Eurovision: Australia Decides — Australia’s national selection show — returned for a second year in 2020. And from ten very talented finalists, Montaigne snatched the crown with her song “Don’t Break Me“. The 24-year-old artist wrote it alongside Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci, the duo behind Dami Im’s “Sound of Silence”, in collaborative sessions filled with tears and drama. As the Sydney-based artist told us ahead of the show: “They’re open dudes who are ready to listen to my breakdowns — and then I had one and we turned it into a song.” That song speaks of the moment before a breakup. As she told us: “I feel like I’m at my wit’s end, but I still love you which is the problem.”

Scroll down for “Don’t Break Me” lyrics

Australia in Eurovision 2020: Montaigne “Don’t Break Me”

Montaigne — real name Jessica Cerro — has been a singer-songwriter since high school. Her stage name nods to the 16th century philosopher Michel de Montaigne, who is credited with popularising the essay as a form of writing. She first found herself in the spotlight by featuring in the Hilltop Hoods’ hit “1955” in February 2016.

Later that year she released her critically acclaimed debut album Glorious Heights, which reached No. 4 on the Australian Album charts. Its single “Because I Love You” became her first solo charting song and was certified gold. She ended the year by winning the ARIA award for Breakthrough Artist – Release.

Montaigne was one of the first artists announced to compete in Australia Decides, and the early favourite to win. Although she finished second in the televote to Australian icon Casey Donovan, she won the ticket to Rotterdam thanks to a higher vote from the professional jury.

What do the “Don’t Break Me” lyrics mean?

The lyrics speak to the trauma of untangling yourself from a dysfunctional, and potentially abusive, relationship. The song begins by describing how Montaigne’s feelings towards her partner have changed: “I don’t feel the same buzz, when your name comes up on my phone anymore”. Affection has given way to something more terrifying: “Feels like I don’t feel you, I fear you.”

The quirky choreography from the national final saw her body being pulled in several directions. That relates to her Mister pushing her too far. “You thought I was elastic, but maybe I’m just made of glass,” she sings. Her repeated plea “Don’t break me, don’t break me” suggests she’s poised to shatter.  Apparently she’s also been single-handedly keeping the relationship going. She sings of him “playing around and starting fights” while she’s “been busy earning.”

Yet despite all that, she can’t kick her biggest addiction — the man doing her wrong. “And the hardest thing is that I don’t wanna give you up,” she says. “Because I love you.” Thankfully the bridge brings progress and our girl is ready to move on: “I listen to the sound, of all the words I couldn’t say ’til now”.

“Don’t Break Me” lyrics – Montaigne (Australia ESC 2020)

Written and composed by: Montaigne, Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci

Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci make up DNA songs — the songwriting collective that’s not new to Eurovision. They wrote “Sound of Silence”, Australia’s 2016 entry which finished as runner-up. They also co-wrote “Don’t Come Easy” and “We Got Love”, Australia’s entries for the following two years which finished 9th and 20th.

I don’t feel the same buzz
When your name comes up on my phone anymore
Feels like I don’t know you
I fear you
And it makes me cry on my floor

I feel like you’re taking me for granted
I’ve given you everything I have, yeah
And I can barely bring to mind
The reason why I’ve stretched myself so far for you

Oh, ho, ho, I can’t take it anymore

Don’t break me
Don’t break me down, down, down, down
Don’t break me
Are you hearing me now, now, now, now
You thought I was elastic
But maybe I’m just made of glass
Don’t break me
Don’t break me down

Isn’t love a compromise
Two people trying to keep the fire burning
You’ve been busy playing round and starting fights
While I’ve been busy earning
Everytime that I try to explain it
You think that your pain is more important
And the hardest thing is that I don’t wanna give you up
I love you, I love you, I love you

But oh, ho, ho, I can’t take it anymore

Don’t break me
Don’t break me down, down, down, down
Don’t break me
Are you hearing me now, now, now, now
You thought I was elastic
But maybe I’m just made of glass
Don’t break me
Don’t break me down

I like awake while you’re asleep
I listen to the sound
Of all the words I couldn’t say ’til now

Don’t break me
Don’t break me down, down, down, down
Don’t break me
Are you hearing me now, now, now
You thought I was elastic
But maybe I’m just made of glass
Don’t break me
Don’t break me down

Don’t break me

Do Montaigne’s lyrics speak to you? Do you think the message of the song comes through clearly? Sound off in the comments below. 

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Mes
Mes
4 years ago

I also find it quite clever that she is singing about being taken advantage of and she is dressed as a clown.

Guest
Guest
4 years ago

Says you?

jack
jack
4 years ago

If she keeps the same staging her non qualification is along the way

gilpgilp
gilpgilp
4 years ago
Reply to  jack

If she keeps the same song too.

gilpgilp
gilpgilp
4 years ago

@Charles you are right, unfortunately.

gilpgilp
gilpgilp
4 years ago

I love Australia in the contest and would absolutely be thrilled if they won. Dami Im should have won. I’m still upset about that. I want them to do well every year.

That being said, this song is awful. There’s no really distinct melody and the staging and performance is a mess. It will struggle to qualify especially because it will be in a very difficult semi final. Destiny/Malta is a force to be reckoned with and will suck all of the energy out of that semi.

Polliu
Polliu
4 years ago

I’m prepared to laugh out loud once she qualifies and I will remember your name since now.

Carlos
Carlos
4 years ago

Guessing you’ve all seen that Alfie Acuri is going to ESC 2020? He’s composed the Cypriot entry for Sandos

Johan
Johan
4 years ago

Many fans have a hard time for Australia in the contest. I dont . I feel they are one of us now. I would have a harder time for Tunisia,marocco, Lebanon, USA or China. They are countries that would put up a LOT of drama. More than Ukraine. Ukraine is enough with drama in ESC i feel. Not more then that.

noone
noone
4 years ago
Reply to  Johan

Well currently the only country that wants to join and compete is Kazakhstan. How do you feel about them? They are already a part of Junior ESC, so I don’t see why not. And in the next years Kosovo will probably join.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  noone

The EBU aren’t going to set off the geopolitical storm of inviting Kosovo before it gets UN membership, but when that happens they’ll probably be invited.

gilpgilp
gilpgilp
4 years ago
Reply to  Johan

I love Australia in the contest. I just don’t like this song at all. But I hope Australia stays in forever.

Guest
Guest
4 years ago

Great – Kate Bush Esque with the theatrics (those familiar with the great Kate Bush) – and room to grow for Eurovision!

Guest
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Do you think I did? Please read what I wrote again but this time carefully so you do understand the meaning of what I wrote – thanks. If you are suggesting I am saying that she is as good or better than Kate Bush – no I am not – thanks.

Guest
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Do you think I did that ? Please read again to see if you can understand what was written

Safiya
Safiya
4 years ago

I can’t decide whether I like this song or not. It’s quite catchy, it sounds okay but it’s not something that I would keep listening to. Maybe it will grow on me.

noone
noone
4 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

Exactly how I feel as well. Can’t decide if I really like it or not.

Troy
Troy
4 years ago

You thought I was spastic, but maybe I’m just made of arse.

jim
jim
4 years ago
Reply to  Troy

*SCREAMING*

Mws
Mws
4 years ago

It truly is a masterpiece. A work of art. I’ve had it swirling in my mind for days now. The costume and choreography echo the emotion of the lyrics as they are playing out. When music and art collide.

Troy
Troy
4 years ago
Reply to  Mws

Not really. The song is good the rest is not.