It scored its lowest ever result in 2019. However, Ireland is back fighting for Eurovision 2020 with Lesley Roy and “Story Of My Life”.
The song dropped early on Thursday morning, and social media was soon awash with opinions — good, bad and indifferent. But what about the mainstream press?
While rarely as damning as their British counterparts, the Irish media has typically fallen out of love with Eurovision in recent times. However, they all appear to have become giddy on Lesley’s pop. The reviews range from positively optimistic to absolutely glowing. At the time of writing, we struggled to find any negative write-ups.
Here are a selection.
Lesley Roy “Story Of My Life” — Media reactions
The Irish Times
“Story of my Life… has been billed as a potential game-changer. For once, however, some of the puff may be justified… It’s certainly different from the forgettable melodic pop that has long been Ireland’s Eurovision stock-in-trade. A crunchy synth riff propels the song before a frenetic beat and Roy’s breathily euphoric vocals kick in. It’s followed by an instantly infectious chorus which, on first listen at least, has serious earworm potential. Combined with a positive lyric that celebrates staying true to your personality in the face of hostility, it’s upbeat and affirmative, while staying on the right side of unthreatening.”
The Irish Independent
“Could this be the year we finally return to form at Eurovision? RTE has delivered on its promise of a ‘banger’ with Lesley Roy’s upbeat ‘Story of My Life’, a pounding pop track channelling early Katy Perry with, perhaps, a playful dash of B*Witched. It’s exactly what we demanded after several years of lacklustre balladry which failed to make an impact.”
Nialler9
“It’s about time. Ireland has dispensed with the acoustic troubadours and novelty muppets and puppets and made a Eurovision pop banger for the 21st century. Lesley Roy’s ‘Story Of My Life’ is a big brash pop song with strains of Katy Perry and Carly Rae Jepsen and it’s one that passes the first test – that it isn’t so cringe that it makes you feel embarrassed to be Irish – a low bar but one that Dustin The Turkey didn’t pass. ‘Story Of My Life’ is a perfect Eurovision entry with a catchy chorus and a well-needed na-na-na bit to boot.”
Entertainment.ie
“The song itself is a zippy electropop tune with a big Katy Perry vibe, and it sounds tailor-made for Eurovision success, if you ask us. COULD THIS BE OUR YEAR??!!! Alright, we might have to beat Iceland, but it’s within our grasp, surely”.
Do you agree with the media? Is Ireland on to something big? Let us know in the comments below.
The Late Late Show is traditionally a hard stage to perform on due to sound, space etc however I like what Lesley did live and can see a big difference from the video. The video was out and out pop however this performance had more rock influences so shows the flexibility in the song. I have faith in the creative team based on previous things that they have done. The Late Late performance elevated the song for me in terms of seeing its potential on a stage.
Superb catchy upbeat song! I’m putting my money on this to win! Never felt so confident for Ireland’s chances!!??
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xBL73Dsv3TY#menu
The live performance on The Late Late show was a disaster. She fluffed some of the high notes and went completely off key at the end. The song has no peakd and troughs so it just becomes a slog to keep listening. A definite non qualifier.
Can’t see this working in May, sorry.
WiWiblogg comments are becoming more and more agenda driven and biased rather than genuine comments about music. Sadly this means that we don’t get a realistic feeling of fan reaction.
Did they trust in “Together” that much? Because it was far better and I find it hard to say that it’s Leslie who will carry the Irish return in form.
It’s dated and unmemorable.
i think last place might happen again.
geuahguaheg this feels so nostalgic to me bahaha
i love it sm, it prolly won’t qualify but uarh i just love it beyond belief. its so fun. it just is such a feel good song.
Seeing the irish be so confident is just painful…wonder how they will feel when they miss the final. 🙁
Well, maybe they do qualify in the semifinal of death, just like in 2018, Who knows ?
hope bloc vote kills their chance of making the final, just for lolz
i am predicting last place in semi for ireland
Nicky91
Sap
this song irritates me. take out that nanananana thing and make the instrumentation more dynamic(now everything in this song is screaming for attention at the same time, it’s ugly, just too much) and it might be a bit better.
As someone who grew up on Disney and Nickelodeon, this song is a guilty pleasure. It definitely sounds like a Kelly Clarkson pop song.
Katy Perry meets One Diection with a bit of Horrid Henrys na..na..na..na.
Its by the numbers pop which has a Max Martin feel to it. I think theres a whole lot of autotune here so lets hope she can deliver this live.
Not a favourite of mine, but good luck anyway.
