Archive for February, 2012
Jedward to represent Ireland at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest
Jedward have been chosen to represent Ireland in Baku, after having secured first place at the Irish Eurosong Final.
Jedward favourites as Eurovision song vote nears
Friday, February 24, 2012 – 07:35 AM
Jedward are pinning their hopes on the Irish vote tonight, as they sets their sights on a Eurovision entry.
The public will choose who to represent us at Eurovision, with the Dublin duo hoping to win a ticket to Azerbaijan.The twins will perform fifth tonight on the Late Late Show and are favourites in the competition.
John and Edward are confident in the song and say “all the juries across Europe will vote for it”.
From the Irishexaminer.com
Eurosong is douze points for Late Late
Eurosong is douze points for Late Late
VIEWERSHIP OF the Late Late Show tends to spike over the course of a programme whenever Irish guests get their Tubridy-time, meaning RTÉ will be all too happy to devote tomorrow’s show to that most Irish of traditions, Eurovision.
Excluding December’s record-breaking Toy Show audience, the most-watched edition of the Late Late last year was February 11th, when the Lipstick -singing Jedward were chosen as Ireland’s representatives – an average of 886,100 viewers tuned in to see this peroxide-tinged conclusion.
So what to expect of Eurosong 2012? With crushing inevitability, Jedward are back, this time with Waterline , described by music blog Popjustice as “a Backstreet [Boys] vs Busted banger of Eurovision-winning proportions”.
Oh dear. Deserving second-favourite, and reassuringly less likely to romp home in Azerbaijan, is Donna McCaul’s track Mercy – as fitting a Eurovision title as you can get. Alarmingly, both acts have called in the writing and/or production talents of pop’s peerless professionals: the Swedish.
From the IrishTImes.com
Eurovision on the double Jedward to give contest another pop
From Irishtimes.com
JENNIFER WHOLEY
JEDWARD ARE set to make a sparkly second grab for Ireland’s Eurovision spot on tonight’s Late Late Show Eurosong 2012 special.
Under the mentorship of Eurovision winner Linda Martin, Jedward will be performing a love song. With her experience, Martin hopes to be a calming influence on the pop duo and vault the fan favourites to the top of the list. “Waterline is a fantastic European pop song,” she said, describing the song as a metaphor for falling in love. “I loved it straight away and so did the boys.”
Speaking on Newstalk yesterday, Jedward said they are too busy to have girlfriends. Alluding to the break-up of the Beatles, the twins said: “It would break up Jedward. And that’s what happened to the Beatles with Yoko Ono and John Lennon.”
This year’s Eurosong winner will go on to the competition finals in Azerbaijan in May.
RTE Hold Eurosong rehersals
From RTE.ie
Ryan Tubridy has admitted that he was a late-comer to the joys of the Eurovision but added he is looking forward to tomorrow night’s selection on The Late Late Show of Ireland’s entry for the 2012 contest.
Speaking to RTÉ TEN about whether he has always been a Eurovision groupie Tubridy confessed: “No, I haven’t. I have come to the Eurovision quite late in life, obviously I grew up with it.
“When you present this show, part of the joy is that you get to present the Eurosong once a year. It’s kind of like a bizarre version of the Toy Show.”
Tubridy was photographed this afternoon with the Eurovision hopefuls to launch tomorrow night’s vote for Ireland’s entry
The five acts, and their mentors, in order of their performance on tomorrow night’s Late Late Show, are: Celtic Aura with Maria McCool and mentor (former Bewitched singer) Edele Lynch, Donna McCaul with mentor Bill Hughes, Andrew Mann with mentor Greg French, duo Úna Gibney and David Shannon whose mentor is Julian Benson and Jedward, who have Linda Martin as their mentor.
Following last year’s experience, which saw Jedward placed in eighth place, the lads believe it’s a case of “second time lucky” and that they can win it this year: “Definitely. Last year we came eighth and we were totally unknown and this year 100% yes.”
They are performing Waterline last on tomorrow’s night Late Late Show which they think “is really cool because last year I think we performed second or third and this year it’s really great that we’re performing last because usually the best song is the finale in everyone’s concert.”
Former Eurovision winner, Linda Martin is returning to the competition, this time as Jedward’s mentor and is clear about what she’s bringing to their table: “A little bit of experience but most of all a calming influence!”
This year the voting will once again be split evenly between a public phone vote and a regional jury, however the boys are not worried: “I think overall our song is the coolest, it has guitar, it has piano and it appeals to loads of people.
