ADGY, CONNOLLY, Wild Youth, Leila Jane, K Muni & ND, and Public Image Limited. These are the six acts that will compete to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2023.
 
On Monday morning Irish broadcaster confirmed the artists and the songs they’ll sing in Eurosong 2023 — the national selection show staged on The Late Late Show on February 3.
 
The task of choosing will be split among the public, a national jury and an international jury.
 
Michael Kealy, RTÉ Eurovision Head of Delegation, is feeling good about this year’s finalists.
 
I am really impressed by the quality and standard of the six acts we have in our Eurosong final this year. The Eurovision Song Contest is a global phenomenon, and the competition is getting harder every year, but whichever of our six finalists gets to represent Ireland in Liverpool in May I’ve no doubt they will represent us brilliantly, winning new fans all over the world.”
 

You can listen to the six songs on the RTE web site.

 
Below are the official bios of the six artists, as supplied by RTE.

Ireland: The Six Eurosong 2023 Finalists

ADGY with “Too Good for Your Love”

 
Too Good for Your Love was written by ADGY (Andrew Carr) as a piano ballad during the lockdown and is a collaboration with producer Boksay. The two artists worked together remotely in creating the final version of this song, which is described as“an upbeat high tempo dance track”. ADGY is a singer-songwriter from Co.Donegal, whose music career took off in 2020 when he signed a record deal for his release Like You Do with Universal Music Group. Since then, ADGY has released music that has accumulated over 10 million streams globally across streaming platforms and radio. He says: “I’ve been a songwriter for as long as I can remember, and I’ve written for lots of artists, as well as myself. But it’s my dream to perform live on stage in front of a large audience and I hope to do more of that this year.”
 

CONNOLLY with “Midnight Summer Night”

 
Midnight Summer Night is a track that was written one night during the pandemic when Leitir Meailláin’s Jennifer Connolly was just 17 years oldCurrently in her 1st year of Creative Music Production in IADT / Sound Training College in Dublin, Jennifer says she has had a passion for music since she was a young child, and that this song plays with themes of nostalgia and the passing of time through her vocals“The song conveys confusion and overwhelming detachment, but overall. the song implies that nothing bad lasts forever, delivering a sense of hope. To be in with a chance to share my song on such a legendary platform as Eurovision is amazing. It would be nothing less than a dream come true to bring Eurovision back home for Ireland once again.”
 

Wild Youth with “We Are One”

 
Wild Youth are a four-piece band from Dublin, who have a string of top hits in Ireland, and have toured with names including Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, and Westlife. On top of their own sold-out tours of the UK and Ireland, Conor O’Donohoe from the band has also written a string of top hits for other artists, and co-written with Moncrief and The Script. We are One was written in Sweden with Grammy nominated songwriter Jörgen Elofsson. Wild Youth say: We are so delighted to be here. Eurovision is something we have always loved and would love to represent our country. We hope that everyone loves the song that we’ve written and believe we can be the band to represent Ireland this year.”
  

Leila Jane with “Wild”

 
Leila Jane is an indie pop singer-songwriter based in Dublin who was described as ‘’One to watch’’ by Late Date’s Cathal Murray. Imelda May selected her to be the recipient of the ‘Imelda May Scholarship’ at BIMM Institute Dublin, where she graduated with a first-class honours music degree.  All Eurovision songs need a strong message and ‘Wild’ is an empowering song about the strength of a woman’s spirit,” Leila Jane says. ‘Wild’ represents my love of the creative freedom I have here in Ireland. It would be an absolute honour to show Eurovision what Ireland’s got!” For the track, she teamed up with Liis Hainla, an Estonian songwriter, Finnish producer Arto Ruotsala, and British songwriter Aaron Sibley. 
 
 

K Muni & ND (Kofi Appiah and Nevlonne Dampare) with “Down in the Rain”

 
Down in the Rain by Longford duo K Muni & ND is described by the artists as a testament to their determination. The song chronicles a difficult period in their careers when their music wasn’t getting the attention they believed it deserved. Through Down in the Rain, the artists encourage listeners to never give up on their aspirations no matter how tough the road may seem. “It would mean the world to us to represent Ireland,” they say. “We remember watching Eurovision as kids with our families, so to think we could have the people of Ireland, our people, tuned in to cheer us and our country on is incredible.”
 
