On Saturday, the 11th of February 2023, Romania will choose a song and an artist for Eurovision 2023.
The results will be based on a 100% public vote.
In this article, I will give my review of the songs.

You can find the playlist here:
YouTube
Spotify
AppleMusic
#1. Deiona – Call on me
- It is a mid-tempo slow pop ballad.
- The melody relies on keyboards and guitar playing.
- She sings the majority of the song in a high tone of voice.
- The chorus is more memorable than the verses.
- Towards the end, we can hear modulation with backing vocals singing.
- The melody is simple and a little bit childish.
- However, something feels too basic or about this song.
#2. Andrada Popa – No time for me
- It is a pop ballad.
- The song starts with a short instrumental part
- The melody develops slowly and confidently
- Andrada sings the first verse with a high and soft voice, being accompanied by pre-recorded backing vocals.
- The chorus is slower, the emphasis is on her voice and the piano playing.
- The outtro of the chorus includes humming.
- The second verse is a bit faster.
- Then again, we get the chorus with a more impressive ending
- The bridge is more acoustic and starts accelerating until we get a modulation.
- On the one hand, some might claim it is an expected ballad. On the other hand, it is well performed and convincing.
#3. Ocean Drive – Take you home
- The song starts with a light drum beat and guitar playing.
- The first verse is monotonous, and the lead singer sings it with a mid-high voice.
- The pre-chorus involves more bass and guitar playing.
- The chorus is more funky and has a different tempo.
- The second verse is quite similar to the first one.
- The second pre chorus relies on guitars playing.
- Later on, we move to a longer chorus. Thereafter, we get quite a long instrumental part.
- Towards the end, he sings with a higher tone.
- This performance needs more energy. In addition, something just doesn’t fit with the vocals. In some cases the high notes aren’t essential
#4. AMIA – Puppet
- It is a theatrical jazz pop song.
- The song starts with an instrumental guitar playing, which the melody will be based on.
- Amia sings the first verse in a mid-low tone of voice.
- The chorus is slower, but more plowerful. It is performed in a higher tone of voice. She adds some manners to her singing, but it still aligned with the message of the song.
- The additional instrumental part comes before the second verse.
- The second verse repeats the same structure as the first one.
- The last chorus is longer than the first one. When it ends, it starts again. This time, we have moduation and pre-recorded backing vocals.
- This song suggests several advantages. The first one of them is the great singer behind it, Amia. The second one is the “spicy flavour” the song suggests. It has a very specific direction.
- Some may dislike it, but at least the song raises emotions and is different than the others.
#5. Andrei Duţu – Statues
- It is a powerful mid-tempo ballad.
- The song starts with keyboards playing.
- The first verse is performed slowly with a mid-low tone of voice.
- The pre-chorus is shorter and faster.
- The chorus opens with an electric guitar playing, alongside the keyboards playing, His voice becomes warmer in this part.
- Thereafter, we get the second verse which is performed in a half speaking-singing.
- The second chorus is longer, as it repeats twice. This time, we can hear a light drum beat.
- The bridge is a little flat and predictable. It comes with backing vocals as well,
- Thereafter, the song ends with another chorus and last verse.
- Andrei has the right charisma, but something about this song shouts cliché. Lyrics such as “we are tall as giants, we are as strong as lions” are just too much.
- In addition, there is a place for improvement for the vocals.
#6. Theodor Andrei – D.G.T. (Off and on)
- It is a bilingual pop-rock song.
- The song starts with the husky voice of the singer.
- The melody of the first and the second verse is based on trumpet, drums and electric guitar.
- The pre-chorus is slower, we can heat more instruments like keyboards playing.
- The chorus is powerful. and is performed with a husky voice. The electric guitar is the main element in the melody of the chorus. Theodor is accompanied by backing vocals.
- The third verse is performed in English. In this part, the song is taken in a more indie-soul direction.
- The 4th verse is faster, and it is performed in a kind of “spoken word” style, but it is still strong musically. In this part, we get an eager dimension of his voice.
- The pre-chorus kicks stronger this time. It includes a synthized pre-recorded backing vocals.
- The chorus starts softly this time. having its first part based on keyboards only. This is a kind of the bridge of the song.
- Thereafter, the trumpet is being added again.
- He moves in a more rock direction and performs the chorus again.
- The song ends with one last chorus, which is performed with whistle voice (very high notes).
- Overall, the performance and the song suggest the full package: a strong vocalist, catchy song and stage presence. With the right staging, it can stand out.
#7. Steven Roho x Gabriella x Formaţia Albatros – Lele
- It is a folklore song.
- The song starts with a short instrumental part, where we mainly can hear keyboards playing with an ethnic flavor in the background.
- Gabriela is the first one to sing, thereafter Steven joins her as well. However, she is the lead singer
- The first verse relies on a simple and soft beat. We can hear some feminine backing vocals as well.
- The chorus is more ethnic, the melody is based on electronic keyboards.
- The second verse is more rhythmic, and continues the line of the chorus.
