Asanda UK Eurovision You Decide 2018

Eurovision: You Decide 2018 will decide the UK’s act for Eurovision 2018. The show takes place tomorrow night, February 7, in the Brighton Dome. Our Wiwi Jury is four songs in to their reviews, with Goldstone leading the way so far.

At just 16 years of age, Asanda is the youngest of the You Decide contestants. In fact, she’s still studying for her GCSEs — multi-tasking to the max, y’all! She sings “Legends” at You Decide and is currently the favourite in our readers poll. Will our jury agree?

Asanda — “Legends”

“Legends” Reviews

Deban: Fun, energetic and irresistibly infectious, “Legends” is the most 2018 track of the bunch. Asanda’s youthful pizzazz and the inspirational lyrics behind her entry make her the most lively act. The production here makes a great case for staging and badass choreography. Eurovision needs some urban flavour, and much of it can be found in this entry.

Score: 7.5/10

William: RuPaul once warned her queens to turn up the heat or go down in flames. And Asanda is definitely doing that with “Legends” — a song that’s hot, immediate and unapologetically unique. From the thumping horns, limitless swagger, and use of tribal, indigenous instruments, this sounds like no other song in the 2018 national selections. It even dares to undo the traditional chorus. Girl is literally marching to the beat of her own drum! Fame is banging on the door, Asanda. This is your time to answer.

Score: 9/10

Josh: It’s easy to see why people would get excited over this. By the UK’s standards, this is modern, poppy and fun. But look at “Legends” for what is it. It’s a 16 year old girl singing lyrics like “we be legends” and “I’m feeling fame”, performed to a mishmash of an instrumental that can’t make up its mind on what genre it wants to be. You can’t blame Asanda for performing lyrics that sound like they’ve been written by a middle-aged man speaking the language of the youth in 2018.

Score: 4/10

Anthony: An uptempo tribal feel-good song a with a hint of trumpeting, Asanda makes an immediate impact with a bop of an entry. This would really stand out should the rest of Europe follow the influence of Salvador Sobral. But a word of caution as we found out with Olivia Garcia last year. If Asanda fails to pull off her live performance in Brighton, the votes might end up elsewhere.

Score: 7.5/10

Cinan: Alright girls! It looks like United Kingdom is heading back to the top 5 this year — if they choose this song. Absolutely blown away with that sound (which is absolutely different). It’s easy to imagine hearing it on the radios all around the Europe and the audience dancing in the Altice Arena. It is absolutely perfection, hopefully the UK will do their job and create some spectacular staging: Legends deserves this!

Score: 10/10

Chris: There’s about a minute and a half of a great song here. Unfortunately, “Legends” runs out of steam immediately after that. It feels like everything is just a very prolonged pre-chorus before the beat kicks in as the chorus. That’s fine in some circumstances, but coupled with the repetitive track, it’s a worry for how much it will hook voters at Eurovision.

Score: 6/10

In our UK Wiwi Jury, we have 16 jurors but only room for 6 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:

Robyn: 8.5/10

Antranig: 10/10

Bernardo: 8.5/10

Edd: 9.5/10

Jonathan: 8.5/10

Kristin: 8/10

Luis: 8/10

Sebastian: 9.5/10

Bogdan: 9/10

Rezo: 8/10

 

 

 

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 4 and a high of 10.

WIWI JURY VERDICT: 8.39/10

Asanda storms to the top of our rankings with an incredible score from our Jury. Do you think she could be a Eurovision legend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Read all our Eurovision: You Decide 2018 Wiwi Jury rankings here

Check out more UK Eurovision news here

64 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

This song is just amazing! Music, voice, energy! It has the whole package! Sad it didn’t win the NF yesterday.

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
6 years ago

I. LOVE. THIS. SONG. If it doesn’t win the UK national selection this year, I’ll be very upset.

Mr Häggkvist
Mr Häggkvist
6 years ago

I think is the best so far in this selection, but overall i don’t think this will do well in Eurovision… it lacks the wow factor and it sounds like many things we’ve heard before.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

It’s good but risky. Going to be interested to see how this comes across live. The song loses a lot of itself going into the last minute and a half and will need some great staging to keep it interesting. Don’t think it’s the UK’s best choice but there are possibilities here, although I would not see this getting into the top ten.

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

As some readers have already stated, I like this song and I think it should win Eurovision: You Decide 2018, but 8.39/10 is too much. For me a 7.25 would be more fair.

HONEY
HONEY
6 years ago

Don‘t get the hate… This girl can SING! And it‘s a fun and vivid song! We need this in Lisbon!
Go honey ? make ’em eaaaat!

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

The obvious choice for the UK.

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago

Overrated as hell.but well. this is UK!

BigSyd
BigSyd
6 years ago

Ugh, again with the y’alls? Too much my friend, moderation is key 😉 Don’t think I really like this, I think it’s trying too hard to be cool (cool as in the crap Capital FM plays to death), not my taste. Also, lines like “rippin’ all day” make me think she’s farting! As I hate anything to do with Simon Cowell, I have a silly bias against anything or anyone that comes from his shows (I know Lucie did), suppose I should be fair and put that to one side. And I think 16 is a little too young for… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  BigSyd

Wow. I had not heard of that dialect before. Is it “youse” as in “wowser” or as in “user”? And is “fullas” like “fellas”, which comes from “fellows”?

