"Space Man" is a single by English singer-songwriter Sam Ryder, released on 22 February 2022 through Parlophone Records.[1][2]
The song represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, where it placed second overall with 466 points, marking the nation's best result since 1998 and securing victory in the jury vote.[3][4]
Following the contest, "Space Man" debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart and was later included on Ryder's debut studio album, There's Nothing but Space, Man!, issued in December 2022.[5][6]
The track's uplifting lyrics, centered on themes of escapism and resilience, contributed to its widespread acclaim and commercial success, revitalizing UK interest in the Eurovision competition.[7]
Creation and Production
Songwriting and Inspiration
"Space Man" was co-written and composed by Sam Ryder, Amy Wadge—who co-wrote Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud"—and Max Wolfgang during the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] The track emerged from a swift collaborative session, with Ryder recounting in a 2022 interview that the song was penned in about ten minutes.[9]The lyrics utilize an astronaut's perspective to metaphorically explore isolation and yearning for earthly connections, likening emotional heartbreak to orbiting alone in space while desiring reunion with loved ones below.[10] This theme reflects a broader appreciation for life's grounding elements amid detachment, as Ryder has implied through the song's narrative of wishing to trade cosmic freedom for human intimacy.[11] The composition draws on retro ballad influences with science fiction imagery, emphasizing resilience and homesickness over literal space travel.[12]
Recording and Musical Elements
"Space Man" was co-written by Sam Ryder, Amy Wadge, and Max Wolfgang during the COVID-19 pandemic.[13][14] The song was produced by KOZ, with additional production and drum machine programming by Mark Ralph, further programming by KOZ, and additional programming by Dan Grech-Marguerat.[15][16]The track is composed in B major at a tempo of 80 beats per minute and runs for 3 minutes and 37 seconds.[17][18] It employs a pop arrangement that begins with minimal piano accompaniment before building to an anthemic chorus featuring layered backing vocals, synthesized elements, and percussion including a snare drum with super-saturated sustain and a kick drum.[19] The production incorporates heavy compression, achieving integrated loudness levels around -4.7 dB LUFS, which emphasizes high-frequency energy in the 3-4 kHz range for the lead and backing vocals.[19] Ryder's vocal delivery balances falsetto and chest voice, with techniques such as wide mouth opening in live renditions contributing to natural brightness and avoiding excessive bass boost.[19]
Release and Eurovision Selection
Pre-Eurovision Release
"Space Man" was released as Sam Ryder's debut single on 22 February 2022 through Parlophone Records, available for digital download and streaming on platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.[5] An official lyric video for the track premiered on YouTube the same day, showcasing Ryder's performance against a minimalist cosmic backdrop.[20]The release preceded the public announcement of Ryder as the United Kingdom's Eurovision entrant by over two weeks, with the song initially promoted as an independent pop single building on Ryder's TikTok fame from vocal covers.[21] Early airplay included designation as Record of the Week on BBC Radio 1's Official Chart Show hosted by Scott Mills, contributing to initial streaming momentum.[21] By early March, prior to the Eurovision reveal on 10 March 2022, the track had begun entering commercial radio charts, reflecting modest pre-contest visibility.[22]
Internal Selection Process
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) opted for an internal selection process to choose the United Kingdom's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, departing from traditional national finals amid the country's string of low placements since 2009. In partnership with TaP Management—a firm representing high-profile artists including Dua Lipa—the BBC initiated an extensive talent search focused on identifying a commercially viable act with broad appeal.[23] This collaboration aimed to leverage industry expertise to select an entry capable of reversing the UK's historical underperformance, prioritizing vocal strength, song quality, and international market potential over public voting.[22]TaP Management identified Sam Ryder, a singer who had amassed over 12 million TikTok followers by late 2021 through daily cover performances of songs by artists ranging from Lady Gaga to Whitney Houston.