Following the UK’s last place finish at Eurovision 2019, it’s definitely a rebuilding year. And it seems that last year’s music consultant Greig Watts will once again be in charge of soliciting entries from leading professional songwriters.

In a series of Facebook posts, Greig has revealed that a Eurovision songwriting camp is taking place right now. On June 18 he shared a picture — at the top of this post — captioned “DWB/Twister Eurovision camp is under way.”

It was taken outside of the unfortunately named “Water Rat Music Studios” in Woking, England. Among those tagged were Norway’s Eurovision 2015 singer Kjetil Mørland; Eurovision You Decide 2019 finalist and X Factor alum Holly Tandy; Swedish Eurovision maestro Jonas Thander (Donny Montell’s “I’ve Been Waiting for This Night”); and Belgian songwriter Jeroen Swinnen (Tom Dice’s “Me and My Guitar”).

The others were: Duke Ashton, Patrik Jean Olsson, Charlotte Churchman, Werner Klötsch, Mila Falls, Tom Oehler, Maria Broberg, Henrik Tala, Anthony Goldsbrough, Georgie Keller and King John’s Castle.

In the caption of a second photo, re-published below, Greig hinted that the songwriters were already on to something magical.

“It’s a serious moment with an amazing ballad at the camp listening session,” he wrote.

Ahead of Eurovision 2019, the BBC revealed that Greig would serve as the corporation’s new music consultant for Eurovision. As part of his gig he sought entries from leading professional songwriters, many of whom attended a special songwriting camp.

Eurovision isn’t easy and last year’s run wasn’t particularly successful for the UK. The results of the song selection process led to a rather limp national final with three short-listed songs — “Bigger than Us”, “Freaks” and “Sweet Lies” — sung in two different ways each. The ultimate winner — “Bigger Than Us” performed by Michael Rice — ended up finishing last at Eurovision.

The revelation that another songwriting camp is underway has left a lot of fans deploring what they see as an, “If it’s broke, don’t fix it” mentality.

This Tweet from @EuroCampaign generated a lot of discussion.

Comments in the thread range from “FFS NO” to “OH GOD NO NOT ANOTHER SONGWRITING CAMP” to “THIS is what needs to stop. It’s obvious now that songs written by a mixed team of British/foreign writers don’t work for us. We need more self composed songs and originality.”

The songwriting camp includes some amazing talent. Holly Tandy has a voice and a presence and was the top pick for many of us during the UK’s national final. The track record of many of the composers we cited above speaks volumes to their skills.

The problem may stem more from the selection of songs than the format of a songwriting camp itself. As wiwiblogger Robyn said…

Another big talking point? The lack of diversity in the photo. It’s well known that diverse teams — with people of different backgrounds and approaches — can combat stale thinking. But at least there are folks from Belgium and Norway there.

Where do you stand on all this? Are you excited that the UK is staging another songwriting camp? Or would you prefer Greig to focus on drawing talent and songs from the BBC Introducing scheme? Or maybe the BBC should just internally select Holly Tandy, who is standing front-and-centre in the photo at top? Let us know down below…

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Metalvision Song Contest
Metalvision Song Contest
4 years ago

“Lack of diversity on the photo”? How can you tell from how many different European countries people are based solely on a photo? Who on this picture are the Belgian and Norwegian folks, for example?

Or could it be that “diversity” means something completely different in your eyes… something that has nothing to do with people are actually from different countries and cultural backgrounds?

Alrightguy
Alrightguy
4 years ago

The UK needs an “Anouk” to turn things around, every thing else will be a waste of time. An established artist who is willing to take a chance. I’m sure an original self penned song will be the answer for the UK and bring back a better result. Maybe Will Young is a good option. A good singer and his new album Lexicon is amazing. He can only dream of 50.000.000 streams that Arcade has achieved so it might be worth it for him.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

I guess they have to work on the 2020 song this early in case of a No-Deal Brexit. It changes the rules on bringing in EU workers, including songwriters, doesn’t it? Just an assumption. None of us actually know for sure. 😛
Anyhow, the BBC know if they ever get really stuck, they got me, plus potentially thousands of likewise crazy songwriters to choose from.
Ultimately Robyn Gallagher is correct; it’s not so much the camp that is the problem, it is everything that happens after that. Time to switch broadcaster?

