I was so in love with Lonely Symphony and Frances Ruffelle back then! I played it all summer that year and it still has a big place in my heart. It's crazy that three decades have soon passed, but when I hear this song, I'm nineteen years young again! They should've kept this version for ESC (and the studio recording), it was so smooth and pleasant and the build-up for the last part of the song was so grand with the church organ. This song deserved more! Someone should cover it today! Love from Sweden! :)
Couldn't agree more. One of the very best UK Eurovision songs. It was a brilliantly creative and compelling song. I really didn't like the jazzed up version used at Eurovision.
Probably my favourite ever UK Eurovision song. Although wasn’t as well performed on the big night I loved the instrumental and it was so much stronger than many of our other entries. Shame it only finished tenth but I’ll always be proud of it. Go UK. 🇬🇧
The charismatic Frances transfixed us with perfect pitch and a touch of the Eponine character in all her portrayals. I'm surprised Terry said he had never commentated on a winning song when he was the compere in 1981.
Great trip down memory lane! I remember watching this when it was first broadcast. At the time my clear favourite was Sink Or Swim..... and still is! Thanks for uploading
I must say that I was a child, but already a fan of the ESC, and "Lonely Symphony" my second favourite of all times. What a song, what a performance, and so, so modern for that time. Way ahead of it's time, one of the best songs I've ever heard.
@@ellie1981 still, there were claims of a tactical voting rig which was headed by Malta (Iceland made the claim). The results were truly bizarre -- by my personal taste, Hungary, Malta and France were nowhere near as good as the likes of the UK, Iceland and Cyprus that year, yet they ended above them...
@@ellie1981 Also, I think the arrangement here was 100% backing track so had to adapt it so could be playable by the RTÉ concert orchestra for the greater part (alas, the drum rhythm and the guitar parts were still on the tape but the strings were played live on the night).
I found her boring. Sink or swim was by far the best here with so much potential yet she's always given me the Helena Bonham Carter feel, utterly depressing to watch albeit wonderfully talented. The idea of putting all these songs into one singer doesn't do justice to some of them. Edit - the set was wonderful and great to revisit this. Thanks for the post.
A Song For Europe Is Back At 10:20pm For The Results Show Where We Find Out Which Song Have You Decided To Represent At The Eurovision Song Contest 1994
Hi:) Love this UK entry, it's my favourite from the UK. Can anyone tell me the thoughts of the decorations/stage. Why does it look like an old castle, what was the idea?
I suppose to reassure viewers of the preservation of the best traditions of the English aristocracy interwoven with the modern European identity theme evidenced by Beethoven's Ode to Joy played intermittently by BBC Europhiles.
I do prefer Sink or Swim, though I have a few concerns. (1) How would this have been adapted for the RTÉ Concert Orchestra? (2) Do you think this would have been considered too modern for the juries?
I was so in love with Lonely Symphony and Frances Ruffelle back then! I played it all summer that year and it still has a big place in my heart. It's crazy that three decades have soon passed, but when I hear this song, I'm nineteen years young again! They should've kept this version for ESC (and the studio recording), it was so smooth and pleasant and the build-up for the last part of the song was so grand with the church organ. This song deserved more! Someone should cover it today! Love from Sweden! :)
Couldn't agree more. One of the very best UK Eurovision songs. It was a brilliantly creative and compelling song. I really didn't like the jazzed up version used at Eurovision.
Probably my favourite ever UK Eurovision song. Although wasn’t as well performed on the big night I loved the instrumental and it was so much stronger than many of our other entries. Shame it only finished tenth but I’ll always be proud of it. Go UK. 🇬🇧
Such Nostalgia, I remember watching this when I was 12, transfixed by beautiful Frances, Lonely Symphony was the best choice!
The charismatic Frances transfixed us with perfect pitch and a touch of the Eponine character in all her portrayals. I'm surprised Terry said he had never commentated on a winning song when he was the compere in 1981.
