She’s the Australian pocket rocket who’s making her big return to the Eurovision stage — and this time she’s in it to win it.
Jessica Mauboy sat down with Australian broadcaster SBS News to talk about her return, after appearing as the interval act in Copenhagen in 2014. She describes the process of getting to Lisbon as an ‘exciting journey’, but admits that her return means she’s got some unfinished business to deal with.
Watch Jessica’s interview with SBS News here.
“It’s an exciting journey, obviously having been there from 2014 and having that first experience and opportunity of performing on that stage. Just remembering all the amazing moments — with the crowd, the atmosphere, the lights. It was really incredible and epic. Now heading over as a contestant and writing a song for the show and for the whole celebration — it’s such an overwhelming feeling coming from 2014 now to 2018 and going back for some unfinished business, I guess.”
Making a return for Australia as a contestant, rather an an interval act, Jessica will be performing “We Got Love” in Lisbon. The track was co-written by Jessica and DNA – David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii (who also wrote the entries for Dami Im in 2016 and Isaiah Firebrace in 2017). She says it resonates strongly with her, as it was inspired by recent events happening worldwide in light of female empowerment.
“I think for me in that month [of writing the song], a lot of things were happening. From the ‘Women’s March’, ‘Times Up’, ‘R U OK?’ — all these beautiful campaigns of people speaking out, standing tall, fighting for rights and fighting for what the people need. People standing up and supporting each other. I saw that as a lot of love, nurturing and caring, and being there. All those things I really considered infusing into the song.”
“I felt the need to bring about a bigger light to something that was universal and simple to say in English. Because not everyone speaks English. So the most simplest but most effective way of connecting. ‘We Got Love’ was just — we can’t deny it — the simplicity of it makes it so grand and powerful. We are not talking about a singular thing, it’s a ‘together’ event.”
Having the song and vocals down pat, Jessica’s attention is now focused on the visual side of the song. Always the tease, she’s keeping her cards close to her chest.
“Now thinking creatively and visually what that’s going to look like, I’m so happy that I have a good song that I’m really happy and proud about, and that now I can get to work on the visual part.”
With friends in high places, perhaps Jess’ staging may be inspired by her recent work with Tourism Australia. This week, Jess appeared in a segment for the American television show Late Night with Seth Meyers, treating the show’s correspondent Amber Muffin to an Australian classic — the choc-top ice cream.
Thank you to @ambermruffin & @LateNightSeth for having me. I had so much fun! ???? pic.twitter.com/98O7MWmrfM
— Jessica Mauboy (@jessicamauboy) March 22, 2018
The girl from the Australian outback is making herself known in the States in big ways, recently appearing in a mock ad for a Crocodile Dundee sequel — the classic 1980s Australian movie.
The ad, which aired during the American Super Bowl this year, featured Jess alongside some of Australia’s biggest actors including Hugh Jackman, Chris Hemsworth and Margot Robbie.
https://youtu.be/E7ZTh9Rd0aA
Do you feel the love for Jessica’s “We Got Love”? What do you expect to see on the Lisbon stage from Australia? Let us know in the comments below!
I thought Australia song is for Same Sex Marriage as what they announced in initial days. Even the 2 writers of this song said, this song is inspired by SSM as its being legalized in Australia after what seems to be a long wait., The writers said, never give up & finally SSM was legalized. It was never about Women Empowerment.. Now, jumping the bandwagon.., Now Jessica is changing her tunes??? Tsk tsk tsk…
Sssh you can’t say anything bad without being called a negative, criticising Australian hater ….even though I believe with every word.
It’s just because female empowerment is the cool topic at the minute, same sex marriage is so 2014.
Yes, clearly they are changing their tunes. There are lots of bloggs, interviews & write ups that were published as Oz song was being revealed that its about SSM, not even a general topic.. it was mainly a result of SSM.. WE is the cliche topic now.,, better jump on it & help lift their entry up..???…
Totally Ruby, as to go against it just negative criticism and that’s not allowed haha
WELL I THOUGTH AUSTRALIA WAS ORGANAZING PACIFICVISION CONTEST.
SORRY GUYS IF I BOTHER ANY OF YOU.
BUT AUSTRALIA IS NOT EUROPE I THINK THE SHOULD LEAVE NEXT YEAR HINT HINT.
YOU GOT LOT OF COUNTRYS TO CONPITE WITH OVER THERE.
The people that are saying that she is jumping on a bandwagon could you please let everyone know what you think the story is behind the lyrics? She did say in her interview that it was simple english so people of different english speaking levels could understand and enjoy. The song suggests to me so many things standing up and being yourself not someone else, being happy and accepted for your beliefs because there is hope etc. It would be ridiculous if Norway suddenly came out and said his song is about female empowerment.
Simple English…yes it is that very much so. I say that she is jumping on a bandwagon because Female empowerment is so cool right now, and everyone wants their song to be about that. Also, if her song was genuinely about women’s empowerment, I’m sure her, being a native English speaker, could better address that issue. The lyrics of “We’ve Got Love” are so broad. If gay rights was still cool, her song would be about that, bit that’s done now, it’s all about the women etc etc it’s just so shallow and she’s taking ESC to idiots by statement… Read more »
Not true at all Kimberly. I liked 2015 and 2016. Just because I don’t like a particular country Year in, year out regardless of what they send, like some others do, doesn’t mean I’m taking an oppertunity to criticise. If I don’t like something I will say it. And I find no connection between Jessica’s song and female empowerment and I was giving my reasons as to why. If I’m not allowed to do it, without being told that I’m “criticising”, then the whole point of these comments on wiwibloggs is a bit redundant.
Thanks.
