Lesley Roy Maps Ireland Eurovision 2021

Lesley Roy will sing “Maps” for Ireland at Eurovision 2021. Lesley tells wiwibloggs what the song means to her.

Scroll down for “Maps” lyrics

Ireland in Eurovision 2021: Lesley Roy “Maps”

Lesley Roy was originally due to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2020 with “Story Of My Life” — a throwback pop track with flavours of early Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and Carly Rae Jepsen. However, the COVID-19 pandemic meant the entry never made it to the Eurovision stage.

One year on, Lesley is back with “Maps”. It’s an evolution of her previous effort. “Musically it’s a departure from “Story Of My Life”, she told us in a February interview. “I thought it would have been a disservice to everybody to go and write “Story Of My Life” part two. Because we’ve already heard that. I don’t really like to do things that are very easy. I could have done ten “Story Of My Life”s. But that would have been a bit boring. And it would have been so obvious. As much as it is still in keeping with positive pop, that I always try and write about. It’s sonically a departure. It’s still uptempo. It still will hit people straight through their chest. So it’s similar in a lot of feelings”.

What to the “Maps” lyrics mean?

“My soul is a map / My heart is a compass / I am the road”. For many, these are the most impactful lyrics in “Maps”. But what is the significance of these metaphors, particularly the maps which gave the track its name?

Speaking to wiwibloggs, Lesley explains what the song and its lyrics mean to her. “We all know what a map is and what we use it for. It’s a tool that we use if we’re lost or want to get somewhere”, she says.

“This past year, we haven’t even been able to go anywhere physically. We’ve been forced to take this deeper look inward, inside and face who we really are. Who we’ve become. So during the year, in trying to find this song, I began to feel very anxious and afraid watching what was going on in the world and I felt very lost within myself”.

These insecurities are evident from the very beginning when Lesley references the monsters and nightmares that she’s been fighting.

“It was only really after a very long time of digging and writing and a lot of meditating and working on myself that I could kind of stop searching for this feeling and the lightbulb, that universal lightbulb, went off – the true self”, she continues.

The searching lyrics — “I’ve been searching all the wrong places” — chronicle Lesley’s quest to find her sense of self. “The true sense of self is within. Within you, at home, within you. So, I was able to find that”.

“I’ve been trying too many faces”

“I had to stop trying to be so many different people to other people and for myself. I was trying on so many faces. “Maps” is really about trying to find that true sense of self within”.

But the lyrics can be interpreted in multiple ways, even for Lesley herself. “Also I was able to come home to Ireland and really reconnect with my roots. So, it was finding the actual sense of home for me physically as well”. That’s because Lesley has spent over a decade living and working in the U.S. There she’s enjoyed success as both a singer and a songwriter. “I had to take, all of the long ways” could possibly refer to the distance she had to travel to find this success in the first place, as well as the length of time it’s taken for her to be recognised back home in Ireland.

Anyone familiar with Lesley and her work will see other nods to her life in the song. While Lesley didn’t tell us this herself, one could read “I fell twice, I’m twice as strong” as referring to two of the biggest setbacks in her career thus far — the loss of her major label record deal and the cancellation of Eurovision in 2020.

Lesley sums it all up: “So, it’s an inward look inside, really looking at who you’ve become and your true self. And also, a tiny bit about me getting back to Ireland and finding a whole new meaning of what it’s like for me to be home”.

“Maps” lyrics — Lesley Roy (Ireland ESC 2021)

Written and composed by: Lesley Roy, Philip Strand, Emelie Eriksson and Lukas Hällgren

I’m gonna let, down all the armour,
Let out the power, that I’ve been hiding,
Not afraid, of the monsters,
Of the nightmares, that I’ve been fighting.

Easy to run, harder to stay,
Finding colours in the grey,
Thought I was done, but I got it wrong,
I fell twice, I’m twice as strong

I’ve been searching all the wrong places,
I’ve been trying too many faces,
Only one way to go,
This is the way back home.

I’ve been searching all the wrong places,
I’ve been trying too many faces,
Only one way to go,
This is the way back home.

(I ) had to take, all of the long ways,
All the wrong ways, cause I couldn’t see,
All the signs, all of the mistakes,
Pointing one way, to get back to me.

It’s easy to run, harder to stay,
Finding colours in the grey,
Thought I was done, but I got it wrong,
I fell twice, I’m twice as strong.

I’ve been searching all the wrong places,
I’ve been trying too many faces,
Only one way to go,
This is the way back home.

