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Can Andy Abraham win Eurovision?
Published Friday, May 23 2008, 16:20 BST | By Nick Levine | 16 comments
If you're thinking of having a flutter on this year's UK entry, 'Even If' by binman-turned X Factor-contestant-turned-soul man Andy Abraham, you'll get odds of 66/1. Even Azerbaijan, a nation making its Eurovision debut this year, and Spain, who've entered a song called, no joke, 'Dance The Chiki Chiki', are more fancied than dear old Blighty.
Terry Wogan isn't feeling positive either, fretting that Eurovision "disenchantment" will take hold if we flop again. The problem? Well, it's partly a matter of so-called "political voting", a trend whereby the nations of continental Europe award oodles of points to their geographical neighbours in a bid to butter them up for the next twelve months. Lots of beach-loving Serbians wanting to holiday on the unspoilt sands of Bosnia and Herzegovina this summer? That'll cost them "douze points", thank you very much.
As a Eurovision song, Abraham's 'Even If' actually has lots to recommend it: its chorus is reasonably catchy; it's only slightly more modern and forward-thinking than a cassette recorder and its lyrics sound better if English isn't your first language. Sadly, it doesn't quite have the oomph or camp pizazz to win over 24 European nations who don't seem to like us very much. Our prediction? It's going to be 16th again.
How do you rate Andy Abraham's Eurovision chances? What do you think of his song? Use the space below to have your say.
Your Views
16 Comments
Your Responses
Rachel, Glasgow, on May 25th, 2008
I think the big four should pull out of the competition next year, dont forget that the countries they dont vote for are the ones who pay to keep it going. No one votes for us, lets keep our money, we might not benefit but it will cause a massive inconvenience to them.
I think the big four should pull out of the competition next year, dont forget that the countries they dont vote for are the ones who pay to keep it going. No one votes for us, lets keep our money, we might not benefit but it will cause a massive inconvenience to them.
Alan, Cork, on May 25th, 2008
Oh dear, it didn't go too well for the UK did it now? I have to apologise on behalf of Ireland for awarding twelve points to Latvia, with our twelve being handed to Poland. Ireland is full of them! We gave eight to the UK though so I think we saved your blushes a bit. I know that everyone is going to be ranting and raving about the injustice that western Europe suffers, but for gods sake, its our own fault. Ireland submitted a puppet, Spain had a song called 'Dance the Chiki Chiki' and the UK submitted Andy Abraham. See what I mean?? Ukraine were robbed tonight also.
Oh dear, it didn't go too well for the UK did it now? I have to apologise on behalf of Ireland for awarding twelve points to Latvia, with our twelve being handed to Poland. Ireland is full of them! We gave eight to the UK though so I think we saved your blushes a bit. I know that everyone is going to be ranting and raving about the injustice that western Europe suffers, but for gods sake, its our own fault. Ireland submitted a puppet, Spain had a song called 'Dance the Chiki Chiki' and the UK submitted Andy Abraham. See what I mean?? Ukraine were robbed tonight also.
Marty, Belfast, on May 25th, 2008
I don't understand why the powers that be always talk of 'giving neighbour votes'. With the possible exception of the Nordic countries, It's nothing to do with neighbours - the Serbs HATE the bosniaks and vice versa. Ethnic Lithuanians have no time for Russia. It's ethnic minorities within the country - ethnic russians in Latvia, Serbs in Bosnia, Bosniaks in Croatia etc. It's all about supporting your mother country from abroad (hence Germany's long love affair with Turkey of all countries, and Ireland's recent generosity to Poland and the Baltic), not 'neighbourliness - and in a way, that's even more depressing, neighbourliness may wane, but secret nationalism? never!
I don't understand why the powers that be always talk of 'giving neighbour votes'. With the possible exception of the Nordic countries, It's nothing to do with neighbours - the Serbs HATE the bosniaks and vice versa. Ethnic Lithuanians have no time for Russia. It's ethnic minorities within the country - ethnic russians in Latvia, Serbs in Bosnia, Bosniaks in Croatia etc. It's all about supporting your mother country from abroad (hence Germany's long love affair with Turkey of all countries, and Ireland's recent generosity to Poland and the Baltic), not 'neighbourliness - and in a way, that's even more depressing, neighbourliness may wane, but secret nationalism? never!
Loreley Chapman, on May 24th, 2008
having just watched the euro contest we are disgusted at the overt political bias voting. your song was by far the best crafted and delivered entry,sadly you fell foul of all that is wrong with europe today.
having just watched the euro contest we are disgusted at the overt political bias voting. your song was by far the best crafted and delivered entry,sadly you fell foul of all that is wrong with europe today.
Matt, Blackpool, Lancs, on May 24th, 2008
Well as we just came last, i'd say no...
Well as we just came last, i'd say no...
