This record had promise, starting with the first few bars, then it, gets cheesy, however, it's great to see a young Cheryl Baker, pre "BUCKS FIZZ" Days
This was actually quite a good song but the judges didn't like it and we finished 13th. Perhaps the French connection played a part- the previous year Lynsey de Paul's song, one of the best entries ever, was cheated out of first place by France and the following year with Coco we had a dismal performance in the voting. A shame, this was a strong song.
The only thing that sounds like Mary Hopkin's song is the title! If you're looking for derivative, you'll find that the tune to Mary Hopkin's "Those were the Days" is actually a traditional Russian folk song with English lyrics added! At least Coco's song is original.
Wow! A truly terrific UK entry! So original, the song is so perfectly put-together and... ah, I don't know, I just love it! It moves me, it does it all perfectly. Very underrated - would have deserved a top-5 placing especially in a year like 1978!
well TBH i was never a fan of this song (hated it when it I first heard it in 78) but after listening to the other entries & evrybody's comments - I think its crazy it was 11th ????? top 3 at least id say
I love CoCo. Got their album Bad Old Days framed in my office. They should have won Eurovision without a doubt! Say hello to your mum from me too. Hope she's still singing.
mgatland, this is a very late reply to your post. I think your Mum was superb - in fact her voice was so beautiful and distinctive I did a search to try to find out what happened to her to see if I could find any records she made, but found nothing on the internet. Thanks for the update on her. I hope she is doing well and is really happy these days - she's a most underrated talent. Apart from Cheryl Baker, do you know what happened to the rest of the group?
Paul Rogers on the left worked with/for me during the late nineties. He'd moved into sales and only sang and played the guitar occasionally to entertain his son and small parties if I recall correctly. A fun bloke, i'd like to get back in touch.
@mgatland I found her the most amazing singer (voice and beauty) that I had seen. 1978! 32 years ago. My God! She still sings? Give her my best regards from Portugal.
Actually it came 11th in Paris, at the time the UK's worst ever showing at the Eurovision. A real shame because it's one of the best we've ever put forward. It was over-orchestrated and I don't think the juries were all that sold on the outfits either!
I've been looking out for this on youtube for ages, thanks for posting. I seem to have an afinity for underdogs (and losers too!) as I really loved this song. Did mny people have 2 attempts at the ESC other than Cheryl Baker and Cliff Richard? I remember loving a toblerone ad, then nsomeone said it won worst ad of the year. :(
Thanks for posting this clip. "The Bad Old Days" was one of those songs which I remember from when I was a kid, but can't find anywhere. Enjoying the nostaglia of hearing it again.
This was one of the few UK entries that flopped in those days (with its 11th place, it was only the second time in ESC history that the British didn't make the top-10), and, to be honest, I can't really see why. Sure, it's not one of their best, but it is a quite pleasant song and performance, and the UK would fare much better with much worse entries (see '88 and '92, to name two).
Yes, I agree. The song is very catchy and their clothes are Fab! Not a winner but still a nice tune.
I really like most of the British entries from the 60´s and the 70´s but in the 80´s they really were overrated, when most of the songs were really poor. For me UK is one of the most overrated countries in ESC (obviously we don´t include the recent years).
Yes, they truly were good in the 60s and 70s, when their entries usually reflected the pop trends of the day. Not so in the 80s and early 90s, when they usually went more towards safe recipes of "festival-like" songs - although, to give them credit, when they tried more contemporary sounds from '94-'96, they fared lower than expected, and had to return to a safer choice in '97 in order to soar in the voting (which says sth, I think, about how behind-the-times the jury system had become).
We didnt go for safe recipes - we didnt take it serious. In the 80s we lead the world in music, Duran Duran , Culture Club etc - you dont expect our bands to enter the ESC, do you? In UK from late 70s the ESC was a joke (still is) that explains this trend.
Get serious man (or woman), its the ESC it is not contemporary (even tday) most ESC winners or songs dont chart in any worthwhile charts ( & I dont see any nominated for Grammys) Which country are you from anyhow - Isreal? the UK is the most successful ESC nation and rightly so! So up yer bum!
Anyway your from Greece - you like all those old fashioned "omm pah pah " tunes, look at your stuff you send today - shakey shakey (zorba dancing) shakey shakey shakey.... anyhow if we are so overated why we in every chart in every country?? And the only esc song to be enterd for a Grammy? Has your country earned this???
God, man, chill out!!! I didn't say anything about UK music in general - there are many UK acts I love - II just referred to some (I repeat, SOME!) of your ESC entries. I mean, you really think ALL of your entries are such masterpieces?! And let me tell you, our entries are hardly representative of Greek music in general. I mean, would you find it fair if I judged your whole music scene from jusy Jemini or Javine?!
