The Netherlands’ Eurovision 2021 entrant Jeangu Macrooy guest starred in NPO Radio 1’s Miss Podcast. There, he talked about his career, music and life. Of course, talk of his upcoming Eurovision song was also included.
Back in March, Jeangu had us all warming up to “Grow”, a moody ballad that mixed dark soul and gospel. It was an autobiographical song about Jeangu’s growth as a person.
However, just a few weeks after the release of the song, Eurovision 2020 was cancelled. In the podcast, the Dutch Eurovision entrant revealed that it felt like his Eurovision experience happened much longer ago than it actually did. He said:
“So many things happened since and so quickly as well. The world changed so quickly. From one I still have really nice memories of the start of the year, when everything was still okay, so I can remember that with a smile of some sort.”
“It is really a pity because the preparations were actually going really well. In the team around me, there were no problems. Everybody liked each other, I think. The rehearsals were really pleasant and really productive at the same time. That’s something that you do not always encounter when you are brought together. I was really looking forward to May and what were going to do on stage.”
“I still haven’t written my best song yet”
Since the cancellation of the contest, he has continued to make music. On the question whether he would make an even better song than “Grow”, he told host Mischa Blok:
“I believe I still haven’t written my best song yet. But I am also searching in different corners of my sound to make my next thing. It is sometimes also like comparing apples and oranges.”
With regards to writing his Eurovision 2021 entry, he acknowledges that he is in the midst of the process and has not chosen a song yet. He explained:
“I would like to make as many new things as possible. That is how [producer] Perquisite and I always actually work when we work on a project that we are going to make. (…) I first said: I am not going to write with Eurovision in mind, that’s not how I work when it’s about inspiration. But when I’ve made something, like recently in the studio, we talked about it for a little while. Is this the candidate for Eurovision? I wasn’t completely convinced, so I then know as well, this is not yet it.”
“Sometimes, you feel from everything that this is going to be something more special than other things you wrote in the recent period. It was that way with “Gold”, the same with “High On You”, and that was for sure the case with “Grow”. You cannot force it, it just happens.”
For Jeangu, it’s not important whether a song is easy to sing along with or understandable for people who cannot speak English. He says that doing that is as working from the outside in, while you have work from the inside out. He thinks a Eurovision song should have something universal in it, however:
“It doesn’t matter what, but I think that the people who are watching television that night should be able to see from you that it is a real story. And they should have the feeling that they recognise it. Because in the end, there are universal things that connect us all.”
Although he doesn’t hope it, he expects that there will be songs about the ongoing pandemic at next year’s contest. He noted:
“As a writer, I think about it too. There are many things that are very obvious to write about. I don’t think it is very original to write about how we are all isolated.”
Are you excited to hear Jeangu Macrooy’s Eurovision 2021 entry? What do you expect of the song? Let us know in the comments down below!
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I once have already said somewhere on this site that I consider “Brave Enough” his best song to this day. So, looking forward to the moment he will write something even better.
Yet I’m absolutely sure that for 2021’s Eurovision we are gonna get something special and beautiful from him regardless, because so is every song of his.
I love Grow so much, excellent song! Not sure it would’ve done well because it’s not for the wide audience.
I hope he writes another great song, plenty of time ahead!
I have faith my boi will write another masterpiece!
Grow *grew* on my list after a while and now it’s my 8th. It’s a very special song with a lot of layers. I really hope he can make another amazing one for 2021. 🙂
OT – Italy is officially back too, but didn’t confirm whether they’ll take Diodato internally or pick another winner via Sanremo.
Still waiting for – UK, Belarus, Poland, Portugal
Maybe – Montenegro, Hungary, Andorra
Andorra isn’t coming back next year, they will in 2022
Yeah, that’s what they said and what I expect. However, until it’s confirmed, we could get a surprise early comeback. I don’t expect it either. I expect only the four countries which were set to already participate. Perhaps minus Belarus or plus Montenegro.
I would be happy to see Andorra back, but not so happy about another set of non-human votes.
At least Andorra tended to use Andorran artists where possible, although given SM’s size importing some acts isn’t as bad as when Cyprus do it
grow was in my top 10. it was so heartfelt and interesting sonically and pacing-wise. I hope Jeangu brings something as good in 2021
At least he admits it because Grow wasnt very good:)
Not very good. Like your comment. ???
He would’ve been the winner of the 2020 contest, lol (for those who remember his own words), he would’ve been slapped so hard if the contest had taken place, lmao.
He is my winner of the Eurovision 2020:)
Mine too!!