The United Kingdom last participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2005. The country’s long-awaited return to the contest is finally here. And now we know, Freya Skye will represent the nation with the song “Lose My Head.”
United Kingdom JESC 2022: Freya Skye – Lose My Head
13-year-old Freya Skye will sing for the UK in Yerevan with “Lose My Head.”
The uptempo pop number’s colourful video includes a carefully choreographed performance and heavily features the colour red. Our girl has a visible thrown, helping define this new queen of the divadom.
The high-energy love song is fitting with the recent trend of Junior Eurovision winners featuring catchy, up-tempo hooks.
The United Kingdom at Junior Eurovision
This year marks the UK’s fourth participation at Junior Eurovision and the BBC’s first entry. Prior to 2022, the British entry was organised by rival broadcaster ITV.
Back in August, upon the exciting confirmation that the United Kingdom will finally return to the contest, Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s and Education, said: “We are beyond excited to bring the Junior Eurovision Song Contest to the BBC for the first time, and to showcase the diverse young musical talent from across Europe for children and their families to discover and enjoy together […] I can’t wait to unveil our own musical talent who will proudly represent the UK.”
The show will be broadcast live on CBBC, BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 takes place on Sunday 11 December in Yerevan, Armenia, following the Maléna’s victory at the 2021 contest with “Qami Qami”.
What do you think of “Lose My Head”? Will the United Kingdom be able to continue their newly achieved success in the adult contest? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
As of now we’ve got 14/16 songs with only Italy and Armenia left to release their songs. Gotta say that the UK is still leading miles ahead of the others for me. This is in my eyes the superior and upgraded version of Qami Qami, which I personally didn’t like at all. I wish Freya the best of luck on stage, and given the BBC has already said that their appearance in JESC this year is not intended to be a one-time thing, I hope the UK can keep giving us awesome stuff like this in future years too! (I… Read more »
Having been a teacher for 25 years, 13 of which were working with extremely vulnerable young people I want to address some concerns expressed here. Sexualisation of children is not through the actions or words of the child but by the perceptions of the adult that they are sexual beings regardless of how the child dresses. There is nothing in Freya’s performance or lyrics that would alarm me or my colleagues. Freya is 13 and if you’ve spent any time with teenage girls you would know that her outfit is far more modest than many you might see at a… Read more »
Thank you for your professional perspective. I agree with some of what you’ve written but not all. I wonder where an actual psychologist would stand. Lyrics like “two shots to the heart” are violent imagery, and “your kind should come with a warning” is a terrible thing for a child to say to another child. The EBU rules don’t count for much either. They put up rehearsal footage on YouTube, and then websites like this one have polls. “Which child had the best first rehearsal?” is just a weird conversation to have, and not something that should be voted on.… Read more »
P.S. In the lyrics, it might be “two shocks to the heart” – just doing my best with accuracy here. 🙂
Everything Lawrence wrote I agree with in theory, but in practice I have doubts about two matters of enforcement. One concerns a certain broadcaster and its history, while the other is about how the child stars are protected from social media. Anyhow, best of luck to Freya and the team.
yeah it says two shocks
You are right, no “shots” fired. Defibrillator instead of gun, slightly better.
I really hope not.
WINNER!!!
Well, it looks like I’m late to the debate. I’ve been a bit busy. Most of you know how I feel about JESC. So, here we are. “Lose my Head” is a solid dance track that I actually like. And, Freya comes across as a powerful pop star in the making. She might win in Yerevan. So next, there are the age questions: Should a 13 year-old be singing about doing illegal things? Should children be allowed to be pop stars and open themselves up to public criticism, including from adults? And, finally: Has the BBC learned from its past… Read more »
Are there any illegal things in this song?
Another good question. Maybe ask the songwriters what the lyrics mean.
What did you see that suggested illegal things in this song or another? Just curious.
I point to what Lawrence Gibb wrote a couple of comments above this one, as it’s more accurate than anything I could articulate. The issue is the perception that adults have. What I saw is just a reflection of my own failings to see beyond what is marketed in the pop industry for adults, essentially.
