Nurse - The Screens! / March 18 2007
It’s easy to criticise the Eurovision Song Contest and the songs that the entrants sing; but spare a thought for all the poor songwriters on Tin Pan Alley, banging away in dusty closets, damp backrooms and frosty booths.
I think we would all agree that, as a whole, the work they produce for the contest isn’t always of the highest standard and doesn’t always have much musical or cultural value but – to my mind, at least - that does not diminish their valiant individual and collective efforts.
Indeed, there have been some memorable classics produced in the past: who can forget Abba’s Waterloo or Love Shine a Light by Katrina and The Waves? Who doesn’t remember with immense fondness such remarkable British creations as Lulu’s Boom Bang-a-Bang, Save Your Kisses for Me - Brotherhood of Man? And who, when buying provisions in Sainsbury’s, does not often find themselves absent-mindedly whistling the catchy melody of last year’s winsome and understated Finnish winner Hard Rock Hallelujah by Lordi?
Don’t scoff should you hear anyone mention the Eurovision Song Contest. Try not to dismiss out-of-hand the hard-working callow acts as they jiggle and spin through their elaborate, spastic dance routines. And don’t snigger or smirk at Terry Wogan’s cynical comments when the BBC transmits the final on to our television screens in May.
To say the whole affair is ridiculous and absurd would be to indulge in riotous understatement; but please, I sincerely implore you, consider your country’s invisible legion of much undervalued professional songwriters – they need your love and support.
Filed under Culture / Eurovision Song Contest / Humour / Music / Music Critisism / Pop Music / Pop Stars / Song Writing / Songs / Songwriters / T.V. / Television
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