Irish singer-songwriter Samantha Mumba has her eyes set on the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel.
The 90s pop sensation is the fourth finalist competing in Ireland’s Eurosong 2025.
Samantha will be hoping things go her way with her song “My Way.” Tune into The Ray D’Arcy Show at 15:00 Dublin time today to hear her first interview and the first radio play.
About Samantha Mumba
Here’s how the Irish broadcaster describes her:
Samantha Mumba is a distinguished Irish singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress who ascended to international acclaim at the remarkable age of 17 with her debut single, Gotta Tell You. The song became a global phenomenon, achieving top five positions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where it peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her eponymous debut album sold over 4 million copies worldwide, establishing her as a formidable presence in the music industry.
Expanding her creative horizons, Mumba transitioned seamlessly into acting, earning accolades for her performances in a range of compelling films. She starred inThe Time Machine, a sci-fi epic opposite Guy Pearce; Spin the Bottle, a charming Irish romantic comedy; Shifter, a gripping horror thriller; and Johnny Was, where she shared the screen with Eriq La Salle.
In 2024, Samantha continues to captivate audiences with a recurring role as Paula Kenny in the fourth season of the acclaimed BBC/Acorn TV series Harry Wild, acting alongside Jane Seymour and Rohan Nedd. Her talents also extend to voice acting, with her portrayal of Jules in Queen Latifah’s Audible series Technically Speaking.
With a career marked by versatility, artistry, and enduring appeal, Samantha Mumba remains an influential figure whose work transcends genres and mediums, leaving an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and her global audience.
It is interesting to notice the reactions to the different songs and artists – and I have to say that Eurosong feels very wide open this year. Will Samantha Mumba win it by default because of her fame, even though the song has received a lot of negative reviews? Will EMMY end up last just because she isn’it Irish? Will there be some big surprises that noone expects? Will the Irish risk sending something obvious Irish like Adgy – knowing that last time they tried to do Irish identity (2009 and 2012) it didnt go very well. Or will it… Read more »
And the question is – who is the specially invited act? NIYL definitely isnt the big name that everyone expected. The producers said that the specially invited act definitly had some international following – so it must be Samantha Mumba or EMMY then… and based on the Eirevision podcast it doesnt sound like it was EMMY’s idea to submit the song to Eurosong…
It was Samantha Mumba. Acts linked to Louis Walsh always get a fast-track ticket.
Let’s be honest, the song is woeful. Samantha is a huge name in Ireland, her participation and ultimate failure in Eurosong OR Eurovision will take Ireland two steps backwards and deter stars from applying to the selection.
I’m disappointed in Samantha, why couldn’t she simply fly to Sweden and write a 00’s inspired banger similar to the successful throwback tracks Tate McRae is churning out?
I mostly agree with your comment, except I’d argue that she’s a huge name in Ireland. She was, but in the words of Ulrika “long time ago, was it?” Obviously she has name recognition with over 30s but I doubt anyone born after 1990 will know who she is.
It would be a huge mistake to send her, but I worry that she’ll win thanks to votes from people who won’t even hear the song but who were fans of her 25 years ago.
Sorry, that should have been “ anyone born after 2000.”
Surprised to see her in the selection, but its a pleasant surprise! The song has all the right ingredients, but those ingredients work better INDIVIDUALLY! *Tin Whistle that gives the song its national identity. *A Marching drum beat that adds pace and interest. *The mood and drama are great. *The build is wonderful…. But none of these things mix well or have any cohesion. It becomes a mish-mash of chaotic noises that don’t compliment one another. The overall character of the song is one of confusion. I couldn’t understand what I was listening to, and to then remember that this… Read more »
This song is a totally forgettable
I don’t really know her, but just listed to her 2001 single Always Come Cack To Your Love. I love it. Seriously, a great track.
That was the year Ireland were relegated after sending possibly their worst song ever.
Where was Samantha then, when Ireland needed her?
24 years too late?
I assume had RTÉ approached her in 2001, she’d have told them she was too famous for Eurovision and wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole.
But when the hits dry up, attitudes change…
Honesty, I really hate is when an artist uses Eurovision as a chance for a comeback, especially when they probably would have sneered at it when they were at their peak.
A bit like that Welsh banshee in 2013
What year was the BBC rumoured to have originally approached Bonnie? Was it 1985? She was still at the top then…
But no longer in 2013. I thought she was an embarrassment.
