#STORYOFMYLIFE – Day One with Richard from EI

In this series, we’ll be talking to someone and asking them to pick five songs (over five days) that mean something to them. These may not be their top five songs of all time – merely songs that attach to a specific memory or time in their life.

We continue this series with Richard from Eurovision Ireland. What’s his first choice, and what’s the story behind it?

Andy Abraham – Even if

My first Eurovision Song Contest was Belgrade 2008. Admittedly it was hard to get accommodation and I needed Dad to guarantee the booking with his Credit Card, while I applied for my own one. A family friend (same age) was in awe of me travelling independently on my own to Eastern Europe. If I’m honest, I’ve been more sceptical about travelling to two or three other host cities since.

Being able to support my own country in-person was something I’d wanted to do for many years. In 2008, the United Kingdom was represented by Andy Abraham with “Even If” – finishing in 25th and last place. When I returned to the Contest in-person, in 2010, the United Kingdom achieved the same result. While I thought I was some sort of curse, things were on the up for the United Kingdom from 2011. The experience of 2008 was fantastic for a first timer – only missing 2009 and 2021 since.

If you have five songs that really mean something to you, drop us a line with them and the stories behind them, and you could feature soon.

Author: John Stanton

Source: Eurovision Ireland