She’s written hits for music icons like Celine Dion, Cher and Aerosmith. And now Grammy winner Diane Warren could be writing Montaigne’s song for Eurovision 2021.
Montaigne is considering a Diane Warren song for Eurovision 2021
As reported by Aussievision, Australia’s Montaigne has revealed that Warren has sent her a potential song for May’s contest. Speaking on her Twitch channel, the “Don’t Break Me” songstress says:
“I had a call with a lady called Diane Warren…. She’s one of the greatest songwriters that time has ever seen…She kind of sent me a song to consider for Eurovision. She was ‘I have this song for you, give it a shot, maybe it’s good for Eurovision’ and it is a hit! The song is immediately recognisable as a hit.”
Despite branding it a hit, Montaigne has reservations. She explains that the lyrics aren’t what she would write, while she’s unsure if it matches her style. Additionally, there are other songs on the table, including one Montaigne has written herself.
“It’s not super my… Like I don’t think it’s a lyric I would ever write and I don’t know if it’s a style that I identify with. She said ‘have it, give the production a shot, it might feel good if you make the production your own’.
But the thing is, I have this other song I wrote that I f***ing love, I think it’s so fun. It’s like right up my alley, this style I’ve been trying to achieve for all of this year, basically. So I just have to work on both of them and see which I prefer for Eurovision… and work on other songs as well!”
Montaigne previously teased a song about aliens inspired by an alleged CIA brainwashing programme from the 1970s. This may or may not be the track she is referring to in her most recent comments.
Diane Warren and Eurovision
Aside from her nine U.S. Billboard number ones and all her Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, Warren also boasts a Eurovision pedigree.
In 2009, she co-wrote Jade Ewan’s “It’s My Time” along with the musical theatre supremo Andrew Lloyd Webber. The entry finished fifth and remains the UK’s best result since 2002.
Warren has also written songs for song contest alums such as Il Volo, Jessica Mauboy and, of course, Celine Dion.
Some of her biggest hits include Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time”, Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” and DeBarge’s “Rhythm Of The Night”.
How do you think Montaigne would do with a Diane Warren song? Or should the Aussie singer stick with a self-penned number? Let us know in the comments.
This is so odd.
How would Warren be interested in Eurovision and specifically for an Aussie act?
How is it possible that Montaigne (and knowing her musical style) would like a song by Warren? Warren has wrote 80s/90s ballads + the Eurovision 2009 UK song + Cher’s Burlesque ballad but her style is so different to current music and Montaigne’s unique style.
I think Montaigne wants to do something her own way but at the same time she might have the pressure to say yes since it’s Warren.
You can’t imagine how tired I am of reading the word “generic” 😀 A lot of people say that Eurovision should be a chance for “alternative” songs and genres and no radio-friendly mainstream, because we all listen to it everyday. And I always took this argument the other way round by saying “if mainstream-pop is so successful, wouldn’t it be a loss of reality to “ban” it from Eurovision”?” (Also that’s why I think “Heroes” was quite an important winner for the last decade). We need both, so I support good English pop in Eurovision ^^ Therefore: maybe Diane could… Read more »
Generic can be good if its well executed. As you say Heroes might be generic but it was done really well and brought an extra dimension. However Dont Break Me was just generic without being special
Whether the Diane Warren song gets chosen or not. I’m extremely curious to listen to it right now xD
It’s probably poppy stuff and Montaigne is more indie. Unless the production makes it more “Montaigne”, I would advice her to go with his own song. Eurovision is a great platform to show what you are and what you do. Maybe that song is a hit but don’t fit her and the overall result isn’t as pure and natural as it’ll be with her own music. Of course it is easier said than done, I would be like her if I were in this situation.
I don’t think it’ll fit. Dianne’s catalogue is mostly written with the 90-00s radio hit in mind, which won’t bring a lot of room for experimentation. Montaigne on the other hand is craftier and instinct-driven, and self-writes her stuff. She’s not gonna be comfortable with something she didn’t write.
Indeed, I agree.
P.S. I am always available to sing a Diane Warren song. 🙂
Ok here are my 2 cents. So I am Australian, and I want Australians writing the music for our ev entry, because it is after all representing my nation. On another note, Montaigne also mentions how it doesn’t fit her style and she doesn’t identify with it. Now if the artist herself says that then what should I think. Plus she has a song that she really loves, so i think she would look more natural singing that. also i should point out how none of her songs ever has not had her credited as a songwriter. So I think… Read more »
I like Don’t Break Me and it even grew on me more after my summer update of the 2020 list. Good luck, Montaigne! 🙂
OT, but I am surprised that absolutely none of the Lithuanian semifinalists are already online. By this stage in 2020, we already had about 10-ish songs online.
