After months of build up, hundreds of submissions, six finalists and plenty of fake tan (courtesy of expert judge Bruno Tonlioni), we finally have a winner of Eurovision: You Decide. Lucie Jones will sing “Never Give Up On You” at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
Her song, which was criticised for being bland and somewhat flat following the release of its studio version, really came to life live. Or, rather, X Factor veteran Lucie gave it life with pure emotion.
Expert panel member Sophie Ellis-Bextor said as much herself.
“The song is one thing, but the real magic in the performance was you,” she said. “You really brought us all in. It felt like you were singing that song to someone. I was listening to your story. It was powerful.”
Bruno was wowed as well.
“The hardest thing to do is standing on stage on your own and captivating your public with the passion and power and drama of your performance and the power of your voice,” he said. “The technique was just magic. Beautiful.”
About Lucie Jones
Of all the X Factor acts in this competition, Lucie had the most ignominious exit of them all. She lost out to Jedward in the public vote in the 2009 series after the vote went to Deadlock.
The Welsh singer quickly moved on, though, proving that she’s not just a pretty voice. She partnered her music career with one as a model. She’s most recently been seen on stage, where she’s starred in both Legally Blonde and RENT.
The moment when Emmelie De Forest realised her song won #EurovisionYouDecide pic.twitter.com/W1sOMx4XJ8
— Nigel Wong ??? (@nigelwonguk) January 27, 2017
Lucie appeared barefoot during Eurovision: You Decide, perhaps paying homage to her composer (and Eurovision 2013 winner) Emmelie de Forest.
Emmelie has made quite the name for herself as a composer, having previously written the fan favourite “Never Alone”, which Anja Nissen sang at Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2016.
The Expert Panel
Unlike the judges on X Factor — from which all of the finalists were booted — the Eurovision: You Decide expert panel seemed more focused on building the acts up rather than offering constructive criticism.
In fact, judge CeCe Sammy seemed to overlook any and all flaws, complimenting everyone and everything at all times — even when there were clear vocal issues, as with Danyl Johnson.
Following his clearly flawed performance, she said: “Tonight is a celebration. Every one of you are amazing singers. If you’re voted by the public I want you to reach out and sing to them.”
It’s great to be supportive, but surely these guys are ready to take their careers to the next level. Instructional criticism would go a long way.
Someone please take away CeCe's happy pills. #EurovisionYouDecide pic.twitter.com/Kab7U0clO0
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) January 27, 2017
Sophie did offer some form of negative critique, although it was more for the songwriters than the performers.
Speaking to Olivia Garcia — the youngest competitor in the competition — she expressed concern that “Freedom Hearts” would appeal to a limited audience.
She said: “My only concern about the song is I like my Eurovision songs cross-generational, and I’m not sure if my gran would like this.”
Better late than never…
(based on 8 criteria)
9.300 Lucie Jones
9.288 Olivia García
9.213 Holly Brewer
9.188 Nate Simpson
9.163 Salena Mastroianni
9.125 Danyl Johnson
Did I read right, that Olivia suffered the same fate as Jessika at MESC 2014; that is, she won the televote but the jury threw her an anvil?
It was a good performance and improved on the studio, but there’s no avoiding the fact that the song doesn’t go anywhere! It almost sounds unfinished, as if Emmelie de Forest (who I’m a big fan of by the way – Only Teardrops being my favourite Eurovision song ever) had to catch a flight! It just needs more oomph! Olivia had the best song and smashed her performance and is much catchier and more memorable – should have definitely won! ‘Until Tomorrow’ and ‘Freedom Hearts’ …we’ve had great songs in our selections, but two years running have got it wrong.… Read more »
Can we adress the Elephant in the room?This dolls styling and hair will not do,A softer style or wig would be better,If anyone knows about lace fronts…….help her
What happenned here? Actually, the fan fanourite didn’t win but instead the best live performance that night will go to Kiev. The song isn’t something special, but Lucie elevated the song with her amazing voice!! I don’t see it coming dead last! Good for the UK! I see it between 15-20. Good luck the UK!
