Olly Alexander reveals how 'Dizzy' was chosen as this year's Eurovision song
It WASN'T written specifically for Eurovision
Olly Alexander joined Angellica, James and Matt on Friday 1st March on Hits Radio to talk all about his brand new release, 'Dizzy', which is the UK's Eurovision entry this year.
The singer, who has been teasing the song since December, opened up about how the song was chosen for the UK's Eurovision song, and why it wasn't specifically written for the annual singing competition.
Was 'Dizzy' written for the Eurovision Song Contest?
When asked if he knew 'Dizzy' was going to be a Eurovision song, Olly explained: "It wasn't actually specifically for Eurovision, but I've made all this new music with a producer called Danny L Harle, who is a brilliant musician/producer and we both love Eurovision, so we were making all this music and we thought, wouldn't it be great if one of these songs we could take to Eurovision?
“So we had it in our heads, but like it wasn't specific. Like ‘Dizzy’ just came kind of, it was quite a random day in the studio where we just like, oh, let's write a song called ‘Dizzy’ and it just kind of came out of nowhere. But that kind of happens sometimes.”
He continued: "So when I threw my hat into the Eurovision ring, I sent a few songs, so the Eurovision powers that be, had a few songs to listen to and their favourite was ‘Dizzy’.”
What do the lyrics mean?
Olly also opened up about some of the lyrics of 'Dizzy'. When asked about the line: "There's a place where, we break the line, make it a circle redefined, beautiful garden's, eternal flowers."
He explained: "The idea is, there's a magical place where you're in love with someone, there are flowers everywhere and you're just like, you're dizzy."
What has Olly said about his upcoming album?
While Olly can't reveal much about his new album, which 'Dizzy' features on, he did say that he thinks 'Dizzy' is a good indication of what the rest of the album is like.
Olly explained: "It's definitely like almost finished, the album's almost finished. I made it with Danny. Like the whole album, just me and Danny, and ‘Dizzy’ is like a really good example I think of the kind of...
"We were super inspired by like the 80s, by just like classic bands from that period, like Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, New Order. It's all very electronic synth, and like really emotional music and I'm just so excited and there will definitely be more music this year!"
When was Olly Alexander on Hits Radio?
Olly chatted to Angellica, James and Matt on Hits Radio.
You can hear 'Dizzy' on Hits Radio.
Take a look through Olly Alexander's career:
2009: Bright Star
Before making it in the music industry, Olly was an actor, he appeared in several films including Bright Star. Olly played the role of Tom Keats, the lead character's brother.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design.
2009: Tormented
Also in 2009, Olly appeared in the film Tormented which starred Tuppence Middleton. He played the role of Jason Banks.
Olly also appeared in films Enter the Void, Dust, The Fades, Gulliver's Travels and The Dish & the Spoon.
2010: Olly Alexander joined Years & Years
Despite still acting, Years & Years formed. Olly Alexander was invited to join the band by Mikey Goldsworthy, who heard him singing in the shower.
2012: Theatre and music work
As well as his on screen acting, Olly also worked on a theatre production of Mercury Fur in 2012.
2012 was also the year that Years & Years released their debut song 'I Wish I Knew' as a five-piece group.
2013: Peter and Alice (theatre)
Olly went on to appear as Peter Pan in the West End play Peter and Alice, which starred Judi Dench. Years later, he would ask Judi to appear in the short film that accompanies Years & Years' album 'Palo Santo'.
Olly also appeared in two episodes of the TV show Skins and the feature film Le Week-End.
2014: God Help the Girl
In 2014, Olly appeared in the lead role of a musical feature film called God Help the Girl. In the film he sang and played the guitar. It follows three friends in Glasgow who form a band.
2015: Years & Years release 'Communion'
In 2015, Years & Years music career was really beginning to take hold. The band (now a trio) released their Number 1 debut album 'Communion' and also their huge hits, 'King' and 'Shine'.
2018: Years & Years released 'If You're Over Me'
Years & Years released 'If You're Over Me', which was another chart success for the band reaching Number 6 in the UK, followed by 'Play' with Jax Jones which reached Number 8.
The band also released 'Palo Santo', their second album. The album was accompanied by a short film which was narrated by Judi Dench.
2021: Olly Alexander stars in It's a Sin
Olly starred in the Channel 4 series It's a Sin about the lives of three young people affected by the AIDS crisis in the 1980s.
The singer plays Ritchie, from the Isle of Wight. The 'golden boy' of a middle-class family, Ritchie is heading off to University to study law in London where he finds 'freedom'.
2021: Years & Years performed at The BRITs
Olly, along with the rest of Years & Years performed at The BRIT Awards. The band also released 'It's a Sin' (solo or with Elton John), 'Starstruck' (solo or with Kylie Minogue). Olly also released 'Sweet Talker' with Galantis as the Years & Years solo project.
2021: Years & Years becomes a solo project
In 2021, Years & Years explained that they would be continuing as an 'Olly solo project' which will involve Mikey Goldsworthy playing at the live shows and Emre Türkmen helping with writing/producing.
2021: Years & Years released: 'Starstruck'
Years & Years' first single as a solo project was called 'Starstruck' and released in April 2021. There were two versions of the song, one as a solo track and one with Kylie Minogue, which was released the following month.
2022: Olly Alexander releases his first solo album
The project's first solo album was called 'Night Call', released in January 2022 and debuting at the top of the charts in the UK. It was accompanied by a tour of the same name.
2023: Mighty Hoopla Festival headline slot
Olly headlined the Mighty Hoopla Festival 2023 alongside Destiny's Child legend Kelly Rowland, singing all the band's biggest hits - and even bringing out Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts for a mini reunion!
2023: Olly Alexander announced as the UK's Eurovision 2024 entry
During the Strictly Come Dancing final, Olly Alexander was announced as the UK's Eurovision 2024 entry. Although the song has now been announced as 'Dizzy' which will be released on 1st March, Olly will be taking to the stage in Sweden to represent the UK next May.
Speaking about the news, Olly said: "I've loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I'm beyond excited to be taking part next year. As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour."
2024: Olly Alexander makes a pit-stop at The Queen Vic
Olly Alexander will appear in an episode of EastEnders. The actor and singer makes a surprise visit in Walford, however his appearance is not the only surprise of the night.
On his guest-appearance, Olly Alexander said: "I'm thrilled to be making my first appearance on EastEnders and in the most iconic pub in the UK. I'm so happy I got to meet some true screen legends and spend time on set with the brilliant cast and crew. I wanted to surprise my mum as it's her favourite show but I guess the cat is out of the bag now, she's gonna love it!"
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