DYING TO TRY 

BRENDAN MURRAY

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 201.5/320 (63%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

IRELAND

INT

JURY TOTAL

107.5

Amar

A modern version of Ireland 's winning songs from the mid 1990s. I really appreciate this entry for being contemporary... it has an x-factor that stands out compared to a lot of the other ballads. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Ireland in the top 15 this year.

7.5

Benedek

Again a ballad but this sang by a male. It is good it is nice it will do nothing in the contest. Ireland was always a ballad horsepower but the spark or the little bit more special touch is missing from this song. The singer has no big eruptions and this song is just there.

5

Christos

Yes yes yes, Ireland you are to the point this year. Firstly the official video is soooo beautiful and secondly this is a real ballad and not another one slow boring entry. I am sure this year Europe will appreciate the big big hereditary of the Irish music…the queen is back and we all have to obey to her. The only disantvage is the “strange” voice of the singer but ….I love it… Go go Eire !!!!!!!

8

Daria

I’m not sure if I like it or not. It has something touching, but I don’t think I can listen to it 3 times in row. I like that it’s a classical ballad with emotions. But I want more atmosphere (we can feel it in video but not in audio only).

7

Douwe

The Irish entry this year talks about taking a leap of faith and putting your trust in someone else. 'Dying to Try' (by a Swedish / British team) is a love song and power ballad. Building slowly leading to the introduction of a choir and a big key change, it sounds so very Westlife-ish and obviously has the signature of Louis Walsh all over it. This is perfectly pleasant but I fear it will be overlooked. His vocal has the chance to stun if he can pull it off live but whether this will be enough to push them into the final for the first time since 2013 remains to be seen. 

6

Elena

The singer has a very interesting voice. Unfortunately, that's the only interesting thing with this song. It's a really pretty ballad, but there's nothing special about it, it fades into the background and gets lost.

5

Frederico

I kind of like this. A pretty good ballad which could possibly do with a stronger voice. I can see this qualify quite easily as there are some anthemic elements here that could do rather well.

5.5

José

Yes, another ballad for Kiev , but Brendan has a very special voice, the musical arrangements are superior than most of the scream fest that will enjoy on ladies ballads, so I can see Ireland returning to a final. I really hope they can prepare a nice stage environment so this song can shine as deserved.

7.5

Mark L

OMG did my country actually send a good song! I really like it and love Brendan’s really beautiful voice, Makes me proud to be Irish

9

Melissa

Well his voice is unique but having it paired with the most bland song possible is just disastrous! I would hope they would come out with a song with more Celtic influence, and it sounds as if the song was originally written that way, but it's just been mixed into something so generic it just goes nowhere. I like the video clip though...

6

Octavio

Finally, a worthy ballad. The song is actually really good, comparing it to the recent Irish entries. His voice does suit this song, It's so magical. I imagine very powerful performance with this sensitive song.

8

Paul C

Just an average ballad, not my favourite kind of music. Nice voice though.

6

Pia

As I wrote about Greece ......quite good ....

7

Roberto

I had to listen to it many times to have a wider / wiser view of it. His voice is really particular and the song is soulful and delicate, and it suits perfectly his voice. Seemly.

7.5

Roy

I really like this, Brendan has a clear voice but a little on the feminine side but it is catchy and and listenable and I hope it makes the final.

7.5

Samantha

Pleasant, unique voice, but there seems to be something missing here. It sweeps and swells, but I still find it hard to connect with this entry. 

5

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

IRELAND

UK

JURY TOTAL

94

Andrew G

Very nice song, has a nice tune and he has a good voice, this deserves a place in the final

8

Danny

This is perfectly pleasant and VERY Irish and flows along nicely. Until that keychange. Oh dear. After this the song goes completely off the rails and Brendan’s high voice becomes highly irritating. It’s a shame because up until then I thought it could possibly have a chance of qualifying but I think it’s a no-hoper now.

4

David B

Much more palatable than last year's entry and certainly more memorable. However, let's be honest - he sounds like a 13 year old girl! It's a tad off-putting. I think it might just make the final though.

6.5

David E

A very generic Westlife song, even down to the "get up off the stool key-change", but sadly this isn't 1998.  What concerns me far more is the chap's shocking voice.  This is borderline for qualifying, but I suspect his high-pitched, nasal overtones may sink it. 

5.5

Dean

One of the better ballads. If the presentation is simple and stripped back this could come across really well.  Brendan has a very distinct voice and if he can belt this out, it should propel Ireland back into the Final.  Ireland ’s best since Jedward’s Lipstick.

7.5

Eddie

As a song, this is a typical X factor type winner's song with great uplifting production and choir. I don't think his voice is strong enough to carry it. He would have been better with a cut back ballad. I think it's too MoR to stand out.

5.5

Edward

Oh dear…  Being positive, Brendan can plainly sing and has endearing youthful enthusiasm.  The song though is old fashioned and just plain dull.  Even the key change fails to take us anywhere as we wait for it to end.  The video is boring, leaving me worried for the live performance.

2

Gary

I wasn’t expecting a lot from this one, to be honest. I am pleasantly surprised though. This has real potential – a very cute melody and a genuine feel to it. Slightly dated and I fear how it will sound live, but all told, nice job Ireland !

8.5

Joe  

I had high hopes when they announced the singer but sadly the song is a real let-down. It's DULL

4

Kevin

Ireland will be represented by Brendan Murray; former member of boy bad Hometown. The 20 year old will be hitting us with “Dying to try”, a song which has been chosen from several singer / song writers.  Nice vocal arrangement, worthy of ticket to the final… Let’s hope so.

8

Lloyd

With his Angelic, boyish charm delivers a soft gentle Sunday afternoon song before it becomes more and more like a westlife rip off. Luckily for me I don't mind a bit of westlife.

7

Mark M

It's really dull and his voice is just a bit odd.  It's not a bad song and it's relatively radio friendly but Ireland is not going to qualify with this.

4.5

Martin

Already the witty "Trying To Die" comment has been bandied about social media - this extremely slow paced ballad that is so 'Louis Walsh formulaic' it hurts is likely to flounder in the SF in Kyiv, leaving poor 'sacrificial lamb' Brendan to wish that his fellow Hometown boys were there to share the load stone of this entry...

5.5

Matt

Charming and inoffensive and has the 'old fashioned' Eurovision feel to it.  Not too keen on his voice though.

5

Nico

Very sweet and unmistakably Irish. Bit slow to get going, takes 1 minute 50 to really kick in, but very nice when it finally gets there. Hope it manages to keep people's attention that long. 

7.5

Sally-Ann

Love the plinky-plonky backing, but this is basically a pretty average ballad.  Brendan has an undeniably good voice, but the song is delivered in an annoying breathy manner which detracts from the melody.

5