Sorry, the mere fact that a song is a ballad doesn’t magically put it on a musicological or moral pedestal over an uptempo song or a fun song. This is no “Monster Like Me,” “Undo,” “Rise Like a Phoenix” or “Nar jag blundar.” It’s generic as all get-out. The issue is not that four of the songs chosen so far are ballads, it’s that they’re all mediocre. (Although I have faith at least that Georgia and Albania will sound better than they did in their national selections.) I’m a fan of slow ballads as much as I’m a fan of… Read more »
I just want to add to the positivity here. A respectable song with a fantastic singer. I think some tweaks could be made to the orchestration but I’m proud to send this to Europe.
Lucie told Graham Norton this morning that she’ll be meeting with the BBC team to discuss any sort of revamp which she thinks will just involve a few small changes as well as “improving the production”, which sounds pretty promising. she hopes it will stay fairly similar to its current form I.e. Stripped back which I’m inclined to agree with, hopefully she keeps the same strong package but just tightens it up and adds a slight lift throughout, fingers crossed
I don’t know what’s to hate in this amazing ballad. No revamp needed. it’s just perfect as it is. Hope it brings the UK back where it should be.
Currently trending: #14 on YouTube in the UK – makes a change from last year.
Lucie Jones interview with graham norton. Talking about changing / revamping the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Cjy6DKv4Wk
UK had a good chance to get many votes, but they screwed up their selection. Olivia was my favourite. A very memorable song! UK, please never again complain that Europe doesn’t vote for you. Another failure for the UK at Eurovision.?
UK had a good chance to get many votes, but they screwed up their selection. She was my favourite. A very memorable song! UK, please never again complain that Europe doesn’t vote for you. Another fucked up year for the UK at Eurovision.?
It’s been years but I finally love the United Kingdom song!
Her voice made me goosebumps through the entire song!
Excited to read how many time will the words “ballad” and “boring” show up in this anti-slow tempo debacle that is the Eurovision fandom. Let me just get some tea and grab some popcorn as I see people desperately wanting all the song to sound like Rihanna leftovers but sung by blond polish girls, for some reason. 🙂
Nice victory, good performance, though her voice is a little to egdy at some times, and I’d like more orhestration towards the end. If Adele yould have song this it would be a winner in Eurovision s well, Now I think left side of the score board is within reach this year, so slowly slowly BCC starting to improve on quality.
Congrats to Lucie! I do appreciate how she gave this song emotion and she has a lovely voice! However, she was not my fave and I really do not like the song. I feel it justs plateaus throughout the entire track. There is no rising or falling. The only time I feel something is when she hits that one note and that is near the end of the song. For over two minutes I feel nothing. But let’s see what happens come May.
@Pollaski @Purple Mask
Interesting, thanks for sharing, Purple Mask! 🙂
I see, Pollaski, I just tought they would want to separate eurovision from politics, but nice to see there’s such a freedom 😉
@zolipop It got in because the UK actually believes in freedom of speech, and Brexiters aren’t pavlovian conditioned to freak out into hysteria because they see a piece of cloth that represents something they disagree with.
Anyways, this is a bland-ass song, and a huge disappointment coming from the pen of de Forest. So yeah, it’ll bomb in Kyiv. Everyone will cry “Why can’t the UK just send Adele”, logical people will explain why it’d be insane for Adele to ever want to to this, and the cycle will begin anew.
None of the chosen songs would be a top 10, they aren’t that good. Neither will Lucie get there. With a revamp maybe. But like this probably somewhere between 15th-20th place. Don’t be surprised if it ends up even lower.
I hated this when I first heard it but after last night I love it. It doesn’t remind me of anything we’ve heard at Eurovision before. I also can’t think of a performance that’s showed that same level of emotion before, so I’m slightly optimistic!