[23]Ryder, born Samuel Thomas Ryder on 4 April 1989 in Walsall, West Midlands, had previously auditioned unsuccessfully for The Voice UK in 2016 but built a dedicated online fanbase via consistent content creation starting in 2020.[21]TaP signed Ryder in 2021 and proposed him to the BBC as the representative, with the song "Space Man"—co-written by Ryder, Max Wolfgang, and Amy Wadge—selected for its uplifting pop-rock structure, falsetto hooks, and themes of isolation and aspiration.[10] The BBC approved the choice internally, without public submissions or juried competitions, emphasizing strategic curation over democratic input to align with Eurovision's competitive demands.[22]The selection was publicly revealed on 10 March 2022 during a BBCThe Graham Norton Show segment, where Ryder performed the track live, marking the first such announcement on the program.[23] This process contrasted with prior years' approaches, such as the short-lived Eurovision: You Decide format, and reflected a deliberate shift toward professional vetting to enhance the UK's prospects.[21]
Eurovision Song Contest 2022 Participation
Staging and Performances
The staging for "Space Man" emphasized a minimalist yet immersive space exploration theme, featuring Sam Ryder centered on a white circular platform elevated on the main stage, surrounded by dynamic LED projections of stars, planets, and cosmic vistas to evoke a sense of interstellar journey.[24] Three industrial, diamond-encrusted structures flanked the platform, initially dimly lit before illuminating and reconfiguring—collapsing and reforming into a new shape prior to the final chorus—to symbolize structural evolution amid the song's narrative of isolation and connection.[25][26] The arena was filled with atmospheric smoke to enhance depth and mystery, while lighting transitioned from bright white spotlights focused on Ryder to warmer orange and golden hues across the structures and stage during the bridge and climax, amplifying the performance's emotional arc.[26][25]Ryder's costume consisted of a shiny, futuristic silver jacket and trousers in early rehearsals, evolving to a diamond-encrusted bodysuit embroidered with solar system motifs for the live shows, underscoring the song's extraterrestrial motif without overpowering his vocal delivery.[24][25] The performance style was high-energy and audience-engaging, with Ryder delivering ad-libs throughout the three-minute track, no backing vocals, and interactive gestures such as kneeling during verses and pointing skyward to emphasize lyrical pleas for contact.[25] In the final chorus, he incorporated an electric guitar solo, adding a rock-infused flourish that heightened the rock-and-roll atmosphere.[26][25] Camerawork was swift and centered, circling the structures and Ryder to foster viewer intimacy, particularly from the second verse onward.[26][25]As one of the Big Five countries, the United Kingdom bypassed semifinals and proceeded directly to the Grand Final on May 14, 2022, at PalaOlimpico in Turin, Italy, following two rounds of rehearsals on May 5 and May 7.[24][26] The first rehearsal highlighted the core setup with the circular LED screen and space projections, while the second refined camera dynamics and structure movements for greater impact.[24][26] Initial concepts, as revealed by creative director Dan Shipton, included a dome structure presented to Ryder and his team, but these were revised at Ryder's request for a more modern, Kanye West-inspired futuristic aesthetic incorporating his band, ultimately simplifying to a "crashed man on a planet" motif after technical tests in Turin reduced a four-part sequence to three for practicality.[27] The final live performance maintained this streamlined approach, prioritizing Ryder's vocal power and thematic cohesion over elaborate props.[25]
Results and Voting Breakdown
In the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, held on 14 May 2022 at the PalaOlimpico in Turin, Italy, "Space Man" performed by Sam Ryder for the United Kingdom placed second overall with a total of 466 points.[28] This marked the United Kingdom's best result since 1998 and its highest points tally in the contest's history up to that point.[3] The score was derived from 283 points awarded by national professional juries and 183 points from the aggregated public televote across participating countries.[28]The entry dominated the jury vote, securing first place with 283 points and receiving the maximum score of 12 points from eight countries: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Czechia, France, Georgia, Germany, and Ukraine.[28] Additional notable jury scores included 10 points each from Albania, Bulgaria, Finland, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, and Portugal.