United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993

Eurovision Song Contest 1993
Participating broadcasterBritish Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Country United Kingdom
National selection
Selection processArtist: Internal selection
Song: A Song for Europe 1993
Selection date(s)9 April 1993
Selected artist(s)Sonia
Selected song"Better the Devil You Know"
Selected songwriter(s)
  • Brian Teasdale
  • Dean Collinson
Finals performance
Final result2nd, 164 points
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄1992 • 1993 • 1994►

The United Kingdom was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 with the song "Better the Devil You Know", written by Brian Teasdale and Dean Collinson, and performed by Sonia. The British participating broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), selected its entry through a national final, after having previously selected the performer internally.

Before Eurovision

Artist selection

A shortlist of artists included by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was presented to the Head of Delegations of each participating country in the Eurovision Song Contest that ultimately selected the British entrant. The BBC revealed Sonia as its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 1993. The British branch of the International Eurovision Fan Club (OGAE), had conducted a poll in late 1991, asking the members to nominate which singer they'd like to represent the United Kingdom in the contest. Sonia was the overwhelming winner of that poll, announced in early 1992.

A Song for Europe 1993

Two songs each, both performed by Sonia, were premiered during four preview programmes on BBC1 between 14 March and 4 April 1993.[1] The final, held at the BBC Television Centre in London and hosted by Terry Wogan, was filmed earlier on 8 April 1993 and televised on 9 April 1993. The show was broadcast on BBC1 and BBC Radio 2 with commentary by Ken Bruce. A public televote selected the winning song, "Better the Devil You Know", which was revealed during a separate show broadcast on BBC1 and hosted by Terry Wogan.[2]

A Song for Europe 1993 – 9 April 1993[3]
Draw Song Songwriter(s) Televote Place
1 "A Little Love" Ian Curnow, Phil Harding, Shaun Imrei 55,053 4
2 "I'm Gonna Put a Spell on You" Shaun Imrei, Graham Stack 27,795 6
3 "Life After Love" David Harwood-Smith, Roger Graham Taylor 38,308 5
4 "It's Just a Matter of Time" Alan Glass, Gary Benson 18,251 8
5 "Better the Devil You Know" Dean Collinson, Brian Teasdale 156,955 1
6 "Our World" Johnny Warman, Nick Graham 77,695 2
7 "So Much of Your Love" Pat McGlynn, Jane Andrews 70,454 3
8 "Trust" Simon Stirling, Geoffrey Williams, Phil Manikiza 26,745 7

Sonia released the winning song on an Arista vinyl 7" single, 12" single, CD single and cassette, reaching no. 15 in the UK singles chart. The top four songs were included in her album Better The Devil You Know, released by Arista just after the Eurovision final. The album peaked at no. 32 in the UK album chart. The remaining four tracks have not been released in any official format.

At Eurovision

Twenty five countries participated in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, Ireland on 15 May. "Better the Devil You Know" was placed second with 164 points.[4] It received points from every country apart from Greece and Malta.

Voting

References

  1. ^ "A Song for Europe Preview 1993". BBC. 14 March 1993.
  2. ^ "A Song for Europe 1993". 4lyrics.
  3. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2020). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Volume Four: The 1990s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 111–129. ISBN 978-1-84583-163-9.
  4. ^ "Final of Millstreet 1993". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Results of the Final of Millstreet 1993". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.