Matt Fielder, a Eurovision fan in Leatherhead, England, is fed up with Britain’s recent history at the contest. But rather than complaining to himself or ranting in a blog post like the rest of us, he decided to start a band. And so was born UKR—the United Kingdom of Rock. “The idea came after yet another dreadful display and result by the UK in this year’s event,” he tells wiwibloggs.com. “With all the great music this country has produced over the decades we just felt this has not been reflected by the BBC or the artists representing this Sceptred Isle!”
So, approaching the age of 50 and recovering from a serious illness, Fielder penned the song “We Are the UKR”. Unlike recent UK entries like “Flying the Flag”, this song isn’t built on fluff. It actually has a message. “It was written by me to not only pay homage to all the great British bands of the past but also to all the forgotten sons, the bands who tried and failed, but at least died with their boots on so to speak!” Surely that applies to bands who could have—and would have—done better at ESC than Engelbert Humperdinck….if only they were given a chance. There is some interest, y’all. Their Facebook Page has racked up more than 5,900 likes since November 6.
http://youtu.be/bjF60S16tgk
It’s a clever song that manages to celebrate the best of British music while also throwing in a reference to Abba’s winning Eurovision song “Waterloo”. You can read the lyrics below. Were the group to compete at Eurovision, they would certainly draw support across borders. Field’s wife is Polish; his mother is Irish; and his drummer is Danish. They’ll soon film a video for the song that will be heavy on 2012 Olympics and Diamond Jubilee footage. “We want to put a smile back on the UK entry, win some friends back in Europe, and totally embrace the whole Eurovision ethos and have some fun!” he says. “Even prepared to go in the semi-final. We want Europe to love us again. We want Brits to be proud of who we are because we are the UkR and want everyone whatever kingdom they come from to unite with us and rock!!”
“We Are the UKR” Lyrics
The sky’s alight with firing guns
Saluting rock’s forgotten sons
So fill your glass and raise it high
Cos we’ll be singing rule Britannia till we die
C’mon
London is calling
to the sound of guitar and drums
Whilst Jericho’s falling
Across this sceptred isle
And through every rank and file
The crowds all scream for you
Wavin’ flags red white and blue
Cos we are the UKR
The United Kingdom of Rock
(Hell) raising the bar for one last hurrah
So its alright now to twist and shout
Its your song,so lets bang a gong
blockbusters out
God save our Queen Layla take a bow
Some might say we are all still crazy now
I see a Waterloo sunset
smoke on the water tonight
Satisfaction I cant get
When the song remains the same
we wont be fooled again
Breaking the law and running free
So pour a little more sugar on me
All the young dudes are still singing
Forever we will rock you
The sultans still swinging
The wall came down too soon
We’re still walking on the moon
union jacks unfurled
we’re still rocking all over the world
Cos We are the UKR
United Kingdom of Rock
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i have to say without doubt………. Why????? Why do you think this should represent the UK and why do you think that the BBC bottled it for not picking.
UK rock is Queen and The Who. Not that. A poor imitation of a rock song.
Total Crap .
Guaranteed to wake you up & make you smile
Genius – absolute genius !! Love the sentiment and passion. Seriously, I hope the BBC look at this and try something a bit different. Bring on Copenhagen. Very best of British, guys.
UKR all the way to Copenhagen I say! High time we had an entry by a band who really care about Eurovision and want to win. Having seen Matt perform many times over the years, I know he’s a brilliant frontman and that his live performance of this song will be electrifying!
C’mon!! Let’s have something different this year. Get behind it. Europe loves rock. Give ’em what they want.
Fab, love it, be great to see it on the stage!
Love it!
Brilliant song. Great idea. Go for it!
I love it!!! Go,go UKR!
I love it! Go,go UKR!
Fully support this as our UK entry. Let’s have someone fresh to represent us instead of digging up people-that-were-famous-once.
Wow! Just heard this! Is this really our song? It’s fantastic !! Can’t get that chorus out of my head!
So catchy Loving The UKR!!
clean but linear needs more spice and attitude – rock music is about strong message and emotion
Well, this year I mean lol Eurovision time messes with my calendar :p
Not bad, not bad. Weirdly reminded me of School of Rock lol. But we all know what happened to the great rock song of last year (Albania) 🙁
GREAT SONG! CMON UKR!!!!!
@Padraig Jude… It’s been said that “your friends and family often doubt you have any musical taste at all!”. But hey, that’s just an opinion….. Of course if you were a Southsider hanging around Temple Bar, it would be understandable
I think the fact that the song is full of other rock song titles is a great idea and think that’s actually the point. Celebrating our success.
I think its a great idea and a great song!
Good luck!
Personally I want Delphic, Foals, Alt-J or maybe London Grammar to represents the UK in Eurovision just to give another new vibe to the contest. But yeah, I know it’s not going to happen..
“London is calling”? More like, the 80’s are calling.
No offense, I love me some rock, but… come on.
Thanks Will nice blog ‘ Lordi for Librarians’ love it!! ‘British Bon Jovi ‘ (lol)that’s ok too ‘a load of song titles’ yeah that was kind of the point! To be honest i wrote this song, well the lyrics anyway from my Epsom hospital bed when i wasn’t really sure if i was ever coming out! I should point out we are all hard Rockin musicians of varying degrees of success who have paid our dues in many a doghouse or outhouse across The Uk , Americas and Europe some of us alongside Yer Phil Lynott s Your UfO’s and… Read more »
I hate to say this but judging from past results, rock entries just don’t fare well with the juries. I can imagine this falling into that category.
Well, I’ve always liked libraries, Padraig. This song is GREAT. Tell me it isn’t better than boring Bonnie and ageing Engelbert.
This is what Hard Rock Hallelujah would have sounded like if it was sung by a gang of librarians, basically extremely dull.
The UKR could easily be nicknamed the “British Bon Jovi!!” LOL
I can honestly say that I prefer this to every UK Eurovision entry since Katrina and the Waves. Good job!
Sorry, it’s a good idea, but this song is just full of other rock song titles.
“Go into the semi-final”.
No, thanks.. It’s great that the EBU still allow us to buy our way into the final, let alone fail to advance to the Grand Final.