Armenia is set to bring a vibrant energy to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with singer Simón Hovhannisyan, known professionally as SIMÓN, and his track “Paloma Rumba.” The Armenian broadcaster, AMPTV, internally selected the artist to represent the nation in Vienna this May, completing the lineup for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. The song, a rebellious anthem about breaking free from routine, is already generating buzz among Eurovision fans.
SIMÓN is no stranger to the Eurovision stage, having nearly secured a spot in 2025. He finished second in Armenia’s national selection, Depi Evratesil, with his song “Ay Paparey Bye,” winning both the Armenian jury and international jury vote, according to EurovisionWorld. This near-miss ultimately paved the way for his internal selection for the 2026 competition. Born on August 9, 1994, in Hrazdan, Armenia, SIMÓN’s passion for performance began at a young age, inspired by artists like Michael Jackson, as reported by eurovision.am.
A Song About Freedom and Self-Discovery
“Paloma Rumba” – which translates to “Dove’s Rumba” or “Dove’s Dance” – is more than just a catchy tune. It’s a message of liberation, symbolizing a joyful escape from the constraints of a monotonous life. The lyrics, penned by Lilit Navasardyan (LI’LITH), David Tserunyan, Eva Voskanyan, and Rosa Linn (Armenia’s 2022 representative), detail a character leaving behind a dissatisfying job to pursue their passions. As eurovision.com details, SIMÓN himself described the song as an inspiration to “choose yourself and your dreams over your comfort zone.”
Here are the lyrics to “Paloma Rumba”:
Pa-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
Pa-la-la-la-la-la
Same aged place, familiar faces
Copy paste my days
(Put on a smile and go on)
One last round of kissing the ground
And then I’ll be gone for good
Paloma Rumba, let’s go
Delete my number burn the phone
Take my chance to finally dance
Away from all the anger
Too much sweat and tears and regrets
‘Cause I don’t wanna talk about numbers all day long
Paloma Rumba, let’s go
Rock this, rock this
Delete my number burn the phone
Rock this, rock this
I’m not a machine just stuck on a wage
In a rage, as a cage with a badge, oh no
Can’t take no more, take no more
I’m done for sure, yeah (Put on a smile and go on)
I’m not a robot just playing the part
And I’m losing my heart I’m falling apart
So watch me go steal the show
Like a pro, yeah
This meeting could have been an email
Free coffee won’t keep me here man
Can’t do this anymore
Already at the door
Paloma Rumba, let’s go
Rock this, rock this
Delete my number burn the phone
Rock this, rock this
You ole-ole-ole-ole-fa, Paloma Rumba
You ole-ole-ole-ole-fa, Paloma Rumba
You ole-ole-ole-ole-fa, Paloma Rumba
You ole-ole-ole-ole-fa, Paloma Rumba
Are you ready?
Pa-la-la-la-la (Rock this)
La-la-la-la-la (Rock this)
Pa-la-la-la-la-la
Go, one more time
A History of Success for Armenia in Eurovision
Armenia has a strong track record in the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated 17 times since its debut in 2006, missing only the 2012 and 2021 competitions. The nation has achieved eight top-10 finishes, with two fourth-place results in 2008 and 2014, as noted by EurovisionWorld. SIMÓN will perform “Paloma Rumba” in the Second Semi-Final on May 14th, vying for a spot in the Grand Final.
Prior to his Eurovision journey, SIMÓN honed his skills as a performer at Coba Yerevan, a popular dinner show and nightclub in the Armenian capital, according to EurovisionWorld. This experience undoubtedly contributed to his stage presence and readiness for the international competition.
As Vienna prepares to host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, all eyes will be on SIMÓN and “Paloma Rumba” to see if Armenia can add another successful chapter to its Eurovision story. The competition promises to be fierce, but SIMÓN’s energetic performance and empowering message are poised to resonate with audiences across Europe and beyond.
Share your thoughts on Armenia’s entry and the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in the comments below!