Ah apologies - it seemed like u had a real go at UK. Apart from you then, the comments here on youtube seem to think the UK entry represents British music but you only have to look at our bands to see it is far from the truth. Something that real grinds with me. I wish we took the ESC seriously but my fellow citizens do not. And as for the UK entries no I probably like less than you (dont like the one above either!).Looks like we're arguing the same case! Sorry!
No problem. Just a case of mutual misunderstanding :) And, no, as I've said elsewhere, I don't think that you can judge the music of any European country just by its ESC entries. Some of them are more representative (like, for Greek music, our entries from 1976 and 1997), but even an all-time classic like "Puppet on a String" can't possibly give you a full idea of what was going on in UK music in 1967 (Beatles, Stones etc).
Why are you getting so hostile and defensive? I was talking about your ESC entries not about your music in generally. You don´t have to list your musical succes story for me, I know it already. And "sorry" if I don´t like your entries from the 80´s, it´s a question of taste isn´t it?
Well actually I didnt think any country had a monopoly on any type of music. And as you can see my chat with tasosk3 I got the wrong end of the stick. Peace. Good luck in Helsinki
At what? Not this years ESC entry? I positively hate it but Im British so i'll support it through gritted teeth. Well you never know I wish it the best of luck!
This is wonderful..I love this song
Rickyscul 9 months ago
I LOVED this song as a kid. Much better than the usual Euro bomm banga rubbish
matrixsenior 10 months ago
absolutely fab!
marcbolanfan 1 year ago
NO WONDER THEY FUCKED UP LOOK AT THE DRESS UP
SCRWOOD 1 year ago
Hey, So pleased your mum was in this! You should be proud, it's a great song! x
fletch888 1 year ago
I found her the most amazing singer (voice and beauty) that I had seen. 1978! 32 years ago. My God! Give her my best regards from Portugal.
unisedil 1 year ago
great song, thanks
reolin777 1 year ago
fabulous !!!!!!!!!!! a classic !!!!!!!!!!!!
jordimax65 1 year ago
i love you JOSIE !
I LOVE COCO !!!!!!!!!!!!
jordimax65 1 year ago
Oh I love this song! They should have won :D
CampervanFanDan 1 year ago
This record had promise, starting with the first few bars, then it, gets cheesy, however, it's great to see a young Cheryl Baker, pre "BUCKS FIZZ" Days
msaurin1963 1 year ago
Mgaland. Your mom is gorgeous and extremely talented. I love this song, and im only soon to be 30. :) nice job mgatland :)
childfreeman 1 year ago
Comment removed
DrBarken1 1 year ago
When was this?.1977?.They should have put Guys'n'Dolls in for the competition!.
They were gol old show tune people.
mazzakins 1 year ago
I think they beat Creme Brulee in the regional heats didn't they?
pogopatterson42 2 years ago
Its Alison Carr (from Sons & Daughters) singing 1st verse!?
I love this song, one of fav euro songs
DrFever 2 years ago
This was actually quite a good song but the judges didn't like it and we finished 13th. Perhaps the French connection played a part- the previous year Lynsey de Paul's song, one of the best entries ever, was cheated out of first place by France and the following year with Coco we had a dismal performance in the voting. A shame, this was a strong song.
Glenn1967ful 2 years ago
Bring back CoCo!!!
austrian100 3 years ago
do you think Christian's song would have been better for the french orchestra? (and Juries)
poetami 3 years ago
The best UK entry ever !!!!!!
jordimax65 3 years ago 3
Im in Seusical The Musical with Cheryl!
DJCazzy 3 years ago 2
What is Cheryl wearing?
It's like a white bedsheet... She did better with Bucks Fizz :)!
peterwillhab 3 years ago
the song- sounds like Those Were The Days by Mary Hopkin
tamtran0208 3 years ago
The only thing that sounds like Mary Hopkin's song is the title! If you're looking for derivative, you'll find that the tune to Mary Hopkin's "Those were the Days" is actually a traditional Russian folk song with English lyrics added! At least Coco's song is original.
empear1 3 years ago 2
Total utter BOLLOCKS!
BRUTUALTRUTH 4 years ago
This song is a minor masterpiece. Absolutely brilliant.
CelticNut 4 years ago 8
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It was awful....the worse entry for the UK
EUROCUB1974 4 years ago
You DID hear Sonia, Samantha Janus and Jemini did you???????!!!!!! :|
Magicttmt 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It WAS the worst - until worse to come came
Malcos68 3 years ago
omg...this was 30 years ago??? It can't be! I'm NOT that old, I'm NOT!!....
