“Steering at sea, I am a captain” — VÆB are rowing through stormy seas in the “RÓA” lyrics

Iceland is setting the vibe this year at Eurovision by sending VÆB with the song “RÓA.” The siblings are ready to proudly wave the Icelandic flag while opening the first semi-final.

Their Eurovision song is an electro Icelandic pop track. The siblings won the national selection, topping both the jury vote and the televote.

Let’s see what this song is all about!

Scroll down to read the “RÓA” lyrics

Iceland at Eurovision 2025: VÆB with “RÓA”

Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson and Matthías Davíð Matthíasson are ready for Eurovision as the duo VÆB (pronounced ‘VIBE’). Before their victory this year, the siblings previously competed at Iceland’s national selection in 2024 with the song “Bíómynd.” They made it to the final and finished in fourth place.

Music runs in their family— their father, Matthías, is an organist, saxophone teacher, and choir director; while their mother, Áslaug, is a singer and vocal coach. The siblings learned to play instruments from an early age, with Matthías mastering the trumpet and Hálfdán playing the drums.

TikTok played a key role in their rise to fame, as they went viral with various videos, covers, and original music. This online success helped boost their popularity and support their music careers.

What do the “RÓA” lyrics mean?

The Icelandic word “RÓA” translates to “ROW” in English … row, row, row your boat. Of course, it’s all a metaphor for how you should keep going against the waves (the challenges that come in your life).

The whole song, as energetic and upbeat as it is, describes a sailing adventure—both on the sea and through the sea of life:

Rowing here, rowing there
Rowing through the waves
There is nothing that can stop me.

Are they prepared for this journey? Well, yes and no. While they have oars of steel and waterproof shoes, which indicate a sense of preparation, the boat is improvised but functional. This serves as a metaphor for the fact that sometimes, you may not be fully prepared, but you have to go with the flow—especially when there’s still hope and nothing is completely lost:

I place a plank on a plank
And call it a boat
(…)
With oars out of steel
That last for a year
(…)
I have a vest for a belt and waterproof shoes
Because the weather is rowdy and I’ve had enough
(…)
I’m alone on a boat looking for a better place
I haven’t lost everything yet

To make this adventure even more Nordic and give it a unique twist, the song includes mentions of the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

There is also a reference to Gísli Marteinn, an Icelandic TV host and former politician. He has hosted numerous shows and provided commentary for Icelandic broadcasts of the Eurovision Song Contest. His mention in the song is symbolic—on all the TV shows he featured in, he was the person “in charge” (a sort of captain). Additionally, since he is well-known, the siblings in the song aspire to achieve similar recognition through their journey. In their case, this journey could metaphorically represent rowing toward success in the music industry as well:

With course towards the Faroe Islands
Yes, I am ready
(…)
Stopping in Greenland?
Yes, I am down
(…)
Steering at sea, I am a captain
Call me Gísli Marteinn

“RÓA” lyrics — VÆB (Iceland Eurovision 2025)

Songwriter (music and lyrics): Gunnar Björn Gunnarsson, Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson (VÆB), Ingi Bauer, Matthías Davíð Matthíasson (VÆB)

Are you ready to row steadily down the stream? What are your thoughts on VÆB’s song “RÓA”? Let us know in the comments.