I think (after 11 songs are known) the winner will be decided between UK and The Netherlands. Poland failed with the revamp (the first version from the NF was way catchier) ….France and Spain are good too. The strong ballad from Kazakhstan could make it to the TOP 3 or better.
Can’t wait to hear/see what Italy, Armenia, Ireland and Portugal have to offer.
I was sure this would win until I saw the lyrics. it’s a pity cuz this girl has talent and the song is a bop. now she will miss tele points just cuz of the lyrics. she’s still my number one in the top
p.s do the juries awards points to such songs in jesc?
SHE HAS ALREADY WON PERIOD
What about the hosts?
They are not reveald yet……
Lesson of the day. If you ever feel concern for the welfare of children, don’t speak up. Just stay quiet and eat a Snickers. All the problems of the world will solve themselves, and the children will thank you.
Lord have mercy, you put a whole lot of weight on Junior freaking Eurovision of all things.
Sorry for thinking children are important.
I do too! That’s why I take them seriously as opposed to thinking they need to be condescended to.
It is in no way condescending to treat children like children. That’s just ridiculous. Do thirteen year olds like Chanel? Does this mean they can dress like her? Dance like her?
No. At the end of this article, Wiwi asked us to tell what we think. That’s all I’m doing. I’m not throwing molotov cocktails at the BBC buildings, or rallying a protest march at Freya’s school. Just typing a few words to say how I feel.
I feel for you, Jonas. I’m sorry if you got upset, and I’m sorry I wasn’t around for the debates. I happen to have been a “child star” a long time ago, so as an adult now I have very mixed feelings about JESC and child stars generally. I honestly don’t know if I could have handled the pressures of social media as a child; probably not. But, other kids grow up really fast and could probably handle it. There are a lot of “grey areas” that JESC opens up. All I can do is hope that the contest’s followers… Read more »
Thank you, Purple Mask.
To anyone too concerned about a girl singing a song that feels too adult, just remember that Billie Eilish was fourteen when she released Ocean Eyes and Six Feet Under, which many point out are a bit too mature for her age at that time. If you’re still up in arms about it, you’re overthinking it way to much and you need to get a grip.
Anyway, this song is a banger and no doubt would do well.
I think that Spain will win… great song, love it!
Yes , i think spain will win aswell , the song is so so amazing
Its very catchy. I like it. But im not so sure about 13 year old kid singing about this stuff like “your kind should come with a warning”, “you get what you want when you want it” etc
I will happily listen to it but i will not vote for it
I guess kids are very mature nowadays lol
Armenia’s entry last year was made by adults and the dance moves on the video were clearly quite sexual, which made it’s impact on JESC. Thankfully Freya hasn’t gone that low, but it’s pretty clear why in Armenia 3/5 kids say they’ve been treated as sexual object by adults.
This could be a winner, good luck gto her and UK!
I’d like to hear the other thirteen year old’s side of the story. I’m not going to gang up on a child, sorry.
Dude, stop. It’s countless negative comments at this point.
I get that you think the song is too grown up for Freya, but that literally shouldn’t concern you unless you’re her parent or guardian. If the EBU approved the song, there’s no problem. The only problem is you.
You still don’t get it. This has never been about Freya. My point is about the countless amount of children influenced by what they see on the television.
Eat a Snickers, I dunno.
gurl go eat ur sneaky snickers and leave us alone. I thought u were of the most logical commenters here but ig I was wrong. Plus the lyrics aren’t that terrible. Qami qami which literally won last year had some sexual moves. but you didn’t say anything. If you don’t like the song just say it already and don’t make up silly excuses to hate on the ppl who gave their everything to write this song
I never liked Qami Qami. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ll happily leave you alone, goodbye.
