United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982
Encyclopedia
The United Kingdom was represented in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 by Bardo
with the song "One Step Further
". It was chosen as the British entry through the A Song for Europe national selection process and placed seventh at Eurovision, receiving 76 points.
once again hosted the contest, which was held on 24 March. Eight songs were shortlisted from those submitted to the Music Publishers Association.
opened the show with a high-speed dance number called "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)". Aided by dancers called Frankie and Foxy, the song, many years later, became a minor hit in the USA in a techno
remix. In 1989 the song reached #75 in the Billboard Hot 100
.
By 1982 Paul Curtis
was something of a veteran of the UK selection but this was his first appearance as a solo singer. He performed a mid-tempo song called 'No Matter How I Try'.
Song three was 'Every Step of the Way' sung by The Touring Company, a six-piece vocal group. The song was uptempo in style.
Paul Curtis
and Tony Hiller
were responsible for 'Diff'rent worlds, diff'rent people' performed by three girls and a boy named Lovin' Feeling. Among the performers was lead singer Bobby McVey who would find success in the 1983 contest with Sweet Dreams
.
The pre-contest favourite was 'Every Day of My Life' sung by Good Looks. This group followed the standard Eurovision format of two boys and two girls. Indeed one of the ladies, Lavinia Rodgers, had previously sung backing vocals at the Eurovision Song Contest
for her sister, Clodagh, in 1971. The song itself was professionally performed and had the right number of key changes to appeal to the Eurovision jury. However, a year after the Bucks Fizz
victory, was the UK likely to send another indentikit group?
Next up was the only female soloist in the contest, Rich Gypsy (real name Kay Webber). 'You're the only good thing in my life' was catchy and well-performed yet it proved to be highly unpopular with the regional juries.
A duo called Bardo
performed the Simon Jeffries composition, 'One Step Further
'. The two members were Sally Ann Triplett
and Stephen Fischer
. Triplett had previously represented the UK before, finishing third in 1980 as a member of Prima Donna
. 'One Step Further' was catchy but perhaps relied too heavily on a fussy dance routine.
Finally, a family group called The Weltons with another Paul Curtis
composition, 'How Long'. Arguably the whole package seemed a little dated for 1982.
won the Contest in 1981
, the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest was held in Harrogate
and presented by Jan Leeming
. The United Kingdom entered Bardo with "One Step Further", but it only gained 76 points and was positioned seventh over all, despite being in the top three for most of the point awarding. The winner of the Contest was Germany
with Nicole's "A Little Peace".
Bardo
The Tibetan word Bardo means literally "intermediate state" - also translated as "transitional state" or "in-between state" or "liminal state". In Sanskrit the concept has the name antarabhāva...
with the song "One Step Further
One Step Further
"One Step Further", written by Simon Jefferies, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed by Sally Ann Triplett and Stephen Fischer, comprising the duo Bardo.- Background :...
". It was chosen as the British entry through the A Song for Europe national selection process and placed seventh at Eurovision, receiving 76 points.
A Song for Europe 1982
The television show A Song for Europe was used once again to select the British entry, as it had since the United Kingdom's debut at the Contest in 1957. Terry WoganTerry 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...
once again hosted the contest, which was held on 24 March. Eight songs were shortlisted from those submitted to the Music Publishers Association.
Entries
Q-FeelQ-Feel
Q-Feel was a British synthpop group. They released their self-titled album in 1983, which included their only hit single, "Dancing in Heaven ". Group member Martin Page went on to achieve success as a songwriter and solo artist....
opened the show with a high-speed dance number called "Dancing in Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop)". Aided by dancers called Frankie and Foxy, the song, many years later, became a minor hit in the USA in a techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
remix. In 1989 the song reached #75 in the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
By 1982 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...
was something of a veteran of the UK selection but this was his first appearance as a solo singer. He performed a mid-tempo song called 'No Matter How I Try'.
Song three was 'Every Step of the Way' sung by The Touring Company, a six-piece vocal group. The song was uptempo in style.
