John Newman isn’t worried about a little competition from his big brother James, who has just released the UK’s Eurovision song entry.
Earlier this month, fans were introduced to the other lesser-known Newman brother when James was announced as our entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after years of writing hits for other artists.
It’s coincidental timing as John, 29, has just made his long-awaited comeback with new single Stand By Me, meaning he could go up against James’ ballad My Last Breath.
But there’s no real sibling rivalry, of course, as John couldn’t be more supportive of James stepping into the spotlight.
‘I am proud of him. And that sounds stupid because he’s my bigger brother, but I’m not his little brother anymore so it’s all right,’ John told Metro.co.uk.
‘It’s good to see people gaining success on the talent that they have and he has great talent, so it’s good to see that. It’s good to see the recognition.’
His competitive nature did momentarily took over though as he then joked: ‘If I’m going to answer this in a Tyson Fury kind of way, who came back from mental health and took the heavyweight division by storm again… I’ve got a three number ones belt.
‘So he’d better be ready for it.’
Now that’s fighting talk.
On more of a serious note, John said he’s not chasing number ones in the same way any more.
‘I’m not in it for that any more. If I got another number one I’d probably knock the roof off my mouth, I’d be going mental because it’d be such a fight back from mentally being at the lowest of the low to getting back to that point I’d be absolutely ecstatic and I wouldn’t take anything for granted ever again,’ he explained.
‘Having three number ones, that was a long time ago and it’s about working towards the new John Newman, phase two John Newman.’
These days, John finds it ‘cool’ that his new single Stand By Me is number one in countries like Malaysia and Cambodia which he admits he would have ‘taken for granted’ before.
‘But now it’s well exciting,’ he said.
The singer continued: ‘So I think in terms of that relating to me and my brother having a chart battle, good on him. I’m proud now just to see three people buying my record so whatever happens happens, but I’ll be proud anyway.’
When asked if James stands a good chance of winning this year’s Eurovision for the UK, John quipped: ‘Politically, I think we’re probably the worst country to win in Europe,’ before adding: ‘Nah, people have their own opinions on that so I’m not going to comment, but the tune’s good!
‘It’s just a good tune and people like good music so you’ve got to let that speak and hopefully other things don’t affect it. Hopefully just goes off of music and the artist, which I think we’ve got a good shot with then.’
Either way, those Newman brothers are a force to be reckoned with!
John Newman’s new single Stand By Me is out now.
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