Mr Phil explains Eurovision 2014- 17th – The UK

Molly

As I am a UK journo, I think I need to write a couple of hundred words on the UK of Stuff – I’d planned to do this higher up the board but hey. The first thing I have to say is :

MOLLY AND THE BBC DID NOTHING WRONG.

I’ll let you ponder that for a moment.

The only reason that the UK came so low down, relatively, is the quality of the songs in that second half. Fcksake, 2nd, 5th,7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th were all in our half – Plus Conchita smashing it all over the place in the first half – Molly, frankly, never stood a chance from Friday Morning at 0200 CET – With hindsight.

What to do the UK do? – Absolutely NOTHING. The BBC Introducing idea is a fab one – get a decent artist that writes their own music in – fab idea. The only thing I would say is to make the song a tad more commercial and the results will come.

Guy will be disappointed, natch, but don’t bloody give up. Europe doesn’t hate us. The songs just need work.

Forza UK!! (Best result since 2011 BTW and fifth highest points score since 1998)

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Archie Pemberton
Archie Pemberton
9 years ago

I couldn’t help noticing that all of the top 5 songs pretty much achieved the scoreboard positions they were expected to according to pre-contest betting EXCEPT THE UK. Even if you ignore the betting there was an air of expectation among Eurovision pundits that the UK would land a top ten finish this time. So what went wrong? I remember feeling, having seen Molly do her stuff late on Saturday night, that it would be surprising if she did well. The Eurovision this year was a great show, with some very good songs and slick performances. And, seeing it in context, I kinda felt that Molly and her song were simply outclassed. Although I still struggle with the BBC’s approach to selection – partly because I envy Sweden their hugely entertaining Melodifestival – I guess it must be given the chance to bear fruit. I wish we could replicate the Dutch experience whereby credible artists (notably Anouk and Common Linnets) have come forward recently having recognised that a strong showing with a decent song at Eurovision is good business. But while the media in the UK continues to ridicule the contest, I guess established, current artists will stay away.

Ali
Ali
9 years ago

Great points here. I also think a key reason is that her song is not one that pulls you right in on the first listen, which is a vital ingredient for Eurovision. I downloaded the song in April and the more I listened to it the more I loved it getting something new from it every time, however the vast majority of voters on the night are only going to hear that one performance. It was ranked high in the run up to the contest as it was being reviewed by people who had heard it over and over and had time to really listen and connect with the song. For this reason it is my favourite song in the competition in terms of long term listening and I think molly has a great career ahead of her, but it just didn’t have that winning quality on the night. I also hope the BBC stick with the Introducing route.

JimW
JimW
9 years ago

I think the problem was the song itself and not Molly although many of my friends didn’t think her performance was that great. Personally I didn’t have any major problem with her performance.

The song though I felt was weak. It had an interesting hook at the start but once it got past the first chorus and into the second half it was simply more of the same. It really need to develop in the last minute to lift it. The use of the pyro curtain didn’t do anything at all for it. Given the strength of the songs in and around it I think people had made their minds up by the time she came on stage and therefore needed something special to change it. They didn’t get that.

Given that there is little hope that the BBC could persuade an established current artist from participating I think their approach is solid and I hope they continue with it..

mag
mag
9 years ago

Mr Phil, agree 80% with you. BBC took a smart decision this year. Nevertheless 17th place is due a bit also to Molly not performing at same level as in the video. Either she was nervous or I don’t know…like not 100% present…

Frances
Frances
9 years ago

One thing they did wrong was that awful costume! Everything was going so well – and then that !! The boho chic thing was working well. She looked sort of furry and pat-able! No, UK! No, No! No!
Great try though and best for years. Stick with the formula now – just mind the costume! Ugh!