Thursday 3 November 2016

United Kingdom 2017 - Her Eyes Untied - This Love


You see, this is why the UK doesn't do very well at Eurovision these days. And that's not to deride the clearly very sweet couple performing this very sweet song. It's well structured, doing all the right things in exactly the right places, and it's sung very well, by two people clearly in tune with the meaning of the song. On paper it's a decent song. But, you know, something about it's just not right.

It's steeped in a cosy, Gloria Hunniford, Sunday afternoon from the old days kind of world. One that still exists in the hearts of nans, cake makers and pigeon fanciers across the land, but also one that doesn't really exist in the wider world of showbusiness any more. But still, somehow, that's the kind of view that a great many people on this funny old islands of ours fall back to when they consider what a Eurovision song should be.

I really don't want to diss the song itself - or indeed the strangely titled duo who sing it. It's just plain nice, and that isn't always a bad thing. But just imagine if you were sitting down on a Saturday night in May to watch a high energy turbo-fuelled pop show. Would this really leap out at you, grab you by the throat and force you to vote for it? Or would it simply make you do a warm sigh of cuddly love, before you popped off to make a cuppa?

Bless 'em for trying, and all - and there will be far worse songs that get to national finals around the continent, after all - but really, we should be thinking of a much broader scope these days. I still want to give them a big old friendly hug, though.

11 comments:

  1. This looks like the singing version of the first dance at a wedding - very nice, a great surprise for all their family and friends, with everyone going 'ahhhh'...

    Hats off for a decent attempt but it's not going to get a live showing as far as Eurovision is concerned...

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  2. I will say congrats to my lovely friend Costa for finally making it to apocalypse! Even if we never make it to the Eurovision stage.
    I am just disappointed to have missed out on being reviewed this year, even after 3 entries!

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    1. Ooh, I've not heard any of them yet, PJ. They must be either too good, or too hard to find on YT. The OGAE mob would never let me anywhere near their judging panels!

      Pass a fella a link, why dontcha!

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    2. You applied to be on the panel though?

      Someone has got be picked, hopefully even someone like me!

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    3. Nah, I'm not OGAE, so I'm not on the radar!

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    4. Roy.... head to the rainbow orbit youtube!

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyksZDFNfpI

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb37agFoovY

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK1F6mbTCsU

      Let's just decide they are too good eh? hahaha
      I have ensured that I have spent nothing on my videos again this year!

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  3. Two things, PJ.

    The first: 'confection-ery' - rhyme of the year so far!

    The second: where were those other two videos shot? Those places look amazing! I'm guessing the old Soviet Stans - but which ones?!

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    1. Call Me- Ashgabat, Turkmenistan and Khiva, Uzbekistan. Ashgabat is the city with the most white marble anywhere in the world, who knew?
      "Richmond"- various spots in Uzbek, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
      Absolutely amazing countries, I would recommend them to anyone.

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    2. Oh they're definitely high on my travelly wish list! Was looking at going a couple of years back but ended up in China instead.

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    3. Well I hope to see them reviewed soon. Let me be the first Norway and Czech choices of the year!

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