By: Laura Bennett
Swedish-born songwriter Jonas Myrin reflects on his own full circle moment as Delta Goodrem’s Eurovision entry Eclipse reached the world stage.
In May last year Jonas was invited by Delta to collaborate on what she hoped would become her Eurovision entry. Jonas presented the “seed of the idea” for Eclipse, and together with songwriters Michael Fatkin and Ferras completed the successful submission. When it was sung on the Eurovision stage for the first time during the semifinals, Jonas had a surreal moment of gratefulness for what God had done.
“I have to pinch myself and say to my 9-year-old self, ‘Look what God can do’,” Jonas said.
“Look what happened, when you have a dream in your heart and when you stay true to that dream and don’t compromise on the way and just follow that heart.
“Standing in the arena and seeing 15,000 people sing along to every word of this song that started as a small idea made me so grateful.”
With Delta marking our 11th entry into Eurovision, Australia are relative newcomers to the competition but in Europe the event isn’t just a song contest – it’s part of the “cultural history”.
“Growing up in a small town in Sweden I remember watching [Swedish entry] Carola Häggvist win in 1991 and feeling the magnitude of what the stage represented for us back then,” Jonas said.
“It was this global stage and Sweden got to win.
“I was just a little kid, but it made such a big impact on me.”
During this year’s contest Jonas has become an “honourary Australian”, seeing countless messages of support pour in for Delta and “carrying the vision” of what they wanted to achieve with Eclipse.
“I wanted to reflect the Eurovision Song Contest’s message about being united by music, and alignment between creation and alignment in life,” Jonas shared.
“Alignment in creation is the eclipse when the sun and moon – two opposite things – meet in this divine, miraculous moment.
“To represent Australia and a message of hope, with a song of hope, in these times is such a privilege as co-writer.”
Delta has spoken often about how former Eurovision entrants Olivia Newton-John (her mentor) and Celine Dion inspired her on her journey to Vienna, and Jonas knows she did them proud.
“Watching her this week has just been amazing,” Jonas said.
“Delta’s mission has always been to touch people through her music, [and] she has such an ease and flow and a grace about her.
“In that third chorus [of Eclipse], she’s being elevated into the sky, and she just does it so effortlessly, like she can just make anything come alive.”
After Eurovision the focus now turns to the November release of Delta’s next album Pure, on which Jonas is also a collaborator.
“Delta is entering an incredibly powerful creative season,” Jonas said.
“Pure has some really beautiful songs that come from really personal and emotional places from all of us who’ve been part of this process.
“Delta poured her own heart into this album, [and] what I love so much working with her is that she’s not just an amazing singer and performer, but she’s a great musician.
“Collaborating with her – not just as a singer, but as a writer and musician – has been such a joy.”
Jonas’ message to the fans that supported Delta through Eurovision is simple: thank you.
“We are overwhelmed by the love, by the support, by all the messages,” Jonas said.
“Thank you to the Hope listeners for also being part of this journey, for your prayers, for your encouragement and for your lovely messages on Instagram and social media.
“It’s been so, so fun to do this journey together with Australia.”
Young Jonas wouldn’t believe it.
“That’s probably been the most incredible gift of this Eurovision adventure, for young Jonas in Sweden, seeing that one day he would be standing on the other side [of the stage] and have a song that’s done so well.
“It’s such an amazing privilege.”
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
About the Author: Laura Bennett is a media professional, broadcaster and writer from Sydney, Australia.
Feature image: Supplied