“Even if you don’t understand what the song means, everyone knows what water is and everyone drinks water to hydrate themselves and everyone wants Jedward to do good!”
Mentor Martin added: “And it’s a love song, this is the first time the boys have sung a love song. Waterline is actually a metaphor for falling in love.”
Donna McCaul, all grown up and singing solo tomorrow night, supported by mentor Bill Hughes
To those who think that Jedward has it in the bag, Tubridy adds: “Truthfully I haven’t heard the songs yet. Jedward have been there before so they have the advantage in that sense but so has Donna McCaul. I think there’s a fight in it.”
McCaul’s mentor, Bill Hughes agrees: “We think it’s a very strong pop song. When I was first asked to mentor I thought Ireland needs a pop song somewhere in between Lady Gaga and Steps and I think we’ve found it… I also thought it needed a really big voice and I have worked with Donna a lot over the years. and she’s always managed to blow the room away and I thought I have to work with this voice and get her in.”
Hughes said of Jedward: “They’re great and they just do what they do.
“We’re going for the song – we feel we have the strongest song and we feel we have the strongest singer.”
It is seven years since Donna sang for Ireland with her brother Joseph: “I was young, we were very, very young. To go back now after 2005, saying that wasn’t me then, this is me now, this is my voice. This is a song that I’m going to represent Ireland with and knock their socks off – I’m a completely different person, I was only going on 20 and I’m 27 now.”
Niall Horan from One Direction has also come out in favour of McCaul: “He was questioned by one of the newspapers about ‘Who were you backing for Eurosong?’ and he was like ‘My very own Donna McCaul from Westmeath’ so it was nice. I haven’t met him but he’s my new best friend!”
Speaking about the mentors, Tubridy said: “I think it adds a little credibility to the affair because they’re people with a proven track record.”
If Ireland were to win the Eurovision, would he present? “Of course, I’d set up an exploratory committee into the sparkle factor required for the presenter of the Eurovision. No, of course I would, I’d be honoured to do such a thing.
“I think we’ll win it, I think we’re due it, I’ve got a really good vibe about this year, 2012, in Ireland.Things are good, the sun is coming out again and hopefully it’ll be reflected with a good time out in Azerbaijan and hopefully Ireland can come home with a bit of silverware.”
Incidentally Tubridy has taken part in a Late Late Show skit which will air on Republic of Telly on Monday night on RTÉ Two, which he promises is well worth watching.
Tubridy unveils Eurosong hopefuls
Thursday 23 February 2012
Ryan Tubridy has admitted that he was a late-comer to the joys of the Eurovision but added he is looking forward to tomorrow night’s selection on The Late Late Show of Ireland’s entry for the 2012 contest.
Jedward are amongst the five Eurovision hopefulsSpeaking to RTÉ TEN about whether he has always been a Eurovision groupie Tubridy confessed: “No, I haven’t. I have come to the Eurovision quite late in life, obviously I grew up with it.
“When you present this show, part of the joy is that you get to present the Eurosong once a year. It’s kind of like a bizarre version of the Toy Show.”
Tubridy was photographed this afternoon with the Eurovision hopefuls to launch tomorrow night’s vote for Ireland’s entry
The five acts, and their mentors, in order of their performance on tomorrow night’s Late Late Show, are: Celtic Aura with Maria McCool and mentor (former Bewitched singer) Edele Lynch, Donna McCaul with mentor Bill Hughes, Andrew Mann with mentor Greg French, duo Úna Gibney and David Shannon whose mentor is Julian Benson and Jedward, who have Linda Martin as their mentor.
Following last year’s experience, which saw Jedward placed in eighth place, the lads believe it’s a case of “second time lucky” and that they can win it this year: “Definitely. Last year we came eighth and we were totally unknown and this year 100% yes.”
They are performing Waterline last on tomorrow’s night Late Late Show which they think “is really cool because last year I think we performed second or third and this year it’s really great that we’re performing last because usually the best song is the finale in everyone’s concert.”
Former Eurovision winner, Linda Martin is returning to the competition, this time as Jedward’s mentor and is clear about what she’s bringing to their table: “A little bit of experience but most of all a calming influence!”
This year the voting will once again be split evenly between a public phone vote and a regional jury, however the boys are not worried: “I think overall our song is the coolest, it has guitar, it has piano and it appeals to loads of people.
“Even if you don’t understand what the song means, everyone knows what water is and everyone drinks water to hydrate themselves and everyone wants Jedward to do good!”
