Conference marvin::uk_music

    
    Well if my experience of the Eurovision Song Contest is anything to go
    by the French entry will probably win!
    
    
    Richard

    I only ever watch the last bit where they tally up the points in the
    hope of seeing another runaway success like that of the Norwegian entry
    a few years ago (Norway, nil points, zero, nada, zip, zilch, etc.).
    
    Bob

    The UK entry does'nt exactly defy that time honored Euro tradition of
    maximum nafness, but golly! those lyrics-with-a-social conscience 
    probably had Jim (Real Life?) Kerr sweating when he first heard it.
    
    On Wogan, or something else which the affiable Tel presented, the blond 
    girly singer, as if to emphasise the lyrical content, sported a very 
    radical short skirt and stilletoes, hoping that she'd done enough visually 
    for the message to get through. However what she did'nt count on was
    that a nation of lads were too busy checking out the right-on(ness)
    of the colour of her knickers. The music as ever was the sort of stuff
    that would'nt even make it into a Butlins cabaret evening. 
    
    Still, can't wait for the big night!
    
    
    Barry.
                                                              

    
    I saw a preview of all the entrants on TV yesterday and I would think
    Sweden must be in with a shout. But I did not think much of the French
    entry at all.
    
    
    It sounded more like an Indian hymn!
    
    Bee-Bop.

   Well, another Sunday afternoon spent perusing the final batch of
   entries.

   Norway's is hilarious - the song is called Mrs Thompson (!), but is
   sung in Norwegian (what else!).  The group are worth watching for,
   two men and two women (but hardly Abba).  One of the blokes is
   sporting a very nifty hairstyle!

   Finland have submitted a very nice song called Crazy Nights sung
   by a girl called Kajya (sp?).  Don't suppose it will win though.

   Italy's entry (Italy is the host country) is atrocious.  An old fat
   man singing a very dull song.

   The English, sorry United Kingdom, entry is dull too.  I'm sure that
   the only reason that the girl, Samantha something, was chosen was 
   because of her short skirt and long legs, coupled with the fact that
   her three female backing singers also have long legs and short skirts.
   Considering that on the night, all entrants have to sing and play
   'live', watching "our Sam" could be quite amusing.

   My money is still on the Yugoslavian entry, closely followed by Iceland,
   with maybe "The Turkish Twist" enlisting a following!
   
   Tune in at 8.00pm on Saturday 4th May on BBC1 (commentator is Terry
   Wogan - yeehar!) or Radio 2 (with Ken Bruce, not quite up to the 
   sarcasm of El Tel, but coming a close second).

   Jane

   PS How on earth do Israel qualify as I didn't think Israel was in
      Europe?

    
    Israel are probably eligible as they aren't allowed to compete in 
    the Middle Eastern-vision Song Contest. I would have thought they'd
    be guaranteed a nil-point score every year! :^)
    
    FWIW, I too like Finland's entry and Belgium's wasn't a million miles
    from a proper contemporary song. I think the UK entry is ok, without
    about as much chance of winning as anything else (not that I heard
    any of the other challengers for our song).
    
    Ken Bruce finished by saying "I know you'll be glued to your TV on
    Saturday watching". Let's put it this way, the only way I'll be 
    watching is if someone has glued me to the set! :^)
    
    Mark

>      <<< Note 831.7 by ARRODS::WHITEHEADJ "Watford says four o'clock" >>>
>
>   PS How on earth do Israel qualify as I didn't think Israel was in
>      Europe?

    The answer, for what it's worth, is that Israel is a member of an
    organisation called the European Broadcasting Union. Presumably their
    members are the ones who are lucky enough to be able to enter a song
    for Europe. 
    
    I'm sure this question has been asked in this conference before
    (obviously I've been reading Notes too long).
    
    
    Rod

    RE's
    
    Holland is not even in the contest this year because of the fact that
    this frolic show is broadcasted on the 4th of may.On that day Holland
    is in a memorial state to remember the millions of people who fell
    during the 2nd world war.Yup we still are in mourning to what has 
    happend back then. The dutch contest members have asked the Italians
    to set the happening on another date but they refused to do so.
    So we are not in this year.BTW the song that was planned for the 
    contest is/was terrible.Anyway,I'll watch and chuckle over it.
    
    Jan.

    Well, this years event surpassed itself .. what a load of tripe.
    The Italian presentation of the contest was a real shambles. The 
    compere Toto (last years winner) made a real pigs ear of the
    scoring, and the director evidently forgot to show up.. the cameras
    were everywhere but where you wanted them. The theatre looked like
    it had been assembled from salvaged bits of the Titanic.

    In the end we had a tie between France (the only country who tried
    something a bit different, quite good I thought) and Sweden (well
    choreographed in the Eurovision tradition, but the song... something
    to do with a "Love Storm". Very weak.) Not the new Abba, I'm glad
    to say.

    Then the judges pulled out a never tried rule that, in the event of a
    tie, the most "12-point" votes wins (ie Sweden). The most astute of
    you would notice that if they had the most "12-point" votes from 
    other countries, they probably got the most "Null-points" too.

    UK and Ireland struggled behind in joint 15th place or something.
    Austria were the only country to get nothing, though Germany and 
    Yugoslavia (the two worst by far) came close to it.

    Can't wait till next year, huh

    Dave

    It was dire - only enlivened by Toto making a horse's posterior of
    himself and groping the female presenter who was struggling to bring
    some professionalism to the whole farce.
    
    I haven't enjoyed myself so much since the Brits awards.
    
