Eurovision 1989 - "Why do I Always Get it Wrong"? UK

[panagos381]

great song, by far the best in 1989, and second best was the austrian one. Our song (greek one) deserved better place than 9th.

[mjb22]

"Our damn English." You ignorant savage!

[CocktaSlo]

just because u don't understand what riva is singing it doesn't mean this one deserves to win. Has it ever been played on the radio since then? I doubt because it's very boring and unoriginal. Btw second place for it is still not bad, how many times has Jugoslavia been robbed of good results just because we didn't sing in your damn english.

[Giradox]

The female presenter looks like a vampire.

[CJBR1966]

The Danish and Portuguese entries were very better this song a ballad "dejà vu".

[markguest36]

gr8 song! should av won!

[ununpentium115]

Best Eurovision song ever!!!

[trevors1961]

Boring Boring Boring... I thought this song was depressing... I agree with someone here that the ESC this year was weak. For me Spain was the clear winner. Sweeden was a strong performance but this and the one that won were bad.

[Ady198]

they deserved to win - absolutely the best song in a very weak ESC 1989!

Greetings from Serbia!

[mikiebart01]

What the fuck were the juries thinkin..This is clearly the best song of that contest!!!!

[pimmagrimm]

so much better than the winner!

[TIGERDO100]

This was the best song. I wish they would release the Eurovisions on DVD, esp this 1989 as it had a lot of great songs, the spansih one was great too, as was the french one and a couple of others.

[charliemctruth]

Great .....

[mortiltrepiger]

I remember this song very well. I loved it that time and I still love it. :-)

[mortiltrepiger]

I remember this song so well. I loved it that year and today it is just as sweet as that time. Love it...... :-)

[pandzida98765]

Yugoslavia rulezzzzz !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michalis2m]

my favorite from that year i thinkg. But Wogan's remark 'Eurovision has its bonuses'?? What were you doing there man if you weren't enjoying it? You should have packed and gone home long time ago mate!

[harrysboy]

I love the 80's jingle its got but the lyrics are so fucking clunky..

[BluebirdintheSky]

@harrysboy 80s jingle? A jingle is a tune of a few seconds in length for an advertisement.

Anyway, this song sounds anything but 80s. It's pretty timeless and could have come from anything, from the ESC to a soundtrack.

[yodenman]

This only made it to 73 in the UK charts.............why, it's a good ballad.

[treneague22]

I love this song - did back in 1989 and still do. The best eurovision entry we ever had!!! I can still remember the words. Love, love, love it. Its the only song I ever voted for as well.

[HaberfieldChiro]

This was a better song than the Yugoslavian winner, most would agree but check out the performance of the Yugoslavian lead singer girl, emilija...Ithink her name was! Most judges were pretty much looking at her it wasnt until a few weeks later that people said.. hey wait a minute, rock me baby, times 50...that songs so repetitive... too late it won haha

[Hkr88]

If you see this eurovision you see a big difference now. Much more songs and very fast. Now the host only show up at the begin, the middle and at the end.

[leeluke360]

great song for sure, what a voice the preview to this on bbc a week or so before was a better performance. . but hey if you know music you know this should of won easily

[foresterjack]

Hey apologies if I offended you. I was talking the english people who are on a power trip and often abuse their power. Agree that the song was awesome. Sorry again

[leeluke360]

Hey, no worries it takes a big man to apologise, Regards

[mirajohnson]

Best song of 1989. Still a mystery why Rock me won.

[LaEurovisionQueen]

Undisputedly better than Rock Me which most musically educated people will recognise is a piece of poo. Maybe there were other potential winners that year (Spain, Finland, Italy, Austria or Sweden) but this is head and shoulders above. It wouldn't sound out of place today.

[leeluke360]

you need to take your pill you idiot, and if you cannot use the english language correctly, please do not use it at all, now sit down with a nice cup of earl grey and calm down before your mother spanks you !

[foresterjack]

Hey, thanks for the advice.

[daviej6666]

too good for eurovision

[Aideen73]

Love this song - was my favorite that year.

Hadn't seen this performance for years - he looks different from what I remember :)

[jazzmanEE]

they were robbed by that stupid former yug song...

