United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980-2008

[Rickyscul]

thank for posting this ..'.where did it go wrong'

[LCScampi]

I really like Jessica Garlick's song. About the only one of the bunch worth listening to, in my opinion. Although I do quite like the Precious one as well.

[Rickyscul]

I want a try

[Rickyscul]

Interesting..........Retrospec­tive

[accoOOOOOOOO]

I liked the part where the captions of the video with regards to eurovision of 2002, said that 'Malta's ira losco is the real winner'!! :) it was truly the real winner instead of the trash song of latvia. i was so disappointed that year. thumbs up who agrees. and lets go to Malta :) greetings from espana

[ZomBLord]

They should have brought Adam and the Ants to do something for Eurovision.

[Vedranko100]

Love games is absolutely the best song from 1980 till 2010.

[floralpixie]

That was really interesting to watch - thanks for posting it. My fave was "Better The Devil You Know" by Sonia. She should have won.....

[TheMrdanjames]

Scooch went on to have a top 5 hit with "flting the flag" though so not all bad

[Orlabobz]

Poor UK, they've had some horrific songs. But then again, they had some bad songs that put them in more generous spots than they deserved.

But I love how that stupid yellow blob tried to represent uk again in 2007, and they said no!

[Orlabobz]

@valma1208

Given the fact that Ireland hasn't won since 1996, thats not really right. But ya Ireland's won the most times. Lets see how long we can hold onto that!

[Euroguy100]

Christ Moo55 you talk bullshit!

[Stephen1965]

We've had some good songs over the years and some quite awful ones too lol.

My top songs were 1. Jade Ewen 2009, 2.

Gina G 1996, 3. Jessica Garlick 2002, Bucks Fizz 1981, 5. Frances Ruffelle 1994, 6. Katrina & The Waves 1997, 7. Precious 1999 and 8. Bardo 1982 and the worst ones 1. Scooch and 2. Lindsay Dracass.

[EurodanceTechno90s]

My fav. tracks= Belle & the Devotions - Love Games,Vikki Watson - Love is,Sonia - Better the Devil You Know,Gina G - Ooh, Aah... Just a Little Bit,Jemini - Cry Baby,Daz Sampson - Teenage Life,Scooch - Flying the Flag, Andy Abraham - Even If

[tokuanimecitvguy]

No wonder Rikki got a bad placing. He's awesome. The best songs never win.

I like Go,the political songs are good,

I don't see what's so bad about No Dream Impossible,that was the last good song except for maybe 04 or 06.

[tokuanimecitvguy]

We did well this year,I just don't like the song. All she does for 4 minutes is say it's my time! Personally,I prefer the Irish entry.

[AlexHWalker]

Correction Lindsay Dracass couldnt of been 15 as a rule first put to use in 90 says you have to be at least 16 years of age on the date of the final it wasn't the start of our losing streak because we came third the next year!

[Furienna]

Congratulations to UK for a well-deserved return to the top!

[aric2007]

I think you've got to edit this to include Jade's performance! She placed 5th out of 25.

[NEONholly]

Maybe last night's performance can mark the beginning of a better streak for us? Jade finished 5th out of 23rd didn't she? Even though we didn't win, I am very proud of her for doing her absolute best.

Anyone else glad of the voting change? I hope they continue it.

[chileepengwin]

actually she finished 5th out of 25 countries, not 23. She did us proud and I am very happy with the way the voting went.

[AlexHWalker]

Actually Jade came 5th out of 42 countries but 25 in the final!

This is like a big game of correcting people!

[JackLiberal]

But Jade didn't have to compete in the semis so really she was guaranteed top 25 o.o Anyway she did great and Europe DOESN'T hate us...we just always send shit xD Please try harder BBC I'm embarassed for us.

[Draiz0n9]

2007 was the worse uk song ever, SCOOCH IS GAY

[jackmc1995]

Cyndi deserved to win the national final that year

[peterwillhab]

She was pretty good I agree!

[DrFever]

"..Scooch is gay" - yeah, cos Eurovision is predominatly hetrosexual!

Great UK collection and what a blast from the past some of those songs, cheers

[rjhglover]

@Draiz0n9 In 2007, the UK should have been represented by Cyndi who came 2nd in the National Final. Some people think ESC's a joke.

