Recently, Portugal selected our song for the ESC, it's called Deslocado by NAPA. You can find the English lyrics here.
It's beautiful, in my opinion.
There's been a little controversy with the selection, however. The song only ranked 2^nd^ in the fan vote. Personally, I think the ESC should be about more than just winning, it's not meant to be about winning, it should be about sharing each country's musical culture. This song is that 1000 times over. The song that topped the fan vote is I Wanna Destroy U by HENKA. It's not bad, though I do prefer the NAPA's. Regardless, being in English just... Doesn't sit right with me. We have beautiful Portuguese music in Portuguese, and we're sending an English song? Nothing against English-language songs, I love tons of artists that sing exclusively in English, I listen to English songs all the time, but the ESC is just not the place for that.
The narrative online seems to be that NAPA is the choice for Portugal, while HENKA would've been the choice for a win.
I think my position on this issue is obvious. It reminds me of a classic of Portuguese hip-hop... It seems we've forgotten it. Check it out.
I'd like to take this opportunity to share a couple Portuguese songs I love:
And what is perhaps the greatest rap song ever made in Portugal:
- Valete -- anti-herói
The lyrics here.
Valete is the best Portuguese rapper and, quite frankly, it's not close. We have some other good ones, mind you, but this man speaks in a way the others simply don't. That song is almost 20 years, at this point, but he still makes great music.
Portugal has great music, and great music in Portuguese. Why the hell should we send an English song? Come on...