Sheldon Riley - Not The Same - LIVE - Australia 🇦🇺 - Grand Final - Eurovision 2022

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The Eurovision Song Contest celebrates diversity through music. Please keep your comments respectful. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body-shaming or any other derogatory or hostile language. Offensive users will be blocked and reported. Music first, always.

[isaaclee]

This is the most underrated song in Eurovision 2022 hands down. How did it only get two points!? The guy is like a wolf howling in the night, his voice is beautiful and his high notes are just amazing! He should had been at least 5th in my opinion.

[LVHVOGUE]

Vocalist of the year. This could be a Grammy Award *winning* performance. Eurovision does not deserve him.

[charsst]

When he said "You're told to play, but you're not the same as the other kids playing the same game." I started crying and couldn't stop until the end. As a neurodivergent person myself, it is very difficult to find a song that perfectly represents what it feels like to grow up and live with it. This song represents not only me but also my friends and most people like me! My mother also teared up and actually voted for him because "He gets it, and he is right! You're not the same, and that is fine!". I also cried when everyone started cheering for him when he scored so low because it shows that the song is correct in its message and that it actually got across. So no matter his final result, he did a phenomenal job!

After posting this comment I saw that many other Austic/ Neurovergent people in the comments felt the exact same with me. This makes me so happy!

[kira]

I literally gasped in shock when Australia`s results were announced. They got robbed big time, this performance was amazing and easily my favourite!

[OHariseimai]

I still believe that this song doesn't get enough recognition

[Villiomenaa]

Sheldon was so devastated by the televoting and so was I. Absolutely heartbreaking, deserved so much more.

[StefanVarga]

Only those who went through similar childhood experiences can truly understand the meaning of this beautiful song. It was Sheldon's dream to perform at Eurovision and it doesn't matter he only got 2 points from the general public. What a voice, what a song, what a performance! Australia, you got our attention

[asmrtanyamelson]

every day I go to listen to this wonderful performance and every time goosebumps! one thing surprises me… how did the audience rate this performance so badly?! it's incredible! this voice is amazing!

[rumia.]

Songs with deep meanings get a few points. I‘m so sad for Sheldon. It was his dream to perform on Eurovision and he only got 2 points from the public. But you have a new fan from Germany at least. The Eurovision winners will also be forgotten after 2 days. But you will be the winner of my Heart. Hats off to this amazing performance!!

[felixbeatus]

This song and performance was way too good for Eurovision.

[LadySilviaSpain]

The quality of his voice is out of this world. My personal winner. Europe should have voted more for you Sheldon <3 love from Spain.

[tzm]

This is actually a winner song and a winner performance. I just don't understand why Europeans didn't give him more recognition. In my opinion Sheldon's perfomance was the climax of ESC Grand Finals.

[TheBlakia]

For sure this was the most raw feeling song ever! The emotions were real and it was touching. Loved it!

The moment he took his crown off, I am shocked, had goosebumps. One of the best vocal entries of this year. SO POWERFUL AND ICONIC.

[teguhf.]

Lyrics:

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

Then you run and hide, hide the break inside
'Til you realize that the light shines bright
Through those, oh, who broke inside

I'm not the same, no
I'm not the same, no
I'm not the same, no
I'm not the same, no

'Cause you never want to be the kind of person
Who can't work it for those ones who can not word it
'Cause you've been the kind of person who felt this pain
Oh, yeah, I felt this pain

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

We're not the same, no
We're not the same, no
We're not the same, no
We're not the same, no

[misteerie.]

This is my all-time fave Eurovision song, simply because Sheldon mentions being diagnosed with Autism at 6 years old and I was diagnosed at that age while also struggling with talking (with me being mute as well, ) this song means the world to me and I'm so sad the public at the time didn't realise how meaningful and beautiful the song was and always will be...

Sheldon, from a fellow Aspie, thank you so much for this song, you have no idea how much it means to the community, I rarely cry at songs but this one gets me and the symbolism of this performance is breath-taking! <3

One of my far-fetched dreams is to be on Eurovision someday, but it'll never happen so seeing somebody in the Autism community come as far as Sheldon, paves the way for fellow Aspie's in the future and I can't wait to see Sheldon's influence continue on in the coming years!

[virajjayant]

That's it.
I am done with Europe.
2 points from public.
No, just no.
This is unbelievable, unheard of.
Sheldon, you are a gem.
We love you.
I don't know what just happened.

[sudebadem]

the only performance that gave me goosebumps in the eurovision22 was this one. i'm so happy for Ukraine but my winner is definitely Australia. his voice, stage, outfit and the message..everything was just perfect. Sheldon sang with pure emotions and i felt it with my heart. congrats Sheldon!!! so much love from Turkey<3<3

[BlackieLadida]

I cried during the entire song. I had just gotten my ASD diagnosis the week before, at 27, and I felt every single one of those lyrics. I was treated as something different. The other kids didn't like me, and I lied about beeing OK, because I didn't want my parents to be sad.
I know these feeling far to well, I know the pain, the isolating feeling, the mask you wear to please others, the feeling of not knowing who you are, because that is someone society deems weird and wrong.
And having someone who represent us, and beeing a voice for us, for the whole world to see and hear, that means more than others will ever understand.

[leecleaver]

The room went silent when this started at our Eurovision party. What a song, what a voice and what a message 💙