[doubletom90]

the song was good, and I liked the presenters

[RIDICULA99]

Yugoslavian song was better

[WelshyM]

Slit your wrists to this, how did it even finish 2nd?

[IRB1916]

Whatever about this effort, your complaints about 1996 will fall on deaf ears. "The Voice" was a deserved winner

[suabranches]

It was 20 years ago, and still is a beautiful song...great voice. Can anyone tell me the singer's name?

[marfav]

Ray Caruana...a Maltese name

[gailstclare]

Ray Carouana was the singer originally from Malta I think

[aimsren]

dodgy hair lol

[yuvalmati]

this song should have won - such great and Beautiful song, Wonderful Voice.

[bluesrockfan1]

rock me baby, nije važno što je, rock me baby, samo neka traje, rock me baby, samo neka je za ples...

[bluesrockfan1]

the song shouldn't be soulful and from the UK to impress 'sensible' people. sorry, but the voting showed the real situation.

[markdelaney]

sounds very much like Carly Simon's "coming round again" but a million miles better than that tuneless unoriginal crap representing Yugoslavia.

[BluebirdintheSky]

@markdelaney I know what you mean about 'Coming Around Again' but I think it sounds more like 'No More the Fool' by Elkie Brooks.

[pimmagrimm]

almost had that 'cars' sound about it. You know that song drive?

[poetami]

the best

[bluesrockfan1]

this song is horrible!!! riva was much beter!!! riva forever!!!

[bearchasernw]

go for it badbeer13,,i will write the song

[MadOnLiving]

The UK really should have won this year. It was a much better song than Yugoslavia. This guy sings with so much soul. Great UK Song

[annakfan]

Riva were a million times better. Go Yugoslavia

[gladiator3543]

Don't be rediculous, this guy sang a good soulful number, Riva was just pop trash.

[bluesrockfan1]

are you kidding? who can listen this? live report shouldn't grumble on the result, cause during the voting they were outscored by Riva for even 41 point (66-25)! And United Kingdom gave 12 points to Yugolavia! Why? Because Riva deserves it!

[yoddytoddy]

Your having a laugh - snyone sensible knows that the United Kingdom song was better that that Yugo pap.

[pauluk72]

Get a life mate. This is a million times better than the Yugoslavian drivel that won. But the best song has rarely won Eurovision which is why its viewed as a bit of a joke these days unfortunately.

[verkaforever]

YOU get a life!  Yugoslavia's song was a BILLION times better than this drivel. This song is boring and he can't sing for toffee- should have come last.

[Moonsmoonsen]

Scullet, leather waiter jacket, cowboy tie, pirate ear ring. And you wonder why you always get it wrong?

[j0wled]

I don't know that this was a clear winner like the band themselves thought it was. Good song and all, but I think they're a bit full of themselves. Confidence is key, I suppose.

[jsam93]

Why did the presenters go to the trouble of giving it a long introduction?

[badbeer13]

Hello all!! Ray Caruana, former lead singer of Live Report is my Uncle and I just thought I would let you know that he is extremely interested in re-entering the Eurovision Song Contest next year. He has requested that if any of his fans would like for this to happen, could they possibly write a small letter to the BBC via the contact us link on their website expressing their interest in him re-entering. Many thanks!

[hobbesdawn]

Anyone got an mp3 of this song? It's the one song I'm really missing from my collection...

[t88mrb]

i have give me your details and will send

[mortiltrepiger]

@hobbesdawn

I want it too if you get it.please

[DANJC29]

BEST UK entry...eva. x

[aljaz]

Riva 4ever.

[odeon64]

Totally brilliant

[ea1976ea]

i like it!!! United Kingdom.. must send this kind of songs in esc.. I feel sorry that U.K. can not make it last years.. :(

[realistESCfan]

I think we (UK) is fed up with the ESC. Thats why our entries are not very good

[DANJC29]

...Riva were much better??? Do you honestly think so??? What a joke. This is probably the best song the UK have ever entered in eurovision and it was truly robbed in the final. Should have won. A beautiful song and a very understated performance from Ray. I love the medly to this song...very haunting.

