For the sixth time we hand out the Eurostory Best Lyrics Award – the award for the best song lyrics of the year. Previous awards were won by Ukraine (2016), France (2017, 2018) and Italy (2019, 2021). This year six entries are nominated. They are revealed one by one, and Saskia Halfmouw gives us a unique visual interpretation of each song.

The sixth and last nominee for the Eurostory Best Lyrics Award 2022 is: Australia.

Country: Australia
Title: Not the same
Artist: Sheldon Riley
Lyricist: Sheldon Riley Hernandez

Jury report
Riley’s poignant lyrics convey the ongoing experience that he has had – as a child diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome – with being different: ‘I’m not the same’. Instead of using words that merely describe his feelings (such as ‘sad’ or ‘angry’) he serves us glimpses of what it was like, strengthening his testimony. A strong example of this is the line in which his father asks him whether he’s laughed at all that day. Another powerful note is the beautiful discovery with which Riley turns the song around halfway: ‘So you go and leave the pain and find another way to make yourself another game, maybe one for all to play, cause it’s not just me who’s not the same – we’re not the same’.

Fragment from Not the same:

‘I was told at six years old
They’d avoid me if my heart was cold
Found it hard to talk and speak my mind
They never liked the things that I would like
‘Cause you’re told to play, but you’re not the same
As the other kids playing the same games
Try to jump on in, but they push away
So far away

I’m not the same, no
I’m not the same, no

Years went by, I tried and tried
My father asked me if today I smiled
I said, “Yes, I did”, but that’s a lie
Oh, I always tell those lies.’

The complete lyrics for this song can be found here.

How is the winner determined?
Like in previous years the winner of the Eurostory Best Lyrics Award will be partially determined by online voters, and mainly determined by an international professional jury consisting of writers, poets, journalists, editors, songwriters, translators and former Eurovision participants. When all nominees are revealed the poll for online voting will open. The winner will be announced during Eurovision week in May. Keep following our website for the latest news!