Music

Eurovision 2020: James Newman to sing UK entry 'My Last Breath' as organisers monitor coronavirus threat


The BBC abandoned the traditional public vote and instead asked industry experts to choose a song and singer to compete in Rotterdam in May

Thursday, 27th February 2020, 11:30 am

Updated Thursday, 27th February 2020, 11:31 am
James Newman will sing the UK’s Eurovision 2020 song, My Last Breath (BBC)

He’s a songwriter for Ed Sheeran who studied for a higher national diploma in Popular Music.

A Brit Award winning writer who has penned hits for Sheeran, Jess Glynne and Rudimental, Newman said he hoped the “simple, memorable and anthemic” My Last Breath would win the backing of international voters.

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Coronavirus fear

However there are concerns that the song may be considered tasteless by music fans given the spread of the coronavirus across the continent.

The video concludes with the words: “Every moment should be lived as if it was your last breath.”

The contest, which attracts thousands of fans from across Europe and beyond, may have to be postponed if the spread of the virus continues. A Six Nations rugby match has already been called off, and Saudi Arabia has halted foreign pilgrimages to Mecca. 

‘Closely monitoring situation’

The European Broadcasting Union said: “The EBU is, of course, closely monitoring the situation concerning the coronavirus and taking necessary measures in line with World Health Organization and national authority guidelines.”

“We will continue to follow developments across Europe, however, it is currently too early to comment on possible scenarios.”

Newman co-wrote My Last Breath with acclaimed British songwriters Ed Drewett, Iain James and Adam Argyle who have collectively written songs for One Direction, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Professor Green, Leona Lewis, Dua Lipa and James Bay.

He also co-wrote the winning Eurovision song for Azerbaijan, Running Scared performed by Ell & Nikki in 2011.

The Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence celebrates after winning the contest last year (Photo: Getty)

Building from an acoustic strum to Coldplay-style “whoah-ohs”, the 2020 entry features a catch-of-breath pause between the words “last” and “breath” in each chorus – an element designed to make it stand out from other Eurovision hopefuls.

The elder brother of chart-topper John Newman, James, from the Yorkshire Dales, is signed to Kylie Minogue’s record label, BMG, which put the Eurovision songwriting team together. 

The UK last won the world’s most-watched music event in 1997. Lithuania is already the bookies’ favourite to win for the first time in Rotterdam.

The song was inspired by a documentary about a diver in the North Sea who has to be saved after getting cut off from the rest of his crew. The video features Dutch cold water swimmer Wim Hof.

Newman said: “It’s such an honour to be representing the United Kingdom this year at Eurovision – I still can’t quite believe it.”

‘Universal message’

“I’m also so proud to be taking My Last Breath as the song. I wrote it with some of my best friends, who are also amazingly talented songwriters in their own right.”

“I knew it was ‘the one’ after first recording it, I just loved the simplicity and universal message of the song.”

Newman’s songwriting hits include Waiting All Night, performed by Rudimental and Ella Eyre.

He also wrote Lay It All On Me, performed by Rudimental featuring Ed Sheeran, and Blame, performed by Calvin Harris featuring John Newman.

Suzy Lamb, managing director for BBC Studios, Entertainment and Music, said: “James has a great track record of writing multiplatinum-selling pop songs and we are excited he has taken on the challenge to hopefully put the UK on the Eurovision map again.”



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