[annakfan]

Riva were much better

[toucan1969]

Great song - Great singer

[poetami]

it was the early voting which punished this entry and distinctive voice, the uk only had 26 points after the first third of scoring and it was such a gap to make up on yugoslavia, though denmark collapsed with the last 6 juries only gaining one point

[LizRockChick1963]

great performance one of the best songs not to win love ray

[poetami]

the woman had a good voice too the lead singer seems slightly nervy and his voice rough-ish

[Bille994]

GAWD it all looks so old fashioned.. its WELL before my time =]

When Terry Wogan wasn't such a piss taker, and more of a presenter xD

[wartburghknight]

stewiegriffin2009 is not musical i take it

[rosaquartz]

I really like this song! I've decided I HAVE to have this on MP3, and have just been searching the net for a copy... (I did see it on a website but I wasn't too sure whether to order from this site - I'm not always so good with such things... ) I would love to hear from anyone with an MP3 of this song... (I will be grateful forever!! I will put in a vote for your country of choice at ESC this year - many thanks if anyone can help!! :) )

[nitapoult]

Bloody fab singer, great song, loved it, loved his performance, used to watch him at the Blue Last. East London, had the audience eating out of his hand, what happened Ray, you shoud have been big time ??? Live singer, live entertainment i was always in awe !!! so glad i found You Tube for this excellent performance love ya xx nita xx

[fivenecks]

yes i must agree unless people saw him live he was good,also saw him and the rest of the band and other great singers at the old blue last great eastern street on a regular basis, it is a club now......dont get many pubs now with live good pub singers....or do you where are they.....

[fothot24]

ecvellent song shame it did not win. great performance!

[Cranny71]

Great song!

[mgbrighton]

To this day, cannot believe it did not win!

[wartburghknight]

why on earth did this not win eurovision.....the song and the performance is absolutely megga

[LCScampi]

I LOVE the introduction to this. I'm sure they knew the significance of the two fingers... and the way Ronnie Hazlehurst becomes "Ronnie has a hearse" makes me larff.

There were songs which were robbed by Riva, but this isn't one of them to me. Dull as dull. Better than "Go" though.

The Italian and Greek songs were a heap better, to mention but two. But that's Eurovision...

[j0wled]

It's very nice and all, but I actually prefer Riva. Apparently that's rare...

[purelyshameless]

for a swizz lady lolitas accent was pretty heavy, she sounds like a woman for eastern europe, unless she was very charming.

anyone else notices that she wears the same hairstyle as did the leadsinger from Riva, who one that year? I am sure there had been others in this contest with the same "thing" on their had too LOL

[stroodle222]

Good song, although a little hard going, especially for the Eurovision. The best part is the ending where he inprovizes over the backing singers.

[Jockboy1uk]

I think this was a great vocal for a live performance.

[cdnserbluvr]

I think the uk would love to have a second place right now hehe they always used to complain of always getting 2nd before

[LunaticY]

Great singing! Another second place for U.K. , a well deserved that time!

[Judeau81]

Io parlo se e quando lo ritengo opportuno... ma guarda a questo qua...

[Judeau81]

Bella canzone: avrebbe dovuto vincere lei e non quella cretinata dei Riva...

[usvom]

Ma te prego!!! Voi italiani non avete raggione per parlare di Eurovisione! Riva rules. E una bella canzone, molto felice.. E vostre canzoni di lultimi anni di Sanremo!??!-senza ritmo, ogni anno una canzone triste.. Pleeeeaseeeeee....Pero vostro Pippo(con una o due "p" non lo so)Baudo e legenda!!! Piu bravo presentatore in mondo!

[t88mrb]

was that the link i sent you ?

[TheTellyAddict]

No, I'm just pointing out that I'm willing to send people copies of both the single version and the extended mix. I'm thankful that some people have helped me in the past and thus, I'm willing to return the compliment. Hope you have no problem with that? If so, I apologise and I will not e-mail copies of the extended version to those who ask. Regards, Chris (TheTellyAddict)

[nikitavon]

Hi Chris, I would love a copy of this song as it is one of my favourite Eurovision songs and should have been first.Ray Caruana certainly did it justice.The crap we have now we will never reach these heights again.Come back Ray. Nikitavon

[tubelog125467]

I sent this to radio stations. Please do something similar:

"You are sitting on an unheralded classic song. It should be in the same league as Lionel Ritchie's 'Hello'

Internet comments are along the lines of " Why was this not a hit?" " Great singer, great song"

It's "Why do I always get it wrong", by Live Report. Singer Ray Caruana. It came criminally second in the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest.

