The opera is known for drama: big characters, gorgeous settings and incredible voices. And so it’s only fitting that countertenor JJ is serving all of that and more in the music video for “Wasted Love” — Austria’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
JJ — real nameJohannes Pietsch — has delivered one of the most unique songs of the year. Although it starts with light and airy opera, it progresses to opera underscored with heavy techno beats. Think Kate Miller-Heidke mixed with Go_A and you’ll start to understand the drama and payoff of the finish.
But behind that musical journey is a story of love — or rather love that never quite finds a place to land. That unrequited love can be overwhelming. As JJ sings: “I’m an ocean of love and you’re scared of water. You don’t want to go under, so you let me go under.”
JJ reveals “Wasted Love” — Austria’s Eurovision 2025 song
“This song perfectly captures my experience with unreciprocated love,” JJ says in the official press release sent by Austrian broadcaster ORF. “There’s a unique kind of heartbreak in having so much love to give but nowhere for it to land.”
“It feels like being adrift at sea on a fragile paper boat—grasping at any sliver of hope, only to watch it dissolve beneath you.”
“And yet, there’s something undeniably beautiful in that naïve devotion. Because, in the end, simply being able to love—no matter how wasted—is a beautiful thing in itself.”
The music video is gorgeous and reflects the emotional intensity of the song. Directed by Marek Vesely, it was filmed in various locations, including a pine forest near Wiener Neustadt, the Stadttheater Baden, and the “I Dive Diving School” in Vienna, where JJ submerged for his underwater shots. A forest with water and snow was recreated in a studio in Lower Austria.
According to Marek, the music video “is intended to be a visual journey into the deep abyss of unrequited love, underscored by dramatic elements. It is structured in five acts and plays with the opera vibe as its underlying mood.”
You can thank a certain “Rise Like a Phoenix” singer for nurturing JJ’s love of Eurovision.
“My family and I have watched the ESC every year since Conchita’s victory, eating together and discussing the contestants,” he says. “It has brought us closer.“
Are you loving “Wasted Love”? Do you think that it can win it all? What type of staging would you like to see? Let us know in the comments box down below!
As a copywriter I think the lyrics could be better… and are a bit messy, also the use of the water metaphor Now that you’re gone All I have Is wasted lov? You can’t have something that is wasted because it’s already wasted… I’m an ocean of love And you’re scared of water You don’t want to go under So you let me go under An ocean of love can’t go under But you watch me grow distant Drift out to the sea and Far away in an instant You left me in the deep end I’m drownin’ in my feelings… Read more »
I thought about it, my problem is: I don’t believe him, he looks very young and ‘wasted love’ is a very heavy subject, it doesn’t seem to match, I also doubt his stage presence, after seeing his The Voice performances on YT. He has Bambi’s fancy stage director, but not her charisma, is it enough? And will there be prerecorded vocals? For a song like this that’s a no go.
Terrible.
Nemo copycat, doubt this will do well at all.
Annoying voice, shock NQ.
That may happen without a jury in the semi, he needs a very strong stage performance to convince the average televoter.
Now mans is out, as of today this wins the jury if performed amazing
France is more likely
Is it me or does this come off as AI-generated?
It does, doesn’t it?!
How the hell is this bookies’ #1 is beyond me.
Alots of fandom overhyped with this entry because of JJ s operatics high pitched voice . If this song is being sang by a normal singers it will sound very bland because there is no catchy chorus whatsoever and the (wasted ) part is so repetitive and long . The whole song is too over high pitched for my liking
Oh no, not another Memo. Daamn!
JJs voice REALLY isn’t for me, there is just something that makes it a chore to listen to. It goes in the same category as Blanca Paloma, “really impressive, but please make it stop”
Blanca Paloma’s song was not about voice acrobatic just for voice acrobatic. “Eaea” had a strong cultural background while “Wasted love” sounds like generated by AI.
Paloma was very authentique, this song isn’t
ALTHOUGH, I just remembered how good hosts the Austrians were in 2015, might not mind after all lol
The Netherlands did a great job as well even with many Corona restrictions
I agree, but my point still stands about Austria
I hated how they made fun of John Lundvik, not once but several times! I love Nikki and I know she didn’t write the script, but I was disappointed she didn’t refuse to do it.
