Why the UK Gets Low Points in Eurovision Despite English Language Dominance
The Eurovision Song Contest, a multi-lingual competition that encourages creativity and cultural exchange, sees contestants performing in a variety of languages. Yet, the UK's participation poses an interesting contrast, as songs are predominantly in English. This article explores why the UK often struggles to secure significant points in Eurovision despite the language's global status.
Why Do They All Speak and Sing in English?
As of 1999, the Eurovision Song Contest has given contestants the freedom to choose their preferred language. However, the success of English is rooted in its status as a global lingua franca. Its widespread usage and easy comprehensibility mean that many contestants opt for English to reach a broader audience, regardless of their native languages.
The UK's Relatively Poor Performance: The Reasons Behind the Score
The UK's scoring in Eurovision can often be attributed to several factors, including the quality of the songs and the performance logistics. One recurring issue is the low quality of some of the songs submitted, which fail to capture the audience's attention. Therefore, it's often the case that people simply do not like the song, resulting in a lack of votes.
Affordable Songs vs. Competitive Songs
Over the last few decades, some of the UK's entries have been less than impressive. For example, songs like "Cry Cry Baby," "Teenage Life," and "Flying the Flag for You" have often struggled to gain traction. However, the contest occasionally sees standout songs from the UK, such as "Come Back," "My Time," and "Spaceman."
Quality Over Quantity
While the English language offers a significant advantage in terms of reach, it is not a guarantee of success. Other countries, such as Italy and Sweden, excel by following the rules and often producing winning songs from prominent national song contests. These countries invest in high-quality performances, clever gimmicks, and impressive productions. In contrast, the UK often lacks the necessary support for prime-time national song contests, resulting in lower-budget performances with variable performers.
Low Budget and Lack of Investment
The Eurovision rules require each entry to be among the 10 most popular among televoters and national juries. Despite the UK's popular participation, the entry must also meet these criteria to avoid receiving no points. In 2022, for example, the UK's entry was ranked 11th in Poland and 14th in Malta, yet it failed to secure any points as it did not make it into the top 10 in any country.
The Cost of Winning
A significant reason for this is the logistical challenge of hosting the event post-win. The BBC participates in Eurovision but is not necessarily keen on incurring additional costs for hosting the event. This approach often results in a less elaborate and competitive performance, which can negatively impact the score.
Conclusion
While the UK's dominance in the English language offers a strategic advantage in the Eurovision Song Contest, the quality of the songs and the level of investment in the performances are equally, if not more, critical factors. By focusing on producing high-quality, well-received songs and investing in comprehensive performances, the UK can improve its standing in the competition.