IF JEDWARD DON’T claim the top prize in Azerbaijan come May, then Ireland might just have another shot at the Eurovision.
Limerickman Aidan O’Connor has penned a track which he hopes will become the Moldovan entry to this year’s international song contest.
The song, Live Forever, is being sung by Moldovan artist Mariana Mihali and was selected by 10,000 public votes for the final shortlist. O’Connor says that the 20 other tracks in the final were chosen by a jury and his is the only one picked by the public.
He told TheJournal.ie that he submitted a song for the Eurosong competition in Ireland a few years ago and found that there were many opportunities to get involved in the Eurovision internationally as more countries launched competitions to select their national entry.
“I think it’s a wonderfully unique contest. It’s a celebration of so many things and of bringing people together,” O’Connor said.
“We’ve made friends with people all over the world through meeting them at these events. And I think it’s something we in Ireland can take price in because of our history in it.”
He said that since becoming involved in the Moldovan contest, he’s started to feel a connection with the country.
“It’s a funny thing – when you’re talking to people and following their press and what’s going on you develop a connection because you’re so happy to be involved. And you feel very welcome there, the Moldovans certainly treat you very well as a non-native.”
Competitive elements aside, O’Connor said that he’s looking forward to seeing Jedward back on the Eurovision stage.
“I like Jedward heading over again. They need to do a bit more work [on their entry] and they’ll do very well. They really pulled it off in Dusseldorf and they brought a sense of pride back into the country. It was the most watched Eurovision for years here.”
O’Connor isn’t the only Irish songwriter involved in the Eurovision national selections: Karl Broderick has written a song called Twilight which is in the running to become Romania’s entry.
The Moldovan final for selecting its national entry for this year’s Eurovision is being held on Sunday and the entries will be marked through a 50-50 split of jury and public votes. You can check O’Connor’s song out here first though:
(Video via gorginos)
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