He’s the backing singer behind Bulgaria’s Poli Genova and Kristian Kostov. Now, Austria’s Cesar Sampson is back representing his home country. After being announced way back in December, Cesar’s entry “Nobody But You” has just been released.
The song made its debut on the Ö3-Wecker radio show this morning:
Cesar Sampson – “Nobody But You”
The track has an ’80s power pop flavour with a gospel choir adding richness and depth to the song. The lyrics tell the tale of a man desperate to win back his ex, as he realises in the big loved-up chorus, “Ain’t nobody but you I can hold onto”.
The song is written by Borislav Milanov and Sebastian Arman, two members of Symphonix International. They’re the team behind both “If Love Was a Crime” and “Beautiful Mess”, as well as many more. Eurovision pedigree — and success — definitely rolled into one package!
In our recent interview with Cesar, he talks about his experience at Eurovision and one artist in particular who made him want to take centre stage: “We saw Jamala, doing her thing…that was the realisation, that an actual artist — not just a good performer — can do their thing on the Eurovision stage”.
“Nobody But You” lyrics – Cesar Sampson
Lord, I’m gonna get so high tonight
I’m gonna let the floodgates open wide
I’m in open water
It’s what I need
Though I try to get you off my mind
And I get no sleep
I’m in too deep
I can’t let you leave
It wouldn’t be right letting you go running away from love
Ain’t nobody but you I can hold onto
So am I right giving my all making you stay tonight?
Ain’t nobody but you I can hold onto
Hey
Lord, I’m gonna bring you back tonight, girl
Oh, you’re running circles round my mind
I think your words have been my bible
How can I search for someone new?
What I really want – you by my side
And I get no sleep
I’m in too deep
To let you leave
It wouldn’t be right letting you go running away from love
Ain’t nobody but you I can hold onto
So am I right giving my all making you stay tonight?
Ain’t nobody but you I can hold onto
Don’t make me tear my heart out
I’m shaking till I fall down
Don’t make me tear my heart out
Don’t make me tear my heart out
I’m shaking till I fall down
Don’t make me tear my heart out
It wouldn’t be right letting you go running away
Ain’t nobody but you I can hold onto
So am I right giving my all making you stay tonight?
Ain’t nobody but you I can hold onto
It wouldn’t be right letting you go running away from love
Ain’t nobody but you I can hold onto
Ain’t nobody but you
What do you think about “Nobody But You”? Do you think Cesar has a chance of making the final — or could he even give Austria their third win? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments section below!
Read more Austria Eurovision news here
Photo credit: ORF
Strong entry!!! Ok He might win! My favorites are 1 ?????????? Austria France Cyprus Armenia Belgium
Strong entry!!! Ok He might win! My favorites are 1 ??????????
He is hot!!
Such a touching song, such an interesting video and such a pleasant guy with the tender and beautiful voice! One of my new favourites along with Greece, Denmark and Belgium. It’s a pity I won’t be able to vote for it in SF1 (my country is in SF2) but hope it will qualify to the final. Hugs and kisses from Ukraine)
I love this song. 🙂 My favorite.
What can I say? Please Netta & Israel, save this year and give us a winning material!
I really like this. The gospel aspect of this is used quite well, and this is one of the few songs this year where the chorus is my favorite part. I’m a bit worried as to how this will sound live, but I really enjoy this for now. As it stands, it’s one of my favorites.
Oh gosh I love this …… !
And it is much better than Don’t Come Easy
I´m so thankful that I am European. I would not change that for anything:) Just to change things up a bit in this overall not very nice comment section.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DkwL-eRuIY
😛
I can´t stop laughing, I didn´t know that, thanks! 😀 Now everytime I feel bad I´ll watch this 😀
Happy to help a fellow European. 😉
Congratulations, you have chosen wisely where to be born!
I think this will make the final- but in the low teens or the twenties.
Representation matters… (Let me just say that Eurovision is very, VERY white lmao) and that will help him I think.
Also, this song is unique in genre and good in its own right, even though it is not everyone’s cup of tea.
I think judges at least will be into this one.
