Ireland IRELAND 2021 - Lesley Roy - Maps

[escYOUnited]

I'm gonna let go of the armor
Let off the power that I've been lighting
Not afraid of the monsters, of the nightmares
That I've been fighting

Easy to run, harder to stay
Finding colors in the grey
You thought I was done
But I've gotta go on
I fell twice, now I'm twice as strong

I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home

I had to take all of the wrong ways
All of the wrong ways
As I couldn't see
All the signs, all the mistakes
Pointing one way to get back to me

Easy to run, harder to stay
Finding colors in the grey
You thought I was done
But I've gotta go on
I fell twice, now I'm twice as strong

I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home

My soul is a map, my heart is a compass
I am the road
There's only one way to go
This is the way back home
My soul is a map, my heart is a compass
I am the road
There's only one way to go
This is the way back home

I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces
Only one way to go
This is the way back home
I've been searching all the wrong places
I've been trying too many faces (I've been trying)
Only one way to go
This is the way back home​

 

[gingerale]

Judging the pictures I expected a boniverish Song, so I was quite surprised.

It's a catchy bop, still lots of energy but not annoying. Way better than 2020.

Some scandi countries would love to have this song in their NFs.

 

[ag89]

Judging the pictures I expected a boniverish Song, so I was quite surprised.

It's a catchy bop, still lots of energy but not annoying. Way better than 2020.

Some scandi countries would love to have this song in their NFs.

Exactly, it sounds like something from Melodifestivalen.

 

[EscGeek]

I do love it, but i'm not as blown away as last year. It's more "serious" and "mature", and that's the problem.
But good luck. I hope she qualifies

 

[mauve]

 

[Ianp16]

I'm in two minds about this. I think I preferred Story Of My Life instantly where Maps is a little less impactful on first listen. It's still a great move for Ireland and could mimic Ryan O'Shaughnessy 2018 if it has a good performance.

 

[Mimmon]

Okay I really like this....Reminds me of Sheppard but better
Having goosebumps for 2nd of year row

Will win ? nah but I think it going to do well

 

[HayashiM]

The Avril Lavigne / Katy Perry sound is still tangible, the chorus actually has similar elements to the one of Story of My Life... But I dare say Maps still feels like it has a bit more identity and Lesley makes it more of her own.

I like it very much, it's a for now.

 

[mauve]

I think I will give it a for now with the potential to grow.

 

[BorisBubbles]

This is very good. This is also very much an NQ in spite of it, but whatever Ireland are GOOD for once, yay!

Incidentally, I like Maps more than Discoteque, which means Ireland have snatched the second place on my ranking. Yay!! GJ Les!! Have generous points for the effort.

 

[Mainshow]

Wow. I didn't expect to like it that much.
I agree that it sounds slightly ordinary/generic in the sense that we've heard such songs many times before but overall, it's a well-executed and well-arranged pop song. Quite uplifting and energetic and it sounds better than her 2p20 attempt, imo. Is it just me or does she sound less nasal this time? I think that the song's got a better flow. F

I think I'd give it a or right now.

 

[MooseShoes]

Hooray for songs being released in the morning!

I agree that it has a bit of a Scandi NF sound to it but there's enough personality of its own. Very enjoyable.

I'm also giving it for the moment, but it could go up.

 

[Looren]

I love this !

points but could be a grower

 

[BorisBubbles]

The Avril Lavigne / Katy Perry sound is still tangible, the chorus actually has similar elements to the one of Story of My Life... But I dare say Maps still feels like it has a bit more identity and Lesley makes it more of her own.

It veers much more towards Avril than Katy this time and that's only a good thing. Avril Lavigne is a much more talented musician than Katy Perry is.

Also, the penmanship is significantly better. All this "my soul is a map / my heart is a compass / i am the road" stuff sounds like something that you may encounter in a good poetry book. The music goes rly well with the text, creating a nice, uplifting vibe that I'm digging. Excellent antivenom for the usual internet toxicity. I'm actually lowkey impressed by the quality of this. Good job.

I still think it's a likely NQ because songs like these are a HELL to sing (see: the heavy autotune), and also convincing the violent masses that an aging frumpy lesbian with weird eyebrows is THE pinacle of on stage performances is always a huge challenge. Who knows if staging can alleviate those two glaring problems. But Maps isn't outright DEAD in the water like "Story of my life" was. It should have a chance and I hope it does!

 

[Edweis]

SOML instantly reminded me of my teenage years so I was biased in linking it. It struck me instantly (even if the live performance we saw once was a mess). Maps is a perfectly decent song, but one we heard a million times before in the indie-pop genre. A because I'm not hooked instantly but I have nothing against it.

 

[Loindici]

Since Lesley had succesfully made me twerk to "Maps",

here you go, Queen, take my with you.

And I mean it's for real. This is something I would listen casually without thinking of it as an Eurovision entry, and I'd probably listen to it when I need to exercise. I like the production of it (even if I despise the vocal mixing a bit), and those dauntless drumbeats sold me.

Talking about her chances, though... being in the harder-semi-on-paper and also on the first half, she doesn't have much, but it's definitely bigger than 2020 now that we have this amazing entry... although we need to see her performance on the Late Late Show to examine that further. I pray to the Divine Jon Ola Sand this entry can qualify

 

[MooseShoes]

SOML instantly reminded me of my teenage years so I was biased in linking it. It struck me instantly (even if the live performance we saw once was a mess). Maps is a perfectly decent song, but one we heard a million times before in the indie-pop genre. A because I'm not hooked instantly but I have nothing against it.

Yeah, my worry here is that all the SOML fans will like it a little less, whilst all the others will like it more, putting it firmly in that NQ middle ground.

 

[BarefootBoogaloo]

Instalove from the first listen, it's a 12 from me!

 

[HayashiM]

It veers much more towards Avril than Katy this time and that's only a good thing.

Also, the penmanship is significantly better. All this "my soul is a map / my heart is a compass / i am the road" stuff sounds like something that you may encounter in a good poetry book. I'm actually lowkey impressed by the quality of this. Good job.

I still think it's dead because songs like these are a HELL to sing (see: the heavy autotune), and also convincing the violent masses that an aging frumpy lesbian with weird eyebrows is THE pinacle of on stage performances is always a huge challenge. Who knows if staging than alleviate those two glaring problems. But Maps isn't outright DEAD in the water like "Story of my life" was. It should have a chance and I hope it does!

I heard more of Avril than Katy even before, but yeah, this is better. And also a likely NQ, because as you say, this is going to be very difficult to sell live (though the juries could maybe help a little).

 

[Mrm]

I quite like it, that video lifted the entry..
Last year I really didnt like Irish entry so this is a huge improvement, and Im goona award in the poll....

 

[Mainshow]

It sounds like a very good and great way to kick off the semi. I think this will be #1 in the running order now.