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I don’t think Brexit would have that much of an impact, to be honest. Even a no deal Brexit would see most of the same immigration regulations staying as they were for the short term, given the disastrous state of the UK’s negotiating to begin with (don’t want to get anymore into Brexit here).

Grftn
Grftn
4 years ago

Qwhite interesting

Tajikistan
Tajikistan
4 years ago

I spend a lot of time in the United Kingdom since, like many Lithuanians, I have a lot of family who moved there. I am normally out there around the time of You Decide (in fact I have been for the past 3 years, and I’m there right now whilst I write this funnily enough), yet none of those times I have bothered to tune in since it’s simply the national final that excites me least (and coming from the country that gives you the Atranka, that says a lot hahaha). Anyway, my point is that if the BBC can’t… Read more »

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Tajikistan

Can you tell us then why you always vote for Lithuania even when they are sometimes the worst ?

Tajikistan
Tajikistan
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

I’m not British, I’m from Lithuania. Britain always votes for us because there are hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians, like some of my family and close friends, who have made the UK their home and vote for their homeland, simple as that

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Tajikistan

Always even when Lithuania have really bad song?

Tajikistan
Tajikistan
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

Are you living under rock and not aware of diaspora voting? UK, Ireland and Norway always vote for Lithuania because thousands of my countrymen have moved there but still want to vote for their homeland, same as Switzerland always gives 12 to Serbia/Italy/Albania and Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia usually give 12 to Russia. The quality of a country’s entry does not matter there: Latvia gave 12 to Russia’s horrible song in 2018

DAVID Ross
DAVID Ross
4 years ago

Lets have a bit of bollywood at eurovision we’ve not seen that yet we have the culture in the uk to be diverse in the songs produced.. lets put on a proper show like we had back in the day, with top songs and top acts.. this show needs to be prime time and on bbc 1

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  DAVID Ross

Honestly a good Bollywood style song could be the KEiiNO of the year, and let’s be honest the UK would be so happy to place 6th.

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
4 years ago

After reading the comments for the past couple of days, I do have some feedback. 1. Eurovision: You Decide is the optimal process for the UK at this current time, until the UK can achieve a decent set of respectable results, the UK will, therefore, use You Decide as it’s National Final until a new method is available or until the current platform is revised to some fashion. 2. As some of you have mentioned that using new languages in the UK songs at Eurovision like Welsh, Irish or Scots Gaelic. Or incorporating Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali, Gujurati and Tamil… Read more »

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

I think you are being a bit harsh on point 2. British citizens are some of the most tolerant people in my experience. The problem is that the UK already has a strong music scene, it’s artists do not see Eurovision as a platform to further success. Indeed, Eurovision has destroyed some artist’s careers, so understandably it is seen as something to avoid by serious artists. It is very much seen as a fun, entertainment show, a lot of people play funny drinking games whilst watching it, and are purposefully looking for the weird, funny, kitsch aspects of the show.… Read more »

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

I think you are reading far too much into it if you think Bigger than us was political in any way. Also, what is the evidence for the UK being insular and conservative? If anything it has a history of being the exact opposite?

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Ok, sorry, I misunderstood – I can see that the BBC is conservative in its approach, but I don’t get the insular point. I also don’t get what you mean by the Europe hates UK narrative?

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

I think a lot of people think the UK is insular, but I think it is actually the exact opposite – it is a very outwardly looking country, hence its history. The current politics are also a reflection of this – a fair proportion of the country want the UK to be a world leader again, and you can’t be that if you are part of a Europe that is not controlled from London. I do think there is an arrogance in the UK (which again fits with an extrovert country rather than an insular one). It is hard for… Read more »

thomas
thomas
4 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Hi Una, I think your points are contradictory – to say we ( I am British ) are “insular” because we are different, and you point out the ways we are so, shows to me that we are the exact opposite! If we were “insular” we would go along with European Sockets, Drive on the right etc to just be ‘normal’ but actually we are a confident nation who do not mind being different and celebrate our difference i.e. we are extroverted. You also say we were not a founding member of EU/EEC – whilst factually true, However, we were… Read more »

Rob
Rob
4 years ago

Couldn’t agree more; Britain needs to change its tune – in every way possible.

