The Xtra Files 2018: We review Ireland’s ‘Together’ by Ryan O’Shaughnessy!

Welcome to The Xtra Files, our series which will give you an insight into what the team at ESCXTRA think of your favourite entries into this year’s contest! Today, we review Ireland.

Now that all the songs have been released, we are able to review each and every one of them. Our honest and brutal reviews will keep you entertained until the rehearsals start on 30 April! We will also each give a score out of 10 for every entry, and create an ESCXTRA leaderboard of the entries!

Today we have reviews of the Irish entry, ‘Together’ by Ryan O’Shaughnessy, from Hlynur, Lisa, Matt, Riccardo, Rigmo and Tom. Let’s get started!

The Reviews

Hlynur

I honestly think this song is so sweet and one of my favorite this year. I do think I am bit biased since I have watched his “No Name” quite often. When I heard Ryan’s name mention for Ireland I was so happy. And also glad that the song did not disappoint me. Really hope it makes to the final from his really tough semi final. Fingers crossed.

Lisa

Direland still persisting with the failed model of sending songs about as exciting as a magnolia paint chart. This is just a more grown up version of last years entry. I do like the message behind the song and hope it’s translated into the Lisbon staging. I’m just allergic to falsetto based piano ballads.

Matt

A competent song by a competent artist, but not a vote grabber! Ireland continually frustrates me! A nation of incredibly talented musicians, steeped in tradition and a rich Eurovision history, but fading from significance in the modern day contest. I want this to reach the Saturday final but I fear I’ll be disappointed.

Riccardo

Have we found Ronan Keating’s doppleganger/wannabe? Or has Ronan Keating found a time machine? Ireland, why do you keep doing this? I thought you wanted to qualify. I love the music video and I love the message, but probably bound to be forgotten, sadly.

Rigmo

Psst! Hey, you! Yes, you! I have a secret, a terrible deep dark secret nobody else can know. I’m not quite sure how to say this, especially after calling this one of the least memorable things next to standing in a grocery line. But I guess I will just go ahead and say it. I like to eat raw toothpaste. Also, I…I like this song. T’S CUTE, OKAY? And Ryan Osha..ohash..o..Oshaneyney does his best pre-teen Brendan Murray impression throughout, which fits the song so perfcectly it should be illegal. Then the video proves that true love and impromptu perfectly synchronized dancing are real. Not even a blimp on stage could save this in the semi it’s in, but I’m just going to be over here, secretly enjoying every last moment together with Oashgh…oonagh..Oshaemussay.

Tom

I can see what Ireland are trying to do in wanting to have something authentic and quality but there are better songs that fit that mould at Eurovision. Ryan is a good singer and I expect a good performance but Ireland are at risk yet again.

 

Scores

Therefore, the average score for Ireland is 5.34.

Leaderboard

Ryan O’Shaughnessy sings and falsetto’s his way to 26th place on our leaderboard, enjoying the mid-table together with Albania and Serbia.

1. Israel – 8.52
2. Finland – 7.66
3. Bulgaria – 7.63
4. France – 7.50
5. Belgium – 7.39
6. F.Y.R. Macedonia – 7.24
7. Sweden – 7.21
8. Cyprus – 7.13
9. Switzerland – 7.08
10. Poland – 7.08
11. Germany – 6.95
12. Ukraine – 6.92
    
13. Austria – 6.79
14. Australia – 6.76
15. Denmark – 6.55
16. Lithuania – 6.50
17. Italy – 6.39
18. The Netherlands – 6.26
19. Azerbaijan – 6.05
20. Portugal – 6.05
21. Slovenia – 6.00
22. Estonia – 5.86
23. Latvia – 5.61
24. Norway – 5.55
25. Albania – 5.50
26. Ireland – 5.34
27. Serbia – 5.05
28. United Kingdom – 5.03
29. Belarus – 4.97
30. Malta – 4.97
31. Moldova – 4.92
32. Romania – 4.73
33. Montenegro – 4.71
34. Hungary – 4.65
35. Armenia – 4.29
36. Georgia – 4.18
37. Iceland – 4.18
38. Russia – 4.05
39. San Marino – 4.03

Tomorrow, it will be the turn of Spain to be reviewed.

Do you agree with our reviews of Ireland? What are your thoughts on Together?

Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA!