Birds was the Dutch entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmo performed by Anouk. It is a dramatic ballad with a lush orchestral arrangement.
Considered a sentimental favorite by many fans in Malmo, it qualified from the first semifinal in 6th place, ending the long drought of non-qualifications for the Dutch. In the final it was performed 13th following Armenia and preceding Romania. At the close of voting, it finished in 9th place with 114 points, giving the Netherlands its first top-10 finish since 1999.
Lyrics[]
Isolated from the outside
Clouds have taken all the light
I have no control, it seems my
Thoughts wander all
Of the time, when I try to
Live life without you
Birds falling down the rooftops
Out of the sky like raindrops
No air, no pride
If being myself is what I do wrong
Then I would rather not be right
Hopes turned into fear and with my
One wing I can't fly
With sunrise, embrace my
Dreams tight and that's why
Birds falling down the rooftops
Out of the sky like raindrops
No air, no pride
Birds
To a place without fear, with no moonlight
(To a place without moonlight and fear)
All I need are trees and flowers and some sunlight
(All I need is trees, some flowers and sunlight)
Where memories are being made and where the old one dies
Where love ain't lost
Birds falling down the rooftops
Out of the sky like raindrops
Birds falling down the rooftops
Out of the sky like raindrops
No air, no pride
That's why birds don't fly
Trivia[]
- Many believe that Anouk ending the long Dutch non-qualification streak began a renaissance for the country, as of 2019 the Netherlands have qualified for the final in 6 of the last 7 contests which includes 1 victory (Duncan Laurence), 1 second place (The Common Linnets) 1 top 10 (Anouk) and 2 top 12s (Douwe Bob and O'G3NE).
- On the first ESC Top 250 it was eligible for, Birds debuted at #4, making it the lowest-placed entry to place debut the highest of its year.
Videos[]
Anouk - Birds
Anouk - Birds (The Netherlands) - LIVE - 2013 Grand Final