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Sheldon Riley

Sheldon is critically acclaimed for both the strong visuals in his performances and his captivating music.

The Sydneysider considers performing, singing, writing and playing piano as intrinsic to who he is; regarding music as the purest way of expressing his emotions and allowing himself to heal.

In February 2022, Sheldon won Eurovision – Australia Decides with his song Not The Same… but this wasn’t his first time at the rodeo, having previously competed on The X Factor Australia, The Voice Australia and even America's Got Talent.

Speaking about his Eurovision entry, the Ozzie says: ‘It is the story I never thought I’d ever feel I’d be able to tell. Written from the memories of a child who at age 6 was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Growing up in public housing, moving from home to home, unaware of my sexuality, among a deeply religious family. A path already laid that I would never be able to properly understand or interact with other people’.

Download or stream this song via your favourite platform.

Music video

Lyrics of Not The Same

I was told at 6 years old
They‘d avoid me if my heart was cold
Found it hard to talk and speak my mind
They never liked the things that I would like

Cause you‘re told to play but you‘re not the same
As the other kids playing the same game
Try to jump on in but they push away so far away

I‘m not the same no
I‘m not the same no

Years went by I tried and tried
My father asked me if today I smiled
I said yes I did, but that‘s a lie
Oh I always tell those lies

Then you run and hide, hide the break inside
Till you realise that the light shines bright
Through those oh who‘ve broke inside

I‘m not the same no
I‘m not the same no
I‘m not the same no
I‘m not the same no

Cause you never want to be the kind of person
Who can‘t work it for those ones who can not word it
Cause you‘ve been the kind of person who felt this pain
Oh yeah I felt this pain

So you go and leave the pain and find another way
To make yourself another game, maybe one for all to play cause it‘s not
Just me who‘s not the same, we‘re not the same

We‘re not the same no
We‘re not the same no
We‘re not the same no
We‘re not the same no