    :-)
    
    Kate

    
   (I may be wrong, but) 
    
    Wasn't there a rule brought out which said that each country had to
    sing their entry in the language of the country they represented ?
    
    I can remember way back when ABBA won the contest and sang their song
    in English instead of Swedish, that people wanted the rules changed as
    it was felt it gave contestants an unfair advantage.
    
    Why doesn't it help us!!?
    
    
    B.

   Anybody speak Greek?  I want the Greek entry "Anixi" by Sophia Vassou
   translated for me, and I'd also like the Greek words if possible!!!!!!

   Seriously, does anyone know if the entries for this year have been
   released on record/cassette/CD, and if so, where could I get hold
   of them?  I desparately want the Greek, Norwegian ("Mrs Thomson" by
   Just 4 Fun) and the Yugoslavian ("Brasil" by Baby Doll) entries on
   record/cassette/CD.  I recorded them off the radio on Saturday night,
   but the quality wasn't that good!

   Cheers,
   Jane.

    Simon Bates is trying to get the French single by Amina released.  I
    think it's pretty damn good.
    
    The girl from the UK sang out of tune most of the time - argghh.
    
    matty

    Well if Simon Bates is behind it must be fantabulous pop pickers

    It is, honest.  It's sung in Arabic and has all the wailing on it. 
    It's better than the wailing on The Beloved's `Sun Rising'!
    
    
    matty

   Re .15

   England is useless.  Spoke to the people at the Virgin Megastore (usually
   well informed) and they say that no foreign entries will be released
   over here.....

   So, I've now had to put a note in the Scandinavian conference to see if
   any jolly nice Norwegians can get a copy of the Norwegian entry.  Now
   all I need to do is find someone in England who's going to Greece in
   the next month or so......

   Jane.

    I saw the French singer being interviewed on French TV recently. She's
    not the usual run-of-the-mill Euro-entry, i.e. she's got brains. She is
    Tunisian and has taken on French nationality. She spoke of touring the
    States soon, and did, I think, appear in a recent (v. good) film called
    "The Sheltering Sky". The film is set in North Africa and has an
    excellent soundtrack.

    matty - if you like that single then you definitely should listen to
    current Algerian pop. I'm certain you would like it. A good Tape/LP/CD
    to listen to as an introduction is "Rai Rebels" and it's available on
    Earthworks records.

    - Tim
    

   I realise I'm probably only the second person (Terry Wogan being the
   first) in the world who absolutely loves the Eurovision Song Contest
   but never mind...

   Received yesterday from a contact in Norway, a tape of all the original
   versions of all the entries in the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest.
   There is only one way to describe it:  Bloomen' brilliant.

   The Norwegian song is all "souped" up (as I tend to say!) and words
   cannot describe how wonderful it is.  The same goes for the Greek
   entry.  The Yugoslavian version is sung in English under the title
   "Control".  Pity Baby Doll can't pronounce her English words very
   well, but that's not her fault.

   I can't turn the tape off, it's too good!  Anyone want to borrow it???!!!

   Jane
   8-)

    Jan,  I've seen the Diamond Awards (about 3 years back) and thought it
    was OK.  That was when I was introduced to the Sound Of C.  Not bad!
    
    I love to hate the Eurovision because it's so funny, and I love all the
    foreign accents, and how some countries look so silly (IMO).  The
    presenters also crack me up, but not as much as the fact that the `suit
    and ties' think that this is what we want as entertainment.  It what
    keeps me young ;-)
    
    
    matty

>    presenters also crack me up, but not as much as the fact that the `suit
>    and ties' think that this is what we want as entertainment.  It what
 
I didn't know Digital management had anything to do with the Eurovision?

Mind you, now you mention.....

   I have to admit I DID enjoy the Greek entry the most. But as for Yugoslavia
   and "Baby Doll", I'd send her back to Mattell (or swap her for an action man)

   Dave

     >> But as for Yugoslavia and "Baby Doll"...

     Dave, surely they're not doing Laurie Anderson covers on prime-time ? -;)

    It is a shame that a Ronnie Hazlehurst-style orchestra should ruin so
    many songs in the Eurovision Song Contest.   In fact many of the songs
    are quite reasonable, it's just that they sound so Radio 2'ish with
    the awful accompaniment.   Dispatch the orchestra, bring in proper
    live bands, and let's see what it's really like.
    
    Ray

    I noticed that too... I just forgot to say it first
    :-)

Apparently Simon Bates has strong-armed Phonogram into releasing the French 
song in the UK, maybe even by next week. He played it TWICE this morning - and 
I was really impressed. Why can't we produce stuff like this?

grahame

   I've already got the French song on the cassette that I was sent
   from Norway.

   Jane.

    Well I enjoyed the contest from a comedy point of view that is. I also
    thought the French entry the best, at least it was different. And did
    she not have a well presented chest, sorry girls.
    
    Has the single been released yet and what was her name and the singles
    title. I missed it as I was laughing too much at the idiot on stage.
    
    Barry.

    The artist's name is Amina, can't remember the title.
    
    matty

   The song is called "La Dernier Qui A Parle".

   Jane.

	OK, without 'cheating'... (looking back a few notes)

	Who can honestly remember what won last year and how it goes..

	Dave

    Without cheating:

    Sweden - Carolla - Something about a storm wind.

    la la la la la la la 
    
    (chorus) la la la la la 

    Part II

    Not a very inspiring bunch.

