United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980
Encyclopedia
The 1980 "A Song For Europe" contest was held on March 26, 1980 (the same day as that year's budget), at the BBC Television Theatre in Shepherd's Bush and hosted by a dinner-suited Terry Wogan
. An offscreen orchestra was used, under the charge of John Coleman as conductor. The theme music was "Te deum" the Eurovision theme.
12 songs were chosen by the Music Publisher's Association.
, a four piece guitar band from Liverpool, formed in 1969. It was written by Peter Morris and was called "Don't throw your love away".
Song number two was by Maggie Moone
, a solo singer from Birmingham, singing "Happy everything". It was written by Geoff Stephens
and Don Black. At the time this song was noted to have a chorus similar to the ending of the 1970 UK entry by Mary Hopkin's (take off your coat and come inside/Put me in the arms I long to hold)
Song number three was by Plain Sailing, a five-piece group singing "Easy". It was written by Stewart Freeman, a pseudonym of the names of the Stewart brothers, including one Alan Stewart and his brothers and Alan Freeman, 4 out of the 5 members of the band.
Song number four was a Welsh solo singer called Sonja Jones, singing "Here we'll stay." Like many of the songs, backing singers could be heard, but not seen on stage. Not surprisingly, it received top marks from one of the Welsh juries during the voting. This song was later recorded by Frida (of Abba) and included as an LP track on 'Something's Going On'.
Song number five was by the eventual winners Prima Donna
, singing "Love enough for two". It was written by Stuart Slater
and Stephanie de Sykes
. The band were especially put together for the contest. At the Eurovision, very little was changed in the performance, except for the colour of their outfits. At the Song For Europe contest, the lead singer, Danny Finn
,can be clearly seen whispering something to his female partner, Sally-Ann Triplett on two occasions, although it's unknown what was said.
Song number six was by 16-year-old Jacqui Scott, from Blackpool, singing "Symphony for you". She performed solo at a piano, although she did stand up later to sing in front of the piano, suggesting that someone else was playing a piano throughout.
Song number seven was written by Paul Curtis
, performed by Duke and the Aces, a five piece group featuring Canadians and an Italian, Bruno Tonioli
, also the act's choreographer, who would later go on to be a judge on Strictly Come Dancing
. The song was called "Love is alive".
Song number eight was written by Roy Winston
from Oxford, singing a song called "Everything's alright". This song featured backing singers, but this time they were visible on stage.
Song number nine was called "Love Comes, Love Grows" performed by a duo called Midnite
.
Song number ten was by the Main Event
, a band made up of members from Co-Co, who had entered A Song For Europe
in 1976 and 1978, winning on that occasion. It featured Cheryl Baker
, who would later find success with Bucks Fizz a year later. The song was called "Gonna Do my Best".
Song number eleven was by Pussyfoot
, a "punk" type band singing "I want to be me" written by Mick Flynn, who was in the band with four women. This song was noted for the fact it polarised most juries, they either loved it or hated it. The Belfast jury gave it the top mark, and was the only song to get a perfect score from each of the Irish jury members. Loud cheers were heard from the audience every time votes were given to them, even if they were low scores.
Song number twelve was by 19-year-old Kim Clark, who had entered the previous year with a similar song. It was called "Surrender" and would go onto become third, two points behind the tied winners. What's interesting about this song, was that it was never intended to enter; the New Seekers were due to enter, however their song, "Tell me", was performed on Pebble Mill at One
before the contest and was as such disqualified.
The jury spokesperson could be seen on screen awarding the votes, sometimes with the jury members in vision. These were broadcast from the BBC's 14 regional news studios.
Due to a tie break and with the live show quickly running out of time, a clear-flustered Terry Wogan, unsure of what to do in this unprecedented circumstance, returned to the 14 juries who were hastily asked to pick their favourite between songs two and five. Some juries ignored their previous voting and switched allegiance to Prima Donna who won by 8 votes to 6.
