United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989

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.

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

Before Eurovision

A Song For Europe

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.

This was the third appearance in a UK final for James Oliver. This year he had a sad ballad which was, at times, drowned-out by his four backing singers. James' microphone also broke down, as it had also done four years earlier in the UK final.

Danny Ellis had the pedigree writing team on paper but gave the appearance during his performance that he had one too many sips of the fizzy pop prior to his performance. DJ Gary Davies said that he could imagine it being sung by Frank Sinatra. Danny had previously written "Where does that love come from" performed by the Duskey Sisters at the 1981 Irish National final for Eurovision placing joint 3rd.

Julie Coulson aka Julie C had put out her song on 7" single with a sticker on the front cover saying: "Too good for Eurovision"

The Pearls were Emma Robbins (sister to Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins), Sophie Allisstone, Beejay Baddon, and Pamela Sheyne (also known as Pam Sheyne). Their song was actually written by husband and wife writing team Joe and Pauly Ortiz. Pam Sheyne would later appear at the UK finals of 1994 and 1996. The Robbins sisters (Kate and Jane) had themselves been in the UK final of 1980 as part of the group Prima Donna

Frankie Johnson, 27 from Wales; had previously been the British Doubles Dance Champion at the age of 18 and was in the Top of the Pops dance troupe Zoo He also used to sing in his dad's group The Shantels. Frankie's first group were called Whisper Zone who were an 8 piece. As part of the dance group Harlem he had won the "Saturday Super Store" talent show. His first ever single on Debut Records was called "Call Me" and was a minor success in the UK Soul Charts.

Linda Carroll was making her second appearance in a UK final.

Final

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.

Final – 24 March 1989
Draw Artist Song Composer(s) Televote Place
1 Frankie Johnson "Back In The Groove" Bradley James, Steward 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 and David Reilly 6,777 8
5 Julie C "You Stepped Out Of My Dreams" Jason Havenhand 51,449 2
6 Live Report "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong?" John Beeby 111,996 1
7 The Pearls "Love Come Down" Joe Ortiz and Pauly Ortiz 33,279 4
8 Linda Carroll "Heaven Help My Heart" Clarke Sorely 17,084 5

At Eurovision

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

Points awarded to the United Kingdom
Points awarded to the United Kingdom
12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points
5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

Points awarded by the United Kingdom
12 points Yugoslavia
10 points Denmark
8 points  Switzerland
7 points Spain
6 points Cyprus
5 points Greece
4 points Sweden
3 points Netherlands
2 points Israel
1 point Germany

See also

References
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