A week from now, ten acts will be competing to represent Australia at Eurovision 2019. Over the last few weeks, the songs have steadily been revealed. Acts like Kate Miller-Heidke and Ella Hooper have released their songs in the last week. Now, the lineup is complete as the final two songs from Sheppard and Tania Doko have been released.
“On My Way” — Sheppard
Sheppard are an indie pop band from Brisbane. Their song “On My Way” is described as the ultimate love song. Packaged with an anthemic chorus and an equally catchy bridge, the song has many exciting layers. “On My Way” certainly doesn’t stray far from the Eurovision formula and sounds like it was made for the Eurovision stage.
Speaking to SBS, Sheppard said, “”On My Way” is about someone craving the uncontrollable heat and passion they feel when they are with the one they love. It’s about excitedly making their way to reunite with their lover, wherever that may be in the world. We love it because it’s quite musically complex but very easy to listen to.”
“Piece of Me” — Tania Doko
Although it’s still only a snippet of the song at 43 seconds, “Piece of Me” shapes us as a soft pop banger that has a distinct 1990s feel. A song all about love, it melds Tania’s distinct vocals with strong production. It’s Spotify friendly and no doubt ready to slay.
Speaking to SBS, Tania Doko said, “As the song suggests, I am giving Aussie audiences a “Piece of Me”, and for me that’s pretty special as I’ve been living in Sweden for ten years and I genuinely miss performing in Australia. For me it’s another reminder of an inescapable truth – that we are all people, not machines. We live in a fast-paced world and we can all feel like everyone wants a piece of us. But at the end of the day, what’s it all for? Who represents home? Sometimes we forget the ‘why’ and take those closest for granted.”
Eurovision: Australia Decides 2019
The grand final of Australia Decides will take place on Saturday 9 February in the Gold Coast. The winner will be determined by a combined jury vote and televote. Additionally, Australian Eurovision star Dami Im will be present, performing as the interval act during the national final. The 2016 runner-up slayed Europe with her power ballad “Sound of Silence” and will be there to dazzle Australian audiences once more.
What do you think of the last two songs? Who should represent Australia in Tel Aviv? Let us know in the comments below.
I really like “On my way”, it has a happy, positive way and I think it relies on the live performance. On a big stage this can look much better.
Generally, Australia did a good job and picked very good songs and different genres.
I really hope we pick 2000 and whatever -mad lyrics. The other songs seem a bit meh good enough but not enough to get Europe off its arse to vote for I think eurvision meets some techno pop /indigenous techno to wake them up . We’ve gone down the middle of the road every time now . Everyone nearly always does opera ,pop , slow ballad or novelty song or metal/thrash.Firt time I heard 2000 and whatever I felt it was the one .All the others are Ok but I think we have heard them all before
On My Way is already in the Top 10 in iTunes here in Australia which means it will get a lot of radio play prior to Australia Decides next week. Perfect timing!
Sheppard’s song is so basic and formulaic. I rather see Courtney Act in Eurovision.
This comment is gold.
I read that the song was made for Eurovision in the comments, so why would they make it longer than 3 minutes by 23 seconds? Now they’ll have to cut it somewhere (if they win)
Sheppard have a reasonable entry here. Tania Doko’s management have played badly here by only releasing a snippet (unless there is a full version out somewhere, in which case: my bad). As it happens, I’m boycotting snippets this year, which means that Tania’s song won’t even get rated at this point. Too bad. Overall, “Zero Gravity” is my personal favourite in Australia, but I also understand why “2000 and whatever” and “Fight for love” have huge followings among the fandom. As some fans have already pointed out, this is the selection that the UK wishes it had. That’s a huge… Read more »
The full version of ‘Piece of Me’ will be released tonight on JoyFM’s Eurovision show; 8pm Melbourne time (10am CET). It can be streamed on their website or downloaded as a podcast if you’re not in Victoria 🙂
On my way or Zero gravity. 2000 and Whatever its SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAD.
When is the full version of Piece Of Me being released?
Tonight Melbourne time – see a couple of comments above for details 🙂
Damn, i can’t stop listening to ‘On My Way’!!!!!!
Love this happy-good mood pop track, the decision is clear for me.
Help me, it’s on and on and on it’s way through my head….
I feel like on my way is going to bring the party on stage. It’s currently my 3rd but it depends because I feel like 2000 and Whatever and Zero Gravity (1 and 2 respectively) will be less good live. It’s all about the intrigue and stage craft they can bring to the national final. I think Australia will definitely be in the mix for a top 10 finish this year though
1. Zero Gravity
2. 2000 & Whatever
3. Fight For Love
4. Data Dust (this has grown on me so much)
5. Set Me Free
6. Piece Of Me
7. Dust
8. On My Way (don’t kill me)
9. To Myself
10. This Is Not The End
“On my Way” sounds really good imho. Even if Australia decides against in regard of eurovision I still got a new track for my playlist. I’m happy 😀
*against it
‘2000 and whatever’ ALL.THE.WAY
Sheppard might not even win which is crazy. The song is not good enough on its own so they are leaving it to the live performance imo. Although I hope they do win so other good acts want to take part next year..
