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John Karayiannis

John Karayiannis is 20 and comes from Limassol in Cyprus. In September John will be moving to London to continue his music studies and record his first album.

When John was a kid he’d listen to Eminem & Linkin Park, and even Metallica, but his interest in singing began when he started listening to more melodic songs. His first TV appearance came at the age of 13, when he participated in the Cypriot national selection for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest …..which was a great experience for him.

John is a big gamer, and if he’s lucky enough to take a break from his hectic schedule, you’ll find him down the local Internet Café…. and then you may not see him for three days! He’s actually a pretty good gamer! John’s musical influences are now Ed Sheeran & John Mayer - in fact any artist with a great voice and a great song. His interest in Eurovision began about 10 years ago when he heard the song Stronger Every Minute by Lisa Andreas and hoped one day he could represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Things you should know about John Karayiannis

What are the three most interesting aspects about your entry?

  • The relaxed melody & chord structure. And the unusual middle section.
  • The lyrics – I love a storyline where the ending is not what you think. I can relate to them so well.
  • The simplicity. The surprise. A song anyone can sing with just a voice and guitar/piano.

What are the three most impressive facts about you?


Impressive? Ummmm…..difficult for me to say but…..

  • I have 10 pairs of glasses – in case I lose any. (Because I can’t see further than my nose!)
  • The online game World of Warcraft has 10m subscribers. My team was 58th in the world. Impressive huh? (Only if you’re a gamer I guess!)
  • To achieve this amazing feat I didn’t sleep for 6 days! Then no-one could wake me for a week. (So that’s FOUR impressive facts!)

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


Yes. I do my vocal warm up sequence that’s on my mobile and then check I have my lucky lighter in my pocket.


Why is the Eurovision Song Contest important for you?


For me personally, it’s the best song competition in the world, and always will be, and I’m so excited to be part of it this year. But it’s also important for me because of my country. Nothing would give me more pleasure than seeing Cyprus host the Eurovision Song Contest next year!

Music video

Lyrics of One Thing I Should Have Done

Tonight the rain is falling
I’m feeling cold, and I’m
Out of my mind, without you
My head is spinning like a top
Back to the time we had a lot…going on
Now my world lies shattered
How quickly life can change

I always did everything for you
I gave you my heart, you gave me yours too
You’d make me feel I was really someone
But there’s one thing I should have done

One day you think you have it all
The next you’re staring at the wall…in a dream
The road that once was paved with gold
Has turned a rusty shade
Of all the saddest colours in the world
Now my life’s in tatters
How quickly it all can change

I always did everything for you
I gave you my heart, you gave me yours too
You’d make me feel I was really someone
But there’s one thing I should have done

I should have been there for you
I should have been there for you
I should have been there for you
I should have been there

I didn’t do everything for you
But I tried so hard and that’s the truth
I’d make you feel you were really someone
But there’s one thing I should have done

I nearly did everything for you
But I broke your heart, now mine’s broken too
In your hour of need, I didn’t come…..
That’s the one thing I should……..have done
French translation: Brooke Sharkey/Eric Vincent

Ce soir, il pleut comme je pleure
J’me sens si seul, je suis
Perdu sans toi, et j’ai peur
Ma tĂŞte tourne et je vacille
En quête de mes souvenirs…avec toi
Car ma vie est brisée
C’que la vie peut changer

J’ai toujours fait de mon mieux pour toi
J't’ai donné mon cœur, comme toi je crois
Tu as tout fait pour que je m'sente quelqu’un
Des regrets… il ne m’en reste qu’un

Un jour tu penses que tu as tout
Un autre, tu te traînes à genoux…dans tes rêves
La route autrefois pavée d’or
A des reflets plus ternes encore
Que le ciel d'un mauvais jour...qui s'achève

Ma vie s’est effondrée
Comm’ tout ça peut changer

J’ai toujours fait de mon mieux pour toi
J't’ai donné mon cœur, comme toi je crois
Tu as tout fait pour que je m'sente quelqu’un
Des regrets… il ne m’en reste qu’un

J’aurais dû être là pour toi,
J’aurais dû être là pour toi
J’aurais dû être là pour toi
J’aurais dû être là

Non, j'n’ai pas fait de mon mieux pour toi
Mais j’ai essayé, je le jure, crois-moi
J’ai tout fait pour que tu te sentes quelqu’un
Des regrets.. il ne m’en reste qu’un

J’ai failli faire de mon mieux pour toi
Mais j’ai brisé ton coeur, et le mien tu vois
Je n’étais pas là quand tu en avais besoin
C’est mon regret, ma détresse, mon… chagrin