So So Gay
Featured image courtesy of BBC
Well, as usual, the UK is one of the last countries to reveal their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. In fact, this year it is the last country to unveil their song.
As reported by So So Gay three weeks ago, the Union Flag will be flown in Azerbaijan by none other than veteran crooner Engelbert Humperdinck. Reactions to the news ranged from feral anger to bemusement to ecstatic (and rather premature) triumphalism. We must confess that once the news had sunk in, we too found ourselves feeling rather optimistic.
Today, the BBC finally revealed the song with which Humperdinck will represent the UK at this year’s contest. Entitled ‘Love Will Set You Free’, it’s pretty standard Engelbert fare; there’s a Spanish guitar, there are strings, there’s his rather impressive voice. Lyrically, it verges on the cheesy (If you love someone, follow your heart / ‘Cause love comes once, if you’re lucky enough / Thought I’ll miss you forever / The hurt will run deep / Only love will set you free), but ultimately, this is Eurovision.
There’s an above average number of ballads in this year’s contest, so it will be interesting to see how ‘Love Will Set You Free’ fares among the, ahem, more youthful performers. What Humperdinck has in his favour, however, the soaring vocals aside, is presence and charisma. In addition, the 75 year-old is well known on the continent and may benefit from the fact that his song is gimmick-free (Scooch, this is not). In short, it’s a heartfelt, simple, old-fashioned ballad which may stand out against the sequins, glitter and drama of the other entries.
You can check out Love Will Set You Free below. Tell us what you think of the UK entry by leaving a comment.
