As preparations continue for the United Kingdom‘s first national final since 2010, we’re starting to hear some of the songs that didn’t make the shortlist. And there are some very interesting tunes in the mix.
Earlier in December, members of OGAE UK listened to all the songs entered via the BBC’s open submission process. The fan club panels whittled the entries down to a shortlist of 25, which the BBC will use to help decide the acts that will proceed to the national final.
But this means there have been a whole lot of rejection emails being sent out. The BBC is promising to reveal the finalists sometime in the new year, but until then, let’s take a look at the songs OGAE UK decided weren’t right for the UK in Stockholm.
Peter Marshall & The Lomos – “You Win Some”
Things are getting very meta here. “You Win Some” also features in the low-budget fictional film “Transatlantic Smash”, about an act trying to enter a song competition not unlike Eurovision.
Sasha Bognibov – “Alone” & “Insane (Against Corruption)”
Ah, it’s our old friend Sasha Bognibov. As well as entering “Alone” and “Insane (Against Corruption)” into O melodie pentru Europa, the Moldovan goth also gave the UK a go. While he didn’t progress any further with the UK, Sasha did finally make it to the live audition round for Moldova.
Liza Starlight – “Don’t Give Up On Me”
Céline Dion impersonator Liza Starlight gives us ’80s club diva fantasy. On her Facebook page, she promises “we will be pushing for the charts with it early in the new year”.
Wobble and Wheeze – “The Bouncy Song”
Derby acoustic duo Wobble and Wheeze (and friends) have the cheerful “Bouncy Song”, which reminds listeners that “When we sing with gay abandon, we’ll always find a beautiful harmony”.
Delilah Jay feat. Nimrod Kamer – “Baby Boy”
Some serious effort has gone into this song and the music video. Be sure to check out our interview with Nimrod Kamer, the maestro behind this masterwork.
VSE.SVIT (Diana Mess) – “World Support Ukraine (Russians Go Home)”
Ukrainian-born singer Diana Mess has the politically charged “World Support Ukraine”. Anyone familiar with Eurovision rules will know overtly political lyrics aren’t allowed. Perhaps if she changed it to “World Support Ukraine (Lasha Tumbai)”.
What do you think about these songs? Has OGAE UK made a mistake in rejecting any of them? Or is it a sign the UK is on the right track? Share your thoughts below.
These make Electro Velvet look classy!
Insane is a pretty good song.
So is Ukraine but would never be allowed to compete on the Eurovision stage.
@Phil
The public voted for Scotch.
It’s a boy it’s a boy ?
After listening to this lot, I’m starting to see how somebody at the BBC managed to listen to Scooch and think, “Hey, this sounds good!”
I have participated in Moldavian live auditions 3 times. And this year they made a very terrible sound for me, so it was very difficult to perform. It could be intentionally. I appealed against that according to the regulations bringing the evidence. So, according to the regulations the jury must analyse it. But they broke the rules, because my complaint was alalysed by the organizers, not by the jury. I told them about that, and I’m still waiting for the answer. They must respect the regulations! Maybe somebody can make them respect the rules.
“Insane (Against Corruption)” didn’t participate in UK Selection, because the submission period had been closed before the song was finished. Only “Alone” participated. I received an answer that they liked my song, but there were too many submissions, so only several songs were selected out of many good songs.
Kudos to OGAE for not picking any of this dreck.
OGAE didn’t pick a Celine impersonator with an 80s-inspired song?? What the heck is going on over at OGAE UK??? O_O
That may be a slight hint that OGAE hasn’t just followed their own tastes ^
They’re all ok but not moving enough to get points or complement well with staging.
I interviewed Hurts a couple of months back and asked them about this. Apparently they had a song written (for another, unamed artist) and submitted to the BBC. The BBC liked it, but didn’t want to choose their own artist and production, at which point Hurts declined the offer. Apparently the song is still unreleased and waiting to go, should the BBC revise their offer. They said they wouldn’t do it as Hurts, because the BBC would never let them do their own thing, but suggested that the artist they had in mind would have been pretty impressive – but… Read more »
@Robyn
I forgot about that, but I still think they should try to move the ESC to Radio 1, and do a support package. But as they are doing it, let’s hope they get people like The Hurts to do is, as they have been interested for years. I love them. I think they would do well.
But let’s hope the National Selection isn’t over the top, with Graham Norton is glitter claiming your country needs you. That’s not what the contest need in the UK.
The BBC really needs to change their approach. The BBC shouldn’t passively ask for entries. Because of the way the ESC is seen in the UK no one of quality will submit one. When the BBC actively sought out an act in 2014, the song was great, but the staging wasn’t. The only way the BBC can send a good songs now, is to actively look for act, and actively change the opinion of the press and the public. One big way is to get rid of the fear of it killing a career. The way they can do it… Read more »
You say national final but that hasn’t been confirmed has it? Only that the public will have a say
Noooo! Baby Boy didn’t make it through? Shocking!
Very good. They’re cutting through all the riff-raff to get to the REAL material, that which is worthy of receiving any significant points. If they choose poorly (again), they’ll have two nul-point scores on their record since the 12-point system went into effect in 1975. Delilah and Nimrod should have never even made it to the OGAE jury.
@Robyn the vocals quality is no good
The fact that one (or two) of these aren’t half bad means we’ll have some good stuff shortlisted. Hopefully the UK picks a good one and does well this year, I’d love for us to Top 10 and keep using a good selection,
love liza’s song- that should have been shortlisted imo
Don’t worry Rainbow Orbit, you’ve found some fans, at least…
http://eurovisionapocalypse.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/uk-2016-rainbow-orbit-genuine.html
Yeah, Diana’s song is good but way too political – reminds me of We Don’t Wanna Put In.
Shameless self plug.
My song was also overlooked.
Rainbow orbit – genuine
Youtube it ppl!
That last song was half-decent, I thought. But no chance it would get elected, to political.
And I can’t stop listening to Baby Boy. It’s so weird and bizarre and bad that it requires multiple listening.
I actually rate the song `Insane` and I liked the Ukraine song. I think it’s a good sign though. I trust OGAE fans.
Well given how bad these are in general, it seems like we might get a decent British song.
I entered a song for UK selection. The instrumental is here: http://www.soundcloud.com/iamhollandique/hide-seek (or google “Hollandique – Hide & Seek”)
Stupid British submitting rubbish like this. Pity the poor person who had to sort through this dross. Makes a mockery of those who try their best.