United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977

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United Kingdom in the
Eurovision Song Contest 1977

Eurovision Song Contest 1977
Participating broadcaster| British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Country|  United Kingdom
Selection process| A Song for Europe 1977
Selection date| 9 March 1977
Competing entry
Song| "Rock Bottom"
Artist| Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran
Songwriters|

* Lynsey de Paul
* Michael Moran

Placement
Final result| 2nd, 121 points
Participation chronology
| ◄1976 • | 1977 | • 1978►

|
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The United Kingdom was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1977 with the song "Rock Bottom", written and performed by Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran. The British participating broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), selected its entry through a national final. In addition, the BBC was also the host broadcaster and staged the event at the Wembley Conference Centre in London, after winning the previous edition with the song "Save Your Kisses for Me" by Brotherhood of Man.

## Before Eurovision

[edit]

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Find sources: "United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2025)

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### A Song for Europe 1977

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On 9 March 1977, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) held at the New London Theatre the national final to select its entry, A Song for Europe 1977, presented by Terry Wogan. Minutes before the show went live, a strike by BBC cameramen was called, preventing the televised broadcast of the show. The contest went ahead and a few hours later, the audio was aired on BBC Radio 2.

Fourteen regional juries voted on the songs: Bristol, Bangor, Leeds, Norwich, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Cardiff, Plymouth, Glasgow, Southampton and London. The juries voted internally and then ranked the songs from 1–12, awarding 12 points to the song that received the highest number of votes, 11 points to the second, 10 to the third and so on down to 1 point for their least preferred song. The winning song was "Rock Bottom", written, composed and performed by Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran. The song says that when people are in a bad situation they should work to solve problems and not be pessimistic about tragedies.

The Eurovision Song Contest 1977 was due to take place in Wembley on 2 April. Due to the cameramen's industrial action that spread throughout the BBC, many live broadcasts were affected in the coming weeks and the Eurovision final was postponed. On 30 March the strike was resolved and the contest was rescheduled for 7 May.

#### Final

[edit]

A Song for Europe 1977 – 25 February 1977[1] Draw  | Artist  | Song  | Songwriter(s)  | Points  | Place

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1  | Mary Mason | "What Do You Say to Love?"  | Nick Ryan & Robin Slater  | 132  | 2
2  | The Foundations | "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love?"  | John Macleod & David Myers  | 125  | 3
3  | Tony Monopoly | "Leave a Little Love"  | Alan Hawkshaw & Ray Cameron  | 66  | 9
4  | Lyn Paul | "If Everybody Loved the Same as You"  | Geoff Stephens & Don Black | 74  | 6
5  | High Society  | "Just for You"  | Ron Roker, Gerry Shury & Biddu | 74  | 6
6  | Carl Wayne | "A Little Give, a Little Take"  | Roger Greenaway & Tony Macaulay | 62  | 10
7  | Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran | "Rock Bottom"  | Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran  | 143  | 1
8  | Sweet Sensation | "You're My Sweet Sensation"  | Melvyn Taggart & Raymond Roberts  | 73  | 8
9  | Val Stokes  | "Swings and Roundabouts"  | Richard Crowe & Nicholas Portlock  | 57  | 12
10  | Beano  | "Everybody Knows"  | Freddie Phillips  | 60  | 11
11  | Wesley, Park and Smith  | "After All This Time"  | David Mindel & Gary Benson | 106  | 5
12  | Rags  | "Promises, Promises"  | Richard Gillinson & David Hayes  | 120  | 4
Regional jury votes[1] Draw  | Song  |

Belfast

Bristol

Aberdeen

Leeds

Bangor

London

Birmingham

Cardiff

Glasgow

Manchester

Southampton

Norwich

Newcastle

Plymouth

| Total

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1  | "What Do You Say to Love?"  | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 132
2  | "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love?"  | 10 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 125
3  | "Leave a Little Love"  | 1 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 66
4  | "If Everybody Loved the Same as You"  | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 74
5  | "Just for You"  | 11 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 74
6  | "A Little Give, a Little Take"  | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 62
7  | "Rock Bottom"  | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 143
8  | "You're My Sweet Sensation"  | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 73
9  | "Swings and Roundabouts"  | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 57
10  | "Everybody Knows"  | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 60
11  | "After All This Time"  | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 106
12  | "Promises, Promises"  | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 120
Regional jury spokespersons[1]

