United Kingdom: Vote For Your Favourite Eurovision Song (21st Century)

Chloe Fitzgerald

5 min read

Post on May 19, 2025

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The United Kingdom has a rich and often dramatic history at the Eurovision Song Contest. While the UK boasts a considerable number of wins throughout Eurovision history, its 21st-century performance has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. This article focuses specifically on the UK's Eurovision entries since 2000, allowing you to revisit some of the best (and most memorable) performances and ultimately, choose your all-time favourite. From catchy pop anthems to power ballads, and even a few infamous "nul points" moments, we'll take a trip down memory lane, culminating in a vote to determine the nation's ultimate Eurovision champion of the 21st century.

Top 5 UK Eurovision Entries (2000-2023): A Nostalgic Review

Let's dive into five entries that truly stand out in the UK's 21st-century Eurovision journey. Each one offers a unique snapshot of the evolving tastes and styles of both the UK and the wider Eurovision contest.

2002 - Jemini - "Cry Baby": The Infamous "Nul Points" Entry

• Song Details: A haunting ballad with a somewhat melancholic tone.
• Performance Highlights/Lowlights: The performance is widely remembered for its lackluster staging and somewhat underwhelming vocals.
• Public and Critic Reaction: "Cry Baby" became infamous for receiving zero points ("nul points"), a record that cemented its place in Eurovision history as a cautionary tale. The song's failure became a meme, generating considerable discussion and analysis of the UK's Eurovision strategy. Its impact resonated far beyond the actual contest.

2009 - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jade Ewen - "It's My Time": A Touch of West End Glamour

• Song Details: A sophisticated and powerful ballad, showcasing Jade Ewen's impressive vocal range.
• Andrew Lloyd Webber's Involvement: The legendary composer's involvement elevated the song's profile and gave it a distinctly high-quality production.
• Performance Aspects: The performance was polished and professional, receiving positive reviews for both the vocals and the staging.
• Final Placing: "It's My Time" achieved a respectable fifth place, a significant improvement compared to previous years, showcasing the potential of a well-crafted ballad. Its legacy is a reminder of the UK's ability to compete at the top level.

2011 - Blue - "I Can": Boy Band Power

• Boy Band Popularity: The inclusion of the already hugely popular boy band Blue generated significant pre-contest buzz and media attention.
• Song Popularity: "I Can" was a catchy pop song that resonated with many viewers, and pre-existing fandom was a massive advantage.
• Performance: The performance was energetic and showcased the group's charisma and stage presence.
• Final Placing: While not a victory, their performance earned a respectable 11th place, illustrating the impact of leveraging a well-known act. Fan reception was overwhelmingly positive.

2018 - SuRie - "Storm": The Stage Invasion Incident

• Song Details: A powerful pop song with strong vocals.
• Performance Interruption: The performance was infamously interrupted by a stage invader, creating a truly unforgettable – albeit chaotic – moment.
• Reaction: The incident generated significant media attention and sparked debate about security measures at the Eurovision Song Contest.
• Overall Impact: Despite the interruption, SuRie's professionalism and resilience were praised, making "Storm" memorable for reasons beyond its musical merits.

2023 - Mae Muller - "I Wrote A Song": A Modern Take

• Song Details: A contemporary pop song with relatable lyrics about heartbreak and self-discovery.
• Performance Style: The performance was sleek and modern, reflecting current pop music trends.
• Reception: Reception was mixed, with some praising the song's catchy quality, while others found it underwhelming.
• Final Placing: Mae Muller's performance secured a respectable, albeit not groundbreaking, placing, highlighting the evolving landscape of the UK's Eurovision strategy in the modern era.

Key Trends in UK Eurovision Entries (21st Century)

Analyzing the UK's entries reveals some interesting trends that reflect both the evolving soundscape of pop music and the changing dynamics of the Eurovision contest itself.

Genre Evolution

• From Ballads to Pop: The UK has experimented with various genres, shifting from predominantly ballads in the early 2000s to more contemporary pop songs in recent years. This reflects broader trends in popular music.
• Influences: Rock and R&B influences have also been incorporated, reflecting the UK's diverse musical heritage.

Staging and Performance Style

• Evolution of Staging: There's been a notable evolution in staging, from simpler sets to more elaborate and technologically advanced productions in later years.
• Performance Styles: Performances have evolved from relatively static presentations to dynamic and visually arresting shows.

Lyrics and Themes

• Common Themes: Love, heartbreak, hope, and national pride have remained recurrent themes, albeit with variations in their expression.
• Modern Themes: More recently, there's been a growing focus on social commentary and self-expression, aligning with contemporary artistic trends within Eurovision.

Vote for Your Favourite!

[Insert Poll Here - Use a service like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey and embed the code here.] Choose your favourite UK Eurovision song from the list above!

Conclusion

This journey through 21st-century UK Eurovision entries has showcased a vast range of musical styles, unforgettable moments, both high and low points, and some truly iconic (and less iconic!) performances. From near misses to controversial moments, the UK's participation has been anything but dull. The competition has highlighted not only the artistic evolution of UK pop music but also the evolving dynamics of the Eurovision Song Contest itself.

Have you cast your vote for your favourite UK Eurovision song? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! Let's keep the discussion going about the best of UK Eurovision in the 21st century. Don't forget to share this article with your fellow Eurovision fans and help decide the ultimate winner of our poll! Let the voting continue – which is YOUR favourite UK Eurovision song?