#STORYOFMYLIFE – Day Three with James 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.

James from Eurovision Ireland continues this series. What’s his third choice, and what’s the story behind it?

Chiara – Angel

Everyone has to start somewhere, and the first-ever Eurovision I saw on TV was in 2005, coming to us live from Kyiv. I was aware of the contest, but didn’t actively watch it. By chance, I’d spotted Ruslana’s victory on TV the year before and said “I really need to watch this next year!” – so I did!

I missed the opening of the show and so didn’t see Hungary perform till getting the DVD of the contest weeks later for my birthday. Second up where the UK, Javine and Touch My Fire, a song I knew well as it had been on TV repeatedly in the run up to the show. Next up were Malta. Chiara, singing Angel. It wasn’t until writing this down for this series that I realised this was my first “new” Eurovision song – a song I hadn’t heard beforehand and one in the context of a contest… and considering how many songs and contests there have been, that is quite a distinction!

I was immediately blown away by the whole performance… the gentle melodies of the music that evoke starlight, Chiara, dressed in red, her powerful yet crystal clear voice. Beautiful, romantic and hopeful lyrics, how the music builds and swells into that dramatic crescendo as she belts out that final chorus… wow… it’s a masterclass of a Eurovision performance! I’d always liked a big heartfelt ballad – and Angel was that and then some!

It’s been suggested Malta were robbed of a thoroughly deserved victory in 2002… I’d go as far as to say that even though I love Greece’s winning entry My Number One, Malta really should have won with this… they were robbed twice in quick succession! It really is a beautiful song and in my now nearly 20-year history with the contest, I’d argue Malta have never sent better. Yes, they’ve sent good songs (and some not so good…*cough* 2017 *cough*) but this is sublime. Very soon it will have a new, equally important memory attached to it for me. Later this year, I’ll be dancing to this as our first dance at our wedding.

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