Appearing on radio show 'Drivetime' on RTÉ Radio 1 (a radio station of Ireland's competing broadcaster at Eurovision) the artist discussed his upcoming participation in the national selection.
On Monday the six contender’s for Ireland’s Eurosong selection were announced (see full story here). These included former Sex Pistol’s frontman, who will compete with his band Public Image Limited.
When asked if he ever watches Eurovision, he had this to say:
“No, never. Just absolutely not because it’s absolutely awful…the songs, just the whole thing of it is is disgusting really to me. I’m a songwriter, I perform live and these songs come off dreadfully phoney to me“.
When asked if he would like to represent Ireland, he said:
“Well let’s face it, the English would never give me the opportunity“.
You can hear the full interview here.
The song that he and his band have entered, Hawaii, is a love letter to John Lydon’s wife of nearly 5 decades, Nora, who is living with Alzheimer’s.
Speaking about his life as a carer for his wife Nora, who has Alzheimer’s Disease and inspired the song, he says:
“She has bits of her memory…it’s up and down. It’s incredibly stressful. The physical aspects of just taking care of the toiletries can be really, really straining. But I love her so much, it’s absolutely alright“.
The song sees John reflecting on one of their happiest moments together in Hawaii.
According to the band, the emotional ballad is as close as John will ever come to bearing his soul.
They say: “It is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most,” John says. “It’s also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all.”
