Sydney-raised singer-songwriter Montaigne was internally selected to represent Australia at Eurovision 2021. The 25-year-old won the national selection last year with “Don’t Break Me” and is back again with “Technicolour”. The song was selected from a number of others entries, including one submitted by Diane Warren.

Scroll down for “Technicolour” lyrics

The Australian star describes the number as a song that “does it all – makes you want to cry, makes you want to dance, makes you want to take on a malignant corporate power”. Head of Delegation Josh Martin says it’s “positive, purposeful and let’s face it – fun!”

Australia in Eurovision 2021: Montaigne “Technicolour”

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 when she featured on the Hilltop Hoods’ hit “1955” in 2016.

Later that year, she released her critically acclaimed debut album Glorious Heights, which reached No. 4 on the Australian Album charts. “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.

She won Eurovision: Australia Decides with “Don’t Break Me” in 2020, defeating other known stars such as Casey Donovan and Vanessa Amorosi.  On 2 April, SBS confirmed that Montaigne had been internally selected to represent Australia at Eurovision 2021 and that her song would also be internally selected.

What do the “Technicolour” lyrics mean?

“Technicolour” was composed by the singer herself alongside Sydney-based music producer Dave Hammer. Technicolour is a process of colour cinematography first known around the 1910s to create very bright, saturated colouring. Famous technicolour films include The Wizard of Oz and The Godfather. Today, technicolour also just means vivid, bold colour. The lyrics of the song uses technicolour as a metaphor for strength and diversity.

Montaigne sings of her wishes in the first verse. “I wanna be close to my mother, I wanna belong to the world, a mirror that shows technicolour, I’d be a magnificent girl”. She describes the difficulties of living in the modern world, “everything is frustrating, everything moves along faster than I can relate to”.

But the song really tunes into the value of hope. “I wanna know that there’s a future that I can move myself towards”. But adds a severe message of strength in there. “all you nasty dudes, I don’t need certainty to get my pot of gold”. This demonstrates a clear confidence in herself and the future. She says it clearly: “We got grace, yeah! We got style and lasers, yeah!” Time to take off our cloaks!

The chorus relays the metaphor of technicolour very strongly. “Techni-technicolour, if we stand together we can do whatever”. We should be our brightest, most vivid selves and shine together like technicolour. “If we care for one another, we can shine”. It’s a beautiful message in a sparkly, brilliant song. We can anticipate lots of light and colour on stage in Rotterdam!

“Technicolour” lyrics – Montaigne (Australia ESC 2021)

Written and composed by: Montaigne and Dave Hammer

I wanna be close to my mother
I wanna belong to the world
A mirror that shows technicolour
I’d be a magnificent girl

But everything is frustrating
Everything moves along faster than I can relate to
But I got power, yeah
Midnight is the hour, yeah
Time to take off your cloaks

Techni-technicolour, techni-technicolour
If we stand together we can do whatever
Techni-technicolour, techni-technicolour
If we care for one another, we can

I wanna know that there’s a futurе
That I can move myself towards
And yet, I promisе you, yes, all you nasty dudes
I don’t need certainty to get my pot of gold, no

Everything is frustrating
Everything moves along faster than I can relate to
But we got grace, yeah
We got style and lasers, yeah
Time to take off your cloaks

Techni-technicolour, techni-technicolour
If we stand together we can do whatever
Techni-technicolour, techni-technicolour
If we care for one another, we can

Shine, shine, shine, shine

Techni-technicolour (Technicolour), techni-technicolour (Technicolour)
If we stand together we can do whatever (We can do whatever)
Techni-technicolour, techni-technicolour
If we care for one another, we can shine

Do you like “Technicolour”? Does it speak to you? Let us know below!

Read more Eurovision 2021 lyrics.

39 Comments
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Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago

I absolutely hate that picture of her with that gun, please put it away. Stop pointing it at me.

Safiya
Safiya
3 years ago

I think it’s a good song, though I like the verses much more than the chorus

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

#TimeToTakeOffYourClothes

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

I heard that too. Not just me then.

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

Montaigne will qualify and she completely deserves to.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

I certainly hope so. I would be rly sad if this is the year my country doesn’t qualify, especially if we managed to qualify with Isaiah (good song, very bad vocal performance in the semi)

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Yeah, if Isaiah could qualify in 2017 with that semi performance in quite a strong semi, Montaigne should certainly qualify.

Stian F
Stian F
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

Isaiah is by far the best Australian entry so far songwise. Yes maybe his vocals werent perfect, but the song is absolutely amazing <3

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

I can’t really agree with that. Don’t Come Easy isn’t even Isaiah’s best song, and I don’t think he was able to connect with it fully, and lacked appropriate experience to tell a story with the song. It’s Gotta Be You would have been better for him.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

A bit of a preview of my unpopular April opinion: Montaigne might deserve to qualify, but not with this song. (Ooo, the anticipation.)

