Nebulossa Spain

The doubt was there. On Saturday, Spain selected the song “Zorra” for Eurovision, with lyrics that intend to reinterpret the meaning of an insult traditionally yelled at women by repeating it and reclaiming it. Many feared the EBU wouldn’t accept it, but now they have given Nebulossa the green light.

In a press statement sent to Spanish media, the EBU has confirmed that “Zorra” is eligible for Eurovision in its current form:

“The EBU understands there are many interpretations of the title of the song submitted by RTVE to represent Spain in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Considering its intended use in the context of the song’s lyrics and message, as explained to us by RTVE, we have concluded the song is eligible to participate in this year’s competition. The staging of the song in May, as with all participating acts, will be agreed with producers at a later date.”

Therefore, Nebulossa will be able to represent Spain with the lyrics they created, and they won’t need to record a toned-down version for Eurovision.

Speaking on Sunday after the finale, Head of Communications at RTVE, María Eizaguirre, explained the difference with a well known case: Måneskin had to change the words “coglioni” and “cazzo” in their Eurovision 2021 winning song “Zitti e Buoni”. The difference, she argued, is that “Zorra” has wider meanings than those two words, and does not refer to an intimate part of the body.

What do the “Zorra” lyrics mean?

“Zorra” delivers a message of female emancipation, empowerment and reassurance: “I know I’m not who you want, I know, I get that you’re upset by it, but this is my nature, I can’t be bothered to change for you”.

The word “zorra”, in Spanish, literally means “vixen”. However, it is translated as “bitch” in a figurative sense, and that is the most commonly used meaning of the word.

This is actually one of the most blatant cases of built-in sexism within the Spanish language. While the male version of the noun, “zorro”, is used figuratively to refer to someone who’s astute, the female version of the word is much more widespread and used as an insult.  

Nebulossa revolts against this and uses this insult in order to create an anthem of female empowerment: “I already know I’m only a bitch, that my past consumes you. I already know I’m the black sheep, the misunderstood one, the stone-cold one. But this is my nature, I can’t be bothered to change for you”.

Read the full lyrics here

Zorra: A government affair

The aftermath of Nebulossa’s victory at Benidorm Fest has made it clear that this year’s contest will have a big impact on Spanish society. Not only by becoming the first Benidorm Fest performance to hit one million views on YouTube, but also creating a lot of conversation.

Indeed, even Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, commented about the song. Asked about it on Al Rojo Vivo, Sánchez said: “I think feminism is not only just, but also fun. These kind of provocations have to come necessarily from culture. I get that the alt right media would love to have the “Cara El Sol” [a Francoist song], but I prefer to be represented by this kind of song”.

Sánchez wasn’t the only member of government to speak about “Zorra”. Minister of Equality, Ana Redondo, found that the song “broke moulds” and “it was a proof of diversity, where we all fit”; whereas Minister of Science, Diana Morant, shared the news that the lyrics can stay and said: “It will be a delight to dance to the rhythm of Nebulossa at Eurovision. Go triumph in Malmö!”

What do you think about the “Zorra” lyrics? Are you happy that Nebulossa is representing Spain? Did you fear they would have to change the song? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Erik
Erik
8 months ago

Just know the masked Robin Hood figure Zorro. So if a girl does the same she’s a sl*t. Lovely how sexist Spanish language can be.

Calp
Calp
8 months ago
Reply to  Erik

Just know dog is a lazy person, and if a girl does it then she is a sl*t (bitch). Lovely how sexist English language can be.

Zhenia
Zhenia
8 months ago
Reply to  Erik

Literally all of Western culture has been patriarchal at some point. There’s no point in criticising languages for build-in sexism when that very same criticism could be applied to most of them.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
8 months ago

When people like a Song, they tend to speak about the song itself. When Finland’s song was released last year, before we how staging was going to be people liked the song and Talk about It… With this one, I just read comments about “the message”, staging, the guys behind and how old IS she… Not even people Who claim to love it, speak about the song itself

esc_fl
esc_fl
8 months ago

Also I find it hilarious that comments are disabled for Israel’s choice. Time to smuggle in some watermelon flags and Hatari merch

esc_fl
esc_fl
8 months ago

I might disagree, but the EBU has spoken. Nothing to do but to support Nebulossa all the way to Malmö; I’m pretty sure the song will grow on me. Fuerza y buena suerte a Nebulossa <3

aubin
aubin
8 months ago

I really like this song, but I really think it is going to be bottom 5 again :/

kaos esc
kaos esc
8 months ago

spain can get the Germanys place in the final.. #26

Boo
Boo
8 months ago

will they still need to cover their butt?

Michel
Michel
8 months ago

Zorra’, Nebulossa’s song for Eurovision, becomes the third most viral in the world

Michel
Michel
8 months ago
Reply to  Michel

The second one,now.

Ari
Ari
8 months ago

Good. Censorship is wrong. I was thinking EBU double standards again, but I don’t speak Spanish or Italian and the explanation why it’s allowed here and not there sounds plausible. I guess the f-word Sweden 2017 originally had doesn’t leave much room for interpretation. Still should have been allowed. Not like bitch is much cleaner.

Jack
Jack
8 months ago

If they don’t wanna end up 21st (which is very likely) they need to change the staging and make sure people get the message. The audience won’t be full of Spanish people screaming.

Lera
Lera
8 months ago
Reply to  Jack

Yeah, I would add subtitles here and there like Konstrakta did in 2022

Zac
Zac
8 months ago

I can’t remember when I was so obsessed with the Spanish entry. I hope she wins in May, at least the televotes!

Jonas
Jonas
8 months ago
Reply to  Zac

Nebulossa are a duo we should remember! Maria and Marc.

