UK Eurovision Entry: Remember Monday on Their Song and Contest Ambitions
The UK’s hopes for Eurovision success rest on the shoulders of Remember Monday, a trio from Farnborough in Hampshire, with their song ‘What the Hell Just Happened?’ According to The Times, the group, consisting of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele, have evidently decided to lean into their national identity, both lyrically and musically.
Their song’s in-jokes and messy tales speak of a friendship that began at sixth-form college in their home town and was sealed on the dancefloors of the home counties. As The Times reports, Byrne, 30, says that the walls of Tru in Camberley or MooMoo in Fleet would have seen the trio “dancing with a bin.” The group’s lyrics, including lines like “Someone lost a shoe/ I’m still in last night’s make-up,” capture the essence of a big night out.
The trio’s music is a genre-shifting blend of styles, from Queen-worthy operatic maximalism to urgent Amazonian pop. As The Times notes, their lovely, country-style three-part harmonies are about the only thing that doesn’t sound British. Hull, 30, says that the song has “loads of little moments that feel reflective of our friendship.” The group’s musical style is a deliberate attempt to push boundaries and try new things.
Steele, 29, is a self-proclaimed Eurovision superfan, and the group claims that they had no choice but to enter the contest. As The Times reports, Steele loves the contest “because there isn’t a box that you have to fit. Think about how many different musical genres there are.” The group’s song, ‘What the Hell Just Happened?’, combines various styles, making it a contender for success.
The UK has a chequered history in Eurovision, with their last win coming in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves’ ‘Love Shine a Light’. However, The Times notes that the UK is joint third in terms of wins, with five victories, behind Ireland and Sweden who are joint top with seven wins each. The group’s chances of winning are slim, with bookmakers currently placing them at 14th favourite out of 37 entries.
Despite this, Remember Monday are taking inspiration from past Eurovision contestants, including Sam Ryder, who represented the UK last year. As The Times reports, Byrne says that Ryder “was so authentically Sam throughout the process and that’s something we’ve been constantly trying to remember. The times that we feel the most proud of the performance, it’s always when we’re just us.”
The group’s excitement and enthusiasm are palpable, with Hull saying that they assume no one knows who they are and no one is listening, but their manager warns that they may have leaked some information. As The Times notes, their manager says that they will be delighted with a placing in the single figures but are dreaming of more.
As the Eurovision Song Contest final approaches, it’s clear that Remember Monday have their work cut out for them. However, with their unique sound and infectious enthusiasm, they may just surprise the critics. As The Times reports, the Eurovision Song Contest final is on May 17, 8pm, BBC1 and iPlayer.
In related news, other countries are also vying for the top spot. Sweden’s entry, ‘Bara Bada Bastu’ by KAJ, is the favourite to win, with its quirky ear-worm style and folk-inspired melody. As The Times notes, Austria’s ‘Wasted Love’ by JJ is also a contender, with its spine-tingling vocals and pop-opera style. France’s ‘Maman’ by Louanne is an outside bet to win, with its touching power ballad about the singer’s late mother.
The Netherlands’ entry, ‘C’est La Vie’ by Claude, is a multilingual mash-up that has long curried favour with Eurovision juries. As The Times reports, Belgium’s ‘Strobe Lights’ by Red Sebastian is an anthem worthy of any great nightclub, while Israel’s ‘New Day Will Rise’ by Yuval Raphael will face scrutiny due to the current conflict in Gaza.
Which country do you think will triumph at Eurovision this year? Let us know in the comments below.
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