“Gas station champagne is on me” — Teya & Salena satirise the music industry in the “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” lyrics

Teya & Salena will represent Austria at Eurovision 2023 with the song “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”.

The duet hope to take Austria to a Eurovision final for the first time since 2018, when Cesár Sampson finished third.

Their song may reference a 19th century American poet and author. But their edgy sound and contemporary production most definitely smack of 2023. It’s a chaos bop, yes. But one with a narrative and perspective — not dissimilar to a story written by its namesake. 

Scroll down to read the “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” lyrics.

Austria at Eurovision 2023: Teya & Salena with “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”

Teya & Salena have both individually tried to reach the Eurovision stage in years gone by. Styrian-born Salena’s first attempt to represent Austria was in 2018 with “Behind the Waterfall”. She ultimately didn’t get the call up, with Cesár Sampson going on to win the jury vote at Eurovision that year.

As for Teya, she was born in Vienna to Serbian parents and she has previously bid to represent both Austria and Serbia at Eurovision. Performing under her previous stage name of Thea Devy, she competed with the song “Sudnji dan” at Beovizija in 2020, unltimately placing tenth in the final.

The duo met on the Austrian talent show Starmania and penned their Eurovision entry alongside Ronald Janeček and Pele Loriano.

What do the “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” lyrics mean?

Who the hell is Edgar? Well, the ladies are referring to American writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe. The ladies claim that the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe has entered their bodies and can’t resist creating a lyrical masterpiece through them. They feel that the song is special and it may make them rich.

As the song progresses, the satire directed towards the music industry becomes more notable. Teya & Salena repeatedly chant “zero dot zero zero three,” referencing the 0.003 cents songwriters are commonly paid per stream of their songs. Dismayed by the paltry sum, they say “give me two years and your dinner will be free.” It showcases their lack of reliable income and the struggle songwriters face on a daily basis. 

In the bridge, Teya & Salena comment that “Edgar cannot pay rent for me”, demonstrating the difficulty of making a living for even some of the most talented figures in the industry. When it’s time to celebrate, it will most definitley be with “gas station champagne.”

Teya & Salena — “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” lyrics (Austria Eurovision 2023)

Oh my God, you’re such a good writer
Oh, it’s not me, it’s Edgar
Who the hell is Edgar?

There’s a ghost in my body and he is a lyricist
It is Edgar Allan Poe and I think he can’t resist
Yeah, his brain is in my hand and it’s moving really fast
Mhm
Don’t know how he possessed me but I’m happy that he did
‘Cause this song is feeling special and it’s gonna make me rich
Yeah, the words are spilling out, what the heck is this about?
Mhm

Oh, mio padre, there’s a ghost in my body

Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Edgar Allan, Edgar Allan Poe, Poе, Poe, Poe, Poe
Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Edgar Allan Poe

Maybe I should call a doctor or an exorcist
Maybe someone out there knows where Shakespeare is so I can get a taste
What’s your IPI? Where’s the A&R?
Girl, call Universal, you’re about to be a star

Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Edgar Allan, Edgar Allan Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe
Edgar Allan
Who the hell is Edgar?

Oh, mio padre
(Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
There’s a ghost in my body
(Edgar Allan, Edgar Allan Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
Oh, mio padre
(Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
There’s a ghost in my body
(Edgar Allan Poe)

Zero dot zero zero three
Give me two years and your dinner will be free
Gas station champagne is on me
Edgar cannot pay rent for me
Zero dot zero zero
Zero dot zero zero
Zero dot zero zero three
At least it pays to be funny
Ugh!

Oh, mio padre
(Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
There’s a ghost in my body
(Edgar Allan, Edgar Allan Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
Oh, mio padre
(Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
There’s a ghost in my body
(Edgar Allan, Edgar Allan Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
Oh, mio padre
(Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
There’s a ghost in my body
(Edgar Allan, Edgar Allan Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
Oh, mio padre
(Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe)
There’s a ghost in my body
(Edgar Allan, Edgar Allan)

Oh, mio padre, there’s a ghost in my body
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Who the hell is Edgar?

Are you a fan of “Who the hell is Edgar?” and Teya & Salena? Do you think Austria can reach their first final since 2018? Let us know in the comments below.