OrangeVorty
OrangeVorty
4 years ago

And on the matter of diversity, two points. 1) Regardless of what some others say I really believe it does matter that in Britain 2019 a public service broadcaster doesn’t bring together a production team of different backgrounds and talents. 2) I fear the lack of diversity might be less about a BBCs oversight but a genuine lack of engagement from BAME songwriters – let’s face it Eurovision is a fairly homogeneous musical vehicle in the best of years.

OrangeVorty
OrangeVorty
4 years ago

Whilst the lack of originality and diversity are worrying – it’s the lack of ingenuity that’s more concerning… we’re going down exactly the same rabbit hole as in previous years. I genuinely think that if we want to keep public involvement but invigorate the process the BBC need to go back to the “Introducing” format that gave us Molly Smitten-Downes then give a young act an hour of prime time Saturday night to present three of their songs from which we chose one for Eurovision. Surely a young act, with guaranteed exposure in the U.K. and route to the final,… Read more »

Cesar's salad
Cesar's salad
4 years ago

Makemakes are a great band from Austria, but what took them down was ORF, when they forced them into a songwriting camp in L.A. 0 points, end of story.

BBC should buy a song from Jowst instead.

whats up
whats up
4 years ago

these “songs made for eurovision” songwriting camps seriously needs to stop

Katariina
Katariina
4 years ago

How about they just let artists apply with their own songs for once.

Maro
Maro
4 years ago

Switzerland and UK steal it from Germany

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

As much as I can’t stand him, Simon Cowell could select a song and act that would get the UK a decent result.

Jowst Nej
Jowst Nej
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Yeah, because he’ll probably select another X Factor winning song. Thanks for the advice (not).

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Jowst Nej

He stopped picking the typical “winner’s song” for winners of The X Factor over ten years ago. I don’t like him, but if the BBC gave him the job of selecting the UK entry, I’m fairly sure he could get a respectable result. Belgium got into the Top 10 with a Fleur East-inspired song, so I’m sure the original could do at least as well.

Yodenman
Yodenman
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

To be fair the song Fleur East sang was inspired by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars which was inspired by countless 70s and 80s disco classics. Her song was a million miles from being original. Besides that the X Factor tends to release covers for the winners singles, so that doesnt help the cause.

Natalie
Natalie
4 years ago

I still think they should go completely out of the box and send a Bollywood style song in Hindi. To represent the millions of Indians who live in their country. It would be different and could possibly bring new viewership.

Africavision
Africavision
4 years ago
Reply to  Natalie

I love this idea, since I am Indian. You’ve got me thinking of a Panjabi MC or Rishi Rich bhangra-style tune. Would be amazing and different. Having said that, they could even send a song in Scots, Gaelic, Welsh, or Irish, and that would be awesome and unexpected too. I think what we can agree on is that they should take a risk and send something unique and stand-out, rather than the standard English pop song. Or if they want to send something in English, how about a genre like grime, garage, glam rock, etc.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Natalie

This South Asian Eurovision fan would LOVE this. Although I predict such an act would struggle with the juries, it could do really well with the televote across Europe, considering the growing South Asian diaspora within the continent and Australia, as well as Bollywood itself being a film industry growing in popularity across the Western world as well.

Fatima
Fatima
4 years ago
Reply to  Natalie

I’ve been thinking that for years. Will anyone in Greig Watts’s camp have the same idea?Probably not.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

I guess all you can really do is cross your fingers. Having Mørland there gives me some hope. But PLEASE:no more ballads!

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Every year time after time I wonder what else do the BBC have to offer apart from Ballads, then they hit us with the worse kind of ballads consecutively year after year. Morland could be a good option, because Norway 2015 was such a beautiful song, so I would be happy. But yeah no more ballads.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  EZz

A Monster Like Me is my favorite from 2015, and one of my favorite ESC entries ever, so I can’t help but hope he’ll bring some quality to these proceedings.

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  EZz

Children of the Universe

Jake
Jake
4 years ago

And I disagree to folks who say that successful British songwriters/producers wouldn’t do Eurovision. Most that write songs for the likes of Little Mix or Sam Smith or James Arthur are happy to do so if they get paid for their services. They don’t care who sings their songs or for what it’s for.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

True. You couldn’t get those artists realistically but their songwriters would be willing to partner with an up and comer if the UK wanted to pursue the poppy route.

