Eurovision 2005

[grim_tales]

Anyone going to watch the voting this year? Anyone care? The voting is political nonsense but that makes it funny

I was watching that Father Ted episode where they enter Eurosong 96 and have to enter a song with a terrible tune, doing the same note over and over (My Lovely Horse), and was reminded of 2003's UK entry
We need a better song than that I havent heard it yet though, our song is by one of the girls who was on Popstars The Rivals.

The best song we (UK) recorded of recent times was Love Shine a Light (1997) by Katrina and the Waves IMO.

Some of Ireland's songs have been good too Wasn't one of Denmark's entries ( Fly on the Wings of Love ) remixed and released as a single a couple of years ago?!

[bradavon]

And Love Shines a Light was also uber crap.

I think we should do what the Italians did and duck out. It's not cool and quite frankly embarrassing.

It does make me laugh though for a country so apparently anti-Europe (no constitution, no Euro to name two). As a nation Eurovision is very popular.

Is it in other parts of Europe?

I like watching it to see how many countries are in Europe. I'm sure Mark would know this, isn't there something like 50? Some tiny with our a few thousand people.

[Markgway]

And Love Shines a Light was also uber crap.

Yep. It only won because voters had heard of Katrina and the Waves and their ONE hit back in the 80s. Even when by remote chance a decent song turns up it never wins. I watch this for a laugh because it's only once a year and you can slag it off. I remember last year's best song - don't ask me which one - got a poor score.

I think we should do what the Italians did and duck out. It's not cool and quite frankly embarrassing.

Agreed. Britain carries much of the costs for a competition which is nothing but a laughing stock. Christ, every country hates us. Last year we go no votes because of Iraq. Yes, the song was very cheesy, but so were the rest. It was an anti-British snub.

It does make me laugh though for a country so apparently anti-Europe (no constitution, no Euro to name two). As a nation Eurovision is very popular. Is it in other parts of Europe?

I think many countries do take it seriously. Christ knws why??? European music is a fucking joke most of the time. I doubt the British oublic could care less if this was axed. We watch it because it's there and for a giggle at our talentless Euro cousins.

I like watching it to see how many countries are in Europe. I'm sure Mark would know this, isn't there something like 50? Some tiny with our a few thousand people.

I don't know the figure, but you can be assured of political alliances. Greece-Cyprus. Denmark-Norway. The Eastern Bloc states. Blah-blah. It's typical of Euro corruption and as good a reason as any for the UK not to go further into Brussles. I think the "No" referendum campaign should just tell voters to watch this.

[grim_tales]

Have we ever done any good Eurosongs then?

I liked LSAL, so there! "Where are You?" (2nd for us in 1998) was decent, can't remember much beyond that.
BTW, Sonia's entry in 1993 was cheesy also, it was called "Better the Devil you Know" (nothing to do with the Kylie song), and she did well because people knew her from her hits in the 80's.
Of course, Waterloo is probably the best one ever

Is it me or have the Eastern Europe nations been playing the rest at their own game with the Euro-pop cheese entries of recent years (Israel, Latvia etc).

In 2001 we came 3rd I think, when one of the Pop Idol people sang.

[EvaUnit02]

What is the big fascination with this awful song contest?

I saw a piece on BBC World tonight and the favourite entries seemed to be some Scandinavian 1980's-style glam rock bollocks, are they stuck in a time warp?

[Mordib]

yep, in fact it is a time warp all unto itself! Eurovisions songs all see to sound like 80s songs to me

last years song was gawd awful, even worse when they tried to perform it live. it deserved minus points not nil points... the only good thing about last years was the incredibly confusing video bites done by the host nation. they nade no sense whatsoever, im pretty sure they were taking the piss

m.

[bradavon]

I wouldn't say European music is a joke. There are some fantastic British and Irish artists. I can't talk for the rest of Europe.

We're no better though with our alliance with Ireland at Eurovision.

I liked last years winner, that Ukrainian song FOR Eurovision song that is.

Is it me or have the Eastern Europe nations been playing the rest at their own game with the Euro-pop cheese entries of recent years (Israel, Latvia etc).

Sorry Grim please explain?

[Markgway]

I wouldn't say European music is a joke. There are some fantastic British and Irish artists. I can't talk for the rest of Europe.

Obviously I don't include the UK and Ireland among European music. I don't think of them as European in the same way I do the Mainland countries.

We're no better though with our alliance with Ireland at Eurovision.

A one way alliance. We're nice to them. They give us shit. NOBODY likes Britain.

[bradavon]

I knew exactly what you meant but excluding Britain from Europe is one of my pet peeves. It's not like that in Ireland they're much more European focused not as much as Germany/France though of course. The fact is we are and they are, it's silly to say otherwise.

I'm proud to be European. I go out of my way to think in metric. I don't really know about long a foot is and don't have a clue about fahrenheit. What's more I don't want to know. KPH is the one iffy area I don't have a clue about it.

I'm sure it's historical with Ireland. It's not even 100 years since Ireland fought for freedom. The Americans seem to love the British 8) . Again it's historical, we're still shrugging off over colonial past to an extent.

Of course it's all bullshit as no one this board was alive when the British Empire existed.