* Belfast – Michael Baguley
* Bristol – Chris Denham
* Aberdeen – Gerry Davis
* Leeds – Brian Baines
* Bangor – Emrys Jones
* London – Ray Moore
* Birmingham – David Shoot
* Cardiff – Frank Lincoln
* Glasgow – David Findlay
* Manchester – Mike Riddoch
* Southampton – Paul Harris
* Norwich – Ian Masters
* Newcastle – Mike Neville
* Plymouth – Kevin Crooks

Lyn Paul had previously been a member of The New Seekers when they represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 1972, finishing in 2nd place. The band 'Beano' would return to the competition in A Song for Europe 1980 with a change in name to 'Scramble'. Nichola Martin and Ann Shirley were the two female members of the trio 'Rags'. Both women became instrumental in the success of the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 winners Bucks Fizz. Martin herself returned in A Song for Europe 1981 with the group 'Gem' (aka Paris); ironically going up against Bucks Fizz in the competition.

## At Eurovision

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At the Eurovision final, the UK entry was performed ninth in the running order and finished in 2nd place, a record 10th British entry to finish 2nd.[2] The winning song reached No.19 in the UK singles chart, the last chart hit for de Paul, her first in two years. A German version of the song was released as "Für immer". De Paul and Moran did release one further single together, but it failed to chart.

Pete Murray provided the television commentary on BBC 1 and Terry Wogan provided the radio commentary on BBC Radio 2; this would be Wogan's final time he provided the contests commentary for radio, as the following year he began regularly presenting the television coverage. The contest was seen by 9.1 million viewers.[3]

The BBC spokesperson to announce the British jury's votes was Colin Berry.[citation needed]

### Voting

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Points awarded to the United Kingdom[4] | Score  | Country

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12 points  |

*  Austria
*  Belgium
*  France
*  Luxembourg
*  Monaco
*  Portugal

10 points  |  Germany
8 points  |

*  Israel
*  Sweden

7 points  |

*  Netherlands
*  Norway

6 points  |
5 points  |
4 points  |  Finland
3 points  |  Spain
2 points  |  Italy
1 point  |
Points awarded by the United Kingdom[4] | Score  | Country

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12 points  |  Ireland
10 points  |  Belgium
8 points  |  Germany
7 points  |  Monaco
6 points  |  France
5 points  |  Greece
4 points  |   Switzerland
3 points  |  Spain
2 points  |  Norway
1 point  |  Netherlands

## References

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1. ^ a b c Roxburgh, Gordon (2014). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Volume Two: The 1970s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 244–266\. ISBN 978-1-84583-093-9.
2. ^ "Final of London 1977". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
3. ^ "Song contest top TV show". The Daily Telegraph. London, United Kingdom. 14 May 1977. p. 12. Retrieved 29 March 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
4. ^ a b "Results of the Final of London 1977". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.

* v
* t
* e

United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest

National selection (former; contestants)

Participation|

* 1957
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
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* 1970
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* ~~2020~~
* 2021
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Artists|