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...
and Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller
Tony Hiller is a British songwriter. He began his musical career as a member of the song and dance duo The Hiller Brothers, sharing the stage with his brother Irving...
were responsible for 'Diff'rent worlds, diff'rent people' performed by three girls and a boy named Lovin' Feeling. Among the performers was lead singer Bobby McVey who would find success in the 1983 contest with Sweet Dreams
Sweet Dreams (band)
Sweet Dreams were a British vocal trio comprising teenagers Carrie Gray, Helen Kray and Bobby McVay who represented the UK in Eurovision 1983 with the song "I'm Never Giving Up"....
.
The pre-contest favourite was 'Every Day of My Life' sung by Good Looks. This group followed the standard Eurovision format of two boys and two girls. Indeed one of the ladies, Lavinia Rodgers, had previously sung backing vocals at the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
for her sister, Clodagh, in 1971. The song itself was professionally performed and had the right number of key changes to appeal to the Eurovision jury. However, a year after the Bucks Fizz
Bucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
victory, was the UK likely to send another indentikit group?
Next up was the only female soloist in the contest, Rich Gypsy (real name Kay Webber). 'You're the only good thing in my life' was catchy and well-performed yet it proved to be highly unpopular with the regional juries.
A duo called Bardo
Bardo
The Tibetan word Bardo means literally "intermediate state" - also translated as "transitional state" or "in-between state" or "liminal state". In Sanskrit the concept has the name antarabhāva...
performed the Simon Jeffries composition, 'One Step Further
One Step Further
"One Step Further", written by Simon Jefferies, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed by Sally Ann Triplett and Stephen Fischer, comprising the duo Bardo.- Background :...
'. The two members were Sally Ann Triplett
Sally Ann Triplett
Sally Ann Triplett is a British singer and actress most famous for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and many West End productions.-Eurovision:...
and Stephen Fischer
Stephen Fischer
Stephen Fischer is a British singer famous for his participation in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest as part of the duo Bardo. He is married with two children and lives in London....
. Triplett had previously represented the UK before, finishing third in 1980 as a member of 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...
. 'One Step Further' was catchy but perhaps relied too heavily on a fussy dance routine.
Finally, a family group called The Weltons with another 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...
composition, 'How Long'. Arguably the whole package seemed a little dated for 1982.
Voting and result
The regional juries awarded the traditional 15,12,10,9,8,7,6 and 5 points in order of preference. The juries were based in Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Belfast, London, Manchester and Cardiff. Bardo were victors of this close contest scoring 76 points. The Touring Company and Good Looks tied for second place with 69 points. Paul Curtis and Lovin' Feeling both scored 60 points and were followed in sixth place by Q-Feel. That left The Weltons in seventh place with 58 points and Rich Gypsy last with 53.At Eurovision
Since Bucks FizzBucks Fizz (band)
Bucks Fizz are an English pop group who achieved success in the 1980s, most notably for winning the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up". The group was formed in January 1981 specifically for the contest and comprised four vocalists: Bobby G, Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and...
won the Contest in 1981
Eurovision Song Contest 1981
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 April 1981 at the Simmonscourt Pavilion of the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin. The presenter was Doireann Ní Bhriain...
, the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest was held in Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
and presented by Jan Leeming
Jan Leeming
Jan Leeming is a British TV presenter and newsreader.-Career:Born Janet Atkins in Kent, England, and educated at the St. Joseph's Convent Grammar School, she worked as an actress and presenter in Australia and New Zealand before becoming a well-known face on British television in regional and...
. The United Kingdom entered Bardo with "One Step Further", but it only gained 76 points and was positioned seventh over all, despite being in the top three for most of the point awarding. The winner of the Contest was Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with Nicole's "A Little Peace".
See also
- United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
- Eurovision Song Contest 1982Eurovision Song Contest 1982The Eurovision Song Contest 1982 was the 27th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 24 April 1982 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The presenter was Jan Leeming. The opening of the contest showed a map of Europe, with the translation "Where is Harrogate?" popping up on-screen from...