Darren is so typical. I’ve been watching Wiwibloggs since 2016 and you just love to leave negative comments in every article related to Australia. You ain’t fooling everyone here.
Well I liked Australia in 2015 and 2016 …I think I should know after all. The issue I had back then was their participation in the first place, not the songs or Guy or Dami. They are highly talented singers. But I’ve accepted Australia is here now and if they enters good song I gladly put them in my Top 10. Perhaps @Drew I should become “typical” and like a certain song just because of the country it represents??? Jeez…I say how I disagree with the lyrics of Australia’s song and I get attacked for it…”Typical”. But it’s okay to… Read more »
The lyrics are in fact gender neutral and any gender can relate to it. I didn’t really like their choice of song last year because the meaning behind the song didn’t suit Isaiah’s age in addition to him stuffing up live. I love their song this year and Jessica is super talented. They will do well this year. She has loads of charisma and stage presence.
As a woman, she should feel ASHAMED to be jumping on the feminism bandwagon to promote a song that is so clearly unrelated to the movement. It’s a cliche love song, own up to it, not all songs have a message.
Sorry Jessica, but this song has too little substance to be connected to female empowerment. I always felt that is was trying to say something, but it was held back by super generic lyrics. She’s obviously just trying to jump on the bandwagon.
I already knew there was a message in the song when I the first I heard it. I mainly like it because it the music is very catchy and uplifting and most importantly sounds good especially her vocals. It remains firm in my top 5 this year.
Bandwagon. Go away, love !
If it’s not a gay Anthem, it’s a female empowerment song. If you feel like doing this, go for it. Well, Israel and Australia…. I feel empowered by neither of them, but there are probably some People out there that do feel empowered, so idc.
When you actually read the lyrics it is actually about empowerment, speaking up and not giving up. She didn’t make it up all of a sudden to jump on any bandwagon. Australia have sent a song that is positive and catchy with a story that most people can relate to in their lives so I don’t see that as a problem. The song is not insulting ny gender or race nor is it political. The song is very enjoyable to listen to and I will definitely be supporting Australia this year.
*any
I think Cláudia and Isaura from Portugal should also come and say their song is about dead people enpowerment. Since we’re at it… XD
this is… a stretch
while toy is recognizably related to #metoo (although it’s maybe not that strong of a message) this is just a very general love love peace peace song? ? ? i feel like the connection to women’s empowerment is soooo disingenuous, not a good look
Did you listen to her interview ? It is not just about womens empowerment only. It is about speaking up, feeling connected and can be any gender. It can be about an individual wanting to feel connected with society and being accepted. Can you please read the comment from @ Denis & @ Cynthia.
Talk about jumping on a bandwagon. First Israel, not Australia talking about female empowerment just because it’s the hot topic of the day, no you to mention the lyrics of Jessica’s song do not even mention female empowerment…in fact the lyrics are quite genderless!
Purely terrible attempt to get this shallowed, cliche, overhyped mess to mean a lot more than it actually does.
I’m addicted to this song. I will definitely play it at my birthday party soon. Her voice is so good love the beat. Jessica has my vote!
If the French and Israeli songs were bad, people wouldn’t like them regardless of their message! Look at Estonia and Belgium their entries aren’t about social issues and are still fan favourites, so stop assuming the worst in people and if you look at the lyrics they still align with her message.
She said in her interview that the lyrics were composed as simple as possible because not everyone is perfect at english.
Yes I agree eventhough the lyrics are simple but it does align with what she said about the message about speaking up and being connected and accepted.
It is clearly an empowerment song. Israel is too (and I don’t like that one, but can’t deny it has an important message), but while Israel deals with a specific issue women face (sexual harassment) this is more general in its scope.
metoo is about men too
http://variety.com/2018/film/news/brendan-fraser-hfpa-ex-president-sexually-assaulted-him-1202707850/
Ok guys since is so now this days and big contenders like France and Israel have actually a social meaning in their song, let’s also promote are entry and say the same!!!
Really queen?
France are not big contenders this year 16th place in the final at best.
Let’s not get carried away. It’s a catchy and very enjoyable pop song with okay lyrics. It’s not an anthem of change or empowerment. Don’t be so self-aggrandizing. Ivanka Trump is also under the illusion that she’s a fighter for women’s rights. Seriously, your product is good for what it is, don’t turn into something pseudo.
Yesss, slayyyyy
lmao another sjw one? it gets funnier & funnier by the minute ))))))
Supporting people’s rights and equality =/= being a SJW. Have several seats.
Plenty of songs this year manage to capture the cultural and political zeitgeist, either explicitly or implicitly. Whether it be the reemergance of native languages and other nativistic expressions, or flirtations with the progressive pretensions currently in vogue, we see in Eurovision a mosaic of our collective consciousness. In an increasingly polarized world, where our conception of the opposition is formed by snarky quote tweets, music can be a unifying force, helping us process and eventually overcome the divide.
With all of those ”deeper meaning” and ”highbrow” songs, we might actually see Benjamin Ingrosso (or even Alexander Rybak, if the voting bloc is still strong) winning
I’m still sad that they aren’t actually making that Crocodile Dundee sequel.
Everyone loves a good bandwagon.
Every female singer is going to stick the #metoo movement on their songs this year because why not.
That’s fine and dandy but which part of her song specifically fights for Women Empowerment? 😯
The interesting one.
Those lyrics are gender neutral and thankfully it is considering it can be used to empower multiple groups of disenfranchised people and not just specifically one group.
She didn¨t say it is only about empowerment for women, it¨s about people speaking up. Being inspired by something doesn¨t mean the song is about one specific thing.
She mentions it is a song for all to speak out. Not just women
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