Mentor Martin added: “And it’s a love song, this is the first time the boys have sung a love song. Waterline is actually a metaphor for falling in love.”
Donna McCaul, all grown up and singing solo tomorrow night, supported by mentor Bill Hughes
To those who think that Jedward has it in the bag, Tubridy adds: “Truthfully I haven’t heard the songs yet. Jedward have been there before so they have the advantage in that sense but so has Donna McCaul. I think there’s a fight in it.”
McCaul’s mentor, Bill Hughes agrees: “We think it’s a very strong pop song. When I was first asked to mentor I thought Ireland needs a pop song somewhere in between Lady Gaga and Steps and I think we’ve found it… I also thought it needed a really big voice and I have worked with Donna a lot over the years. and she’s always managed to blow the room away and I thought I have to work with this voice and get her in.”
Hughes said of Jedward: “They’re great and they just do what they do.
“We’re going for the song – we feel we have the strongest song and we feel we have the strongest singer.”
It is seven years since Donna sang for Ireland with her brother Joseph: “I was young, we were very, very young. To go back now after 2005, saying that wasn’t me then, this is me now, this is my voice. This is a song that I’m going to represent Ireland with and knock their socks off – I’m a completely different person, I was only going on 20 and I’m 27 now.”
Niall Horan from One Direction has also come out in favour of McCaul: “He was questioned by one of the newspapers about ‘Who were you backing for Eurosong?’ and he was like ‘My very own Donna McCaul from Westmeath’ so it was nice. I haven’t met him but he’s my new best friend!”
Speaking about the mentors, Tubridy said: “I think it adds a little credibility to the affair because they’re people with a proven track record.”
If Ireland were to win the Eurovision, would he present? “Of course, I’d set up an exploratory committee into the sparkle factor required for the presenter of the Eurovision. No, of course I would, I’d be honoured to do such a thing.
“I think we’ll win it, I think we’re due it, I’ve got a really good vibe about this year, 2012, in Ireland.Things are good, the sun is coming out again and hopefully it’ll be reflected with a good time out in Azerbaijan and hopefully Ireland can come home with a bit of silverware.”
Incidentally Tubridy has taken part in a Late Late Show skit which will air on Republic of Telly on Monday night on RTÉ Two, which he promises is well worth watching.
Duo Úna Gibney and David Shannon
Singers and their songs:
Celtic Aura with Maria McCool’s song is entitled Mistaken, written by Edele Lynch.
Donna McCaul’s song is entitled Mercy, written by Marten Ericsson, Peter Mansson, Lina Ericsson and Bill Hughes.
Andrew Mann’s song is Here I Am, written by Greg French
Úna Gibney and David Shannon’s song is Language of Love, written by Eanan Patterson and Julian Benson.
Jedward’s song is Waterline, written by Nick Jarl.
Watch the Eurovision hopefuls perform on The Late Late Show tomorrow night, Friday February 24, on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.
Seriously UK?
Working on the current rumors coming out of the UK, we can deduce that the entrant is actually dead Elvis and Zombie Jesus performing a rap act in the style of 1920′s jazz!
Failing that it is either going to: Right Said Fred, Jedward (if they fail in Ireland), John Barrowman, Tony Christie, McFly, the original Sugarbabes and the lsit goes on and on and on and on.
Unless they pull a rabbit out of their hat, rapidly reaching last place again UK…
Norway, Iceland, Hungary and Belarus have chosen
Iceland: Greta Salóme & Jónsi “Mundu Eftir Mér”
Should be a lot better in English, I see this as a qualifier.
What would happen if Sertab Erener and Eric Saade had a lovechild that didn’t make it past the semis?
Norway : Tooji ”Stay“
Hungary: Compact Disco ”Sound of Our Hearts“
Belarus: Alena Lanskaya “All My Life”
The Irish songs in full
Well now, wasn’t that exciting? To everyone who was listening today the Irish entrants were announced on RTÉ Radio 1.
And here they are in full, with all the proper titles, running orders and other things 
1 – Maria McCool & Celctic Whisper – Mistaken
2 – Donna MacCaul – Mercy
3 – Andrew Mann – Here I Am
4 - Una Gibney and David Shannon – Language of Love
5 – Jedward – Waterline
The latest odds from Paddypower: Jedward 4/11,Donna McCaul 11/4,Andrew Mann 8/1,David & Una 20/1,Maria McCool 20/1
But who do you think will win?
The songs and artists will be competing in the live final to take place on the Eurosong 2012 special of the Late Late show on Firday February 24th on RTE1.
