He’s the 17-year-old singer who has been the subject of much speculation around Eurovision 2017. Now Australian broadcaster SBS has confirmed that X Factor winner Isaiah Firebrace will indeed represent Australia at the contest, performing the ballad “Don’t Come Easy”.

SBS made the announcement today at a special presentation in a Melbourne jazz club. Making a dramatic entrance, a shadowy figure appeared on the dark stage and began performing the song anonymously. Soon the spotlight revealed the mystery performer was none other than Isaiah Firebrace.

“I’m so proud to be representing Australia as our entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017,” he said in a statement. “Even though it has been a dream of mine, never did I think for one minute it would be a possibility. I can’t wait to go to the Ukraine to perform ‘Don’t Come Easy’. I will make Australia proud.”

The song is described as “an emotive ballad showcasing his vocal range and unique ability to connect with powerful lyrics, which, in this track, speak to fighting for your dreams even when it isn’t easy.”

“Don’t Come Easy” was written by Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci of DNA Songs. The duo also wrote Dami Im’s 2016 entry “Sound of Silence” and Isiah’s debut single “It’s Gotta Be You”.

Isaiah is one of the rising stars of the Australian music industry. He burst onto the scene last year after winning The X Factor Australia under the guidance of mentor Adam Lambert.

His debut single “It’s Gotta Be You” was originally released in November last year. While it hasn’t shared the same success on the charts in Australia as his X Factor predecessors, it has enjoyed better luck in Europe.

The single charted in the top 20 in Sweden, the top 30 in Denmark, and in the top 100 in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and The Netherlands. He’s going from strength to strength and milking that European fanbase for all it’s worth.

Isaiah follows Guy Sebastian and Dami Im, both of whom got their start on Australian talent shows.

What do you make of Australia’s selection for Eurovision 2017? Do you think Isaiah can live up to the standard that Guy and Dami have set? Let us know in the comments section below.

READ MORE AUSTRALIA EUROVISION NEWS

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Weakaspee
Weakaspee
7 years ago

Boring, aweful, repetative song with cringe-worthy lyrics. It does nothing to help show off Isaiah’s vocal abilities. It’s almost as bad as Spain’s song by Manel.

Rick Maher
Rick Maher
7 years ago

Those complaining about Sony choosing reality show Artists clearly don’t understand anything about Australian Artists- Both Dami & Guy come from a Music teaching b’ground, in Dami’s case she was also studying at Australia’s leading Music/Performing Arts schools since aged 13 with Music scholarships with First Class honours Honours at University. Isaiah to my knowledge comes from another leading Music school David Jansz, all 3 Australian Artists used reality TV as a platform to showcase they’re talent, nothing more, unfortunetly they are all Sony Australia talents without they’re control, any other Label would have propelled them to International stardom, especially… Read more »

euroeuyo
euroeuyo
7 years ago

see his first performance to big audience.
https://youtu.be/tRChlBRS38E
maybe second performance to big audience is Eurovision lol. Sbs Australia. It is a good choice.

mmaxi8
mmaxi8
7 years ago

i can’t handle for its title, its safe entry but i didn’t get my like as fast as dami did last year

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Eh, it’s okay.

Sad to see “Australia”, in other words Sony Australia, pick another reality TV contestant. That’s how they see the Eurovision in Australia, just an another amateur reality competition. I know that’s how it has devolved in some European countries too, but it’s a shame that Australia has no history with the show, and this is how they see it from the get-go.

Jessie
Jessie
7 years ago

Australia is the dark horse this year in my opinion.

Harriet
Harriet
7 years ago

Youtube views & total of likes/dislikes before the actual rehearsals/finals does not determine the eurovision outcome or even the future success of the artist. As we’ve seen with some years, the eurovision result is unpredictable. Until we see the 1st rehearsal/live vocals/ staging/key changes etc I wouldn’t make a call based on the studio version.

Anita
Anita
7 years ago

After listening to it more I actually like it. Thought it was boring first time listening to it. Love his voice. Australia will do well once again

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

>>Lol, you’ve obviously not looked at the likes/dislikes for the Spanish song…<<

Do the math, dummy.

6861 dislikes/3 weeks (21 days) = 326 per day
1586 dislikes/12 hours = 3,172 per day

Omar
7 years ago

I love the song, and the voice of Isaiah … But I do not think this song can do it better than Sound of Silence.

