Friday night belonged to Olly Alexander. In a world exclusive interview, the former Years and Years frontman sat down with U.K. Eurovision commentator Graham Norton to discuss his entry “Dizzy.” He unraveled the tale of his Eurovision journey and oozed excitement and anticipation as he shared his sincere connection to the song contest.
This wasn’t an opportunity handed to him — he had to work for it.
“I threw my hat in the ring,” he told Graham. “I really wanted to do it last year while making my new album. We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing if we took one of these songs to Eurovision?’ It wasn’t until November that I got confirmed.”
And that sent his heart racing. Olly’s immediate reaction was to make a flurry of phone calls.
“I called my mom afterwards, and I called my boyfriend. I think I just went home and talked to my cats about it.”
Eurovision holds a special place in Olly’s heart. When he says he loves the contest, he really means it.
“I’ve always loved Eurovision. There’s just nothing else like Eurovision. Growing up, there was this one night of the year that was just this night of insane craziness — a chaotic mix of fun and all these different musical styles, all these amazing performances.”
Representing the UK at Eurovision feels “kind of amazing.”
“It’s a bit exciting. It’s literally a competition where everyone is there to pull every little detail apart and judge you against all the other performances. They literally rank you.”
Acknowledging the risk and excitement of Eurovision, Olly said, “It’s not something that you would necessarily face as an artist, but I think that’s really fun. I quite like that element of risk, and I also think it’s really iconic. It doesn’t matter where you place; if you come last, it’s quite iconic.”
“I want to be a memorable performance on stage. I want to leave an impression, and I want people to be kind of a little bit surprised.”
Olly emphasized that his performance will be “quite strong and have a lot of drama and impact.” He summed it up by saying, “I guess I just want to say that all right now.”
When Graham Norton asked about his favorite Eurovision performances, Olly delved into a list that included Loreen’s “Euphoria,” Chanel’s “SloMo,” and Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like Phoenix.” However, his absolute favorite was Pastora Soler with “Quédate conmigo,” praising her powerful vocal performance.
Addressing preparations, Olly emphasized fitness, positivity, and staying away from negativity. Regarding his Eurovision song “Dizzy,” he revealed it wasn’t specifically written for Eurovision but was selected due to its appeal.
Olly believes drama and emotion are key, which also help explain his song choice. “I definitely think a good song or songs that do well are ones that have drama and emotion because people just want to see you on that stage, really putting everything out there.”
He expressed hope for “Dizzy” to go all the way but emphasized the joy of already having the song performed on the Eurovision stage, considering it a win in itself.
Can Olly Alexander take the UK to the top of the scoreboard at Eurovision 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
If they have a pre stage, in Malmo. Sing On that, or to the very front…
YELLOW
“Dizzy” strangely reminds me of the song “The Girl & The Robot” by Royksöpp ft Robyn. It’s got that darker, almost machine-like feel to it.
I wasn’t too bothered by it when it was released, but after many listens, I’m really enjoying it. Its not going to contend for the win, but its got a very good chance of snatching a place on the left hand side of the board. And as its Olly, hes likely going to bring something memorable and eyecatching in terms of staging that will elevate this.
Not gawdawful, but I got bored half way through.
I love his positivity! Happy people are endangered species
He seems really cool guy.
These days you could bend over to tie your shoelace and someone would call it iconic
On this site to be sure.
No Olly, coming last is definitely not iconic, it’s something that haunts you for the rest of your career so definitely not good. Mae Muller barely recovered from her second-to-last place last year.
Anyway, good luck babee
I don’t like Dizzy, but I like Olly. Wish him the best. He’s already a great sportsman, totally in line with the ideal Eurovision spirit.
Olly has a great attitude! I am sure the song will do better than expected…and most other songs that fans are racing about will do worse as it is impossible that all those crazy party bops will be able to do go, some of them will cancer each other out. “Dizzy” is a competent entry but of course needs a memorable performance and staging to go top 10 still. The 3 last UK entries are all top notch, at least in studio recordings. Good luck to UK and Olly! Ps: people who downvote posts that are purely positive and supporting… Read more »
Did anyone notice that Olly apparently put the Union Jack on the floor? He’s lucky he isn’t representing North Macedonia.
That was so much fun! „You can keep that.“ „Oh thank you“, immediately drops it on the floor.
He’s representing Uk
You don’t say
P.S. I forgive Olly for not knowing that the contest was once in Harrogate. He was born there, but I believe did not grow up there. Still, study harder for next time, sir.
Où est Harrogate? 😀
Haha ?
Let’s go Olly, trace your path until the Grand Final, don’t look at the comments from the eurofans, the general public loves you and since years so do what your heart tells you only and rush, you’re the only one who knows what is good for you so what you have to do and nobody else, stay strong!
The Big 5 needs new perks like an opportunity to submit 2 songs or something.
No. Someone besides Italy just needs to try consistently.
Am I greedy for wishing for one little pronoun in Olly’s song?
It’s genuinely wonderful that he is such a visible and unabashed example of self-acceptance already, so that’s more than enough… but instead of an “mmmm”, perhaps a “boy” would be nice?