- The peak of the song is ecstatic choir speaking-singing, while Gabriela supplies some vocal improvidations.
- Thereafter, we get the chorus again, but this time more with “Le le le”, rather than ordinary lyrics.
- On one hand, it showcases traditional Romanian music. On the other hand, the lyrics effort feels like a one that’s not good enough.
#8. Aledaida – Bla Bla Bla
- This is an upbeat dance pop song.
- The song starts with a short instrumental beat and clapping sound.
- The first verse relies on fast singing with rhyming
- The first pre chorus is slower and it gives us a better chance to be impressed by her vocals
- The chorus is catchy. The melody is based on a mid dance beat, and we can hear backing vocals as well.
- Sometimes, the pitch seems too high to perform.
- The third verse has more Latin characters. Thereafter, we got another instrumental part.
- The song ends with another chorus.
- I feel like this song has a bigger potential which isn’t fulfilled. She must work more on her vocals.
#9. Adriana Moraru – Faralaes
- It is a country pop mid-tempo song, with some ethnic elements.
- The song starts with a tribal percussion beat.
- The first verse is performed in a mid tone of voice.
- Thereafter, the guitar joins the melody as well.
- The basis of the melody is quite simple, but the production takes it to a more danceable style.
- The chorus is more festive, but still quite calm.
- One of the main elements in the chorus is clapping.
- The main verse is more rhythmic, and comes before as a long instrumental part.
- The C part should be an impressive one, but that’s where she fails vocally.
- Overall, not a bad one, but from time to time, it feels like a huge production to defeat a very basic melody.
#10. Maryliss – Hai Vino (Eng: Come On)
- It is a country pop ballad, performed in the Romanian language.
- The song starts with an instrumental section, composed of the guitar and keyboards.
- The first verse is calming, while the melody is quite basic.
- She sings it effortlessly, with a mid-high tone of voice.
- With some backing vocals, we move to the second verse.
- She gives a long note, which takes us to the chorus.
- In the chorus, she sings more powerfully and is accompanied by her players.
- The third verse is based on a slow guitar stringing, and it is quite acoustic.
- The following chorus is less energetic, even though we get some more dimensions from the electric guitar.
- The song ends with soft singing.
- For some reason, it sounds like an unfinished demo version. In some parts, the melody even fits children show soundtrack.
#11. JaxMan (Erin Dăneţ) – Bad&cool
- It is a pop-rock song, with wide influences of the 2000’s music.
- The song starts with an electric guitar playing.
- JaxMan (Erin Dăneţ) opens the song with a soft and pleasant voice.
- The second verse has a more rocky vibe, and accordingly he sings it in a huskier voice.
- The chorus is catchy, and he is accompanied by backing vocals. The melody is based on electric guitar and electro keyboard beat.
- The third verse is faster, the flow is excellent and his English sounds good.
- This time, the chorus starts more acoustically (based on guitar playing).
- The bridge opens with fast singing that transforms into the chorus.
- The whole package is successful: From a singer with stable singing, cool (but not bad) attitude and stage presence and catchy melody.
- Some people might criticize it as a non- modern song, but it gives a throwback in the best way. Well done!
#12. Andreea D Folclor Orchestra – Periniţa mea (Eng: My Little Girl)
- It is a folklore song.
- The song starts with an instrumental part, composed of accordion, trumpet and wind elements.
- Andreea opens the song with some long notes that’s combined with some vocal improvisations.
- Thereafter, we get another instrumental part, this time with some backing vocals, and the atmosphere becomes more uplifting.
- The first verse is performed in fast singing. The melody is quite basic.
- The chorus is faster, and gives a wider place to the trumpet. The singing is effortless, close to reciting.
- Once again, we get the same instrumental part before the additional verse
- The chorus is weaker, and it sounds like the most important component of the song is the different instruments.
- This is a kind of a song in which the catchiness/ being memorable is the most important thing.
- However, it feels like the melody isn’t original, and we’ve heard such songs in the past (some of them in the Moldovan/ Romanina selection for Eurovision).
- I would be happier to get more singing and less reciting here. For me, the best part of the song was the introduction where Andreea showed her vocal abilities.
Personal Ranking

- Theodor Andrei – D.G.T. (Off and on)
- JaxMan (Erin Dăneţ) – Bad & cool
- Amia – Puppet
- Andrada Popa – No time for me
- Aledaida – Bla Bla Bla
- Deiona – Call on me
- Andrei Duțu – Statues
- Steven Roho, Gabriella & Formaţia Albatros – Lele
- Adriana Moraru – Faralaes
- Maryliss – Hai Vino
- Ocean Drive – Take you home
- Andreea D Folclor Orchestra – Periniţa mea
Prediction
I think the trophy will go to one of these artists:
- Aledaida – Bla Bla Bla
- Theodor Andrei – D.G.T. (Off and on)
Overall, it isn’t a strong selection. However, I am happy the power to choose the Eurovision 2023 act is in the Romanian public hands
Romania will compete in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2023!
Don’t forget to visit our complete guide to Eurovision 2023: Eurovision 2023 homepage