 

Public Image Limited with “Hawaii”

 
Public Image Limited celebrated their 40 Anniversary in 2018 and are fronted by former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon. PiL’s music has earned them 5 UK Top 20 singles and 5 UK Top 20 albums. Hawaii is a love letter to John Lydon’s wife of nearly 5 decades, Nora, who is living with Alzheimer’s. Described as“a pensive, personal yet universal love song that will resonate with many”,the song sees John reflecting on one of their happiest moments together in Hawaii. According to the band, the emotional ballad is as close as John (whose mother was from Co Cork and father came from Galway), will ever come to bearing his soul.“It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most,”John says.“It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.” 
 
Further details on The Late Late Show Eurosong 2023 Specialwill be announced in the coming weeks.
 

213 Comments
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Izzy Lamb
1 year ago

Some lovely entries this year! Happy to see. “Down in the Rain” is my fave! <3

James burke
James burke
1 year ago

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B3FrIp_BNMw
This is Leila Jane singing live – she’s already stage perfecf

Theresa May
Theresa May
1 year ago

Imo this has several really decent options, like there’s three: Adgy, Connelly, and the boyband, that i can see qualifying (with decent lives) and even making top 15!

James burke
James burke
1 year ago
Reply to  Theresa May

What ?? The best song here by far is wild – listen to it and the lyrics and the voice

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago

Right now, my second favorite after “Hawaii” is “Wild,” but that song also seems to inhabit roughly the same musical space as “Maps” (which I also really liked!) and I’m guessing that for competitive reasons, Ireland shouldn’t do that again.

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago
Reply to  Zanoni

Maps was a pretty decent song but it was let down by over complex staging, I got what they were trying to do and it was clever but I really don’t understand why nobody in the team could see during rehearsals that having Leslie running around the stage like a mad woman while she was singing was not a good idea. I don’t accept that the rehearsals were all pitch perfect and then she went on in the SF to make a complete mess of it.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

I see RTÉ are advertising for a new Director General. Closing date 20th January. Apply now, people!

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Maybe the want to see the back of Dee Forbes after the whole “Toy Show the Musical” fiasco.

Milan
Milan
1 year ago

15-second snippets would have been quite enough in all 6 cases. I’m eagerly awaiting Ireland’s comeback, but apparently it isn’t going to happen this year.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

Ok, I’ve re listened all the songs and it’s confirmed I’m definetely team Adgy for this selection.

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Me too….

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
1 year ago
Reply to  Esc addict

A 2 minute 40 sec song will not win anything

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

Am I correct in assuming that these are just the demo tracks that are available to listen to? (Some of them sound incomplete to me.)
I like Connolly’s sound, although Wild Youth seem to have a stronger-sounding song. All songs sound a bit sleepy to me (sorry).
K Muni & MD could grab Europe’s attention if the song is, perhaps, completed.

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago

I can’t listen to “Midnight Summer Night” without thinking “that’s just Coldplay’s ‘Clocks,'” and that’s the kind of thought that’s hard for me to get out of my head once implanted. It should be the kind of thing that I’m all over.

zelenovi
zelenovi
1 year ago
Reply to  Zanoni

I think even more than “Clocks”, Sufjan Stevens “Chicago”. Which is a song I love, but it is really similar

Kevin
Kevin
1 year ago

I think the issue with Ireland over the last few years is that we need a world class performer with world class live vocals to be able to compete with the increasing standard of the songs from other countries. The problem is with how the songs are chosen and a notable name is not going to enter a song in a “one night only” competition with low budget staging. The Irish music scene has an abundance of talent and for such a small country has created some of the biggest artists/bands in the world but why would they put their… Read more »

