In 2006, he represented the UK in Athens rapping about a “Teenage Life”. Last year, he attempted a Belarusian comeback with “Kinky Boots”. Now Daz Sampson has opened up about his Eurovision experiences in the new documentary film How It Happened.
The film, directed by Daz’s old friend Louise Bannister Carstairs, was filmed in May 2019 while Daz was working on his forthcoming autobiography, titled How It All Happened. The filmmaker sits down with Daz in a French chateau and chats to film about his long career in the music industry, including his Eurovision experience.
Daz is clear — it’s been a bumpy but enjoyable ride. He explained, “The Eurovision Song Contest is something that I get a lot of stick for now, but I don’t care because I love it.”
After a successful music career with projects such was Uniting Nations, the BBC invited Daz to participate in the UK’s national final in 2006. He reveals that he had originally written “Teenage Life” for the UK boy band rap group Blazin’ Squad, but ended up performing it himself.
For a seasoned performer like Daz, doing Eurovision was the ultimate achievement. “This is the creme de la menthe – it’s not the Premier League, it’s the World Cup”
After winning the national final, Daz headed to Athens, big-upping himself as the super confident character “TV’s Daz Sampson”, determined to give the UK its next Eurovision victory. But, as he explained, “unfortunately, people don’t realise that that’s an act and they think ‘Who is that w*nkshaft?’”
But despite selling “Teenage Life” as a winner, Daz explained that deep down he knew it wasn’t going to win. His reality check happened when he entered the arena and saw Romania’s Mihai Trăistariu rehearsing “Tornerò”. Mihai’s high-energy dance-pop went on to give Romania a fourth-place finish, while Daz only managed 19th for the UK.
Daz still has happy memories of Eurovision, saying, “Apart from the result on the night, it was just fantastic.”
Daz Sampson puts on his Kinky Boots
Daz also touches on his Eurovision comeback attempt. Last year, he was selected for the Belarus live audition round with “Kinky Boots”.
He revealed that after the Belarusian broadcaster selected a demo of song, Daz had less than one week to arrange a lead singer, record the final version, produce a music video, come up with staging and fly to Belarus for the audition.
Despite getting all that done, “Kinky Boots” sadly did not make Belarus’ national final. The song did, however, predict the trend of the kinky boots that were seen on the Eurovision stage later that year in Tel Aviv.
How It Happened also focuses on other aspects of Daz’s fruitful career and touches on some personal dramas. But if there’s one thing clear from it, it’s that Daz’s story isn’t over yet.
Daz Sampson – How It Happened documentary
What do you think? Should Daz Sampson represent the UK again at Eurovision? Or should he try his luck with another country? Tell us your thoughts below!
I don’t think I’m overwhelmed, and I don’t think I’m underwhelmed. I’m just the right amount of whelmed.
At half time in the voting Daz was actually in 10th place. Lots of countries had given him 1 2 or 3 points. Then it dried up.
I like that, unlike most of the other British entrants who behave as if there is a Eurovision sarcasm competition they’re trying to win, he actually appreciates Eurovision and the opportunity he was given. That’s nice.
One of my all-time Eurovision favourites. Go Daz!
I loved Blazin’ Squad as well!
I love sarcasm. Blazing Squad ha ha ha.
I’ve always hated his entry, I was 16 at the time and the song did not speak to me one bit. It made my skin crawl and the awful lyrics/rhymes are cringworthy. I remember Jonathan Ross raving about it, despite implying that he looked like a nonce. And personally I found his overconfidence (and general personality) repulsive. I was so ashamed that represented us, that it was ‘chavvy’ * and an international audience wouldn’t get it (or understand the obscure colloquialisms). Helena Paparizou just looked utterly bemused when he won MYMU. I realize that I’m being very harsh and it… Read more »
Good grief. He wasn’t relevant way back in the day. He’s even less relevant today. He’s writing an autobiography. WHY. Who the hell is going to read it. This is scraping the barrel.