Why not run a series : "Songs That Should Have Been" and start with this one?

[setheurovision94]

Good idea. Immediate entrants: France in 1991, Hungary in 1994, Switzerland & Germany in 1981...

[qwertytrewq17]

this song suks, brits dont got music ingenuity.

[mjb22]

What a stupid remark! Want to know a FACT? Take every song played anywhere in the world at any time. Half of all those songs have either been written by a British person or are being sung by a British artist. "Brits don't get music ingenuity?" Yeah, right.

[Macduck92]

@mjb22 some of the songs from Eurovision were from either Britain and Ireland

[BluebirdintheSky]

@qwertytrewq17

Oh please do get a life. This is one of the best songs ever in Eurovision.

As for Brits not having musical ingenuity, check the history of popular music. Most of the biggest, most successful and most respected acts of all time have been British.

[pauluk72]

@BluebirdintheSky The Spice Girls, Take That, Robbie Williams, Fatboy Slim, Coldplay, Sugar Babes, Daniel Bedingfield, Natasha Bedingfield, Joss Stone, Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Adele, Leona Lewis, Florence and the Machine, Noah and the whale, Mumford & Sons, The Gorillaz, Goldfrap, the Ting Tings, Manic Street Preachers, Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah, Tinchy Stryder, Plan B, Pixie Lott, David Gray, KT Tunstall, the Freemasons, Groove Armada, Kaise Chiefs, Snow Patrol, etc. ect. ect.

[BluebirdintheSky]

@pauluk72 I think your third comment was meant for qwertyrewq17 but I'll say I wouldn't put some of those in that list who, though talented, have yet to prove their longevity in the same breath as the others.

[pauluk72]

@qwertytrewq17 That is the most idiotic statement I have ever heard. You may have something against the UK or UK music but are you seriously trying to tell me that - The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, Elton John, The Who, Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeplin, Boy George and Culture Club, George Michael, Duran Duran, The Pretenders, The Jam, Sex Pistols, Ian Drury, David Bowie, the music of the new romantics, Black Sabbath, Marc Bolan and T Rex, Elvis Costello...

[pauluk72]

@qwertytrewq17 ...Kate Bush, Siouxie and the Banshees, Joy Division, The Stone Roses, Gary Numan, Madness, The Police, Ultra Vox, Depeche Mode, Alison Moyet, Dire Straits, Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics,New Order, The Cure, The Smiths, Happy Mondays, Oasis, Blur, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, The Pet Shop Boys, Tom Jones, John Barry, Malcolm McLaren, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Muse, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Inspiral Carpets, Primal Scream, Pulp, Supergrass, Suede, Elastica, The Verve...

[BluebirdintheSky]

@pauluk72 Totally agree with your comments but in mentioning the New Romantics, I would have added the most musically and vocally polished band of their time, Spandau Ballet, and in mentioning the prog/classical rockers I would have added the Moody Blues, Yes and ELP who are all not just great musically but whose frontmen/lead vocalists are among the best ever.

[pauluk72]

@qwertytrewq17 I would suggest it was you who dont got any ingenuity (as you put it) or much taste.

[tubelog125467]

I have started emailing the link to this song around (e.g to Radio 2 DJ's). If Wet Wet Wet can get huge success with an old 60's Trogg's song, then "Why do I always get it wrong " has not missed the boat yet by any means. You just have to help promote it as well please.

[Knotsbob]

Great song and excellent singer. More entries like this and the UK may stand a better chance of victory in the future. I know it is all about politics these days but we need decent entrants too.

[xoOEmmaOox]

Ray Caruana has a beautiful voice and this song truely deserved to win. It should have been released as a single

[TheTellyAddict]

Emma, I do know that it was released in the UK and sadly peaked at 73. Well it's not the first time a great song failed to peak in the UK charts. At least it's getting some just recognition on these pages, if only that.

