Representing Belgium in this year's Eurovision Song Contest is singer Gustaph.
Gustaph, 42, was one of the ten acts to qualify in this year’s second semi-final with his song Because Of You. The singer, whose real name is Stef Caers, co-wrote the song alongside Jaouad Alloul.
Belgium’s odds of winning the contest were 20/1 ahead of the show, according to Ladbrokes.
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Gustaph was chosen to represent Belgium after competing in Eurosong 2023. The singer has previously performed as a backing singer for Sennek at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 and Hooverphonic at 2021’s contest.
Hailing from Antwerp, Gustaph is a vocal coach and has also released tracks with New York-based DJ outfit Hercules and Love Affair.
Because Of You is described as being a ‘club anthem’, which celebrates freedom and ‘the joy to be yourself’. Openly gay, Gustaph also describes the song as a rallying call for the LGBTQ+ community.
Belgium has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 64 times since making its debut in the first contest back in 1956. The country won in 1986 with Sandra Kim and her song J’aime La Vie.
The lyrics in full to Because Of You
And when the world got me going crazy
I'll carry on
And it's all because of you
Because of you
Remember when they told us
"You're not good enough"?
And then you came into my life
And you changed my world for good
Told me to love myself a bit harder than yesterday
Well, life is too short and we sure got to celebrate
And when the world got me going crazy
I carry on
'Cause I know I'm strong
When the world got me going crazy
I carry on
And it's all because of you
Because of you
Remember when they tried to break us?
Well, look at us now
You told me the right thing at the right time
You got me feeling wild
Now I love myself much more than I did yesterday
'Cause life is too short and we sure got to celebrate
Hey, yeah
And when the world got me going crazy
I carry on
'Cause I know I'm strong
When the world got me going crazy
I carry on
And it's all because of-
I'll carry on despite of the things they said and done
They'll never kill this fire
Your love will take me higher
It's all because of you
Because of you
Well, because of you
Because of you I keep on going, baby, baby, for a brighter day, yeah
And when the world got me going crazy
I carry on
See, I carry on because of you
When the world got me going crazy
I carry on (Said I carry on)
And when the world got me going crazy
See, I will carry on
And it's all because of you
Because of you
Because of you
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