Aberdeen: Gerry Davies,
Newcastle: Mike Neville,
Plymouth: Donald Hayway,
Leeds: Brian Baines,
Southampton: Peter McCann,
Bangor: Alyn Evans,
London: Colin Berry,
Cardiff: Ewan Thomas,
Birmingham: David Stevens,
Glasgow: Douglas Brock,
Belfast: Michael Baguley,
Bristol: Derek Jones,
Norwich: Jill Hewitt,
Manchester: John Mundy
At the Eurovision itself, it scored 106 points and was positioned third overall. The event took place in The Hague
and was won by Ireland
("What's Another Year?" by Johnny Logan
).
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
. An offscreen orchestra was used, under the charge of John Coleman as conductor. The theme music was "Te deum" the Eurovision theme.
12 songs were chosen by the Music Publisher's Association.
The Songs
Song number one was by ScrambleScramble
Scramble may refer to:* Scramble , a 1981 arcade game* Scramble , an enemy of the Marvel Comics Canadian superhero team Alpha Flight* Scramble , a 1970 British drama film...
, a four piece guitar band from Liverpool, formed in 1969. It was written by Peter Morris and was called "Don't throw your love away".
Song number two was by Maggie Moone
Maggie Moone
Maggie Moone is a singer best remembered for her role on the UK version of Name That Tune.In 1980 she participated in A Song For Europe, aiming to become the United Kingdom's entry to that year's Eurovision Song Contest to be staged in The Hague, The Netherlands...
, a solo singer from Birmingham, singing "Happy everything". It was written by Geoff Stephens
Geoff Stephens
Geoffrey 'Geoff' Stephens , was one of the top British songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s.-Career:...
and Don Black. At the time this song was noted to have a chorus similar to the ending of the 1970 UK entry by Mary Hopkin's (take off your coat and come inside/Put me in the arms I long to hold)
Song number three was by Plain Sailing, a five-piece group singing "Easy". It was written by Stewart Freeman, a pseudonym of the names of the Stewart brothers, including one Alan Stewart and his brothers and Alan Freeman, 4 out of the 5 members of the band.
Song number four was a Welsh solo singer called Sonja Jones, singing "Here we'll stay." Like many of the songs, backing singers could be heard, but not seen on stage. Not surprisingly, it received top marks from one of the Welsh juries during the voting. This song was later recorded by Frida (of Abba) and included as an LP track on 'Something's Going On'.
Song number five was by the eventual winners Prima Donna
Prima donna
Originally used in opera or Commedia dell'arte companies, "prima donna" is Italian for "first lady." The term was used to designate the leading female singer in the opera company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. The prima donna was normally, but not necessarily, a soprano...
, singing "Love enough for two". It was written by Stuart Slater
Stuart Slater
Stuart Slater is a former professional footballer who played as a winger and forward for West Ham United, Celtic, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Watford. He also represented England at under-21 and B level....
and Stephanie de Sykes
Stephanie de Sykes
Stephanie de Sykes is a British singer, and was once a girlfriend of Angus Deayton.-Biography:She attended Brays Grove School in Harlow, Essex; she returned to the school for a final reunion in June 2008 as guest of honour. She had a hit in 1974 with the Simon May penned "Born With a Smile on My...
. The band were especially put together for the contest. At the Eurovision, very little was changed in the performance, except for the colour of their outfits. At the Song For Europe contest, the lead singer, Danny Finn
Danny Finn
Daniel Lawrence Finn was an American professional basketball player. Finn played three years for the NBA's Philadelphia Warriors. He attended St. John's University.-External links:**...
,can be clearly seen whispering something to his female partner, Sally-Ann Triplett on two occasions, although it's unknown what was said.
Song number six was by 16-year-old Jacqui Scott, from Blackpool, singing "Symphony for you". She performed solo at a piano, although she did stand up later to sing in front of the piano, suggesting that someone else was playing a piano throughout.
Song number seven was written by Paul Curtis
Paul Curtis (musician)
Paul Michael Curtis is an English singer, songwriter, record producer from London, who holds the record for the most number of songs to make the finals of the A Song for Europe contest, the BBC's annual competition to choose the UK entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, competing with 22 separate...
, performed by Duke and the Aces, a five piece group featuring Canadians and an Italian, Bruno Tonioli
Bruno Tonioli
Bruno Tonioli is an Italian choreographer and TV personality who appears as a judge on the television dance competition Strictly Come Dancing for BBC TV in the UK, and its American adaptation Dancing with the Stars on ABC TV in the US, Tonioli co-created and appeared on the BBC talent show DanceX...