If this is what the UK is bringing to JESC, I’m excited to see what they bring to ESC. Nice to see the UK *finally* showing up to the game!
as someone who is a part of gen z and works with Junior Eurovision-aged kids, I would like to add for everyone saying this is too grown up, that this is age appropriate. A lot of kids by Skye’s age aren’t listening to kids songs anymore, they listen to what’s on the radio like dua, billie, justin bieber, harry styles, etc. When I was a kid/preteen I was listening to Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, watching the adult Eurovision since 2014 when I was 11 so this music that is “too grown up” really isn’t. It would be a problem if… Read more »
Bruno Mars was 25 when he released his first album, Lady Gaga was 22. Not thirteen. My point has never been about if children listen to this type of lyrics, I know they do. Just not from people their own age. The character in this song seems to have a lot of experience in love, wisdom and confidence, you’d think she has been married four times already. It’s a completely unrealistic image of where children are in life, and will make some feel inadequate or not grown up enough. It might actually impact on their own behaviour. Not good. It’s… Read more »
Would a song about marriage be okay for the junior contest? I’m sure thirteen year olds liked Krista’s song, so the answer must be yes.
Don’t you ever wear my Krista Sigfrieds t-shirt.
Celine Dion was in her teens whem she began making music. 🙂
Yes. Her first song was about dreaming of a magical land, written by her mother. Mozart was five when he began making music, I don’t understand what you are trying to say.
Céline was also 12 when she met the 40 year old man she would later marry, so there’s that too…
any adult here saying that this song is too mature is clearly completely out of touch with young people and should not be commenting on this matter.
I agree, however they do have the right to express their opinion, regardless of whether it is popular or not
That’s a a great song giving me Armenia 2021 vibes. Pretty solid entry. Well done BBC.
And yes i think there should a distinction between teenagers and children under 12 because i find it weird to see children singing and then teenagers looking more like 18+
I will be publishing a children’s picture book this Christmas. “Your Kind Should Come With A Warning”, out 11th December. A delightful tale of losing heads, wars finally won, giving people twenty seconds before we cut them off forever and start shaming them, two shots to the heart, and getting what you want when you want it. Illustrations by Quentin Blake. Ages 9 plus.
I’ve never seen someone so worked up about a 13-year-old singing a dance track.
You still haven’t.
Uk you must be proud of BBC work this year
Winnner Alert. I have the same feeling that i had with Malena or Viky Gabor.
In my eyes it’s really just a competition between the UK and Spain as of now. The only competitors to look out for who haven’t released their songs yet are Armenia and Kazakhstan. I have little faith in Georgia, Italy, Portugal and Serbia to really shake it up looking at their past track record in the recent three years. Online voting really is the only thing that decides the winner, and this and Spain are easily the biggest fan faves thus far, understandably so.
if this is what the uk brings to a internal selection imagine how good a national final would be
thrown? I think you need to spell check that one!
12 points from Armenia. Incredible. Welcome to Yerevan
Sorry to be stupid, but when did Wales pull out this year, and was it a case of move aside, the UK is coming back. Obviously, they both cannot enter.
This song is decent but is very much UK chart friendly. Unfortunately, the charts are absolute dross.
Wales pulled out in 2020. The UK filled a vacant place.
First decent entry to come out for a while and (so far) the only realistic competition for what feels like an inevitable win for the Netherlands.
Love that the UK have come back with such a strong song and, from what I’ve heard, a performer who can really deliver it.
I can’t see any way that this finishes outside the top five. Welcome back, UK!
We’ve got seven more songs to go (North Macedonia and Spain have also released their songs today) So I want to wait until everything is released to assess what I think would be a potential winner of junior Eurovision 2022.
I have to laugh a little at this comment section. Singers participating in JESC are between 9-14 years old. If you’re 13-14 years old, you’re more than likely listening to mature, adult songs rather than “kids music”. Then why would a child teen participate with a “kid song” in JESC when that’s not the music they like in general?
Why would laugh at the adultification of children? I know very well that 13 year olds now dress and and act like 30 year olds. That’s modern society, doesn’t mean it’s right.
How is a 13-year-old singing a dance song the adultification of children?
Just because JESC is a competition for 9-14 year olds it doesn’t mean they have to sing about rainbows and puppies, because that’s not what 9-14 year olds listen to. Do me a favour and actually SPEAK to a 9-14 year old and ask them what their favourite songs are, it won’t be Kidz Bop.
