The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2023. Next we review the United Kingdom, who have chosen Mae Muller with “I Wrote A Song”.
Do we love the song Mae has written? Read on to find out!
Mae Muller – “I Wrote A Song” (United Kingdom Eurovision 2023)
Review: Mae Muller – “I Wrote A Song”
Jonathan: TAP music has finally got the BBC combining pieces of the puzzle: a contemporary chart hit (check); a charismatic performer (check). The final piece is a dynamic stage show, and success will come down to Mae’s live delivery. But, the fact they have a different version of “I Wrote A Song” for the video shows the team are thinking about those extra little details to take the entry to the next level in May (much like Sam Ryder’s guitar solo). Even without all that, “I Wrote A Song” is an extremely catchy track that ingrains itself in the listener’s brain from first listen. It has quickly become my favourite UK entry of the past 20 years.
Score: 8
Diego: The UK is back once again with a great song. Of course as host country they absolutely knew which song is gonna be the banger of Liverpool. Mae is a great artist, full of personality and charisma and she’s gonna be the party starter at every Eurovision event during the contest! “I Wrote A Song” is ready to became this summer’s anthem — on May 13th, the world is gonna know its power and Mae is ready to achieve that success!
Score: 7
Samuel: What can I say. Everything I have wanted the UK to deliver at Eurovision, they finally have. An exciting choice of artist who is gaining popularity, paired with a fresh, bold, catchy song and highly impressive music video. Mae Muller has rightfully earned her title as “Slay Muller”, diving into the world of Eurovision with enthusiasm, fun and respect. I hope this renewed effort translates into another stellar result, but what matters more to me is having, for the first time, a UK entry that I am excited about – singing, streaming, watching and stanning with my own country’s flag around my shoulders for a change. Liverpool, let’s do this!
Score: 10
Lucy: Ok…I’m a die-hard British euro fan…but dare I say I’m not a fan of our song this year? And I do mean the song, Mae Muller is so exceptional in every way. But “I Wrote A Song” reminds me of “Embers” in 2021, in the sense that all I can picture when I hear it is Love Island. Although, Mae is a FAR superior performer so I’m not expecting a similar result at all! I’m just really glad to see people around Europe are enjoying it! I do love the spoken-word section, it’s really bloody cool and Mae will absolutely serve in Liverpool. It’s just not my cuppa tea.
Score: 6
Rick: I love everything about it! Musically, this is totally my personal taste since sometimes all I wanna listen to is easy pop with a cool twist. This feels totally current, well-produced and likeable. It gives me slight summer/latin vibes and it’s made for great staging. Mae seems to be such a sweet and fun person and I hope she can show that on stage. Even though this doesn’t feel as special as Sam last year, I like this even more musically. It’s still hard to tell if it can also stand out at a competition.
Score: 9
United Kingdom Eurovision 2023 ranking
In the Eurovision 2023 Wiwi Jury, we have 20 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Antranig: 8.5 Cinan: 10 Dayana: 7 Deban: 6.5 Forrest: 7 Kristín: 6.5 Luis: 9 Oliver: 7.5 |
Pablo: 9.5 Renske: 7 Ron: 8 Ruxandra: 9.5 Simon: 8 Tom: 7.5 William: 7.5 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 6 and a high of 10.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.94/10
What do you think of the United Kingdom’s Eurovision 2023 entry? Share your own score and review for Mae Muller’s “I Wrote A Song” below!
Just watching the entries from each country on you tube and the UK entry is so disappointing. If this is what we’re turning out no wonder we keep losing. We have a world beating music industry but we keep sending total crap, what the hell is that about? I love music (even the Eurovision version lol) but this is just sad.
7,94/10…You must be kidding me!
People are allowed differing opinions!!!
The song is a bop , it’s catchy and it’s a hit and Mae is a fabulous representative of the UK . For sure she will get my vote . Don’t be surprised if the UK gets a 17th 2nd place in its Eurovision history .
Guys, are the rumours of a remix of this song with Peso Pluma true?
Where did you hear that?
I am sick of the back teeth of people picking on mae ? most of you are probably from the right
I wrote a sawng
Boring. Does not hold a candle to Gina G.
How dare you’ll be so in insulting Gina G was crap you disgraceful human being
Anyone with the basic understanding of music composition and melody can tell that this song is repetetive and predictable, and hardly any better than “Solo”. Same level of nothingness wrapped up into a very basic version of catchiness. The fact that the BBC’s self-proclaimed experts somehow said that she can finish in TOP10 while bashing Blanka on the exact same occaasion is laughable. Both are cheap trash with no surprise factor at any point.