    Finland - a corker of a song called Yamma Yamma which consists of a 
              marvellous chours where Yamma Yamma is repeated about eight
              times.  Listen out for the mention of Radion.  Quite a good
              song if you ignore the chorus.  5/10.
    Switzerland - terrible by a latter-day cross between Edith Piaf and
                  Julia MacKenzie.  1/10.
    Luxembourg - sung in the new official language of the Grand Duchy -
                 Luxembourgese (or whatever it's called).    7/10.
    Austria - a dull and tuneless row.  2/10.
    UK - nuff said.  Groovy backing singers.  No chance of winning, a very
         mediocre song.  4/10.
    Ireland - the hand of Johnny Logan strikes again.  Sung by a woman
              wailing "Why Me?".  Why indeed?  2/10.
    Denmark - a good although rather basis pop song.  Sung by a man who is
              all teeth and hair.  6/10.
    Italy - apparently the singer has done a Fergie so whether he/she turns
            up on Saturday remains to be seen.  Methinks Italy is not taking
            this contest seriously, first last year's appalling effort and now
            this.  Isn't there a cure for tonsilitis?  1/10.
    Yugoslavia - sung by someone called Extra Nena.  Tuneless.  4/10.
    Norway - nil points!  More tuneless wailing.  5/10.
    Germany - Dull, although enlivened by a rather energetic drummer wearing
              pyjamas.  4/10.
    Holland - the Four Tops have no competition!  1/10.

    Well, Saturday could turn out to be an interesting night.  My favourites
    are Greece & Israel although for winning value my money is on Malta and
    Ireland.

    Saturday 9th May, 8.00pm BBC1 and BBC Radio 2.

    My armchair is reserved.

    Jane.

	Hi Jane,

	I missed most of it, but on RTE (Ireland) they had the
	preview with a (completely unbiased of course) panel.

	The panel verdict was ...

	Ireland and Austria neck-and-neck for 1st place.
	Holland to finish third.


	Dave 

    In response to .38
    
     Regarding the Italian entry you said "....apparently the singer has
    done a fergie..." 
    
     Which Fergie ? Alex or Sarah, and is the reference to them, that both 
    throw away titles around this time of year. Boom, Boom.
    
     A Cromwellian Leeds united supporter. 

    The reference to Fergie was Sarah, Duchess of York, who until a few days
    ago had disappeared (yet another holiday).  The connection is that 
    allegedly, the Italian singer for Eurovision has also disappeared.

    Dear me, do I have to explain everything? 8-)

    Incidentally I watched Noels Addicts last night, a dumb programme about
    what type of addicts people are (eg horses, food etc).  One guy was on
    there as he's more of a Eurovision fanatic than me.  He knows just about
    everything to do with Eurovision and even belongs to a Eurovision
    society/fan club/association or what-have-you.  They have conventions
    each year and produce a newsletter six times a year.  Now where do I get
    the address so that I can join?  8-)

    Jane (your roving Eurovision reporter)

   Did you get the address of the hors - no, never mind.

   Dave

    Hi all,
    
    I gues tommorow is the big day huh? So please let me hint you all
    for the dutch entery, they are last to perform. ;)
    
    Jan.

	So, Ireland won then.

	I don't know what it is about Eurovision. I complain
	so much about it afterwards but always go back for
	more.

	Verdict:

	Usual guff, but better guff than last year.

	Dave

    Well as usual I thoroughly enjoyed it, even Terry Wogan and Ken Bruce
    (videoed it and taped it off the radio).  At least the presenters from
    Malmo were more professional than Italy's lot last year, with the 
    exception of losing contact with one country (was it London?) and 
    Luxembourg trying to award their points five countries too early.

    For once I was correct with my forecasting, I said it would be either
    Ireland or Malta.  And what was Johnny Logan on at the end??!!   I was
    surprised that the UK did so well but well done Michael Ball, a truly
    professional performance.

    Hurry up next year!

    Jane.

	I think Ms. W was implying that Mr. Logan may have been
	inhaling illegal substances.

	Dave
    
    
    
    

    Not at all, Mr Tree.  I was suggesting that perhaps he had one too many
    pints of guinness.  He certainly deserved to be hysterical.

    re .49,
    
    Yes....you're right! I'm obviously still reeling from Saturday nights
    extravaganza
    
    Zzzzzz

    If you can wait till Monday, then probably.

    Goldy.

    Oh dear, it's definite.  Sonia will be representing the UK in this
    year's Eurovision Song Contest.

    Terrific!  At last a real chance of winning.

    Eh? .55 and .56 is a contradiction in terms.
    
    julia

    Don't you mean Sonyyyya ??

    Bring back Bucks Fizz with super TART, Jay Aston!!!
    Just Jay Aston would be FAB!  
    Nothing against REDHEADS, but haven't we had enough SONIA!!! 
    This is not an endorsement for Stock (aiken)-less And Waterman.....
    
    

    
    AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Well, the Song for Europe preview featured Our Tel spouting forth 
    about Eurovision 93 - of course it's being held in Ireland on Saturday
    15th May.

    Sonia sang the first two songs out of eight for which us viewers can
    vote for the song that should represent the UK.  The final programme
    will be on Good Friday, 9th April, and the voting will take place by
    phone - probably one of those nasty 0898 sort of numbers.

    I'll vote for the song that doesn't feature smiley Sonia.
    The UK has no chance of winning!

    Goldy.

    Re -1
    >     The UK has no chance of winning!
    