* Andy Abraham
* Olly Alexander
* The Allisons
* Michael Ball
* Bardo
* Belle and the Devotions
* Black Lace
* Blue
* Patricia Bredin
* Brotherhood of Man
* Bucks Fizz
* Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson
* Ronnie Carroll
* Co-Co
* Josh Dubovie
* Electro Velvet
* Emma
* Jade Ewen
* Scott Fitzgerald
* James Fox
* Nicki French
* Jessica Garlick
* Gina G
* Mary Hopkin
* Engelbert Humperdinck
* Imaani
* Samantha Janus
* Javine
* Jemini
* Joe and Jake
* Bryan Johnson
* Lucie Jones
* Katrina and the Waves
* Kathy Kirby
* Lindsay
* Live Report
* Love City Groove
* Lulu
* Kenneth McKellar
* Molly
* Matt Monro
* Mike Moran
* Mae Muller
* The New Seekers
* James Newman
* Olivia Newton-John
* Lynsey de Paul
* Precious
* Prima Donna
* Remember Monday
* Michael Rice
* Cliff Richard
* Rikki
* Clodagh Rodgers
* Frances Ruffelle
* Ryder
* Sam Ryder
* Daz Sampson
* Scooch
* The Shadows
* Sandie Shaw
* Sonia
* SuRie
* Sweet Dreams
* Bonnie Tyler
* Vikki

Songs|

* "All"
* "Are You Sure?"
* "The Bad Old Days"
* "Beg, Steal or Borrow"
* "Believe in Me"
* "Better the Devil You Know"
* "Bigger than Us"
* "Boom Bang-a-Bang"
* "Children of the Universe"
* "Come Back"
* "Congratulations"
* "Cry Baby"
* "Dizzy"
* "Don't Play That Song Again"
* "Embers"
* "Even If"
* "Flying the Flag (For You)"
* "Give a Little Love Back to the World"
* "Go"
* "Hold On to Our Love"
* "I Belong"
* "I Can"
* "I Love the Little Things"
* "I Wrote a Song"
* "I'm Never Giving Up"
* "It's My Time"
* "Jack in the Box"
* "Knock, Knock Who's There?"
* "Let Me Be the One"
* "Long Live Love"
* "Looking High, High, High"
* "Love City Groove"
* "Love Enough for Two"
* "Love Games"
* "Love Is..."
* "Love Shine a Light"
* "Love Will Set You Free"
* "Making Your Mind Up"
* "A Man Without Love"
* "Mary Ann"
* "A Message to Your Heart"
* ~~"My Last Breath"~~
* "Never Give Up on You"
* "No Dream Impossible"
* "One Step Further"
* "One Step Out of Time"
* "Only the Light"
* "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit"
* "Power to All Our Friends"
* "Puppet on a String"
* "Ring-A-Ding Girl"
* "Rock Bottom"
* "Runner in the Night"
* "Save Your Kisses for Me"
* "Say It Again"
* "Say Wonderful Things"
* "Sing, Little Birdie"
* "Space Man"
* "Still in Love with You"
* "Storm"
* "Teenage Life"
* "That Sounds Good to Me"
* "Touch My Fire"
* "We Will Be Free (Lonely Symphony)"
* "What the Hell Just Happened?"
* "Where Are You?"
* "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong"
* "You're Not Alone"

* Note: Entries scored out signify where the United Kingdom did not compete. Italics indicate an entry in a future contest.
* See also: UK Eurovision discography

* v
* t
* e

Eurovision Song Contest 1977

Countries|

| Final|

* Austria
* Belgium
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Luxembourg
* Monaco
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Portugal
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* United Kingdom

|

Withdrawn|

* Tunisia

Artists|

* Os Amigos
* Monica Aspelund
* Anne-Marie B
* Dream Express
* Forbes
* Ilanit
* Heddy Lester
* Pepe Lienhard Band
* Mia Martini
* Micky
* Marie Myriam
* Paschalis, Marianna, Robert and Bessy
* Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran
* Schmetterlinge
* Silver Convention
* Anita Skorgan
* The Swarbriggs Plus Two
* Michèle Torr

Songs|

* "Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim"
* "Beatles"
* "Boom Boom Boomerang"
* "Casanova"
* "Enséñame a cantar"
* "Frère Jacques"
* "It's Nice to Be in Love Again"
* "Lapponia"
* "Libera"
* "De mallemolen"
* "Mathima solfège"
* "A Million in One, Two, Three"
* "L'Oiseau et l'Enfant"
* "Une petite française"
* "Portugal no coração"
* "Rock Bottom"
* "Swiss Lady"
* "Telegram"

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