Eurovision's Romania entry defends 'Choke Me' song lyrics after backlash
The Romanian entry for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest has defended the lyrics to her song 'Choke Me' after critics said it glamorised a dangerous bedroom practice.
Alexandra Capitanescu, who won season 11 of The Voice Romania, is representing her home nation at the 2026 contest in Vienna, Austria, this week.
She will take to the stage as the third act on Thursday night (14 May) in the second Eurovision semi-final where the 22-year-old will be hoping to secure a spot in the final on Saturday, with the top 10 of each semi-final making it through to the final alongside France, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Austria.
But away from the stage, Capitanescu's song has caused controversy given the nature of the lyrics.
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The two minute and 58 second song features the words 'Choke Me' a total of 30 times. There are also lyrics including 'it’s hard to breathe in'; 'I want you to choke me' and 'make my lungs explode.
Critics have hit out at the message it portrays, saying it makes reference to sexual strangulation and health dangers associated with that. The controversy coincides with LADbible's ongoing 'For F**k's Sake' campaign, which aims to initiate an open conversation about pornography and its role in society during a period in which the UK is cracking down on adult content.
Why critics are against the song
Clare McGlynn is a professor of law at Durham University. Away from that, she has also authored Exposed: The Rise of Extreme Porn and How We Fight Back.
Speaking to the Guardian, McGlynn said the repeated 'choke me' messaging 'shows an alarming disregard for young women’s health and wellbeing'.
"The song - and its choice by Romania / Eurovision, and promotion by those organisations - represents a reckless normalisation of a dangerous practice,” she said.
“It’s playing fast and loose with young women’s lives. The emerging medical evidence is that frequent sexual strangulation is giving young women brain damage."
Capitanescu says 'Choke Me' isn't about a man
Speaking last week, Capitanescu said: "Even if we are liked or not, this is us. For an artist what matters the most is the fact that we can put our feeling into music and this is what we want to do.
"The song is not about a man or romantic love, it's only about us and about the feeling of any human being. And about the power to go beyond your limits and be the best versions of yourself.
In a previous statement on social media, Capitanescu said she 'respects every opinion' but 'also believes deeply in the freedom to express complex emotions through art'.
She said: "I have a responsibility to the people who listen to my music, come to my concerts or follow me on Social Media. 'Choke Me' is a metaphor for the pressure we sometimes place on ourselves. It speaks about inner fears, self-doubt, and the feeling of being emotionally suffocated by our own expectations. It was never intended to represent anything sexual.
"As a songwriter, I often use symbolism to give shape to feelings that are difficult to explain directly. This song reflects the weight of certain emotional struggles and the journey of reclaiming your voice and autonomy. Music is how I process complicated emotions and make sense of my inner world.
"When I stop putting pressure on myself, I reach my maximum potential. The lyrics are about taking back control over anxiety and emotions that are choking you. I’m grateful to everyone who listens and engages with my music in good faith."
Full lyrics of 'Choke Me' by Alexandra Capitanescu
Phantom, you feel like a phantom
Why do you want to tame me?
It's hard to breathe in
Do you feel me?
Do what I say
And don't you ever betray me
You are here to obey me
Are you not?
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, choke me, choke me
Born for you to control
I want you to choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me
Love me, make my lungs explode
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me
Choke me, choke me, choke me
Save me
Inside, I am blazing
I want you to calm me, calm me, calm me
Calm, my body is begging
Do what I say
And don't you ever betray me
You are here to obey me
Are you not?
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, choke me, choke me
Born for you to control
I want you to choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me
Love me, make my lungs explode
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me
Choke me, choke me, choke me
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, choke me, choke me
Born for you to control
I want you to choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me
Love me, make my lungs explode
(Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me, ch-ch-ch-choke me
Topics: Eurovision, TV, Music, World News
Tom Earnshaw