Brilliant absolutely brilliant this will be a hit in every dance club in Europe –
Ireland’s HoD:
“A lot of those songs are very similar. A lot of them have a big ballad-y kind of song. Ours is different — ours will stand out for being different. There are also a lot of male vocals going on there. We don’t [have that]. We have a female vocal. That will differentiate us as well.”
Unfortunately, that isn’t about this year. It’s what they said last year. Seems like Ireland haven’t really changed anything. They still seem to think that just by doing something different (as opposed to…you know…good) is enough.
I like it a lot but it won’t win lol
Why do Irish people (not all) overhype themselves?
This song is by no means bad, it’s just been sent 10 years too late. Lesley Roy’s prime time was back in 2008, so she’s had some time away! Plus performing in the stronger semi-final with no support from the UK. Ireland’s chances of qualifying look slim I’m afraid…
One of the worst irish entries ever – sounds like a kindergarden…
I listened to it three times this morning and half an hour later I completely forgot how it went- there is no melody or hook. Such a generic song it will be easily forgotten.
Is this KaYRa from Lithuania ??
The voice and the message Nd lyrics remind me of her song
Like both the songs
I honestly don’t think this qualify but this is certainly a step in the right direction for Ireland. It’s even better if it can garner support from the Irish public.
I guess that either you like it a lot or you don’t like it at all. I’m sad to say I’m the latter.
These opinions are delusional if you ask me ..the song is awful.
Actually the third-last in my ranking…
Belarus ‘ “Story of my life” is better. But this is pretty good.
I am certain this will qualify for the final. Just wait and see
I get real proud when countries struggle some years and then come back and are wow. Georgia,Switzerland i am proud of this year. They will be in the final. I wish i could be proud of Ireland to like with them…….
well, this won’t get last place in the semi-final, that’s for sure. I definitely like it better than “22” but with Ireland in the (hypothetical) tough semi-final, is it enough for Ireland qualify? It did survive the 2018 semi of death, so history could repeat, but it also might now go through (possibly a borderline depending on the crop). It’s hard to make predictions when not all of the songs are out yet, but once all 41 songs are selected/released, then we start making qualifying predictions.
People were always gonna berate this because they hyped it so much, but I think it’s really good and certainly gonna stand out against the others. Good work Ireland.
I’d suggest this is a virtual certainty to open the first semi….
Lithuania though
Russia, Belarus, Australia and N. Macedonia might be contenders for the first spot as well. Slovenia is the only country I’m pretty sure is not gonna open the semi.
If Bulletproof wins melfest, I wouldn’t rule it out of opening.
In terms of closing, though, I could either see them wanting to end on a big bop (Israel), a sweeping ballad (Norway), or maybe even one of the more understated songs (Belgium or Romania, which would be good news for either of them).
Second semi, I could see either Austria or Serbia being good potential openers. Latvia seem almost destined to close unless Portugal picks “Passe-partout,” which would also be a cute way to close it out (and is, in fact, closing the FdC final).
On the other hand, I don’t think any song screams “song #2” this year quite like “What Love Is.”
Or “voda” in semi final 1. I’m not really ready to write off Estonia yet.
It’s written off , they selected what love is ! They’re done in
No way Australia opens the semi.
As one of their cynical and whining British neighbours, it’s lovely to see a country behind the entry, but I do find some of the praise a little bit dated. Even if it stands out in it’s semi and qualifies this is really gonna struggle in the final especially with some unique up-tempo acts this year, and I’m really not convinced they can pull of effective staging for this… we’ll see.
I wouldn’t be sure that this won’t qualify. In a semi full of ballads, a nice song like this one could receive good points from public. I don’t think it will be in my top 10 of SF 1 but I enjoy the song 🙂
It’s a great song. I believe they will Q instead of one of the fanwanks(We all know who they are)
I don’t share the entusiasm of the Irish media. On the contrary, I’m very disappointed with the Irish entry.
I am really happy about this song! If they qualify, right hand side of the scoreboard probably! Please don’t rob Ireland again…
glad they’re proud of it in ireland! now release it on spotify
And they add also:
”La crisalide si risveglia?” ……So, it’s Valentina? ?
The announcement San Marino’s artist and song will take place TOMORROW at 12:00 CET
What happened to this evening?
Even San Marino fooled us
They canceled today’s announcement for tomorrow….I don’t know why they try so much! They create so much hype!
At least they promise that’s the definitive date….
They’re doing this specifically to spite me, I swear to god
I know that you have a very close, special relationship with San Marino.
This video is a gift for you:
https://youtu.be/QxX74hjIYEY
My favourite Wiwibloggs video ever. It feels so pure and sincere, it’s a beautiful little moment that was captured for all of us to see, peaceful summer day and two joyful people talking about stuff.
