big ron
Chief Super Moderator
On the tits
It may yet prove to be an egg on face moment, however to be fair, last time I checked on the chart/spotify front the only ones which seemed to have gained traction outside of their home charts are Ukraine, Italy and Sweden(which so far seems mostly limited to Scandinavia).I know I’ve been a bit of a voice of misery RE the UK this year, but I do think we have an excellent chance at the top ten, and I actually think we have a a strong chance to win the Jury vote. The vocal is really impressive.
I would ask you all to be 100% honest with yourselves though. Do you genuinely, truly love the SONG, or do you just love him + the novelty of hope?
Because everything I’ve seen and heard so far, including the nonexistant Chart/Spotify action suggests that it’s the latter. Which does make me think the televote could be a bit of an egg on face moment.
Just putting it out there but in terms of UK Eurovision Sams, Sam Janus > Sam Ryder
I won't argue that he elevates the song, but I don't see why this should be an obstacle. I feel that this is a situation where we have at least a dozen of very good songs and ultimately the difference will be made by the qualities each performer brings along. And he does bring a lot.I would ask you all to be 100% honest with yourselves though. Do you genuinely, truly love the SONG, or do you just love him
I’m wrong about the UK on an annual basis and I hope to be wrong again this year now I’ve declared I don’t think we’ll win.There's nothing wrong with being super positive folks, it isn't going to 'jinx' the result - at the very worst we are going to be badly wrong, but we've been wrong plenty of times before and carried on!
It can be one or the other. It can’t be both.I really like the song, he’s giving Paradise Oskar.
He was up to 6 before the semifinalSam up #7 on iTunes
It’s my favourite of the year. I don’t really see a problem with him elevating it. That happens all the time. Sound of Silence and Fuego would not have been runner-up with less competent performers.
I don’t think Ukraine will win and then the UK is definitely one of the favourites. If I go with what I see in the Dutch media I wouldn’t be surprised to see 24 points going your way.
One of the comments I’ve seen most on YouTube is people from other countries saying they like it because we’ve sent something that ‘sounds British’ this year. I feel like it might tap into the sound other countries expect us to send but never do.There’s an interesting point there- about how the other countries’ media is viewing us. A positive “the UK is actually good!” narrative could do us wonders.
One of the comments I’ve seen most on YouTube is people from other countries saying they like it because we’ve sent something that ‘sounds British’ this year. I feel like it might tap into the sound other countries expect us to send but never do.
This is the drum I keep banging. Right now it seems very likely Saturday will be a success for us. I’m not fussy what form that success takes - this time last year I’d have ripped off my arm to come 9th so if that’s where we end up I’ll be celebrating.I do feel like we are in for our best result in a good few years but I can´t help but feel like some people are getting a bit carried away with winner vibes.
I´d be very dissapointed at this point if it wasn´t on the left hand side of the scoreboard(and I think it will be), but I feel like a lot of people are going to feel quite gutted if he "only" comes 8th, 9th etc. for example.
Which would in reality be nothing to be sad about and a real return to form for the UK.
If I compare this to my experience in 2013 I did get carried away a bit with thinking Birds could challenge for the win so I get what you are saying. I was still extremely happy with 9th though.I do feel like we are in for our best result in a good few years but I can´t help but feel like some people are getting a bit carried away with winner vibes.
I´d be very dissapointed at this point if it wasn´t on the left hand side of the scoreboard(and I think it will be), but I feel like a lot of people are going to feel quite gutted if he "only" comes 8th, 9th etc. for example.
Which would in reality be nothing to be sad about and a real return to form for the UK.
I think also just as much as how we do on Saturday, I'm probably as focused on where we go from here. The BBC has had *loads* of times over the last two decades where results have reached the point where they've needed to do a 'we're okay again!' reboot and got a face-saving result, but without fail we've always ended up completely collapsing again the year after.
I'm not going to expect us to do well every year because not every country does, but given it's a once a year thing and pretty much the only non-sporting thing other than Call the Midwife and Strictly the BBC can count on to get north of 6 million viewers these days, I would at least like roughly this level of ambition most years going forward!
I'd put down both Blue and Molly as times when the BBC felt like it was actively trying again. Lucie more a matter of luck than anything else, as that year's selection was basically following on from the 2016 process after Electro Velvet did so badly.I think this is also an interesting viewpoint but I'm not sure I entirely agree that there ever was a "reset".
Jade was the last time we did "well" and it was luck that ALW decided to get involved. The BBC really did see that as a great template and acted on it, but stupidly they gave Waterman carte blanche and so we got that DRECK the year after.
Both Molly and Lucie were decent but not spectacular (the former ruined by a poor performance) and the results were not good enough to have opened up anyone of interest actually coming forward to fight past the "it's all political" chants.
Don't get me wrong, I think the BBC's attitude has been all wrong for some time, but I do think a good result Saturday really should open the way for things to change and bigger and better acts to come forward in a way they haven't before because the stars haven't aligned (space pun intended).
Am I right in saying if Sam does well in the competition and then gets decent returns on a hit song it would then open the door to more hit chasing acts to jump on board with something decent? I think as the songs generally bomb, and then you don’t really hear of the artist again it doesn’t seem quite as appealing to throw your name in to the hat even though your song is getting played to hundreds of millions of viewers across Europe.
Sexy Fish has winner vibes from the title alone.Jess Glynn '23
I mean a European hit would be great motivation for a record company. But I think the real holy grail in terms of reputation would for our entry to actually be a HIT in the UK!
I mean what’s the last UK entry that was an actual substantial hit? Scooch were top 5 but I’m sure that didn’t last?
Is it Precious?!
Am I right in saying if Sam does well in the competition and then gets decent returns on a hit song it would then open the door to more hit chasing acts to jump on board with something decent? I think as the songs generally bomb, and then you don’t really hear of the artist again it doesn’t seem quite as appealing to throw your name in to the hat even though your song is getting played to hundreds of millions of viewers across Europe.
It doesn't even need that. Just showing that we can do well and it isn't just politics should open the doors to a lot more decent/ serious/ experienced acts. It won't be overnight, but you will get more than you did previously and after a couple of decent years I would expect us to begin to put things back onto an even keel again, rather than the shame that surrounds the contest for UK acts now. Also, whilst someone like Sam has potential way beyond Eurovision, but also a decent Eurovision performance is a often career for life- hell, even Nikki French managed it.
Obviously UK acts have a more solid launchpad than European ones internationally, but look at the Swedish blueprint- their big stars go for Melodifestival because it's HUGE in their country but they see it as a chance to break out too. If we get over this stupid idea that we're the best and above the contest, it could happen to our acts too...
I think Diddy's point was more that Precious hung around the chart a little longer than Scooch, although admittedly more so at the arse end. Even Katrina 'only' had two weeks in the top ten, the same as both Precious and Scooch.