Keen to get into the mood for the excitement of Eurovision - Australia Decides, before the action kicks off on the Gold Coast on February 25 and 26?
Here's a chance to check out the songs each of the 11 acts will be performing, hoping to be the one to represent Australia in Italy in May.
Dreamer by Voyager
Danny Estrin, vocals & keytar for Voyager, said: “As humans, we tend to look to the stars and glorify what could be. Simply, Dreamer is about looking at the here, the now and valuing what we have around us. Especially over the last two years, hopes and dreams vs the tiny locked down bubble we live in has been a constant push and pull... It's good to be a dreamer, but the grass isn't necessarily always greener. We're bringing this track to Eurovision - Australia Decides as our official entry and we can’t wait to finally be on stage again!” Performed and written by Daniel Estrin (vocals, keys); Simone Dow (guitars); Scott Kay (guitars); Ashley Doodkorte (drums); Alex Canion (bass, vocals).
I Won’t Need to Dream by Jude York
“I Won't Need to Dream was written by Billy Stonecipher and myself as the message we needed to hear. During this time when the future seems so precarious and it's impossible to make plans, I couldn't help but feel a little hopeless - about my life, relationships and career. Billy and I toyed around with a few different ways of translating that emotion into music but it all fell together when I played that first line on piano. The song practically wrote itself from there. We were really inspired by songs of the 30's and 40’s like Dream by the Pied Pipers and Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland. The lyrics are simple and optimistic and writing it felt like I was consoling myself, singing a lullaby to help me get through this difficult patch. We've all had an incredibly tough two years and it's so easy to feel hopeless. I want this song to be like a warm hug to anyone who listens to it, a gentle reminder that things can get better and that dreams eventually become reality. For me, this song has already taken me further than I thought possible." Written by Jude York and Billy Stonecipher.
We Are One by PAULINI
"“The world is hurting so it's time to bust out with a little hope, unity and joy. There's no better way to do that than with big sounds, and some big notes," PAULINI says.
Written by Rick Price and John Capek.
Little Fires by Jaguar Jonze
Jaguar Jonze. Source: SBS
“Little Fires is a reminder about where we’ve come from, what we are fighting for, and what we can achieve when we work together. And, it’s a reminder that we are not alone. I wanted my Eurovision song to be for those moments where it was hard to stay strong, for those times I felt overwhelmed by what I had taken on.”
“I am constantly defining what vulnerability means to me. Growing up, vulnerability was seen as a weakness, but now to me, I see vulnerability as strength. And I’m seeing this reflect in my lyrics and songwriting. Little Fires is a moment for me to share a vulnerable side of me that I haven’t before.”
Written by Deena Lynch, PJ Harding, Louis Schoorl.
When I'm With You by Isaiah Firebrace and Evie Irie
"Evie Irie and Isaiah Firebrace said: "We are super stoked that When I’m With You is out!!! We have been waiting to release this song for almost a year now and it’s surreal that people are finally going to hear it after all this time. Neither one of us could have imagined that a random day in the studio together would turn into the chance to go all the way to Italy for Eurovision 2022, and would take us on this wild journey together." Written by Isaiah Firebrace, Evie Irie and Taka Perry
Electrify by Andrew Lambrou
‘Electrify’ is a song about a feeling. That feeling you get when someone suddenly steps into your life and all of sudden you have a superpower of emotions. It’s a euphoric feeling unique to only yourself, knowing that you have waited patiently for this person to walk into your life, and now that you’re together you can’t hide your emotions," he says. “Being a European Australian and growing up in an environment where music from Europe is constantly being played, I wanted to put together a song in my pop world mixed with European influences that I love. I took this idea to the Delahoyde brothers and we turned on the power! Electrify almost felt like it wrote itself,” he continued. With their international vision for ‘Electrify’ they decided to take it one step further. Andrew explains: “After writing the song we had the idea to make the second verse a Spanish verse and we made it happen. I visualised myself visiting my hometown in Greece and Cyprus and hearing this song playing in clubs and venues around Europe with remixes in all different languages which is a real dream of mine. It all just felt so right.” Written by Andrew Lambrou, Nick de la Hoyde, Joseph de la Hoyde, Tim de la Hoyde
I Suck At Being Lonely by Charley
“I wrote ‘I Suck At Being Lonely’ two and a half years ago with Jim Alxndr while I was in LA on a writing trip. The session that day turned into a therapy session as I was feeling so heartbroken over my ex. ... While Jim and I wrote and recorded ISABL that day, we both cried so much, turning the recording into one of the most cathartic experiences of my life,” says Charley. “But to think that something that real and sad could be turned into one of the most special moments in my life by performing it at Eurovision really puts things into perspective. Everything happens for a reason and no matter how dark a moment is, it can be turned into something beautiful.” Written by Claire Howell, James Vincent, Jonathan Dreyfus and Thomas Jordan
Not The Same by Sheldon Riley
"Not The Same’is the story I never thought I’d ever feel I’d be able to tell. Written from the memories of a child who at age six was diagnosed with ‘asperger’ syndrome. Growing up in public housing, moving from home to home, unaware of my sexuality, among a deeply religious family. A path already laid that I would never be able to properly understand or interact with other people.” Written by Sheldon Hernandez.
My Body by Seann Miley Moore
Written by Vanessa Rogers, Ianna Rogers, Imogen Jones. To be released very soon!
To The Bottom by Erica Padilla
"To the Bottom is pretty much my life story. It's about pushing yourself to achieve your goals and doing whatever it takes to not fall back down to your rock bottom. It's a triumph song and a song that was created to inspire, empower and leave anyone who listens to it with the drive to conquer the world!”
Stay tuned to the SBS Eurovision website for news, Eurovision - Australia Decides 'how to vote' information, and more: #EurovisionAustralia #Eurovision #AusDecides