I could not care less that it’s a dance song.
“Adultification”
I think you mean to say puberty.
And many of today’s 30-year olds still play video games, trading cards, read comic books and listen to pop music from when they were kids themselves. 🙂
That’s not what I mean to say.
What do you think is an age-appropriate song for a 13-year old?
Ok good song, but as I was already disturbed by the Armenian entry last year, I feel the same here sorry, the Jesc has to evolved ok but is it the right direction, no, we have already an adult contest so why two? And don’t come to me to say that the children now listen to songs like that, I don’t care they do what they want in their life, and if they want to listen to songs like that Eurovision is already here for them and is full of mature songs. With Qami Qami one limit was already crossed… Read more »
Keep denigrating the kidz bops which are the Jesc essence itself, you are so in the right direction….
No child at 10 years old listen to kids bop. My cousin of 9 years old thinks it’s childish. Armenia sent a girl singing about wind, didn’t even sing about any friendship or relationship. If you think that an -innocent- girl not doing anything even SLIGHTLY adultish is “inappropriate”, then you are just weird. Maybe, you could make SOME type of argument with the UK, but again, no mention of sex, only a friendship. If you think a beat and a bass is immature, you are wrong. What a 12-14 year old listens to is Super Freaky Girl or CUFF… Read more »
There’s no mention of friendship either.
are you a child?
Showing your age? That’s a bad thing, is it?
I will be 102 next month and proud of it.
love the good sis but where the articles about all the other participants? half of the songs are already out and not a word from wiwibloggs dot com?
I had to double check because I thought that I missed the articles for the other countries’ entries. It would be strange indeed if the only article will be for the UK. Let’s hope the others will follow.
Wiwibloggs doesn’t focus on Junior Eurovision as much as the main Contest itself.
Just in case that the UK wins the JESC 2022 …..I hope that Glasgow will host the JESC 2023. That would be more than fair.
Well if it looks like Ukraine is going to win, some votes might be cancelled for “technical reasons” and redistributed to…..the UK
Oh my lord, don’t tell me you actually believe that crap. There’s such an uncomplicated explanation of how the aggregate votes work that’s been given many times but sure make it some kind of conspiracy
So we have actual Eurovision conspiracy theorists?
I’m sad that this is how you found out. Or that you know they exist. I wish I didn’t!
Wow, what a way to come back! This could do very well. Well, good luck to her!
Top 5, exceptional song. Potential winner if it gets a stellar staging.
Oh my god, why is this so good?? Fantastic return, well done BBC!
Can people just shut up about songs being too adult for JESC? If every song in this contest would be rainbows and sunshine then we would be in for a very boring show
Anyways, amazing return from the UK! Their future in ESC/JESC is looking bright
Totally agree!
now we said it. last year’s online vote results made it clear that the contest is more popular for middle schoolers than it is for primary school kids. and middle schoolers don’t like kidz bops. the junior eurovision urgently needs to be rebranded in order to become cooler and stop from bleeding viewers every year, and maléna’s win and the subsequent songs with a similar vibe are a step in the right direction.
Or the wrong direction. We don’t need two contests exactly the same, both decided by adults. People over 16 should not even be paying any attention to this contest, it is not for us. Also, “rebranding yourself in order to become cooler” is not really a good message to a ten year old.
And here we are adults on the Internet talking about a contest Designated for children.
Yes. Strange, very strange.
it’s a business, the contest has to survive somehow. the message of rebranding yourself to be cooler isn’t blatant anyway, the contest is organically going in that direction.
Public broadcasting is not a business.
as a 13 yr old i think jesc needs more self-written and self-composed songs, not rainbow and unicorn songs written by adults
Thank you! Yours is the only opinion that should really matter here.
And I hope people wouldn’t act so nasty over a children’s song contest.
Can be upsetting if one is treating JESC songs on the same lens as that from the adult contest, along with the toxicity that the fandom has sadly been generating in recent years.
Yeah, I’d say to save your moral outrage for things that actually warrant it.