Wahhhhhhhhhhh!
Escul1960 4 years ago 2
I was so gutted this fared badly at the contest in 1978. The costumes probably didn't help, I guess. I mean what the hell was Cheryl Baker wearing ?
tomtomstuff 4 years ago
who is she in the band. where does she stand in this show
nuser64 4 years ago
She's the one in white with that weird head dress.
tomtomstuff 4 years ago
Wow! A truly terrific UK entry! So original, the song is so perfectly put-together and... ah, I don't know, I just love it! It moves me, it does it all perfectly. Very underrated - would have deserved a top-5 placing especially in a year like 1978!
setheurovision94 4 years ago
well TBH i was never a fan of this song (hated it when it I first heard it in 78) but after listening to the other entries & evrybody's comments - I think its crazy it was 11th ????? top 3 at least id say
lwsmackie 4 years ago 2
maybe ur a COCO fan - check out their eurosong entry WAKE UP - it came second to Brotherhood of Man in 1976 - search Coco Wake Up
lwsmackie 4 years ago
I also think they were ripped Off. UK has some of the best groups in the 70's and early 80's.
andrew5499 4 years ago 2
I also think they got ripped of. I mean 11th. England had some good song in late 70's and early 80s.
andrew5499 4 years ago 2
Don't forget one of the best ever, "Let me be the one".
Kiquegil 4 years ago
It is an amazing song & I am extremely proud of MY MUM ! She is the one that sings 1st (Josie Andrews) now Josie Gatland.
This should of done better than 11th considering the crap songs since that have finished above 11th.
Anyway, very proud of her & she still does'nt look a day over 25. xxx
mgatland 4 years ago 7
And so you should be proud-great voice!!! Say hello to your mum for me!!
casperfan 4 years ago 2
Will do Casperfan, thanks for your comments.
mgatland 4 years ago
I love CoCo. Got their album Bad Old Days framed in my office. They should have won Eurovision without a doubt! Say hello to your mum from me too. Hope she's still singing.
yozzerhughes 4 years ago
Cheers for the comments Yozzerhughes.
Unfortunately she is'nt still singing.
Shame as she had a great talent. The reason she gave it up was because she fell pregnant with my brother.
Since then she has also had a thiroid remeoved from her throat so that has put an end to that !
Anyway, she is absolutely fine & once again, thanks for the kind comments. Marc
mgatland 4 years ago
Thanks for that. If you (or your mum) are interested, I put up a clip of CoCo on Top of the Pops. Just do a search for CoCo Top of the Pops.
yozzerhughes 4 years ago
mgatland, this is a very late reply to your post. I think your Mum was superb - in fact her voice was so beautiful and distinctive I did a search to try to find out what happened to her to see if I could find any records she made, but found nothing on the internet. Thanks for the update on her. I hope she is doing well and is really happy these days - she's a most underrated talent. Apart from Cheryl Baker, do you know what happened to the rest of the group?
empear1 3 years ago
Comment removed
Cat7Ken 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Paul Rogers on the left worked with/for me during the late nineties. He'd moved into sales and only sang and played the guitar occasionally to entertain his son and small parties if I recall correctly. A fun bloke, i'd like to get back in touch.
Ken Evans
Cat7Ken 2 years ago
@mgatland I found her the most amazing singer (voice and beauty) that I had seen. 1978! 32 years ago. My God! Give her my best regards from Portugal.
unisedil 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@mgatland I found her the most amazing singer (voice and beauty) that I had seen. 1978! 32 years ago. My God! She still sings? Give her my best regards from Portugal.
unisedil 1 year ago
@mgatland
unisedil 1 year ago
Actually it came 11th in Paris, at the time the UK's worst ever showing at the Eurovision. A real shame because it's one of the best we've ever put forward. It was over-orchestrated and I don't think the juries were all that sold on the outfits either!
pratt68 4 years ago
It came second - it really should have won. Who was the other bird in the group ?
welshnick300365 4 years ago
Anybody knows where I can download it????
Its an awesome track!!!!
jordimax65 4 years ago
send me your email adrees and i will send it to you
Deano042 2 years ago
gREAT SONG! STILL LOVE IT!!
jordimax65 4 years ago
love this song, a classic
DrFever 4 years ago
Great song.
cawright1 4 years ago
OMG, I had no idea Cheryl from Bucks Fizz was part of this group.
DL4UWKC 4 years ago
Great Song... In the days when Popular was popular & pop music was Good ...
