Rise Like A Phoenix was the Austrian entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen performed by Conchita Wurst, the drag alter-ego of singer Tom Neuwirth. A powerful, anthemic ballad, many fans have equated it to a theme song for the long-running James Bond movie franchise.
Going into the contest, bookies saw Austria, like the Netherlands, as an outsider compared to the heavily-favored Armenia. However, Conchita's powerful performance in the second semifinal brought the house down and after qualifying saw the song move to the top of the bookies' rankings, overtaking Sweden.
It qualified from the second semifinal in 1st place. In the final, it was performed 11th following Greece and preceding Germany. At the close of voting, it was declared the winner with 290 points, which included 13 sets of 12-point scores. Also, this was Austria's first win since 1966, having waited 48 long years to win again.
Lyrics[]
Waking in the rubble
Walking over glass
Neighbors say we’re trouble
Well that time has passed
Peering from the mirror
No, that isn’t me
A stranger getting nearer
Who can this person be
You wouldn't know me at all today
From the fading light I fly
Rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
You know I will rise like a phoenix
But you're my flame
Go about your business
Act as if you’re free
Noone could have witnessed
What you did to me
'Cause you wouldn’t know me today
And you have got to see
To believe
From the fading light I fly
Rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
I rise up to the sky
You threw me down but
I'm gonna fly
And rise like a phoenix
Out of the ashes
Seeking rather than vengeance
Retribution
You were warned
Once I'm transformed
Once I’m reborn
You know I will rise like a phoenix
But you’re my flame
Trivia[]
- This was the first winning entry since 1970 to be performed without the use of backing singers, musicians and/or dancers.
- Twitter traffic for the final using the hashtag "#Eurovision" peaked the highest during the performance as well as immediately following Conchita's victory.
- For Conchita's winning performance, all the 'I' in the lyrics were changed to 'we'.
Videos[]
Conchita Wurst - Rise Like A Phoenix (Austria) 2014 Eurovision Song Contest
Conchita Wurst - Rise Like a Phoenix (Austria) 2014 LIVE Eurovision Grand Final