    Why do you say that?  I would have thought Sonia's brand of insubstantial
    nauseating euro-musak was what the contest was all about. I reckon
    with a good Stock-Aitkin-Waterman number she'll walk away with it.
    
    ~sam

    ban this piece of shite!Eurovision is an abomination!!
    
    
    
    ian

    
    Re .61
    
    The question is do we want to win the Eurovision Song contest ?
    Personally, I couldn't care less if I never heard of it again.
    Whoever we put in for it is hardly a reflection of the sort of stuff we
    turn out music-wise in any case.
    
    Julie.
    

    I think it's bloomin brilliant and of course we want to win it. 
    It's also the nearest thing we'll get to good 'ol fashioned 
    'umungous war in the new style European order type thing..mate! 
    Over to you Nicey...
    
    Smashie.
    
                                            

    
>   about Eurovision 93 - of course it's being held in Ireland on Saturday
>   15th May.

    
    FA Cup final day as well. TV Heaven. Hoorah! 

    Am looking forward to it.......  I think its a great musical night
    out for all the family and should not be knocked, If it wasn't for
    this Excellent competition we would not have had great talents such as
    ABBA, The Brotherhood of Man, Bardo,

    I think they should re-release "Puppet on a String"   Now that was a
    great song.!
    
    
                                          Confused of Skeggie.

    which position did michael ball finish last year ?
    
    who was the name of last years winner?
    
    

    oh yeah and another thing - was johnny logan irish or australian?
    
    

    Michael Ball came second (I think).

    The winner was Ireland, sung by a woman (I think) whose name I can't
    remember but the song was written by Johnny Logan who's won a couple 
    of times in the past!

    Goldy$eurovision_freak

 >   oh yeah and another thing - was johnny logan irish or australian?
   
    Definitely Irish. Apparently he's related to me. Probably a million
    times removed. Is that a claim to fame or wot? 
    
    barry.  
    

    No.
    
    Piers

    re .72
    
    The reason I asked was because according to the Guinness Book of Hit
    Singles he's in there as Australian.
    
    jbb

    any luck on last years winners name?
    

    Linda something?

    
    
    Linda Marty(I)n 
    
    ...had been fronting a band called "Chips" ..years ago
    or so I'm told
    
    
    M.J. who's.......too young to remember:-)

    
    ...Caught my 1st listen of Sonia last night on T.O.T.P.  
    with this years eurovision entry.....
    
    What utter,utter drivel!...I've seen better performances
    from people pissed out of their heads at a Karaoke !....
    
    ...and I dont think I'm being unfair !.
    

    Sandie.../

    Well I tought it was brilliant.
    
    It encompassed everything that is the british music scene at the moment
    and is a sure fire winner. Gaun yersel Sonia
    
    but then again....

    well, that just confirms what I suspected about Jim's musical taste.
    
    More Big Fun anyone ?

        Well I know nothing about the musical tastes of the author of
        .79, but as I happen to know .78 was written by somebody who
        bought a "Bay City Rollers" CD at lunchtime, I'm willing to
        take her word that Sonia is *really* bad.
        
        Ian.

    >>More Big Fun anyone ?
    
    Ohh Andy I never knew you cared.
    
    I think sonia's entry is almost as good as the song that Kenneth
    mckellar sang. Now there's another great hero of the british music
    scene.
    
    Jbb

    The results from this year's contest:
    
    	1st Irelend
    	2nd UK
    	3rd Switzerland
    	4th Norway
    	5th France
    
    Ireland and Norway set the pace in the early voting, but the UK scored
    consistently and after a few "douze points" they were suddenly in the
    lead - shock, horror!   It went right to the final votes from Malta -
    Ireland were 11 points ahead of the UK, and Malta awarded no points
    to either till the final 12 - therefore whoever got it won - even
    Terry Wogan got a bit excited.   Anyway justice was probably done
    when Ireland got the 12.
    
    Greece voted for Cyprus; Cyprus voted for Greece, and a woman, wearing
    a curtain, from Belgium came bottom.   Bring back Jeux Sans Frontiers -
    that's what I say ..
    
    Ray

    Continuing in the Euro spirit - can anyone fill in the blanks below??
    
    UK Euro Song Contest entries:
    
    1967 Sandie Shaw
    1968 Cliff Richard
    1969 Lulu
    1970 Mary Hopkin
    1971 
    1972 New Seekers
    1973 Cliff Richard
    1974 Olivia Newton John (shurely shome mistake??)
    1975 Shadows
    1976 Brotherhood of Man
    1977 Mike Moran & Lyndsey De Paul
    1978
    1979
    1980
    1981 Bucks Fizz
    1982-1991
    1992 Michael Ball
    1993 Sonyyya
    
    Ta - Ray

    the others are:
    
    1971  CLODAGH RODGERS 
    1978  COCO                 
    1979  PAPER LACE             
    1980  PRIMA DONNA 
    1982  BARDO
    1983  SWEET DREAMS
    1984  BELLE & THE DEVOTIONS 
    1985  VIKKI WATSON 
    1986  RYDER 
    1987  RIKKI
    1988  SCOTT FITZGERALD 
    1989  LIVE REPORT
    1990  EMMA
    1991  SAMANTHA JANUS 
    
    
    jbb

    Aargh!   No wonder I couldn't remember the folk from the 80s - were
    these real people ?? - they sound like pub acts to me ..
    
    Wasn't it Black Lace (them of subsequent Agadoo fame) rather than
    Paper (Billy Don't Be a Hero) Lace ??
    
