A luta é alegria

"A Luta é Alegria"
Single by Homens da Luta
Released	2011
Format	CD single
Recorded	2011
Genre	Folk, protest song
Length	2:52
"A luta é alegria" Eurovision Song Contest 2011 entry Country Portugal Artist(s) Homens da Luta Language Portuguese Composer(s) Vasco Duarte Lyricist(s) Jel Finals performance Semi-final result 18th Semi-final points 22 Appearance chronology ◄ "Há dias assim" (2010)    "Vida minha" (2012) ►

"A luta é alegria" (The struggle is joy) was the Portuguese entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany, performed by Homens da Luta. It was chosen for Eurovision by winning the Festival da Canção 2011 on 5 March 2011.^[1] However, it did not progress beyond the semi-final.

Background

Production history

"A luta é alegria" was composed by Vasco Duarte, while the lyrics were written by Jel. The song incorporates folk music style.

Song meaning

The song refers to the struggle that the people must endure to have their voices heard, by shouting and celebrating on the street. It calls for the union of the people, and to sing against reaction.^[2]

The performers

Homens da Luta (Men of the Struggle) is a collective of traditional Portuguese music of an interventionist style. Inspired by the musical universe of the period after April 25, 1974, the band is led by the unavoidable Neto and Falâncio (brothers Nuno “Jel” and Vasco Duarte), and first appeared on TV five years ago in a comedy show. However, soon they were travelling through the cities, towns, and villages of Portugal, spreading their music and their sense of humour. They bring "A Luta É Alegria (The Struggle is Joy)" to the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest, inspired by the tradition of collective singing, which was so fashionable in Portugal in the late 1970s.^[3]

Charts

References

Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest
Participation 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Artists 1960s António Calvário Simone de Oliveira Madalena Iglésias Eduardo Nascimento Carlos Mendes Simone de Oliveira 1970s 1970 Tonicha Carlos Mendes Fernando Tordo Paulo de Carvalho Duarte Mendes Carlos do Carmo Os Amigos Gemini Manuela Bravo 1980s José Cid Carlos Paião Doce Armando Gama Maria Guinot Adelaide Ferreira Dora Nevada Dora Da Vinci 1990s Nucha Dulce Pontes Dina Anabela Sara Tavares Tó Cruz Lúcia Moniz Célia Lawson Alma Lusa Rui Bandeira 2000s 2000 MTM 2002 Rita Guerra Sofia Vitória 2B Nonstop Sabrina Vânia Fernandes Flor-de-Lis 2010s Filipa Azevedo Homens da Luta Filipa Sousa 2013 Suzy Leonor Andrade
Songs 1960s "Oração" "Sol de inverno" "Ele e ela" "O vento mudou" "Verão" "Desfolhada portuguesa" 1970s 1970 "Menina do alto da serra" "A festa da vida" "Tourada" "E depois do adeus" "Madrugada" "Uma flor de verde pinho" "Portugal no coração" "Dai li dou" "Sobe, sobe, balão sobe" 1980s "Um grande, grande amor" "Playback" "Bem bom" "Esta balada que te dou" "Silêncio e tanta gente" "Penso em ti, eu sei" "Não sejas mau para mim" "Neste barco à vela" "Voltarei" "Conquistador" 1990s "Há sempre alguém" "Lusitana paixão" "Amor d'água fresca" "A cidade (até ser dia)" "Chamar a música" "Baunilha e chocolate" "O meu coração não tem cor" "Antes do adeus" "Se eu te pudesse abraçar" "Como tudo começou" 2000s 2000 "Só sei ser feliz assim" 2002 "Deixa-me sonhar (só mais uma vez)" "Foi magia" "Amar" "Coisas de nada (Gonna Make You Dance)" "Dança comigo (Vem ser feliz)" "Senhora do mar (Negras águas)" "Todas as ruas do amor" 2010s "Há dias assim" "A luta é alegria" "Vida minha" 2013 "Quero ser tua" "Há um mar que nos separa"
(Note: Entries scored out are when Portugal did not compete)