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RTÉ HAS ANNOUNCED the six-strong shortlist of contenders to be chosen as Ireland’s entry into this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Liverpool on Saturday, May 13.
Despite failing to win the contest since 1996, Ireland still holds the record for highest number of contest wins, with a total of seven. Sweden are just one win away from tying the record, and have clocked up three Eurovision wins since Eimear Quinn won for Ireland over 26 years ago.
Unsurprisingly, it’s the entry of John Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten of legendary punk band The Sex Pistols, and his band Public Image Ltd that has stolen the headlines this morning, but there are five other songs that will go before the public, Late Late Show audience and a panel of judges for the chance to perform under Ireland’s banner this summer.
Here are six songs we’ll be choosing from on February 3. Who would you send?
Too Good For Your Love by ADGY
Hawai’i by Public Image Ltd
Mid Summer Night by CONNOLLY
Down In The Rain by K Muni & ND
We Are One by Wild Youth
Wild by Leila Jane
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Is Tubridy going to interview Lydon? I’d watch the Late Late just to see that.
I predict Ukraine will win again : )
What an absolute waste of money.
It is hard to know or judge the atmosphere that will exist when the votes are counted. Each song has it’s own good features but I do not think any will be a Eurovision winner. Something young and upbeat might be what is needed, but you also have to consider the viewing and voting public, and I dislike the current vote counting format anyway. Good luck to all anyway and best wishes to whoever gets to go to Liverpool.
After listening to these… relieved to know we won’t have to host it in ’23…all so bad…. with all the musical talent we have in Ireland… hard to believe that we can’t come up with anything half decent
Send back in Dustin the Turkey for the craic
Jaysus we haven’t a hope. Wild Youth and Leila Jane the best of a bad bunch. Adgy if they want to go for that complete Europop sound that somehow wins these days. We’ve a better chance of winning the soccer world cup.
Although they’re not Eurovision type songs, the two by Connolly and Leila Jane are my favourites in that order. Both should have bright futures in the industry, whatever happens.
We’ll be lucky to qualify with any of those. Poor, poor again. Who actually decides the six? Old fogies who haven’t a clue by the looks of it. Unfortunately, you need to have something that’s never been done before that makes people sit up and take notice, something completely woke or something that pulls at the heart strings to get anywhere in this competition. I was all for Mr. Lydon before I heard the song. 3 of the six might have an outside chance but there’s nothing new in there. Remember, the last time we qualified it was 2 guys having a snog on stage, that’s what got us through, not the song. Have we not learned anything?
Think We are one is the best there. It covers everything needed for Eurovison in my opinion. But sure they might do a Fr Ted here and go for the god awfull Too Good for your love song.
Surely this is not the best Ireland has to offer. Whatever happens to singers who know how to project their voices and sing intelligible lyrics.
Leila Jane and Connolly 2 descent songs.
@John Kenny: oh they’ll descend alright…
@UK Hurling Bloke: decent!
Getting old !
CONNOLLY would be my pics if she can sing it live. Wild Youth surely big favourites given big fan base
@Gareth Miskelly: Connolly song sounds very like Lana Del Rey to me, but I like it.
Leila Jane the best of a so-so bunch. Adgys song is catchy but wouldn’t stand out among the 25+ songs in a semi.
Need to think outside the box and go completely leftfield but not Dustin proportions!
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Sam Ryder set the bar extremely high last year. None of these entries are melodic enough and there’s too much use of repetition and unimaginative harmonies.
Going by people’s opinions in the comments of what songs should get through, I can see exactly why we don’t even qualify most years
It’s not about the song it’s about the image and how it’s perceived publicly
Wild Youth I think best song
Hawaii , just a fantastic song
I’m voting for Hawaii! It’s so lovely and caring m! Who knew the awkward b has such deep felt feelings! Well I did actually. Do it for Ireland John!
I’m voting for Hawaii! It’s so lovely and caring m! Who knew the awkward bollox has such deep felt feelings! Well I did actually. Do it for Ireland John!
have your say