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“Well mostly in song writing my experience is that there isn’t so much inspiration as hard work.
You sit there for hours, days and weeks with a guitar and piano,
until something good comes”
Bjorn Ulvaeus, ABBA
If you’re living in Europe, you probably know that the Eurovision Song Contest took place over the weekend. It’s the biggest song contest in the world and truly an incredible spectacle to behold, capturing the attention of millions and showcases the talents of artists globally.
While browsing through some Eurovision-related stories, I randomly came across an inspiring one about a song that previously won the contest.
In 1994, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids” triumphed as the winning song for Ireland, marking an extraordinary achievement of securing three consecutive victories. The composer and lyricist behind this beautiful composition was Brendan Graham.
However, the song’s journey was not without its challenges. In order to qualify for Eurovision, you must first win the national song contest. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids” faced rejection twice in this process. Can you imagine the disappointment and the temptation to give up after the first or even second attempt?
But Brendan Graham obviously believed in the song and went for it a third time. This time he succeeded – the song won the Irish national song contest, before going on to win the Eurovision, breaking the record at the time for the highest points ever awarded to a winning song.
It’s a powerful reminder that success in any field often involves unseen hard work, dedication, and the refusal to give up. It’s a testament to the creative process and the persistence required to transform ideas into reality.
Perhaps worth considering in your own endeavours this week.
Best,
Shane
New Podcast Episode: This week’s episode is out now – Why Your Ego Is Not The Enemy. Listen on my website here or on all major podcasting platforms.
