In recent days rumours have been swirling that former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell will sing for the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2014. That made us laugh. Geri is 41 years old and a judge on Australia’s Got Talent. Based on the BBC’s recent Eurovision choices, the artist formerly known as Ginger Spice is far too young and relevant to represent the UK in Copenhagen. Perhaps she can have a go in 30 years, when she’s in a diaper and recently had larynx surgery.
Adored by many, but still ageing and past their prime, the following artists seem like more likely candidates for the BBC…
Dame Vera Lynn
This plumber’s daughter came to fame during the Second World War with her song “We’ll Meet Again”. She wasn’t lying. In 2009, some seventy years after that number first came out, she topped the charts again with her compilation album “We’ll Meet Again—the Very Best of Vera Lynn”. At 92 years of age, she became the oldest person ever to climb to #1.
Why the BBC might be interested: Now 96, Vera is from another era. That fits well with the BBC’s strategy of finding artists who are no longer at the top of their game. “I’m not familiar, really, with the modern music,” she told me in 2009. “Well, I don’t really listen to music.” Neither do the people behind the BBC Eurovision selection. That’s why they previously passed over The Hurts for The Hump.
Kiki Dee
She sang the duet “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Elton John in 1976. It shot to #1 in the UK, and even charted in the US.
Why the BBC might be interested: There are people in their 70s in Ireland and Eastern Europe who still remember that performance.
Phil Collins & Peter Gabriel
From the late 1960s Phil, 62, and Peter, 63, had a string of hits together in the progressive rock band Genesis. Speaking to Germany’s Bild am Sontag, Phil recently suggested that a reunion might be possible.
Why the BBC might be interested: The BBC’s logic in recent years has been to get big names regardless of whether people under the age of 25 have any idea who they are. These two fit the bill.
The Beeb has tarnished the reputation of Eurovision in the UK so severely that established artists are not going to volunteer. So the broadcaster has to coax them with the potential of record sales and publicity. (No one can blame Miss Tyler for wanting to make a few bucks and promote Rocks ‘n Honey last year). Last September Peter released a concept album called “And I’ll Scratch Yours.” If Genesis want to re-unite (a la Blue 2011), Eurovision is a great place to start.
The Nolan Sisters
Speaking of reunions, it’s time to talk about the Nolan Sisters! The English girl group charted frequently throughout the early 1980s, and are best known for their song “I’m in the Mood for Dancing.” The group performed until 2005, had a reunion tour in 2009, and got into a major catfight after that.
Why the BBC might be interested: With the Nolan sisters you don’t just get one washed-up artist, but FOUR. Everyone at the BBC is salivating right now. And to quote the sisters, they’re “in the mood for chancin’.” In a recent interview Linda, 54, said that the group has put their differences behind them. “We’re all fine now. We’re back going to Bingo together. We’ve got our Sunday nights sorted.” They had to cancel their 2013 spring Farewell Tour because of sister Bernie’s tragic passing. But perhaps the sisters would like to wave goodbye to the public at Eurovision, and honour their beloved sister in the process?
Geri Halliwell
Okay, actually: Maybe they are considering her. After two disappointing years at Eurovision, the BBC might actually choose a contestant who isn’t approaching retirement. The Spice Girls are still a national treasure. Why else would they have been invited to perform during the Closing Ceremony at the London 2012 Olympics? Geri clearly still has ambitions for a solo musical career. She’s using her stint as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent to make it big Down Under. And in September she released her first single in eight years. “Half of Me” ain’t bad! The chance to unveil another single on Europe’s biggest musical stage would be totes amaze for her re-launch.
Miss Halliwell isn’t known for slow and boring. I have a feeling the UK might opt for a more upbeat song in 2014 to counter the stale image of 2013 and 2012. She would be perfect!
What say you? Would you embrace Geri at ESC? Nolan Sisters, anyone? You can read more of our lists by clicking here.
Willy Lee Adams contributed this report from London. Follow him on Twitter @willyleeadams. You can also keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following wiwibloggs.com on Twitter and Facebook.
We should pick Lauren Aquilina. Young singer songerwriter with a beautiful voice and lots of talent 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFu1OZ_PoLY
Really? Geri? Singing Half Of Me? C’mon! Mel B’s For Once In My Life is way more Eurovision kinda song (and let’s be honest, it’s thousands of times better song than Geri’s – even though Ginger was my fave Spice…)
Bloody hell if these oldies sing would be a disaster, they may be good singer, but to win we need someone energetic and exciting and new, not an old fart. They boring, that’s why we loosing, were boring on the show, a lot of the uk are talented, use them, BBC Eurovision is pathetic with choosing a good singer.
CHVRCHES is such an obvious choice, I feel like a moron just saying this again. I’ve been campaigning for these guys since 2012. Their début album dropped on 21 September and met massive critical acclaim along with a top 10 peak on the UK Album Charts. They have a growing fan base across the world and, since their album was released after the cutoff date, they could easily use an album cut as their song. Personally, I’d pick a trimmed-down version of this song. Super instant, dramatic, and relevant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSaOnwl4sFQ
I don’t know why people want singers to represent UK from different country. the last time we won was in 1997 and she was American UK didn’t win what we need different country to win it for us, BBC shouldn’t have the wright to choose for us its the public. my personal opinion is someone young and fresh. I like the idea of someone that was in x factor or BGT. like me I would choose Nicholas McDonald ok he didn’t win but he is a very talented singer like I said young and fresh lets show off the talent… Read more »
I’m with Kevin here. Get someone from Australia, New Zealand, or American to sing the song if everyone else in the U.K. are cowards. At least they won’t mind getting some exposure and British press won’t bother them when they go back to their home countries if they don’t win.