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  BigSyd

You gonna follow Eurovision Asia? NZ have confirmed participation!!

BigSyd
BigSyd
6 years ago
Reply to  BigSyd

I’m not being cheeky or snobby here, but y’all is creeping into nine out of ten articles on this site- it’s just getting tiresome. I’m not saying stop using it, just suggest you mix it up at bit. Ta!

Pablo
Pablo
6 years ago

If the UK does what they did with Lucie with Asanda, the UK’s gonna get it real good in May.

Rufio
Rufio
6 years ago

I don’t like this song.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

So far, there’s a bunch of over 18’s heading to Lisbon, and no 16-17’s so far. 🙁 This is why we need at least one person in the 16-17 category to be sent to Lisbon. After all, everyone knows that the minimum age for Eurovision Song Contest is 16. 🙂

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

because this is eurovision for adults and not junior eurovision

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

we don’t ”need’ anything… We Need good Songs. I don’t give a f*ck wether the singer is 16 or 36.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Everyone knows that the age limit is 16 +, yet each year we have about maybe 3 singers over 40 and barely anyone ever over 60. If we are talking about demographics, teens are hardly the least represented ones on average.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Yeah it would be cool to have a more diverse age range.

Eurovisionfan12
Eurovisionfan12
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Then don’t watch Eurovision, go watch Junior Eurovision instead.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

You all (y’all) know I would rather the JESC was scrapped completely. Children should not be used as entertainment for adults, period. Sorry to JESC fans, but that is my opinion. I don’t have the power to scrap it (yet), so don’t panic. 🙂 However, the debate over the minimum age for the Adult Eurovision may continue. Technically speaking, the UN defines a minor as a person under 18. However, most European countries have laws that create a grey area for 16-17 year olds. Whether that is right or wrong, it is being reflected in the ESC. Question: When was… Read more »

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Wasn’t the guy from Takasa older? But, no, I think 2013 was the most recent year.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

Yep, 96 at the time I believe.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I just don’t like Junior Eurovision bc 9 times out of 10 the songs sound awful. The ones who have gone to ESC proper have been great (Tomalchevy Sisters and O’G3NE were both sublime in their years) but I can do without ESC literally devolving into nursery rhymes. (I also apologize to Dima Bilan: his winning song wasn’t nearly as awful
as Georgia’s JESC winner the same year, which I stumbled upon once and was left agog)

Lourdes
Lourdes
6 years ago

The moment when you get so overwhelmed by all the cheesy Eurovision extravaganza so that you end up thinking that this song might actually be good..8:39/10?
Overration of the century!

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

uk can do better
and this song is so overrated

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
6 years ago

It would be interesting to know if there is an age divide between those who love this song and those who dislike it.

Some people think that if Sweden had sent this it wouldn’t be considered a contender and that it’s being overrated. I think the opposite is true (that if Sweden sent it, it would be a fav favourite) and that when the UK sends a decent song (if this one is chosen), some people have already dismissed it because of the UK’s recent poor record in the competition and so it creates a cognitive dissonance.

Penguin
Penguin
6 years ago

8.39/10 haha. This utterly overrated.

Penguin
Penguin
6 years ago
Reply to  Penguin

This is**

AndersP
AndersP
6 years ago

The second I heard Legends, I was hooked. Let’s see if she can pull it off live tomorrow, but this is a proper contender if it gets picked.

Peet
Peet
6 years ago

It is not that good.

KYLLITO
KYLLITO
6 years ago

Amen…PREACH!!

MaryJane
MaryJane
6 years ago

Somehow I find this song too… edgy. I feel somehow “assaulted” while I am listening to this (I somehow struggle to find a matching word to describe my feeling)… It has way too much going on for just 3 minutes. I mean, she is likeable and she definitely has a really good voce… but the song is kinda “too forced” into the 2018 trend. It has a good vibe and sounds very well in parts, but overall the whole package song + her voice is slightly overwhelming. Having said that, I think Raya would be the better option to represent… Read more »

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

Amazing song, the only one that could score a recent result for the UK.
8,5/10

richard hochuli
richard hochuli
6 years ago

This brings Eurovision UK, to a whole new age and audience.
Great energy and will get noticed, I’m not sure the whole British public will go for it, but the fans just adore it, so do I.
9/10

Marc
Marc
6 years ago

This is going to flop with televote. We’ve already seen Reinaida and All the Feels (another generic boring song) flopping in Melfest and Swedish charts. This is going for the same way and might be only saved if she is likeable on stage.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Reinaida couldn’t sing well live though.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

I have faith that this could be the UK’s ticket to the top ten, if staged right. It’s a fresh, current sound (something they’ve struggled with in recent years – the last UK song I can think of that didn’t sound too outdated was “Children of the Universe,” maybe “You’re Not Alone,” and I say this even as someone who really liked “Never Give Up on You”), with a cool performer. If they pull off a real extravaganza, this could be the key to a British Eurovision resurgence. Stranger things have happened!