I have enough to cover everything, don’t worry.
Any info on how she was selected?
Internal selection.
Yes, but how? She hardly works in the BBC canteen.
Because internal selections are usually a closed-door process.
That is not even allowed for the junior contest. Even Azerbaijan don’t do it.
Azerbaijan internally selected their JESC participants as well.
BBC used a talent agency and held auditions. The song was already chosen. They’re hoping to have NFs in future.
It’s a good BOP. With a nice staging, I can see this finish high. This is definitely wayyy better than most UK entries in the adult contest prior to 2022. Well done, UK!
It’s nice to see they’re putting in the effort! Very impressed. I get that it might seem a little mature for her age, but I don’t find it any weirder than, say, “I Want You Back” or “Joe le Taxi.” I’m already significantly less invested in JESC than the adult contest, so I really just judge on how much I enjoy the songs and don’t go as in-depth as I do for Eurovision. But even if I don’t care AS much, I’ve still followed all the JESCs since I started following Eurovision, and the songs are getting better and better… Read more »
Out of topic. Do you guys still think Ukraine might win out of sympathy votes? Just curious to know some opinions
Who freaking knows?
People tonight Poland would win the online vote by a landslide in 2020 cuz of how many Polish people voted in the previous two years. That didn’t happen! They didn’t get that kind of score again until they sent a better song the next year.
And the first year the online vote was implemented in 2017, Poland didn’t make much of a dent in the rankings. So it depends on which songs voters resonate with more.
Children should be the ones deciding the winner, not adults. I would hope what’s happening in Ukraine is not at the front of their minds.
Not with that song, maybe Eurovision 2023 televote, but not this years JESC. I think a lot of people have moved on from the sympathy side of things and moved on as it’s been going on for ages, so hopefully they will vote with their ears rather than their emotions
But music is feeling. Point of a song is to make people feel something about it upon listening to it.
People have to understand that Junior Eurovision is not about childish songs. It is about children and teenagers performing, and they can like to perform adult songs if they like! It is even not correct to call them adult songs because teens do listen to these kinds of music.
Olivia was seventeen, which would make her too old for the junior contest. Sorry.
Did you get what you want when you want it? Your kind shoulda come with a warning.
It’s not about a boyfriend. Freya is singing about a friend who lied to her to get attention and it messed up her head and now she’s done with them.
A song about how horrible another child is, yeah, seems healthy.
You have obviously never lived in the real-world childhood isn’t sunshine and rainbows.
No, it’s about shaming other 13 year olds.
aren’t you the one who was calling freya’s song and the team behind her awful or am i missing something? hypocritical as hell and pointing fingers over something you are much more guilty of
You’re missing something.
Who wrote it? The article doesn’t even say.
Awful.
do you like anything at this point
she’s only 13… can you try to say something nice or at least have your criticism be constructive instead of just plain rude or is that too hard?
It’s too hard. Why have a contest if we’re only allowed say nice things about the song? I pass no judgement on Freya herself, she is a child.
Also, if Freya herself is reading this, something is very wrong. It is dangerous to allow a child to read a page of opinions about them… the EBU and her parents should make sure sure that never happens.
Or, y’know, you can stop yourself from posting something she might take offense to if she DID see it. You can self-filter. You don’t have to say every single thing on your mind. After all, if you’ve got nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. It’s not about policing speech, it’s about being constructive and polite.
If I believe this whole contest to be harmful to children, I’m not allowed say that?
That’s about the contest, not the song. Talk all the smack you want about the contest, I don’t care. Just think really hard about IF someone saw what you wrote. Not about whether or not they should’ve had the ability to see it in the first place. I try to make sure my comments are largely constructive unless I truly don’t care what the person I’m talking about thinks of what I’m saying (Kirkorov, for instance).
What I said was never aimed at Freya, only at the people who chose this as the UK entry. I want them to see it.
if that was the case then i dont see why you only commented “awful.” and if it’s really too hard for you to provide constructive criticism i dont see why you feel the need to comment because all it does is spread negativity about a kid who just wants to share their talent and represent their country. jealously? idrk, but you need to check yourself cause dying on the hill of being toxic towards children is not one i’d choose to die on
My word “awful” was not aimed at the singer or even the song, just this choice to enter it in a junior contest and have a child sing it. An awful decision.