[aric2007]

After the ESC final, start adding Jade Ewen to this video!

[jasyman]

uk will never win eurovision again, the reast of europe hate england which for some reason they think is the same as uk? plus they hate the fact we gain entry to the final every year without going into a semi final, if it was left to europe we would never be in the final ever again, but if we didnt fund it the way we do there would be no eurovision like we know it now.

[creswellcraggs]

Spot on could'nt agree more.

[Eurosonggek2009]

I also can't stand it when people say England or Great-Brittain in stead of the UK. But I'm not from the UK myself, I'm from the Netherlands and I also can't stand it when people say Holland in stead of the Netherlands. I don't think Europe hates the UK. And you'll do fine this year I guess:)

[peterwillhab]

I agree, when people say England it really annoys me because it's wrong. Saying England and meaning the UK is exactly the same as saying Holland instead of Netherlands. England is an area in Great Britain, just like Holland is an area in Netherlands., But Great Britain isn't wrong. Great Britain is the same as UK (just without Northern Ireland). The UK name is... The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland... so it's pretty the same.

[Eurosonggek2009]

yeah but if they say great brittain they dont mention northern ireland.

[Moo55]

Actually, to be completely pedantic (:P), Great Britain refers to the island which contains mainland Scotland, England and Wales. Great Britain does not include Northern Ireland, nor the Isle of Man, or Skye, the Shetland Islands, the Orkney Islands, the Isle of Wight, the Scilly Isles, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Angelsey and several hundred other islands. So calling the United Kingdom "Great Britain" or "Britain" is a bit like calling Indonesia "Borneo". ;)[/smartass]

[peterwillhab]

To be even more pedantic (aha)

Isle of Man isn't even in UK, neither are Jersey or Guernsey, they are just crown dependencies... And anybody who lives on the Isles of Scilly would be completely offended if you called the the Scilly Isles.

[Moo55]

Ah well, I'd get bored if I was always right :D

Let's agree that we have helped each other come to the right conclusion ;)

[Imamonarchist]

If Europe hates the UK so much, how come Jade just got 5th place in the 2009 ESC?

[Moo55]

Actually, according to tie-break rules, Andy Abraham finished equal 23rd with Germany and Poland - tied placings are only split if it is a matter of winning or qualification ;)

Anyway, great video! I like some of your comments :)

[shadowcatphaser]

At the time I thought 'Give a little love back to the world' was a rather cynical attempt to impress the juries with a rip off of 'ein bisschen frieden'. (thematically not musically!) And I thought 'One Step Further' was a total copy of "making your mind up" (in mood and tempo not melody) although before anyone gets out the pitchforks I should say I liked One Step Further much more! (it is a good song)

[eurostandar]

12 Live Report

10 Ruffelles

8 Ryder

7 Katrina

6 Belle & The Devotions

5 Jemini

4 Andy Abraham

3 Sonia

2 Gina G

1 Bardo

[Forestamtul]

wots this about your favourites ge ge ge ha gad

[annakfan]

12 - Sweet Dreams 10 - Samantha Janus 8 - Vikki Watson 7 - Bucks Fizz 6 - Jessica Garlick 5 - Scooch 4 - Bardo 3 - Gina G 2 - Frances Ruffelle 1 - Sonia Live Report were awuful, they assume they deserved to win, Riva were much better.

[Forestamtul]

Love u bardo bardo one step beyond my dreams ub Nir Nir Morden station

[Furienna]

I can't help holding a grudge against Scott Fitzgerald, because he beat Lara Fabian. Her "Croire" only ended up at 4th place for Luxembourg, even though it IMO was the best song in the 1988 contest and one of the best ESC songs ever. Scott had a good voice, I can't deny that, but so did Lara Fabian, and his song was nothing compared to hers. I can forgive Celine Dion for taking the 1rst place, because she's, well, Celine Dion, but Lara Fabian should at least have been the runner-up that year.

[Furienna]

I think Andy Abraham was really underrated. Maybe his song wasn't a masterpeice or anything, but it didn't deserve being in the bottom three. I actually like it more than what I like many of the UK entires, who became runner-ups.

Having said that, I love UK's last two victories. "Making your mind up" and "Love shine a light" both rule. And the UK sure deserved the scores they got in 1989 and 2002 too. Why can't you send such songs to the ESC anymore?