Great trip down memory lane! I remember watching this when it was first broadcast. At the time my clear favourite was Sink Or Swim..... and still is! Thanks for uploading
Same here think she would of been in the top 5 with sink or swim i can remember I kept phoning for that song
It’s been so long since I saw this. I watched it on the night and Waiting In The Wings is always my favourite. Frances is so beautiful here.
Thank you Emma ( as the writer)
My 15 year old self much preferred Waiting in the Wings too
I must say that I was a child, but already a fan of the ESC, and "Lonely Symphony" my second favourite of all times. What a song, what a performance, and so, so modern for that time. Way ahead of it's time, one of the best songs I've ever heard.
Thanks for adding this. Lonely Symphony is one of best Eurovision songs ever and yet surprise surprise only came 10th in 94
I think it would have done better if they had kept the arrangement of the one the public voted for here instead of changing it.
@@ellie1981 still, there were claims of a tactical voting rig which was headed by Malta (Iceland made the claim). The results were truly bizarre -- by my personal taste, Hungary, Malta and France were nowhere near as good as the likes of the UK, Iceland and Cyprus that year, yet they ended above them...
@@ellie1981 Also, I think the arrangement here was 100% backing track so had to adapt it so could be playable by the RTÉ concert orchestra for the greater part (alas, the drum rhythm and the guitar parts were still on the tape but the strings were played live on the night).
I found her boring. Sink or swim was by far the best here with so much potential yet she's always given me the Helena Bonham Carter feel, utterly depressing to watch albeit wonderfully talented.
The idea of putting all these songs into one singer doesn't do justice to some of them.
Edit - the set was wonderful and great to revisit this. Thanks for the post.
I love 'Lonely Symphony', but I wish they had kept it as the original (preview) version.
Yes Alb; the choreoraphy on the night proper was shocking in its total incongruity with the lyrics of the song.
Lonely symphony is beautiful, thank you for sharing I remember buying this on CD. Here now October 1st 2021 xxx
Sink or swim was quite prophetic!
Thank you for uploading this, so good to watch again! Lonely Symphony is my favourite U.K. entry ever. But I did love pretty much all of these songs!
Its very obvious they were plugging Lonely Symphony as Frances wore the UK t-shirt and the guys plugged it too.
Thanks for uploading this Phil!
Francess ruffelle daughter is the famous singer eliza doolitle
A Song For Europe Is Back At 10:20pm For The Results Show Where We Find Out Which Song Have You Decided To Represent At The Eurovision Song Contest 1994
Hi:) Love this UK entry, it's my favourite from the UK. Can anyone tell me the thoughts of the decorations/stage. Why does it look like an old castle, what was the idea?
I suppose to reassure viewers of the preservation of the best traditions of the English aristocracy interwoven with the modern European identity theme evidenced by Beethoven's Ode to Joy played intermittently by BBC Europhiles.
A Song For Europe 1994 Where The 8 Songs Performing Live For Your Votes To Represent At The Eurovision Song Contest 1994
Terry wogan my radio 2 angel
We’re Back To A Song For Europe For The Results Show Where We Find Out Which Song Have You Decided To Represent At The Eurovision Song Contest 1994
The Vote Lines Are Not Opened Until The End Of The Show After All 8 Songs Have Performed
February 2022 xxxxx
Song No 3 co written by Shirlie from Pepsi & Shirlie
The Vote Lines Are Now Opened Until The Vote Closes In The Results Show
This was year riverdance michael flatley made their debut as interval act at eurovision ireland and was more popular than winner
Sink or swim should have won. I like the winning song if only she sang it the way she did on night
56:38 Richard Gere stole this move for Pretty Woman.
Both 'Slowboat' and 'Sink or Swim' are much better than the song that won!
I do prefer Sink or Swim, though I have a few concerns.
(1) How would this have been adapted for the RTÉ Concert Orchestra?
(2) Do you think this would have been considered too modern for the juries?
Hated this song. Sorry. It grates on me even now in 2023.
Pixie Lott’s mum there.
That's wrong...it's actually Eliza Doolittle's mum (a.k.a. Eliza, w/o the last name)