Jake
Jake
4 years ago

The BBC can’t find any black songwriters in London to join this “camp”?!?! That says everything you need to know about their approach. How can you have something that should reflect the British music scene and not have diversity. I guess for this guy organizing this camp, diversity means non-Brits.

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

You choose song writers by music, not colour skin

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

True, but black artists dominate a lot of British music at the moment and are considered to be among the best in the field, and to be honest it’s not like many of the white songwriters featured are that acclaimed in the first place.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

The camp should at least reflect what people see in their everyday lives and include all different types of people.

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

The camp should have the songwriters the BBC want
The BBC’s taste usually lacks, but hopefully this time they come up with something decent
I still want the big 5 thing to be revoked
If your song’s not good enough or people don’t want to vote for it, you don’t deserve a spot in the final
No matter how much you pay or contributed to the contest
Maybe when the BBC fails to qualify, they’ll change things up and become serious

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Roy Moreno

The BBC have an obligation to the license fee payers to reflect all communities. They’re not doing that here. Of course I would agree that the songwriters should be there on merit, but it’s not credible to suggest that no people of color are good enough. I have no idea why none were invited. It’s so strange.

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Umm writers write based on music and the quality, It honestly would make no difference if it was a black person writing the song, because if the song is bad, then its bad no matter what skin tone.

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

It’s not the only place the BBC does to find songs for their selection. They also source their songs elsewhere (public submissions, BASCA, and in this year’s case, they shopped songs from other countries. So it’s probable that we also have songwriters from various backgrounds represented here. “Bigger Than Us” was after all written by a black songwriter.

I K
I K
4 years ago

“A serious moment with an amazing ballad.” And this is why we’re doomed to fail year after year

Jack
Jack
4 years ago

If UK sticks to You Decide or brings a new national final next year… I just hope BBC for once don’t let OGAE interfere with the shortlisting process as they’ve always been an overlooked problem, nice to see Mørland there and I can already see him writing a song similar to “Who We Are” (which he wrote and finished 2nd in MGP 2018) with Holly Tandy, worth noting Henrik Tala was one of the 6 writers of “Spirit in the Sky” is this camp just for UK or for national selections 2020 in general when countries open their submission window?… Read more »

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

True. Even if you include Electro Velvet, you can still say their entries were interesting and stood out (in good and bad ways albeit).

To be honest, I think a Holly Tandy song that she co-wrote with Mørland could do reasonably well next year if it’s staged and sung well (and from 2016 onwards, the UK has at least got the vocals and staging down better than other countries). By reasonably well I mean coming top 20.

Pandaman
Pandaman
4 years ago

They don’t have to fix it – they still can pin the blame on Brexit in case of poor results :p

balalaika
balalaika
4 years ago

I know I’m off topic, but I want to say what is it about Belarus aggregate jury vote. Wiwibloggs ask in the videos, why Belarus vote was not canceled altogether, but the answer is:
-you can’t vote for your country, Belarus can’t vote for Belarus
-so Belarus is forced o vote for its rivals (10 of them)
-if Belarus vote is canceled, and it will not vote for 10 of its competitors, it means Belarus has an advantage
-this is why a country is forced to vote anyway

James
James
4 years ago

I have this interesting observation with regards to songwriting camps: Portugal also uses one to come up with songs that will take part in that year’s edition of Festival da Canção. The approach is different for FDC’s case because the songwriters aren’t compelled to write a song that is specifically for Eurovision. So the resulting tracks that get produced sound more niche-sounding than what we would usually here in a national selection. The songwriters also are given freedom to choose the singer they feel are better suited to perform them. I’m not sure how the BBC goes about with casting… Read more »

Jake
Jake
4 years ago
Reply to  James

Portugal doesn’t use camps. They simply contract existing songwriters to write songs in their own style with a guaranteed placement in a national final. RTP has no say about the song once they contract the songwriter. They are stuck with the 16-24 songs they asked for.

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  Jake

I stand corrected. Thanks.

balalaika
balalaika
4 years ago

It worked for Michael Schulte. Bringing together creative minds can’t be bad.

marcus (Day One)
marcus (Day One)
4 years ago
Reply to  balalaika

But he helped compose it himself whereas the BBC just pairs the songs to random singers.

BTW the so ng writing camp didn’t work for S!sters :p

Metalvision Song Contest
Metalvision Song Contest
4 years ago

S!sters didn’t go through the songwriting camp, in contrast to everyone else in the German national final. That was precisely the problem! 😉 They were the only ones without a somewhat authentic, self-(co-)written song.