[peterwillhab]

THis year I think we're doing pretty good. Have you heard "Jade Ewen - My Time" our entry for 2009. Its written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who composed many musicals. It also has Lyrics by Diane Warren, famous for writing for many people,for example Celine Dion.

[Furienna]

I will check it out.

[nightkiler1432]

Abba rocks

[MiSTerEuroVish]

Why are you using SVT not BBC logo? lol 12 James Fox 10 Katrina & The Waves 8 Gina G 7 Bucks Fizz 6 Scooch 5 Emma 4 Belle & The Devotions 3 Bardo 2 Sonia 1 Samantha Janus

[peterwillhab]

Because it was an avaliable video haha.

[19Iggy96]

we should have done better in 2008...

[peterwillhab]

I'm not sure.

I'm not really a huge fan of Andy Abraham or 'Even If'.

I think the X Factor vote did it for him. Personally, I believe that Michelle Gayle would have been better.

[drlovepants]

frances ruffele appears in ptang yang kipperbang, the jack rosenthal play, shown on channel 4 in 1982 as part of the first love series. saw that on here the other day, i knew the name was familiar

[blondieheart]

sam fox (sox) should have won 1995 with "go for the heart"! i think they were a close #4?>

[peterwillhab]

Yeah, but I really like Deuce - 'I Need You'.

I think they would have been better haha.

[aric2007]

2008... Very underrated.

[QuaintMelissaK]

I'm just curious, what were the other two UK Eurovision entries that didn't make the UK Top 75?

[peterwillhab]

Matt Monro - I Love the Little Things

Ryder - Runner in the Night

Rikki - Only the Light

[QuaintMelissaK]

Thanks!

[Sileeee56]

Thanks, I love your montage!

My favourites are 1985 and 1997!

How many 2nd places!!!

But the last palce in 2003 and 2008...

[peterwillhab]

I LOVE 1985! Vikki Watson is so great ;).

[Sileeee56]

Yes, her song is wonderful!

And she is 25, like me! :)

[setheurovision94]

No doubt it's a well-intentioned video, and I think it's very interesting as I said.

[setheurovision94]

You're also incorrect on the tie-break rules: tie-break rules apply ONLY for a tie of FIRST PLACE: in all other cases, the placing is shared if the amount is the same. The WINNING TIEBREAK rules were changed in 2004, no more. Also, you forget to take into account the competition of a given year; Lindsey didn't perform badly at all in 2001 though the rap interlude was indeed well advised.

[peterwillhab]

I AM aware of this... however, it was easier to write in the small area I had than the whole writing about the grey area whether it applies to the rest. This is the way it appeared on the official Eurovision website, which would suggest the rules DID apply... but as you said, it doesn't say so :)

[realistESCfan]

she isnt out of tune - thats ur perception

[setheurovision94]

I must say I agree with my Portuguese friend; I don't share your troubles with her vocal, and I have listened to the song many times. As a matter of fact, her only foul-up was when she shouted 'with a little love'. And that's all that I can hear. I liked how she dared to experiment with her voice.

[setheurovision94]

A very interesting video. But it wasn't 'several off-key notes' that made Frances come a disappointing 10th - as a matter of fact she performed astoundingly! It was just the Euro-juries with their eccentric taste - which also put the UK 2nd in 1992 with a much poorer song.

[realistESCfan]

i dont care what all you "clingy-clangy, sucky-fucky" Europeans say - The UK is still the best nation in Eurovision & you will all miss them when they go! :P :P

[setheurovision94]

Wrong, there is no 'best' nation in Eurovision, never has been - no country has the 'golden touch' as Lewis put it. And easy on the name-calling.

[XXxxBlackpearlxxXX]

thank you for the nice comment on ira losco (maltese entry 2002) :). hugs from malta xx

[peterwillhab]

I love Ira Losco!

Marie N was so much worse!

[XXxxBlackpearlxxXX]

hehe arie N was ok.. but Ira was far better than her..

[xAiinexMaGuiirex]

Samanthaa Januuuusssssssws (:

iiLoveHer :D

Dosenst Sound Like her thoo ;)

[kulera]

You kinda messed up the years in the beginning

[peterwillhab]

Oh Yeah! Thanks for letting me know haha.

Bardo - 1982

Sweet Dreams - 1983

SOrry about that!