Released 18 March 2014 Genre Operatic pop
pop Label ORF-Enterprise | Recorded 2013 Length 3:01 | |
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Format CD single, Digital download | ||
"Rise Like a Phoenix" is a pop song performed by Austrian singer Conchita Wurst, and the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Selected to represent Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest in Denmark, its official release on 18 March 2014 was followed on 21 March by Conchita's first live TV performance of the song, on the ORF show Dancing Stars. "Rise Like a Phoenix" was Austria's second winning entry in the competition, their first being in 1966.
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Background
Composer Ali Zuckowski had originally composed the song for another project. Every major record label in Austria had refused to produce "Rise Like a Phoenix". A request came from the Austrian Eurovision team about possible contributions, and he immediately thought of this song, reasoning "I knew that with this song still something great was going to happen". The song was entered into the ORF internal selection process and was ultimately chosen to represent the country.
Music video
A music video to accompany the release of "Rise Like a Phoenix" was first released onto YouTube on 18 March 2014 at a total length of three minutes and five seconds.
Release
The song was released by the ORF on 18 March 2014. The accompanying music video was premiered on YouTube on the same day, while the song was offered on the ORF website for download.
Critical reception
Stern gave the song a rating of 4 out of 5. 1966 Austrian winner Udo Jürgens said the song was "a well-composed song with a beautiful musical bow", and as the lyrics suggest, "rises from the ashes".
Trivia
The style of "Rise Like a Phoenix" is very similar to many James Bond film theme songs; spoof videos have been created on YouTube and many have speculated about the song becoming the next James Bond theme.