Eurovision 1992 winner Linda Martin has said that she is open to returning to the Eurovision Song Contest to perform a duet with two-time Eurovision winner Johnny Logan. She is indeed no stranger to working with Johnny Logan as he wrote her winning entry, “Why Me?”, for the contest in Malmö.
Speaking to Extra.ie, the singer said that with “the right song” she believes that they could lead Ireland to another success in the contest – and possibly their eighth victory. It is not the first time that Linda has mentioned a possible return to the contest – she previously said in 2014 that she would be open to returning to the contest.
“I know there is that ballad still in there”
Linda Martin, who also took part in the 1984 contest, told the Irish news website that she believes a ballad written by Johnny Logan could still perform well in the contest.
I think we could pull it off but it needs the right song and I know that Johnny has the ability to write it. I often say it to him and he says: “Oh please, don’t start!” But I’m going to keep at him because I know there is that ballad still in there
Linda Martin, speaking to Extra.ie
However, Johnny Logan has been openly critical of Ireland’s participation in the contest in recent years. Last year, he said that the Irish selection process “blocked” Irish songwriters from taking part in the contest. It wasn’t the first time that he had disapproved of the Irish selection. In 2017, he attacked RTÉ’s ‘internal selection’ approach calling it “cheap and nasty” as he turned down Louis Walsh’s request to write a song for Brendan Murray.
In her interview, Linda wasn’t afraid of criticising the contest either, saying that “it’s been taken too far”, with the televoting system not fit-for-purpose. She is calling for the contest to return to a jury-only voting system.
There are half a dozen amazing acts every year but I’m not happy with the voting system and wonder if the right acts are getting through. I think it’s obvious that the phone-in votes are a money-making system for the Eurovision but I don’t think it gets the right result.
Linda Martin, speaking to Extra.ie
Ireland to return to national final selection in 2022
Unless Linda appears on the list of participants for the Irish national final, it is doubtful we will see her make her return to the Eurovision stage in 2022. RTÉ confirmed in September that they would return to using a national final to select their Eurovision act for Turin.
Ireland will return to using The Late Late Show for their Eurovision selection – a format which Linda is no stranger to herself. She appeared on the panel for the selection back in 2014 and openly criticised mentor Billy McGuinness after a disagreement regarding the selection’s voting process. The selection will be hoping for no hitches this year. The date for the national final is currently yet to be decided.
Will Linda and Johnny finally return to the contest in the future? It is, of course, 30 years since Linda won the contest with “Why Me?” in 1992, beating the United Kingdom’s Michael Ball in a nail-biting voting process. Only time will tell.
Do you want to see Linda Martin return to the Eurovision stage in the future? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!
Please NO, we need someone like Chloe Agnew to represent Ireland, she can write a good song, she\’s got the voice, no question she is humble & so talented