The only questionable thing is that the staging did remind me a bit of Englebert – but I do think the simplicity is the way the staging should go…
Why is it called “You decide”, when there is a jury to steal the public votes?
Juries are the biggest frauds of our times. Make Eurovision great again and abolish juries. They vote where the money and their allegiance is.
Nothing special, lack of originality. it’s plain and it doesn’t worm you up at all
This completely deserved to win last night. It was simple, pure and captivating and brought emotion we don’t see with the everyday Eurovision ballad. Thought Olivia’s performance was a female version of Freddie’s “Pioneer” and lacked the intensity of Lucie’s song. Holly was slick and impressive but not really for this contest. Salena surprised in a good way and the men were disappointing. Think a top 15 result can be achieved for my country this year, let’s all get behind Lucie!
About the quality of songs, I have a theory that you can call SUPERSTITION, but when next host is a country that many say is not going to be the best host because is not rich, or because is not…Sweden, that country will be lucky to have good songs. Look at Azerbaijan 2012, not everybody was happy to hear they will host, but they had plenty of luck with very good songs that year. I think Ukraine 2017 will be like that, much better songs than Sweden 2016.
Lots of potential. It needs a revamp, and if they make some wise changes, it could turn into an epic ballad. Good choice UK.
Lots of potential. It needs a revamp, and if they make some wise changes, it could turn into an epic ballad. Good choice UK.
@Zolipop: Actually, the theatre staff were quite generous when it came to flags this year. The pre-show runner actually asked us to show MORE flags at one point!!
It was only bottles of water they they confiscated from us – a security risk apparently.
Bastian
well hello there, I’m not that much of a drama queen really. Just into more than ballads. Last year, it started with Ivan, Eneda, Nicky, Laura and Ira Losco, which I think was so much more diverse for a start than this year, And normally it doesn’t start with this much ballads either. So I hope the trend doesn’t continue too much.
Anyway, has anyone spotted the giant European Union flag in the crowd? I wonder how they got it in 😛
(J)esc fanatic,
did I say I would prefer 20 trash songs? Nope. There is more than pop and ballads.
I would like to see more rock, folk, indie, Opera, hip-hop, drum & bass, country, dance, techno and not just ballads get chosen over and over.
I only heard the winning song after it won and I must say I really like it. It is raw and emotional, simple on the melody, focusing on the big voice and emotion of Lucie Jones. Don’t know how it will end, all I know is that this has serious chances of being in my final top 10. Congratulations UK, first great song after 2014.
This is just a joke from BBC. No production being, no efforts to win. However I understand the big 5 countries, what you have to do when no matter what you send you always get a
Slap on your face? At least always in disadvantage. It doesn’t worth to invest more money on eurovision. Big 5 please, stop giving money to ESC
On a slightly different note, the quality of the show itself was significantly better than last years, reviews are pretty good this morning, even the Telegraph suggested expanding it to copy Melodifestivalen. And I just noticed you can buy the songs on iTunes (a missed opportunity from last year). I hope they keep working on it to make it even better in 2018.
The most pleasing thing about last night for me was that people who still say ‘the UK doesn’t take Eurovision seriously’ don’t now really have a valid point anymore. Last night had no ‘comedy acts’ ala Scooch. The calibre of some of the songwriters on show (Emmelie DF) and the outcome with a fantastic vocalist like Lucie winning over a not so great song by Danyl shows that this was a true musical pick. Well done BBC (apart from the odd sound issue) and good choice UK
It’s clear here that the UK is not sending a song that teases at subjectmatter like politics or “putting down our weapons”. The thing is; do you risk it with a dance number and the vocals flop, or do you go all guns blazing with just a vocal performance. We had upbeat songs in the past that have flopped *cough cough* Joe and Jake *cough cough*, and ballads have served us well in the past when pulled off right on the night *cough cough* Jade Ewen *cough cough*.
