Controversial Spanish Eurovision entry
Spain's prime minister defends Eurovision entry
Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has defended the country's Eurovision song after it was branded "anti-women".
The electro-pop anthem Zorra has come under fire because its title, which means vixen, is more often used to mean "bitch" or "slut" in Spanish slang.
The song "insults women in a sexist way", said the Feminist Movement of Madrid in a statement.
But Mr Sánchez dismissed the criticism, saying the song challenged sexist stereotypes.
"It seems to me that feminism is not only fair, it can be fun, and this type of provocation must come from culture," he told the Al Rojo Vivo programme on La Sexta television.
Zorra is performed by Nebulossa - a duo formed by María "Mery" Bas and Mark Dasous, from the village Ondara in Alicante.
They have been married for 20 years and raised two children before forming their band in 2018.
The group made headlines last year when they split from Spain's main feminist movement, the 8M Commission, over its support for trans rights legislation, and later organised a separate march for International Women's Day.
Nebulossa were chosen to represent Spain in a televised competition last weekend, beating second place contestant Jorge González by just two votes in a public vote.
'Absurd lyrics'
Their song has already become a viral sensation, with more than 2.5 million views on YouTube, and the couple said they were taken aback by their success.
"We didn't do this with the intention of it being an anthem," they told Spain El Pais newspaper. "People have adopted it as such and that is the best thing that can happen to an artist. It happens to very few."
Translated to English, Zorra's lyrics read: "If I go out alone, I'm the slut / If I'm having fun, I'm the sluttiest / When I get what I want - Bitch, bitch / It's never because I deserve it."
The song is intended as a commentary on misogyny and the double standards that women face. If a man is called a zorra, it simply means "rascal".
But the Feminist Movement of Madrid said it was "absurd" to argue that "insistently repeating" the word could "empower" women.
Spain's equality minister disagreed, calling Zorra a "fun song, which breaks stereoypes".
The prime minister went further, suggesting the criticism was a product of the right-wing "fachosphere".
"They would have preferred for it to have been the Cara al Sol," Mr Sánchez said, referring to the anthem of the Spanish falangist movement. "But I like having this type of song more."
The EBU, which organises Eurovision, has confirmed the song does not contravene its ban on lyrics that could bring the contest into disrepute.
"The EBU understands that the title of the song... has many meanings," it said in a statement.
"Considering the context of the lyrics and the message... we have concluded that the song is eligible to take part in the competition."
Meanwhile, Nebulossa's singer brushed off the criticism.
"We are not 20 years old," she told Spanish reporters. "I don't give a damn about anything."
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmö, Sweden, this May.
The UK will be represented by former Years & Years singer Olly Alexander, who revealed the first snippet of his entry, Dizzy, on Wednesday.
hello ! here’s the first tease of my @eurovision song ‘dizzy’ !! 🤭 oh i’m so excited !!!! i love you !! https://t.co/yETPETkzHj pic.twitter.com/kWisQvv1AF
— olly alexander (@alexander_olly) February 7, 2024
Comments
When the title of a song is Zorra, that is, slut or bitch, this song begins very bad. I´m going to avoid to say what I think, I´m sorry because it´s not my style. The Feminist Movement of Madrid said that Zorra is an insult to women. I think this statement is too much for other people defend it. They continue saying:”the song is intended as a commentary on misogyny and the double standards that women face”.
Notwithstanding, Spain´s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez said that who criticises this song it is a product of the right-wing “fachosphere” and that they would prefer the “Cara al Sol”. He said that this song is culture and it challenges sexist stereotypes.
So the Feminist Movement of Madrid is right-wing, facha and prefers the “Cara al Sol” In addition, they don´t want to eliminate sexist stereotypes.
Last week I saw in the newspaper that a woman said that she isn´t a Zorra or slut, but for Mr. Sánchez she will be facha who prefers the “Cara al Sol”. For the majority of women, this song is an insult but for Mr. Sánchez it´s a praise.
See you.
I've been neglecting the blog for a while. Maybe you could take over the running of it. I am surprised that you haven't got one of your own.
I used to watch Eurovision as a child but now I'd rather have my teeth pulled out than suffer it.
I really couldn't care less but for once, I agree with you. Vulgarity is the norm now. Most of the top female stars dance and dress in a slutty way. (I'm sure that comment will get me into trouble with some)
When the title of a song is Zorra, that is, slut or bitch, this song begins very bad. I´m going to avoid saying what I think, I'm sorry because it's not my style. The Feminist Movement of Madrid said that Zorra is an insult to women. I think this statement is too much for other people to defend it. They go on to say: ”the song is intended as a commentary on misogyny and the double standards that women face”.
Notwithstanding, Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez said that those who criticise this song are a product of the right-wing “fachosphere” and that they would prefer the “Cara al Sol”. He said that this song is culture and it challenges sexist stereotypes.
So the Feminist Movement of Madrid is right-wing, facha and prefers the “Cara al Sol” In addition, they don't want to eliminate sexist stereotypes.
Last week I saw in the newspaper that a woman said that she isn't a Zorra or slut, but for Mr. Sánchez she will be a fascist who prefers the “Cara al Sol”. For the majority of women, this song is an insult but for Mr. Sánchez it's praise.