Escfan
1 year ago
Reply to  Kevin

I see what your saying but I do have some concerns. Firstly, we’ve seen on several occasions in the past that countries having well known acts or acts who’ve had successful singles/albums have not always translated well to Eurovision eg.Ireland 2016,UK 2012 & 2013 and Finland 2019. Secondly, there’s two main issues I think Ireland have encountered over the years. 1. most of the songs in selections have been fairly underwhelming, throwaway songs that wouldn’t entice people to vote for them 2. Although Brooke,Ryan and I think Leslie to an extent were exceptions to this, I think many of the… Read more »

Kevin
Kevin
1 year ago
Reply to  Escfan

I think Lesley Roy had two excellent pop
songs and they would have done much better if she could have replicated the studio version to her live performances but her vocals were weak. She is a great songwriter but we can’t expect her (or anyone else)to compete with artists who can carry a song.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Kevin

The first issue is that the Irish HOD and broadcaster (and judging by the comments, some of the Irish people too) think of ESC as a ”X-Factor style competition”, which it certainly is not. In X-Factor, songs change, and what makes it or breaks it is the performer. In Eurovision, there are so many elements. Sure, having big powerful vocals is a big plus, and sometimes a ground work of elevating the song to a cult status (Australia 2016, Austria 2014 or North Macedonia 2019). There is so much more to Eurovision. There were some just okay vocalists with excellent… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Kevin

That’s what happened from 2016 to 2021, though, it didn’t do much good.

Kevin
Kevin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Nicky Byrne was the most notable singer who was internally selected but his vocal ability is questionable (to say the least) and the other performers are not big names with huge fanbases in Ireland or abroad.

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
1 year ago
Reply to  Kevin

That’s the problem – drivel from the east block will always outperform Ireland
We have no friends
Many people think uk and Ireland are one country

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

I find this selection very enjoyable, eclectic, all the songs are well produced, I think it’s an upgrade from their last NF for example, nice songs but for most of them when you listen the first minute it’s like you have already heard the entire songs, it lacks of surprise, something that can easily be solved by a surprising staging. Now the songs: Hawaii: a very etheral and personal song performed by a rock legend to pay tribute to his wife, it’s more than respectable, and the lyrics are beautiful and touching when you know the back story, is it… Read more »

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

My stand was that Ireland needs to send something different in order to break long NQ streak. For Ireland it’s not enough to just send fine and listenable pop song, and I think Midnight Summer Night would be great step in right direction to first Irish victory at Eurovision.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

in 21st century

Jonny B
Jonny B
1 year ago

My favourite is probably Connolly for the moment, but I think Leila Jane’s song is very underrated and a dark horse. If you look up some of her busking clips on Youtube she sings with a pretty stellar, country voice. I think the music video doesn’t really do the song or the artist justice, but it may come to life in the live performance.

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonny B

I think the best vocal is actually wild

Sabrina
Sabrina
1 year ago

Well, Ireland keeps suffering from the “middle of the road” curse, but this selection is actually a considerable step forward compared to last year’s final, when Brooke was the only one doing music in the 2020’s. But as Tibor pointed, most of these tracks feel weirdly underproduced. Connolly shows potential and “Midnight Summer Night” is the only song that sticked to me after listening to all the entries. I wish they had polished the song a little more before releasing it though (that line where the words don’t fit the melody bothers me a bit). Though if Ireland wants to… Read more »

Tibor
Tibor
1 year ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I’m afraid, I think that Connolly is in my opinion not their best option at all, but since I’m such an outlier, never mind me. For me personally “Wild” is indeed the one that stick with me. I really like her vocal, let’s see, if she can bring it live.

Tibor
Tibor
1 year ago
Reply to  Tibor

*stuck

Sabrina
Sabrina
1 year ago
Reply to  Tibor

To be fair, if they say they won’t change anything on the tracks before Eurovision, I guess “Wild” would be the most logical choice. But I believe a week on a good studio with a skilled producer would do wonders for “Midnight Summer Night”. And I would be curious to check what the same producer could do for “Down with Rain” too. But I don’t see an Irish audience going for it in a million years.