JJ has an amazing voice, but even for three minutes, the vocals are too much. The techno part suits the song very well, but I think Nemo’s song was more balanced (hehe) in comparison. Surely it deserves at least a top 5 placement (taking into account how weak this year is) but if it wins I am going to get disappointed. I mean, what I like about the contest is how different the winners are and we already have 2 jury winners by a large margin of points in ’23 & ’24. And I fear I’ll watch the contest for… Read more »
It’s not just you I feel the same about it
In the moment it seems to be public’s favourite too. Surely will change after Sweden picks it song but just saying…. Majority loves this piece
Not only I instantly loved the song, this is one of the very few exceptions were I’m literally OBSESSED with a Eurovision entry. Last time that happened for me was with Sam Ryder for the UK in 2022 with “SPACEMAN”. It’s so perfect and intense you literally cannot get enough of it and most importantly, it NEVER gets repetitive. You feel literal goosebumps every time you listen to it, even more after the beat drops. I’ve put my entire faith into JJ and Teodora Špiri?’s genius, because this is the first time in a long while that my personal ESC… Read more »
I personally loved the song, and for me it sits there on the top 3 along with the Netherlands and Finland.
Netherlands is my #1! ? I love Erika’s stage presence and sense of humor, but not the song unfortunately. One of my least favorite.
This is a very special entry. I really like but I have to be honest… nothing sticks in my head after the song ends. Like all I remember is the high notes/falsettos. I don’t remember the chorus or verses or anything in the lyrics.
The last part of the song is very cool but I believe this entry needs a serious staging which will make it or break it.
Many operatic pop entries have flopped in the past so this entry needs to deliver live. Some viewers might think that Austria is trying to replicate Nemo’s success…
It’s a perfectly produced song, but it has no soul. Nemo was very authentic, almost fragile.
The amount of people I have seen crying because of this music says something different
Why do most love this? I struggle to listen the whole way through. An assault on my ears and brain! Would love to love it, I’ll keep trying!
I can’t explain it. It just goes straight into the soul and does something really good.
Thats so interesting to read as i think its not really sung from the heart. I dont feel real emotions coming from him. It rather sounds cold, just being made for Eurovision. Not saying anything about its chances though in ESC. Its definitely one of the contenders.
I just get chills and goosebumps when I hear it and the change at the end is super cool and unexpected
But why? The high notes are very sharp, it’s impossible to understand what he’s singing…
as I said I can’t explain it. it’s just feelings and goes straight into my soul. the high notes are insanely good
this song hits harder and harder with every listen
guys I’m loving this now
Don’t like it. Not sure why yet…
The question still remains.. the live performance of this song? The problem with internal selections.
Are we going to Vienna next year?
That’s very probable (13% according to the odds as of today).
Please don’t turn my beloved Eurovision into an Opera contest Period.
Why isn’t it okay that there are songs with operatic elements but thousands of same sounding generic songs are praised for being unique… I honestly don’t get it. Only because Nemo used operatic elements but nobody else JJ isn’t allowed to do that as well? I can’t count on one hand how many bad songs there are this year that sound exactly the same without any or almost no talent behind, but this…. Is really special and has talent behind it as well as stands out.
Wasted Love just passed ich Komme as my most favorite ESC song. Hopefully he can sing the song close to as good as the studio cut
that electro ending ruins it for me.
but popera typically does very well with the public…il volo, elina, kate on a pole…
so austria will probably get a top 10 result, in this weak field i’d say top 5…
I was going to post almost the exact same thing. I was getting into it and then that weird, clashing electro bit came in and wrecked the vibe. It just doesn’t fit with the song in any way and is such a harsh and abrupt change that serves no purpose. At least there is still plenty of time to cut it and replace it with something that does fit.
Czechia’s song has dropped on Spotify in most of Europe btw. And it’s as good as I expected and another one that I feel will get a lot of attention, although it might not have the same winner vibe like Austria. Internal selections have saved a previously terrible year for me – Netherlands, Austria and Czechia are already taking 3 of the places in my Top 5.
It has an awkward dancebreak, and the lyrics are a bit shaky… I’m not convinced it’s that good tbh.
The good side of internal selections at Eurovision is that it gives you flexibility on deciding on the song and I congratulate Austria for this song, potential winner 🙂
I wish Italy also chose its song via internal selection,rather than sending Lucio for representing Italy; his song is quite boring and old fashioned :/
Old fashioned can be good. Have you seen Damiano David’s recent video? An old school 1930s Hollywood musical. What’s not to love?
https://youtu.be/Z4-g8UXa944
But the singer is Damiano David 🙂 Different genres of songs can sound well if sung by him.
A little bit of Victoria in my life
A little bit of Sheldon Riley’s what I like
A little bit of Kaleen here I am
A little bit of JJ makes you my man
This is the first song that gives me winner vibes – a little bit of something for everyone.
A little bit of Nemo?
Yes, that as well. I definitely have a similar feeling to the first time I heard Nemo – it’s the sort of track that nicely straddles different worlds.
also!
Deep question.
Is unrequited love really “wasted” emotion?