What is she singing and in what language
0,0 so awful this
That’s a very average song and I am not at all confident that Mae can deliver properly on stage. Personally, I like good pop songs but this one does not deliver. It may have a catchy chorus but other than that I feel that we see on stage is far below what the UK can offer (come on!). Good luck, UK!
I think it will do well with the juries as they will respect that it’s a polished, radio friendly and memorable entry and I’m pretty sure the staging will be very good going off how they staged Spaceman last year. But I can see this flopping with the televote as I just don’t think viewers will go out of their way to vote for this compared to other songs. They might sneak into the top 10 (7-10) if the juries help them but I can realistically see them finishing mid table (12-15). Still a good effort from the UK though!
One of my faves, possibly becoming a European hit after Eurovision.. cathy, fun, now.. good luck UK
Wiwi judges must have been on drugs doing this or have hay in the ears. Nothing else to say really….. If this ends in top 15 I’m very surprised, me Vs all wiwi judges.
If you stand firm om your evaluation, I’m ready to make a bet Vs you 🙂 I will give you 2 to 1 on anyone of you betting on this to hit top 10 in the finals.
I personally like the song but i also think it will score rather 15-20 place. It’s Pretty repetitive and I have a feeling that even though it’s last to perform it won’t be memorable… there are a lot of much more original entries this year (Finland, Sweden, France, Spain, Germany, Croatia, Portugal)..
I don’t think that this is bad and I’m glad that BBC is finally taking things more seriously. Song-wise it’s rather middle of-the-road, radio friendly and inoffensive, and it’s rather clear to me that they decided to go down this direction to get some airplay prior to the contest and keep the attention high which is good for increasing UK’s interest in the contest. And I think that’s probably well deserved, since although this is not really the type of music I usually listen to, I find it well produced and enjoyable. Mae seems to be a lovely person and… Read more »
The music video slays. Mae is cool. The song is a earworm. The live vocals worry me big time. Not as much as I was with James Newman but it’s coming close. Mae at least has some stage charisma. This pop song works as a studio cut with its layered vocals and autotune but I am yet to be impressed by a live version. The spoken bridge has divided critics. I am happy to declare that I like it. But I really hope Mae is able to save some breath for the bridge. That’s the part that will make the… Read more »
I’ve maintained ever since the artist announcement and the release of the song that this year is going to go down as an incredible missed opportunity for the United Kingdom. The incredible overachievement of Sam Ryder and “Spaceman” last year, along with the fact that there was the appeal of the home crowd host audience, attracted the attention of genuine UK up-and-comers as potential participants. It could’ve been the ushering of a completely different attitude towards Eurovision, not only from the broadcaster, but also the British public. Then, the UK went with Mae Muller, an artist with nowhere near the… Read more »
I’m not even that late with this one and there’s already 130 comments here. Wow.
Sam deserved that placing. Everything you else you say here I agree with.
And on that note, I’m off to stream Frankenstein again.
Oh I definitely made sure to say “overachievement” as opposed to “overrating”, I assure you!
Not taking anything away from Sam Ryder, of course!
Are there two different versions of this song out there? I neither remember a grand opening nor a spoken word section.
There are indeed seemingly two versions out there, a 3:06 version ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5bw1IIy67w ) and a 2:46 version ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCLFYJ9Zo7M ) .
I’ve almost exclusively been listening to the first and although, I’m not 100% sure which version they intend to use for ESC, I’m sure someone else knows. Sadly, I’d expect the version you’re more familiar with will be the one and will lack two of the better aspects of the song.
Apparently so. Thanks for making me aware of this, I have listened to the one that is on Spotify this whole time.
7.94/10 ?!?! Seriously? That must be a joke booo
Average song
Good song, Mae’s vocals at the pre-partys worry me though….
I figured it out. It sounds like one of those songs that are ads on Spotify. Hope Brits won’t be too shocked when it invebiatly finishes bottom 3.
