UNITED KINGDOM

The UK Final was held on January 27th at the Eventim Apollo in London, hosted by Mel Giedroyc. The winner was chosen by an "expert" jury (50%), televoting & internet voting (50%). After the scores were added up, only with winner was revealed at that was Lucie Jones singing “Never give up on you”

This was the most plainly set of all the song on the night. Lucie is on stage alone with a very dark background and with the spotlight focused on her. The camera is very much focused in on her upper half to try and keep the TV audience connected with the story of the song. Lucie also doesn’t do a lot on stage, which might not be a good show for the people in the hall, but the close-ups will sell the song better on TV.

The song starts off with just a piano backing and Lucie singing. It certainly captures your attention in a slightly curious way. The timing of the piano almost seems a bit off and makes you wonder what is going to happen next. The song seamlessly transitions from verse to chorus and the come down back into the verse is very plain and simple.  The bridge part going into the final chorus gets is a little shaky and the story of the song gets a little lost. Lucie also needs to mind her hands as they can look a bit claw-like and spindly. She also needs to turn down the smirk she sometimes has as it can come across as bit at odds to the words she’s singing or (even worse) look cocky and aggressive. Some better camera angles and more focused choreography might help this.

On first listen to the song I assumed that after a verse or two the song would ramp up into something more orchestral or even into a “Euphoria” type trance song. But this didn’t happen. At first this left me feeling disappointed and empty however after a while this ‘trick’ of not going where I thought it would factually felt quite clever. It kept me hanging on waiting or the change… but it didn’t.

For something sent as the UK Eurovision entry, this is a proper song which is taking things seriously. Although certainly not the favourite in the hall, I would say that it definitely stood out from the crowd vocally and visually. Many have said it has a similar vibe to Mollie’s song in 2014 but I think that the providence of this song will help it more in the voting – in case you missed it the song was co-written by Denmark’s winner in 2013 - Emmelie de Forest. Only a day after winning the contest, it was already mooted that changes might be made to the song. Many commented on social media that a bigger build up or more orchestral score might improve the song more, and these pretty much mirror my feelings.

It is very early days to be making a prediction but we do know that the UK need not qualify for the final. Also we seem to be heading towards a ballad heavy year. Depending on the way you look at it a) if lots of ballads qualify, this will blend in too much OR b) if lots of ballads DNQ this *would* stand out. At best I think it’ll be at the top of the right hand side of the board. If it can score more than 150 points, it should be deemed a great success.

ARTIST - Lucie Jones

SONG - Never give up on you

MUSIC - Emmelie de Forest, Lawrie Martin, The Treatment

LYRICS - Emmelie de Forest, Lawrie Martin, The Treatment