I’m not so sure. For example, my profound adoration of Achille Lauro still brings me joy, even if we only met that time he picked me out of a police line-up.
Unrequited love gave us Dancing on my Own by Robyn. Another point in its favour.
Damn, I wish I was your lover
Wasted love, sorry
Artistically, it is evidently not a wasted emotion, and it’s very useful. But emotionally, it feels like it is thrown away, unspent, useless and wasted. Hence, it is a beautiful emotion for a song. Heightened emotion results in high drama and great art, basically.
Better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all?
Was that Shakespeare or just Captain Picard of the starship Enterprise-D?
It’s either Alfred Lord Tennyson, or Windows95Man… can’t remember which
I think it depends on the circumstances
Unreciprocated emotions can be really painful in some situations, where the connection is not so casual for example. And that’s the vibe I’m getting from “Wasted Love”.
-I’m an ocean of love and you’re scared of water-
I love this opening line because it sets the emotional direction of the song, someone who’s overflown by their emotions for another person who got so scared by the intensity of the love that they ran away. And all is left is this “wasted” love that is drowning their broken heart that still feels empty.
Okay, so maybe it’s not about unrequited love after all. Perhaps about a true love that’s halted in its tracks by a fear of commitment.
I would say it’s about an one-sided love between 2 people that were close but not anymore exactly because feelings were not reciprocated.
-now that you’re gone all I have is wasted love-
Or like Stig Rästa sang to Elina Born in 2015 “my love was never gonna be enough”. This is JJ’s “wasted love” for me.
Thank you. Perhaps that is also why I connect with this song, since it’s apparently pertinent to my life right now.
I think it’s an emotion many of us have felt at some point in our lifes. At least I know I have and I carried it for a while so this song speaks to me as well, even now that I’ve left this behind. I think one of the biggest advantages of “Wasted Love” is that it feels personal and relatable and that’s one of the keys to creating a connection with the listener.
Emotions are never wasted, we need them to get rid of things or to embrace what we love.
Thank you JJ, Teya and Thomas. “Wasted Love” is so much more than I could have ever imagined. It’s stratospheric, and definitely the best pop opera entry I’ve heard for ESC. If JJ can perform this song well live, then surely all the juries and most of the televoters would have to give this 12 points.
Austria is now my clear favourite to win ESC 2025 so far. So, congratulations.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. The bar might be low, but this is the best Austrian entry ever. No matter how this ends up, JJ should be celebrated for this. Whatever it is, it’s special. A real moment.
I would agree that this year’s bar is particularly low but I don’t know if I would say it is Austria’s best song ever. I’ll give you top 5 since 2000, though. After all, Conchita Wurst, and I am still listening to Cesar Sampson’s song.
This could be another Cesar Sampson. Jury topper, televote not so much.
P.S. Woki Mitt Deim Popo is Austria’s best ever song, everybody knows that
That’s true
the bookies going nuts for this really tells how weak this year is
With all entries released until now, I think greece is the dark horse that might surprise
Unlikely
No, just no.
I’d really like a new country to win!!!
– Please, not again Sweden.
– Please, not again Austria.
– Please, not again Netherlands.
– Finland, France, Belgium… can win any other year.
The best song should win, if it’s one of those countries so be it.
Belgium? j’aime la vie is a long time ago,
This is amazing, the ending is epic and what a unique voice. This could well win!
Can win the whole contest; Congratulations Austria ?
I’ve listened a few times and it does get better. I do like a grower
Goosebumps! It seems like this song will be very divisive (which is not a bad thing as we have seen). If they can recreate the mood on stage I am sure (or at least hope) that this will make it in the top 10
after the first listen it’s good and very interesting. I’ll have to listen to it a few more times to be able to judge it properly, but I’m not scared away. I’m looking forward to hearing it live.
Unfourtunetely entries don’t get all these chances at Eurovision. It should be more direct.
and it can become even more direct when you see the live performance
After one listen, I like it. I don’t love it.
It seems designed to show off the talents of the performer, rather than stand on its own merits as a song.
Like when he switched to
Opera mode, I could just see those chairs turning on The Voice.
A song of real quality should sound good no matter who sings it and no matter in what style.
I anticipate that this year’s Wiwi Jury will be probably the most exciting one there has been in a long time, because of the divisiveness of this year’s entries. I anticipate that our musical opinions will be highly varied.
That was just a first impression, maybe I will have totally reconsidered by the time of Wiwi Jury…!
Austria 2026!!! Absolute winner vibes!
Just wow! The voice, the music, the message – this song is perfect. By far the best thing that Austria has ever sent to the ESC. Well done!
I really really like it. It should do very well in the GF.
