Eurovision 1977 - United Kingdom

[FRIEDBREAD62]

1977 the year that music started to crash, then came the awful 80's!!

[Aristotelis1998]

that song is awful!!!!!!!

[Gxyz222]

I see and hear nothing but love in that whole entire theater! Great song!

[ESCTorsten]

This one should have one instead of the French entry. But the juries put them to the 2nd place due to the fact that the French entry in 1976 just came second to the winner UK.

[MrElad145]

בריטנהיה-שיר ענק,בין הגדולים ששמעתי,גם שוויץ-השיר בין הכי טובים שייצג אותם,יוון-בין ההופעות היחידיות שלהם באותה תקופה שהיו טובות,

[markguest36]

just love it! gr8 memories! i was 8 at the time! i think t french song is better. gr8 fun thanks!

[yonexseven]

deux poi

[ShamBilbao]

Amazing song!!! Just wonderful <3! But I think that it was fair that Marie Myriam won, and the songs are both good!

[barnabyfraser]

Lynsey should of won this, terrific little number. And the song was decent as well.

[tom0poland]

I really love the French winning song at ESC 1977 (Marie Myriam - L'oiseau et l'enfant ) but I think the UK entry was more 'timeproof' - still sounds really good. And Lynsey is/was very charming...

[NightSpeaker]

0:32 HAHAHA! What a lucky throw, she seems to be surprised that the newspaper landed perfectly on the piano!

[whitbyjet65]

There's a Lynsey de Paul on that spot.

[beauwulff]

This is RANK defined!!!

[irjajit]

Did they have the postcards in 1977? On another user's video from 1977, it shows the audience for a minute then proceeds to the song.

The song is great though. Would've fit in perfectly in the 1920s, esp. because there was the great depression.

[nixcails]

@irjajit

There was a MAJOR Recession in 1977- 1984 in the UK too and this song was a symbol of it- BBC had almost cancelled Hosting Eurovision due to budget restrictions, and serious strike action - it was amazing it went ahead at all.

[irjajit]

@nixcails FYI I did some further research and it turns out they had prepared postcards but the Norwegian one wasn't allowed to be aired by the Norwegian broadcaster and they didn't have time to make another preview so...They decided to just drop all 18 previews.

[brethynda123]

Lynsey de Paul can't sing.

[MrSmellyProductions]

I like older men..Dont ask me why i told you this

[dracometeorkid]

playing with fire had a conjoined piano...

[Woodlander65]

Love this song.

[floralpixie]

One of the better UK entries despite the fact that she's totally out of tune right thru the song......I remember buying this 45

[donaldduckio]

delightful

[squidlimerick]

haha its the dad from Mary Poppins conducting the orchestra

[tralala1100]

Nice glasses

[munozes]

Romania 2010, two pianos.

[dt44ttfn]

should have won!

[7geordie]

best song .simple as1

[kilomekilome]

Great song...and so well performed

[PavelShvalov]

They had to won that contest

[nacht98]

yeah, it´s a good song but the frech song was much better I think...

[worcsfan]

Mr. BBC Music, Ronnie Hazlehurst conducting the orchestra with a rolled-up brolly..classic!

[LetsPerform]

Funny song for eurovision but i suppose it was good enough at that time :) Well dont,UK,greetings from Greece! :)

[JanJurk]

I'm a fan of Lynsey's early solo works but this is just aweful.. Badly sung and the song isn't any good either. Best to be forgotten.

[funcnot]

That or you just didnt like it so stop putting comments on that makes other people automatically think it's bad it came second it's good

[Glenn1967ful]

@JanJurk

It was her last top 20 hit here. Quite good but not as good as her solo work.

[klarinetta]

Oh dear one of UK's MANY overrated entries(it's not bad but maybe more around 6-8th place)

[MrEurocat]

@klarinetta get back to your gay discos - the UK has a massive record in ESC, GET OVER IT FISH FACE

[setheurovision94]

A delightfully witty and intelligent song, not to mention tremendously entertaining (of course). Performed with absolute charisma by both Moran and De Paul. The lyrics are also very clever, working as both a social commentary and a metaphor for a crumbling relationship. Bravo! Gotta love Ronnie Hazelhurst with one of the most unique ways of conducting an orchestra.

[Glenn1967ful]

Excellent song and in a way a protest song from the Right as Lynsey is well known as a Conservative supporter and Britain was in a terrible mess in the latr 70s. Come to think of it, the same's true now.

[gingervision]

A mess? yes... but it could be worse... the tories could be in charge.

Great song though.

[Glenn1967ful]

@gingervision

Both as bad as each other, I won't be voting next time.

[Durbs75]

@Glenn1967ful

we'll not voting will certainly make your point, won't it?!

Song's not too bad really.