Hey guys..please stop bullying around .it is a peaceful competition..and btw..i think he did a good job which brings him a place in the final i hope..if u want to find negative things, there is always a way for every song..i believe that the best song will win without political reasons..that is eurovision about, no
and u guys from wiwi..i love u..most deban and wiliam..u rock
12 points to austria from Berlin ..
10 points cyprus
8 points ukraine
kisses
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I think Austria in final , only thanks to juries points, like last year.
In what’s looking like a very competitive semi one, this song may be a borderline qualifier, despite it’s comparative uniqueness…the staging will have to be great, though, otherwise it will be overwhelmed with more powerful singers and songs, of which we have many. 6.9/10.
Rag’n’Bone Man.
He will do very well, but I had enough of these rip-offs.
Many people here comparing this song to Don’t Come Easy. OK. To me, it rather starts like Take me to Church (Hozier), though it stays only at that, for it lacks the… everything Hozier’s every second conveys. I personally find the gospel-like moments are well put into the song. Measured, careful. Overall, it does sound like Don’t Come Easy, only this feels more alive. I also hope the performer will deliver, for the Aussie boy was deadman walking in circles, if you ask me. Yes, is may come off as a little flat/repetitive, dunno. Many songs are, aren’t them pop… Read more »
A little repetitive at the end but defimetly one of the better entries this year. I can even put it in 1 section with Belgium , and for me Belgium is top 5 ..,.even top 3 is realistic for that fantastic song.
I’m not sure about this one. I think that the melody is interesting but I don’t like his voice actually. Strange music video too lol.
When he begins he sounds a bit flat, even though this is the studio. It climbs really well and then goes no where and begins to sound dated. I do like it though, may be my 15th. Sounds like a really good version of Human, I like this a lot. It will need staging and more dynamic vocals to bring it to life. I mean, for such a long time of working together and to sound so generic I am a bit disappointed. I liked the end vocals (well towards the end). It’s not winner material but is a qualifier… Read more »
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I immidiately thought of the singer/producer Jon Bellion when hearing this.
I think the juries might go for this but gospel-influenced songs have never done well at Eurovision. It’s not something that Europeans (especially Eastern-Europeans) really gravitate towards. It would need to have some epic staging. It’s a nice song but missing a stronger hook. I understand why most people are lukewarm on this year’s contest. It’s not the Salvador-affect (I actually don’t see many Salvador-inspired songs), it’s that so many songs have weak hooks. It’s actually a strong year for music diversity — ethnopop, opera, gospel, country, Latin, Bond-theme, peace athem, club banger, metal rock, Viking chant, Baltic ballad, edm,… Read more »
There is no negativity over this. If somone thinks it is a boring ordinary radio song – this is your personal taste and not anywhere near negativity.
The best song so far. Wow, what a great combination of soul, gospel and modern sounds.
If they don’t mess it up on stage this will end up high.
GEF <3
Strong entry. There is artistry in the song and the video.
Nice addition to this year’s line up. Even if it has 80’s vibes, it is still very current and something that could hit the UK charts. His voice is very beautiful and deep, it reminds me of John Legend. The song itself sounds like something Rag ‘n’ Bone Man would sing. So Austria has some good references here. I would like the chorus to be stronger, though. From the John Legend-esque singer and the Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s music style song to the music video, Austria is serving quality. If the staging does it too, Austria is a clear contender… Read more »
Also, If it were for some of you, we wouldn’t have enough countries for the Grand Final. I recognize that for me it isn’t the best year, but there’s too much negativity here.
I think if the upcoming song from Israel is full of energy and just real good fun it has very good chances to win, because a lot of people are in a decision dilemma this year. And if you are stuck in a dilemma you choose by default the next song that makes your body move… 😀
Loved it at first listen. Go go Austria!
Eurovion, Lord, PLEASE don’t bring this back tonight (at the 12th of May). I am already bored after listening twice.