The comparisons are inevitable, but as a standalone entry it’s not bad. I played it too loud and thought my windows might smash
Throw a rock through them, then sue
Rita, Sue
and Andrew too
Dang I didn’t expect so many people to be negative. I mean even if it isn’t your pick to win, it is still better than a vast majority of other songs
It’s the wiwibloggs comments section, negativity is RIFE!
I think that people tend to hate what other people love, if they don’t love it themselves. I could almost say that it might feel like a “threat” for an ESC fan that maybe has other favourites. That’s another sign that it’s actually a contender – don’t forget how much hate there was last year for both Nemo and Baby Lasagna, or Bambie Thug to name a few, for all of them to finish in Top 6. I personally think that it’s objectively a very solid entry for a number of reasons and it will depend on the live performance… Read more »
No thanks, just trying to recreate the code from Nemo vibe, unoriginal and trying too hard. SPAIN FOR THE WIN
I agree there are similarities to the code, but Spain’s entry this year is neither original or understated. I personally love Melody’s chaotic camp performance but come on!
Melody’s Esa Diva is classic camp Eurovision and her live vocals are outstanding.
I feel every year there is a few songs that try to recreate the magic of the last winner and it NEVER works. This one just isn’t it!!! Spain, Azerbaijan and Latvia are my faves at the moment but waiting for Cyprus and UK to give me what I need !!!
Fair enough. I’m with you on Spain, and I do rather like Azerbaijan. Not so keen on Latvia. I’m also eagerly awaiting UK’s entry, I remain hopeful every year!
finally a good song easilly my number 1
I loved it until the opera voice started.
Voice is great (hopefully live too). Song is not memorable and at points off-putting. Not a radio hit by any means. Most comparable to Gjon’s Tears.
Gjon’s Tears Tout l’univers is a real masterpiece, this isn’t.
It is. You don’t have to love but you gotta acknowledge that
First thing, congratulations Austria. I’ve seen the comments, people are delusional as usual. This is definitely winning jury vote, and coming top 3 in televote. There is gazillion YouTube reactions already, its rising in odds. People tend to get jealous if they feel threatened, so they are trying to diss on talent and standout song like this one. Once again, congratulations Austria, you have top contender this year. Enjoy this eurovision season dear friends.
Even tho I disagree partially with the first part, the internal selections really saved the day…. damn.
Well said. Facts are facts and I totally agree on the jealous/threat observation. The more attention a song has the more hate it will receive but there’s equally if not more love and appreciation for this wonderful entry.
I’ve been watching reaction videos all day. I know this song will do great in May. For the past few years i had that feeling for Chanel, after that Karija and than Baby Lasagna. Believe me, this is no1 contender with Sweden. That will be split screen in the final.
Nemo didn’t even come top 3 in the televote, and this song is even less televote-friendly. The Code already had elements of a singing lesson rather than a song. But Austria is taking it even further, and (to me) this makes it largely unlistenable. I’m not threatened by it, I just don’t like it.
That is ok, you may not like it. I get goosebumps listening to it. I like this song much more than last year from Nemo. I didn’t vote for Nemo last year, i voted for Baby lasagna. This year my vote goes to Austria.
Who says that this song is less televoting friendly? I find it much more relatable than “The Code”. I’m getting so many emotions from listening to “Wasted Love”, similarly to what I felt with “Arcade”, “Voila”, or “Tattoo” to name a few. I didn’t feel that for “The Code” and I also voted for Baby Lasagna last year (along with Bambie Thug and Sebastian Belt) but this year I’m definitely supporting JJ (along with any other song that will have some impact on me).
his voice is… WOW!
Calm down guys 🙂 Not everybody likes this kind of vocals -Estonia 2018, Romania 2013, Azerbaijan 2008, Romania 2006, Israel 2004… who else tried that, and what? It was only Gjon’s Tears and Nemo that actually got into the top3 with this kind of vocals… but NOT BECAUSE OF THE PUBLIC VOTE (Gjon’s Teras was 6th, and Nemo 5th). And for me they had better songs 😉 Although, I like the surprise in the end of this act. I like Austrian acts. I would like Eurovision in Austria again… And I won’t be disappointed if this will win in Basel..… Read more »
Is this gonna be great on the Eurovision stage? Yes. A winner? No
Would I add this to my spotify playlist? Hell to the no (wait heck no I guess, before the BBC comes for me).
The BBC are sending a song called “What the Hell Just Happened” to Eurovision so I think you’re safe.
Listened to the 10 second snippet of the song. Sound and style very Avril Lavigne
I don’t think it could be any further from Avril Lavigne
WHAT?? “What the hell” is offensive and blasphemous. I am OUTRAGED
Is this a reaction song to Malta serving kant? Xd