Number 4 | A countdown of Portugal's best at Eurovision
Continuing Eurovoxx's countdown of our all-time favourite entries from Portugal, we will take a look at the entry we placed 4th. It's the winning entry from 2017, Salvador Sobral with "Amar pelos dois".
In 2017, RTP invited sixteen composers to take part in Festival da Canção. One of the invited composers was Luísa Sobral. Luísa chose to write the song "Amar pelos dois" for her brother, Salvador Sobral to sing. Salvador had appeared on Bravo Bravíssimo at age 10 and in 2009, at age 20 he had competed in season 3 of Idolos.
In 2016, Salvador released his debut single "Excuse Me" from his debut album of the same name. The album peaked at number 10 on the Portuguese Album Chart. He released "Nem Eu" the second single from the in October 2016.
In January 2017, Festival da Canção was held. "Amar pelos dois" won after receiving 12 points from the juries and 10 points from the televotes. As soon as Salvador was selected to represent Portugal, Portugal's odds in the betting regarding Eurovision began to rise.
Due to health issues, Salvador could not take part in any of the promo tours around Europe and even missed the first rehearsals for Eurovision in Kyiv. When he did arrive and performed at the dress rehearsals, Portugal became favourite to win in the betting odds.
Portugal took part in the first semi final, which they won, progressing to the grand final. In the final Portugal received 18 sets of douze points from the juries and 12 sets of douze points from the televoters. Salvador received a total of 758 points, (the highest score in Eurovision history) bringing Portugal their first ever win and even top 5 placing, for 53 years.
For the reprise of the winning song, Salvador invited Luísa onstage to sing with him.
After Eurovision, Salvador returned home to a huge crowd at the airport as a Portuguese hero. Salvador preformed a final concert and then took a break from music to focus on his heath.
In April 2018, Salvador and Luísa received the Portuguese Order of Merit, with both receiving the medals of Commander also. This was awarded to them by Portuguese president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Portugal's 2017 entry is our 4th all-time favourite from Portugal. Who else deserves to be in our countdown? Let us know what you think and check out or list so far!
Our Top 10 so far:
10. 2009 - "Todas as Ruas do Amor" - Flor de Lis
9. 2014 - "Quero Ser Tua" - Suzy
8. 2005 - "Amar" - 2B
7. 2007 - "Dança comigo (Vem ser feliz)" - Sabrina
6. 1996 - "O meu coração não tem cor" - Lúcia Moniz
5. 1993 - "A cidade (até ser dia)" - Anabela
4. 2017 - "Amar pelos dois" - Salvador Sobral
