Sheldon Riley Releases Gorgeous Eurovision Entry Track “Not The Same”

Sheldon Riley has just released his latest new single and Eurovision entry track “Not The Same”, written, musically and lyrically by Riley and brought to life in production by Australian Producer Cameron Nacson ahead of his performance debut at Eurovision – Australia Decides at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 25th February and Saturday 26th February.The instrumentation and lyrics alike shed moments of light and dark, fear and hope, following tentatively alongside the growing vocal to assist in telling Riley’s story of although you’re “Not The Same” you’re not alone. 

“Not The Same” is Sheldon Riley’s long awaited Eurovision Song Entry. This orchestral and emotional stripped back yet epically cinematic track has the heart a James Bond Theme with the modern soundscapes from the likes of Billie Eillish and a twist of Eurovision Star Barbara Pravi and dark elements found very familiar in many of Riley’s viral live performances. 

Unlike his last singles “Left Broken” & “Again,” lyrically is a more obvious story ready to be heard, followed and visualized. Written from the perspective of young Riley who was told “he would never quite be understood.” “Not The Same” is heartbreaking but gives a sense of hope to those in similar situations.

Speaking on the track Sheldon said, “‘Not The Same’ is the story I never thought I’d ever feel I’d be able to tell. Written reflecting on a child who at age 6 was diagnosed twice with ‘asperger’ syndrome, growing up in public housing, moving from home to home, unaware of my sexuality, among a deeply religious family, with a path already laid that I would never be able to properly understand or interact with other people.”

Sheldon continues, “I actually wrote this song back around late 2015, I had sent myself the lyrics on my old Facebook account. It was more of a poem back then though, more reflecting on how far I had come, recently coming out to my family and feeling so free to speak my mind more and more each day. When I was young (and still to this day) I connected to Darker Disney Animations, characters that were perceived to be different, evil, misunderstood and weren’t given a chance to explain parts of themselves that they ultimately couldn’t change. Maleficent, Cruella DeVille, Ursula. It probably explains my dark aesthetic.

I mention this because Eurovision really was my first real life Disney fantasy, filled with outcasts and artists who just didn’t fit the mold of mainstream music and the competition gave them a loud enough voice that reached me all the way in Australia. That is what I connected so strongly to. I wanted to put a song forward that came from that same place.

The song is really a gift back to any one who might be in my position when I first fell in love with Eurovision. Regardless of gender, sexuality, race, financial position, trauma, color, age, shape or size.. you’re ‘Not The Same’ but you’re not alone.”

The dark pop star continues to release gold with this track and we’re so excited to hear the outcome at Eurovision – Australia Decides at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday25th February and Saturday 26th February.