He’s the Irish singer-songwriter who brought Ireland back to the Eurovision grand final after five years in 2018. And after some time out of the spotlight, Ryan O’Shaughnessy is now back with his first official solo single in two years, titled “Lucky One”.

This new song  was co-written by O’Shaughnessy and American artist Hustle Standard. The two singers were able to get together in Los Angeles just before the California “Stay At Home” order was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, the production of the song hasn’t been delayed too much and the track is now out in the world for us to listen to.

Ryan O’Shaughnessy reflects on his life in “Lucky One”

“Lucky One” is a mid-tempo indie track that builds throughout its three minutes. O’Shaughnessy starts the track only accompanied by a piano, but extra percussion instrumentation is added in at points to give the song extra lift and drive.

In the lyrics of the song, the Eurovision alum contemplates his experiences over the past year and how he’s lucky to be able to live his life and look at the world in the way he wants to. Last year, Ryan spent six months travelling across South America. In a press release, the Irish singer noted that he learnt a lot during his time out there and has drawn upon this for the song:

“This song reflects on my time spent travelling in South America last year, learning more about people and therefore more about myself. The importance of acknowledging each experience that life puts in front of you and remembering to be grateful for the good and accepting of the bad.”

Ryan O’Shaughnessy – “Lucky One”

The accompanying music video is comprised of footage from O’Shaughnessy’s recent trip to South
America. It records his experience through photos and videos. The “Together” singer notes that he appreciates this period of his life even more since the start of the current coronavirus lockdown:

“I’m excited to share my thoughts and experiences via the music and video. Looking back at my time in South America I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to travel and meet so many wonderful people along the way, this hits home even more so now during these unprecedented times.”

The release of “Lucky One” follows on from Ryan’s appearance in the first ever Eurovision Home Concert earlier this year. The singer performed his Eurovision 2018 entry “Together” and covered Daði og Gagnamagnið’s “Think About Things”, Iceland’s selected song for 2020.

After two years out of the spotlight, it’s good to see O’Shaughnessy back in the studio and releasing new music. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another two years for the next single.

Lyrics: Ryan O’Shaughnessy – “Lucky One”

It’s like a shake me moment
How did it come to this
No physical connection
Is there something that we’ve missed

The mind is a mystery
And I’m no scientist
If monarch butterflies migrate
And water turns to mist

Maybe I’m the crazy one
For looking at the world the way I see it
Or maybe I’m the foolish one
Or maybe I’m just brave and didn’t know it
Cos when I find it gets too tough
I find my way back up
Maybe I’m the lucky one
Maybe I’m the lucky one

Did you ever have a dream you’re flying
Do dreams even have time
Or ever think that
Maybe we keep dreaming when we die

What if there’s a simple reason
For us to be alive
And Jimi came to show us all
That we can kiss the sky

Maybe I’m the crazy one
For looking at the world the way I see it
Or maybe I’m a foolish one
Or maybe I’m just brave and didn’t know it
Cos when I find it gets too tough
I find my way back up
Maybe I’m the lucky one
Maybe I’m the lucky one

I feel like this world keeps on changing
And we keep changing with it too
Nothings really black or white when you’re looking from the outside
And we’re just passing on through

Yeah I’m the crazy one
For looking at the world the way I see it
Yeah I’m the foolish one
Yeah I’m just brave and now know it
Cos when I find it gets too tough
I always find my way back up
Maybe I’m the lucky one
Guess that I’m the lucky one

Yeah I’m the crazy one
For looking at the world the way I see it
Yeah I’m the foolish one
Yeah I’m just brave and now know it
Cos when I find it gets too tough
I always find my way back up
Maybe I’m the lucky one
Guess that I’m the lucky one

What do you make of “Lucky One”? Are you glad to see Ryan O’Shaughnessy back releasing new music? Sound off in the comments below!

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Young_At_Heart_In_Austin
Young_At_Heart_In_Austin
3 years ago

I’ve like everything a Ryan did at Eurovision 2018 and ever since. He needs all the listener love from fans cuz he puts out great music.

Jofty
Jofty
3 years ago

Una – I still don’t understand to this day how Together qualified. At best it was awkward and embarrassing. BTW you and Denis are two of my Lockdown best friends 🙂

Denis
Denis
3 years ago

He looks so different from 2018, When I saw him at Eurovision Home Concerts I didn’t believe it was him.

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

So first of all I would like to comment that u made a mistake on the previous article – u stated that Eastern Europe has less history of black face, which isn’t true, Eastern Europe HAS NO history of it, so I still don’t get it why do people put Americans in the same basket as Eastern Europeans, but their culture is completely different. So I don’t think doing black face as a tribute is offensive, that is my opinion, you can disagree with me, but do not call me racist since that’s not an argument. I mean if a… Read more »

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

The format of “Your Face Sounds Familiar” is just a messy format to begin with. It would have been better had those countries adapted “I Can See Your Voice” instead.

Treatment
Treatment
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Thank god this white person with a limited understanding of the issues is here to pull a proclaimation out of nowhere and really solve everything.

The eyeroll heard around the world.

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago
Reply to  Treatment

I do understand that it’s an issue, but should only be and it is for all normal people in America/Canada. Why has Eastern Europe to do with it? I’m not saying that black face isn’t offensive, but it is stupid to expect that all people and cultures, which have nothing do to do with it, should be aware of it, people in Eastern Europe have enough of other problems to deal with than having a black face on a show, which is paying a tribute to black singers with no racist context – that’s my point. I do understand the… Read more »

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

It’s a global format. Versions of the show have been made not just in Croatia but also Poland and the Philippines.

stommie
stommie
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

I think comments were disabled for that article.

yodenman
yodenman
3 years ago

Well it’s good to know that we can comment o on this post. What is the point of posting something that no one can come back on. Would you do the same if the Weekend sung as Edd Shearen. Double standards I think. Anyway I liked the headline of this post. I didn’t know he could time travel.