They’re so commonplace in hetero songs.
boy is a noun
Thanks, snowflake.
Hopefully Olly read your request. I’d love to hear him sing “boy” while he looks into the camera suggestively during the grand final. 🙂
(Censors? Pffft.)
The censors were not scared of Luca’s dirty dancing in 2019, they have no reason to fear that.
He could even sing the boy part in slo mo mo mo just to make it extra special for you.
Ah, how you tease me.
Yea, that’s really important ?
He doesn’t have to worry at all, the UK will not be coming last in the final this year.
And no offense to Germany and Spain, but uhhh…yeah.
You really think Spain is bottom 5? I think it will get more televote than UK. And i like UK. Both can come top 15. Spain a bit higher, the crowd will sing along like in Benidorm. It will be the moment, actually Spain can be top 3 in televote. I can see it already. They so deserve it after Chanel robbery. Plus she is a bit older lady that performs very good and the song has universal message of women improvement. Heck, Spain is definitely top 5 this year
There was no Chanel robbery.
Oh, if situation was different in 2022 we would have Eurovision in Barcelona, just sayin
I think it would have been the most likely outcome without the war, yes. We will never know for sure ofc, but she was the only one who was equally strong with both the juries and the televote.
Imagine my pain after following her for two months and coming so close. I fell in love with Spain and spanish people trough her. After her all other girl BOPS at Eurovision fall flat to me.
What makes you think Chanel would have topped Sam Ryder then? There’s absolutely no indication at all.
Yes, there is. She was consistently high in both jury and televoting.
I did a few calculations After removing Ukraine from the equation and moving each score up one Spaceman would have won..
Someone did actually do a recount including all the 11th places and moving them all up one place and your correct sam would of won and Sweden would of been second with Spain third. I think what ari means is if ukraine had not been included then juries/people voting at home might of voted differently which could of changed some countries placings as they would of directly changed the overall scores and placings. But we will never know. Spain has been going in the right direction though and it’s highly likely if they keep doing so that they will win… Read more »
Not to discount Sam’s achievement, but remember all the “technical difficulties” that year? Sad to say, but it seems the cheaters/robots determined the 2nd place in Torino, and hence the location of the 2023 contest.
Algorithm computer votes should really be abolished ASAP.
Martin got to announce the points of what… 6 countries? He set a new record and made Eurovision history that year. Lucky him. Unlucky us.
If the situation was different in 2022 we would have had Eurovision in Uzbelistan. Sure they don’t participate in the contest, but if the situation was different .. . .
I’m not so sure Jonas. Looked to me as if someone had stolen half her outfit.
There was a thorough investigation at the time, I believe the airport lost her luggage. Nothing more.
Good to know Kalush and Sam hadn’t tried to nobble her performance.
I wouldn’t imply that I think Spain will end up within the bottom 5 if I didn’t believe it, lol.
From all the songs so far the juries will likely place the uk at the top, Ollie’s staging will be key to how well he does in the final, but what most people don’t appreciate or hear is dizzy is actually a very complex song with so many musical layers going on that it is a mini masterpiece, I think the juries will appreciate that and vote for it in their droves, despite it being slightly repetitive. As for the televote, it could go either way, but he does have a lot of European fans who I’m sure will support… Read more »
The key thing I took from the interview that Olly states that the song Dizzy wasn’t written for Eurovision, and I think that shows in the mechanics of the song.
Many countries artists attend Eurovision song written camps to write songs specifically for selection processes and what will market to the Eurovision audience.
I really enjoy the song and I’m excited to see a possible revamp for the final chorus and the staging he has lined up.
Will this win, currently no, but I do hope the live performance will be an elevated version of the video.
That’s a good and healthy attitude because a place in the 20s is possible. Last is probably reserved for Germany, so the danger of that is less big imo.
God your comments are annoying. Do you even work anywhere or you just NEET through life and spend time in wiwi comment sections?
Get a therapist. And a spelling tutor.
Wish the BBC would replace Graham Norton
Why so?
I don’t know his commentary but I certainly don’t wanna see him host again. Hanna was so much better. Especially during the voting he seemed so testy. Not a good host at all.
I like him in general, but agree not as Eurovision host. He was fine in Liverpool, but certainly overshadowed by the others. Which is actually what I was expecting, because he was the very same at the 60th anniversary show with Petra. I think he works better in his own.
ON his own
I think it’s because on these occasions it’s scripted for him. There’s a reason he went into chat show hosting rather acting after drama school. He’s used to having free reign and being thoroughly tongue in cheek.
Yeah, that seems right.
He can be very mean spirited. I still haven’t forgiven him for referring to WINNER Marija Serifovic as ‘that creature’. Like he’s an oil painting. . .
AGREED
Not replace him, but perhaps don’t shoehorn him into every element of the contest. The contest has become his vehicle. We saw that last year when he was put on the stage when he wasn’t really needed there. It was the same with Wogan.
This is such a strong entry, good luck Olly. BRING IT HOME!