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You Threw Us Down, But We’re Gonna Fly Written by on May 12, 2014 | 9 Comments

You know when something is staring you in the face and you miss it until someone points it out? Watching back the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest over a welcome Scottish breakfast, Vikki leans over to me and asks “did you spot the lyric change at the end?”

Wait a minute. Strike that, Conchita. Reverse it. What lyric change?

There… right at the end as the camera climbs into the arena:

Once I’m transformed,
Once I’m reborn,
We rise up to the sky,
You threw us down but,
We’re gonna fly.

Rise like a phoenix, out of the ashes,
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution, you were warned,
Once we’re transformed,
Once we’re reborn.

It’s a classic cabaret move, to transfer the focus of an incredibly personal torch song to the audience, but to do this in the middle of one of the most important and emotional performances of her career was just one more classy move from Conchita Wurst.

I think I’ve got something in my eye… again.

About The Author: Ewan Spence

British Academy (BAFTA) nominated broadcaster and writer Ewan Spence is the voice behind The Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast and one of the driving forces behind ESC Insight. Having had an online presence since 1994, he is a noted commentator around the intersection of the media, internet, technology, mobility and how it affects us all. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, his work has appeared on the BBC, The Stage, STV, and The Times. You can follow Ewan on Twitter (@ewan) and Facebook (facebook.com/ewanspence).

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Have Your Say

9 responses to “You Threw Us Down, But We’re Gonna Fly”

  1. Max says:

    How could you not spot this?

    After the one you pointed out, she then went onto change the next one too

    “Once WE’RE transformed,
    Once WE’RE reborn,”

  2. Ewan Spence says:

    Mostly because by that point on the night I was grabbing guests and helping Paddy and Fiona for the Radio 2 Eurovision live after-show! Only seeing it now, and having not seen links online I thought, best get this out there!

  3. Paul Evans says:

    Hi Ewan,
    Just want to thank you for the brilliant coverage of this years’ Eurovision Song Contest.
    I always look forward to your podcasts and, as always, this years’ daily podcasts from Copenhagen were excellent and made it much more of a fortnight experience rather than just a case of the contest being two semi-finals and the Grand final.
    Not sure if I’ll ever get to a contest myself but your podcasts always give me a feeling of being closer to the action.
    Could you also please pass on my thanks to the rest of your team and everyone who joined you on the podcasts.
    Fingers crossed you will have time one day to continue the Ultimate Juke Box Jury!
    Warmest wishes and thanks again,
    Paul.

  4. Zolan says:

    It was one of the ‘ooh’ moments in the show.

  5. Bob Oswald says:

    Dear Ewan
    I came on here this morning to congratulate you and thank you for your fantastic coverage this year … only to find that Paul Evans (above) has already said exactly what I wanted to say! I loved your contributions to Radio 2 Eurovision as well. Please pass on my thanks and best wishes to rest of the ESC Insight team.
    Nochmals Dankeschön and here’s to Vienna 2015.
    Bob

  6. Monty Moncrieff says:

    I noticed this on the night, and yes, it was an “ooh” moment. I think it encapsulates what so many people loved about Conchita and her message. This tiny change spoke to all of us who have ever experienced prejudice and discrimination because of who we are and in just a couple of words ensured we all felt included in the victory. A simple, understated gesture, typical of the grace and dignity I saw of Conchita throughout the entirety of this year’s Eurovision season.

  7. Shai says:

    I haven’t notice this until you have mentioned this.
    And yes it is touching gesture and as Monty above me said, one worthy of Conchita and one that emphasize her character even more.
    Well done Conchita!!!

  8. Andy says:

    Yes, it was a touching move, but many folks change lyrics during the reprise to thank the fans in this way. Off the top of my head, I know that Dima Bilan and Ell&Nikki both did it in their reprises, but no one thought that they were special. Conchita is classy, elegant, and overall amazing (and Tom Neuwirth is brilliant for creating her) but let’s not deify her.

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