Jack
Jack
4 years ago

All this effort only to come across with 3 mediocre songs that will fill the 20-26 place. It’s sad that the biggest music industry in Europe can’t send an interesting act.

Jowst Nej
Jowst Nej
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Because no one in the UK wants to do it. Whenever Eurovision gets mentioned in our country, songwriters just laugh and label it as a “freak show”. If the BBC carry on with You Decide again, it would be official that they’ve lost their freaking minds

Leydan
Leydan
4 years ago
Reply to  Jowst Nej

That opinion exists but we have so much unknown, up and coming talent who would jump at the chance to sing to 200 million people and promote themselves. We have enough duncan Lawrence’s to fill the next century and beyond. The BBC have huge platforms for promoting new music, as we’ve all discussed to no end. Its mind boggling how they scrapped it after Molly, instead of expanding it and making it some big huge event.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Leydan

Exactly. Granted this couldn’t have worked in the 2000s when the contest was still largely perceived as a joke in the West, but not anymore.

jack
jack
4 years ago
Reply to  Leydan

wake up, its not about the artist. the song is the problem, the only descent act in the decade was blue and nothing else

Africavision
Africavision
4 years ago

Why does the UK even need a song-writing camp? Every year on music competitions, like the X Factor UK and Britain’s Got Talent, you see amazing singer-songwriters participate, e.g., Rak-Su, Grace Davies, Harry Gardner, and even Donchez Dacres. The UK does not need songs composed by foreign and big wigs in the music industry… Some of the best music are those simple yet meaningful songs that are written and performed by singers who understand and feel the words of what they are singing. So just get one of the singer-songwriters from these shows to sing an original self-penned and authentic… Read more »

yodenman
yodenman
4 years ago
Reply to  Africavision

Amazing song writers… RAKSU… are you serious. Their songs are horrendous with puerile lyrics. The rest you mentioned are OK. What makes me angry about this article is that those people are basically being payed out of my license fee and are yet moe examples of spongers riding the BBC gravy train.

Jack
Jack
4 years ago
Reply to  Africavision

As if UK needs more irrelevant talent show names!?!? not many people watch X Factor now(last year saw the lowest ratings ever) and Britain’s Got Talent has become a sympathy fest which even more people are switching off, BBC Introducing is the platform to look for young fresh talent instead of some dragged out barrell-scrapping SyCo-produced programme which was once thriving a decade ago. There is nothing wrong with foreign songwriters working with British artists, most of the biggest names in the world music industry have worked with Swedish composers for about 25 years now but it’s all about finding… Read more »

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Duncan Laurence is an ‘irrelevant talent show name’ and he just won Eurovision.

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Swedish Idol alumni Mans and Loreen send their regards.

Africavision
Africavision
4 years ago
Reply to  Africavision

That is so true, Bigger. I agree 100%. And like with X Factor UK, I believe it is broadcast between September to December each year, so it can be easily used to unearth brilliant singer-songwriters and songs that are eligible for Eurovision participation the following year. But I guess the issue is that ITV is the broadcaster, not the BBC. I also have to say that I think if one of these up-and-coming singers can get a great result for the UK, maybe then more established artists will also be open to participating at Eurovision, as it is clear that… Read more »

EurovisionBenny_AUT
EurovisionBenny_AUT
4 years ago

Songwriting camps often lead to songs which lack personality, and this was a problem for both SuRie and Michael Rice. I hope that the main focus of the BBC is on the submitted entries, but to be honest, I am doubtful…

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago

The massive problem with the UK is authenticity. I would prefer that the entry was from someone who wrote the song, someone for whom it had a deep meaning, someone who could get across the feeling in the song because they have lived it. Personally, I can think of nothing worse than 20 people in a room concocting something – what they come up with will no doubt be polished and professional, but that is not what the UK is missing at the moment – the UK is missing heart. All 3 of last year’s national finalists were good songs,… Read more »

balalaika
balalaika
4 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Sergey lived Scream, more than he lived You are the only one, but he said he doesn’t want to talk about it. His brother has died.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  balalaika

Yes. Because Lucie is an actress, she was able to emote well and make it feel like she was living through the song’s meaning, even if she had nothing to do with the composition itself- hence why I feel like if they insist on the songwriting process, they should get a seasoned west end performer rather than an aspiring pop singer if only to add emotion.