Can I also just mention how awesome Holly Brewer was? from the voice, staging and even backing vocals. All on point wow! BBC 2 bravo! even if some of these acts didn’t get chosen to go to ESC, we can prove to EU that you do care!
@colin Irish song is not out, I’m just basing this off the singer selection who’s voice is not strong enough for even the beats that go behind a modern ballad,.. Ireland will also be sending a very stripped back song be it acoustic guitar or piano… you can tell simply because this guys voice isn’t strong enough for anything else!
I like this performance because it is simple, powerful, minimalistic, natural, organic, and is a positive love song (not about broken hearts).
From Finland I expect something positive too (Circle of light … too predictable, Love yourself, etc)
@Eire Abu: ”they are BOTH (Ireland and UK) refusing to move with the times and deliver modern songs”
I the guess Irish song is out! Please link it! Oooor… you are just pre-judging a song you haven’t even heard.
As for the UK’s…these type of ballads are kind of evergreen if done right.
@ohi, I agree completely, ir sounds like a stripped back dance song to show off vocals! Lucie has a great voice there is no denying that and she can definately perform… but if this track is not revamped it’s doomed to bottom 3. Ireland and U.K are 2 countries who complain most about political voting etc and this year will be no different judging by the Irish singer selection and U.K. Song selection… they are both refusing to move with the times and deliver modern songs! Look what happened in 2011 when they sent modern, radio friendly songs…both finished left… Read more »
For me, the list of countries that won’t suck at this year’s ESC grows:
-Belarus
-Georgia
-UK
-Iceland (basically whatever they pick)
– probably Albania
Will Finland join this list tonight or will they pick wrong three years in a row? :/
Everyone is playing a prophet at this stage. 🙂 Based on what we like or what trend do we expect based on the previous shows, we try to predict how well the song will do on the actual night. Sometimes the predictions are right (Loreen: Euphoria, Serhat; I Didn’t Know) and sometimes they are dead wrong (Molly: Children of the Universe, Nika Kocharov and YGL: Midnight Gold). This can be a rather unpredictable show. I mean, if a great song like ‘Play’ can end-up last, and a horrible song like ‘It’s My Life’ can even reach finals, everything is on… Read more »
Congratulations Lucie! That performance was great! When I heard the studio version I thought that it was boring and not sth special, but now in the live performance she made it soar! She gave all her emotions within amazing vocals! That was pure perfection! And I don’t care if it ends in the bottom again, I will always like it anyway! <3
Very happy with this choice of performer, Lucie clearly has what it takes to own the stage in Kyiv. The song is nice, perhaps a few tweaks might help elevate the last half, but Lucie’s performance does carry it through. I think it will do OK.
She can sing. But the Song…its gonna be place 24-26. Sorry UK, This isat good
@Shona : 12 february – Objetivo Eurovisión final (Unconfirmed) I like the song and performance, it is classy and organic, and deserves a good place, but if will be at the bottom, UK will complain again that everybody hates them and will start again the cynical attitude that is actually being in denial. In my opinion, the only bad luck can come from the fact that after the semifinals people are already in love with other songs, and also semifinals results (random order as they are) are a big spoiler about what everybody else likes. This is my opinion about… Read more »
Completely irrelevant to the topic but someone can you please tell me when objetivo Eurovision is? I can’t wait for it.
Nickc
2002 is year that hot 3 favorites on betting odds for win flop in final. Germany was favorite 1 and finished on 21 place of 24 countries in final. Sweden was second favorite finished in 8 place, Spain was third favorite finished in 7 place. Outsider song was on first and second postion Latvia and Malta and Latvia won thanks only because they have very clever stage performance. I think Malta and UK was overrated that year in points and underrated that year was Denmark and Finland.
RIGGED!!!
All the songs came alive tonight, and sounded SO much better than the studio tracks, and my least favorite became my favorite. Lucie was best by far.
It’s a good reminder that we can speculate all we want – but what matters is the 3 minutes on the actual night, nothing else.