Tibor
Tibor
1 year ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Possible, I don’t know what a more exciting production could accomplish for “Midnight Summer Night”. At the moment I fear the problem might rather be the song itself, that lacks a proper hook and melodic variety. And I have really no problem with subtlety. I’m ready to be proven wrong, if they want to give it a shot and pop off to the studio again. But “Down with the rain” is really on a whole other (lower) level, productionwise. It sounds as if they have just thrown a relatively cheap sounding drum machine and a very digitized guitar riff over… Read more »

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Tibor

Might just be me, but I feel like 4 out of 6 here (aside from Adgy and Wild Youth, to a degree) have the issue of lack of variety. Don’t get me wrong, they are very pleasant, but I don’t see it would have made much difference to viewers which part of the song is featured in the recap. I feel like Midnight Summer Night captures the vibe which is both relaxing and eerie the best, and could be a bridge between indie and mainstream, even if it’s not exactly fully on either side.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

Okay, on second listening I do see some variety and progression in Leila’s Wild too, but I still feel like the chorus remains way too restrained.
As for Wild Youth’s We Are One, it’s probably the least static song in the selection, but it does have a big vibe that it’s written specifically with Eurovision in mind.

Tibor
Tibor
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

I cannot argue with personal perception, but I think only Connolly’s and PIL’s entries are a little one note, yet they are very different songs. “Hawaii” doesn’t really have a proper chorus, it’s more like continuous storytelling. To my ears, it gets its variation from the weathered vocal. With a cleaner vocal, this would indeed get a little boring. On Connolly’s track (and I repeat, I seem to be the outlier, so nothing of what follows has any relevance for its chances of winning the competition), there’s too much reverb on everything for my taste, so that the instrumental and… Read more »

Craig
Craig
1 year ago

Oh. Ireland. I want to see you do well. But, I just don’t see a qualifier among this bunch.
Things can change wiht a live performance though, so fingers crossed.
While there’s a nice backstory behind it, ‘Hawaii’ is particularly dire as a song.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Would “Hawaii” have made it if it had been sung by an unknown? I doubt it.

Craig
Craig
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Almost certainly not. It’s That song is a damn long three minutes when you’re listening to it.

Europotato
Europotato
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

And this is the problem with the HOD in RTÉ. They clearly do not understand the competition. I would definitely say that once the NF show is over, Michael Kealy literally removes all involvement for the remainder of the season. Hence, he doesn’t watch the show. It’s a job for him, not a passion, they need to hire someone who actually really cares about the competition. Like at least TAP who have taken over for the UK, the owner is a massive Eurovision fan, he’s married to a Eurovision alumni god sake! They need to let that man go, and… Read more »

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Most likely not, but then again, I think we’re in a very context-dependent, personality-driven era of pop right now. Harry Styles and Taylor Swift had huge singles last year that only really click when you know the backstory. IMO we’ve had two songs like that in the last few days with this and Ulrikke’s “Honestly.”

DailySpeak
1 year ago

Connolly is amazing- it is so haunting and engaging and at the same time feels very Irish. If an equally haunting performance can be staged, this is the song for Ireland to send to Liverpool. I cannot believe the artist is only 18! What a talent!

Héctor
Héctor
1 year ago

All the comments below are negative and, having listened to songs before reading them, I had to check if I was in the right article. This selection is clearly a step up from last year. I can’t say I dislike any of this songs when past year it was a colossal task to find a song I liked. Probably “Hawaii” is the hardest to digest from this bunch but it still sounds good. Though obviously it isn’t competitive. It would fit better if it this selection was an Irish festival like San Remo or A Dal or even Benidorm Fest… Read more »

Héctor
Héctor
1 year ago
Reply to  Héctor

I forgot to say it but I listened to them after listening to MGP so this feels fresh compared to those mass-produced and some of them overproduced songs.

Maxavision22
1 year ago
Reply to  Héctor

@Hector, I agree. I think it is easy to know Ireland now because of their recent history. Criticism of Ireland has been that they have e played it safe and generic. I think this selection aims to be more adventurous and diverse than previous years- for starters there is rap. There is potential here for a final qualifier which has to be Ireland’s aim now to kick start some success.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Héctor

I’ve only watched a recap of this selection, but it’s already an improvement on last year.

