Composer Ralph Siegel, the man behind many German entries to the Eurovision Song Contest, has officially announced that he will enter a song to the upcoming national preselection Countdown Grand Prix 2003. After the disastrous result of his recent entry, 'I can't live without Music', he originally claimed that he would never again take part in the competition, but he has obviously – and to many fans non-surprisingly – changed his mind in the meantime. He has given no details about the entry itself, apart from the fact that Corinna May will not sing it.

According to the German tabloid paper tz, Siegel has already written a new song and has presented it to his family at their Christmas party, being encouraged by his relatives to take part in the competition again. “With 57 years, one is really creative as a composer”, Siegel said, adding that “after 30 years of Eurovision Song Contest it is not a composer's dream to retire with a 21st place.”

The German broadcaster NDR has confirmed that Siegel will enter a song, which title and singer will be announced January 13th at the official Countdown Grand Prix press conference. Asked if the singer could be Corinna May again, Siegel responded: “Definitively not. She is a great artist, but the Grand Prix theme is over for her.”

To date, Ralph Siegel has written 13 German entries to the Eurovision Song Contest, including Germany's only winner, 'Ein bisschen Frieden' by Nicole (1982).