The chorus sounds like a song I heard before
It’s a decent radio song and a nice addition to the line-up. I like the hints of gospel though I was expecting for a bigger explosion in the end. Cesar’s voice is very good. The problem is that I don’t see it as a song that many people will be moved enough to vote for. Having in mind that this will be packed between other 18 acts I believe this would be a borderline qualifier at best. Let’s see if he can give a great vocal performance to convince the juries and show charisma to seduce the audience.
Oh, and I blame you guys that mentioned it because I’ll never listen to the opening line again without hearing “I’m gonna get some hot tuna”!
Well thanks for ruining that for me!! 😀
Hahaha All aboard!
Worse than Azerbaijan. That says it all. Heck, worse than Belarus!
Oh come on, at least he can actually sing, which is more than can be said about Alekseev!
maybe I am overlooking a lot because of the expen$ive music video but I, like a few others here, think this is a surefire qualifier If Staged Properly
all it took for austria to qualify last year was to send an apparently attractive man with a music video of him running around a mountain for three minutes… like is this not the same deal? just because the contest moves to the atlantic coast doesn’t mean y’all have to be as salty as the lisbon ocean breezes, there is so much negativity on this site recently
I was stunned when my country qualified last year. It was a jury save.
I find it ironic that the best song (and their only song I like) this songwriting team wrote for Eurovision (“Dance Alone”) was the one that was given to an unskillful performer and got slaughtered on stage. That one actually had potential, unlike “Nobody but you”.
The problem was that both Jana and the backing vocalists sounded fine in isolation but didn’t harmonise and sounded off key in relation to another. I found Serbia and Israel in the same semi final to be far worse performances.
I think this song is a border line qualifier…
I’d be surprised to see it in the final…
He is a good singer who got a pretty boring and decent song, a well known thing in the Eurovision Song Contest
I assume it’s faith is pretty much ending low on the scoreboard
Wrong lyrics! He sings Bible not problem
Top 3. Love it !
Lord I’m gonna get some hot tuna?
That’s the best opening line of a Eurovision song ever.
Lol. This will go directly into this year’s misheard lyrics video.
The song doesnt make sense but I guess it still beats Estonia and Finland..
lMaooo since when is australia part of europe????
Austria, not Australia
(though Australia is also part of Eurovision)
It sounds just like Don’t come easy but a cheaper version mixed with What I did for love by Emile sande.
potential winner !!!
I very rarely give 12 points
even less I like English-language songs from most countries…
but this is perfectly .. marvelous
his vocal is magical
a very good melody, a good song
from me 12 p
top 5 – top 10 material
It’s now in my top 5 !
First of all: his voice is amazing! The song starts well, the chorus was a little underwhelming. Love the gospel atmosphere. It elevates the song. I think the live performance will make it better or worse. The studio version isn’t impressive but I have faith.
*A short personal report from yesterday’s ORF press conference from Vienna.* Austria’s song contest song “Nobody but You” by Cesár Sampson is a subconscious flat music composition with some gospel insets, but without any courage to an innovative musical risk for this year 2018. Above all, I have no idea how this song in Lisbon is to survive the big competition in the 1st Semifinal. Austrians Cesár Sampson is intelligent and well-read, yes he is male and acts rather as an athlete BUT he is not a pop star, he is missing any charisma at all. The song “Nobody But… Read more »
Knowing how ORF operates, it must have been something like this: Ah, this songwriting team wrote a lot of entries lately for a different countries. Ah, the dude who sang backing vocals for Bulgaria is Austrian. Bulgaria was 4th and 2nd. Let’s just send him. ORF obviously does not care about having an exceptional song, never has. To be fair though, he was selected very early and had the opportunity to come up with something exceptional. Obviously, he wasn’t able to.
I definitely see it able to make the final, though.
Exactly, …
that’s the reason – why.
Cesár Sampson is a very good back vocalist – but that’s it.
Sorry but i don’t agree with your opinion. ORF is not a copycat. Conchita, Song in french, ORF has balls with their entries, don’t you think? Only back in 2015 with the makemakes, they where not very originally in my opinion.