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

Over 1586 Dislikes in less than a day. By far the worst rated Eurovision song so far. I really hope Paul Clarke is paying attention and realizing he made a HUGE COLOSSAL mistake with this choice. I hope he can fix it somehow……. cause it’s going to be a disaster.

Stephen Podesta
Stephen Podesta
7 years ago

The song does not stand out to me, Isaiah is a nice kid and it is not his fault they chose him. Australia because it is Australia will still do well and I feel even though I don’t like the choice Australia will still come top 5 if he sings it well, if not still top 10. Not as good as dami I’m, no where near as good.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

Meh…

Slaytina
Slaytina
7 years ago

I like the singer but the song is not as memorable as you already expect from Australia.

AndersP
AndersP
7 years ago

The first song this year to give me goosebumps, I love the lyrics. Real Sam Smith and James Bay vibes, reminds me of Let It Go (James Bay, not Frozen). If he amps it up in the live shows like Dami I’m did, this has huge potential.

Rich
Rich
7 years ago

I really like the tone in his voice, I am really looking forward to see him sing this one live in May. Another year, another good singer.

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

The ballad-plague that haunts fans is back again … and the running for a prescription is overwhelmingly unparalleled … in the meantime Greece recycles Euphoria and Glorious and everybody celebrates this copy-pasting with utter joy beyond explanation. What will Russia send us? More copy-paste or another boring ballad … intriguing!

We love leds, visuals, air fans, divas and dated ballads!
We love leds, visuals, air fans, divas and dated ballads!
7 years ago

OMG! This is like a race for the most booooring and average song this year! No innovation, no fresh air, no cheerful sounds with modern vibs… Just Hungary Italy Spain Latvia and France will allow us to have a beer watching the contest without getting depressed!

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

Yep it sounds not good and of course the Wiwi army have vented their frustrations also, but let’s not lie…this is going Top 10, for the simple fact that this is Australia. It may not reach the dizzy heights of Dami Im but Australia will still get Top 10. If this was represented by another other country, especially an underdog (ahem Portugal, Ireland, UK, Switzerland) it would stay in the semis…but mark my words, another unsurprising Top 10 on the cards for Oz. If it happens I’ll be so done with Eurovision. Btw this is not a statement about the… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

@Bert: Please don’t second guess my intentions. I do like Romania’s song. The use of the yodelling is a type of musical gimmick (by definition), but I didn’t say that was a bad thing. My point is: different people vote for different things they like. Some vote for emotions, and some vote for gimmicks. Pick one. I don’t care who wins. Sending love.

Hi
Hi
7 years ago

Its so mutch better than Romania. All Song is better than Romania.

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

Song has over 1,200 Dislikes already in a few hours. Easily the most hated song at Eurovision. IIRC it took about a month for Sound of Silence to reach 1,000 Dislikes.

EuroFan Mexico
EuroFan Mexico
7 years ago

Greath song but he Willem be lost in the balad sea

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

First of all, I love his voice!
The song is really good! I like it! I don’t love it though! It may grow on me until May.
I’m sure Australia is going straight to the final. But it’s not a bad song.It’s another beautiful song from down under!
We will definetely see a great presentation!

Good luck to Australia!

P.S. Australia doesn’t need to win every year! Or send a winning song.
It’s a competition. They send a decent song with a talented artist.

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

One thing has to be said that’s the fact that this young man has such a phenomenal voice at only 17! The song is okay, might grow on me later, like Sound of Silence did.

Krzysztof
Krzysztof
7 years ago

I read some people here are comparing the song to Adele’s “Hello”. Well, it’s maybe similar in the verses, but it’s missing in the chorus. There’s definitely no emotions which the chorus of “Hello” has been giving me (by the way a recorded Dami Im’s live performance of “Hello” from some event has been giving me bigger goosebumps/chills than Adele during the chorus part). He has a good voice, but if I was listening to Eurovision semifinals this year like the last year, not knowing the songs (except Polish), this one wouldn’t make me turn to the TV to start… Read more »

Vladimir P.
Vladimir P.
7 years ago

Not great, but not bad either – especially when compared to the ones selected so far

Bert
Bert
7 years ago

Seems that Australians start to complaint about their entry, just like Spain does.
Both countries wanted divas, Veronicas, Mirelas, WTF.

Aav
Aav
7 years ago

Hope my country comes LAST.

