“The Voice of Holland star Duncan Laurence carries with him great expectations to Eurovision 2019.  The little-known 24-year-old from The Netherlands is the clear favourite of this year’s contest, having bypassed established artists including Sergey Lazarev, Luca Hänni and Tamta with the bookies. This is thanks to his beautiful, enchanting voice, and the spectacular song that is Arcade.

Duncan wrote the song himself with help from songwriters Joel Sjöö and Wouter Hardy. Despite the group effort,  “Arcade” remains deeply personal. It’s about searching for the love of your life — a hope that Duncan says is sometimes “unattainable”.

“When I was studying at the Rockacademie I learned that you can appeal to a large audience without losing your own story in the process,” he said of the songwriting process. “I searched for touching stories that move people, from my own life or someone else’s. I got my inspiration from the story of a loved one who died at a young age. I decided to call the song ‘Arcade’ — the words and chords came by themselves, which is why, despite the alternations in the song, it still sounds so organic.”

What are the “Arcade” lyrics about?

The song uses the metaphor of an arcade to define love, which he refers to as a “losing game”. He compares addiction to video games as being similar to an addiction to love (“I spent all of the love I’ve saved, we were always a losing game, small town boy in a big arcade, I got addicted to a losing game”).

The first verse describes the feelings of hopelessness that come from a lost love – “a broken heart is all that’s left, I’m still fixing all the cracks, lost a couple of pieces when I carried it, carried it, carried it home”. As the song progresses, however, Duncan portrays himself as the author of his own heartache — “I saw the end fore it begun, still I carried, I carried, I carry on” — and resolves to move on. As he sings: “I don’t need your games, game over, get me off this roller coaster”.

The lyrics are incredibly powerful, and all the more so with Duncan’s commanding, earnest voice. It’s easy to see why this is so hotly tipped. Songs born of personal experience are often the most universal of all.

Duncan Laurence – “Arcade” lyrics

A broken heart is all that’s left
I’m still fixing all the cracks
Lost a couple of pieces when
I carried it, carried it, carried it home
I’m afraid of all I am
My mind feels like a foreign land
Silence ringing inside my head
Please, carry me, carry me, carry me home

I spent all of the love I’ve saved
We were always a losing game
Small town boy in a big arcade
I got addicted to a losing game

Oh, oh
All I know, all I know
Loving you is a losing game

How many pennies in the slot?
Giving us up didn’t take a lot
I saw the end ‘fore it begun
Still I carried, I carried, I carry on

Oh, oh
All I know, all I know
Loving you is a losing game

Oh, oh
All I know, all I know
Loving you is a losing game

I don’t need your games, game over
Get me off this rollercoaster

Oh, oh
All I know, all I know
Loving you is a losing game

Oh, oh
All I know, all I know
Loving you is a losing game

 

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Beathyra
Beathyra
4 years ago

Man, listening to the lyrics makes me cry so much.

Kobi
Kobi
5 years ago

I’m surprised he didn’t say it’s an Amy winehouse reference

ESCfan
ESCfan
5 years ago

I think it well be massive flop…

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  ESCfan

Just like Russia…

yeet
yeet
4 years ago
Reply to  ESCfan

and it won hahah

Anne
Anne
5 years ago

Holland will not win eurovision with this song. That’s almost for sure.

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  Anne

Hahahahaha, i wanna see your face on may 19 at about 00:15 hr…..

Trollope
Trollope
5 years ago
Reply to  Anne

Interesting opinion… Let’s discuss this in Amsterdam 2020

Anne
Anne
5 years ago

Boring and common song. If this win, it is a loss to Eurovision.

Tonton Fée
Tonton Fée
5 years ago

T H E B E S T !

Trollope
Trollope
5 years ago

I get the comments about the Dutch entry getting more attention than others, but to be fair, for the past several years the NL entries got relatively little attention from Wiwi (on a side note, this is still a blog so I don’t think anyone should expect objective reporting). That being said, Duncan is leading all the odds, of course they’ll report on it… Additionally, this article is clearly part of a series of entries on the lyrics from this year’s songs, so it’s kind of weird to call this out here.

Nicolas
Nicolas
5 years ago
Reply to  Trollope

That’s why yesterday article almost redundant was unnecessary.

Nicky91
Nicky91
5 years ago
Reply to  Trollope

Netherlands bribing bookmakers, wiwibloggs to give them more attention and make them a favourite this year

honestly we dutch have got awesome artists who could be fab for us at eurovision

Sharon Den Adel (within temptation) Kensington, Caro Emerald, also many fun dutch folk groups (which could give us a fun act what normally Moldova would send for example)

give us our national final back pls

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

Folks when we get the running order for semis?

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  Kris

it’s already up on the official ESC website.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago

If you’re looking for raw emotive music, then this song is for you. But if you are looking for more originality of art, you may prefer to look in Portugal’s direction. The reason I like “Arcade” so much is the combination of a lot of meaning in my life in the lyrics with some of my personal favourite musical clash chords. Also, the whole song is an unresolved harmonic progression. Serious musical points.