Awful! Also, thank you for illustrating my point about the harms of the contest, it should never be about the child in any way. That my one word is seen as such an attack on this one poor child shows how they are served up for public consumption. It’s a song contest, it should never be about the performer.
wow let kids be adults if they want to be jeez
if you’re so against the contest then don’t follow it brother its really that simple.
Not really.
Relax, it’s a kids contest
It should be.
Oh my word, you are just an endless source of negativity, aren’t you?
Don’t say anything at all if you don’t have anything nice to say, especially towards a kid’s contest.
Don’t tell me what I can say. I’ll make that decision for myself. Thank you.
This is not a children’s contest. Maybe it was, but not anymore. The songs are written by and for adults. I will speak on this however I feel on this in whatever way is best for the children.
you shove it down everyone’s throat that’s the issue. A positive comment abt this song is immediately met with you saying its ‘too adult’. You talk abt how it’s supposed to be a kids contest but critisize it like you’re a judge on x factor. It adds absolutely no value and I hope you know that what’s best for the kids in the contest is none of you’re business. they won’t read ur comment brotha
I don’t want them to read my words, I’m not talking to or about them. Or you.
It still is, just not how it was in 2003, but as the saying goes: “The more it changes, the more it stays the same”. -The show now placed on a later afternoon slot in CET instead of putting it on as late as 8pm so it won’t air late for those watching from Eastern Europe. -The language rule is still intact while it has allowed concessions for lyrics in a second and other language to be included. -Songs now range from the Kidzbop tunes the contest was known for in its early years to songs that are reflective to… Read more »
Why are the songwriters adults? What’s “junior” about it?
They can write a song aimed for kids.
E.g. “Tomorrow” from Little Orphan Annie was written by two adults and was performes by the title character, who’s a child.
These comments smh… it’s JUNIOR eurovision (age 11-16) not KIDS eurovision. So this is the perfect entry for the UK. Welcome back!
What 11 year old writes lyrics like this?
This comment proves u never been in touch with juniors age 11.. they are all into nicki minaj, billie eillish, justin bieber, cardi b, doja cat, ariana grande,… U must be a boomer wanting songs about world peace and her favorite pet. Grew up and move on. Times are changed.
I agree. Time has changes a lot.
Yeah, yeah, yeah… you’re a wrecking ball in a house of cards, falling one by one.
Oh please Lorde wrote “Royals” during her school break when she was 14/15.
When is the competition for Senior Citizens. I have written one called Plucking My Ukulele and perform it myself with no backing.
It’s called Eurovision feel free to enter
This is exactly what I expected from the UK at Junior Eurovision: A dance track similar to Becky Hill, Raye or Ella Henderson.
This is what kids listen to nowadays, so anyone who says this isn’t suitable for a 13-year-old clearly doesn’t know any children, pre-teens or teenagers.
I think the UK could dominate Junior Eurovision if they continue to send acts like this.
Not much begging – I believe it is being treated as a ‘one-off’ participation as it’s BBC’s hosting year. I don’t think the BBC will be inviled in JESC next year, unless the UK wins, of course.
Edit typo – *involved
Germany was there in 2020 and 2021, and said that they were taking a creative break for 2022, as well as considering it too risky to send a child to Armenia. We’ll probably see Germany in JESC 2023 again. Also, we’ve always seen the host compete in JESC in the year prior to their hosting, ever since 2017 when Portugal returned after 10 years, Israel made a one-time return in 2018, the Netherlands and Italy were already in JESC (Italy not in 2020 due to covid) prior and still are.
Currently, there is no war/hostilities/conflict going on in Armenia. And when there was conflict, it was on borders, not in the capital city, unlike Ukraine, where Kyiv is being targeted.
israel competed in 2016 and 2018 but the rest is correct
Lee Smithurst HoD has confirmed it’s for the long term.