Introduction

• Participant(s): Lucie Jones
• Song: "Never Give Up On You"
• Writer(s): Emmelie de Forest, Lawrie Martin & The Treatment
• Composer(s): Emmelie de Forest, Lawrie Martin & The Treatment
• Broadcaster: BBC
  
• Social media: 
• Team review: 

The BBC has learned a lot regarding Eurovision. They seem to appreciate the attraction of the old-established song contest. It’s the second time in a row that the UK has been holding a national final named “You Decide”. It was obvious that that the UK citizens like to see that, the atmosphere was great and this should inspire future candidates and composers to believe in the magic of the ESC. This year there was one young girl names Lucie Jones, who sang a wonderful ballad and she could win the hearts by a storm. It’s such a long time ago when the UK has send a real ballad to the ESC. Unfortunately, this year there is a slight overhang of ballads.

Lucie Jones was born in Wales in 1991. When she was 18 years old she participated in the X Factor, where she met the Irish guys of Jedward, who won the show. Lucie could sign her first record contract with Sony Music. Since then Lucie is singing in several musicals such as "American Psycho", "Legally Blonde", "Ghost" or “Les Miserables”. She also appears in smaller roles in TV series and acting as a model.

The UK entry “Never Give Up On You” is a classic ballad, which has often been heard at Eurovision in different ways. Nevertheless, the song has been co-composed by the former Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest (Denmark 2013). The song has been worked over completely to improve the arrangement to the utmost. With this entry, the UK might have good chances to end up in a better place than usual.

History

• Debut: 1957
• Participations: 60
• Victories: 5
• Finals: 59
• Top 10: 41
• Chances for Top 10: 69 %

Congratulations! This not only a popular UK entry by Cliff Richard from the year 1968, it’s also the 60th anniversary for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest! The UK had its debut in 1957, in 1967 they could win for the very first time, when the Eurovision Song Contest was still called “Grand Prix d’Eurovision de la Chanson”. In 1958 the United Kingdom has withdrawn, so it’s one of the participating countries with the longest stand in the ESC history. The BBC had the honour to organize a special 60th anniversary concert of the ESC with previous winners and participants in 2015. It was a fulminant show with a lot of memories and melodies with an enthusiastic audience in the Apollo Hammersmith Theatre in London. Unfortunately, this concert has not been broadcasted live and the show was not broadcaster all over Europe.

Over the years the United Kingdom has become one of the most successful countries with five victories and 15 2nd places and 41 Top10 placings. Especially in the 60’s and 70’s the ESC was very important for the UK music market, but this has changed a lot. Nevertheless the UK entries have mostly been contemporary and radio friendly and many of them have become great hits or even evergreens.

The English speaking countries always enjoyed the language advantage. Since the language rule has been eased for every country, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Malta have suffered a lot, all countries are able to sing in English or any language of their choice.

Additionally the general interest has been impacted as well, which is mainly due to the funny, sarcastic and snappy comments of the BBC commentator Terry Wogan, who unfortunately passed away at the end of January 2016. There was less good will and appreciation, unfortunately the music of the ESC has been put in the trash corner with the consequence that this music event is not being taken seriously anymore. With the effect that established singers and composers make a wide berth around the ESC. Even if the BBC has send Blue, Engelbert Humperdinck and Bonnie Tyler as “old weapons” into the contest, it did not bring back the old glamourous times. It seems those singers have only been taken part for reactivating their careers. There are so many talented singers and composers in the UK, those should be motivated and encouraged instead.