Preuss
Preuss
3 years ago

It would surprise me if they didn’t have the staging in mind when they chose this song, and I believe it must be on point, otherwise, there might be a NQ coming. Not expecting “Zero Gravity” level of staging, but something that will elevate it and improve its chances instead of ruining it. Australia usually delivers when it comes to staging though, so I shouldn’t be worried, but I can’t think about Australia and staging and not think about 2018, which has left me traumatized because that’s my favorite from down under and they just had to mess up the… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Preuss
Mark
Mark
3 years ago
Reply to  Preuss

blame sasha jean baptiste for Jess’ horrible staging

Preuss
Preuss
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark

I’m throwing everyone under the bus for that one. It’s SBS’s fault for letting it happen in the first place

Grft
Grft
3 years ago

Soooooo underrated

Heath
Heath
3 years ago

It took me a a while to understand why she sings “cloaks.”, but he sings “midnight is the hour” which is the witching hour so it makes sense that it’s cloaks.

BeepBoop
BeepBoop
3 years ago

I really like this song! It is actually in my TOP10, it makes me want to dance and take off my… cloak?

Last edited 3 years ago by BeepBoop
Aeria
Aeria
3 years ago

Wait, she sais ‘cloaks’? I always heard it as ‘clothes’ .__.
And here I thought Montaigne wanted people to go naked xD

Eugenie
Eugenie
3 years ago

I really like “frustrating/relate to” rhyme, but it seems like there’s no rhymes in verses at all. Of course, it’s only my opinion, but I still don’t understand.

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

Personally, I think this song would have an extra layer if it was “clothes” rather than “cloaks”. What’s wrong with a bit of nakedness? That way, we really would see the technicolour of the human being!

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

The song reminds me of Florence + The Machine’s Spectrum. Looking forward to the staging!

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
3 years ago

I love this so much. So sad that Australia is in the first semi, otherwise, it would be ready for the GF…

Darren
Darren
3 years ago
Reply to  notyourtoy

They’ll be in the GF. This is Australia. They’ll be there.

Heath
Heath
3 years ago
Reply to  notyourtoy

I think the semis actually look different this year. Some of the sure bets for qualifiers last year in SF1 aren’t as strong so depending on the live performance I think there may be quite a few surprises.

Terry
Terry
3 years ago

“Time to take off your cloaks”

Oh dear, I thought she sang clothes not cloaks.. ?

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago
Reply to  Terry

I made the same mistake too

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Terry

Maybe she used a dictaphone to write the song.

Kirby
Kirby
3 years ago

Hers and Lesley Roy’s songs fall into the category of fresh, honest entries -not pre-cooked, ready-to-microwave ones (typically Malta, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, etc.). I wish Montaigne qualification and a good placement in the GF.

Terry
Terry
3 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

This song just has that something! And Lesley seems like a clear finalist, song is awesome and staging wil elevate her song. Totally agree with you!

Kirby
Kirby
3 years ago
Reply to  Terry

Thank you, Terry!!!

Darren
Darren
3 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

Good point Kirby

Kirby
Kirby
3 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Thank you, Darren!!!

Liam
Liam
3 years ago

Oh no! Am I the only one who thought she was saying ‘time to take off your clothes’? ? My ears must be acting up! Love the song!

Last edited 3 years ago by Liam
Davo
Davo
3 years ago
Reply to  Liam

I thought she was singing that too. Would make for a sexy Eurovision!

Darren
Darren
3 years ago

Probably my favorite ever entry from Australia since they joined us. I’ve never been to Australia but I have a vibe that “technicolour” would be pretty representative of their music scene. The only thing is staging, staging needs to be on point as that I think will either elevate the song further, or turn it into a hot messy mess. I have faith in though. I think Australia has qualified with soooo much worse and sooo much less effort *cough * 2017 *cough*. Will do well with the juries, Australia always does, unsure about the televote though, they don’t seem… Read more »

Terence
Terence
3 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Yes…there will always be a percentage of European televoters who will simply not vote for Australia because they believe they shouldn’t be there..no matter how good the song/performance is..I agree with a previous response from Kirby..there are too many bland formulaic songs that “middle Europe “(mums and dads watching on the telly) love and will vote for…(Denmark may do surprisingly well from ageing televoting boomers?)…I think this will possibly scrape into the GF..but won’t win

Darren
Darren
3 years ago
Reply to  Terence

No it won’t win, that’s for sure. But it will qualify. I expect a mid table finish in the final. 15-20th.
As it’s Australia, juries will eat it up like Sweden, but the televoters are the ones they need to win over.
I think “Technicolour” is the song that could do that. I think it’s quirky/catchy/upbeat enough to get a decent share of the televote.

Terence
Terence
3 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Possibly…if..she nails it on the night…I think she needs to work on her vocals a bit..was a bit flat at times on the Mardi Gras clip…she’s got some time to work on it and I think as long as the occasion doesn’t overwhelm her she should do well…time will tell….I know I’ll be up at 5am to watch(I’m in Oz)

Darren
Darren
3 years ago
Reply to  Terence

Ireland here lol thankfully it’s 8pm here when Eurovision is on lol really don’t think I could be awake at 5:00am as much as I love this contest haha

Davo
Davo
3 years ago

It’s a masterful pop track – exciting, energetic, uplifting and unique, and currently very under-rated by the Eurovision fandom. I think the general public and the juries will really embrace Montaigne in Rotterdam. The song will shine out amongst the more conventional pop songs in Semi Final 1.