[MrEurocat]

@setheurovision94 Wonderful UK entry - full of musicality unlike todays UK entries - which just lack any effort whatsoever - shame

[Davio87]

@setheurovision94 I remember watching this live - I will say they were supremely overconfident that they were going to win. As each country awarded the UK their points, they'd cut to the both of them with smug smiles on their faces. In a way, it was only fitting that France won it that year.

[L11ourdes]

I would give you 12 points!

Cool and rhythmic.

From Germany with love.

[7geordie]

thanks ! Would have given you lot 12 Points in 1981. The best song does not alwaays win.

[verkaforever]

Cool song and even cooler presentation.

[mutinyonthekitkat]

Has there ever been another 'two pianos' entry in the eurovision?

[tasosk3]

Interesting question. I personally can remember one more, the 1988 German entry (performed by a mother and daughter duet, no less). If anyone can recall another one, please feel free to comment.

[lwsmackie4]

Aye - Slovenia "Energy"  2001 !!

[tasosk3]

Oh, yes, absolutely right (as always!) :-P Thank you for that.

[Mangoteppe]

Don't forget the Dutch entry in 1983! :-)

[xomomo1232xo]

@tasosk3 playing with fire from denmark! 2009 :)

[NiGHTSFangirl]

@xomomo1232xo You mean Romania.

[xomomo1232xo]

@NiGHTSFangirl true, i realized just after i wrote it! i searched the video straight after i wrote that, and im quite proud that i remembered actually from 2 years ago! :)

[tasosk3]

@xomomo1232xo Indeed, Romania's entry last year has extended this small list - and a good addition it is too. Though these previous comments were written before last year's contest,. so I couldn't have known about it, of course :-)

[DavidSandKnakMUSIK]

@tasosk3 I've founded, that the Dutch entry 1983, called Sing Me A Song had two pianos as well ;)

[ESCTorsten]

@xomomo1232xo

"Playing With Fire" was the entry from Romania in 2010, which came 3rd.

[TheDeivisd]

@xomomo1232xo Playing with fire of ROMANIA 2010 

[CromulentlyEmbiggens]

@tasosk3 Technically one instrument, Romania used a duopiano this year for Playing with Fire. Damned fantastic song.

[7geordie]

@tasosk3 this was the WINNER 

[trashcanalive]

@7geordie This song didn't win, it came second behind the French entry.

[hermione1998]

@mutinyonthekitkat romania 2010

[nixcails]

@mutinyonthekitkat

Yep Romania last year Oslo 2010

[tamakayttaja]

@mutinyonthekitkat What about Romania 2010?

[7geordie]

@mutinyonthekitkat Ireland 1994 ....I think? Check it out !

[deltaquadboi]

@7geordie Ireland '94 had only one piano plus a guitar

[pimmagrimm]

@mutinyonthekitkat Does the Romanian entry count in 2010? One piano but keys on either side?

[Glenn1967ful]

This was our best Eurovision entry ever and deserved to win.

[dunedainsoul]

12 points from serbia for UK

[ILoveABBA12]

Funny!

[katoeuro]

Love the honly tonk feel and the self-irony. Very to-the-point at a time of deep economical crisis in the UK. Just wonder why Maggie Thatcher didn't make it her signature tune two years later.

[Glenn1967ful]

The song was written at a time of economic decline and failure and did have a deeper meaning than someone's life at rock bottom.

[1TOTPIL]

Can't understand how such a "just-for-fun" song maneged to reach the second, while other, much much much better entries, such as Luxemburg, Ireland, Greece and Israel didn't (nevertheless, Israel and Luxemburg were out of the top 10!).

really overrated, not suitable for the fancy and classy contests of the 70's.

[Furienna]

At least this is good, unlike the "just-for-fun" entries of today. I think they deserved the 2nd place.

[verkaforever]

They did.  But as you can tell by my username, I think most of the just-for-fun entries of today are AMAZING! Ukraine 2007 and Spain 2008 were HILARIOUS!

[Furienna]

I agree about Spain 2008, but not about Ukraine 2007.

[Furienna]

A well-deserved 2nd-placer.

[spannamatronic]

This grows on me the more I listen to it. Nicely presented. Ronnie Hazlehurst on conducting is always a good thing. Did you know Mike Moran went on to co-write Barcelona with Freddie Mercury!

[matthewnoonan2009]

This Should Have Won.

So Instanly Catchy, Fun and Suitable To The Times.

I Love the Stage Presentation.

Real Winners of ESC '77

[josatinho]

i like it finnish version

[iamdashizzz]

i absolutely love this song. are u sure its 1977? looks like 2009 (:

[n6ikos]

France deserved 100 times their winnig ! greece & monaco were better than that but i suppose ... old days alliances

[ferretmanboy]

I'm with you

[Chrrristiane]

Ein tolles Lied!