Europotato
Europotato
1 year ago
Reply to  Héctor

I would agree, ulrikkes song although it’s a nice song it’s nothing we haven’t heard before, it sounds like Russia 2015 – a million voices only the message is different. So yes people over react to certain entries. I do think Leila wild and midnight summer night would be staged very good. The wild youth song is nothing we haven’t seen before. Staging is predictable. I’d say we stick Leila or Connolly in for the win.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

God, these songs are so bad. Half of them are overproduced af and all of them are so cliché. And for an English-speaking country the lyrics in some of them are very basic and leave much to be desired. Ireland staying in the semis again, sadly.

Nicomro
Nicomro
1 year ago

What a very nice Line up (: hopefully the vocals will follow !
I love “wild” and i like a lot “down in the rain”. It would be so fresh, nice and bold to have the lattest in Liverpool !
“Midnight summer night” was good, a bit Lana del Rey, but dis nothing to me. The other songs are nice, but not effective Imo.
Nice selection overall, nice suspens !

Pat
Pat
1 year ago
Reply to  Nicomro

Agreed! I feel like the comments here are sleeping on Wild and Down in the Rain. They seem more “radio-friendly” which may not be everyone’s cup of tea in regards to Eurovision songs. But Eurovision is changing into something more mainstream and popular so you have to evolve. I think Hawaii is great for a tribute to his wife…but the song is a bore, honestly. No offense to those who like it…and Midnight Summer night is definitely the best entry for when you need a bathroom break. But perhaps that’s just because she reminds me of Lana Del Rey and… Read more »

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
1 year ago

These songs at least prove that RTÉ is trying to be a bit more imaginative in their choices than they were last year. But do I hear a song that sounds like a definite qualifier? Ehmm… not sure.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

After listening to ALL the songs, I can’t understand the hate? If these songs where in ANY other NF this year y’all be raving about them. These would not be out of place is Melfest, DMGP or MGP. I wouldn’t write them off yet. Though I see it’s the same 3-4 people that usually hate. Nothing new I guess. Honestly think this is our best line up in an NF yet. This time last year I only liked Brooke, there’s about 4 songs I like…actually I like them all but theres 4 I could see going to Liverpool and I’d… Read more »

Milan
Milan
1 year ago
Reply to  Darren

Why if someone says they don’t like the songs it should automatically be dismissed as hate? In my case it is just regret that Ireland will miss one more year, I really wish all the best to them. In this particular selection Connolly stands out, but I wish something more happened in those three minutes.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago
Reply to  Milan

I wasn’t singling you out per say though if the shoe fits? Lol

I see the same people calling Ireland dull and then supporting some joke novelty act from one of the “favorites”
That’s what I’m getting at. If you don’t like the songs don’t like the songs, but I do encourage people to be consistent

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

Leila or Connolly for me – I am happy about this selection, songs are good – better than ever 😀

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
1 year ago

I think Ireland should send in Dana’s all kinds of everything – play it backwards – call the song everything of all kinds by ANAD and see how it goes –
Afterall this is Irelands trend – don’t break the mould ever

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

Lucky her name is not Lana

Europotato
Europotato
1 year ago
Reply to  Jofty

Hahahhahahahahahahha

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
1 year ago

The Irish selectors are total dodo birds / do they actually watch the Eurovision ??
What the heck is Jonny rottens song about and why was this selected. ? The other 300 must have been diabolical !!!

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

I must say it seems a bit odd and I was not expecting a…..ballad

RDRD
1 year ago

Usually as an Irish man I feel we get unnecessarily slated at Eurovision and have had entries that should’ve done for better than they have done. This year I hold out no hope! As patriotic as one can be, realistically we know this group of songs will get nowhere.
Connolly is the best option if we don’t want to finish in last place, but while it’s a nice song it will get totally lost in the circus that is Eurovision.

Milan
Milan
1 year ago
Reply to  RDRD

I don’t think there’s a bias against Ireland in Eurovision (why should there be?), but as to everything else you said I agree completely. Connolly would be a nice addition to the ESC CD indeed.