    A fascinating list - I won't ask how you know - ta
    
    Ray

    I think I'm demented - fill the gaps below:
    
    Euro Song Contest winners:
    
    1967	UK     		Sandie Shaw
    1968	France
    1969	4-way tie including UK, Lulu
    1970	Ireland		Dana
    1971
    1972	Luxembourg	Vicky Le Andros
    1973	Luxembourg
    1974	Sweden		Abba
    1975	Italy		Gigliolo Chinquetti
    1976	UK		Brotherhood of Man
    1977
    1978	Israel
    1979	Israel
    1980	Ireland		Johny Logan
    1981	UK		Bucks Fizz
    1982-1986
    1987	Norway		Bobby Sox
    1988
    1989
    1990	Italy		Toto
    1991	Sweden		Monty Python dancers
    1992	Ireland		Linda whats-her-face
    1993	Ireland		Whats-her-face
    
    Ta - Ray

    
    I thought Jonny Logan won it in 1987, with Hold Me Now.
    
    This year's winner is Niamh Kavanaugh, or something like that.
    
    Julie.
    

When was What's Another Year then ? 

Rob

    
    I watched the end of the voting, and was shamelessly carried away with
    the whole jingoistic thing - almost as bad as the last World Cup... But
    could they have rigged that ending I wonder ? It was very convenient
    that Malta had been unobtainable earlier on, and just happened to cause
    it to go to the last vote.
    
    The repeat of the "TV Hell" Eurovision show on BBC2 beforehand was a
    nice touch.
    
    Trevor

    re Johnny Logan has won Eusovision 3 times
    
       1980	WHATS ANOTHER YEAR
       1987	HOLD ME NOW
       1992	WHY ME - wrote the winning song.	

    The 1992 winner was Linda Martin with, as .90 said, the song Why Me?
    (why indeed?) written by Johnny Logan.

    Yup - Johny Logan was 87 - so Norway's famous win must have been 86 ??
    Can anyone help fill the missing gaps - is there a Eurovision Song
    Contest book ??   If not, why not ??
    
    Trev - actually the presenter said when she couldn't reach Malta -
    "so that means they'll have the deciding vote .." - presumably all
    the results are phoned in before they go live on air, which means
    a pretty simple computer could have worked out the ramifications of
    Malta voting last ..
    
    Ray

    
    >Can anyone help fill the missing gaps - is there a Eurovision Song
    >Contest book ??   If not, why not ??
    
    It'd be a small book, wouldn't it ?
    
    Julie.
    

    
>    Trev - actually the presenter said when she couldn't reach Malta -
>    "so that means they'll have the deciding vote .." - presumably all
>    the results are phoned in before they go live on air, which means
>    a pretty simple computer could have worked out the ramifications of
>    Malta voting last ..
    

    No, they had problems with the communications link to Malta so it was
    decided they'd keep trying and let Malta go last to give them enough
    time to hold the link.  Somebody had to vote last, the fact that it 
    was Malta "having the deciding vote" was irrelevant.

    
    1975, Gigliola Cinquetti? Are you sure? She certainly won in the 60s
    with a great song. Did she appear again then in 1975?
    
    I think its interesting (brought out in the 'TV Hell' programme
    reffered to) how many truly excellent songs never got anywhere at the
    time. The example referred to in TV Hell was Love is Blue which came
    somwhere down the pecking order to some Boombangabang type song. I
    always remember Cliff saying that when he did Congrats there was
    another song which totally bowled him over (which did nothing in the
    contest). He went on to record this and have a big hit. I think it was
    called Marianne. Started off, if I remember (in English)...
    
    	"Marianne, must I wait for only yesterday, 
    	please  come back to me, Marianne...."
    
    Anyone know of any other hidden gems?
    
    Richard

    Yep, one of the entries (that won?) in the late 70s, Israel possibly, 
    called "I wanna be a polar bear".  Bet it's not available on CD.

    Goldy.

    Congratulations was a big hit - No 1 in fact.
    
    Marianne only reached No 22 in the charts.
    
    Jbb

    
    Mmm, an expert on Cliff trivia hey! Not sure I'd admit to that! Yes, I
    know Congratulations was a No1 but Marianne was an infinitely better song.
    
    
    	Richard

    
    
    Wasn't there a song that won it called a little peace or understanding
    or something like that from Germany, Nicole perhaps............???????
    
    
    
    
    Peter

    
    re. 96, 101
    
    Gigliola Cinquetti won first in the 60's with "Non ho l'eta`"
    (that means "I'm not old enough").
    Then, she won *also* in 1975, but I can't remember the song.
    

    Hate to be a spoil sport but I think it was Teach In who won in 1975
    and the song was 'Ding a Dong'.
    
    Jbb
    

    Who won this year (I know its a tad late)
    
    and who represented UK and what was the song.

I think the UK's entry was some woman called Frances Ruffelle.  She's launched a 
solo career, according to MM, and has got some fancy producer/musicians to help 
her out.  The song was poor, as usual.

    "Paddy Hashdown"
    
    hahaha, love it
    
    mikef

    Hey, Mike, can you tell me if the new Wedding Present lp is any good?
    
    BOb

Wher've you been, Bob?

Goto topic 18..

    Can anyone out there tell me if it is possible to buy a recording
    of River-Dance by Bill Whelan ?
    
    If so what label, etc.
    
    Regards
    
    Judy

It's in the charts isn't it?  Or if it isn't it soon will be.  Check out
Virgin/Our Price/WH Smith etc

Guy (Madam Zaza, available for consultations)

    According to Galway Radio it's going down a storm over there in Britain
    so any shop that sells chart singles must be full of it, like Guy says.
    
