We know the names, now it’s time to hear the songs. The BBC revealed the six acts taking part in Eurovision: You Decide just after midnight. Songs are now being revealed both live on BBC Radio 2’s Ken Bruce show, as well as on the BBC Eurovision website.
You can find each song below, as well as more information about the artist, their thoughts and the songwriters:
This is a live post and will continue to be updated as the reveals continue…
Goldstone — “I Feel the Love”
Three voices are better than one? That’s what girl group Goldstone will be hoping for. Made up of Aimee, Helen and Rhiannon, all three are stars of the stage. Their credits include the musicals Six, The King and I, Les Miserables and many more.
Talking about “I Feel the Love”, they say: “We think the most interesting aspect of our song is that it’s so hopeful! It makes you feel positive about the world.” There’s another familiar name on their songwriting team; Eric Lumiere was involved with “What Are We Made Of” from last year’s show.
Asanda — “Legends”
Asanda’s first big British TV appearance came when she appeared in the 2013 series of Britain’s Got Talent. After wowing judges with her performance of Rihanna’s “Diamonds”, she made it all the way to the final. She’s since gone on to star as Tallulah in Bugsy Malone.
About her song, Asandra says: “I think the melody and the lyrics come together to form a very beautiful and inspirational message that is relatable to everyone.” “Legends”‘ songwriters include Laurell Barker, who co-wrote “Freedom Hearts” and “I Wish I Loved You More” in last year’s selection.
RAYA — “Crazy”
What can’t RAYA do might be the better question to ask. She’s done backing vocals for Hurts, danced for Little Mix and had a role in Mr. Selfridge. Oh, and she’s also performed as DJ around the world too. Eurovision is just the next step!
Her songwriting team certainly knows a thing or too about Eurovision, too. “Crazy” is co-written by none other than Icelandic favourite, Greta Salomé! RAYA says the song is not “your typical love song, it truly captures the essence of falling into that trap of obsessing over someone”.
Liam Tamne — “Astronaut”
Those high notes, y’all! Liam Tamne is another former The Voice UK veteran, where he made it through to the Battle stages in the second series. Liam also has stage experience, including playing Link in Hairpsray.
“Astronaut” is also co-written by Ashley Hicklin, as well as DMGP 2017 act Jeanette Bonde. Liam says the song is “so relatable and emotional. We always need someone to pick us up and help us through times in our lives that are so challenging and sad.”
Jaz Ellington — “You”
Jaz is a former The Voice UK finalist, making it all the way to the show’s Top 8 in the first series. Since then, he’s worked with his Voice voach will.i.am on a project for NASA. He’s also opened for Lauryn Hill at one of her shows.
As for the song? “It channels a very classic, soulful sound and yet the overall vibe is still current. It’s a wonderful fusion,” is how Jaz describes it. There’s Eurovision experience behind the song, too. Ashley Hicklin wrote Tom Dice’s “Me and My Guitar”, as well as Axel Hirsoux’s “Mother”.
SuRie — “Storm”
SuRie is the only artist of the group who’s been to Eurovision before. She’s participated as a backing singer for Belgium in both 2015 and 2017. But she’s been front of stage too, performing as Fantine in the 20th Anniversary edition of Les Miserables.
And that’s your entries! Do you think the UK finally has a winner — or even just a song to bring them back to the top ten? We’ll find out which song will be going to Lisbon live at Eurovision: You Decide on February 7, in the Brighton Dome.
In the meantime, make sure to let us know all your thoughts in the comments section below.
Obviously it has to be Asanda….
A needed refresh not only for ESC but specially for the UK….
It will be incredible to see this British face
ASANDRA CHORUS IS COPY OF LA VIE EST BELLE BY NASSI.
WHAT A PLAGIARISM!!!!
All very generic
I Very like “Storm”. there is such purity in the voice of the singer, and at the same time the music is so catchy. This is the kind of song that puts you in a good mood in the morning and gives you energy.
