It always brings out the editorials and column inches when there are hints of a band getting back together, especially when it’s to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. So in the wake of deservedly earning his Ph.D, we asked Dr Paul Jordan to think about this phenomenon and give us the ultimate reunions that would set the UK tabloids alight leading up to Eurovision 2012?
To reform or not to reform? That is the question.
Last year saw Blue reform and carry the UK flag at Eurovision. Despite much excitement from fans and pundits alike, many of whom predicted possible victory for the boys, the UK finished in a respectable but slightly disappointing eleventh place. Arguably a marked improvement from previous years, in reality it was a middle of the road result. Blue’s “I Can” did however provide the group with their first Top Twenty single for several years. Whilst it seems that the juries believed that Blue couldn’t and so didn’t vote for them, the result does however silence those who bleat that “Europe hates us” since the UK polled 5th in the popular vote at Eurovision.
Blue in Dussledorf, with ESC Insight's Steven Newby
Blue were of course not the first act to reform specifically for Eurovision. One of the more successful attempts at a comeback was of course The Shadows who finished second in 1975 with “Let Me Be The One”. There was the inevitable disappointment at being beaten by then unknown Teach-In, although the group did secure a new hit and continued to perform decades later.
Of course there have also been times when comebacks have backfired and 2007 was one of those years. The UK selection in 2007 was already a memorable one given that Fearne Cotton and Terry Wogan announced different winners leaving the French chanteuse Cyndi and bubblegum pop group Scooch bewildered. Controversy continued when it emerged that Scooch had backing singers off-stage, a fact which even made the headlines of the Daily Mirror: “Eurovision Song CONtest”. (It is worth pointing out that this is not against Eurovision rules, backing singers have been heard and not seen many times, Sweden in 2006 and the UK in 1984 are just a few examples).
Scooch and Terry Wogam
Maybe Wogan, was right to attempt a last minute save… Scooch failed to impress the voters of Europe and finished 23rd out of 24th in Eurovision 2007. However they did reach number 5 in the UK charts, the highest placing for a British entry since Katrina and the Waves a decade before. As John De Mol pointed out to the Netherlands audience, the minimum requirement for a Eurovision entry should be “that it [becomes] a big fat hit in its own country.”
It does seem that all is not lost for those who reform for Eurovision.
Of course Eurovision provides a massive platform for any artist or group and can launch global careers of completely unknown acts – Gina G being one such example. However it’s also worth remembering those unsung heros of the three minute performance on a Eurovision stage. The writers, publicists, producers, stylists, choreographers, the list is endless. Reunions are a chance to put the whole team back together, united with a cause: to bring victory back to the UK.
Could Blue have started a new trend? There have already been rumours circulating on the internet. Let’s have a look at some of the potential possibilities who could use 2012 as a springboard, with half an eye on the red tops in the United Kingdom…
Steps
Steps were massive in the 1990s and early 2000s and notched up hit after hit and dance routine after dance routine. With their catchy tunes and wacky outfits, Steps might be seen as the epitome of cheese. However it’s worth remembering that the group sold over 10 million records and notched up 14 consecutive top 5 singles! In July 2011 it was announced that the group are set to reform for a documentary and would be releasing an “Ultimate Collection” along with new material. Could one of these tracks be a song for Europe? They would certainly be eye-catching but would they win hearts and minds in Eurovision ten years after they split?
The Spice Girls
The Spice Girls are one of the names who were rumoured to be in the running for the UK in 2012. Having conquered the world in the 1990s the group went their separate ways and pursued solo careers, with varying degrees of success. With over 75 million records sold they undoubtedly had a large following across the globe. In 2007 the group reformed and went on a sell-out world tour, proof surely that their popularity endures? All five group members now have children and perhaps a more sedate life, although could a boogie in Baku be just what the doctor ordered?