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago
Reply to  balalaika

That’s incredible sad and it may well have been that he was indeed singing from the heart – my point was that if you have an experienced performer, they can make you feel they are living the song even if they haven’t. The UK either needs that, or they need to go for a singer who has written the song themselves imo.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
4 years ago

At this point I would say that they need to select internally, the Brits or that jury keep selecting the worst songs in their selections.

James
James
4 years ago

To add about the UK selection. The BBC also has open submissions window that lets the public send songs. That’s the path that JOWST took to send his entries for consideration last year. If I recall, the songwriting camps are separate from the other method BBC use for You Decide where BASCA submit their own set of songs from their members for consideration.

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
4 years ago

For the whole Songwriting Camps aren’t a bad idea, its that the UK doesn’t know how to ultilize them to their fullest potential, and the format for the National Final doesn’t work.
The 2 artist 3 song method is just not working, if they increased capacity of songs to 10, added a international jury and had a bit more money to play with things would be a lot easier for the UK.
2020 is next and time for the UK to either shape up or leave.

Tigg
Tigg
4 years ago

nope….flogging a dead horse here.

Aleqs
Aleqs
4 years ago

Hi everyone! Quick question which edition of eurovision was your favorite? Mine was 2014

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  Aleqs

2012

Tigg
Tigg
4 years ago
Reply to  Aleqs

1987

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
4 years ago
Reply to  Aleqs

I can just speak for 2009-2019. Performance-wise 2016 with Petra and Mans! Song-wise it’s very difficult. Maybe 2014 (AUS, NLD, ITA, UKR, SUI) or 2017 (Bulgaria, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland)…

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Aleqs

Based on the quality of songs I would say 2012,2015, and maybe 2009 were very strong years, but based on favourite hosting countries 2016 is probably one of the best years in quite some time followed by 2012,2011, and 2009.

EZz
EZz
4 years ago

I doubt the Uk would ever do this, but the Bulgarian national broadcaster I believe for both 2017 and 2018, actually used their social media, and allowed their followers to interact with them and let them choose out of a wide selection of different songs, and they give the feedback for what they liked the most. So what’s the say the BBC stop you decide, and actually give the power to us the public in what songs we want to see for Netherlands 2020, and this method got Bulgaria 2nd after Portugal, so it could do well, maybe the BBC… Read more »

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  EZz

In the case of Bulgaria, they’ve only gave fans some hints here or there but never getting us hear actual snippets so we can’t tell if any of the songs in contention were of our liking. Which is fine since it seems like many of the songs presented all have a competitive edge, as seen with Malta’s “Chameleon”.

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  James

Yeah true but the fact in this day and age, the BBC could actually interact with their followers, get everybody’s thoughts and feelings, and we get the control on what song we want to send, sounds like a plan that won’t fail.

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  EZz

That is if it could get followers of @BBCEurovision to cooperate for the most part.

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  James

Exactly.

Darren
Darren
4 years ago

If John Lundvik had of sang “Bigger Than Us” instead of “Too Late For Love”, he still would have been second in the juries.
If Michael Rice has of sang “Too Late for Love” instead of “Bigger than Us”, he still would have been last.
Welcome to Eurovision people!

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Or if the UK sent Switzerland’s entry, and Switzerland sent the UK’s entry they would of done way better than last.

Darren
Darren
4 years ago
Reply to  EZz

It’s true.
How can anyone say that it’s fair?
Eurovision is actually so unfair in many ways.

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Exactly and then I keep thinking that it took the Netherlands 44 years to win after 1975, and they had a share of bad results, so why can the Uk after 22 years get it together. We send the most bland, eery, most distasteful songs, and wonder why we don’t get votes. It’s just the song choices we lack in, the artists actually have great voices.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I totally disagree. If the UK had sent the Swiss act this year, they would have come fourth. If they had sent Kate Miller Heidke, they would have came ninth. If The Netherlands had sent Michael Rice singing Bigger Than Us, they would not have qualified.