RDRD
1 year ago
Reply to  Milan

I don’t think it’s an intentional bias against Ireland, we are an island and have our own music scene which differes from mainland Europe (alot of the radio hits released by local talent would have a similar sound to Wild Youths entry)
I do however think some of our entries particularly 2015 and 2018 would have been far more successful in the competition had they represented Sweden or Netherlands.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  RDRD

Agreed, even if I consider 2015 and 2017 to be robberies, but not 2016. Still, if they represented Sweden, all would have qualified. Sweden’s 2018 fifth place isn’t that much better than your 2016 NQ.

Devero
Devero
1 year ago

Connolly is the only one here I can see doing good.I quite like Adgys song, but these songs never do well at each. Wild youths song is ok, shame they got rid of jury voting for the semi finals, cos this would eat that up. Leilas song is nice, but a little forgettable. K muni and ND would defo be a risk, but im not sure if it would pay of. I hate Hawaii

Max
Max
1 year ago

This is a better selection than last year. There appears to be an attempt for a more diverse selection.There is potential here but work is needed to make the songs final ready.

Ifty
Ifty
1 year ago

Let’s call a spade a spade. This is not a good selection COMPETITION-WISE and it’s very unlikely that they will qualify with any of them. Also, the lack of diversity with 2/3 of it and the earwarm, monotonous, somewhat outdated vibe of most of the songs suggest that the people selecting the songs are out of touch of what you need to select for the competition and that at best they are looking for that “radio friendly” mistake with a tinge of taste levels of somewhat older demographic (speaking as a person who’s not as young as they used to… Read more »

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
1 year ago

An intriguing mixture here, just had them on in the background. At first listen, they are pleasant, but feel like background music at this stage. Surprised to see John Lyndon here. I remember he expressed interest back in 2018, but always thought “That’ll probably never happen”, but quite pleased to see him here now. I know he has some rather controversial views (which I haven’t read up on), but I think it’s good the competition is open to old and young, new and established (or even iconic!) artists! Haven’t heard of Wild Youth, are they very popular over there? Is… Read more »

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
1 year ago

Unpopular opinion but I don’t get all the hype surrounding this selection. There is nothing that is particularly groundbreaking or memorable and they’re all not as strong or impactful as That’s Rich last year, which didn’t qualify. I think Ireland will struggle to qualify with any of these songs.

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago
Reply to  ESCFanGA

I liked “That’s Rich”, but I didn’t think it had much of an impact because the title wouldn’t mean much to non-English speakers. Hawaii will have impact.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago

I think that Ireland is in the same boat with Latvia, not qualifying much recently, and even having two last places in the semi, then coming with a respectable selection without obvious big televoting magnets. These songs are actually fine, but they are very subtle and require a more patient reception than fans eager to hear the next Fuego or the next Undo. If this was a Norwegian or an Azeri selection, I’d be totally cool with that. I like when countries don’t play it safe. But much like Latvia, I’d wish if Ireland played it a bit safer in… Read more »

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

Individual preferences aside (you seem to dislike a lot of popular entries 🙂 ), you got the gist of it – Most fans look for immediate diva powerballads, or immediate diva ”slay queen” type bops.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

PS. I’m not dissing your taste, Ari (that’s very individual and nobody should justify liking or disliking a song), just saying that there are a lot of winners, runner-ups, and top 10 entries which you described with some unfavorable adjectives. 😉

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

PS. PS. De Troubadour is indeed beautiful. 🙂

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

😉

Faezdel
Faezdel
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

Undo ranks as one of the most overrated Eurovision songs EVER!

Michael Crosse
Michael Crosse
1 year ago

Midnight is the pick of the bunch for me it’s Enya meets the cranberries a few of the rest of them good also

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago

Ireland proving time and time again they don’t deserve the record at all, haven’t really done anything since the 90’s while a country like Portugal that has sent plenty of great entries throughout its entire history can only claim one top 5 finish, ever. ESC results have always been ridiculous and unfair to a large extent, unfortunately…

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

In fairness Portugal have had some great songs but they’ve had far more bad ones, Bem Bom (1982), Baunilha e Chocolate (1995), Antes do adeus (1997) and more recently Telemoveis and plenty more to chose from, let’s be honest they don’t always send quality songs.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  Séamus Mór

I’ll take Maro, Conan Osiris or Sobral over any Irish entry ever, and those are just from the last few years while your last great entry was way back in ’96, there’s really no comparison. Sure, if you go through their entire catalog the unremarkable ones outnumber the good stuff but that’s the case for pretty much every single country.

