Photo by Diego Pinzon / Wiwibloggs

Gustaph will sing “Because of You” for Belgium at Eurovision 2023.

Following a whirlwind national final, the hat-donning superstar won the ticket to Liverpool to sing for his country at the world’s biggest song contest. His retro-tinged track scored big points from the professional jury and the Belgian public. This May, he’s got his sights set on keeping Belgium in the Eurovision final. 

Scroll down to read the “Because of You” lyrics.

Belgium in Eurovision 2023: Gustaph — “Because of You”

Gustaph is the stage name of Stef Caers, a 42-year-old Belgian singer, producer and vocal coach. He wrote his first song when he was seven years old. Under his original alias Steffen, he scored a hit with his first single “Gonna Lose You”, which peaked at number 22 on the Flemish singles chart in 2000. Later, he joined the band Hercules & Love Affair — a musical project created by the American DJ, musician and composer Andy Butler — and found international success with the nu-disco hit “Blind”. 

Mr Caers is no stranger to the Eurovision stage. He’s a huge fan of the contest, and he’s participated as a backing vocalist twice: first for Sennek at the 2018 Lisbon show, and then for Hooverphonic at the 2021 edition in Rotterdam. There, he was also the vocal coach for Hooverphonic lead singer Geike Arnaert.

What do the “Because of You” lyrics mean?

Gustaph co-wrote “Because of You” alongside fellow musician Jaouad Alloul. The track has roots in queer culture and speaks about the chosen family in which people find love and support. Lyrics such as “And when the world got me going crazy, I’ll carry on, and it’s all because of you” are a tribute to Gustaph’s chosen family.

Gustaph told wiwibloggs the message of his song is meaningful for LGBTQ+ communities, but it can have a universal meaning too. He defines his Eurovision entry as a “love letter to freedom” and “an ode to the queer community”. Life is too short not to live it at its best — it’s too short not to be yourself and it’s too short not to pursue your dreams.  

“Because of You” emulates the retro sounds of the 90s, taking inspiration from artists like Martha Wash and CeCe Peniston.

“Because of You” lyrics — Gustaph (Belgium Eurovision 2023)

Songwriters: Stef Caers (Gustaph), Jaouad Alloul

And when the world got me going crazy
I’ll carry on
And it’s all because of you
Because of you

Remember when they told us
“You’re not good enough”
And then you came into my life
And you changed my world for good
You told me to love myself a bit harder than yesterday
‘Cause life is too short and we sure got to celebrate

And when the world got me going crazy
I carry on
‘Cause I know I’m strong
When the world got me going crazy
I carry on
And it’s all because of you
Because of you

Remember when they tried to break us
Well, look at us now
You told me the right thing at the right time
You got me feeling wild

Now I love myself much more than I did yesterday
‘Cause life is too short and we sure got to celebrate

And when the world got me going crazy
I carry on
‘Cause I know I’m strong
When the world got me going crazy
I carry on
And it’s all because of

I’ll carry on despite of the things they said and done
They’ll never kill this fire
Your love will take me higher
It’s all because of you
Because of you
Well, because of you
Because of you I keep on going, baby, baby, for a brighter day

And when the world got me going crazy
I carry on
See, I carry on because of you
When the world got me going crazy
I carry on
Said I carry on
And when the world got me going crazy
See, I will carry on
And it’s all because of you
Because of you
Becаuѕe of you

What do you make of the “Because of You” lyrics? Could Belgium qualify for the grand final? Let us know in the comments down below.

38 Comments
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Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago

Am I the only one who find this whole package more than a bit cringy?

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

I’m sorry but I don’t like it one bit..For me this is the worst Belgian entry since 2014. But I wish him all the best.

Pancake
Pancake
1 year ago

Reminds me of the 80s and 90s house songs and mixes that had been coming out of the clubs back when it was still an underground genre developing in Chicago, the birthplace of House Music. If Frankie Knuckles was still alive today and heard this song, he would have been proud. As for me, I really enjoy it. I admit, wasn’t paying attention to this song until it won and it won me over overtime. I mean, it was something alright, but now it’s something I vehemently enjoy with each listen.

The truth
1 year ago

The song is okayish but the vocals I am sorry to say we’re quite poor.

esc_fl
esc_fl
1 year ago

It’s a bit insulting to call a bland song like “Because of You” an ode to the LGBTQ+ community, right?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  esc_fl

Wrong.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Odes don’t need to be good to be odes.

