Experimental musician Look Mum No Computer, whose real name is Sam Battle, will represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest. He expressed surprise that the BBC selected his “completely wacky” song for this year’s competition, noting that the broadcaster is taking a chance on him.
“Eins, Zwei, Drei”: A Unique Eurovision Offering
The chosen track, titled “Eins, Zwei, Drei,” is described as an “overstuffed sandwich of a song.” It features chanted hooks and prominent keyboard elements, deliberately diverging from the polished pop typically submitted by previous UK entries.
The song incorporates a chorus partially sung in German, while its verses make references to traditional English desserts such as “roly poly with custard.” Battle acknowledged his initial hesitation, stating, “I was like, ‘This is not going to be taken seriously because the BBC love the conventional stuff, and this is not conventional’.” He added, “So they’re taking a bit of a risk – but who knows?”
Navigating Eurovision’s Challenges
The UK has faced considerable difficulties at Eurovision in recent years. Following Sam Ryder’s second-place finish four years prior, both Olly Alexander (in 2024) and Remember Monday (in 2025) received zero votes from the public. They avoided last place only due to points awarded by the contest’s professional jury members.
Battle approaches the UK’s recent Eurovision track record with a philosophical outlook. “Whether it’s winning or whether it’s not winning, I just figured the best thing to do is just try my hardest,” he commented. He also touched on the complexities of the voting system, mentioning potential favoritism and the possibility that the UK is not universally favored in Eurovision.
“So I’m just going to be myself and hope they see that I’m an all right guy,” Battle continued. “Because if they don’t like you, then there’s no hope, really.”
Standing Out in a Crowded Field
A central challenge for any Eurovision participant is distinguishing themselves in a competition where originality is key. “Eins, Zwei, Drei” appears to address this by discarding conventional notions of what a Eurovision entry should be, offering a track that is “delightfully, mesmerizingly bonkers.”
Its appeal can be partly understood by imagining “Blur covering Falco’s Rock Me Amadeus, adding a lyric about jam roly polys and a gigantic call-and-response section.” This comparison highlights the song’s uniquely compelling charm.
Lyrical and Musical Influences
The song’s narrative opens with Battle depicting the drudgery of a nine-to-five job, with lyrics like “The office cubicle has trapped me again.” He daydreams of a continental holiday, musing, “If only there was a language I could count in that would make me feel better.” This leads into the German-inspired chorus.
“Basically, I go on tour in Germany a lot,” Battle explained. “I spend a lot of time going around there in a little van, me and my mate, and they’re very friendly, very nice. So I thought, let’s write a song about going on holiday in Germany.”
Musically, Battle’s significant influences can be discerned. The song’s character reflects elements of Elvis Costello and The Human League. His vocal delivery, akin to sprechgesang, also brings to mind Ian Dury. Subtle keyboard motifs echo the Steve Miller Band’s “Abracadabra,” and a melodic phrase resembles the “swagger of a champion” from Britney Spears’ “Womanizer.”
An interesting detail is that the UK’s entry, “Eins, Zwei, Drei,” features more German lyrics than Germany’s own submission, “Fire,” which is sung entirely in English.
From YouTube Creator to Eurovision Entrant
Battle, a self-proclaimed Eurovision enthusiast, previously performed in two major label acts, including the indie band Zibra, before embarking on his solo career in 2016. However, he is perhaps more widely recognized for his YouTube channel.
On this platform, he demonstrates his expertise in building and playing unconventional synthesizers. His creations include organs constructed from toys like Furbies and Game Boys, a “synthesizer bicycle,” and a hybrid keyboard and flamethrower instrument. He also holds the Guinness World Record for the largest “drone synth,” capable of producing 1,000 distinct tones.
“It’s like 1,000 buzzing bees making a symphonic noise… Or the sound of my neighbours getting angry,” Battle quipped. This impressive synth, occupying an entire wall, is housed in a museum Battle owns and operates in Kent. The museum also features other experimental and vintage musical instruments, such as a century-old church organ that Battle meticulously restored.
A Passion for Building and Sound
“I’ve always been into building things,” Battle stated, drawing a parallel to his grandfather, who helped construct the Withernsea Lighthouse Museum in Yorkshire, and his father, a DIY car enthusiast. “So when I discovered the magic of synthesisers, I just had this urge to build them. I don’t know why. It just felt more honest making a sound from something I’ve built and designed.”
This dedication to creation is reflected in his stage name, Look Mum No Computer. Battle records using his own inventions rather than relying on computer-assisted software. “Eins, Zwei, Drei” was composed using one such synth, affectionately named Kosmo. This instrument, a large black unit, visually combines elements of a telephone exchange and an airliner’s flight deck.
The Road to Eurovision
The song’s conception followed Battle’s unsolicited email to the BBC’s Eurovision team in September. Initially anticipating contributing to another artist’s entry, he was surprised to be invited to perform at the contest himself.
The inspiration for “Eins, Zwei, Drei” arose during the process of setting up his equipment. “I was actually moving a sofa to make room for my synth and, as we prepared to lift it I said, ‘Eins, Zwei, Drei’,” he recounted. This spontaneous utterance led to the track’s title, with the song’s rough version completed approximately 12 hours later.
By Christmas, Battle was among five artists shortlisted to present at a showcase for the BBC’s Eurovision team, which included head of delegation Andrew Cartmell and Sam Ryder’s manager, David May. He was officially selected as the UK’s representative in January. His participation was publicly announced last month, and the song was released on Friday.
“It’s pretty mad, but yeah, I’m excited,” Battle said about his upcoming role. “[I’m] working hard to do the best that I can do.”
A Message of European Unity
Battle is scheduled to present his song in Vienna in May. This follows a difficult period for the Eurovision build-up, which saw five countries withdraw from the competition due to Israel’s participation.
Battle hopes his song, with its theme of embracing other European nations, will convey a positive sentiment. “The idea of Eurovision is a feeling of togetherness,” he stated. “And that’s what I wanted to portray.”