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Brendan Murray

Brendan Murray was born in Tuam, County Galway in the west of Ireland. He comes from a musical background and will represent Ireland in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Dying To Try. 

Brendan Murray is from Tuam in Country Galway and has been a member of the successful boy band Hometown since he was 17. Hometown's first single, Where I Belong, became the fastest-selling single from a debut act and the fastest-selling single from an Irish artist in 2014, reaching number one in the Irish charts.

The band's second single, "Cry For Help" was released in March 2015 in Ireland and also reached number one. Hometown have toured extensively in the UK and Ireland and have supported such acts as Olly Murs, McBusted and The Vamps.

Things you should know about Brendan Murray

What are the three most interesting aspects about your entry?

It's a love song about taking a chance at love. You'll do just about anything to make love work. The song starts small and builds then erupts with a massive change and lifts everything off the ground. The song was written by Jorgen Elofsson, a Swedish songwriter. He has co-written hit songs like Kelly Clarkson's Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), which was nominated for Song the Year and Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 2013.

What are the three most impressive facts about you?

I come from a musical background, I grew up busking on the streets of Galway in the west of Ireland, singing in local talent completions. I taught myself how to play the guitar at the age of 13, I later started vocal training so I could improve my vocal ability and push myself further. At the age of 16 I left school to pursue a career in music when I got the chance to be part of X-Factor judge Louis Walsh's new Irish boyband HomeTown. We had two number 1 singles in Ireland and released an album.

Do you have a (lucky) routine before you go on stage?

I don't really have a lucky routine. Before I go on stage I make sure I am well warmed up with vocal exercises and I take plenty of hot drinks with Manuka Honey.

Why is the Eurovision Song Contest important for you?

The Eurovision Song Contest is important to me because it is an amazing TV opportunity, I'm delighted and honoured to be representing my country and I hope I can do the people of Ireland proud.

About the song writers & composers  

Jörgen Elofsson is a Swedish grammy-nominated songwriter. Following a successful career as a singer/musician in bands such as Air, Egon Pretty Band, Art Light, Garbo and Sitting Ducks, Jörgen became one of the songwriting team at the legendary Cheiron Studios where he had huge success with songs such as Britney Spears' Sometimes & (You Drive Me) Crazy to name but two. He's also known for co-writing hit songs like Kelly Clarkson's Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), which was nominated for Song the Year and Record of the Year at the 2013 Grammy Awards. He has also wrote Westlife's Fool Again, Unbreakable and Evergreen.

Music video

Lyrics of Dying to Try

Take a leap,
Of faith with me,
If you believe,
Honestly,
That I am yours,
And you are mine,
I know you're scared,
And so am I.

Cos I know that love can be so strong
And yet so frail,
And there ain't no guarantee that
You and me won't fail,

But I'm dying to try.
I'm dying to try.
I'll keep you safe in my arms
Build a bridge to your heart
Everyday.
I'll give you it all,
But I'm not going to lie.

Cos no one can promise
That love will ever learn how to fly,
Will ever learn how to fly

Oh but I'm dying to try
I'm dying to try
(I'm dying to try
(No one can promise that love will ever learn how to fly)
Yeah
I'm dying to try
I'm dying to try
I'll keep you safe in my arms
Build a bridge to your heart
Everyday
I'll give you it all,
But I'm not going to lie.
O cos no one can promise
That love will ever learn how to fly
O cos no one can promise
That love will ever learn how to fly.
But I'm dying to try

Take a leap,
If you believe.
Aie confiance,
Aie foi en moi,
Si tu y crois,
Sincèrement,
Que je suis tien,
Et que tu es mienne,
Je sais que tu as peur,
Et moi aussi.

Car je sais que l’amour peut être si fort
Et pourtant si fragile,
Et nul ne peut promettre que,
Toi et moi n’allons pas échouer,
Mais je meurs d’envie d’essayer.

Je meurs d’envie d‘essayer.
Tu seras à l’abri dans mes bras
Construirai un pont vers ton cœur
Chaque jour.
Je te donnerai tout ce que j’ai,
Mais je ne vais pas mentir.

Car nul ne peut promettre
Que l’amour saura prendre son envol,
Saura prendre son envol
Mais je meurs d’envie d’essayer

Je meurs d’envie d’essayer
Je meurs d’envie d’essayer
Tu seras à l’abri dans mes bras
Construirai un pont vers ton cœur
Chaque jour
Je te donnerai tout ce que j’ai,
Mais je ne vais pas mentir.
O car nul ne peut promettre
Que l’amour saura prendre son envol.
Mais je meurs d’envie d’essayer

Aie confiance
Si tu y crois.