19 March 2012

Eurovision 2012: United Kingdom: Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert Humperdinck
Engelbert Humperdinck by Wayne Dilger [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons 
The longest cliffhanger in Eurovision history is finally over and it has been revealed that Engelbert Humperdinck will sing Love Will Set You Free for the United Kingdom in Baku in May.

So, what of the song? On first listening to it, I have to admit to being slightly disappointed. However, after several plays it is beginning to grow on me. It's not your usual Eurovision song and not the type that the UK normally send. A stark romantic ballad that begins with some Spanish guitar, it builds slowly to a key change crescendo that becomes more satisfying upon repeated listens.

There has already been a lot of Twitter talk about the UK song and from what I have seen, much of it has not been complimentary. It seems negative criticism is close at hand whatever the UK send to the competition these days. Let's remember, however, that this song has been written by two of the hottest composers of the moment, namely Martin Terefe and Sacha Skarbek, who have worked with names such as Lana Del Rey and James Blunt.

While that pedigree is positive, the UK now has a lot of catching up to do. It will have to start promoting the hell out of this song, so that it doesn't get lost in the mix of the previously announced entries. Is it a winning song? It could be, given the right staging and song position on the night.

So, how do you think the UK will fare at Eurovision this year?

3 comments:

  1. It's a lovely song. My hopes and wishes are with the UK!

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  2. This is a nice song. Lovely indeed.

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  3. I may be old fashion to some exstint but I listened to every song in this 2012 Eurovision performance competition and the judges need to clean their ears out. I have an ear for music and I am 100% sure that Engelbert Humperdinck was pure Platinum with his opening song of "Love will set you free". It is very obvious to me that the Brits, Irish, & Americans have all the best singers in the world male and female. And this bias has run deep for several years now with this contest and that is very sad. You look at many of the great singers of the present and some like Engelbert which presently has sold over 150 million records. I would put him in a category above all these singers.... up against any of the Europeans, and there is no contest.....and you can beat that many of this singers will be long forgotten when the music of "The King of Romance" will live for many years to come. My hats off to a then 76 year old classic romantic who still has the voice of an Angel.

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