Danny K
Danny K
1 year ago
Reply to  Séamus Mór

telemoveis was quality. Unfortunately people prefer generic stuff over something that original

Faezdel
Faezdel
1 year ago
Reply to  Danny K

There’s a difference between original and outrageous/ridiculous. Telemoveis fits better in the second category.

Rall
Rall
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

I don’t think its fair to say they don’t deserve the record. Its not like there was any cheating happening. They just happened to have a particularly good streak in 90s. While Portugal has sent some very quality songs they have also sent their fair share of stinkers.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  Rall

Well, I’ve actually gone through the history of it all over the past year and now I can safely say that Ireland is easily one of the most overrated countries, partly because they were one of the very few singing in English. We can go year by year if you want: Why did Johnny Logan win in ’87 when Italy’s Gente di Mare was right there? Why did they win in ’92 with an entry that hasn’t aged well at all instead of the all-timers from France, Italy and Cyprus? How could they win in ’93 when Norway was simply… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

What about 1970, 1980, 1994 and 1996? I think Ireland was a deserving winner for at least three of those years, it’s not rubbish they were sending. 1987 and 1993 won probably because of the very talented vocals. 1992…

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I’m just basing it on the songs themselves for the most part, I don’t dislike ’87 and ’93 but I just think Gente di Mare and Alle Mine Tankar have both clearly aged better. For the other ones, fair enough, even tho I’ve got some other picks for each of these years, Turkey in ’80, Hungary in ’94 and Portugal in ’96, those Irish winners were pretty much their best so I can see why they came out on top. I realize my taste tends to gravitate towards the southern countries but I feel like Ireland were getting rewarded whenever… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

Ireland still deserves a place in Eurovision history, I think. Hosting four times in five years, differently every time. First computer graphic scoreboard, first onscreen spokespeople, Riverdance. Very different from what we get today from RTÉ, I know.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

1994 and 1996; sorry, no

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jofty

Yes

Milan
Milan
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

Are you aware at all that this is largely a matter of your personal taste? OK, Ireland in1992 is probably a fair question, but the victory of Johnny Logan in 1987 was nothing short of epic, and the song has remained one of best known Eurovision hits. You ask “how could they win” – well, apparently they earned more points from international juries, which don’t always agree with you or me.

Milan
Milan
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

It’s largely a matter of personal taste but I don’t find any of the Irish winners undeserved (Linda Martin wasn’t really my type though, I’d have preferred Mia Martini in 1992).

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Milan

Same. Ireland was a clear winner for me in 1994 and in top 2 in 1996. Those two are just epic! 1993 is for me a year without one clear standout, but with several good songs, Ireland being one of them. But in 1992 I’d prefer Mia Martini or Mary Spiteri. Linda was still very solid.

Tibor
Tibor
1 year ago

Knowing the back story, I would have loved it, if John Lydon had called “Hawaii” “This is a love song” instead. But that’s just me. I’m a little torn with this selection. On the one hand, unlike last year, I can definitely tell the songs apart and appreciate their different flavors. On the other hand, even with the songs I don’t hate, I’m often not too happy with the production choices they made. I think, particularly “Wild”, “Too good for your love” and the terrifyingly underproduced “Down in the Rain” could have benefitted from a little more thoughtfulness in this… Read more »

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago

Adgy or Connolly please.

Nothing special from the Emerald Island…..

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

There are fine songs here, but again, we also had fine songs last year. Most of the songs Ireland sends to Eurovision are not bad, but they’re all just mediocre and safe which apparently wasn’t enough for them to qualify. Out of these songs Adgy’s song somehow seems to me the most ready for Eurovision, but Midnight Summer Night is something unique. I think Ireland should send something out of box, but even this song might not qualify, especially since only televoting decides.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

Can I say that I liked last year’s songs more?