S Club 7
From Simon Fuller, the man behind The Spice Girls came S Club 7, with the same brand of catchy tunes the group raked up seven number one singles. They had their own TV show, Miami 7 and even spawned a spin-off group, S Club Juniors (later known as S Club 8). Rochelle from S Club 8 went on to join The Saturdays, of which member Una Healey was backing singer for Ireland’s Brian Kennedy in 2006! S Club 7 have recently been performing as S Club 3 with main vocalist Jo O’Meara performing alongside members Bradley and to a lesser extent Paul. Recent gigs have included university unions and Doncaster Gay Pride events. Could Eurovision give these former hit-makers a big break?
Bananarama
What about those groups who disbanded long before the days of Girl Power? Technically the group are still together as a duo but what a coup it would be if Siobhan Fahey, who left in 1988 would regroup and take to the stage in Baku! To date the band have sold over 40 million albums worldwide and arguably have the experience necessary to cope with an event such as Eurovision. With retro coming back again could this be the option to take the UK back to the top of the Eurovision scoreboard?
Busted
In 2010 it was rumoured that Busted had been offered over a million pounds to reform. So far it hasn’t happened and acrimony between the original members of the group suggests that a reconciliation is a long way off. Could the potential opportunity of a European hit persuade the lads to kiss and make up? Busted had several hits in their heyday and were seen as more credible than the bubblegum pop of their generation. They might be glad they crashed the wedding but would they be happy to sing for their supper?
O-Zone
What about something more off-the-wall? Moldovan group O-Zone anyone? The boys had a massive international hit with “Dragostea Din Tei” back in 2004. It went to number one in nearly every European chart, reaching number three in the UK, a feat which was even more impressive considering that the song was entirely in Romanian. There’s also a link with Eurovision since Arsenie Todiraş sang for Moldova in 2006. Would the boyband with the catchy song be able to pull off a coup? Guaranteed 12 points from Romania and Moldova before a note has been sung!
Savage Garden
Australian group Savage Garden went their separate ways in 2001 but enjoyed several large international hits in the late 1990s and sold over 25 million albums. The song “Affirmation” was performed at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 so they will be adept at handling the Eurovision circus. Could it just be seen as a bit too middle of the road though for Europe?
Girls Aloud
Winners of Pop Stars: The Rivals in 2002 Girls Aloud have gone onto have twenty consecutive top ten hits in the UK and around Europe. The group members have all been pursuing solo projects since their “hiatus” was announced in 2009. 2012 will mark their tenth year in the business though – would a big European hit or even a Eurovision win round off an immensely successful career for the group?
ABBA
Of course no article about reunions could be complete without mentioning the Gods of Eurovision, ABBA. Despite offers of hundreds of millions of pounds, ABBA have refused to reform, instead preferring to be remembered as they were. However the legend that is ABBA still endures, with their music as popular as ever as the hit film and musical Mamma Mia has shown. Ok they’re Swedish but a boy can live in hope that they might want to help a friend through a dry patch. A possible reunion full stop let alone for Eurovision will likely never happen, the hit makers could turn into hip breakers. It might also be a bit tricky persuading Agnetha to leave the house…
One True Voice
From the sublime to the ridiculous. Losing out on the much-coveted Christmas number one in 2002 to Girls Aloud, One True Voice went on to have two top ten singles before being dropped by their record label. If it were to come down to these guys then I think we’d be better off giving Jemini another chance!
So who has Dr Paul missed? Go with the assumption that you need to name a reforming act, who would you send to Baku?
Busted at Eurovision would not be complete if the rumours about their missing member at their JESC performance are true…
PS – Savage Garden. YES PLEASE.
PPS – N*Sync, B*Witched, and various other bands with or without asteriks in them reforming and going to Eurovision would be so nostalgically fabulous to me I would probably die.
Savage Garden will not happen – they loath each other.
Personally, I think Eurovision should be about new talents as opposed to recycled older stuff.
Scooch didn’t backfire!! What sacrilege!! It was a UK schlager classic! And don’t forget those douze points from Malta!
Douze points from Malta to the Uk is as worthwhile as twelve from Cyprus to Greece, chaps!
Well they were second last so I think did backfire although they did of course get a hit and as for the douze points – well we of course have you guys to thank for that! 😉 See you at the weekend!
This is a list of…………………the stuff of nightmares. Why not just get Six altogether?