Troy
Troy
8 months ago

So spain just want to troll us

Réi Slaya
Réi Slaya
8 months ago

Well good that EBU didn’t decide to do conservative propaganda. Btw Ban Israel

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago
Reply to  Réi Slaya

Why would enforcing the contest’s rules be “conservative propaganda?” I mean, I expected this from EBU, given their inconsistent enforcement of rules, though

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
8 months ago

lol

no huge threat for Israel honestly

a israeli esc win is very much needed now, a win against a.n.t.i.s.em.itism.

Rory
Rory
8 months ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

If Israel wins good luck getting any of the Nordic countries, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Albania etc. to compete – it would probably just be Israel and Germany ?

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago
Reply to  Rory

It’d be pretty cool if Nebulossa performed Zorra in Gaza imo

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago
Reply to  Yuarith

Why is my comment being downvoted? Aren’t we all in for diversity and inclusion and against Israel’s occupation?

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago
Reply to  Rory

It’d be pretty cool if Nebulossa performed Zorra in G4z4 imo

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
8 months ago
Reply to  Rory

So? Not my problem

I also hope israel become european champions in the football either

Rory
Rory
8 months ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

It will be your problem when they need to cancel Eurovision because only a handful of artists would feel comfortable or safe participating in Israel

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
8 months ago
Reply to  Rory

next year there won’t be a war anymore though over there, when we are done with p.a.l.es.t.i.n.e.

Lorena
Lorena
8 months ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

I guess they are not competing in the Olympicz this year either, right?

Kor
Kor
8 months ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

I dont really see how a win on ESC would be a win against anti semitism. But I could see Israel win, without having over the top great song, be an end of Eurovision as we know it.

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago

This is one of the songs that are hyped up by the fandom but ends up bottom 5 in May, at least it doesn’t get its essence ripped apart

Devito
Devito
8 months ago
Reply to  Yuarith

Exactly what happened with LUM!X and Pia Maria in 2022 when it didn’t even qualify.

Mary
Mary
8 months ago
Reply to  Devito

Spain will be in the final for sure. And if Spain ends up bottom 5, well, it is not a tragedy, at least the message will be listened in Malmö.

MTD
MTD
8 months ago

This will be the Konstrakta of 1024

MTD
MTD
8 months ago
Reply to  MTD

2024!!!

LOL

esc_fl
esc_fl
8 months ago
Reply to  MTD

AHAHAHAHAHAHA

Dane
Dane
8 months ago
Reply to  MTD

not even close to

grft
grft
8 months ago
Reply to  MTD

1024?! i knew she was old but i didn’t imagine she was that old

Dida
Dida
8 months ago

They can keep the title and the lyrics, the juries won’t vot for…this song, anyway

Dane
Dane
8 months ago
Reply to  Dida

Exactly

Matt
Matt
8 months ago

I feel like them saying like all participating acts staging is agreed with producers at a later date was put in there to suggest there will be no tushies at Eurovision.

Sun
Sun
8 months ago
Reply to  Matt

What double standard problem does the world have that is afraid of a butt or a tit and then they and their sons and daughters consume hardcore pornography on the Internet?

Mary
Mary
8 months ago
Reply to  Matt

There were tushies in 2022. For me, it isn’t a problem.

N B
N B
8 months ago

What about the dancers? I hope they don’t have to change either 🙂

gea
gea
8 months ago
Reply to  N B

We have seen a lot of female booties in Eurovision already (Chanel), I don’t think male booties will be banned either.

Archie
Archie
8 months ago
Reply to  gea

I thought the rule was: men can show their nipples, women can show their booties. So, Nebulossa’s dancers would need to show theirs, I’m afraid. But let’s see if they allow it this time!…

Réi Slaya
Réi Slaya
8 months ago
Reply to  N B

Booty is allowed.

Lorena
Lorena
8 months ago
Reply to  N B

RTVE said the stagings will be talked about later. I don’t think EBU will accept it as it is…although the Benidorm performance is already in their Youtube channel.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
8 months ago

Nebulossa are gathering momentum. Good Luck

Jonas
Jonas
8 months ago

Wonderful. Changing the lyrics would be against the whole spirit of the song.

Fcuk the patriarchy!

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

It’s hardly a protest song if the whole system supports it, though

Alaska
Alaska
8 months ago

#WeAreAllZorras !!!

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago
Reply to  Alaska

Zorra no, zorrísima *nails emoji*

Alaska
Alaska
8 months ago
Reply to  Yuarith

Yo soy zorraza! Y tú?

Dane
Dane
8 months ago

spain you get … zero points

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
8 months ago
Reply to  Dane

Grow up

Dane
Dane
8 months ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

I’m sorry I dont like the song at all. Forgive me ):

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
8 months ago
Reply to  Dane

It’s not because you don’t like it that it can’t be successful in Eurovision.

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago

You’re right, it’s because the song is bland

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
8 months ago
Reply to  Yuarith

Subjectivity not real fact

Dane
Dane
8 months ago

I know, but I still can’t see it being succesful

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago
Reply to  Dane

X2, president Sánchez says you’re a fascist if you don’t like the song

Mary
Mary
8 months ago
Reply to  Yuarith

That’s not true. I watched the interview (I live in Spain) and he was talking about his political adversaries, who use the song to attack his goverment.

Yuarith
Yuarith
8 months ago
Reply to  Mary

He literally said that you’re part of the “fascist sphere” if you don’t like zorra.
He’s tagging and lumping everyone who doesn’t like the song into the same bag. Idk him much, but I get the vibe that he’s very weedy and likes to cause discord