LyndonSoulGroove 4 years ago
I've been looking out for this on youtube for ages, thanks for posting. I seem to have an afinity for underdogs (and losers too!) as I really loved this song. Did mny people have 2 attempts at the ESC other than Cheryl Baker and Cliff Richard? I remember loving a toblerone ad, then nsomeone said it won worst ad of the year. :(
scepticchristian 4 years ago
Thanks for posting this clip. "The Bad Old Days" was one of those songs which I remember from when I was a kid, but can't find anywhere. Enjoying the nostaglia of hearing it again.
steve266344 4 years ago
This was one of the few UK entries that flopped in those days (with its 11th place, it was only the second time in ESC history that the British didn't make the top-10), and, to be honest, I can't really see why. Sure, it's not one of their best, but it is a quite pleasant song and performance, and the UK would fare much better with much worse entries (see '88 and '92, to name two).
tasosk3 4 years ago
Yes, I agree. The song is very catchy and their clothes are Fab! Not a winner but still a nice tune.
I really like most of the British entries from the 60´s and the 70´s but in the 80´s they really were overrated, when most of the songs were really poor. For me UK is one of the most overrated countries in ESC (obviously we don´t include the recent years).
coccola 4 years ago
Yes, they truly were good in the 60s and 70s, when their entries usually reflected the pop trends of the day. Not so in the 80s and early 90s, when they usually went more towards safe recipes of "festival-like" songs - although, to give them credit, when they tried more contemporary sounds from '94-'96, they fared lower than expected, and had to return to a safer choice in '97 in order to soar in the voting (which says sth, I think, about how behind-the-times the jury system had become).
tasosk3 4 years ago
We didnt go for safe recipes - we didnt take it serious. In the 80s we lead the world in music, Duran Duran , Culture Club etc - you dont expect our bands to enter the ESC, do you? In UK from late 70s the ESC was a joke (still is) that explains this trend.
lwsmackie 4 years ago
Get serious man (or woman), its the ESC it is not contemporary (even tday) most ESC winners or songs dont chart in any worthwhile charts ( & I dont see any nominated for Grammys) Which country are you from anyhow - Isreal? the UK is the most successful ESC nation and rightly so! So up yer bum!
lwsmackie 4 years ago
Anyway your from Greece - you like all those old fashioned "omm pah pah " tunes, look at your stuff you send today - shakey shakey (zorba dancing) shakey shakey shakey.... anyhow if we are so overated why we in every chart in every country?? And the only esc song to be enterd for a Grammy? Has your country earned this???
lwsmackie 4 years ago
God, man, chill out!!! I didn't say anything about UK music in general - there are many UK acts I love - II just referred to some (I repeat, SOME!) of your ESC entries. I mean, you really think ALL of your entries are such masterpieces?! And let me tell you, our entries are hardly representative of Greek music in general. I mean, would you find it fair if I judged your whole music scene from jusy Jemini or Javine?!
tasosk3 4 years ago
Ah apologies - it seemed like u had a real go at UK. Apart from you then, the comments here on youtube seem to think the UK entry represents British music but you only have to look at our bands to see it is far from the truth. Something that real grinds with me. I wish we took the ESC seriously but my fellow citizens do not. And as for the UK entries no I probably like less than you (dont like the one above either!).Looks like we're arguing the same case! Sorry!
lwsmackie 4 years ago
No problem. Just a case of mutual misunderstanding :) And, no, as I've said elsewhere, I don't think that you can judge the music of any European country just by its ESC entries. Some of them are more representative (like, for Greek music, our entries from 1976 and 1997), but even an all-time classic like "Puppet on a String" can't possibly give you a full idea of what was going on in UK music in 1967 (Beatles, Stones etc).
tasosk3 4 years ago
Why are you getting so hostile and defensive? I was talking about your ESC entries not about your music in generally. You don´t have to list your musical succes story for me, I know it already. And "sorry" if I don´t like your entries from the 80´s, it´s a question of taste isn´t it?
coccola 4 years ago
My country is Finland, and yes, I do know ouer poor success in Eurovision. I´m sure you don´t like some of ouer entries?
Finland is good in making rock music, not in popmusic or writing beautiful ballads...
coccola 4 years ago
Well actually I didnt think any country had a monopoly on any type of music. And as you can see my chat with tasosk3 I got the wrong end of the stick. Peace. Good luck in Helsinki
lwsmackie 4 years ago
Was I talking about monopoly? Didn´t know that...
Well, end of this discussion, just confusions.
Peace, Love and untherstanding =)
coccola 4 years ago
lol - and VOTE UK (someone has to!)
lwsmackie 4 years ago
i am from the uk and we are the best
jetpower69 4 years ago
At what? Not this years ESC entry? I positively hate it but Im British so i'll support it through gritted teeth. Well you never know I wish it the best of luck!
lwsmackie 4 years ago