Welcome to XTRA Decides! In this feature the team here at ESCXTRA rank the national final songs, giving our choice of the winner. We are ranking the songs using the Eurovision style 12-1 scoring system. Today we decide our winner of Portugal’s selection ‘Festival da Canção‘.
After giving our scores, the team has chosen NEEV with ‘Dancing In The Stars’ to win the competition. Check out our scores and the thoughts of some of the team below…
Our Scores
| NEEV – Dancing In The Stars 12: Tom O, Angelos, Nick | 71 |
| Karetus & Romeu Bairos – Saudade 12: Maria, Bente, Lisa | 64 |
| Pedro Gonçalves – Não vou ficar 12: Tom R | 56 |
| Carolina Deslandes – Por um triz | 55 |
| Valéria – Na mais profunda saudade 12: Costa | 45 |
| Joana Alegre – Joana do mar | 43 |
| Sara Afonso – Contramão | 43 |
| EU.CLIDES – Volte-Face | 33 |
| The Black Mamba – Love Is On My Side | 30 |
| Fábia Maia – Dia lindo | 24 |
Reviews
Costa (5pts)
I cannot deny that “Dancing In The Stars” is definitely the most competitive option Portugal have this year, but I also cannot deny how dissapointed I would be with Portugal sending a song in English to Eurovision. Further, language aside, I feel like this is far too similar in style (and in current presentation) to Arcade to really challenge for a win in Rotterdam. Saying that, this is quality and would be one of the stronger ballads in the competition so far.
Nick (12pts)
Is Dancing In The Stars our ticket to return to Lisbon? No. Is it unlike anything Portugal have ever done…? Well yes, it is completely in English and that is already a major change. Portugal would be entering the stage proudly with this, but I also fear it’s not as Portuguese as the Portuguese would like. This, however, is gorgeously composed and deserves the praise and credit it’s been getting.
Tom R (10pts)
This feels like one of the most competitive songs in FdC for years. Unlike lots of other Portuguese national final entries, it feels like a song that could fit into any national final. That may well be due to the English language. I’m all for Portugal sending an English song but I get why people are against it. Portugal have always been Portuguese – they won with a Portuguese song. But I cannot deny how much I’d love to see this song at Eurovision! It would most likely be in the top half of my top 40!
Xtra Decides so far…
Check out more from our XTRA DECIDES feature with the links below…
- 🇸🇪 Melodifestivalen: our semi-final 4 direct finalists
- 🇧🇬 We choose ‘Imaginary Friend’ for VICTORIA
- 🇪🇸 We choose ‘Memoria’ for Blas Cantó
- 🇸🇪 Melodifestivalen: our semi-final 3 direct finalists
- 🇳🇴 We choose KEiiNO
- 🇫🇮 We choose Telfon Brothers x Pandora
- 🇳🇴 We choose ‘Vi er Norge’ as the Melodi Grand Prix wildcard
- 🇭🇷 We choose Bernarda with ‘Colors’
- 🇸🇪 Melodifestivalen: our semi-final 2 direct finalists
- 🇸🇪 Melodifestivalen: our semi-final 1 direct finalists
- 🇱🇹 We choose The Roop
- 🇫🇷 We choose Barbara Pravi
- 🇮🇱 We choose ‘La La Love’ for Eden Alene
Do you agree with our decision? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for reactions and interviews.