[28] This strong jury performance contrasted with a more modest televote showing, where "Space Man" ranked lower overall; it garnered 12 points only from Malta's public vote, alongside 10 points from Israel and 8 points each from Austria, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, and Spain.[28]The combined voting positioned the United Kingdom behind Ukraine's "Stefania" (631 points) but ahead of Spain's "SloMo" (459 points) in third place.[29] The jury's emphasis on vocal delivery, composition, and staging—elements highlighted in post-contest analyses of voting patterns—contributed significantly to the high jury score, while the televote reflected broader public preferences favoring high-energy or culturally resonant entries like Ukraine's.[30]
Controversies Surrounding the Outcome
The primary controversy regarding the 2022 Eurovision final outcome involved assertions that public televoting was heavily swayed by sympathy for Ukraine following Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, rather than solely by musical merit. "Space Man" topped the jury vote with 258 points from 40 national professional juries, reflecting strong expert endorsement for its composition and performance.[4] In contrast, Ukraine's entry received 459 televote points—exceeding the UK's 208—resulting in a total of 631 points and first place.[31] Analysts and fans attributed Ukraine's televote dominance to geopolitical factors, noting 12-point televote awards from 18 countries, many of which lacked traditional cultural ties to Ukraine but expressed solidarity amid the war.[32] This led to opinions, particularly in UKmedia and online forums, that "Space Man" represented the contest's strongest entry on artistic grounds and would have prevailed absent the conflict's influence.[33]Compounding these debates were confirmed irregularities in jury voting during the second semi-final on May 12, 2022, which indirectly questioned the overall process despite not altering the final standings. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) detected identical top-10 rankings in submissions from Azerbaijan, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, San Marino, and North Macedonia, indicative of potential collusion or external manipulation; these votes were replaced with averaged scores from other juries to safeguard semi-final qualifications.[34] Although the UK's automatic Big Five entry ensured its final participation unaffected, the incident sparked demands to penalize or abolish national juries, with some arguing it eroded trust in the hybrid jury-televote system.[32] The EBU affirmed no comparable issues impacted the final's jury or televote tallies, which were aggregated post-performance on May 14, 2022.[34]These events prompted EBU reforms, including the elimination of juries from semi-finals for the 2023 contest to prioritize viewer votes and mitigate perceived biases.[35]Sam Ryder publicly accepted the results without endorsing rigging claims, emphasizing the contest's positive reception for the UK after years of poor showings.[4] No substantiated evidence of final-stage manipulation surfaced, though the interplay of war-driven televoting and semi-final lapses fueled perceptions of diminished competitive purity.[36]
Promotion and Performances
Media Appearances and Tours
Following his second-place finish at the Eurovision Song Contest on May 14, 2022, Sam Ryder promoted "Space Man" through various televised performances. On May 29, 2022, he delivered a live rendition of the song on the German program ZDF Fernsehgarten.[37] Ryder performed "Space Man" at the Platinum Party at the Palace, part of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, on June 4, 2022, broadcast to an audience of millions.[38]Later appearances included a duet of "Space Man" with Sam Bailey at the Royal Variety Performance on December 9, 2022, aired on ITV. Ryder closed out the year with a performance on BBC One's Sam Ryder Rocks New Year's Eve special on December 31, 2022.[39] In 2023, he reprised the song at BBC Radio 2 in the Park on September 17.[40]Ryder's post-Eurovision tours emphasized live renditions of "Space Man" alongside other material. In October-November 2022, he conducted his debut European headline tour across 19 dates, commencing October 12 at Burgerhaus Stollwerck in Cologne, Germany, and including stops in Stockholm, Oslo, and other cities before concluding in London.[41] This run followed initial UK dates in June 2022, such as at SWG3 in Glasgow on June 8.[42]In March-April 2023, Ryder toured the UK and Ireland with 13 shows, starting March 17 at Ulster Hall in Belfast and featuring venues like Manchester's O2 Ritz and London's O2 Academy Brixton.[43] These outings supported ongoing promotion of "Space Man" as the lead single from his debut album There's Nothing but Space, Man!, released December 9, 2022.[44]