Well looks look the first song was released: “I love my Bear” by Twosome (or rather it was revealed since the performance on x factor has been uploaded a month ago)
I think the problem with “Don’t Break Me” was that the song didn’t need Montaigne’s artistic visions for it, such as the clown and dragon and dungeons aesthetic. And that’s why I said there was always a “mismatch” between the singer and the song, but I personally found the clown idea cool and original and would love to see Montaigne work it out in another song.
I completely agree. “Don’t Break Me” was my 2nd fav last year after “Repondez-moi” but her artistic visions were to much and didn’t really fit to what the song needed. I’m not sure if it could work on other songs but she could try though.
What i often find funny is how people continually say Dont break me is generic or heard it all before. Yet noone was saying the same thing about Norways entry last year which is basically another extremely generic ballad with good vocals. The criticism of songs being generic only ever seems to be directed towards Australia. Its about time people used the same critical analysis on other countries as well. Russia is notorious for sending generic euro pop to eurovision. Last year was different though and it most likely would have won. Greece, Spain, Sweden, UK and a number of… Read more »
I feel like while we’re sending a variety of songs, but the songs that we send are very generic, pop, mainstream-ish. And the reason we get some slack is because of Sweden and Australia. But in many ways, we’re just as generic. When Vivi was in charge of MGP, we were about to turn into a “mini-Sweden”. I mean, Eurovision fans will always say things that fit their personal agenda though. People often criticize Sweden and Australia for their vocal performances, but then ignoring the mediocre/subpar vocal performances of the likes of Eleni, Mikolas Josef, Blanche, Luca Hänni, Amir, and… Read more »
Wasn’t Dianne Warren involved with Jade Ewen’s “It’s my time” for the UK? I think if Montaigne rejects the UK should get on the phone to Dianne!
She should’ve sent it to Ana Sokli?, her style would fit her voice better
She is also still very much in demand as a songwriter, so if she offers you a song it would be wise to accept it..
To try something new? Or should she always do what fits her? I mean Lady Gaga always has new sounds, why couldnt Montaigne?
Lady Gaga has experimented with new sounds bcos she wants to and it fits her artistic vision. Whether experimenting or staying true to her usual style fits Montaigne is entirely up to her, and certainly not up to you.
I don’t think “Don’t Break Me was that good. It was a decent somewhat generic entry that is quite common to hear these days. Taking a risk and working with ballad queen Diane Warren cold work, at least she would step out of her comfort zone. I would rather she does that than gives us another self-written generic song.
if you had heard Montaigne’s discography, you would know that Don’t Break Me was a misstep: all of her other self-written songs are eclectic and amazing, and far from generic. I’d say that the reason for Don’t Break Me being generic is the DNA duo.
It would be still be a risk going with a ballad and something new for her. I thought artists always wanted to step out from their comfort zone, not staying in it..
Montaigne is free-minded and experimental, which I think is sort of a polar opposite to Dianne’s approach which is more radio friendly and hit-based.
The answer for her questions seems to be clear on her words about both songs. But I can see why she’s in doubt, it’s a big deal to have someone like Diane offering her the opportunity to record one of her songs. I hope she picks the one she wrote it, because I believe being true to yourself is the most important thing to an artist
If a songwriter of that calibre gives you a song, you definitely need to record it. It might not be the right song for Eurovision, but surely you have to give it every chance to be the right song. If at the end of that process another song fits better, fair enough, but I’m sure Montaigne will give it the attention it deserves 🙂
A Diane Warren song for Montaigne? The problem with her song last year was that it was too generic, too mass-produced and not reflective of her as an artist…
I don’t think this would be the way to go. 😉
I think she should go with the song she absolutely loves and identifies with. Even if Diane’s song is a hit I’d rather see Montaigne stay true to herself, sing, and perform a song she relates to and loves.
I doubt that SBS would allow Diane’s song to become Australia’s Eurovision entry for 2021 as in previous years, only songs partly created by Australian citizens were considered for Australia Decides. And if you ask me, they should keep this requirement.
Montaigne seems to have confidence in her own song anyway, so I believe that she should work on that one and go with it.
She needs a better song than “Don’t Break Me”, which wasn’t any sort of favourite. I rather see her taking a risk than sending a medicore song
Hopefully she will find the song that represents her style best way possible. Best of luck Montaigne!