John Moynahan
John Moynahan
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

No…….just no!!

Escfan
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

I mean, you can have an opinion, I thought lasts years song were pathethic myself.

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago

So many sour grapes in the comment section, but the fact is that Ireland has a great selection this year! Congratulations Ireland!!! I am though still worried for the actual live performances… There need to be a proper national final to make the songs justice! Adgy: Love his song. Well prodced and catchy, and I agree with a previous comment I read, it is definitely 70% Sandro and 30% Maruv. Also, I love the reference to Janis Joplin in the song. Only problem is these type of songs are even hard to stage at Eurovision… CONNOLLY: such a good song,… Read more »

Gmisk
Gmisk
1 year ago

They have had a lot songs chart in Ireland and get a lot of radio play. They have also played plenty of big gigs here as well and sold out tours.

Zisk
Zisk
1 year ago

Easily the best Irish national final in a long long long time. Unfortunately the bar has been so low for the last decade that I think the best these songs are hoping for is maybe 20-25th in the final. Still, that’s be impressive compared to how we’ve been doing lately.

Zisk
Zisk
1 year ago
Reply to  Zisk

Also I’m really digging Wild Youth’s song and I feel like if the live vocals are good and the staging is really nice it might do better than that.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago

While last year Brooke was the only decent entry of its batch, this year’s six entries are nice and professional, and also sound current. I don’t have a clear favorite for Ireland this year.
Also, while I still think Ireland has work to do, I think they’re finally on the right track 🙂

Stian F
Stian F
1 year ago
Reply to  Benito Camelo

Totally agree. Last year Brooke was the only decent option, this year there are 4-5 depending on staging! Much improved selection this year!

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Jörgen Elofsson was lucky enough to write and produce a whole album with Agnetha Fältskog. Her first in decades. Unfortunately, it is the most mediocre album she has ever released. I’m sure he is a lovely man, but I have never understood why she worked with him when there are so many more talented songwriters out there who would have loved that chance.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Could agree with you but idk who you’re talking about nor what does it have to do with this entry’s topic

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Benito Camelo

He wrote Wild Youth’s song with them.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Uh oh! I guess my skimming was bad this time :/

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

He also gave Celine Dion a bad song for her last album. The lyrics to this remind me of that “Freaks” song that lost to Michael Rice a few years ago. Just more boring. What is a “freak” anyway? I remember some people having a problem with that word.

Rall
Rall
1 year ago

Cant Move On and Champagne Butterflies are probably their two biggest ones.

West
West
1 year ago

I find Midnight Summer Night closer to Colplay’s Clocks.

Jay
Jay
1 year ago

The live performances will really decide which of these songs wins. After listening a few times (I know most will listen once) Connolly really gets stuck in your head. I think with a small revamp to just lift it a small bit towards the end and some clever staging, it could do well if she can deliver a good vocal live. Wild Youth will definitely be in the mix. I think the Irish jury will lap that up, but perhaps the international jury will deem it too generic. I think if ADGY had submitted this song 4/5 years ago he… Read more »

Molar
Molar
1 year ago

Hawaii from Public Image Limited is artistically miles away from everyone in this selection – I want them for Ireland ??

fionn
fionn
1 year ago
Reply to  Molar

lowkey me too it would be something never seen before on the esc stage, id also love connelly

Maxim
Maxim
1 year ago

Personally, I really like CONNOLLY. It’s qualitative, dreamy and has an Irish feel to it (the melody reminds me a little of Enya). This could be a very respectable Irish entry!

Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago

why are u saying down in the rain is the least irish thing ever. i hope ur not trying to say what i think ur saying

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago

On first hearing I’m underwhelmed but I’m most disappointed with Wild Youth, bland doesn’t come near. Can we not keep the Swedes away? (I’ve nothing against your lovely country). WY are perfectly capable of coming up with a decent song without Swedish help.
None of these 6 songs will stand out at ESC, they’re all missing something.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Séamus Mór

I don’t know Wild Youth or have not heard the song, however, I am getting Tom Loeb 2020 vibes.