United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990

The United Kingdom was represented by Emma in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990 with the song "Give a Little Love Back to the World".

Eurovision Song Contest 1990
Country United Kingdom
National selection
Selection processA Song for Europe 1990
Selection date(s)30 March 1990
Selected entrantEmma
Selected song"Give a Little Love Back to the World"
Selected songwriter(s)Paul Curtis
Finals performance
Final result6th, 87 points
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄1989 • 1990 • 1991►

Before Eurovision

A Song for Europe 1990

The eight songs in contention to represent the UK were presented during Terry Wogan's Wogan chat show on BBC1. Two songs were presented during each of four broadcasts between 21 and 28 March. The songs were also featured in various programmes on BBC Radio 2.

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.

Final

The 1990 edition of A Song for Europe was held in Television Centre, London on 30 March in Studio 1. The BBC Concert Orchestra under the direction of Alyn Ainsworth as conductor accompanied all the songs, but despite performing live, the orchestra were off-screen, behind the set. Terry Wogan presided over the eight finalists and a panel of celebrities was assembled to comment on each of the entries. The panel was composed of Gloria Hunniford, Tim Rice, Cathy McGowan and Carl Davis.

As in the last two years, a national telephone vote decided the outcome of the contest. Emma won with a runaway phone poll of 97,625 calls over John Miles, who polled 38,966.

A Song for Europe 1990 – 30 March 1990[1]
Draw Artist Song Songwriter(s) Televote Place
1Kelly"Better Be Good to Me"John Springate13,1796
2Stephen Lee Garden"That Old Feeling Again"Mike Moran14,4475
3Thom Hardwell"Never Give Up"Thom Hardwell3,5408
4Emma"Give a Little Love Back to the World"Paul Curtis97,6251
5Les McKeown"Ball And Chain"John Griggs15,1714
6Simon Spiro"Face In The Crowd"David Reilly5,5517
7Kim Goody"Sentimental Again"Mo Foster, Kim Goody17,9863
8John Miles"Where I Belong"John Miles, Michael Scanlon-Pratt38,9662

UK Discography
  • Kelly - Better Be Good to Me: Loading Bay LBAY25 (B Side).
  • Emma - Give a Little Love Back to the World: Big Wave BWR33 (7" Single)/BWRT33 (12" Single)/BWRCD33 (CD Single)/BWRC33 (Cassette).

At Eurovision

The final was held in Zagreb, Yugoslavia on 5 May. Emma was supported by several backing singers including Miriam Stockley (later a backing vocalist for Katrina and the Waves in 1997) and Sam Blue (who competed against Katrina and the Waves in the 1997 national final). Despite being one of the favourites to win, "Give a Little Love Back to the World" had to settle for sixth place with 87 points.[2] The British jury voting was quite idiosyncratic awarding no points to Italy or France (unlike neighbours Ireland who gave Italy 12 points and France 8) and 12 points to Iceland who finished 4th as well as awarding Ireland 10 points.

Voting

References
  1. Roxburgh, Gordon (2020). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Volume Four: The 1990s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 11–32. ISBN 978-1-84583-163-9.
  2. "Final of Zagreb 1990". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. "Results of the Final of Zagreb 1990". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
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