Eurovision 2023: Who is Edgar Allan Poe? Inspiration behind Austria’s fan favourite track

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Who the hell is Edgar Allan Poe?! Ugh! The inspiration behind Austria’s Eurovision 2023 track explained

The final of Eurovision 2023 will take place in Liverpool tonight.

Austria's entry is sure to get people talking once again. In Thursday's semi-final took place many fans had strong opinions about each act, especially fan favourite Austria’s catchy track ‘Who the Hell is Edgar?’

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American writer Edgar Allan Poe is the inspiration behind the track performed by Teya and Salena. The writer’s name quickly became a trending topic on Twitter, with many joking that the writer was the oldest person to be involved in the European Song Contest.

The pop anthem has quickly become labelled a fan favourite, with members of the audience celebrating the track in various ways. “Poe” is repeatedly referenced throughout the chorus of the song and a member of the audience could be seen holding the Teletubby character named Po.

While the song itself has won the hearts of many thanks to its goofy portrayal onstage, the meaning behind the song is actually a serious message about the state of the modern music industry. We’ve put together some facts to explain Who the Hell is Edgar?

Who wrote Who the Hell is Edgar?

Since Edgar himself lived from 1809 to 1849, the writer himself did not write the 2023 Austria Eurovision entry. Instead, it was the performers themselves – Teya and Salena – who wrote the lyrics they sang along to.

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Who is Edgar Allan Poe?

Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic. He was particularly known for his work during the Romanticism period, specifically his tales of Gothic horror, mystery and the macabre.

Edgar was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. He died aged 40 on October 7, 1849. His published works include The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart and The Black Cat.

What is Who the Hell is Edgar about?

The satirical track sends a message about Teya and Salena’s experiences as female songwriters in an industry that “doesn’t give women enough credit for their hard work and expertise”, the Eurovision website reads. On the surface, the song leans on ghost imagery and suggests the writer is being possessed by the ghost of Edgar.

However, the song has a deeper meaning about how ghostwriters are often not credited with their work and the difficulties faced by minorities in the music industry. Specifically, “zero dot zero three” references the Spotify $0.003 royalty rate artists receive per track listen.

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Teya said: “It’s just so heartwarming to see people care about the message. That’s not what we expected at all. People that are not in the industry have never even heard about how much you get from Spotify. So the fact that people actually started analysing it has been incredible. We just hope that we are leaving, like, a small impact.”

Salena added: “I’m self-employed as a singer, so I have to deal with a lot of men in business and you always feel you have to prove yourself, or do more than men to get the attention and the respect.”

Why is Edgar Allen Poe involved?

Salena said that Edgar’s involvement in the song “just kind of happened”and wasn’t a result of being a fan of his work. Teya said: “His name fitted better than Shakespeare. But also, it made sense, because Edgar was the first American writer ever to live off his work. He had a very financially difficult life. So it all intertwined.”

Who the Hell is Edgar Eurovision 2023 - lyrics

Oh my god, you’re such a good writerOh no it’s not me, it’s EdgarWho the hell is Edgar?

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There’s a ghost in my bodyAnd he is a lyricistIt is Edgar Allan PoeAnd I think he can’t resistYeah his brain is in my handAnd it’s moving really fast, mhm

Don’t know how he possessed meBut I’m happy that he did‘Cause this song is feeling specialAnd is gonna make me richYeah the words are spilling outWhat the heck is this about, mhm

Oh mio padre, there’s a ghost in my bodyOhhhhhhh

Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeEdgar Allan, Edgar AllanPoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeEdgar Allan Poe

Maybe I should call a doctorOr an exorcistMaybe someone out there knows whereShakespeare isSo I can get a tasteWhat‘s your IPI, where‘s the A&RGirl call Universal, you’re about to be a star!

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Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeEdgar Allan, Edgar AllanPoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeEdgar AllanWho the hell is Edgar?

Oh mio padre, there’s a ghost in my body

Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeEdgar Allan, Edgar Allan

Oh mio padre, there’s a ghost in my body

Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeEdgar Allan Poe

Zero dot zero zero threeGive me two years and your dinner will be freeGas station Champagne is on meEdgar cannot pay rent for meZero dot zero zeroZero dot zero zeroZero dot zero zero threeAt least it pays to be funny

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Oh mio padre, oh oh oh oh oh oh ohThere’s a ghost in my bodyPoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeWho the hell is Edgar AllenOh mio padre, oh oh oh oh oh oh ohthere’s a ghost in my bodyPoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeEdgar Allan Edgar AllanOh mio padre,oh oh oh oh oh oh ohThere’s a ghost in my bodyPoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeWho the hell is Edgar AllenOh mio padre, oh oh oh oh oh oh oThere’s a ghost in my bodyPoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoePoe, Poe, Poe, Poe, PoeEdgar Allan Edgar Allan

Oh mio padre, there’s a ghost in my bodyOhhh

Who the hell is Edgar?

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