No oh god no. WHy not get someone who was an ex-X factor contestant, or BGT?? We’ll be the laughing stock and come last if any of these people represent the UK.
GO GO JANE MCDONALD, BRING IT HOME.
No! NON OF THEM!! Their far to old!!! Haven’t you been watching. We have has two past singers and no one liked them it’s pointless!!!! Get someone like Adele!! Or someone from a different country like Australia or get someone from AMERICA!! Like we did with Katrina and the waves. Think about past winners!!!!
None of the above, especially not Phil Collins and/or Peter Gabriel. They have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone whatsoever.
Oh, go on Vera 😉 We’d love a good war tune! jk not in ESC.. oh man, that would really bring the UK back in time!
Geri was my least favourite Spice Girl…I’d much rather Baby or Scary Spice.
Would prefer the Spice Girl reunion instead of a solo Geri. In fact the only solo spice girl I would consider would be Mel C.
Five artists I would consider for UK would be:-
1 – Scissor Sisters (why else would Ana Matronic be at the semi’s last year?)
2 – Kerry Ellis
3 – Eurythmics (yeah a lovely reunion that would be)
4 – Mika
5 – Iron Maiden
Geri Halliwell would be AMAZE
Well, you’d hope that after trying artists that are past their prime for three consecutive years, BBC has learned their lesson. On the other hand, they may seriously be trying not to win. BBC might have been wise to follow Lithuania’s current song selection format, actually. Their greatest recent success was in 2009 when they had an established songwriter create a very good, Eurovision-suitable song and matched a good singer to the song. Their greatest recent failure was in 2010 when they tried the same thing but had a really inadequate song. Lithuania’s song selection format, if I understand it… Read more »
I would not be surprised to see Geri representing the UK based solely on her past spice girls popularity … but having said that I am not even close to state that she is in any way good as a singer. She was who she was due to her personality and charisma .. not talent … if there was any … I just beg to God to keep some brains in place inside BBC’s mind regards this idea of bringing respectful legendary iconic people like Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins to Eurovision. This can only be a joke … Humiliating… Read more »
Sick taste to include The Nolans
All singers who would be so bad – that the BBC is most assuredly seriously considering them, and only them.
The Nolan Sisters have split up so many times I don’t even know if Bernie was still in it! In any case, good idea for them to reunite to say goodbye to the public and to their sis! #emotional!
I dunno. Do you think this “yesteryear” thing will work?
I know that this was a light hearted article but Bernie Nolan is no longer with us – maybe including the Nolans here wasn’t such a good idea?
Geri would be PR gold and have the same media impact that Team Ding Dong had in Malmo but she’s one of the worst singers in The Spice Girls, let alone the UK!
I’m honestly not sure about Geri. I come from Australia and I can tell you one thing – Geri was definitely NOT embraced by us Australians. We really didn’t care about her unlike her pals Mel B and Victoria Beckham. And quite frankly this song is ridiculous – quite simple, and why the swearing!? Not a great choice.
Just wanna add: articles like this are why I love Wiwibloggs.
Ed Sheeran has something big to announce today. I doubt it will be Eurovision,but who knows,we may be left surprised by the end of the day.
Only thing that is good about BBC sending old and established artists in the Eurovision is that they help them to get on their feets again. It worked for Bonnie though.
Why does the UK only send old artists?
The Nolan Sisters would be a great camp act, but I think Kiki Dee could actually turn out something worth while. The woman can sing, and give her a blue eyed soul hit and the UK will definitely be in the top 10!
..Did you all mean “I have a feeling the UK might opt for a more upbeat song in 2014 to counter the stale image of 2012 and 2013.”?
Why not a fresh singer ? Why they insist with the wrong formula ?
Haha, I always wondered where “I’m in the Mood for Dancing” came from when I played it on DDR. Now I know.
Any idea when the BBC are deciding upon their act?
I think the inclusion of The Nolans is not tasteful, since one of them passed away
no no no no no no no no no.
if we’re ever going to win this thing, we can’t go back picking up stars from yesteryear.
they need to be current and in the UK charts at the minute, or a brand new talent.
with has-beens, there is expectation – and they never live up to the expectation.
what was good about Lena – there was no expectation.. she surprised everyone and knocked it out of the park. THAT is how you win Eurovision.
Glennnn
Geri is very much in the public eye down under at the moment. A judge on Australia’s Got Talent, and she performed her song “Half of Me” in a stadium with pre-recorded backing vocals. It’s quite fair to say that her vocal was appalling. It wasn’t exactly out of tune (not my ears at least) but it was just so shamefully weak. She attempted to hold some X Factor style big notes in the final chorus, which instead rang out like a baby just going “eeeeeeeeeeee” as if it were teaching itself to sing. With that kind of exposure, the… Read more »