“On My Way” is good and it would probably do well in Eurovision. Not just because it’s Sheppard, but also because it’s effective, anthemnic and catchy. Though the same applies to Electric Field’s and Kate’s entries and both sound much more creative. Supposing all of them work properly when performed live it will depend on how much risk the Australian audience wants to take. Sheppard would be the safest choice, Kate the boldest and Electric Dreams a calculated risk (my pick so far). I also like Leea and Aydan a lot, but I suppose they’re dark horses here.
It’s got to be Sheppard! Catchy, uplifting and energetic. I knew they wouldn’t disappoint me I see some resemblances with “A New Tomorrow” by A Friend In London. I think if they represent Australia they could reprise Denmark success back in 2011. Now that all Australian songs are out, this is my top 10: 1. Sheppard – On My Way (8.5/10). In fact, my fav entry in this NF Season. 2. Electric Fields – 2000 and Whatever (7/10). I was expecting something like his previous songs (they were so good, I’m a fan now). This song is a bit disappointing,… Read more »
Electric fields all The way!
To be fair, up until this year, I’ve only really enjoyed Guy Sebastian’s “Tonight Again”, as it comes to Australia’s entries. And for some reason I was expecting their first national final to be full of overproduced pop songs… and man, was I mistaken. The songs in the selection are really good, I’m actually hyped for Australia this year.
Isn’t Tonight Again a radio-friendly pop song as well?
It is! But it was the first entry from Australia, so it was impossible to see any pattern yet back then :p Also, I just like the song much more than the following three entries.
Overall, Australia has a pretty strong NF. As said, the one UK should have had for years. These are dedicated artists who believe in their songs. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that all of these 10 entries were made to appeal to someone and to potentially win. None of them are here just to avoid being in bottom 10 or something of that low bar. My personal favorites are Aydan and Mark Vincent, but I also really like Electric Fields and Kate Miller-Heidke. Even Courtney Act’s song, which I don’t really like, has some production polish and… Read more »
Please let Sheppard go to Eurovision! The song is infectious! I love the energy it brings. They perform great live from what I’ve seen from them and I think this would be perfect for Eurovision!
The song is dull.
So I listened to Sheppard now and…yeah it is a good song. Just a little repetive I can feel…but other than that it is good. Not great…absolutely not bad…just good. It might grow on me in a Eurovision season, but I don’t think it will be among my top 5 or 10.
“2000 and Whatever” FTW!
Sheppard is kinda basic. Kate is who impressed me the most, I never enjoyed her music until this song!
Well done, Sheppard. Wonderful, uplifting song!
Alfie Arcuri is still my favorite.
Sheppards have a very nice song, and I would be happy if they won. But I don’t like how they try to change their style to “fit” ESC. I prefer musical honesty when it comes to ESC
How exactly is On My Way more ESC-friendly that the other songs of Sheppard? I’m genuinely interested, as I’m not too familiar with Sheppard yet.
Sounds exactly like previous Sheppard songs to me.
Zero gravity just has that somthing special in it, KMH should win.
Electric Fields are still my favourite
I’m enjoying Sheppard’s song but something is missing… but don’t take it from me i still think Courtney has the best song from the selection (yall are sleeping on it) ?
Damn people didn’t like this ahahahh
Sheppard is sadly enough not so good 🙁 i expected more from the snippet with the deep bass, however no bass in the song. Zero Gravity is the masterpiece Australia deserves! Good luck from Belgium 🙂
You read my mind!
The songs sound dated
i expected more from sheppard. i already heard like four songs that sound just like theirs in other selections this year. 2000 and whatever for the win!
Australia Decides is quite literally the national selection the UK wishes it had
I agree, broadly. But on my first listen to Sheppard, their song “I’m on my way” does similar things to what “Bigger than Us” is criticised for. How many times does the song title need repeating? We get it, you’re on your way. We get it, it’s bigger than us. And also, where are you on your way to? On your way from where? On your way for what? Because “love is on fire”? I expected more from Sheppard, based on their other songs, based on all the hype, and figuring that they waited last for a good reason. It’d… Read more »
There is room for all. There is room for cheesy lyrics and music (which does not mean it is not good) for pretentious lyrics and music, etc. … If you like it, listen to it. If you don’t…
How many times does the song title need repeating? As many as the 1968 Eurovision winner’s song and more if needed be! 🙂
Well, nobody said there isn’t room to a certain music but okay, Isa.
