Together – Ryan O’Shaughnessy

Getting ready to fly the flag for Ireland in Lisbon this year, Ryan O’Shaughnessy found time during his busy schedule to sit down with GCN before our own big Eurovision celebration to tell us his top 5 songs. It should be noted Ryan didn’t include his uncle Gary O’Shaughnessy who represented Ireland in 2001. Sorry, Ryan!

Check out his top 5 picks below.

Rock N’ Roll Kids – Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan

I was in the car with my girlfriend about 4 months ago, and this comes on the radio and the two of us, at the same time, said ‘Oh this is my favourite song!’ and I said to her, ‘No no like, actually my favourite song’, and she said, ‘No it’s actually my favourite song’. But yeah, this has got to be number 1.

Waterloo – Abba

Obviously Abba’s Waterloo, great entry… Eurovision is supposed to be a good party. And maybe from the early days, Abba might have had a gay following…and attracted more people to it. It’s a good space for people to meet up who are like minded as well, a bit like Pride.

Amar Pelois Dios – Salvador Sobral

Last year Salvador from Portugal, he came out and just sung a beautiful song, a little bit of piano, not much staging. It was the first year in many years something without a show won it. That actually sparked interest in me… maybe I could enter a song and people might accept that instead of looking for a show out of it or something. That was kind of my inspiration.

Dance You Off – Benjamin Ingrosso

Can I use one from this year? Sweden’s song sounds Justin Bieber-ey, or something like that. But yeah, that’s a banger.

Zibbz  – Stones

Ryan’s last pick was Switzerland’s entry this year. Sadly, he had originally picked Lorde’s Hard Rock Hallelujah but bumped it out last minute. We’ll add it to the list because… how could you not?!

(Special mention: Lorde – Hard Rock Hallelujah)

If you want to cheer Ryan O’Shaughnessy on at the gayest Eurovision party Ireland has to offer, get yourself tickets for GCN’s annual amazing extravaganza Eurovision Douze Points Party on May 12th. Snap them up before they’re gone!