[CJBR1966]

Poor lyrics, but a successful song.. I prefer Marie Myriam was very better, the lyrics were better and has portuguese descendence... SO From Portugal 12 Points to France and only 5 points to UK.

[ph0220]

Thi should have won over France!

[kilomekilome]

Love this song and love these two..Mike Moran and Lindsay

[Go1For1Gold]

Mike Moran is cool as. There's just something I love about him

[MrEurovisionTurkey]

I really love this song but French entry was good too.I think France deserved to win.

[SH67]

A title tune for a US tv serial or a nice number among dozen others in some musical or comedy theater show. Nothing more.

[gottagothatsme]

That commentator sounds like he's at rock bottom! Was the commentary provided to home nations by telephone or was it just the quality of the microphone that made it sound that way?

[047396]

oh the irony.1977 there was no televised selection because the bbc were on strike along with nurses refuse collectors and even funeral directors etc.rock bottom we were.but its still a good tune.lol

[DRUGNOT]

Gostava de saber o que é que esta canção tem de extraordinário, ainda por cima com um nome esquisito "Rock Bottom". Mónaco e Grécia apresentaram canções muito mais dignas desse nome.

[brianbry93]

Why can't our entries be as good as this???

This is great!

Does anyone know where i can download the mp3 format??

[Plasvi]

I love this! 70's rock!

[TotalKO1]

These guys know how to work a crowd. :P

[Thisisace]

Love the shot of the audience at the start - all pullovers and National Health glasses !

[lilladyamaranth]

Mike Moran is awesome

[jessgold10]

Were always rockbottom but that song should have won!!!!

[Plasvi]

This should win! Annoying! France was bad.

[polpsa]

Toch beter als frankrijk.

Mike Moran en Linsey de Paul waren "the best"

[mutinyonthekitkat]

Wow, I actually remember watching this on telly in schooldays. Hard to believe it's so long ago now.

I remember that on this live eurovision broadcast the camera zoomed in on the moon low down in the sky that evening and by chance from where I was sitting in my living room I could see it through the window as well as on the telly.

Nothing to to with the song but something I remember from the time for some reason.

[setheurovision94]

That's a very nice memory, thanks for sharing. :)

[marmotte62fr]

nul...heureusement que marie a gagné!!

[regalianpeaches]

oh oui! heureusement que Marie a gagné!!! c'est mille fois mieux que ces 2 là! lui il est pas mal, mais elle elle est nulle!!! Aucun message intelligent, Aucun frisson! Vive la France!

[babmousso]

non, je suis francaise et cette chanson est dix fois mieux que toutes les autres chansons ringardes de toutes les autres annees d'Eurovision. Cette chanson etait un grand succes en France et partout en Europe.

[schulz1]

Comme t'es bete! UK aurait du gagner!

[tomtomstuff]

The orchestration is beautiful in this. The song was derided at the time, I remember, but it really is a clever piece of songwriting. It has a very good build to it and extremely catchy to this day. One of the most intelligent entries to enter Eurovision.

[Notsodrunk87]

I canot believe this only came second to that crappy average Franch shit that won........

[setheurovision94]

As I said in your recap, one of my favourite UK entries. This song sounds very "70s"-like and in a very good way - the performance is great though I find Lynsey de Paul to steal the show - apart, of course, from Ronnie Hazelhurst, performing the unique feat of conducting with an umbrella. I love this song and the way the situation in the UK was implemented into the whole thing. Thumbs up!

[tasosk3]

Ah, yes, couldn't have said it better myself! An immensenly entertaining number, whose lyrics works both as a metafor for a crumbling relationship and as subtle social commentary (the 30s allusions in the musical style are anything but a coincidence), and indeed one of the UK's best. Incidentally, in her interview for the BBC tribute to Ronnie, Lynsey said that the moment he came onstage in that outfit, the crowd just went crazy - and I can see why!

[lwsmackie]

I wonder who gave u all this info boys?

[tasosk3]

Ah, yes, of course, credit where credit is due. So thank you, kind sir, for providing everyone with the backstory behind this song - and looking forward to more contributions on your behalf (man, am I getting formal or what!)

[lwsmackie]

Seth, this is aimed at u (as I know u like ur sets!) In the reprise for the winning song- I love the way the revolvong set has all the nations flags arranged around, & it revolves to the winning refrain. Wonderful!

[setheurovision94]

Yes, I liked that touch very much. That simple set design worked very well, especially when they added that - didn't they also do that at the beginning of the show? (Also that year's scoreboard was my fave 'primitive' one along with '86 and '82 - show the flags, people!)

[pwincessoli]

loved it brings happy memories back of being very young thank you x