But “You” is a really beautiful song. The voice of Jaz is just sublime, it’s the song that makes you want to curl up in the arms of your sweetheart on the couch with a nice glass of wine and chocolates. : D
Good luck to all of the candidates!
I’m retching as I read this.
Why? Chocolate is good. XD
Also try Roquefort on walnut bread with fig jam, no one will want to kiss you, but it’s super good and you’ll have a good time in front of Eurovision.
This line-up is a big improvement from past years attempts and a step in the right direction. They are well-produced and sound current. My top and thoughts at first listen: 1. Asanda – “Legends” (7.25/10). It has catched my attention since the very first second. Interesting beat and the gutural sounds add some flavour too it. The trumpets/trombones in the pre-chorus fit really well. All of the songs are well produced, but this one is specially outstanding in this matter. It is really uplifting, energetic and danceable. It isn’t a materpiece compared to other songs in this NF season, but… Read more »
Seriously?! So much negativity!! Personally I think it’s a great mix of songs to choose from.
My fave from the first listen (and I’ve actually had it on repeat!) is “Legends”. I think it would stand out really well. With a tweak to the last third of the track, some great staging and choreography … this could see us sitting pretty on the left of the scoreboard!
This selection is not as good as last year’s but I think there are three songs that are ok. “Astronaut” is the best of the bunch but doesn’t seem to have been written with Eurovision particularly in mind. The payoff after the buildup is not there. I was really hoping for some sort of percussion to come in the last minute to liven it up but alas, no. Would need a revamp if it was chosen. “Legends” was doing fine, if not great, all the way up to the drop, which was just cheap and poorly-produced. Undid a lot of… Read more »
MAN ASANDA BE KILLIN’ IT. I am in love!
Me too
I’ve been stuck and work all day and hadn’t been able to listen to the songs. Reading some of the comments I was expecting the absolute worst. This is an amazing selection to choose from, can’t wait to go to Brighton! 2016 – 4 meh songs, 2 OK songs 2017 – 1 bad song, 3 OK songs, 2 good song 2018 – 2 OK songs, 2 good songs, 2 great songs After one listen, for me, it’s between Asanda and Raya – or Jaz (reckon his will sink or swim on the live performance a la Lucie). It’s gonna be… Read more »
Is it just me or Asandras chorus sounds similar to Reves de gamin song
Can’t understand how is it possible that these are the very mediocre (and I’m being polite here) NF songs, of such an influential and world leading music nation such as the UK…It seems they don’t care nor wish to win the Eurovision.
Shame.
Apart from the song itself, I would argue that Jaz is by far the most talented singer which could pick up some extra votes on that basis alone.
ASANDA all the way. British rihanna is killing it. But can she do it well live??
1. You – REALLY GOOD, I thought: “UK, at last!”. Wonderful voice and music, calm at the beginning, later – powerful. Please choose it.
………
2. Storm
3. Astronaut
I don’t like the rest.
Greetings from Poland 🙂 Good luck!
Excepted “You”, all songs are enjoyable, but terribly generic. For a first listen, I’d go for “Legends”, but only revamps can avoid UK to stay on the right side of the screen.
Alright, I’ve heard them all and here’s my ranking: 1. Jaz Ellington – You (Easily the best of the bunch. Like I said, could potentially be the key to returning the UK to the top ten) 2. Raya – Crazy (Very modern pop-friendly sound. I could imagine hearing this on the radio, which is always a good sign. Not sure if it has enough of a stand-out quality to make it high though) 3. SuRie – Storm (I like her voice, and the production is strong, but again, it’s more OK than good or great) 4. Asanda – Legends (Hers… Read more »
I’ve only heard SuRie and Jaz so far, but I honestly think Jaz could be the UK’s ticket back into the top 10. I’m not as doom-and-gloom as other folks are – if they pick a really good song like Jaz’s, they could improve on Lucie and then some.
For me, “You” is the winner.