    
    Rod

    Yes, any good record shop will have it. I saw it in WH Smiths in 
    Liverpool Street, London, this morning. It's a fantastic piece of
    music which is even better when watching the dancing.

    Jane.

Mon grilf confirmed last night that it's in the charts, so you should find
it almost anywhere (OK, you're unlikely to find it on sale in the local
chippie, but you know what I mean).

> It's a fantastic piece of music 

I thought it was a pretty ordinary jig, but the dancing is admittedly
spectacular.

Guy

    Is this that track I hear everywhere with a bit of Irish Jiggly stuff, 
    and some hectic drumming?  Video has some way out jigging?
    
    Mikef

    Many thanks - my quick trip round WH lunch-time didn't
    produce any results, but then maybe I was looking in the 
    wrong section.
    
    Has anyone heard of any plans to include it on a compilation
    CD/Tape ?
    
    Judy 

    As another note kindly reminded us, it's almost Eurovision time again,
    in fact it's this coming Saturday 15th May hosted by Ireland. However,
    the UK's entry (Love City Groove) is just about the biggest pile of
    <censored> that I've ever heard, that I may not even bother to watch
    it this year.

    Jane.

I was amazed that the British "public" voted for a "band" who put on such 
terrible Salt'n'Peppa-style Yankee accents.  Absolutely frightful, I thought.
I thought Sam Fox's one was better, to be honest.

    Yeah..right Matt, Sam Fox representing the UK using all her 'talent'
    to bring about a sort Victory in Europe night? I can see it now....
    
    Terry Wogan (or whoever): "Norway, can we have your marks please for 
                               Sam Fox!"
    Norway : "Ello, Terry. We on the panel of Norway, all agree we would 
              like to give Sam Fox 1"
    
    
    I think not. 
    
    Andy
        
    

    
    Personally, I think it's the best Eurovison song EVER...
    
    Neil..

I personally don't like the song, but *anything* has to be an improvement
over the sterile mediocrity Eurovision has become such a bastion of over
the years.  At least it's different...

Chris.

re .118

The song was actually quite good (she didn't use her name when she entered the 
competition, so that they weren't biased for or against her).

Anyway, thos cod-american accents that "Love city groove" put on, are flippin 
'orrible.  *EURO*vision.  Not *YANK*ovision. 

    But is'nt "sterile mediocrity" part of the attraction of Eurovision?
    I don't want good bands with good songs, I want corn by the bucket-
    load, songs and naffly dressed groups who don't have an ounce of 
    rock n roll and soul between them and who are so appalling that 
    you feel personally embarrassed for them. That and the possibillity
    of some southern Mediterranean war breaking out over voting. 
    
    barry.  

    You mean the one time when Greece and Cyprus don't automatically give
    12 points to each other?

"In da mawnen; In da Eevnen"

Does that look like English to you?  Flamin Radio 1 and 210 fm were playing it 
at lunchtime...

So what happened, then?  I decided to watch Star Trek instead.  My
sister was apparently disgusted that Britain's entry did so badly,
but that's stroppy teenagers for you.

Chris.

The best music, IMO, won.  Norway's err....eclectic folky-type music won at a 
canter.  Britain's dross came joint 10th.  Germany narrowly avoided humiliation 
by getting Un point.

    I'm glad the UK didn't win. The song was an embarrassment to this
    country.

    Terry Wogan and I expressed surprise when Cyprus gave Greece 12 points,
    but Greece didn't reciprocate, they only gave Cyprus 8 (I think).
    Nice to see all the former Yuogslav countries voting well for their
    neighbours. Most people view this cynically as an almost political
    correctness. Maybe they tend to vote for their neighbours/affiliates
    as the music is somewhat similar.

    And then again, maybe not.

    Jane.

    Re .Norway
    
    The best pair of legs in a pair of leather trousers I've ever seen.
    
    Re. Israel
    
    The Hood (bald villain) from Thunderbirds on vocals
    
    Re. Next year
    
    Flanagan and O'Hare (aka Vic and Bob) to representthe UK. 
    
    
    barry.

>    Flanagan and O'Hare (aka Vic and Bob) to representthe UK. 
    
Mulligan.  Don't joke, they'd probably sweep the board!

Chris.

PS what was that really surreal song they did the other night?

    Well I actually sat in and watched the whole thing, though Norway's
    effort was a lovely piece of music but I'm still in doubt as to whether
    it was actually a song or a composition, as it only had about five
    words in the whole piece (not the sort of thing you hum along to and
    was certainly aided greatly by the orchestra.) 
    
    Thought the UK were robbed slightly (not necessarily to win) but when
    they awarded marks to Poland - I mean please - and ignored the song
    which was different and I quite liked eventually (but given my
    apparantly appalling taste in music I suppose that doesn't count for
    much against you "music" lovers out there) !!
    
    Andrea.

The Norway sonmg had 24 words in it.  I don't know what the fuss is about.  
It's only in recent years that "songs" have had to have verses etc.  Most of 
Schubert's best music was classed as "songs", and there were no words at all.

As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather have 24 well chosen, meaningful, elegant 
and atmospheric words than the dreadful "In da mawnen....an we're really makin' 
love naaaaw".

I thought the Norweigan "song" was the only thing that made me sit up and 
think; blimey!  that's quite good, actually!

btw, which country did the song whose lyrics went something like "Be the cream 
in my dark tea" etc.?

