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Nicky Byrne

Nicky Byrne was selected by RTÉ to represent the country in Stockholm with the song Sunlight. It is the first time that the most successful country in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest has opted for an internal selection.

Nicky Byrne was born in 1978 in the northside Dublin suburb of Baldoyle. His first love was football and during his early years he played for local Dublin clubs. In 1995 he signed for the UK premiership club Leeds United as a goalkeeper. 

In 1998 Nicky joined Westlife – the most successful pop group of the noughties. In 2012, Westlife decided to take a break and since then Nicky has carved out a very successful career as a television and radio presenter.

He currently presents one of Ireland's most popular radio shows on RTÉ  2FM ‘The Nicky Byrne Show with Jenny Greene’.

He lives in Dublin with his wife, Georgina and their twin sons, Rocco and Jay and daughter Gia.

Things you should know about Nicky Byrne

What are the three most interesting aspects about your entry?

  1. Sunlight is essentially a love song and its message is one of positivity. The message is clear "Tomorrow is a new day and the sunlight shining on your face at the start of any new day should make you smile be fresh and to begin again"
  2. When I co-wrote the song I was picturing myself walking up a mountain to reach the summit, breaking through the clouds to see the new morning sunlight.
  3. I have performed in the Globe Arena with Westlife before and I can't wait to return, it really is one if the best arenas in the world. 

What are the three most impressive facts about Nicky Byrne?

  1. He was in Westlife for 14 years and had 14 UK number 1 hit singles he also also duetted with Mariah Carey and Diana Ross
  2. He was a goalkeeper with Leeds United Football Club for two years.
  3. He was also a goalkeeper football for the Republic of Ireland Under 15's, 16's and 18's teams.

Do you have a lucky routine before going on stage?

My lucky routine is always to tap my wedding ring on the plane door before I fly anywhere and to call my Dad's voicemail (he passed away in 2009) just before I go on stage.

Why is the Eurovision Song Contest important to you?

The Eurovision was massive in our household when I was growing up and I have kept up the tradition with my entire family sitting down to watch it together. 

I was very fortunate to live through some of the Irish glory years of the 1980's and 1990's when Ireland won so many times.

My aim going to Stockholm is to do my family and my country proud. It would be incredible to qualify for the final and I will do my very best to make that happen.


Music video

Lyrics of Sunlight

Don’t be afraid
It’s only dark
Till the world
Turns round
Just don’t look down
If you’re afraid of
The higher ground
Hold on to me and let
Me hold on to you
We don’t look back
We let it slide out of view
And we can make it if we
Break out beyond these clouds

We’ll be standing out in the
Sunlight
We stay together
We’ll live forever in the
Sunlight
It’s now or never
You know you better
Just touch who you wanna
Kiss who you gotta
Fight like we’re winners
Love like beginners
Dance like you mean it
Sing like you feel it
Everything’s better
Standing out in the sun

Stop for a moment just
To take in the
Sights and sounds
Hold on to me and let
Me hold onto you
We don’t look back
We let it slide out of view
There’s no tomorrow
So let’s live in the here and now

We’ll be standing out in the
Sunlight
We stay together
We’ll live forever in the
Sunlight
It’s now or never
You know you better
Just touch who you wanna
Kiss who you gotta
Fight like we’re winners
Love like beginners
Dance like you mean it
Sing like you feel it
Everything’s better
Standing out in the sun

Come turn me
Inside out upside down
I’ll be your lover boy
Turn the music loud
We can join the crowd
In the sunlight
We stay together
We’ll live forever in the
Sunlight

It’s now or never
You know you better
Just touch who you wanna
Kiss who you gotta
Fight like we’re winners
Love like beginners
Dance like you mean it
Sing like you feel it
Everything’s better
Standing out in the sun
Ne crains rien
La nuit n’est la
Que le temps
Que la terre fasse son tour
Il suffit de ne pas regarder vers le bas
Si les hauteurs
Te donnent le vertige
Accroche-toi à moi
Et moi à toi
On ne se retourne pas
Laissons tout glisser hors de vue
Et on peut y arriver
Si on dépasse ces nuages

On sera là, debout sous
La lumière du soleil
Restons ensemble
On vivra éternellement sous
La lumière du soleil
C’est maintenant ou jamais
Tu sais bien
Il suffit de toucher qui tu veux
D’embrasser qui tu dois
Luttons comme des vaillants
Aimons comme des amants
Danse de tout ton cœur
Chante de toute ton âme
Tout est mieux
Sous le soleil

Arête toi un petit moment
Juste pour profiter
Des paysages et des sons
Accroche-toi à moi
Et moi à toi
On ne se retourne pas
Laissons tout glisser hors de vue
Il n’y a pas de lendemain
Alors vivons ici et maintenant

On sera là, debout sous
La lumière du soleil
Restons ensemble
On vivra éternellement sous
La lumière du soleil
C’est maintenant ou jamais
Tu sais bien
Il suffit de toucher qui tu veux
D’embrasser qui tu dois
Luttons comme des vaillants
Aimons comme des amants
Danse de tout ton cœur
Chante de toute ton âme
Tout est mieux
Sous le soleil

Viens
Renverse mon univers
Je serai ton amoureux
Monte le volume
Joignons nous à la foule
Sous le soleil
Restons ensemble
On vivra éternellement sous
La lumière du soleil

C’est maintenant ou jamais
Tu sais bien
Il suffit de toucher qui tu veux
D’embrasser qui tu dois
Luttons comme des vaillants
Aimons comme des amants
Danse de tout ton cœur
Chante de toute ton âme
Tout est mieux
Sous le soleil