Live Performances Post-2022
Following the release of his debut album There's Nothing but Space, Man! on February 24, 2023, Sam Ryder featured "Space Man" as a staple in his live setlists during the supporting UK tour, which commenced on March 17, 2023, at Belfast's Ulster Hall and included 14 dates across cities such as Glasgow, Manchester, and London.[45] The song appeared regularly, as evidenced by performances at Manchester Academy on March 21, 2023; Cardiff University Students' Union Great Hall on April 1, 2023; and EartH in Hackney, London, on September 6, 2023.[46][47]Ryder performed "Space Man" at BBC Radio 2 in the Park festival in Leicester on September 17, 2023, delivering the track to a large outdoor audience as part of the event's lineup.[40] In 2024, he included the song in his set at the In It Together festival at Margam Country Park, Wales, on May 25, 2024.[48] The track continued to feature in subsequent tours, including his inaugural North American run announced in April 2025, with a documented performance in Toronto on May 20, 2025.[49] As of October 2025, "Space Man" remained a consistent element in Ryder's ongoing UK headline shows, such as those scheduled at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on October 26, 2025, reflecting its enduring role as a signature piece in his repertoire.[50]
Reception and Analysis
Critical Reviews
Critics lauded Sam Ryder's vocal performance on "Space Man," highlighting its power and range as a standout feature that elevated the track's anthemic pop structure.[51] In a review of Ryder's debut album, NME described the song's voice as "glorious" and capable of making the Eurovision entry "really soar," emphasizing its Elton John-esque qualities.[51] Similarly, The Line of Best Fit called it a "standout track," praising the integration of twinkling synths, explosive bass, and Ryder's falsetto to convey themes of personal journey and aspiration.[52]The song's production and thematic elements received mixed feedback, with some appreciating its mid-tempo build and space metaphors as infectious and memorable. Riff Magazine noted its anthemic nature and astronomy references over pop-rock elements, positioning it as a highlight amid Ryder's broader catalog.[53] About the Contest commended the pacing, natural crescendos in choruses, and elevating bridge, viewing it as a well-crafted Eurovision contender.[54] However, The Mix Review critiqued the audio engineering, describing the mix as overly harsh and fatiguing at higher volumes, likening it to "angle-grinding my cochlea" despite the song's soaring appeal.[19]Eurovision-focused outlets echoed the positives while noting limitations in originality. Wiwi Bloggs' jury review averaged high scores for memorability and "Britishness," but some panelists found it lacking in ethereal depth, suggesting Ryder's live charisma compensated for the recorded version's conventionality.[55]The Guardian, in contextualizing the UK's second-place finish, portrayed "Space Man" as a thrilling revival of fortunes through theatrical drama, though album critiques implied the single's elegance was not consistently matched elsewhere.[56] Overall, reviews positioned the track as a vocal showcase amid generic power-ballad tropes, crediting it with broad accessibility that fueled its chart success post-contest.[11]
Public Response and Debates
The release of "Space Man" elicited strong positive reactions from Eurovision fans and the British public, with many praising Sam Ryder's vocal performance and the song's anthemic quality as a refreshing entry for the United Kingdom after years of poor results.[57][58]Social media platforms saw numerous viewer comments expressing national pride, such as declarations that Ryder had "done us so proud" during the grand final on May 14, 2022, and highlighting the performance's emotional impact.[58] The entry garnered significant online engagement, including reaction videos from international audiences who lauded its staging and Ryder's charisma, contributing to its status as a fan favorite pre-contest.[59]In the grand final, "Space Man" received 466 points overall, placing second behind Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, with the United Kingdom topping the jury vote at 283 points but earning 183 from the televote.[60] This split fueled debates about the contest's voting dynamics, particularly whether Ukraine's victory—bolstered by a televote of 631 points amid the ongoing Russian invasion—reflected genuine artistic preference or sympathy-driven support.