What are you basing your opinion on?

ian
ian
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I’m sorry i’m british myself and I can say without any doubt that Bigger than us is the worst of these two…

Andrew
Andrew
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Not all of the ~200 million viewers know that Sweden consistently does well, nor do they know the betting odds. The only valid reasons for voting are based on people genuinely liking the performance/song or for political reasons such as voting for neighbours (and yes, it is possible that less people voted for the UK because of Brexit, and who’d blame them to be fair). But mainly, our song just wasn’t good enough. We have great singers and the staging is generally good, but the songs – they’re always too bland. Sweden’s song was actually good, despite the fact that… Read more »

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

There’s a reason why John chose TLFL over Bigger than Us…

American ESC fan
American ESC fan
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

If John Lundvik had sand Bigger than Us he would’ve given an amazing performance and the Swedish delegation would’ve ensured their staging was on point and the Mamas as back up singers would’ve killed it as back up singers.

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Compare the final performances of John Lundvik and Michael Rice. John’s was much better. Better vocals and better stage presence.
Michael Rice messed up and deserved to end in the bottom.

Jake
Jake
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

The interesting part is that john submitted Bigget Than Us to melodifestivalen and it was turned down in favor of Is It Too Late For Us. So not entirely sure I agree. Also there was better staging with the four mamas joining John and the lighting versus random people in the background and a screensaver LED

Jowst Nej
Jowst Nej
4 years ago

I’m very sceptical is to whether the BBC have already made plans for next year? The BBC don’t even mention the word “Eurovision” until October, so this could be a post taken too literally. Personally, I don’t think the songwriting camps are the problem, it’s the horrendous BBC format. I would still much prefer a BBC Introducing selection process, however there still could be because we don’t know the BBC plans yet either. Other than that, I just want to be proud of my country again, I want to live up to the live show where I can look forward… Read more »

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Jowst Nej

I agree all the way with everything you just said, I just for once want to sit down on a Saturday night, hear an amazing catchy tune, with a good singer that will actually make me say; go onn this is great, instead of putting my head in my hands. And the song writing camps aren’t terrible as 2017 we got completely robbed with Lucie, it’s just the bland awful songs that aren’t presented to us. But still I just hope you decide gets axed, and maybe a song for Europe comes back, and we can actually be proud when… Read more »

Paul
Paul
4 years ago
Reply to  Jowst Nej

BBC introducing is 100% the way forward. Trouble is I think a lot of the artists through this would look down at Eurovision…

Justice
Justice
4 years ago

Whaaaat? Mørland is there? This means they’ll most likely get at least one wonderful song. But knowing the BBC, they’d probably still pull something like “Still in love with you” or “Bigger than us” out of the trash instead of choosing that potentially wonderful song. No clue why they continue to stage something like this in the first place when all they want is a perpetual last place at Eurovision.

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  Justice

Like “En livredd mann”, which would probably be a NQ. Even if he had something amazing, he would take it to himself and sing for Norway.

EZz
EZz
4 years ago

Everybody although I doubt the BBC will come through for us, some amazing miracle needs to happen and ASAP, someone needs to pull through and save our embarrassing results. Seriously it would be nice to cheer when the UK perform, and not feel ashamed and humiliated, BBC get it together.

Darren
Darren
4 years ago
Reply to  EZz

I actually preferred when United Kingdom where internally selecting well known and established acts. 2011-2013 was interesting for the UK. We had Blue almost breaking Top 10 in what in my opinion was a particularly strong year with a catchy song and a strong performance. Okay 2012 was odd getting the Hump, but Bonnie Tyler done decent in 2013. You guys where robbed in 2014 though, Molly deserved so much better…by far the best British entry of the decade. And just scratched the surface in terms of what BBC is capable of. Why don’t they use the BBC Introducing mechanism… Read more »

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I honestly have no idea what the BBC are playing at I really don’t. A mix of British and foreign writers isn’t an issue, it’s the problem that when it comes down too choosing, the 6 most basic bland, stale songs are always picked, and most of the British writers are just terrible. I really think going in a similar direction like Bulgaria 2016,2017, or Belgium 2015,2017 where the song was absolutely incredible, and the artists could back the song up is a route we need, but the BBC suck and will probably send a storm reject, or bigger than… Read more »

Darren
Darren
4 years ago
Reply to  EZz

Britain has an overload of tv singing competitions…perhaps they should use one of them instead of EYD.
Then, get the record companies involved. Song writing camps just look so amateur imo. Get record companies like SYCO or Parlophone involved who would be in charge of picking the song.
However I think BBC Introducing was/is their best bet.