Anyway back on topic:

I'm sure many European countries produce decent music. It's just we're all completely unqualified (except Beer, Tom and Yi-long to name a few) to judge. Besides there are lots of Scandinavian artists who are very good, the ones on the international scene who sing in English such as Lene Marlin.

[gojensen]

Hey hey! We're not in any alliance with any country! Especially not Denamark or Sweden who both have a history of occupating Norway. (We've been free and independent only since 1905.)

As for that... are you ready to get Wig Wam'ed!?

(That's a laugh though... who'd have thought they let glam rockers enter the Eurovision Song Contest )

[bradavon]

Wig Wam'ed - Huh?

Interesting. I never knew Norway had been occupied by a foreign power. What about any of the other Scandinavian countries? Lene Marlin is Norwegian so it's already a top country in my book, damn I wish she would tour in the UK and not wait so long to release albums.

I've been watching bits of Eurovision tonight. The German song was really good (I never though I'd be saying that ). As was Denmark.

EDIT: OMG Lene Marlin has a new album coming out. OMG I'm off to pre-order at CD WOW. That was quick fo Lene the last came out only 2 years ago.

[Markgway]

I knew exactly what you meant but excluding Britain from Europe is one of my pet peeves.

I don't see myself as European. I just don't feel it. I'm Scots first, British second and that's about it. Maybe if British culture was mor ein tune with Europe I'd feel differently, but it isn't and I don't. But you're entitled to disagree.

I did watch Eurovision... am a glutton for my annual punishment.

Surprisingly it was better than usual. More variety in the songs. Britain's was crap as it always is. We REALLY don't try and out up the poorest contenders. Britain has great musical talent. Put up Franz Ferdinand (not that they'd do it) with Matinee and we'd walk it (political voting aside...)

I voted for Switzerland: no point watching if you don't have someone to root for. They came 8th. Oh, well. German was last. I can't even remember their entry. Greece was mediocre but everyone seemed to love it.

[bradavon]

Technically you are but fair enough. You're certainly not alone.

In my opinion the anti-European culture is self imposed. Most people don't simply want to be part of Europe. It all goes back to the colonial days yet again, thinking ourselves as some what better or better off on our own. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying it's meant literally but subconsciously.

It is changing though with more and more people wanting to be known as European and part of the EU. That's not to say it's widespread.

You may not feel European but Britain is very much part of it and thus are it's citizens. It's like Canadians saying I'm not North American. Sorry you are.

Franz Ferdinand being an established artist wouldn't be allowed to enter though, right? I thought it had to be unknowns. Besides ALL the music on show is average at best and there is very little talent on show; The UK is no worse than any other country. I liked Germany's song but it doesn't mean I'd buy it.

I didn't know the public could actually vote, is that new?

Who won?

[Markgway]

Franz Ferdinand being an established artist wouldn't be allowed to enter though, right? I thought it had to be unknowns.

Don't think so. Katrina and the Waves weren't unknowns in 1997. I think it's just seen as a chance for new artists and also most established artists wouldn't want to touch it with a barge pole.

The UK is no worse than any other country.

Actually, for the last few years at least they have been. We don't try. Last night's UK entry was one of the worst songs of the night.

I didn't know the public could actually vote, is that new?

No, it's been like that for a while I think.

who won?

Greece by a signifcant amount. I voted Swiss who came 8th. Oh, well.

[grim_tales]

I wouldn't say European music is a joke. There are some fantastic British and Irish artists. I can't talk for the rest of Europe.

We're no better though with our alliance with Ireland at Eurovision.

I liked last years winner, that Ukrainian song FOR Eurovision song that is.

Is it me or have the Eastern Europe nations been playing the rest at their own game with the Euro-pop cheese entries of recent years (Israel, Latvia etc).

Sorry Grim please explain?

Brad, I meant for example the Greek winner, aside from having traditional rhythms/bassline, sounded like it could of come from any part of Europe. Does that make sense?
Nowt wrong with that though.
I think people write songs they think will win Eurovision, they used to write songs they thought would sell in their own country.
Mark - yeah you're right about Katrina. Sonia wasn't unknown in 1993 either (we were 2nd then).
Mind you Imaani (sp?) was unknown in 1998 yet we (UK) came 2nd.
And of course TATU were famous in '03 and came third for Russia, where are they now?

[Markgway]

And of course TATU were famous in '03 and came third for Russia, where are they now?

Lesbians anonymous?

[grim_tales]

LOL I don't know, I keep hearing their careers are going to be re-launched, with a new image - or something like that

[bradavon]

They maybe still big in Russia but like Shakira (it seems) have decided to stop their international careers for now.

I see Grim I agree. It's inevitable I guess to appeal to a wider audience.

Back to what Mark was saying I remember only a few years ago the British entry would be all over TV and probably get to number 1 (that Gina G song did). I didn't see it on TV once before Eurovision.

[grim_tales]

Me neither. Katrina and the Waves were succesful with their Eurosong too.

[Markgway]

Back to what Mark was saying I remember only a few years ago the British entry would be all over TV and probably get to number 1 (that Gina G song did). I didn't see it on TV once before Eurovision.

Because the UK now gives even less of a shit than they did ten years ago. The songs are always lame, but this year's was as crap as any.