Are you as excited as we are? Can it compete with Sweden's Loreen or even Russia's Babushkas?

It's not a hit. The BBC need to realise that whilst a good performer is important (Gina G being my serious mistake in 1996; Katrina cracked it for me in 1997), a hit song is far more vital.

Watch it here...

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/eurovision/

It's not actually as bad as I feared. Not very good, either.

I quite like it but it just doesn't sound like a hit; no tune; just a selection of melodic lines and the chord change building to a climax - that's not a song, it's a mathematical equation.

Yes. A very faint trace of 'Hushabye Mountain' in there, I thought. It'd do well for a waltz on Strictly Come Dancing.

The key change sounds plain wrong, pretty good otherwise.

JK2006 wrote:
I quite like it but it just doesn't sound like a hit; no tune; just a selection of melodic lines and the chord change building to a climax - that's not a song, it's a mathematical equation.

I was trying to put my finger on it as it's quite listenable, but I think you nailed it there.

You have more than likely hit the nail on the head with your critique there, JK, but I do like the song. Remember, Eurovision, for all its magic and wonder, does lack beautifully constructed hit songs, because the composers are either not good enough, or wouldn't want to waste the cream of their output on a kitsch voting fest. I expect a fine performance from The Hump, and if the song is beautifully and memorably staged, it could actually do rather well. Not a winner admittedly.

Engelbert has been drawn first in the final. Spain get the wildcard (again).

My mother likes it. I think it's quite good but I prefer the Dutch song.

Boring Song, the bbc's decision (if it is their decision) to put forward Englebert as this year's entry for Eurovision has to be one of the most bizarre ever.
The main audience for Eurovision is either middle-aged women or gay men. Englebert appeals to neither of these groups. Even Atomic Kitten would have a certain Kitch element to gain a few votes and could deliver a catchy pop song.
I can't imagine the thought processes that went on when making the decision. Were they smoking some nepalese blue and thought it was 1967 again. The Uk were slowly back on the right road with Jade, but then went the wrong way again with Josh and then Blue. In the 60's and 70's we won it 3 times (once joint) and came second about 13 times. We are the leading producer of pop in Europe and should put our best acts forward and not someone who hasn't had a hit for over 40 years.

robbiex wrote:
Boring Song, the bbc's decision (if it is their decision) to put forward Englebert as this year's entry for Eurovision has to be one of the most bizarre ever.
The main audience for Eurovision is either middle-aged women or gay men. Englebert appeals to neither of these groups. Even Atomic Kitten would have a certain Kitch element to gain a few votes and could deliver a catchy pop song.
I can't imagine the thought processes that went on when making the decision. Were they smoking some nepalese blue and thought it was 1967 again. The Uk were slowly back on the right road with Jade, but then went the wrong way again with Josh and then Blue. In the 60's and 70's we won it 3 times (once joint) and came second about 13 times. We are the leading producer of pop in Europe and should put our best acts forward and not someone who hasn't had a hit for over 40 years.

Yes, thats all very well but nobody likes "us."

angel wrote:


Yes, thats all very well but nobody likes "us."

But maybe they do like 'The Hump'.

Much has been made about the failure of any song performed second in the contest ever to triumph in the competition. The ‘curse’ has been around almost as long as the Contest itself. Indeed, singing second is not only statistically impossible to get you a win, it’s also the position that has produced the most last place finishes. Second in the draw is the only place in the running order that has featured in every contest that has never yet produced a winner. Many a favourite has drawn second and come crashing down to Earth in spectacular fashion on the big night.

Just to remind you of my tip (via Popbitch about 4 weeks ago, whilst it was still simply a semi final contender in the national contest)... it was 7-1 then.

Sweden. Love this - simply catchy, a real hit (to these tired old ears)...



and a better sound quality (I think it will be the first global No1 to come out of Eurovision since my time in charge)...

angel wrote:
robbiex wrote:
Boring Song, the bbc's decision (if it is their decision) to put forward Englebert as this year's entry for Eurovision has to be one of the most bizarre ever.
The main audience for Eurovision is either middle-aged women or gay men. Englebert appeals to neither of these groups. Even Atomic Kitten would have a certain Kitch element to gain a few votes and could deliver a catchy pop song.
I can't imagine the thought processes that went on when making the decision. Were they smoking some nepalese blue and thought it was 1967 again. The Uk were slowly back on the right road with Jade, but then went the wrong way again with Josh and then Blue. In the 60's and 70's we won it 3 times (once joint) and came second about 13 times. We are the leading producer of pop in Europe and should put our best acts forward and not someone who hasn't had a hit for over 40 years.

Yes, thats all very well but nobody likes "us."

Yeah, those lovely eastern europeans with their wonderful democratic societies and fantastic human rights records, it's not surprising they dislike us so much! Welcome to the Alice in Wonderland world of Eurovision!

People everywhere are pretty much the same especially when it comes to music; they vote for what they like; people blame societies and governments but actually all that influences most listeners and viewers is if they like the sound - and the local cultural influences. I'll bet even in Syria - if their phones are working and Eurovision was on TV, they would simply vote for the tune they enjoyed (Sweden's entry).