Just realized that her house could be indeed suitable for the contest. The green room could be her balcony. I mean you’ll never find a Green room with such a beautiful view
I love that video. Any complaint I’ve had about Deban in the past is eradicated in that video. Valentina is eternally Eurovision’s Miss Congeniality. It shows a totally different part of San Marino than just the historical center. And holy crap, she really DID paint the flag for the postcard!
They create hype without even trying! Take notes, France!
Senhit & Valentina Monetta feat. Serhat: ”Twitter Song aka Say La La Ley”. That would be EPIC! 🙂
My inside source seemed to indicate that we should Stand By to hear who their contestant is (wink wink, nudge nudge), but now there are at least a couple of hints on Instagram that would indicate a return for Valentina (something about “crisalide,” that seems pretty blatant, plus they said “last but not the least,” and her return appearance was indeed at the bottom of the semi-final. On the other hand, it could mean Miodio, which would be amazing since they were robbed blind back in 2008).
It might be Mehai lol
What NO
oh look the ireland basher experts are here in force again and again and again and again and again.,., heres news for you guys corona virus and the song contest will be on TV only – enjoy
This is going to be a Serbia 2015 on stage. Mark my words
And that qualified and finished top ten!
it is very dated too early katy paryish and last year their song was better
Agree!
Justified? This is so 2009 it hurts. Honestly one of Ireland’s weakest entries.
Try again next decade.
In a year of slow male song ballads splitting votes.
And slow female ballads also splitting votes.
We have Ireland as the only entry in a pop/rock, retro 2010 Katy Perry when her music was actually popular coming to play with a strong, anthemic chorus.
Like others say, the live performance during eurovision rehearsals will either sink this ship, as its a song heavily dependent on vocals, or display why it should not be slept on. But will Ireland win, no. But do they deserve to qualify. For the sake of variety YES!
I think this is the most uninspired song so far this year. Nothing special at all like Austria . Both have to have a staging that is wow to qualify.
You only have positive comments about sweden.
Im not bias like you. I judge Fair. And this is Irelands page.
I’ve seen you’re other comments. You have nothing good to say outside of melfest. Talk about bias.
then you dont know me at all. I have many favourites. Its the people here that are obsessed with complaining on only one Country in all articles: SWEDEN. not me
The most realistic comment:
This won’t qualify 100%
I agree with you! Totally NQ!
agreed
I am so pleased for Ireland – this is great!
“…Lesley Roy’s ‘Story Of My Life’ is a big brash pop song with strains of Katy Perry and Carly Rae Jepsen…”
Oh no, keep Carly out of this.
Maybe Call Me Maybe Carly Rae Jepsen? But *definitely* not Dedicated or Emotion Carly.
Emotion Carly is dance-pop perfection most Eurovision contestants will spend their careers trying and failing to reach.
I really love it and many people will be thankful for the warm “Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, 2010s etc etc”-vibes. And in a year full of ballads, as I’ve already written lol, it can be a serious contender if it’s executed well on stage and gives the audience that cosy Katy Perry feeling 🙂
Ballads and Uptempo are pretty even this year. Check your facts!
Lol, okay, facts checking: It’s depends on the definition, but I think we have the “slow corner” (Norway, Romania, Poland, Montenegro, Spain, The Netherlands, Albania, Switzerland, France, Slovenia, Croatia) and the “non-mainstream corner” (Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, probably Russia). They both will equalize many votes, so we finally have a chance of a “bop-ish pop song” to stand out and do hopefully a 2015. And there we only have Germany and Ireland so far. (Australia is out for the staging and Austria might be not strong enough, I am speaking of real bops). Would be a good winner for the acceptance… Read more »
Don’t be ignorant. There’s a difference between down tempo and a ballad.
Nobody wants “Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, 2010s etc etc” Not even Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne would sing this today.
Im glad that Irish media don`t trash their singer in the media ,like UK does every year with theirs.
It’s a nice song, definitely one of our better attempts but it remains to be seen if it’s enough to carry us through to the final. The staging will be key, thankfully we have ThisIsPopBaby on hand. They are professional at what they do so I’m hopeful. One thing that does let them down is the fact that it’s not on streaming services such as Spotify. Ireland is always last to upload their song to these services and in this day and age, a place like Spotify, apple music etc is where it needs to be done. Get the fans… Read more »
I think its supposed to go up tomorrow on Spotify.
Hopefully, because usually it isn’t uploaded until closer to May.
They need to try and make it chart now
Your comments are offensive. Nobody is going to be excluded. Gay-friendly and family-friendly are not mutually exclusive. Why are so many people on here so terrified of “gay” content? That’s a rhetorical question. I’m sick of it.
Its very rare that the media actually like our entry for once