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Perfectly said 🙂
I want Duncan to win with this musical gem for all these reasons and more

Anne
Anne
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Portugal will be stronger in the final. Portugal maybe will win this year again, it is different of everything else… Songs like dutch song is common and normal in all radios everywhere.

Melody
Melody
5 years ago
Reply to  Anne

If Portugal wins again, I will quit watching forever.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

Simple, but heartfelt, touching and relatable lyrics. The songwriting reminds me of Coldplay’s early works (and for a slight moment in the beginning I really can picture Chris Martin behind it). There’s a raw sincerity on it that usually only artists that are starting their journey can achieve, because after a while I guess it’s natural that you keep noticing what worked before and what your fans enjoy.

Rainer1
Rainer1
5 years ago

Thats’not fair. Wiwiblogs only advertises for the netherlands and russia. Maybe they pay the most?
Now, i hope the netherlands will be the fff (fan favorite fail)

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  Rainer1

What an incredible stupid comment…

Nicky91
Nicky91
5 years ago
Reply to  Rainer1

Amen mate

Esc fan
Esc fan
5 years ago

So much promotion from wiwiblogs for Netherlands

Sly
Sly
5 years ago
Reply to  Esc fan

Agree!

All Wei
All Wei
5 years ago
Reply to  Esc fan

It sure must be as they like it?? As last years dutch entry of Waylon, was almost burned down to the ground, when he used the coloured ‘crumping’dancers on the stage!! Just saying, as NLD’s were hardly mentioned afterwards by Wiwi!!

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

I cant help but fell in love with Duncan and his song, he would be such an incredible winner, his lovely personality and humble attuide makes him the king of hearts

kimi kiwi
kimi kiwi
5 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Oh, please……..this is too saccharine.

Nikki
Nikki
5 years ago

Being my team just banged off Champions League, I feel him. Loving Atleti is sometimes a losing game.

(Funny thing tho. I got a friend who’s really feeling Not with me after her dog got run over by a car. You never know what a song can take you I suppose)

kimi kiwi
kimi kiwi
5 years ago
Reply to  Nikki

Are you a… w h o r e? Of course is a losing game. what do you expect : an engagement ring?

kimi kiwi
kimi kiwi
5 years ago
Reply to  Nikki

Why dislike, girl, you need to respect yourself as a girl/woman, don’t jump in bed with athletes and complaine.
Is Western Europe so out of touch with reality?

stommie
stommie
5 years ago
Reply to  kimi kiwi

You call someone a word starting with a W and then you wonder why you get dislikes. You should wonder why you only got -8.

Nikki
Nikki
5 years ago
Reply to  kimi kiwi

Guy, Atleti is Atletico de Madrid, the football team I support. And for your interest, got my ring, and my husband is more of a men than you.

Susane
Susane
5 years ago

Its amazing, my winner this year 🙂

Henry
Henry
5 years ago

I agree with you, Wiwibloggs is promoting the Netherlands a bit too much, there are also other countries wich deserve more attention.

Nicolas
Nicolas
5 years ago
Reply to  Henry

Never saw any article about Georgia and Oto

frysk
frysk
5 years ago
Reply to  Henry

Could it be that it is given so much attention because it is a good song??? For years nobody paid attention to the Netherlands, so it is really not because of the Netherlands alwys being promoted. This year NL is one of the best. Learn to live with it. Next year it might be your country who is favorite.

Sly
Sly
5 years ago
Reply to  Henry

+1

AMonsterLikeMe
AMonsterLikeMe
5 years ago

This is the only adequate winner this year. If Arcade loses against generic and uninspired Russia or Sweden it will bury the last hope that Eurovision has something to do with music.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  AMonsterLikeMe

Even though I like both Russia and Sweden (and ESC could have much, much lower standards winner when it comes to this), I agree that it’s The Netherlands (or Island) who should be victorious.

ESCfan
ESCfan
5 years ago
Reply to  AMonsterLikeMe

I strongly disagree. This song and his voice are quite weak. I see much stronger contentants like Italy, Russia or Iceland (yes, i like Hatari) and i think it will be strong and unpredictable competition.

Nicolas
Nicolas
5 years ago
Reply to  AMonsterLikeMe

Problem, this is also a generic song.

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Nicolas, you give this “GENERIC” song a lot of attention, i see you commenting so much at EVERY article about Duncan.. Are you sure you don’t like it…????

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

Russia performs just before NL in the second semifinal. So that the voters and the juries will be too blown away and still trying to process what they’ve just seen to properly focus on the Dutch.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Where do you get that info from? Running order hasn’t been decided yet. And even if it turns out to be so, Arcade is strong on it’s own to leave and impression and qualify.

ESCfan
ESCfan
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I think Sergey will be closer to the end of the 2nd semifinal. Duncan will be somewhere in the middle.

