This preview brings another artist returning to the contest. He wasn’t a winner like Alexander Rybak, but as part of the duo The Common Linnets, Waylon was the runner-up to Conchita in 2014 and earned The Netherlands their best result since 1975 (when they had the last of their 4 wins). Can Waylon go one better on his solo return?

Waylon has been inspired by country music since childhood so it should come as no surprise that his entry is once again from that genre. Whereas the 2014 entry “Calm After the Storm” was a country/bluegrass soft ballad, his solo entry this year is much more country rock. It certainly is authentic to who he is, the music he loves, and as in 2014, it’s a song that stands alone rather than the feel of one crafted/compromised for Eurovision.

I think that authenticity and the fact country (rock) remains a rarity at the contest, will ensure that this will stand out for juries (and those televoters who enjoy this genre. Not sure if it will be enough to match the runner up spot he achieved with Ilse Delange (the other half of the Common Linnets) in 2014, but I think this would be fairly certain of making the final (being in the weaker semi-final 2). For me, I have it ranked relatively lowly as I’m just not that much of a fan of this (sub)genre – but I do respect Waylon and what he brings to the contest.

Official music video (live performance):

The Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest:

First entered: 1956

Appearances (excluding this year): 59

Best result: Winner 1957, 1959, 1969, 1975

Last year’s result: 11th