21 FEBRUARY 2021: RAYLEE – Hero

For me, Raylee’s ‘Hero’ is already one of 2021’s best songs, without a doubt. It should have also been one of Eurovision’s best songs ever too, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

I’ve been obsessed with this track ever since its first performance in the qualifying rounds of Norway’s ‘Melodi Grand Prix’ – which, for those who didn’t know, is their selection show for Eurovision. This one would have made a PERFECT entry, and I was hoping and praying Raylee would have the chance to share it with a wider audience in May – but alas, Norway chose a different song.

That doesn’t stop ‘Hero’ from being one of the most instantly catchy tracks I’ve heard in forever. It brilliantly captures the musical zeitgeist of 80s synthpop, and it does so in such an engaging way. Both the song and its performance are full of reverent nods to the era – from the visual ‘Flashdance’ references in those breathtaking waterfall shots, to the lyrical and musical energy reminiscent of Bonnie Tyler’s ‘Holding Out For A Hero’. All that aside though, it’s also simply a spectacularly-written song. The melody of the ‘this time a different story‘ section is such a hook, and then that chorus explodes out with so much energy, it’s impossible not to sing along.