[60][61] Some commentators, including Piers Morgan, labeled the outcome a "rigged farce," arguing that geopolitical factors overshadowed merit, as the UK had led after juries but faltered in public voting.[62]Fans divided sharply, with a vocal segment contending that "Space Man" was "robbed" of first place due to bloc and emotional voting patterns favoring Ukraine, while others defended the televote as evidence of broad appeal for Kalush's folk-rap entry.[63][64]Ryder himself acknowledged the context in post-contest remarks on May 16, 2022, stating "Ukraine [was] always going to win," reflecting a gracious acceptance amid speculation that wartime solidarity influenced outcomes over jury-assessed elements like composition and staging.[64] These discussions highlighted tensions between juries' focus on technical merit—where the UK excelled—and public votes' susceptibility to external events, a recurring critique of Eurovision's hybrid system.[65]
Strengths and Criticisms
Sam Ryder's vocal performance in "Space Man" has been widely praised for its range and control, seamlessly transitioning between falsetto and chest voice with natural brightness that enhances live delivery.[19] Critics highlighted the song's anthemic structure and soaring choruses, which contributed to its memorability and appeal as a pop ballad evoking themes of isolation and longing through space metaphors.[53][13] The track's emotional depth and positive messaging were credited with revitalizing the United Kingdom's Eurovision presence, securing second place with 466 points on May 14, 2022, and marking the highest UK finish since 1998.[56]The composition drew comparisons to Elton John's "Rocket Man" for its thematic and melodic similarities, with reviewers noting natural crescendos in the choruses and a bridge that elevates the energy without overcomplication.[66][54] Supporters emphasized Ryder's earnest delivery and the song's radio-friendly production, which propelled it to number two on the UK Singles Chart on May 20, 2022, the highest-charting UK Eurovision entry in 26 years.[67]Criticisms focused on the song's mid-tempo pacing and perceived lack of innovation, with some describing it as solid but uninspired, resembling dated pop without sufficient risk-taking for Eurovision's competitive field.[55] Production elements drew technical fault, including excessive loudness leading to fatiguing choruses and harsh high-frequency energy around 3-4 kHz, which distorted balance and hindered repeated listens despite streaming normalization.[19] A minority viewed the lyrics as repetitive in their metaphorical application, potentially limiting distinctiveness amid stronger entries.[55]
Commercial Performance
Chart Achievements
"Space Man" achieved its highest chart position on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 2 for the week ending 26 May 2022, following the United Kingdom's second-place finish at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[67][68] This marked the strongest performance for a UK Eurovision entry in 26 years, surpassing previous highs set by entries like Gina G's "Ooh... Aah... Just a Little Bit" in 1996.[67] The track spent 15 weeks on the UK Singles Chart and ranked number 66 on the 2022 UK year-end singles chart.[68]The song topped the UK Official Singles Downloads Chart and the Official Singles Sales Chart, driven by strong digital sales post-Eurovision, where it became the week's most downloaded track.[68][67] It also reached number 1 on the Official Physical Singles Chart but peaked lower on streaming metrics at number 5 on the Official Streaming Chart.[68]Internationally, "Space Man" entered the Irish Singles Chart at number 22, spending 5 weeks there.[68] It accumulated 46 weeks across six international charts, reflecting modest but sustained European interest.[69] The single did not chart on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Certifications and Sales Data
"Space Man" achieved Gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on November 4, 2022, denoting combined sales, downloads, and streaming equivalents of 400,000 units in the United Kingdom.[70][71] It previously received Silver certification on June 17, 2022, for 200,000 units.[71] No certifications have been awarded by equivalent bodies in other countries, such as the RIAA in the United States.[72]
The song has surpassed 72 million streams on Spotify as of October 2025, contributing significantly to its certification thresholds alongside physical and digital sales.[73] Specific breakdowns of pure sales versus streaming equivalents are not publicly detailed by the Official Charts Company, but the track's performance reflects strong initial download and physical single sales following its Eurovision release, with sustained streaming growth thereafter.[68]