I was disappointed in Liam Tamne’s entry, having seen him as Frank’n’Furter in the Rocky Horror Show this just seems so dull by comparison. He is capable of so much more pizzazz and charisma! There is no denying his talent, so maybe after repeated listens my perception will change.
My top 4:
Legends
I feel the love
Crazy
Storm
“Never give up on you” is better than all these songs together *facepalm* Mans can stay in Sweden next year…
Every song seems lack certain element to make me wow… Just an okay national selection.
Oh….My… God…!
(ala Janice in F.R.I.E.N.D.S! :P)
Can’t believe that this is the NF of United Kingdom!
No song of the 6 stands out!
They all suck….
For me, Legends and Astronaut are the best songs. Not sure if the UK has a winner though, although they are good and both singers are for sure very good live, especially Liam. These two songs will definitely have that sudeen appeal to the rest of Europe. Legends has that tribal drum beat oomph to it, which we always want in the competition and Astronaut has a charming element to it too. Not being too critical, are they not called Cosmonauts in Eastern Europe, especially Russia? I think they might get a little confused. Perhaps have both words in the… Read more »
On first listening, I’d go with Asanda and “Legends”. The rest left me cold, but so did Lucy’s song at first, last year. I guess I’ll just wait and see.
*Lucie
I really don’t know what to say about this selection. 🙁 Was expecting way more. This just seems to me like the effort from Greece last year :(((((
I think that this year’s selection is better than last year’s. I think that the UK would have their best chance with “I feel the love”( They need to change that chorus), “Legends” and maybe “Storm” if it got a significant revamp. Factor in decent staging and I think the UK has a solid shot at the top 10 or 15.
Hopefully the BBC didn’t raise the minimum age to 18, cause I’m really hoping that Asandra was born in mid-2001.
You’re obsessed with kids… hunny I’m starting to think you’re a whole child predator.
Beccaboo, why des thus matter so much to you?
I believe it’s wrong for 16-17 year olds to be left out. 🙁
You shouldn’t worry about people’s ages. It comes off as creepy to some.
Every year, BBC does something called “Sound of (current year)”, listing performers and bands that aren’t famous yet but are just about to reach the spotlight. Some of the names present on those lists: 50 Cent, Keane, Franz Ferdinand, Joss Stone, Kaiser Chiefs, Corinne Bailey Rae, Chris Brown, Mika, Adele, Duffy, Vampire Weekend, Florence + the Machine, Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding, Marina and the Diamonds, Frank Ocean, HAIM, The Weeknd, Sam Smith, George Ezra, Chance the Rapper, Dua Lipa, Rag’n’Bone Man… Of course most of those wouldn’t do Eurovision even before they got famous and many of them have styles… Read more »
Sigrid it the current holder of the title, and she is brilliant – I love her, but I’d prefer to see her represent her native Norway.
You-Jaz Ellington is great. It remembers me of She-Elvis Costello from Notting Hill Soundtrack. It is somehow very British, without being pretentious…like we know who from last year that thinks his music is real music.
It’s not got a hook though – which plenty of slow songs do. I find it flat, no peaks and troughs.
Awful, this is terrible!!! What’s going on? First Spain, now UK… It seems France will be the only successful country from Big 5. Germany will probably flop once again! Lucie’s song last year was a masterpiece comparing to all these…
All of these but “Storms” have super corny lyrics for being a native English country. “I Feel the Love” and “Legends” are the most unique musically. I’d say “Astronaut” is the most impressive vocally. I really don’t know who out of these I’d pick though, I just know I wouldn’t pick “You”
Honestly, I think this is a pretty good selection
The right side of the scoreboard called, it wants the UK back. I’m sorry, but this selection is terrible. Perhaps the staging could surprise me, but for now it’s a no from me.
A very disappointing selection. The BBC should do better than this. None of the songs selected is a top 10. Why can’t any of the strong music industry in UK be reflected in the song selection? Where is grime?
“Legends” is the best one. With a killer performance and staging it could fair a decent scoring. “You” is lyrically the best song but lacks something. But it would be a decent winner too.
