THE SELECTOR
THE SELECTOR
UNITED KINGDOM 1972 The New Seekers Beg, Steal Or Borrow
GERMANY 1975 Joy Fleming Ein Lied Kann Eine Brücke Sein What on earth happened in 1975
So many songs to choose from, but unfortunately so few by the United Kingdom. I long ago dispensed with my feral, unquestioning support for the UK after the terrible British selection of Long Live Love in 1974 - my eyes were opened up by Gigliola Cinquetti, ABBA and Mouth & MacNeal that year. However,The New Seekers put on a
that this song came 17th out of 19 entries? I
magnificent performance in Edinburgh in 1972, only to be pipped at the post by an equally fabulous Vicky Leandros. Peter Doyle’s and Lyn Paul’s vocals were exceptional on the night, and to me, this was perhaps the first entry by the UK that sounded like a true contemporary pop song that could have been a major hit without the help of Eurovision, which back in the day DID often propel songs to the Number One spot! Beg, Steel Or Borrow reached number two in the UK.
need to watch the 1975 Eurovision again, as I remember little to nothing about it other than Teach In and The Shadows. That said, given that nothing stands out for me that year, it’s an even greater sin that Joy failed so miserably. Could it have been her somewhat manic moves, her rather unflattering green dress? Joy from Rockenhausen really rocked the song and her performance got a rousing reception from the audience in Stockholm, but it didn’t translate into votes, not even after slipping some English in at the last moment. Probably my second most whistled song ever. I was saddened to learn of Joy’s death at only 72 six years ago - she has brought me a lot of joy over the years, even though her name was really Erna Raad.
ICELAND 2008 Euroband This Is My Life
A child of the 1970’s, glam rock, Queen, Kiss, Sweet, the 1980’s New Romantic era etc, I realise my Eurovision heart beats for those times. However, there are MANY songs since 2006 when Darron and I first attended that have really entranced me. Eurovision has been a major part of my life since 2006 in that it has provided me such
absolute joy for six months each year. Yes, it’s frivolous, glitzy, and over the top, and yes all of my four brothers despise it for the very reasons the middle gay son loves it. I remember the first time I saw the amazingly kitsch video for Euroband’s This Is My Life with the outrageous (but correct) claim of being “the best Eurovision video evah!” - I was bowled over. The video speaks to anyone who has mimed with a hairbrush or, in this case a feather duster, to their favourite song, or dreamed of being glammed up in a pop video. Euroband’s performance in Belgrade was outstanding, but the votes failed to come in as heavily as I expected, leaving them in a disappointing 14th place. This is the one song of my five that I don’t whistle, but whenever I need a little pick-me-up, I play the original video. Apart from being a classic song, this also introduced me to the powerhouse vocals of Fridrik Omar
and Regina Osk. Fridrik is for me the talented, beautiful, living embodiment of Eurovision, and a singer/songwriter who should be known to the world, not just us Eurovisionistas. Anyone who knows me, knows of my love for Iceland, and I hope that Fridrik or another Icelandic talent will be able to ensure that Reykjavik hosts Eurovision in the near future. ■
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