We put the lyrics on the ceefax, and they were absolutely hilarious.  One 
cliche after another, until I was lying on the floor laughing my eyes out 
(they're back now, thanks).

    re-1
    
    do that on Top of the Pops sometime.  you'll die laughing...
    
    mikef

    I agree Norway was a good entry, but I do feel that it slightly
    re-defined the barriers of what a 'song' is, as I said previously, the
    orchestral arrangements greatly enhanced the composition, and if this
    is the road the Eurovision wants to travel down (as opposed to the UK's
    attempt to modernise the whole thing away from 70's ballads and enter a
    song that like it or not is a typical example of the music which sells
    in the UK) then the whole approach to the Eurovision  should perhaps
    change in  this country,  come on down Andrew LLoyd Webber (who could 
    throw together a compsosition such as Norway's in five minutes.- sad
    but true)
    
    If the competition is dealing with contemporary music (as it claims to)
    then I always believed that the contemporary idea  of a song is a 
    series and pattern of words or verse set to music. Sorry...
    
    Andrea                                                     

re .134

Also, I think you may have lost sight of what the Eurovision contest is really 
about.  The countries are supposed to put contemporary music in, yes.  However, 
the idea is for the music to be somehow related to the country from whence it 
came.  Frankly, and "band" that enters under the flag of the UK should bloody 
well sing with British accents.  "Love city groove" could've come from any one 
of a dozen countries in the world.  Although many of the songs were crap, a lot 
of them had a national touch, which you could relate to the country.  Britain's 
didn't, and it thankfully suffered accordingly.  If all the countries were to 
enter crap that's popular in their charts, the whole contest would be awash 
with indistinguishable pop-pap.  It would completely lose it's point.(missus!)

    Not meaning to be pedantic , but I thought my view was a wide as it
    could be, i have always considered that    to classify as a song it
    should be sung, ie whether this is in a choral, solo or scatt version
    etc..  If the versions on the albums you are refering to are able to be
    sung in some way then I stand corrected otherwise I stand by my view if you
    can sing it then it's a song and if you can't then it is a composition 
    of music.

Well, not meaning to be pedantic - but doing it anyway -, a song doesn't have 
to have words.  I forget what the correct (musical) definition of a song is, 
but I seem to remember the word "melody" in there, but definitely not "words".  
Like I said, some of the great composers composed "songs", where a musical 
instrument carried the tune (after all, the voice is only a musical 
instrument).  This is a daft argument, in this context, anyway.  There *were* 
words in the song, it's just that musical instruments carried the tune for the 
majority of the song.

$ webster song
Connecting to Xwebster server at 16.1.16.1
The meaning of the word is:
DEFINITION 0
song \'so.n\ \-.bu.k\ n [ME, fr. OE sang; akin to OE singan to sing] 1: the
   act or art of singing 2: poetical composition 3a: a short musical
   composition of words and music 3b: a collection of such compositions 4a: a
   melody for a lyric poem or ballad 4b: a poem easily set to music 5: a
   habitual or characteristic manner or noisy reaction {put up quite a ~} 6: a
   small amount {sold for a ~} - song book n

$

    I agree a pointless argument but I am in a bad and very argumentative
    mood (and I still think I'm right mister)
                                           
    
    Andrea

B*ll*cks!

8-)

Pants!

    You could always call Maggie Reilly and ask her opinion?
    
    mikef

re .142

You just don't pass up an opportunity to say that, do you!

Save your gratuitous naughties for WOTVAX::WECOME (sic)


Matt$arse.

>You just don't pass up an opportunity to say that, do you!

no I don't, you vomit inducing entity of leprosy!

Chris$lard.

Uh-oh......

You looking for a fight again?  I'll take yer, I'm warning you now...


>8^[

Matt$getting_well_mean_now.


p.s. PANTS

    Why do you do this Eurovison Song Contest every year?
    Who started it?
    If it's all so laughable, why continue it?!
    
    Sue

>    If it's all so laughable, why continue it?!
    
'coz it's good for a laugh after a few beers.  It'd be better if they'd
screen it so it coincided with chucking out time...

Chris.

PS Matt, is it true that you're a convicted felcher?  >:)

Felching isn't a criminal offence is it?


Matt$getting_angry...

ah, getting worried, then...?  :)

Chris.

nope, violent....Bishops Stortford, eh?  hmm....

    
    The lady playing the violin on the Norwegian entry is Irish.....
    
    and their entry was selected by  an Irish Jury in a pub in Dublin!! 
    
    there had to be an Irish connection somehow! Praise the Lord we did not
    win it again this year. 3 in a row is more than enough .... 
    
    Des
    
    
    

>nope, violent....Bishops Stortford, eh?  hmm....

hmm, looks like I'd better get in with those lads down the rugby
club.  Or emigrate...  :/

Chris.

>>>looks like I'd better get in with those lads down the rugby club

They're already on my side, yer soft English knob-jockey!

























8^), for the mods...

    So when's the big event this year then, and what about the new song??
    Ah hem.. i prefered and voted for the first one, A Little Love.  She
    had a fantastic voice.  Great Britain nul points..
    
    Andrea

    Goldy,
    
    Have you heard any of the other entries?
    
    dickie.

    Not yet. I'm very disappointed that the Song for Europe (previews)
    weren't shown on the two Sundays before the event.
    
    Goldy.

