Erica Cody's Love Me Like I Do has been revealed as the first song in the race to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest this May in Malmo, Sweden.
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The song, which she describes as the "ultimate feel good self-love anthem", made its debut on The Ray D'Arcy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 on Monday afternoon, and five more Irish Eurovision hopefuls will be revealed on the show each day this week.
Song: Love Me Like I Do
Artist: Erica-Cody Kennedy Smith
Composers: Ruthanne, Erica Cody, Aimee & produced and co-written by Richey McCourt
Cody is a pop and R&B singer, writer and producer, known for her upbeat tracks that "promote self-love and confidence". The singer, who is also famed for her appearance on Dancing with the Stars in 2022 where she reached the final along with her partner Denys Samson, has been an independent artist since 2017.
She independently released the singles Better Days, Back to Basics and Queen in 2021, culminating in the release of her second EP Love & Light.
Speaking about what inspired her Eurosong entry Love Me Like I Do, she says: "The song has never meant more to me than it does right now. It really helped me get through one of the most challenging times in my life while navigating a breakup.
"It's the ultimate feel good self-love anthem. The meaning is in the song title Love Me Like I Do - you really are your own best friend, the one who has to go to sleep with your decisions and thoughts at night so no one can make decisions and love you more than YOU can."
She added of the prospect of representing Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, this May: "I always thought that I’d be representing my country with a basketball jersey on my back, but that was cut short due to injury which was the catalyst for me to really pursue music.
"So, to be able to represent Ireland doing the one thing I love the most (music) and have now made my career not only would be an honour but a huge full circle moment.
"I really think I could do Ireland proud and bring it home!"
A total of six songs were selected for Eurosong 2024 from hundreds of entries received by RTÉ following a callout for submissions last year.
All acts will compete on The Late Late Eurosong special on 26 January, 9:35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 semi-finals will take place on 7 and 9 May, with the grand final following on 11 May.