I’ve been searching all the wrong places,
I’ve been trying too many faces,
Only one way to go,
This is the way back home.

My soul is a map,
My heart is a compass,
I am the road.

There’s only one way to go,
This is the way back home.

My soul is a map,
My heart is a compass,
I am the road.

There’s only one way to go,
This is the way back home.

I’ve been searching all the wrong places,
I’ve been trying too many faces,
Only one way to go,
This is the way back home.

I’ve been searching all the wrong places,
I’ve been trying too many faces,
Only one way to go,
This is the way back home.

What do you think of “Maps”? Do the lyrics take you in the right direction? Let us know below.

Read more Eurovision 2021 song lyrics.

34 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

For some reason, I think of Doctor Who when I listen to maps. The line about too many faces makes me think of regeneration. Even while I was watching the music video, Lesley running reminded me of the 13th doctor because Her blue shawl and dark pants and boots looked similar.

JJ Woods
2 years ago

Lets hope the video is better than the strory of my life video which to date in my experience is the worst video I have ever seen in my life.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  JJ Woods

The video is out since February..,,it’s even on top of this page?

Gassenhauer
Gassenhauer
2 years ago
Reply to  JJ Woods

Nah, the pissed-off/confused looking guy chucking balls out of a half filled paddling pool at 1.40 is in my top ten music video moments of ALL TIME!

dygh
dygh
2 years ago

Source?

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

 the loss of her major label record deal–> when did that happen? last year or many years ago when she was in US? I really like Lesley! She’s talented, down to earth and loves Eurovision. I really want her to success in 2021. Maps might not be a catchy pop song like Story of My Life but it’s so much better. I love the lyrics and speak to everyone living abroad far away from families and friends. They can totally nail it if they convey this meaning of the song to the viewers by preparing an effective staging. My only… Read more »

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
2 years ago

I really like this song and think Ireland definitely deserve a place in the final and a good result as well.

Candy
Candy
2 years ago

Off topic but where are the daily digests?

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
2 years ago

I like Lesley and I’m happy with this song, and hope it qualifies to the final. I found SOML a little cringe, and not my thing, but this is more mature and fitting for her. I’d like to hear song live renditions, as I’ve read there’s concerns about how she sings high notes. A shame there probably won’t be any pre-show parties, where she could hone her act.

Silly point here but Lesley reminds me a bit of Luna Loud from The Loud House!

Marc
Marc
2 years ago

How can you dismiss lyrics? This is not the Eurovision music contest- it is the Eurovision Song Contest and a song requires music, melody rhythm and of course lyrics. I would say that most songwriters would be content for their songs to be considered poetry.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

You lost me at the point where you say the song is “aimed at middle aged straight people” ridiculous comment.

FFF
FFF
2 years ago

Song: Swedish + Irish
Staging: Swedish
Singer: Irish

Henry
Henry
2 years ago

This is a good song, i really really hope Ireland qualifies, but staging will be the key….

Liv
Liv
2 years ago

Absolutely love the song. Cannot wait to see it live in Rotterdam

Ende
Ende
2 years ago

Amazing song ! Beautiful lyrics ! Wonderful voice ! Talented artist!

Marc
Marc
2 years ago

The lyrics in Maps are on a par if not better than other songs that have been rated higher. The juries will surely admire the lyrics in the Irish entry. I think Lesley does need to enunciate more on stage than in the video as I feel the lyrics get lost in the video. This is Ireland’s best entry in years and deserves success. This could be a dark horse.

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago

This is a sure qualifier. I don’t care what anybody else says. “Oh it’s a borderline” is just pessimistic thinking. This is one of the strongest entries this year. It could definitely place top 10 or higher…

Fionn
Fionn
2 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

Jamie conroy this u?

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

Strongest lyrics of the year Also, the best Irish entry in many many years. I’d even rate this higher than Ryan in 2018. I love how Lesley has taken charge of this, RTÉ just let her do her thing. She has the connections and she has the skill. Staging will be the key here as Ireland is sorely underrated this year. I’m not saying Dublin 2022, definitely not, but I do think with proper staging, and actually being noticed by the fandom, Ireland could get its best result since 2018 or even 2012. Hope Europe sees what I see in… Read more »

Fionn
Fionn
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I can see a top 10 placing tbh. But wouldn’t Dublin 2022 be just amazing, rolls off the tongue quite nicely I think. I really am hoping for an Irish victory in the next few years. I think if we sent rap we could really spice up Europe’s perception of Ireland in eurovision. We could send Denise Chaila, Kojaque, Soulé or For Those I Love. Any of them could bring us a victory. Here hoping RTÉ calls on one of them soon!

