United Kingdom 2019
Introduction
- Participant(s): Michael Rice
- Song: "Bigger Than Us"
- Writer(s): Laurell Barker, Anna-Klara Folin, John Lundvik, Jonas Thander
- Composer(s): Laurell Barker, Anna-Klara Folin, John Lundvik, Jonas Thander
- Broadcaster: BBC
- Social media:
- Team review:
Great to see that the UK takes the Eurovision seriously again! There was another national final “Eurovision 2019: You Decide”. This time there were six participants and three songs in two different versions. At the end Michael Rice could receive the highest amount of votes with “Bigger Than Us”.
The young singer Michael Rice was born in Hartlepool, close to Newcastle upon Tyne in 1997, the year when the UK won last with “Love Shine A Light” by Katrina & The Waves. When Michael was young, he started as a street musician. In 2014 he took part in the X Factor and 2018 he could win the “All Together Now” show. This year Michael could win the national final of the UK and will represent his country in Tel Aviv. A funny coincidence: one of the composers of “Bigger Than Us” is the Swede John Lundvik. The same guy who has won the Swedish national final. So John Lundvik will be the only person with two entries in this year’s ESC.
Have a look at Michael’s performances so far:
The UK entry “Bigger Than Us” is a powerful ballad with a memorable chorus. Of course, it’s a love song. The song itself is nothing special, but the way Michael is presenting it, full of energy make it special. With a good stage performance this could do well.
History
- Debut: 1957
- Participations: 62
- Victories: 5
- Finals: 62
- Top 10: 41
- Chances for Top 10: 66%
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 In 1958 the United Kingdom has withdrawn, so it’s one of the participating countries with the longest stand in the ESC history.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 broadcasted in the countries of Eurovision.
Over the years the United Kingdom has become one of the most successful countries with five victories and 15x 2nd places and 41x Top10 placings. Especially in the 60’s and 70’s the ESC was very important for the UK music market, but this has changed dramatically. 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 for a long time. Since the language rule has been eased for every country, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Malta have suffered a lot, all countries were 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. The time has passed when UK entries were successful song which also topped the European charts.
Biggest successes
5x 1st place
- Sandie Shaw - "Puppet On A String" (1967)
- Lulu - "Boom Bang-a-bang" (1969)
- Brotherhood of Man - "Save Your Kisses For Me" (1976)
- Bucks Fizz - "Making Your Mind Up" (1981)
- Katrina and The Waves - "Love Shine A Light" (1997)
15x 2nd place
- Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson - "Sing Little Birdie" (1959)
- Bryan Johnson - "Looking High, High, High" (1960)
- The Allisons - "Are You Sure?" (1961)
- Matt Monro - "I Love The Little Things" (1964)
- Kathy Kirby - "I Belong" (1965)
- Cliff Richard - "Congratulations" (1968)
- Mary Hopkin - "Knock, Knock (who's There?)" (1970)
- The New Seekers - "Beg, Steal Or Borrow" (1972)
- The Shadows - "Let Me Be The One" (1975)
- Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran - "Rock Bottom" (1977)
- Scott Fitzgerald - "Go" (1988)
- Live Report - "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong" (1989)
- Michael Ball - "One Step Out Of Time" (1992)
- Sonia - "Better The Devil You Know" (1993)
- Imaani - "Where Are You?" (1998)
3x 3rd place
- Cliff Richard - "Power To All Our Friends" (1973)
- Prima Donna - "Love Enough For Two" (1980)
- Jessica Garlick - "Come Back" (2002)
Video Nostalgia
- “Mary Ann” | Black Lace , Rank 7, 1979, Jerusalem
- “Don't Play That Song Again” | Nicki French , Rank 16, 2000, Stockholm
- “Children of the Universe” | Molly , Rank 17, 2014, Copenhagen