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  ESCfan

Nope, no such luck for Duncan the Loser I’m afraid. Why don’t you stick to the real facts for a change.

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  ESCfan

Well you might think so but that doesn’t make it real.

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

It’s on the official ESC website. omg how ignorant someone must be. Go ahead, embarrass yourself a little more. Just shows the true colors of the NL fanbase. A true basket of deplorables lol

stommie
stommie
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

There is literally zero chance that Christer Björkman will let the numbers one and two of the betting odds perform right after each other.

Mark Max
Mark Max
5 years ago
Reply to  stommie

No indeed. And I think Russia will be somewhere in the middle. Spot 12. And Netherlands at 16.

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago

There’s a glaring grammatical error in these official lyrics… also, what’s up with the number of articles on Duncan? You’re just tempting the haters at this point.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

They are having articles with lyrics of every song, about three per day.

esc stan
esc stan
5 years ago

Cool it down on NL blogs please

Lol
Lol
5 years ago

Boooohhhoo. Get over it already dammit. We are not here to watch you cry. We are here for some Swiss dirty dancing, some Icelandic leatherboys and some Russian screaming!

khanova
khanova
5 years ago
Reply to  Lol

I bet that you are the only one waiting for swiss dirty dancing.. lame

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  khanova

It looks like 29 thousand Youtube viewers also agree with the dirty dancing lol

INAMOO
INAMOO
5 years ago
Reply to  Lol

Lol where did he cry?

Niya
Niya
5 years ago

I don’t really see this song as the masterpiece people make it out to be. It’s a great song and I’m hoping for a top position (even a win would be nice), but it’s just not as overwhelmingly amazing as everyone says it is. It doesn’t stand out to me. This song alone wouldn’t win if it only had great lyrics. Viewers of ESC don’t vote for songs with great impactive lyrics, they vote for songs that have an overall impactful message. That’s why we’ve got winners like Conchita and Jamala. A lot of winners in ESC don’t even have… Read more »

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago
Reply to  Niya

You’re kind of contradicting yourself here…

Niya
Niya
5 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

@dutchie No not really. I want it to win because it’s a great song, it’s just not a masterpiece. It’s more that I find other songs underwhelming rather than this being overwhelming which is why I’m ok with this song coming out on top even though I’m not particularly enthusiastic over it. Other years I wouldn’t want this to win but this year I wouldn’t mind it winning. And he doesn’t have a powerful message, he just has ok lyrics that people make out to be more than what they actually are. It’s just another love song really.

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago
Reply to  Niya

First you say that viewers vote for a song with a strong message, and then you mention two winners without a message. That’s what I mean.

Niya
Niya
5 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

Lolz what I meant was that ESC viewers will vote for songs that have an impactful message rather than lyrics so e.g if someone enters the competition with a mediocre song yet have a strong image with a sentimental background or message (preferably mentioned by the commentators during the contest) they will get more votes than having only impactful lyrics. But then ESC viewers will also vote for songs that are.. well.. just plain crazy and entertaining where sentiments have no real value (Dancing lasha tumbai, Party for everybody, Hard rock hallelujah). So the best bet if a country wants… Read more »

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago
Reply to  Niya

I kinda agree
I didn’t get winner vibes from it like I got from 1944, Beautiful Mess or Toy but I do see it as a possible winner of this year’s contest and I do think Duncan deserves it (and the song as well)
I don’t quite feel it like others but I wouldn’t mind Arcade winning 🙂

Rimig
Rimig
5 years ago
Reply to  Niya

Of course, it also depends on how it relates to you personally. And then there is the question of personal taste. Still, I believe that Arcade is not only a very nice song to listen to, but also that it has a very clever idea behind it (though I will keep that hypothesis to myself). In my modest but honest opinion, a lot of winners from other years were much weaker than this song (like Only Teardrops, Rise like a Phoenix and, of course, Running Scared). But it is totally OK that not everyone has the same taste. The ESC… Read more »

Otto
Otto
5 years ago

It can not be your taste, personally not a fan of ballads, but this song will touch many souls. It’s not an overproduced song written specifically for Eurovision. It’s genuine and he delivers it in a great way. I’m happy the Netherlands picks real artists who are bringing their own work.

Litla hata brandari
Litla hata brandari
5 years ago

Boring and repetitive. Just like the song itself.

Serge
Serge
5 years ago

+1

100% agreed.

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  Serge

well well Serge, again commenting at an Duncan / Netherlands article while you hate it so much… That’s a bit strange don’t you think? I call this pure ENVY…

Rimig
Rimig
5 years ago

There are some boring and repetitive people who write desperate, boring and repetitive comments trying to bring a wonderful song down in a nasty way instead of argueing why they don’t like a particular song in a respectful and constructive way. Clearly, these people do not enjoy music. All they care for is their country winning ESC so they can believe that they are better than others. Surely these people live boring and repetitive lifes.