UK public broadcaster BBC has selected BRIT award-winning and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter James Newman to represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with his song “My Last Breath”
On Thursday morning, the UK’s entry for the global music competition premiered on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2, ending the speculations which were circling around this week. Along with the beautiful song, James Newman has also unveiled a stunning video, which was shot in Snežka, a mountain on the border between the Czech Republic and Poland.
Watch the video for James Newman’s “My Last Breath” below:
Born in Settle, England, James has always wanted to be an artist and performer, just like his younger brother John Newman, who’s already used to performing in front of thousands. Now, it’s James’ turn, and something tells us that he might be the one who can improve the UK’s fortunes at ESC.
James is perhaps best known for writing number one hits like “Waiting All Night” by Rudimental and Ella Eyre, “Lay It All On Me” by Rudimental and Ed Sheeran or “Blame” by Calvin Harris and John Newman. However, he has also written songs for numerous other successful artists, including Kesha, Olly Murs, Louis Tomlinson, ZAYN, Liam Payne, Little Mix and Backstreet Boys. Moreover, he co-wrote the Irish entry for Eurovision 2017, “Dying to Try” by Brendan Murray.
About flying the UK’s flag to Rotterdam, James said:
It’s such an honour to be representing the United Kingdom this year at Eurovision – I still can’t quite believe it! I’m also so proud to be taking ‘My Last Breath’ as the song. I wrote it with some of my best friends, who are amazingly talented songwriters in their own right. I knew it was ‘the one’ after first recording it. I just loved the simplicity and universal message of the song.
“My Last Breath” was written by James himself along with acclaimed British songwriters Ed Drewett, Iain James and Adam Argyle, with Iain also having co.written the winning Eurovision song for Azerbaijan “Running Scared” by Ell & Nikki in 2011.
The music video was directed by Charlie Lightening, featuring Dutch Athlete Wim “The IceMan” Hoff, who’s famous for creating the “Wim Hoff Method” of breathing. James’ experience of meeting Wim and learning about his method has inspired the video, as well as the creation of the song.
Do you think James Newman can bring a huge win to the United Kingdom after 23 long years? Let’s find out together in no more than 79 days when James will perform “My Last Breath” at the Grand Final of Eurovision Song Contest.
The Eurovision 2020 acts that have been announced so far are Blas Cantó for Spain, Hooverphonic for Belgium, VICTORIA for Bulgaria, Sandro for Cyprus, Vincent Bueno for Austria, Arilena Ara for Albania, Tornike Kipiani for Georgia, Jeangu Macrooy for the Netherlands, Vasil for North Macedonia, Tom Leeb for France, Benny Cristo for the Czech Republic, Eden Alene for Israel, Stefania for Greece, Montaigne for Australia, Samanta Tina for Latvia, Diodato for Italy, Destiny Chukunyere for Malta, Roxen for Romania, THE ROOP for Lithuania, Ulrikke Brandstorp for Norway, Athena Manoukian for Armenia, and Alicja Szemplinska for Poland. The remaining countries are expected to reveal their acts in the next couple of months.
The 65th edition of Eurovision Song Contest will be hosted at the Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands after Duncan Laurence won the 2019 contest with the song “Arcade”. The two Semi-Finals will take place on 12 May 2020 and 14 May 2020, with the Grand Final taking place on 16 May 2020. A total of 41 countries will compete in the contest.
What do you think about James Newman and his song “My Last Breath”? Do you think he could win Eurovision 2020? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter @CelebMix!