Year-End Rankings
"Space Man" by Sam Ryder reached number 66 on the Official Charts Company's UK End of Year Singles Chart for 2022, reflecting its combined sales and streaming performance over the calendar year.[68] This position followed a peak at number 2 on the weekly UK Singles Chart in May 2022, driven by its Eurovision success and subsequent downloads, though sustained chart presence was limited amid competition from longer-running hits.[68][5]The track did not register on major international year-end rankings, such as the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End chart in the United States, where it achieved minimal weekly presence without entering the top tiers.[74] In broader European contexts, no prominent year-end placements were noted on aggregated charts like those from the European Hot 100, underscoring the song's primarily domestic UK impact despite its continental Eurovision exposure.[75]
Legacy and Influence
Cultural and Artistic Impact
"Space Man" played a pivotal role in revitalizing the United Kingdom's engagement with the Eurovision Song Contest, which had suffered from consecutive poor performances and declining domestic interest prior to 2022. The song's second-place finish, the UK's highest placement since 1998, coincided with a peak viewership of 8.9 million for the final, representing the largest audience across all participating markets that year.[7] This outcome shifted perceptions of UK entries from perennial underperformers to competitive contenders, fostering renewed national enthusiasm for the event.[56][76]The track's cultural resonance extended to younger demographics, generating what has been termed the "Sam Ryder effect." Surveys in 2025 revealed that 90% of UK children intended to watch Eurovision, crediting Ryder's performance for inspiring widespread school-based fandom, with 70% of children identifying as fans post-2022.[77][78] Its themes of isolation and yearning for connection, drawn from Ryder's pandemic-era experiences, echoed broader societal sentiments of disconnection, enhancing its emotional appeal in a post-lockdown context.[13]Artistically, "Space Man" exemplified a revival of soaring, vocal-driven pop anthems in Eurovision, emphasizing technical vocal range and astronomical metaphors over novelty elements. Critics noted its structural similarities to enduring space-themed ballads, such as Elton John's "Rocket Man," in evoking cosmic solitude.[13] The song's lasting acclaim culminated in its selection by BBC Radio 2 listeners as the top Eurovision entry of the 21st century in April 2025, underscoring its influence on perceptions of high-caliber British pop within international contest formats.[79]
Cover Versions and Remixes
"Space Man" has inspired a limited number of official covers. The most notable is the version by the Kidz Bop Kids, a family-friendly adaptation released on their album Kidz Bop 44 on January 13, 2023, which modifies the lyrics to suit a younger audience while retaining the song's upbeat structure.[80]Several remixes of the original track have been produced and released officially. The ATH Remix, featuring an electronic dance orientation, was uploaded to Sam Ryder's official YouTube channel on May 31, 2022, emphasizing heightened tempo and synthesized elements.[81] The Sam Feldt Remix, incorporating tropical house influences, became available on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music on July 29, 2022, extending the track's accessibility in EDM contexts.[82][83] Additional unofficial remixes, including drum and bass bootlegs like the Hibell Remix from May 21, 2022, have circulated online but lack formal release through Ryder's label.[84] These adaptations highlight the song's versatility for electronic reinterpretation following its Eurovision exposure.
Awards and Recognitions
"Space Man" by Sam Ryder received the Marcel Bezençon Press Award at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, an honor voted on by accredited international journalists for the best entry as determined by the press.[85] The song also secured the Best Song category at the ESC Radio Awards 2022, earning 12.1% of the vote in a poll conducted by Eurovision-focused radio stations and fans.[86] Additionally, Ryder won Best Male Artist in the same ESC Radio Awards for his performance of "Space Man."[86]While the track achieved commercial success and high placement in the Eurovision final—finishing second with 466 points—no major industry awards such as Grammys, BRITs, or Ivor Novellos were bestowed specifically on "Space Man" as of 2025. Its recognition remains primarily tied to Eurovision-related accolades, reflecting its breakout role in reviving UK contest performance.[85]