Fan
Fan
1 year ago

Seems very tuneless to me.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

I’d love to hear a Flemish version of this.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

“En als de wereld me gek maakt
Ga ik door, want ik weet ik ben sterk
Als de wereld me gek maakt
Ga ik door, en het komt allemaal door jou”
That’s what it would be like. And yes, it would be exponentially worse xD

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

I don’t have twitter or instagram but can someone please @ Gustaph and tell him to release the Flemish version we so desperately need?

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago

I recall writing him off and then being surprised after finding out he won, but in all honesty, it’s been growing on me. It’s an uplifting song and he’s a very charismatic performer, I absolutely see him making it through 🙂

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago

I’m still confident it can qualify 🙂 There are already 3 countries in the same semi final I’m expecting to be less successful than Belgium with the public (Romania, Denmark and Albania). And I can see other countries sending poor entries in the same semi (Iceland based on the songs from their national selection, San Marino because San Marino and perhaps Greece). I’m not saying this just to be nasty with other countries or artists. I’m not enjoying the fact that the level of this year contest is really low for the moment. I’m just saying things as I feel… Read more »

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago

It’s true I forget those countries have friends and not Belgium. But still, based on the song I bet Belgium will have more appeal with the public. It’s fun, enjoyable and the guy can sing. Don’t forget that eurovision fandom is only a few % of the people that will vote in May and the others don’t see the contest with the same eye than us. Most of them just want to have a good moment watching the show and Gustaph can offer that.

Tonto
Tonto
1 year ago

Of course they will do worse. Have you even listened to those songs?

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

While he was not my winner, I do like his charisma and he’s a strong performer. It gives me I.M vibes without the annoying arrogance Michael Ben David flaunted with. That’s all there is to it I guess. The song doesn’t do much and is rather repetitive. Still, I’d choose this over Gala Dragot any day

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago

I’d sooner listen to this than the NOISE songs coming from other countries under the banner of originality and relevance.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

You can’t ‘choose’ your family. Your family chooses YOU.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago

The fact that he is the one going to Liverpool instead of Gala Dragot is still insane to me. The Belgian public should never be allowed to have a say in their ESC selection again.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

OR Cherine! Poor gals!

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

Eh, both of Gala’s songs were fandom flops from the start and with Cherine’s staging there wasn’t much choice left for them. It was either ‘Because Of You’ or ‘Rollercoaster’, and I think people within the fandom would’ve equally cringed if the latter won instead.

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

The belgian public made one of the best choice. Of course Gala Dragot and Cherine had better songs, but Gustaph slayed during the NF.

Zanoni
Zanoni
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

It took bizarre self-sabotage on everyone’s part for Gustaph to get through. Gala was my favorite in the end, but the studio cut of her song is so half-hearted (is it even finished?). It took forever for her to grow on me, and I was open and fully invested in the process. The public was probably less so.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  Zanoni

Well, I never had a problem with it, I think the track sounds “claustrophobic” in a way that suits the atmosphere they were going for, also what matters the most to me is that it’s got its own clear identity and Gala is a really engaging performer who sells it very well live.

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

They didn’t…Half couldn’t even vote dus to a “technical” problem

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

It’s fun, he’s fun, the lyrics are light-hearted, it’s uplifting, the performance makes me smile, he has amazing vocals, and the instrumental is pretty good.

I like it. I hope he qualifies.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

How are the lyrics light-hearted? It’s actually a fairly heavy subject.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

It’s not really though

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

What do you think the lyrics are about?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

The history of the gay community is not light-hearted, so either it is about that or it is not.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

The lyrics are about self-love as a queer man. That’s inspiring and light-hearted to me. I’m also Gen-Z, so my perception of what’s light-hearted regarding the LGBT community may differ from older generations.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

He shouldn’t need a community to back him up for “self love”, or a team spirit. It’s the homophobic world we live in that makes that necessary. Sad, really.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

This might be harsh of me, but I can’t buy this as a gay empowerment song. The lyrics are so vague, it could be about anything.

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

The lyrics yeah but the staging talks by itself.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

Not really. There is very little staging so far.

Poncho
Poncho
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Litterally a soul choir and people vogueing in the background lmao

Safiya
Safiya
1 year ago

Yes, it’s not very original. Yes, the lyrics are generic. But there is something heartwarming about this song. And you can somehow tell that he wrote it and really relates to the lyrics. I like the fact that the song clearly has its queer identity but is not too over-the-top. He’s is a great singer, too! I think he can do much better than many people predict.

Esc99
Esc99
1 year ago
Reply to  Safiya

Amen to that 😉