They are this year, though. But if you like the entry, good for you. I have not liked a single song my country has sent and this one is no exception. I have however been loving the Netherlands since 2013. I am happy with any country that gives me a song like and glad I don’t have to rely on my broadcaster to provide that because that would be a lost cause. 😛
* a song I like
Not even Conchita? Your big winner?
I was rooting for The Common Linnets. 😉
Quality song from Austria!! With a good performance easily Top 10 in the final!
Shapes up to be a good year!!
The video is amazing but the song is repetitive repetitive repetitive…
So, for now we know 34 songs, plus three NF winners this weekend (expected to be Benjamin, Rebecca and Ieva, but you never know). That means only 6 songs are a complete mystery – Russia, Macedonia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Ireland and Israel. What do you expect – late favorites, late addition of really bad songs or just random middle ground entries? Russia – I expect a big ballad, but I have high hopes for it being something touching in Russian language (or that Samoylova took English lessons). Israel and Georgia both have genre-specific artists. I can see them being amazing or… Read more »
Agree with Russia. In russian she sounds amazing. Also would be a change with Russia´s past.
As for Bulgaria, I kind of doubt they will be as good as these last two years or better.
Also I have a strong feeling Felix is gonna make it in Sweden.
Hopefully Ireland does somthing gret this year:)
You think Felix is gonna make it? Yay, I’m rooting for him, let’s hope so!
Russia- probably strong ballad, will do well.
Israel- I’m excited for this one, Israel is one of my favourite esc countries, singer is good, hope she will have good song.
Ireland- it will be another ballad?
Macedonia, Bulgaria, Georgia- no idea!
Yes, I hope so, because I think “every single day” I think has the best chances at Eurovision this year. Not to win, but to be in top 5 definitely:) Also the song is in like 5 countries in the spotify viral charts (including Australia last time I checked), which is a good sign.
I´m also a big fan of the israeli entries these last few years, so I´m very much looking forward to that:) Overall I feel like Belgium is gonna win:)
I like Belgium too, she’s great!
with the title song Toy, I believe that Israel will send something similar to ISRAEL 2000.
I just went to listen to that song and ouch! I mean, it potentially could end-up like this, but do you really expect that Netta will be so much worse than anyone else in 2018? She actually sounds promising as an artist.
I have a feeling that the winner is already out there. About Bulgaria: The Austrian release has just proven again that the work of that as of late much sought-after songwriting team is mostly average pop, I don’t see what the fuss is all about.
Macedonia is sending a rock act, so something along the lines of Cyprus 2016 would seem right.
Well, Ireland is out! That’s five more – Russia, Israel, Georgia, Macedonia and Bulgaria. I really hope they bring something new to the contest, whether they are the best, the worst or just different.
Russia – I’m expecting a power ballad too and I’m not excited about it. Let’s hope it will be in Russian. We don’t hear Russian often in the contest. Israel – I was rooting for Netta ever since I watched her first performance on the tv show. My expectations are high with her. Georgia – Apparently it is “ethno-jazz”. I don’t know what to think, I hope it’s good. Bulgaria – Probably a well-polished pop song. I have a feeling that it won’t be a very uptempo one. Macedonia – I think it will be pop-rock. I’m not very hopeful… Read more »
I have loved Austria the last few years, but I am not a fan of this entry. He’s got an unusual voice but the song feels like you listen to it once and a few minutes later you will have forgotten about it. It’s not bad but it just doesn’t excite me. It is a tough semi so staging and live vocals are going to make or break a lot of songs in this semi.
I love it. Out of all the songs with love as a topic, this is my fave by far.
With the backing vocals I get kind of gospel vibes
It’s a good song for the radio, I don’t know how it’ll translate on stage. It might be another In Too Deep case.
I like it… but I am austrian, so I am not very objective about it 🙂 Still I have to say, that Sara De Blue’s Out Of The Twilight was the better song and voice from Austria this year 🙂
I like it too but I´m german so yeah, don´t know whether that´s objective. Don´t like Switzerland´s song though so maybe:) At least I won´t be disappointed or something like that if Austria gets our 12 Points, I think you deserve to do well with this song:)
With a good performance this could be a candidate for the win. It is a super song! Austria sure is here to stay!