[lwsmackie]

A great Eurovision song isnt necessarily a great CHART song. I reckon that NO Euro songs would make the UK charts - how the hell scootch managed a top 10 (for I week only I think) is beyong me. No non-UK Esc song has been a UK chart hit since 80s i believe

[TheTellyAddict]

Very true. But it seems to be a case of role reversal, in which modern UK entries have more success in the charts than in the contest.

[lwsmackie]

Very very true. Although the strange thing that in most years the UK entry has outsold the winner of the contest. This entry (1989) is a very different ESC entry - more akin to a modern chart pop song - and SHOULD have won. I think the ESC is well out of touch with contemporary styles - and to me, this is why the ESC cant be taken serious.

[TheTellyAddict]

Couldn't agree with you more! Being more akin to a pop song really was the achilles heal for this song, without even considering the subject matter. On the other hand it did finish second. So somebody liked it...

I like Eurovision but my I've always made sure that I never take it seriously. That would be a big mistake, for anybody, as we'd start throwing the remote at our screens in frustration at all its palava and crassness

[j0wled]

You should read more of the comments on other Eurovision songs, shrieks of conspiracy and racism. From people that take it waaaay too seriously. I saw "Islamofascism" blamed just now...

[paok453]

dana international and Charlotte nielson were both winners for israel and sweden and both had top 20 hits

[lwsmackie]

I stand corrected! Dana made it to No.11, Charlotte made it into the top 20 & Niamh (Ireland 1993) made it to no.24. HOWEVER, the fact that most Eurovision entries (even the winners) are NOT EVEN released in the UK tells you an awful lot!

[TheTellyAddict]

Is there some place on the net that this song can be downloaded? Please help?

[TheTellyAddict]

I have since downloaded a version of this song which I believe is the extended single version. Please contact me if you are interested.

[badbeer13]

ray is absolutely mint! he is my uncle and he is a great singer, was back then and he still is now!

[andyjents]

Ray is a legend, He was my vocal coach and now im out working all over the world as a vocalist!! Andy J

[tubelog125467]

That song in Euro 1989 was brilliant and so was he. I simply do not understand why it and he didn't get the recognition they deserved. I think you were lucky to have him as a coach

[cityboyz1uk]

Don't get me wrong - I am a Brit and a big Eurovision fan ... BUT ... i thought this song was awful. It's boring and doesn't seem to go anywhere. Thanks for uploading the clip anyway.

[minxbadge]

Rock on UK with this entry - much better than Yugoslavia - Turkey was my fave this year though with Bana Bana

[t88mrb]

the best entry been lookin for years for this can u get an audio copy or down load??

[t88mrb]

have found an Mp3 copy of 12 inch extended if anyone interested

[andyjents]

Id like to hear the extended version!

[coljaz]

One of the top 5 Eurovision songs of all time. That it lost was a disgrace, that it lost to Rock Me was criminal.

[GRAHAM2109]

Best UK entry EVER! Should have won!

[mazedonisch]

Truly fabulous song. Back then was supporting my home country Yugoslavia and was glad we won, but I admit that UK has deserved the victory.

Greetings from Macedonia

[kerosingirl]

we should won than that yugoslavia song

[rebeckaottosson]

Oh, I absolutely love this song. Mr Caruana seems a bit nervous, but it's still such an amazing performance.

[cityhulltiger]

Loved it then Ray, and still do. Good luck to you

[Rayc851]

I've done better, but had fun doing it. Ray Caruana lead singer of Live Report.

[lwsmackie]

Well done Sir!!! You did us proud.

[pavlova55]

UK have actually been in the top two 20 times (5 wins and 15 second places) Still a fantastic achievement though

[lwsmackie]

28 times in the top 5!

[lwsmackie]

And yes we were robbed!!! Yet again! The uk have been in the top 2 in 25 occasions!!!!

[lwsmackie]

thanx again. Yes indeed a very unusual Euro entry but quality nonetheless, its a pity we havent entered a quality entry for about 4 years. And LISTEN a proper song!!! Rare in the current Eurovision

[setheurovision94]

Thank you for posting this up, I've been waiting for someone to do it. An acquired taste as far as I'm concerned, but a real quality UK entry nonetheless, coupled with a stunning performance buy Maltese singer Ray Caruana. I can definitely see its appeal.