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. 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.

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.

Charts

Chart	Peak position
Albania (Tekste Shqip)	13
Portugal (Nielsen)	4