, also the act's choreographer, who would later go on to be a judge on Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
. The song was called "Love is alive".
Song number eight was written by Roy Winston
Roy Winston
Roy Charles Winston is a former professional American football player.Roy Winston graduated from Louisiana State University, where he starred as an offensive guard...
from Oxford, singing a song called "Everything's alright". This song featured backing singers, but this time they were visible on stage.
Song number nine was called "Love Comes, Love Grows" performed by a duo called Midnite
Midnite
Midnite is a roots reggae band hailing from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, which has been playing since 1989.The band's music follows in tradition with the roots reggae bands of 1970s Jamaica. The lyrical portions of Midnite's compositions are characterized as the "chant and call" style which...
.
Song number ten was by the Main Event
Main Event
Main Event is Australia's only pay-per-view channel. It transmits through Foxtel, Optus Television and Austar, which jointly own the channel...
, a band made up of members from Co-Co, who had entered A Song For Europe
A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You...
in 1976 and 1978, winning on that occasion. It featured Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker
Cheryl Baker is an English television presenter and singer. She is most famous for being a member of 1980s pop group Bucks Fizz, and has performed for the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, winning it the second time.-Early career:After leaving school and a series of secretarial jobs, Cheryl...
, who would later find success with Bucks Fizz a year later. The song was called "Gonna Do my Best".
Song number eleven was by Pussyfoot
Pussyfoot
Pussyfoot was the name of a British recording act of the late 1970s.The act consisted of former The Mixtures member, songwriter, producer and musician Mick Flinn, and vocalist Donna Jones. Flinn remained behind the scenes, and Jones was marketed as a solo artist...
, a "punk" type band singing "I want to be me" written by Mick Flynn, who was in the band with four women. This song was noted for the fact it polarised most juries, they either loved it or hated it. The Belfast jury gave it the top mark, and was the only song to get a perfect score from each of the Irish jury members. Loud cheers were heard from the audience every time votes were given to them, even if they were low scores.
Song number twelve was by 19-year-old Kim Clark, who had entered the previous year with a similar song. It was called "Surrender" and would go onto become third, two points behind the tied winners. What's interesting about this song, was that it was never intended to enter; the New Seekers were due to enter, however their song, "Tell me", was performed on Pebble Mill at One
Pebble Mill at One
Pebble Mill at One was a popular British lunchtime chat show broadcast live originally on BBC2 before transferring to BBC1. It was produced from the Pebble Mill facilities of BBC Birmingham, and uniquely was hosted from the centre's main reception area rather than a traditional studio...
before the contest and was as such disqualified.
The voting
The twelve songs were voted on by 14 regional juries, who awarded 1-12 points to each song. Each of the 11 jurors awarded 1-5 points to each song, the total scores being added up, with the song earning the most points being awarded 12 points.The jury spokesperson could be seen on screen awarding the votes, sometimes with the jury members in vision. These were broadcast from the BBC's 14 regional news studios.
Due to a tie break and with the live show quickly running out of time, a clear-flustered Terry Wogan, unsure of what to do in this unprecedented circumstance, returned to the 14 juries who were hastily asked to pick their favourite between songs two and five. Some juries ignored their previous voting and switched allegiance to Prima Donna who won by 8 votes to 6.
Jury Spokespeople
In vote order:Aberdeen: Gerry Davies,
Newcastle: Mike Neville,
Plymouth: Donald Hayway,
Leeds: Brian Baines,
Southampton: Peter McCann,
Bangor: Alyn Evans,
London: Colin Berry,
Cardiff: Ewan Thomas,
Birmingham: David Stevens,
Glasgow: Douglas Brock,
Belfast: Michael Baguley,
Bristol: Derek Jones,
Norwich: Jill Hewitt,
Manchester: John Mundy
At the Eurovision itself, it scored 106 points and was positioned third overall. The event took place in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
and was won by Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
("What's Another Year?" by Johnny Logan
Johnny Logan (singer)
Johnny Logan , is an Australian-born Irish singer and composer. He is regarded as "Mister Eurovision", having participated in the Eurovision Song Contest many times since the 1970s, and, since 1992, has been the most successful artist in Eurovision history.Logan has won the international contest on...
).