The rest of the songs though, sounds like every other song out there!
I hate to say this, but UK will not rank good this year either. All these songs are really generic and pretty much on the same level with each other musically, so I feel like now it would be imporant to focus on which one of these songs would be good performed live. Based on the first hearing I’d say “Crazy” is the one with most potential to be enjoyable live. It’ll need good lightning and staging tho; some trashy club-feeling will destroy it.
what?? every song every year is generic, thats the point, to put forward a generic pop song with appeal..These are as good as any..
You guys are mad if you want to choosr ‘you’, it maybe the only one with any feeling or meaning, but IT WILL TANK. Storms or Legend had peak potential but both need revamping to build up to a specific moment
If SuRie wins, we’re going on five Les Mis veterans who’ve competed in Eurovision (Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball, Frances Ruffelle, and Lucie Jones). There’s probably more. That show turns out quality!
people: i think ‘you’ is the best one out of them.
me: remember we are the uk, we don’t receive a lot of points in the televote.
scoreboard: hello this is the bottom right calling, please join us uk.
I am sorry UK, but how can a country so well represented in the music industry be so under performing at Eurovision?
For me there is some serious self-reflection needed at BBC, in order to find a contender for victory.
I only wanted to listen again to Goldstone & I feel the love.
The rest doesn’t even come close to the left handside of the scoreboard.
My top four
JAZ ELLINGTON — “YOU”
ASANDA — “LEGENDS”
LIAM TAMNE — “ASTRONAUT”
SURIE — “STORM”
I can’t say I really like it, but “You” is the only of these 6 songs whose lyrics sound like they were written by a human being. The other 5 are so formulaic, that maybe a computer could write those. In my opinion, this selection shows the big problem in pop music nowadays. There are good singers, the songs are well produced but they don’t mean a thing. Take “Legends” for example. It may be fun to listen and dance to, but what she’s singing about? An egocentric couple going out? Or “Astronaut”, that wastes a beautiful voice with a… Read more »
Seems it’s between YOU and LEGENDS! Good luck, UK
All of these songs are good, but not the best… I mean they are worse than Paula’s 1 2 3(for example), which isn’t a super amazing song, that says something..
Quite a poor selection, but think Legends is the best. The lyrics of You are really cringey – I think there’s a line that goes something like ‘she sticks to me like glue, but can’t compare to you’!!
Only You kept me interested long enough to finish the song…
THE SELECTION IS AWFUL !!!! terrible OMG
that’s not good at all !
Crazy was the only one I liked. My least favourites were You and Storm.
I am loving “You”. Like Jaz’s voice is fantastic. The lyrics are solid too. This song calls back to classic r&b for me, like I’m talking the 60’s and 70’s without feeling at all dated. Pure class and so so so good.
That being said I’m actually impressed with the UK spread this year. Like good for you UK for upping your game. And as I look around other national selections I’m seeing a lot of game upping too. It’s like seeing a country that struggled consistantly finally win has everyone shaking.
The only two entries I listened to all the way through was YOU and I FEEL THE LOVE.
The other four I lost interest about 15-20 seconds into the song. Let’s see how they are performed live….my favorites may change, but not likely.
MY TOP 6
1. Jaz Ellington – You
2. Jaz Ellington – You
3. Jaz Ellington – You
4. Jaz Ellington – You
5. Jaz Ellington – You
6. Jaz Ellington – You
Needs a lot of improvement!! Your selection seems very repetitive!! Why don’t you try choosing a better one from UKs selection instead
This is honestly the only half-decent song in the selection. It was the only one that made me feel anything.
Absolutely terrible yet again. What are they doing there at the BBC? what is so hard to get a decent artist and a really good song? why is Bulgaria able to do it but not the UK?
You’d probably praise hell our of anu of these songs if they were all from Bulgaria.
Well if a Russian guy represented UK with a basic ballad and Russia didn’t participate that year too, thensee the amount of televote points UK will get.