HLO.

My decision to participate in this edition is something that has actually been very difficult for me. I originally decided to participate but then retracted it. But now I'm retracting that retraction and I'm going to enter after all.

Please don't think of this as any kind of stunt or me being a Stewart (ew). The reasons for my noncommittal are genuine and I mentioned them in the main #25 thread. I want #25 to be a great show to be proud of - after all, it's the cumulation of 2 years of work - and I didn't want to run the risk of a poor result in the contest taking away my final enthusiasm meaning I'd finish by producing an inferior show. That's still very true and I sincerely hope that I don't lose any motivation, enthusiasm and dedication as a result, but the song I was going to send has such a strong meaning for me that I'm going to run that risk and enter it anyway. I don't expect it to win and that's why this contest is billed as my final one.

Wikipedia puts the song in the pop rock genre and while that may be true, I'm not too sure. I'd associate pop rock with lighthearted lyrics and these are far from that.

The song is totally different from anything I've ever sent before. For a start, it's not sung in English. It isn't famous, but it's a returning artist from a not-too-distant contest and I hadn't even heard the song before until a few weeks ago. I really liked it on the first listen and somehow I felt like I wanted to know what the meaning of the song was, because I didn't understand the language of it. So I searched for the English translation of the lyrics and then the immediate realisation that I could relate to it in many ways hit me and I thought this would have to be THE song I would send if I was going to participate in my final edition of producing the contest. Not because I believe it's a winner - far from it - but because it encapsulates the way I felt before I started working on the contest and looking back now on reflection I can see the contest is very much a big player in why I don't feel the way I used to feel anymore.

I do genuinely and sincerely request that if you haven't heard it before and you don't immediately 'get' the song, please listen to it 3 or so times before judging it. I liked it on the first listen but it took until the third listen before I fully appreciated it.

The lyrics and meaning behind the song are probably open to multiple interpretations. At least if the English translation of the lyrics is correct, my interpretation of the song is that it is about a desire to be saved, being helpless and crying out but nobody listens and the plight continues. By now I know at least some of you will know the song.

As you all know, I very, very, very rarely participate. But whenever I do, I always pick songs which have a personal meaning and impact for me:

#7: Simple Plan - Shut Up!: The old regulars will remember the division that happened in 2009 with the attempted coup by a nutjob who eventually left. It was my message to him that he wouldn't win, that you guys were loyal and wouldn't listen to him.

#8: The All-American Rejects - Move Along: The success of Edition 7 (not my placing, but the overall appreciation of my work) was one of a few reasons and a contributing factor for why by now my spirits were getting higher and I found a new enthusiasm and self-belief that I would be able to "Move Along" and g-g-g-get back up again from how bad things had been in my life during the earlier months in 2009 (as explained in the main #25 novel).

#9: Simple Plan - Untitled (How Could This Happen To Me?): One of my all-time favourite Simple Plan songs described my pre-contest mood perfectly and was originally going to be my debut entry before I changed it to Shut Up! because of Kevin's behaviour. So, pre-Edition 8 I had already decided I'd send this song and #9 was the perfect opportunity to do this.

#10: Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer: Okay, I confess the reason I sent this was a bit childish, but Ellaby was a staunch hater of rock songs and the night before the songs were revealed he announced "good luck to everyone except for jw". That annoyed me so I deliberately picked one of the most famous rock songs that I could think of.

E1: Brainstorm - My Star: Simply it was one of my all-time favourite Eurovision songs, so why not?

And now then, #25: If you've read the main #25 thread, you'll have worked out the reason why I'm sending this song based on my interpretation of the lyrics. I'll copy the relevant bit here for those who didn't read it:

As I mentioned, the song talks about a desire to be saved. Whether you choose to believe it or not is up to you, but somehow, this contest played a major role in saving me. I couldn't possibly think of a better more meaningful song to represent me in what is probably the final edition of me having the honour of being the executive producer of such an amazing contest for you all.

Thank you.

I'd be incredibly surprised if I did... returning artists generally do far worse in subsequent appearances

ENGLISH LYRICS

Up here the sky is mine

I see my soul, I'm flying

Look at me! Feel me! I'm here, touch me!

I feel the coldness of the asphalt, save me... Save me!

Talk to me! Listen to me! I'm here, wait for me!

It's raining and snowing on the streets, save me!

(Alternative translation for the line above: Rain and snow on my wings, save me!)

I'm up there too!

I see my soul, I'm flying!

Look at me! Feel me! I'm here, touch me!

I'm feeling the coldness of the asphalt, save me! Save me!

Talk to me! Listen to me! I'm here, wait for me!

It's raining and snowing on the streets, save me!

(Alternative translation for the line above: Rain and snow on my wings, save me!)

Look at me! Feel me! I'm here, touch me!

I'm feeling the coldness of the asphalt, save me! Save me!

It's raining and snowing on the streets, save me!

(Alternative translation for the line above: Rain and snow on my wings, save me!)

Save me!

¡FUNNY LANGUAGE VERSION!