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Writer's pictureKyriakos Tsinivits

Eurovision superstar Loreen performs John Farnham’s classic ‘You’re the Voice’ on Swedish TV



Eurovision superstar Loreen has performed a contemporary rendition of John Farnham’s ‘You’re The Voice’, an Australia classic song, on the Swedish free-to-air network, TV4 for ‘En kväll för vår planet’ (which translates to ‘An evening for our planet’).


‘En kväll för vår planet’ was broadcast on August 26 and hosted by sports reporter Anna Brolin and singer and Melodifestivalen alumni Danny Saucedo.


The show shed light on climate change, deforestation, illegal hunting and other threats to our planet. It also highlight how we can all contribute to a better future for our planet. The evening offered performances from various artists, gripping reports and engaging facts.


Loreen was the highlight performance ending the evening with ‘You’re The Voice’ along with a wind turbine backdrop which rotated to the beat of the song.



Loreen won Eurovision in 2012 for Sweden, giving them their fifth win at the time, with the now very popular entry ‘Euphoria’. ‘Euphoria’ has become a huge fan favourite having won the ESC250 for a ninth year in a row in 2020. The ESC250 sees the Top 250 Eurovision songs, as voted by fans, counted down on New Year's Eve by ESC Radio.


The Eurovision queen's version of ’You’re the Voice’ fits extremely well with the prolonged call for action on climate change by the young generation.

’You’re the Voice’ is one of the unofficial anthems of Australia. It was released by Australian adult contemporary singer John Farnham back in 1986 ahead of the release of his 12th studio album ‘Whispering Jack’.


The power ballad went on to peak at the No.1 spot on the singles chart in Australia. It also became popular across Europe reaching No.1 in Sweden and West Germany, No. 6 in the UK and across the Atlantic No. 82 on the US Billboard Hot 100.


John Farnham's album ‘Whispering Jack’ went on to reach No.1 on the album charts in Australia for 25 weeks becoming the second highest selling album in Australian history. The album also managed to reach No.1 in Sweden in 1987.


The song became an 80s anthem, but over time it has become more of an anthem for the current youth calling out for change and to be heard.


‘You’re the Voice’ has been covered and performed by many artists since its release, most notably by Olivia Newton-John, Coldplay and the band Queen, just to name a few. It is a staple song to be performed from artists of all walks of life throughout the Australian music industry.

So it comes at no surprise that every single Australian Eurovision entrant has sung ‘You’re the Voice’ either as a performance on a singing competition, live on stage or even as part of a charity single!


Guy Sebastian, Australia’s first Eurovision entrant in 2015 sung ‘You’re the Voice’ during his run on Australian Idol back in 2003. He sung it when he was in the top 8 where the song theme of the night was “Australian Made”. His epic performance kept him safe, he went on to the the whole competition being crowned the first winner of Australian Idol.


Australia’s most successful entrant at Eurovision Dami Im sung ‘You’re the Voice’ on X Factor Australia during the fifth season in 2013. She sung the song during week 8 where the song theme was “Aussie Week”. Her breathtaking performance further cemented her place in the competition where she was mentored by Dannii Minogue. Dami went on to win X Factor Australia.



Australia's Eurovision 2018 entrant Jessica Mauboy’s most notable performance of ‘You’re the Voice’ has to be her performance for the Australia Day celebrations in Sydney in 2014. With the Sydney Opera House as a backdrop it makes for an amazing performance with a few familiar faces at the end. Jessica has also sung the song for Australia Day celebrations with Guy Sebastian and also collaborated with Ricki-Lee where they sung the song at a wedding.




The always fun and quirky Kate Miller-Heidke who swung on a pole at Eurovision 2019 to sing for Australia has performed ‘You’re the Voice’ live at The Chapel back in 2008. And yes it includes pop-opera during the interlude!!



Both Isaiah Firebrace from Eurovision 2017 and Montaigne from Eurovision 2021 sung ‘You’re the Voice’ in collaboration with other Australian artists in a 2017 charity single. They are joined by Archie Roach, Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan and Troy Cassar-Daley. The song was organised by the Queensland Music Festival together with the Sony Foundation where every purchase of the single supported DVConnect who provide 24/7 crisis response in Queensland for those living with domestic or family violence.


Most notably, from the array of Australian Decides artists, Mitch Tambo sung 'You're the Voice' during his run on Australia’s Got Talent in 2019. He sung the song in Gamilaraay language. He went on to release it as a single in December 2019.



As ‘Eurovision - Australia Decides’ has been announced for 2022, it is probably likely that the next winner of Australia’s Eurovision national final would be an artist that at some stage has performed ‘You’re the Voice’. We will have to wait and see if the “You’re-the-voice factor” plays into who wins.


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