United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993
Encyclopedia
Sonia represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993, singing "Better the Devil You Know
". The song, chosen from a selection broadcast on A Song for Europe
, was placed second in the contest
.
which polled its members as to who should sing for Europe. Sonia was the clear winner.
was broadcast on April 9, 1993 although the show had been recorded the previous evening. Only the voting sequence and winning reprise was presented live. Terry Wogan
hosted the event and Sonia performed all eight finalists. Several were in the uptempo style popularised by the Liverpudlian singer but the shortlist also included several ballads. The contest opened with "A Little Love" written by Ian Curnow, Phil Harding and Shaun Imrei. This was perhaps the most 'Eurovision' sounding entry. Imrei was also responsible for "I'm Gonna Put a Spell on You", also uptempo but considerably weaker than the opening song. The song was co-written by Graham Stack.
The first ballad of the evening was "Life After Love", a plaintive song from David Harwood Smith and Roger Graham Taylor. It contrasted nicely with "It's Just a Matter of Time", composed by Alan Glass and Gary Benson
. Benson had made previous contest appearances as both a performer and a songwriter.
"Better the Devil You Know" was the repetitive uptempo song with a fifties feel, penned by Dean Collinson and Red. It was followed by what was, allegedly, Sonia's own favourite, the big ballad "Our World", composed by Johnny Warman and Nick Graham.
The seventh of the evening was the only anthemicentry, "So Much of Your Love" by Patrick McGlynn and Jane Andrews. It was followed by Trust, an uptempo song which Sonia had to have a couple of attempts at in order to get it right. Naturally only the edited version was broadcast on the night. The song was composed by Simon Stirling, Geoffery Williams and Phil Manikiza.
in Millstreet
, Ireland
on May 15. "Better the Devil You Know
" was placed second with 164 points.
Better the Devil You Know (Sonia song)
"Better the Devil You Know" is a Pop song written and produced by Brian Teasdale and Dean Collinson for Sonia. This single was released in May 1993 as the second and final single from Sonia's third album Better the Devil You Know . This single's B-side "Not What I Call Love" appeared on Sonia's...
". The song, chosen from a selection broadcast on A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You...
, was placed second in the contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1993
The Eurovision Song Contest 1993 was the 38th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 15 May 1993 in Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland. The presenter was Fionnuala Sweeney. Niamh Kavanagh was the winner of this Eurovision for Ireland with the song, "In Your Eyes"...
.
Performer
The idea of having Sonia represent the United Kingdom was first breached by the fan club, Eurovision NetworkEurovision Network
The Eurovision Network is part of the European Broadcasting Union, itself founded in 1950 as a system of international broadcasting cooperation...
which polled its members as to who should sing for Europe. Sonia was the clear winner.
A Song for Europe 1993
A Song for EuropeA Song for Europe
A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You...
was broadcast on April 9, 1993 although the show had been recorded the previous evening. Only the voting sequence and winning reprise was presented live. Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
hosted the event and Sonia performed all eight finalists. Several were in the uptempo style popularised by the Liverpudlian singer but the shortlist also included several ballads. The contest opened with "A Little Love" written by Ian Curnow, Phil Harding and Shaun Imrei. This was perhaps the most 'Eurovision' sounding entry. Imrei was also responsible for "I'm Gonna Put a Spell on You", also uptempo but considerably weaker than the opening song. The song was co-written by Graham Stack.
The first ballad of the evening was "Life After Love", a plaintive song from David Harwood Smith and Roger Graham Taylor. It contrasted nicely with "It's Just a Matter of Time", composed by Alan Glass and Gary Benson
Gary Benson
Gary Benson is a professional poker player and sports bettor. He has won a World Series of Poker bracelet in addition to other titles as a poker player.- Early life and career :...
. Benson had made previous contest appearances as both a performer and a songwriter.
"Better the Devil You Know" was the repetitive uptempo song with a fifties feel, penned by Dean Collinson and Red. It was followed by what was, allegedly, Sonia's own favourite, the big ballad "Our World", composed by Johnny Warman and Nick Graham.
The seventh of the evening was the only anthemicentry, "So Much of Your Love" by Patrick McGlynn and Jane Andrews. It was followed by Trust, an uptempo song which Sonia had to have a couple of attempts at in order to get it right. Naturally only the edited version was broadcast on the night. The song was composed by Simon Stirling, Geoffery Williams and Phil Manikiza.
Results
As ever, televoting decided the winner. The votes were as follows:| 5 | Better the Devil You Know | 156,955 | 1st |
| 6 | Our World | 77,695 | 2nd |
| 7 | So Much of Your Love | 70,454 | 3rd |
| 8 | Trust | 26,745 | 7th |
Eurovision Song Contest 1993
Twenty five countries participated in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Green Glens ArenaGreen Glens Arena
The Green Glens Arena is a public entertainment location in Millstreet, in County Cork, Ireland. There is a 0.2 km² outdoor estate for equestrian sporting events and an indoor arena measuring 80 metres by 40 metres. The indoor arena has a capacity of 8,000 and is perhaps most well known for hosting...
in Millstreet
Millstreet
Millstreet is a town in north County Cork, Ireland with a population of approximately 1,500. It is located at the foot of Clara Mountain. The town's Catholic church is dedicated to St. Patrick. Since October 1985, the town has been twinned with Pommerit-le-Vicomte in Brittany, France...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on May 15. "Better the Devil You Know
Better the Devil You Know (Sonia song)
"Better the Devil You Know" is a Pop song written and produced by Brian Teasdale and Dean Collinson for Sonia. This single was released in May 1993 as the second and final single from Sonia's third album Better the Devil You Know . This single's B-side "Not What I Call Love" appeared on Sonia's...
" was placed second with 164 points.