In recent years Ireland has used national selection live performance videos for the required preview video. Initially this year was no different, until RTÉ released a second version, a sort of travelogue of Ireland. This week a third video has been launched.
Ireland has used its Idol/Star Academy/Fame Academy-esque You're A Star programme to select its representative. RTÉ has subsequently used a live performance clip from You're A Star as their preview video. But this year Ireland chose a different tack in asking Brian Kennedy to perform, and having a mini national final. And so Every song is a cry for love became the 2006 Irish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. And thus the video from that programme began circulating as the preview.
Breaking with recent tradition, RTÉ produced a preview video that serves as a sort of travelogue for Ireland, beginning with Brian singing in Dublin Airport. It shows Brian and 3 companions in a pub, around Dublin, and in the Wicklow mountains as he sings–arguably with as much emphasis on the sites as the song or singer.
This week a re-edited version was launched. It starts with a hand-written book with the song lyrics, and emphasizes Brian and the song more than the sites. Will this third version help the song (and performance) stick in the memories of viewers of the preview shows across Europe? You can check out the new video for yourself here.
Ireland performs eight (8th) in the semi-final on 18 May, with hopes of qualifying for the final on 20 May.