LeeBoy, Grimsby, on May 24th, 2008
ROFL well what a performance from Andy -Absolute trash - Destined for the dustbin and justifiably so. And its time wogan and the berk commentating on radio 2 followed him into the dustbin
ROFL well what a performance from Andy -Absolute trash - Destined for the dustbin and justifiably so. And its time wogan and the berk commentating on radio 2 followed him into the dustbin
David, Lincolnshire, on May 24th, 2008
I doubt it - it's not a bad song, but Eurovision is about politics and always has been. It's a bit rubbish, but that's the truth. At least we always get a good score from Malta. :)
I doubt it - it's not a bad song, but Eurovision is about politics and always has been. It's a bit rubbish, but that's the truth. At least we always get a good score from Malta. :)
Linda, Edinburgh, on May 24th, 2008
I think Andy Abraham's song is a bit of quality. great R&B vibe with a top grade backing band. Unfortunately, that's not what wins Eurovision. Michelle Gayle's effort was absolute SH*T but it's the type of forgettable cheese that usually wins. No accounting for taste. Unless Abraham changes his song to shrill euro pop/rap and dresses as a clown with half naked 'glamour' girls writhing away in the background he has no chance.
I think Andy Abraham's song is a bit of quality. great R&B vibe with a top grade backing band. Unfortunately, that's not what wins Eurovision. Michelle Gayle's effort was absolute SH*T but it's the type of forgettable cheese that usually wins. No accounting for taste. Unless Abraham changes his song to shrill euro pop/rap and dresses as a clown with half naked 'glamour' girls writhing away in the background he has no chance.
Milan, London, on May 24th, 2008
• Since I left Bosnia in 1992 and even though I still have family there I never felt much for that country. This year Laka (the Bosnian author/performer) has brought something wacky, genuinely innocent and at the same time exciting, and for the first time I’d love Bosnia to win. Occasionally, I’ve followed the media in the former Yugoslav republics and many people there like him and the song. There are quite a few Bosnians all over Europe so expect lots of their votes too. Definitely one to watch. C’mon Lakaaaaaaa!!!!!!! :-)
• Since I left Bosnia in 1992 and even though I still have family there I never felt much for that country. This year Laka (the Bosnian author/performer) has brought something wacky, genuinely innocent and at the same time exciting, and for the first time I’d love Bosnia to win. Occasionally, I’ve followed the media in the former Yugoslav republics and many people there like him and the song. There are quite a few Bosnians all over Europe so expect lots of their votes too. Definitely one to watch. C’mon Lakaaaaaaa!!!!!!! :-)
Rachel. Glasgow, on May 24th, 2008
i wish everyone would stop going on about how michelle should have been chosing. Either way we'd have been slaughtered, so wheesht and enjoy a bit of terry!
i wish everyone would stop going on about how michelle should have been chosing. Either way we'd have been slaughtered, so wheesht and enjoy a bit of terry!
John, Newcastle Upon Tyne, on May 24th, 2008
We're having a Eurovision Party tonight, we have one every year and I can honestly say, I never even heard his song so i've not got a clue.
We're having a Eurovision Party tonight, we have one every year and I can honestly say, I never even heard his song so i've not got a clue.
Lottie, West Midlands, on May 24th, 2008
I love Andy Abraham's song, i think it's the best entry we've had for years, and he has a great voice. I think we have a good chance of winning with this one and wish Andy all the best for tonight!
I love Andy Abraham's song, i think it's the best entry we've had for years, and he has a great voice. I think we have a good chance of winning with this one and wish Andy all the best for tonight!
Mike'ee, London, on May 24th, 2008
Michelle Gayle should have been the choice, it was a real eurovision choice and from the postings on the net it was even well recieved by much of people out there, why oh why did we pick this song?
Michelle Gayle should have been the choice, it was a real eurovision choice and from the postings on the net it was even well recieved by much of people out there, why oh why did we pick this song?
Leeboy, Grimsby, on May 23rd, 2008
Get real - He has no chance - Not sure how the UK does it but it just keeps picking worse and worse artits and songs to represent it. So even if we didn't have all the old soviet/yougolav countries backing each other we wouldn't deserve to win. And yes Ireland was robbed
Get real - He has no chance - Not sure how the UK does it but it just keeps picking worse and worse artits and songs to represent it. So even if we didn't have all the old soviet/yougolav countries backing each other we wouldn't deserve to win. And yes Ireland was robbed
Alan, Cork, on May 23rd, 2008
I'm still reeling from Ireland's failure at the Semi-final. Travesty I tell you, Travesty! Anyway, I don't think the UK have hope in hell of winning. Not only is the song kinda s**t (Michelle Gayle would have been a WAY better choice), but no country in western Europe ever has a chance any more. Ukraine will win it definately although the Sweden & Iceland songs are brilliant. Don't worry though people of the UK, you'll probably get 12 points from Ireland anyway!
I'm still reeling from Ireland's failure at the Semi-final. Travesty I tell you, Travesty! Anyway, I don't think the UK have hope in hell of winning. Not only is the song kinda s**t (Michelle Gayle would have been a WAY better choice), but no country in western Europe ever has a chance any more. Ukraine will win it definately although the Sweden & Iceland songs are brilliant. Don't worry though people of the UK, you'll probably get 12 points from Ireland anyway!
I was at birmingham pride saturday just gone, and scooch played their eurovision song from last year "Flying the Flag" and i'm sorry, but even THAT was better than Andy's entry. It's bland, boring, and says nothing about us at all.. But it's like Terry Wogan said on the night; This is no longer a singing contest.