai faz – I play an old tune that NOT EVEN my father does.

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

You can always count on Portugal… this will not win onbviously but it’s great that they try to be true to themselves and always brings good diversity. Not saying that adult Eurovision in Lisbon was awesome experience:)

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

But why he couldn’t win? Only because he is not among the favorites of the fandom, whatever, this fandom doesn’t décide and fortunately so he has the same chances as he 15 others. Moreover Maneskin managed to win with a rock song so why not Nicolas.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

*As the 15 others.

Ria NL
Ria NL
1 year ago

I like this song a lot and wish hem good luck in Yerevan