The Eurovision Song Contest is heading toward its 70th edition, which will take place in Vienna (Austria) on May 12, 14, and 16 at the Wiener Stadthalle.
Little by little, the participating countries are immersed in preparations to refine the details of their entries with which they will fight to win the coveted glass microphone.
In a year of internal changes with the arrival of the broadcaster SWR as responsible for Germany’s participation in the European contest, Germany has opted for a very recognizable figure within its music scene, choosing an artist with experience both in television and the recording industry. Sarah Engels won the national selection Das Deutsche Finale with her “Fire.”
How has her evolution been since her beginnings? What moments have marked her career? And how does she arrive at this new European challenge?
In this edition, we take a look at Sarah Engels’ musical career, the context of her candidacy, and her song. Germany’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will try to achieve victory in the European contest with “Fire,” in what will be Germany’s 70th participation in the European contest.
This is Sarah Engels, the first steps of a musical vocation from childhood
Sara Engels (Cologne, October 15, 1992) is a German singer who became known nationwide after her participation in the popular talent show Deutschland sucht den Superstar, where in 2011 she achieved a notable second place.
Raised in the nearby town of Hürth, she showed an interest in music from a very young age, training in singing and taking part in school performances that served as her first contact with the stage. Her family roots, with Italian ancestry on her mother’s side, have also influenced her artistic sensitivity and her openness to different styles.
The success of the program was the definitive boost to start her professional career. Her first single, Call My Name, was immediately well received in German-speaking countries, reaching top positions in the charts, something she would repeat with her debut album.
In the early years of her career, she combined solo releases with collaborative projects, especially alongside Pietro Lombardi, with whom she formed a highly media-covered duo both musically and personally. That period was marked by significant television exposure, joint tours, and a strong connection with the German public.
After that phase, Sara Engels redirected her career toward a more personal path. From 2018 onwards, she resumed her solo trajectory with new works in German and a more mature sound evolution, incorporating contemporary pop and electronic influences.
In recent years, she has expanded her profile as a multifaceted artist, participating in television programs, dubbing, and musical theatre. In 2026, after winning the German national selection, she will represent her country at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with the song Fire. It is a combination of contemporary pop and a message of personal empowerment, a direction that aligns with the evolution her career has followed in recent years.
This is “Fire,” Sarah Engels’ entry to represent Germany at Eurovision 2026
Sarah Engels representará a Alemania en el Festival de Eurovisión 2026 con el tema «Fire» (Fuego, Llamas). La candidatura ha sido compuesta por la propia artista junto aDario Schürmann, Luisa Heinemann, Raphael Lott y Valentin Boes.
«Fire» es una combinación de pop actual y mensaje de superación personal, una línea que encaja con la evolución que ha seguido su carrera en los últimos años.
La canción transmite un mensaje de empoderamiento personal tras una relación marcada por la mentira y la manipulación. La protagonista reconoce su propio valor y deja claro que ya no va a tolerar engaños ni juegos emocionales. Con un ritmo y un estribillo pegadizo, expresa fuerza, confianza y determinación para seguir adelante.
Lyrics
English
Stop denying, ′nying, no lying, lying no more
Boy, I’m out of your league
Nonsense, what you′ve been doing to me
Just know that I could take my revenge
I could go out with all of your friends
I could fake it ‘til I make it, but I won’t
(Fake it ′til I make it, but I won′t)
If you crave it, you could take it, but you don’t
(Crave it, you could take it, but you don′t)
I don’t want it, I don′t need it
And I won’t let you repeat it
You just play until you break it and it′s blown (blown, blown)
I’m on fire, fire
You’re a liar, liar
Stop denying, ′nying, no lying, lying no more
Like a vampire, you hide and come out the night
Stop denying, ′nying, no lying, lying no more
I’m on fire, fire
(I′m on fire, fire)
Stop denying, ‘nying, no lying, lying no more
Just wait a minute, you′re gonna see (see, see)
That you won’t find another like me
You′ll come around and I’ll be too late
‘Cause I won′t do the same old mistake
I could fake it ′til I make it, but I won’t
(Fake it ′til I make it, but I won’t)
If you crave it, you could take it, but you don′t
(Crave it, you could take it, but you don’t)
I don′t want it, I don’t need it
And I won’t let you repeat it
You just play until you break it and it′s blown
I′m on fire, fire
You’re a liar, liar
Stop denying, ′nying, no lying, lying no more
Like a vampire, you hide and come out the night
Stop denying, ‘nying, no lying, lying no more
I′m on fire, fire
(I’m on fire, fire)
Stop denying, ′nying, no lying, lying no more
Like a vampire, you hide and come out the night
Stop denying, ‘nying, no lying, lying no more
(I’m on fire)
I′m on fire (I′m on fire, fire)
You’re a liar, liar
Stop denying, ′nying, no lying, lying no more
Like a vampire, you hide and come out the night
Stop denying, ‘nying, no lying, lying no more
I′m on fire
I’m on fire
Like a vampire, you hide and come out the night
Stop denying, ′nying, no lying, lying no more
Germany at Eurovision: A Quick History
Germany is one of the founding countries of Eurovision since 1956 and has participated almost continuously, with the only absence in 1996 after failing to qualify from the pre-selection round.
It has two victories in its record: Nicole in 1982 with “Ein Bißchen Frieden” and Lena in 2010 with “Satellite.” Throughout its history, it has achieved numerous Top Ten results and several podium finishes, although it also has several last-place finishes in the final.
As a member of the Big Five, it qualifies directly for the final each year. In 2024 it finished in twelfth place, and in 2025 it finished in fifteenth place in the grand final of the European contest with the duo Abor and Tyna.