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Yes Exactly Malta used the X factor format, to pick their entry, then instead of promoting them across Europe, she had her song promoted on YouTube where everyone across Europe could straight away hear it, and for performing first, she came 14th, so honestly getting the record companies, and better promotion on the internet would be great.

Darren
Darren
4 years ago

“If it’s broke, don’t fix it!”
Nice to see the United Kingdom follow our approach to Eurovision.
This has always been Ireland’s method.
This song writing camp has a very Irish feel to it actually. Legit like something RTE would post on Twitter.
“Oh the Scandinavian countries have done well recently, let’s get the token Viking involved!” Every year there is one. Jon Lundvik in 2019, Mans as a host in 2018, Emmelie de Forest in 2017…looks like it’s Morland in 2020.

EZz
EZz
4 years ago

Seriously, the BBC need to seriously step up their game and quickly save us from any further embarrassment How long do we have to feel embarrassed with the same cheap, boring, snooze songs every single year. And until we hear how these songs are, I’m a bit sceptical on this song camp scenario. The songs really need to bring it and when I mean bring it I mean like Bulgaria did 2016, 2017, Belgium 2015,2017, Sweden although it could be a bad example as they always master the art of picking a great song, although out of the songwriters so… Read more »

Paul
Paul
4 years ago
Reply to  EZz

I get what you’re saying – and I don’t want to sound like Nigel Farage – but I think we should be doing our own thing. The British music scene is so diverse – let’s take inspiration from that! Imagine sending a grime song. Imagine Stormzy at Eurovision! Uniqueness stands out. Look at Iceland this year….

EZz
EZz
4 years ago
Reply to  Paul

Uniqueness does stand out, so if we go in that lane, we could send the most wackiest, craziest, most mind blowing artist, if that means we get remembered, but how the UK have produced the best artists and songs out of the whole of Europe, yet we suck and cant pick anything diverse and different is ridiculous.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

Look at them all enjoying that spread! I bet half of them can’t believe their luck. Usually, they’d be hocking their wares around Moldova…

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago

Wait this is really early to be prepping a Eurovision entry- we don’t even have a host city and the UK itself hasn’t officially confirmed their participation (we all know they will, but there has been no official announcement- hopefully it’s early enough for them to listen to the fans’ feedback and change course. The last time they didn’t use a songwriting camp they ended up 15th- granted Lucie deserves 75% of the credit for that, but when a process gets you 24th and 26th consecutively you shouldn’t even consider repeating it. The thing is, given the improving reputation of… Read more »

Tema
Tema
4 years ago

BBC: how are we going to fix our bad results for next year?
WERE GOING TO WATER RAT MUSIC STUDIOS!!

Loin dici
4 years ago

Actually, the selections were kind of great. Rather than to complain more about the camps, I’m worried about the delegations’s taste in music and selection — that Twitter post sums it up.

I wish Greig can convince them to find something interesting.

Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

And, also NOT to put EYD in Friday night. I mean, as somebody pointed what happened on Unser Lied this year, you can expect lots, and lots, of elderly people watching the show.

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

People are misinterpreting the numbers of the German national final. It’s not true that only 10% of the viewers were under 50. The market share of viewers under 50 was 10%.

Jowst Nej
Jowst Nej
4 years ago

Who the actual hell does this Greig guy think he is? We came last with this selection method and now we’re carrying it on? Do the BBC have any form of evolution or are just plain stupid? British fans are absolutely fuming about this, of course it’s not too late the change things around (the BBC have yet to decide on what they’re doing for next year). But it better not be a EYD full of generic and uninspiring Laurell Barker songs. Honestly, if next year is another dissapointing year for the UK, I quit being a Eurovision fan, there’s… Read more »

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  Jowst Nej

These songwriting camps are not the BBC’s only place they source their songs for You Decide.

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

“Water Rat Music Studios”
wtf!! and that logo??!!

Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

But that logo is cute in an ironic way, I like it.

James
James
4 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

The Wind in the Willows.

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
4 years ago

Send Holly and Mørland! Song title: “A Monster Like Me Is Bigger Than Us” XD
(I love them both btw <3)

Nikki
Nikki
4 years ago

I trust Morland,I love his work, but I don’t trust the BBC to work things out for their life, so…

Let God catch us with our sins confessed.