About halfway through the results marathon for the Eurovision contest, Graham Norton, the UK’s new host for the event after Terry Wogan flounced off the show in disgust at the way that in 2008 the UK had come bottom again whilst the Eastern Europeans (and Finland) were having a run of good luck, mistily declared that this year, at least, political voting was dead, and people were just voting for the songs they liked.
The fact that Cyprus, as ever, voted for Greece, the Scandies voted for each other again, Ukraine gave another 12 points to Russia, Poland shunned Turkey, and nobody voted for Germany or France seemed to pass him by.
But then this year the UK came 5th instead of the more customary last.
Of course, our traditionally poor showing clearly had nothing at all to do with the fact that instead of sending someone famous or rapidly becoming so after heavy exposure on all the relevant airwaves of their own and all the neighbouring countries, with a song which someone had clearly taken some effort over, and preferably a few well known backing ice skaters thrown in for free, Britain would invariably turn up having studiously ignored the existance of Europe let alone Eurovision for the entirity of the previous year with either a complete unknown, someone who managed to sing off key for half the performance, a tongue in cheek song so bad it was not funny, or, mostly, all three.
Funnily enough, this year, the year we came 5th, Britain not only got Andrew Lloyd Webber to write the ditty but also to appear in the stage with the singer who, whilst still a complete nobody, was at least someone who could actually carry a tune. Quite well.
Shame that tune was all introduction and no resolution (and a bit of a dirge to boot). ‘It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here! It’s my time! I’m here! I’ve earned the right to be here!’
Ordinarily you are all for repetition in Eurovision tunes. But after the fifty first chorus with no discernable verse in sight you were starting to get a bit frustrated. You wanted to know what she might be considering doing now she was there, in her time, after having earned the right to be there.
More importantly, though, the British team had actually bothered to do some promotion beforehand. They had toured Eastern Europe. They had braved the Balkans. They had even touched base in Malta. People had heard the song in advance. They had admired the singing voice of the vocalist. They knew Andrew Lloyd Webber was coming. They had been told who he was.
What the UK got this year, then, was a pat on the head for finally agreeing to play the game like a good girl rather than stand in the corner and sulk because no one was letting her just win.
Although, damn, but the Norwegian entry was a good one. Perhaps people were simply bowled over by its sheer brilliance.
On the other hand, perhaps it is a good thing that Mr Norton didn’t seem to have twigged to the fact that the Norwegian singer is, originally, a Russian speaking Belarussian.
You are not sure you could have stomached another tantrum.
We were watching together, Sol. As it were.
I found the UK song to be deeply crap, but Jade can sing. And the Norwegian entry was just great, and thoroughly deserved to win.
The Norwegian pretty boy is actually Russian? Wow, you could have fooled me, he certainly looks Norwegian to me… but he did have a certain something didn’t he? Charisma? Presence?
But then, these days, it seems to be quite common that the singer/s are of a different nationality than the country they represent.
I was a bit disappointed that Finland didn’t get better marks – I liked the song and can even remember bits and pieces of the refrain, and that’s a quality I think the winning song should have – a refrain you can remember and, if you wish, sing along with.
I’m thoroughly disappointed with Sweden’s choice this year (for those who don’t know, I live in Sweden). A mezzosoprano singing opera? What the…
The Norwegian song was catchy and exciting, which has got to be the key to a good song within the context of the Eurovision.
I reckon the U.K, although doing brilliantly, would have taken that stride further if they had maybe added a little bit more *umph* into the song and made it truly exciting.
Ah well, there is always next year right?
Hello, just reading through. If Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the song, I am surprise Britain only came 5th. I have seen and listened to quite a number of his creations and I haven’t heard any I didn’t like. Maybe it was the entire packaging and the others had a better look and feel.
Hi there, enjoydave and kestrel, and thanks for commenting. In truth, I shouldn’t be too bitchy as I thought Webber’s song was really quite clever, musically speaking. But it was rather downbeat. Of course, last year’s song wasn’t a jolly number either, so…
Missed Sweden, Ti. The Star was acting up. Opera, eh? Deary me.
If you’re ever in the Uk around Eurovisiontide, Charlotte, then you’re very welcome.
Hate this whole eurovision thing, however azerbaijan KICKED A*** this year. LOL
Not sure if should be proud, or embarrassed?
I quite liked Lithuania’s entry, but it seems I’m the only one who did. Norway’s was indeed catchy, fun and (whisper…) good, though. Our song on the other hand… I’m not the biggest Lloyd Webber fan, to say the least, but surely this was one of his least good offerings. And such a disappointing lyric, considering who they got in to write it. Sigh.
Happy blogoversary!