I’m often asked “Phil… you like Eurovision… what do you think of these 6 songs the BBC hath put forward” – and for values of “often” read “today”!! – Not one to shrink away from opinions that differ from that Monty…. here’s mine!!
Song 1 – You’re not alone.
Oh Hello 2004! Joe and Jake (who is from my hometown) start us off with some MOR boy band song. Not a bad thing, but it seems to be a bit light on the old substance for me. The boys are good together but for me, there is a lack of harmonies and as the song goes on it gets more and more formulaic for my tastes and there IS a big moment for a key change but that doesn’t happen and that a missed trick. 4/10
Song 2 – Shine a little light
Now this is better. Not only is she from Nottingham, but the song is written by Leona Lewis. Bianca sings it like Leona light as well but that, again, is no bad thing for this song. It has a beginning, middle and an end… unlike most songs that just mumble their way though. She does, indeed big note herself at the end of the song and it has a memorable finish that Arlene Phillips needs to go no where fucking near thank you very much. A confident,competent package… the kind I like. 8/10
Song 3- When you Go
Starts like “hey brother” then morphs into Mumfords and something you’d knock out in 30 minutes on the Bontempi organ. That said, it has that catchy-as-a-cold hook and a rhythm that makes you ( well me) smile. It is the only uptempo one in the field but to stand a chance would have to have the arse performed off it on stage. It lends itself to a big screen thing with the middle 32 as it were, clearly from another song, gaffer taped into what is essentially one 8 bar phrase of music repeated at least 5-6 times with a bit of twiddly in the middle. It doesn’t fulfil the “originality” part of the green book but it has potential. 7/10
Song 4 – A Better Man
Isn’t it the golden rule that you don’t write a title that the fans can take the piss out of. This song, sadly, comes straight out the MOR songbook. If one had a recipe for a sub standard song that only Seal could sing, it’s this one. Not so much kissed by a rose, but stabbed by one. Seal should sue for plagiarism here….
5/10.
Song 5 – Until tomorrow
Country and western comes for Eurovision glory. Archetypal country song which don’t tend to do well in this contest. However, the girls are good singers from the vocal and the song is in the mid western female category at the grand ol’ opry. However it is eminently listenable but it doesn’t grab me enough to pick the phone up for it. more an album track of a 6 track Maxi… oh… 5/10
Song 6 – Miracle
Ah yes, the gay anthem comes last, so to speak. It took Karl 4 years to write it, however to me it sounds like something identikit from any Swedish final ever. Are we sure G:Sson hasn’t written this? – It has camp and schlager potential written all the way through it and even includes places for light shows and… shit. However, the substance of the song isn’t “all that” and there are massive holes where something should happen in the song lyrically or musically, but nothing appears. It’s like waiting for your present at Christmas and realise you’ve only got a box. So much potential, so much wasted. 6/10
We’ll do OK with most of these. Thankfully no “joke” or “Eurovision” entries amongst them – being on Friday I say!
