She’s the Eurovision 2013 winner who co-wrote Lucie Jones’ Eurovision 2017 song “Never Give Up On You”.
And on Thursday Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest showed just what a hands-on songwriter she is, as she uploaded a cover of the UK Eurovision entry.
Performing inside a walk-in closet, Emmelie delivers a raw, rock-oriented version that shows a new dimension to the song (and to Emmelie herself).
She strums a vintage guitar and infuses the number with a raspiness that works well with the new instrumentation and feel.
Visually Emmelie plays the part of acoustic rock diva well, slipping into a billowing, thigh-skimming skirt with floral ornamentation.
The flowers snake up her black top and her sheer sleeves, which add a bit of naughtiness to the look. She also plays a dramatic make-up game with lashings of mascara and a smear of bright red lippie.
Writing on Instagram, Emmelie poked fun at the playful setting: “‘Never give up on you’ live from my walk-in closet….Please forgive me for the greasy mirror in the background!”
Emmelie, who co-wrote the song with Lawrie Martin and Daniel Salcedo, earns a big thumbs up from Lucie, who says that the Eurovision winner has been nothing but kind to her from the time she received the song.
Speaking to wiwibloggs at the London Eurovision Party, Emmelie was brimming with praise.
“She is so lovely. She just said to me, ‘Have fun’. It’s such a wonderful advice, such human advice from such a superstar. I was thrilled to meet her.”
Lucie’s song underwent a subtle but highly effective revamp ahead of Eurovision, moving from “musical theatre” to “contemporary pop”.
The backing track features a much more electronic sound, which pulls the song firmly into 2017 without sacrificing its stripped-back and pure sound. Lucie has said it’s a testament to the strength of the song that it works in so many different guises.
And now Emmelie has shown us another. But which is your favourite? The original, the revamp or the Emmelie de Forest cover? Let us know in the comments box below.
You can definitely see your expertise within the work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe. At all times follow your heart.
Well it’s still kinda boring, but it’s a million times better than Lucie, if only Emmelie could represent the UK this year 🙁
What i like about the original and about Emmelies version is that after the first chorus the piano/guitar pick up the pace and make the song rythmical and interesting. The revamped version has the same pace all the way through which makes it flat and kind of boring. I would have preferred to see the original version at Eurovision.
So sorry but this is the Original and UK entry is the cover version. Emmelie De Forest is the only one who really know how to sing this song. She puts the emphasis on the right words and she knows it sounds best with just guitar sound. Tom Dice will sing this well too. Its not a Eurovision arena song. Its meant for a small room just like Estonia song.
Lucie sound better.
Emmelie!!!
Its shady of her. Emmelie De Forest should have release this version after ESC because she is much better and prettier singer and makes UK entry look bad.
idk i feel this is kinda shady thing for her to do
I wonder if Emmelie De Forest will accompany Lucie Jones and the UK delegation at Eurovision this May? She’s the songwriter of their entry afterall. I know Aminata was with Latvia’s Justs last year because she wrote the song for him.
I wouldn’t have recognized Emmelie if you hadn’t told me! Last I remember, she had blonde hair. How little I have been following her, I guess!
It’s dark, it’s gritty. I kind of like it, though I think Lucie’s revamped version is better. My cats heard the song come on and made a bee-line out of the room; I guess they don’t like it. 😉
How exciting! Lucie is on fire this week!
How wiwi only gave her 6.58 rating is beyond me 😉
What is here career after winning the EUROVISION? Singing covers in the closet, lol?
I don’t like her new style.
What happened to her blonde, angelic hair? She’s so ugly with dark hair, looks like a female vampire (Godiva)….
Great cover, better than the original imo
super!
NO! Only Lucy knows how to move her soft palate and to play with emotions in this song
What happened to her hair? Wow! Total change!
She still slays!
Thank you Emmelie! 🙂
Amazing. Do keep on writing and singing, even from the closet. 😀
Best of luck to Lucie next month. x