Always come CACK to your love is a classic! x
Who are the songwriters and why do they never even get a mention in all these press releases?
Hear, hear. I hope we still matter to some press release writers, somewhere. (Or possibly AI, now.)
N.B. I posted the songwriters in reply to you below.
This song has some surprisingly deep elements contained within the rhythms, structure and harmony. This kind of song is exactly why I got involved in Eurovision reviews in the first place – to really experience diversity of songwriting. So, to the four songwriters on this track I say “bravo”. I listened to it more than once, and I felt like I was floating through the music at times. It has definitely been written “your way”, and I love that.
Who are the four songwriters, and where do you get this info?
Apparently, they are: Samantha Mumba, Brandon Avery Smith, Dimitri Green and Alejandro Rodriguez-Dawson.
There are other Eurovision websites of course, but my heart is here (as you know by now).
Should there be a video in the article ?
Sad face. 🙁
Irish fan here: the song is feels like it represents my ADHD. It’s all over the place.
the song is good but it needs a revamp make it more about the violin and celtic roots to it
She needs a new song, not a revamp.
i feel this song must have been 8 minutes long and to cut it to 3 minutes it feels it starts somewhere in the middle of the original composition! As strange as that sounds there is a tidal wave effect of main and backing vocals within a musical soundscape. I’m intrigued to see how on earth this is going to be performed live. A slow burner perhaps!
Another strong contender. Builds well and a great finish. This one demands a perfect execution though and those vocals have to be on point!!!
This one is epic! I like it, it progresses nicely.
I think I’m liking every Irish song this year…
Unfortunately the song really doesn’t come together
Yes her best song can’t think of it’s name was douze points ahead of this one ,
I like the song from Samantha very much
Samantha Mumba hasn’t had a hit since 2002, and her song is the worst one in the lineup.
Ireland, please don’t make a huge mistake and blow all the progress of last year by going for someone just because you might remember her.
Meanwhile, my dream of a Eurosong free of acts linked to Louis Walsh remains unfilled.
Personally I was dreading something like this. Not going to even listen to the song.
Samantha Mumba to win the jury and Bonnie Arlo to win the public vote.
After that I don’t know…
Maybe the national jury but not the international jury I think. Also there is a 6th song coming tomorrow and I have a feeling that Arlo will get an opponent to fight for the public votes.
Deben will give Sam 12 if he’s on the jury ahaha
Did you see the review he gave to Adgy? I’m certain he’ll give his 12 points to him, even though the song is incredibly mediocre.
I think it’s between Bobbi, Reylta and Samantha for the win. I have a feeling Reylta will give us a moment, a la CONNOLLY two years ago. Don’t forget, she will have Ryan O’Shaughnessy in her corner, who is someone you really want on your side because he is an all-rounder. He knows what it takes to bring an act to life, especially one that is overlooked and written off.
CONNOLLY should have went two years ago, still not over that.
Agreed- I would like to see her return to Eurosong in the future.
Two very good songs from Samantha and EMMY. I still think Powerplay is the one to win.
All 5 songs playable from here (and assume the sixth tomorrow):
https://youtube.com/@escblink?si=aUWYLsMoXBQpI5O8
I can’t decide!!! It’s a good year!!
Not drawn to My Way… Sounds more movie soundtrack than standalone… Very processed (unnecessarily as it’s not clubby).
It is, but I hope the country doesn’t mess up and go for the Samantha Mumba song, the weakest in the lineup and sung by a has-been.
Very theatrical, I love it – I’m a bit worried if the build up isn’t too slow for some people though.
I don’t get the appeal of this song at all, it is a mess all build up and then nothing. Expect RTE and the media to push her though, Linda Martin will be defrosted to give her opinion no doubt.
If Bobbi Arlo can perform live they would be the obvious best choice.
A defrosted soggy Linda Martin sitting in a puddle of herself… I’m tuning in for that.
And we know exactly what Linda’s opinion will be.
When will the Irish media realise that the person who won Eurovision in 1992 might not know that it takes to win in 2025?
I really like it.
But worried RTE will push her, as they did with Wild Youth based on name alone, as I still feel PowerPlay should probably be our song at this stage.
I’m so invested in Eurosong this year for like the first time ever. Excellent selection so far.
I think Reylta has the better song tbh.
I think it’ll come down to genre preference (and live delivery)… And who actually votes… Don’t think older folks do, soooo… Hmmm.
The song is class, as is Emmy’s. Eurosong is looking very strong this year!