I’ve been getting Kidz Bop ads on Spotify between my Eurovision songs. The worst part is that there’s a song called “Hold Me Closer” on there and it’s not Cornelia…
UNITED KINGDOM – Finally, The UK’s entry is taken seriously among the fans, and it’s hard not to be happy for them. Still, after so many years of being underrated, are they now just a tad – overrated? The thought itself is a novelty. The chorus is very catchy and bouncy, but the post-chorus is not the most melodic. Musically, it feels glossy and polished, but in a less refined sort of way. Love Island or Real Housewives come to mind as a point of reference. Something that looks expensive, even if it’s still learning how to fit the part.… Read more »
I like that one of your positives for the song is that she’s not “resorting to violence”. That’s the sign of somebody really searching for nice things to say. 😉
I genuinely like the message. We had so many entries in which the singer has been cheated on by their partner, and the reaction is… well, what Mae says she could have done instead. Lyrically, at least. Yet, she acknowledges these feelings and decides not to act on them. Very mature! And when you said it, I totally get the Spice Girls vibe too (which is actually aligned with something that sounds expensive, but unrefined too). I listened to them a lot in my time. OMG… am I actually digging this entry? We’ll see after the show… but Mae is… Read more »
Hahaha I’m laughing at the slow realisation that you might dig this one. I think I do too and yes it’s very British and yes it does remind me of good 90s and 00s inoffensive dance radio friendly pop, which we’ve all danced to haha. And I’m 100% in agreement about the message and I think we’ve all been through this phase of anger and resentment after a bad breakup, but Mae just wrote a song and she wants to dance and sing about it. Nothing wrong with that. 🙂
I could actually see The UK and Switzerland switching ratings in the end. The UK is less complex, but could end-up doing far better at what it wants, while Switzerland could, without an additional emotion on stage, end-up like a pretty glass vase – well constructed, but cold for what it wants to do. We’ll see, but yeah, I’m warming up to I Wrote a Song. 🙂
What a joke. Most of the songs which got an average of 6-7 are much better than this, and this got almost an 8.
Still much better than UK’s pre Sam Ryder days but not any good.
If “Spaceman” had never happened, this feels as if this would be a natural follower to “My Last Breath” and “Embers”. Still an improvement compared to what came before this era but still in-keeping with the UK’s bottom five approach.
The only thing which salvages this song is that the chorus does have a hook, which is something most pre-Sam Ryder Eurovision’s songs didn’t have. But otherwise, this feels terribly uninspired and generic.
The lyrics scream “I wrote this the night before the submission date” and the da-da-da-da-da-day hook is something I struggle to listen to, but nevertheless she is a good performer and I’m expecting a good result for the UK this year. Much improved from their early 2000s entries for sure.
I’m not saying this is a winning song for the UK but it is good. Can i remind you of some of the lyrics of winning songs Israel 2018 chicken noises Spain 1968 LA LA LA LA so da da da da is really not out of place.
Back in the cold, rainy month of March, I didn’t pay much attention to Mae Mueller’s song, but as the temperatures rise, cherry trees blossom, barbecues smoke and deckchairs mushroom on freshly mowed lawns, I’m starting to think that “I Wrote A Song” accurately captures the party spirit of this year’s spring. It’s a pleasant, groovy, laid-back pop song with a limited shelf-life and no ambitions other than to climb the charts, and thank goodness. It’s catty, it’s snappy, the ornate synth pelude catches you off guard, the spoken word tastes deliciously cheesy, I’m buying what Mae is writing. 26th… Read more »
Same rating and I’m also drawn to the fact that it’s an unambitious song, that’s not really seeking to anything too special.
I think “I Wrote A Song” is taking a bit of an excessive beating in this comment section, an overreaction to the inflated jury score contained in the article I expect.
What I love the most about the song is that it’s unpretentious and fun, it’s also current and doesn’t try to show a deep meaning or something of that sort, which works pretty well
Still, the score the wiwi jury gave it was a tad high
Can anyone else in the world hear he Can Can being sampled???? I currently feel it’s just me!!
Either way it’s my number 1!
Yes!
If Mae can deliver a great performance in Liverpool, and fix that end part, she can do very well.
The thing is Mae cannot really sing. Heard her singing live twice already and she was bad.
No, she can definitely sing. She’s not a belter (not many singers are in truth) and she shouldn’t try to be one in my opinion.
Have you heard her sing live? She was terrible in the Pre-parties. I don’t expect singers to be all belters but I expect them to be able to sing.
None of them can sing – it’s what the auto-tune is for.
Next step: actual robots.
Well there are some singers who can actually sing. Singers who cannot sing shouldn’t be called singers even if they use auto-tune. Might as well take up singing myself.
It isn’t an outstanding entry by any means, but it’s one of those unpretentious pop songs that hold their charms pretty well no matter how many times you listen to it. It even has some cool production details like the Spanish guitars, though most of the track is pretty linear. It’s also proof that an Eurovision bop can have lyrics that tell a story instead of consisting on a pile of nonsense isolated sentences about self-confidence. Time will tell how well Mae can sell it on a big stage. Hopefully she’ll make the local audience proud, even if matching Sam’s… Read more »
So laughable. People want a good UK song now we have one and it’s getting good vibes, there is backlash. The UK just can’t seem to please!
Kim, Sam Ryder was good, a really good singer and his song was great. Mae cannot sing to save her life and her song is so bad. Not the worst but definitely not among the best.