    At least we were spared Germany's usual soft metal effort. I personally
    hope that a proper pop song wins this year, not like last year's
    rather, mmmm, interesing piece by the Norwegians. With Gina G running
    as favourite I am predicting a comfortable 3rd place by the UK.
    
    dickie.

    I like the sound of the Iceland entry, and I wouldn't mind seeing what
    MC Eric and Barbera are like aswell !!!
    
    
    	Ian.

    
    Mc Eric, hmmn, with a name like that he'd better be surreal.
    
    What's happened to you lately ::rutherfordi?  You've been distinctly
    absent from the 1st liners note.  Get in there!
    
    
    I.

    Due to a steward's inquiry the Irish entry has beeb replaced by 
    "My Beautiful Horse". 
    
    A sure fire winner!
    
    

    Get's my vote!

    Just in case anyone hadn't heard, Ireland won it again. Rumour has it
    that the current Cranberries song will be Ireland's entry next year,
    just to ensure that we don't win again!...
    
    I think Gina G won the award for most bum notes in the one song. Truly
    awful!...
    
    OLE OLE OLE OLE etc.etc....
    
    Ray....
                                     

    So you are a proud bunny then, Ray?
    
    
    			Stretch.

My lovely horse
Running through the..field
Where are you going
With your fetlocks blowing
In the...wind

I want to shower you with sugar lumps
And ride you over...fences
I want to polish your hooves
And bring you to the horse...dentist

My lovely horse
You're a pony no more
Running around
With a man on your back
Like a train in the...night
Like a train in the...night

                (Crilly/McGuire)

    And I think the Irish are a bit cheesed off about winning, on the
    grounds that they have to stump up lots of money to stage the contest
    next year....
    
    just play the fe***ng note....
    
    mikef
    

    .165, Stretch,
    
    of course I'm proud, wouldn't you be?...
    
    I actually recorded the event and watched it at around 2am, (well I
    fast-forwarded thru the music and watched the voting)....my neighbours
    must have thought that there was a footie match on TV cos I was shouting 
    at the TV that much. Didn't the Norwegians do a great job, I thought
    the Virtual Reality effects were brilliant and the presenter was a bit
    of a babe....
    
    Ray....

    
    re .166
    
    If those are the lyrics then they deserve to have a 2.5 million Punt
    bill inflicted on them.
    
    
    I.

    >>If those are the lyrics then they deserve to have a 2.5 million Punt
    >>bill inflicted on them.
    
    Not a Father Ted fan then?
    
    Phil Gill.

    Ray - You are a sad, shameless man!  
    
    
    
    			Stretch.

    
    re .170
    
    You might say that.

    Nearly that time again. Eurovision is on Saturday 3rd May from Dublin.
    I confidently expect Ireland to submit the worst song you could
    possible imagine in the hope they'll lose and not have the Irish
    Exchequer bankrupt. Having said that, they could submit any song, good
    or bad, and win!
    
    So... does anyone know who is representing the UK this year?
    
    Goldy.

    Sorry Goldy, I missed the Song for Europe competition on Sunday
    afternoon, with any luck it won't be 'Yodel in the Canyon of Love',
    (for those fortunate enough no thave heard it, it's a novelty euro-pop
    song with a Bavarian theme) possibly the worst Eurovision attempt I have
    ever heard, a million times worse than Turkey's usual entry.
    
    dickie.
    

Well I was able to watch and pass comment on the four:

1.  Sloppy ballad - For the Life You Don't Yet Know = faff song, no real 
catchy tune, no singalongy chorus - faff

2.  Soppy ballad - You stayed away too long - not as bad as the first 
one, quite catchy and the girl had a good voice,  Nowt special though, 
could be a top fiver..

3.  The unbelievably bad Yodel in the Canyon of Love - a girl sat down 
in a silver shiny dress, backed by a bloke on the accordion, a guy with 
a guitar (who yodels to fill the gaps in the song" and a bloke on 
keyboards I think.)  Very catchy, very naff, not too sure what it's all 
about although I am sure it's drug enduced..  I really hope this song 
doesn't get through, I cannot believe that a country which gave rise to 
John Lennon can enter a song this bad!!  Embarrasing - I'd rather enter 
a good song and not win, at least you can hold your head up..

4.  Katrina and the Waves - a song called Shine On - okay - nowt 
special, KAtrina is in fine voice though I wish she was entering with 
walking on Sunshine cause we'd win then..


My tip for the top:  Shiney song with Kat and the waves...

But the again what do i know...  I reckon we should enter the Spice 
girls next year..

Andrea

    There is really a song called 'yodel in the canyon of love'?  I just 
    have to hear it....
    
    m

    Believe my Mike, no you don't.
    
    dickie.

    Someone has implied that "Canyon of Love" a is smutty innuendo (Hoorah!)
    can the panel confirm, or deny, if this is true.
    
    
    
    			Stretch.

    Allegedly, the entire title "Yodel in the Canyon of Love" is a
    subtle(?!) innuendo for a certain sexual act.
    
    Balders

Well katrina won it and her shiny song..  nowt special but singalongable 
I suppose.  Yodel in the Canyon came second.

Andrea

    I wonder how many folks watching the program realsied that Katrina &
    The Waves had a hit (No. 1?) back in the 80's... I know it would have
    been unfair to mention it before votes were cast, but I thought JK
    might have mentioned it afterwards.
    
    G.

    Oh no! not Katrina's effort, I think we're looking at about 10th place
    this year.
    
    dickie.

    
    10th!  I think you're being a bit optimistic.
    
    I'm one of these sad people who usually watch, not this year.
    
    Kirsty