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

What I like the most about this girl is her stage presence and charisma. She will sure elevate this already good enough song to the high heavens tomorrow night.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Yes, I hope so. She has a good chance this year, so I hope she takes it with both hands.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Trumpets, trombones, drums, snaps, bass saxophone and hopefully dancers… yes, this song comes across as pompous, loud, and very “South Africa meets London”. It is the quintessential “you know you love us Brits” song to send to Eurovision, and has the perfect Ambassador as the face of the song – the youthful and forever optimistic Asanda, who is exceptionally endearing on camera. The entry is also as camp as Christmas, which unfortunately will turn some people off like a light switch. Marmite spread onto a brass band. I can’t wait to see it live! 8/10

Luke A
Luke A
6 years ago

My favourite from this years national selections this year, but if they do decide to revamp the song I know the BBC will do a good job at it, Asanda can sing live so I can tell this will be top 10 in Eurovision already, Come on Asanda be a “Legend” and do my country (UK) proud.
9/10

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
6 years ago

Yaaas Asanda slays! UK needs to get behind her because this song is a BOP and deserves to be in the charts like, yesterday!

9.5/10

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

Wow…that is quite a high score!! Most televote friendly of the 6 songs …is fun upbeat and I quite like it!! The staging needs to be fun and bubbly too….although it requires singing with dancing it’s not the most demanding song vocally and may be low with juries even tmrw and in ESC.
A 7.5/10.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

Thank you Josh and Chris. You guys represent me concerning this one.

ImpressiveInstants
6 years ago

I get Brits are happy they have a good upbeat song as a potential Eurovision entry. But this isn´t much better than any of the Maltese songs in the preselections. This never explodes. 7/10.

Penguin
Penguin
6 years ago

Agree.

up!
up!
6 years ago

“This would really stand out should the rest of Europe follow the influence of Salvador Sobral.” Why does everyone keep saying that? So far, there is not one Sobral copycat selected (no, not even the Spanish entry) and judged by what’s presented in the preselections, it’s not likely that we will get a year full of calm, stripped back entries. (Latvian Madara is the only one coming to mind and she’s so doing her own thing that I wouldn’t compare her to anyone)… I agree with Asanda being the favourite in the UK selection, though. But 8,39 is a little… Read more »

Anthony Ko
Editor
6 years ago
Reply to  up!

I included that bit before national final season kicked up a notch or two, and we’ve ended up getting a sea of ballads following Jamala’s win in Stockholm — so there’s no guarantee it’ll happen again with Salvador. Or we could end up with a whole load of “Despacito” clones which does seem unlikely as well.

up!
up!
6 years ago
Reply to  Anthony Ko

I wouldn’t compare regular Eurovision ballads with Sobral, so as I said, I haven’t seen any clones so far. If I hoped for any effect, it would be that more countries turn back towards national languages, but I don’t really see that by now..
Well, we’ll see what happens, it’s of course too early for predictions.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  up!

On that note, the UK should one day send a song in Welsh. 🙂

up!
up!
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Hehe, why not? That would be something…:-)

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  up!

Even Ireland have sent a non-English song at this point (years ago, but still). It’d be a neat experiment. Bet it wouldn’t be in French though.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

The closest Welsh had a chance of standing out in the Eurovision was last year’s Choir of the Year.

Such beautiful Celtic choral realness, I must say, from the girls of Côr Merched Sir Gâr. 😀

Stephanie
6 years ago

I’m not getting the hype over this, but if it wins then Laurell Barker will have had a hand in writing ESC entries for 2 different countries (she also co-wrote the Swiss entry with Zibbz)

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

Not uncommon – the infamous duo of Ralph Siegel and Bernd Meinnunger have also had this happen (the two wrote for both Luxembourg and Germany in 1980 and Bernd wrote for both Switzerland and Germany in 2005).

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Karen Kaveleryan had two songs in the 2007 contest, and then again in 2008.

In 2008, with Georgia and Ukraine, they were even performed back-to-back one right after the other!

Paul D.
Paul D.
6 years ago

You must be out of your minds… 8.39? YEAH sure

Safiya
Safiya
6 years ago

The beginning was promising, I like the “tribal” sounds, but for me it’s not very different from other modern songs these days…

JEFFERSON LAMAS
JEFFERSON LAMAS
6 years ago

United Kingdom will stay in the last five with anything they send, even this. That to me is 0/10.

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
6 years ago

Best song of the year thus far!! If this goes to Lisbon this could be the UK’s first top 5 in nearly a decade!!
Overall Score
9.29/10

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

I like this song. It’s catchy, fresh and I really like the rhythm. I hope Asanda can make one great live show. It’s still very basic in the terms of content, but it has a youthful joy in it. This is my second favorite to win in the UK, and I guess a good live performance can elevate it.

So far, 7/10

ssss
ssss
6 years ago

you’re giving 7.14 to Ieva from Lithuania and 8.39 to this? such a joke

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

The song is good, but 8.39…? Hell no. This is not the best song you reviewed yet, so it doesn’t deserve the highest score. 7/10