I think there’s backlash based on what you achieved last year, nothing more sinister than that. Had “Spaceman” never happened and the UK had followed the James Newman songs with this, I think the response would be more in-keeping with the general apathy you’ve come to expect towards your entries, instead of actual disappointment.
Some people I do not support the right wing Media they are scam
I would say slightly overrated 😉
I can see so many anti British people on here it’s laughable you bunch of cowards
Dave, that is not happening. I suggest you stay away from right-wing media, I think it has warped you perceptions. Sincerely.
What’s ever you fool
One of the reasons I wanted “Raincatchers” is that it sounded so classically British, almost like a female “Space Man” in its way. I want to UK to succeed, and this isn’t it.
Shallow, plastic pop, way at the bottom of my list. I don’t get how this received such a high score, apart from being catchy.
After my comment being taken down, I’m back for another try. Basically, if anyone remembers I said at the Wiwi jury of the Italian song that if UK got a higher rating, I’d be really angry. And this indeed happened. It’s common sense that Wiwi jury is indeed unprofessional because Due Vite is miles better than this piece of recyclable plastic for TikTok. There’s nothing new, nothing exciting, nothing that stands out. It’s just like one of the thousand songs we can hear in mainstream radio stations, but ESC just isn’t that. I’d understand the hype if it was Birdy… Read more »
Compared to Due Vite (as well as some other songs) this is plain cheap. And after hearing the live version I found it even more terrible than I thought. The vocals are simply atrocious. I am not angry at Wiwi jury. They convinced me over and over again that they are dilettantes playing at being serious music experts. They speak about over produced songs and plastic entries and they are the ones they like best.
Agree with u. The way the score given to it is higher that Due Vite or Blood and Glitter, it’s just ridicoulus. Smb is just out their mind….
Although I agree somewhat with your sentiment, to compare this to “Due Vite” is pointless. They’re both trying to do completely different things. I think you could very easily make an argument that “I Wrote A Song” is a better example of light-hearted radio song than “Due Vite” is of being a well-composed Italian ballad.
this is the kind of junk that would get played on the radio over and over again so no wonder it’s rated so high here
19) United Kingdom – I don’t mind our entry this year. It’s rather current and has a fun sassy edge to it. Admittedly I have barely any notes scribbled down for this one, but I do enjoy it and I’d like to think we’d do. I don’t actually think we will there. It’s in my chunk of ‘indifferent’ entries on my top. 6.5/10
Bloody hell I’m tired
*I’d like to think we’d do well.
*I don’t actually think we will, though.
sassy edge? more like a snoozefest
but yeah no one can be as perfect as Loreen (we really need Loreen to be sweden’s entry for the next 5 years too)
Lyrically sassy, although it’s also not that great either.
This is one of these songs where the entire melody is located in the vocal part and the rest is only there to provide a background for, in this respect it’s very similar to “Toy”. The difference is that Mae Muller’s vocal – although I like her tone – isn’t nearly as versatile as Netta’s was, so “I wrote a song” tends to get a little one note. You have a very prominent synth bass that dominates the instrumental side from the first chorus onwards, some Spanish guitar flourishes and at some points a wide synth carpet to fill out… Read more »
I agree with everything you wrote. Except for liking Maes tone and artistry. She doesn’t come across as authentic to me. But maybe she is not a diva at all. And maybe her voice is beautiful and dynamic in other songs. This song is catchy but at the same time monotonous and simple. Good luck anyway, GB!
Your assessment is completely understandable, since it’s highly personal if you enjoy a certain vocal tone or not. Personally, I really like the little rasp you can hear particularly in the post-chorus.
There are certain countries who believe that sending something that “could be on the radio” is enough to ensure success at Eurovision. Being “radio-playable” I think has some value but it should be the BEST thing that I’m going to hear on the radio, not just the most forgettable song of the hour.
I honestly never understood what „radio friendly“ is supposed to mean. As if every radio station played the same kind of rather vanilla music. Any delegation that thinks let’s go for something that could pleasantly play in the background, is clearly on the wrong track.
It’s beyond me how you can be a music journalist, presumably well versed in different genres, you’ve heard hundreds of songs, many of which are real masterpieces, and yet this song here is your perfect 10 (or nearly that). Like this particular song is what you find the epitome of music quality. How?
I feel like even if I showed it to a highschool kid they’d be like “It’s OK but nothing special”
What a surprise, huh? Different people have different opinions
Because you can enjoy things or not, it isn’t that deep.
