Eurovision 2008 - United Kingdom

Even If
Andy Abraham

Music: Andy Abraham, Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson
Lyrics: Andy Abraham, Andy Watkins, Paul Wilson

History (1956 to 2007):

United Kingdom's previous appearances: 50year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 1957; 1959-
Best result: 1st (1967, 1969, 1976, 1981, 1997)

The United Kingdom is historically one of Eurovision's most successful nations, with 5 wins (the last in 1997, with 'Love Shine a Light') and an extraordinary 15 2nd places, including - most famously - Cliff Richard and 'Congratulations'. Only Ireland, with 7 wins, has a better record. When all countries had to sing in their native language, the UK always had the advantage of singing in English; however, since the free language rule was introduced in 1999, the UK's fortunes seem to have taken a tumble, with the country managing to clock up its five worst ever performances in the course of the last six years.

In 1999, Precious (featuring a pre-Atomic Kitten Jenny Frost) finished a disappointing 12th with 'Say it again', though it was a rather tuneless performance and as much as it deserved. The following year, Nicki French sang 'Don't play that song again'; few people did, and it finished a lowly 16th, until then Britain's worst ever result. A year later, Lindsay D did little better, performing 'No dream impossible' - it finished 15th. It took Jessica Garlick's classy performance of 'Come back' in 2002 to restore some UK pride, gaining a well-earned 4th place.

As a finalist on the talent show 'Pop Idol', one of Jessica's big advantages was her proven ability to sing live in front of a TV audience, something the UK should have remembered in 2003. Instead, the country sent male-female duo Jemini with 'Cry Baby', who - as we all know - scored nothing at all. Still, on the plus side, it at least made Nicki French feel less bad. All kinds of conspiracy theories were produced for why the UK did so badly - there were sound problems on stage, the UK lost out because of the Iraq war, and so on. In truth, however, the UK finished last because the song was dreadful and Jemini gave a bad performance. Having said that, the song was so awful, singing it off key probably made little difference.

The one good thing to emerge from 2003's disaster was the fact that the BBC had little option but to try harder in 2004. Thus, the old-fashioned 'Song for Europe' was rebadged as 'Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up', an array of reality TV stars were wheeled out, most of whom could sing, and the selection show was screened at a time when people at home were actually watching. James Fox, who had finished 5th in the BBC's 'Fame Academy' competition, won easily, and hopes were high that he could restore some British pride. It was not to be, however - James' song, the slightly old-fashioned 'Hold on to our love', certainly did better than 'Cry Baby' the year before, but its 16th place still equalled Nicki French as the UK's second worst performance ever. To be fair to James though, he did the best he could with a pleasant but unremarkable song; it's just that pleasant and unremarkable don't win Eurovision any more, as Ireland has discovered to its cost.

Nevertheless, the BBC retained its faith in the MYMU format in 2005, with 'Popstars: The Rivals' reject Javine managing to see off a concerted challenge from the heavily pregnant glamour model Katie Price, aka Jordan. Unusually, Javine was the first UK Eurovision entrant since 2000 to have tasted chart success prior to the Contest, enjoying a number of hit singles such as 'Real Things' and 'Best of my Love'. However, despite her obvious experience, and a very contemporary-sounding song in the shape of 'Touch My Fire', Javine could only muster 18 points and 22nd place for the UK, causing many to question what exactly Britain needed to do to secure a respectable placing at Eurovision. Certainly it wasn't to send Daz Sampson, who - despite a spirited and enjoyable performance of 'Teenage life' - failed to score much more highly than Javine in 2006, his 19th place giving the UK its longest ever run of entries without a top ten finish.

With the UK's 'Big 4' status, none of this really matters... but In 2007, the UK will surely be aiming to secure a place in the 2008 Final on merit, rather than by the back door. To do that, however, we need to stop blaming politics and find a song that people across Europe are actually going to like.

In 2007 United Kingdom was represented by Scooch singing ,,Flying the flag (for you), even if Europe expected Cindy in Helsinki.

This year's entry:





My opinion & prediction:

This year the United Kingdom decided to send the 44 years old, Andy Abraham in Belgrad. The song is nice, catchy, but I can’t see doing more than last year Scooch.

My prediction for the Semi Final: N/A
My prediction for the Final: 20th to 23th