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

Would love Ireland to win just one more time, just so I could enjoy Dublin or Cork or wherever as a host city.
Though I remember Dublin 1997, I was only like 4, so it’s just a vague memory. Plus ESC is much bigger now than it was then, it would be nice seeing Ireland host two semis, a final, and all the other events that come with being a Eurovision host city.
After that, I wouldn’t care if we never won again, but just to experience a Eurovision at home would be pretty awesome.

Fionn
Fionn
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

yeah it would definitely be amazing. I’d actually love it in cork but that won’t happen until the event center is built, that’s taking ages. I’d be really interested in what kind of logo/theme/slogan they’d come up with that would have a celtic theme. Also the stage. And I’ve been trying to think about who’d host but no one good is coming to mind, wouldn’t mind Mary Kennedy again tho tbh. It’s a very exciting thought, but I have to get back to earth and focus on lesley qualifying lmao

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

Host City: Dublin

Red Carpet: (Green Carpet ;)) Bord Gais Energy Theatre

Semi Final Allocation Draw: Library of Trinity College/St Patrick’s Room at Dublin Castle

Host Venue: 3 Arena (obvs)

Euroclub: The George/Coppers

Presenters: Nicky Byrne, Jennifer Zamparelli, Jedward in the Green Room

Interval Acts: Dustin the Turkey’s Travel guide to Dublin, Dermot Kennedy, Previous Irish Eurovision Winner Medley, Riverdance (obvs)

Parade of Nations: RTÉ Concert Orchestra with DJ Jenny Greene performing renditions of famous Eurovision songs.

Yes, I’ve way too much time on my hands these days.

Last edited 2 years ago by Darren
Fionn
Fionn
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

lmaooo that’s funny and also very good. I’ve thought of a lot of these but the Cork version, given the Cork event center is build. red carpet: (obviously green carpet) port of cork allocation draw: City Hall, Blackrock Castle, Crawford art gallery venue: Cork Event Centre presenters: nicky and jen obvs, previous winner in the greenroom if they have a good personality 🙂 Interval act: dermot Kennedy/ Niall Horan, riverdance, pervious winners (basically the same as u except maybe something about Cork) Logo: some celtic symbol stage: I’ve drawn it out on paper, it’s a kinda square but turned into… Read more »

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

Love it haha!

Just gotta win now sometime haha

Fionn
Fionn
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I actually made a playlist of my options for who could win for us, have a look…

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/07jkjegR8YrSHouFN4orNN?si=027WL2PISYG4kAdNpD_jgg&utm_source=copy-link

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

Denise Chaila definitely for real!

Solid playlist, gave ya a follow

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Nicky Byrne is not great at even giving the Irish points, I’m sorry…he seems nice, though. I would hate for Riverdance to be the interval act again, it would just mean missing the chance to come up with a new thing just as good or better.

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I would agree Jonas, though we do seem to wheel out the Riverdance whenever we do get an international spotlight, I’m sure there would be some kind of reference/cameo if Ireland was to ever host again. They became too big not too I guess.

James
James
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

How about getting him and the rest of Westlife to perform alongside Boyzone as an interval act? 😀
#WestZone

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
2 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

I’d be super curious to see a modern Irish production too! I know the 3Arena is the only big indoor arena in the country, but it’s design makes it seem kinda cramped for a TV production. I’ve seen clips of the Cheerios Childline Concerts, I think that’s a close impression of how an Irish contest could look. I wouldn’t want Jedward or Dustin the Turkey there though!

Have there ever been any plans to build other big arenas in Ireland?

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  HarpyDarper

Cork, second largest city in the state, is getting an events centre (nobody knows when it will be built though)

Then Belfast (part of the UK, for now, and second largest city on the island) has two arenas.

We could always “Do a Copenhagen” and convert an old industrial factory/hanger etc into a venue too. We kind of done that for Millstreet in 1993. That arena could hold 10,000 people too.

Fionn
Fionn
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

“for now” indeed haha Ireland will unite pretty soon, its inevitable. If Ireland wins say, next year, Cork event Centre won’t be built. Lots of people wouldn’t be happy if it were held in Belfast which is pretty unlikely anyway. Dublin 3 arena is definitely the most likely. I’ve been watching lots of concerts from there and it’s doable. Tere’d be a slightly smaller audience than previous years but it wouldn’t be too noticeable.