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Eurovision Song Contest 1989
Country United Kingdom
National selection
Selection processA Song for Europe 1989
Selection date(s)24 March 1989
Selected entrantLive Report
Selected song"Why Do I Always Get It Wrong"
Selected songwriter(s)
  • Brian Hodgson
  • John Beeby
Finals performance
Final result2nd, 130 points
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄1988 • 1989 • 1990►

Live Report represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 with the song "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong", which placed 2nd in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Before Eurovision

A Song for Europe 1989

A Song for Europe 1989 was a very dis-jointed final. The original singer chosen for "Back in the Groove" was to have been Garry Gibb; the song "Shame" was to have been sung by its writer, Marwenna Haver, and the song that won had its name and the name of the performer changed.

The final was held on 24 March 1989 from Studio 6, at Television Centre, London, featuring eight songs and hosted by Terry Wogan on BBC1. A separate results show was broadcast on BBC1 the same evening. BBC Radio 2 simulcast the final and also broadcast the results show, both with commentary by Ken Bruce.

The eight songs in contention to represent the United Kingdom were premiered in various programmes on BBC Radio 2 between 20 and 23 March.

The BBC Concert Orchestra under the direction of Ronnie Hazlehurst as conductor accompanied all but the winning song, but despite performing live, the orchestra were off-screen, behind the set. Hazlehurst conducted two live keyboard players who accompanied the UK entry’s backing track at the Eurovision final in Lausanne.

For the second year running, the BBC convened a panel to pass comment on each of the songs. The panel comprised Deke Arlon, Gary Davies, Leslie Bricusse, and former Eurovision winner Lulu.

There were 300,000 televotes cast in 90 minutes of telephone lines being open for voting.

A Song for Europe 1989 – 24 March 1989[1]
Draw Artist Song Songwriter(s) Televotes Place
1 Frankie Johnson "Back in the Groove" Bradley James, Stewart James 10,731 6
2 James Oliver "Can't Stop Loving You" James Oliver 9,110 7
3 Jane Alexander "Shame" Marwenna Haver, Peter Oxendale 47,664 3
4 Danny Ellis "Just for the Good Times" Les Reed, David Reilly 6,777 8
5 Julie C "You Stepped Out of My Dreams" Bill Jessop, Jason Havenhand 51,449 2
6 Live Report "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong" Brian Hodgson, John Beeby 111,996 1
7 The Pearls "Love Come Down" Joe Ortiz, Pauly Moore 33,279 4
8 Linda Carroll "Heaven Help My Heart" Clark Sorely 17,084 5

UK Discography

At Eurovision

The 1989 contest was staged at the Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne, Switzerland on 6 May. 22 countries participated, and the UK performed seventh on the night. Live Report took second place with 130 points, seven points behind the winners, Yugoslavia.[2]

Voting

References

  1. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2016). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Volume Three: The 1980s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 351–369. ISBN 978-1-84583-118-9.
  2. ^ "Final of Lausanne 1989". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Results of the Final of Lausanne 1989". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
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