Finally the UK is sending a song which represents their current music industry. Mae pulled off a really good performance at the London pre-party and has improved with each performance. If the vocals and staging are on point, I see another top 10 finish for the UK, this song has the potential to appeal to both televoters and juries.
A really what performance?? Be honest with yourself. She was not good. And I am just stating a fact. So you basically mean that It is ok if she performs in Liverpool more or less as she performed at the London party??
Judging by her pre-party appearances, she really needs to up her game or she will become the FFF.
I googled FFF. Is it:
Follow For Follow?
French Football Federation?
For F—sake Focus?
F— Fake Friends?
Fused Filament Fabrication?
Or, is it all of the above? 🙂
French Football Federation yup
Mae Muller taking over the Ligue 1, that would be awesome <3
Failed Fan Favourite
Ohhh, thanks. I genuinely didn’t know that; that’s why I googled it.
Yeah I’m not gonna get friends around here but I really don’t like the song, both musically and lyrically it feels very shallow. Sorry.
Deluded just like when you put Albania fourth last year
They didn’t just give to this 0.69 points more than to Sam Ryder last year just because it’s a gurly bop
This reminds me heavily of Jax Jones whose music I consume ravenously. It also has a bit of spice girls as well. It’s all shades of UK pop and I am all over it.
Let put this straight: I tend to dislike every uptempo bops sung by women like this one or Israel because it is just more of the same and the gays usually hype them like crazy. There are honorable mentions like Spain 2022 that I do like and I’m impressed by, though. This is not the case. “I wrote a song” is easy to listen a Mae seems like a nice person but I can’t root for it as I can’t connect with the song. Also, I’m not sure about the live vocals. The attitude is on point, I must say.… Read more »
All “gays” do that?
We’re not the saaaame, no-ooooooo
Not all the “gays” just “those” gays. We all know what I’m talking about we don’t need to get offended.
Lol come on, we’re not fooled. Don’t use your time to post your ranking I mean we already know your first place.
Yeah? Which country then…? I’ll use my time for whatever I want. Just try to don’t get offended.
17. Mae Muller – I Wrote A Song (UK) – 7/10 – the bassline is everything in this track, it very nearly slips into a sublime club beat but remains on the poppy side which is still enjoyable. The hook is very hooky and there’s a nice top-tapping quality throughout. It is perhaps just a little too predictable to really stand out in a competitive sense but is a solid entry nevertheless.
Agree 100%
The hook is hooky.
Hard agree actually. :3
There is some really nice music here, if you can find it under the constant dem bow and the heavy sound production. Please bear with me, as I take you on a tour of how I hear a song. After a short introduction that establishes we’re in A minor, Verse 1 gets us straight in there with telling the main story to some nice snappy melodies. It’s very short lived, as the Verse lyrics ends a bar earlier than expected, to be deliberately interrupted by the anger of the Pre-Chorus. This is my favourite Pre-Chorus of the season, bravo. On… Read more »
Maybe the other side of the story could have been the rap part. Too late to change it now though.
Oh, that reminds me, do you know Jimmy Nail’s “Ain’t No Doubt”? Because that song attempts to tell both sides of a story a little bit, and Jimmy’s spoken word delivery of “she’s lying” is terrific.
Never thought I’d see a Jimmy Nail mention on Wiwibloggs.
Great song, great reference.
A bit higher than an average song, but nothing screams new and catchy. In the contest to be judged merely by the quality of the song, Mae would do above average. Sadly, Eurovision is more than just a song contest. Mae Muller has no stage presence and lacks control of her vocals. This will get hurt badly in the Grand Final unless the team hides her vocals behind the backing singers a lot. It won’t cover her staging and styling, though. I have a feeling it will be somewhere between 15 and 20 positions. Funnily enough, this one would not… Read more »
Good but REALLY overrated. Definitely a downgrade from the UK compared to last year with the absolute phenomenon of an entry that “Spaceman” was and a brilliant singer with the vocal range that Sam Ryder had. It still however shows hints that BBC actually do want the UK to return back to its competitive nature in the contest and Mae Muller was a great choice, while “I Wrote A Song” expresses the freshness of the massive UK pop industry, I still feel there’s a need for a bigger impact from the song, since it is rather monotone, without any key… Read more »
I had high hopes for the UK, after the outstanding vocalist Sam Ryder. Last year I tried to convince each and every UK Fan to trust, that Sam and the song are better than you all think. Seems like this year, it’s the other way around. The song this year is just generic and forgettable like Embers. I can see it becoming a favorite on Tik Tok afterwards, maybe this was the goal all along. But for Eurovision it’s just bland. Last year you underrated UK, now it’s totally overrated. The only thing I like is, that the BBC didn’t… Read more »