Of course, the ultimate song that only ever repeats the song title is this: https://youtu.be/wWhtcU4-xAM
I’ve listened to On My Way, and I love that it’s a catchy pop rock, but there’re some things that made me turned off. Perhaps the rhythm was too similar to Geronimo? I also found it a tad too full with hooks, which in turn can make it kind of repetitive. I might need to listen again a few more times, though. Tania’s got that Swedish influence going on, but I feel that it didn’t go overboard. A decent and nice track, though it’s not one of my favorites. Good luck to all that participates in AD:GC! Wish you the… Read more »
My top picks 1. 2000 and whatever 2. zero gravity 3. on my way If Electric Fields wins, I will be ecstatic! This one has all the potential to do very well if they can pull it off live. Zero Gravity is a great choice, too but I’m afraid many people will be put off by the structure of the song. And I don’t think the jury will appreciate pop opera that much based on what we’ve seen so far in Eurovision. On My Way is pretty good and it’s really radio-friendly. But it lacks the wow factor to attract… Read more »
I think Australia would still qualify with Courtney, but I agree that with how strong this selection is, they have the potential to do extremely well (and Courtney’s song isn’t really the best of the bunch)
Well. Sheppard’s song is not bad, but there’s nothing really interesting about it. But it’s like the best option Australia has at this point.
Every time someone in the comments claims a masterpiece is coming, we get a lukewarm middle-of-the-road track. Or middle-of-the-way in that case. And boy this way is worn out. “Zero Gravity” for the win.
Sheppard 100%.
Pure pop & true artists.
An absolute epic song!
Sheppards song is whack. Don’t get the hype. People say they dont want generic crap at esc but hype songs like this.
People like it because it’s a true anthem song, not a generic anthem wannabe song (cough cough we got love)
When did anthems become so boring?
Its only because they are famous, put another name instead of Sheppard and this would have no hype whatsoever
This kind of happened with Destination Eurovision, ain’t it?
In love with Sheppard’s song!!!! Ahhh I love ‘Zero Gravity’ and Alfie Arcuri’s ‘To Myself’ as well this national selection is a blood bath in itself
I was excited to hear Sheppard’s entry, but ‘On My Way’ is the kind of insipid inoffensive crap that we have sent for the last two years. No thanks.
‘Piece of Me’ isn’t really catching my attention based on the snippet either.
(That’s a little bit unfair to Jessica Mauboy on reflection. Still, we have some really strong songs in our national final, but ‘On My Way’ is definitely not one of them.)
You clearly have no idea what insipid, inoffensive or crap music sounds like . Come back when you have an educated opinion opposed to your subjective anti- facts!
You’re welcome to have a different opinion. For me, insipid sounds like this – overproduced, meaningless lyrics, uses one of about 5 basic progressions, entirely forgettable. Compare that to ‘Zero Gravity’ or ‘2000 and Whatever’ or ‘Data Dust’ – all far more complex, all with far more interesting messages, and yet still radio friendly.
English is English you can’t change the meaning of a word, and what you describe doesn’t make a song insipid. You’re just throwing words around by calling “On My Way” overproduced and meaningless, I mean you didn’t elaborate! The I-V-vi-IV chord progression alone doesn’t make a song basic and as long as the melody is original it doesn’t matter what formula they use. Also what is forgettable to you isn’t necessarily forgettable to another so that isn’t an objective argument.
I don’t think HBau claimed their comments to be facts or objective arguments…people can have different opinions ffs
If anyone states their opinions like facts I’m going to respond accordingly! I never said people can’t have different opinions, if HBau simply said “I don’t like this song” I wouldn’t have replied. By the way finding a song forgettable is subjective so if you’re using it in an arguement you are inadvertently claiming you’re comment is objective ffs.
We could get caught up in semantics, or we could focus on Sheppard’s so-…
…yeah maybe getting caught up in semantics is the better call after all.
Lol you two. Invite the rest of us when you get married 🙂
I think I’ll go and listen to their song then stay and give everyone free English lesson. That being said, I’m done here!
Insipid: Lacking flavour; weak, or tasteless.
P.S. Don’t ever encourage the dictionary or it will win every time. 🙂
I know Australia is very controversial since they are not European but they actually bring unique songs as well to Eurovison. They are doing a good job but televote hurts them a lot. Hopefully they can attract European voters with their choice this year. For me they are always welcomed.
I wouldn’t call We Got Love and Don’t Come Easy unique…
Amazing quality throughout. Think 7/10 of the songs would qualify for the final (based on the quality from last year).
Based on the juries pushing Australia through..
It’s not Australia’s fault the songs and stagings they bring to the competition are polished and jury friendly lmao They were only in the semifinals 3 times. One of those was Sound of Silence which obviously deserved to qualify, another was Don’t Come Easy which, Isaiah’s vocal flop aside, was super expensive and stylish so his qualification was obvious, and then that leaves us with Jessica Mauboy. She had so much fun on stage and looked like she just enjoyed the experience so I am super glad she went through. If I were on a jury, I would push Australia… Read more »
I wish people could say that about Sweden as well. That it’s not Sweden’s fault the songs and stagings are so polished and jury friendly 😀
Isaiah’s staging was jury-friendly? i-
Isaiah’s THAT NOTE was not televote friendly, so yeah, let’s go with that.
Maybe that’s true but maybe that’s what happens when a country with a proper music industry makes an internal selection and has months to work on its presentation?
There are songs here that make me think this could be the year that Australia’s televote goes up!