Way to stuff it up SBS

NickC
NickC
7 years ago

If Sound of Silence was second, this is winning, because it is much much better. Definite TOP 5. It is right up there with Italy, France, Romania and Portugal. It is between them those 5, me thinks. Unless Russia and Serbia live up to the hype.

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

“Don’t Come Easy” already has close to 1,000 dislikes in a few hours. SOS has a little over 7k dislikes in a year. At this pace, DCE should have 1,000,000 dislikes in a year.

Bert
Bert
7 years ago

Purple Mask….”Are we to be mesmerised by emotion (Finland, Australia etc.) or by unusual concepts and gimmicks (Italy, Romania etc.)?”

You had only praises for that dirt from Romania before NF and now you say is gimmick.
That means you had the intention to make other country/countries to make the bad choice.
Don’t worry, UK will be last anyway.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

Hmm, I don’t know. I like HIM, but the song lacks power and comes off as boring in the studio version. This will probably come across stronger live.
Also, it reminds me of “It’s Gotta Be You”, his latest single, lol.

Paul D.
Paul D.
7 years ago

Good production, great voice but the song gives me nothing, no emotion…
Same thing happened to me with ”Sound of Silence”

Spence
Spence
7 years ago

As and Australian, I am annoyed with SBS, because it is really dumb in a year full of ballads and when the previous winner was a ballad to go ahead and pick a ballad.

PP
PP
7 years ago

EBU baby don t have good song. But juries will be push so hard Australia in points in semi and final. Prediction don t deserve another TOP 5 in final only thanks to juries

Spence
Spence
7 years ago

@polegend gogarina, there has been campaigns to vote Lee Lin Chin for the Gold Logie, which is the highest entertainment award in Australia

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

Another ballad from Australia, but this one is really good and emotional. He has charisma, presence and an powerful voice. I don’t think he can win, but Australia will be fighting for the top 5-10.

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

Now we know why Sam and Julia quit Eurovision… they knew they had no chance making the Grand Finals. LOL!

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

Dami’s Sound of Silence is 1000X better than this boring snoozer. SOS was also just nominated for APRA Song of the Year. But I’m sure Isaiah is a much nicer guy than that prick Guy Sebastian who I heard was a huge DICK at Eurovision 2015.

azaad
azaad
7 years ago

Can I say how great it is we’re sending an indigenous Australian?! Yes!!

He’s a charming singer with talent as well. Irregardless of the songs, Australia always send great singers who bring it live. Definite qualifier, although I’m not sure it would make the top 5.

Racal
Racal
7 years ago

Meh… Not bad, great singer but the song is kinda generic (a little bit like Dami’s song last year actually). My favourite song from Australia remains Guy Sebastian’s.

Isaiah makes me think of the little boy in Pixar’s “The Goog Dinosaur” movie, haha! That’s a compliment, I think he’s really charming. 😉

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

Just as I had feared, they send the inexperienced kid with a horrible song. I guess the Veronicas, Samantha Jade and other good artists said NO cause they knew they couldn’t best Dami’s amazing performance last year. Well they shouldn’t have trouble saying YES next year after this debacle.

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Finally an artist I know and love! Not his best work or Australia’s best effort but it’s the best of all ballads. All countries should take notice! With his voice and performance this could easily be top 10, maybe even top 5?. Contender fur sure..

Mark
Mark
7 years ago

The Australian public are pissed

Harut
Harut
7 years ago

Not impressed at all,something is weird for me,sorry but Guy was the best for me.
Eurodrama

Mongloo
Mongloo
7 years ago

It’s good, I’d say it’s second best ballad this year, right after Poland.
Nice

Bert
Bert
7 years ago

Both Italy and Romania deserve last place, never said I like Romania so I don’t get your answer. And yes not everybody has 100% italian, like not everybody has 100% portuguese, is this the reason the song should do well???
And about current social issues, its hypocritical to blame social media when you use it yourself (Francesco Gabbani) to promote your music.

Zorz
Zorz
7 years ago

His voice is great. But the song… It’s good but I feel like something is missing. I don’t believe it’s going to win but top 5, top 10 definetly

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

@ Bert – it has a current social meaning. Plus, it’s catchy and 100% in Italian. Not everybody has that! 🙂
Romania is celebrating Austrian culture, ain’t nothing wrong with that 🙂