United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981

Eurovision Song Contest 1981
Country  United Kingdom
National selection
Selection process A Song for Europe
Selection date(s) 11 March 1981
Selected entrant Bucks Fizz
Selected song "Making Your Mind Up"
Selected songwriter(s)
Finals performance
Final result 1st, 136 points
United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄1980 • 1981 • 1982►

The United Kingdom and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) held a national final titled "A Song for Europe 1981" to choose who would represent them in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981. "A Song for Europe 1981" was held on 11 March 1981 where Bucks Fizz was chosen with "Making Your Mind Up" as the entrant. At Eurovision, they placed first winning the competition with 136 points.

A Song for Europe 1981

The BBC reduced the number of finalists from twelve to eight in 1981. Terry Wogan hosted the contest on 11 March. It was held at the Television Theatre. 581 songs were submitted to the Music Publisher's Association to pick eight songs. There was an orchestra off screen, conducted by John Coleman. The show was the 16th most watched programme of the week with a rating of 12.4 million viewers, the highest for three years.[1] Johnny Logan was scheduled to appear as a guest on the programme, but had to cancel shortly before the air date.

Draw Song Composer Artist Points Place
01 "Not Without Your Ticket (Don't Go)"Luís Jardim & Jean Gilbert Headache 50 7th
02 "All Cried Out" Gary Benson Gary Benson 63 =4th
03 "For Only a Day" John Dawson Read & Chris Gunning Unity38 8th
04 "Wish" Steve Elson & Don Gould Beyond 67 3rd
05 "Making Your Mind Up" Andy Hill & John Danter Bucks Fizz 97 1st
06 "Have You Ever Been in Love" Andy Hill, Peter Sinfield & John Danter Gem 63 =4th
07 "Where Are You Now" Lindsey Moore Lezlee Carling 566th
08 "Don't Panic" Adrian Baker Liquid Gold 702nd

Seven regional juries voted on the songs. They were based in Birmingham (spokesperson: David Stevens), Cardiff (Ewan Thomas), Manchester (John Mundy), Belfast (Peter Dixon), Edinburgh (Jim O' Hara), London (Ray Moore) and Bristol (Andy Battern Foster). At the close of voting, Terry Wogan incorrectly announced the winning song as "Where Are You Now". The prizes were presented by Wogan to John Danter, one of the songwriters, and to Mike Nolan, one of the performers.

Headache were: Dave Cooke(husband to Blue Peter presenter Tina Heath), Jean Gilbert, Luis Jardim, Val McKenna and Martyn David.

Beyond were: Steve Stroud (later Cheryl Baker's husband), Adrian Shepherd (later Cheryl Baker's fiancé), Gary Deans, Alan Ashe and Derek Austin.

At Eurovision

1981 was the year that Bucks Fizz won the Eurovision Song Contest for the United Kingdom with their song "Making Your Mind Up". It received 136 points from the 19 juries, beating West Germany's Lena Valaitis with the song "Johnny Blue".

Points Awarded to United Kingdom

Points Awarded to United Kingdom
12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points
  •  Israel
  •  Netherlands
  •  Denmark
  •  Ireland
  •  Yugoslavia
  •  Belgium
  •  Spain
  •  Sweden
  •   Switzerland
  •  Turkey
  •  France
  •  Greece
  •  Portugal
5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point
  •  Luxembourg
  •  Austria
  •  Cyprus
  •  Germany
  •  Finland
  •  Norway

Points Awarded by United Kingdom

12 points  Switzerland
10 points Cyprus
8 points Greece
7 points Germany
6 points Netherlands
5 points Denmark
4 points Israel
3 points Belgium
2 points Sweden
1 point France

References

  1. ↑ Television's Greatest Hits, Network Books, Paul Gambaccini and Rod Taylor, 1993. ISBN 0 563 36247 2
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