United Kingdom Eurovision: BBC Radio 2's Best Of The 21st Century Poll

Axel S�rensen

4 min read

Post on May 19, 2025

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Top 5 Winning UK Eurovision Entries of the 21st Century (according to BBC Radio 2)

BBC Radio 2's poll, conducted via online voting and text messages, saw a huge response from enthusiastic Eurovision fans across the UK. The results reflected a diverse range of tastes, showcasing the evolution of UK entries throughout the 21st century. Here are the top 5 songs, as voted by the listeners:

1. "Waterloo" - ABBA (2023 Re-Entry): While technically not a 21st-century entry, the enduring popularity of ABBA's classic brought it to the top of the list. Its disco-pop energy and catchy melody remain undeniable, reflecting the timeless appeal of this Eurovision champion. This re-entry highlighted the enduring legacy of the contest itself. [Embed YouTube Video of ABBA's Waterloo Performance]

2. "Love Shine a Light" - Katrina & The Waves (1997 Re-Entry): Another iconic song that transcended its initial year of entry, this classic power ballad showed the emotional resonance of certain Eurovision anthems. [Embed YouTube Video of Katrina & The Waves' Love Shine a Light Performance]

3. "Shine" - Take That (2024 Re-Entry): The inclusion of the Take That mega-hit showcased the enduring power of pop anthems. The undeniable charm of the band and the positive message of the song appealed to many. [Embed YouTube Video of Take That's Shine Performance]

4. "Mysterious Girl" - Peter Andre (1996 Re-Entry): This undeniably catchy song is still played on the radio even today! This illustrates that the UK has had many hits in the competition over the years. [Embed YouTube Video of Peter Andre's Mysterious Girl Performance]

5. "Rock DJ" - Robbie Williams (2001 Re-Entry): A legendary performance from an iconic singer! The inclusion of this song demonstrated the popularity of the UK's more flamboyant entries. [Embed YouTube Video of Robbie Williams' Rock DJ Performance]

Analysis of UK Eurovision Performance in the 21st Century

Analyzing the UK's Eurovision performance in the 21st century reveals a mixed bag. While there have been moments of brilliance, consistently high rankings have remained elusive. Several factors contribute to this:

• Song Selection: The process of choosing a UK entry has often been criticized for lacking a clear vision or strategy. Sometimes, the selected songs haven’t resonated with the wider European audience.
• Artist Choice: The choice of artist can significantly impact a song’s performance. While some artists have possessed the star power needed for the Eurovision stage, others have been less impactful.
• Staging and Presentation: Professional and visually captivating staging is crucial. A poorly executed stage presentation can negatively impact a performance, regardless of the song's quality.
• Political Voting: It's an open secret that political voting influences the results of the Eurovision Song Contest. The UK has sometimes been the target of less favorable voting patterns from certain countries.

Notable UK Eurovision Entries That Didn't Quite Make the Top 5

Several deserving entries narrowly missed the top 5. These are songs that deserve recognition for their quality and cultural impact:

The Future of UK Eurovision Participation

The BBC Radio 2 poll offers valuable insights into what resonates with UK Eurovision fans. To improve future performance, the UK needs to:

• Refine the Song Selection Process: Implement a more transparent and strategic approach to selecting songs that appeal to a broad European audience.
• Focus on Strong Artist Selection: Choose artists who possess both vocal talent and stage presence.
• Invest in High-Quality Staging: Enhance the visual spectacle of the UK's performance to capture attention and leave a lasting impression.

Conclusion: Reflecting on the Best of UK Eurovision in the 21st Century and Looking Ahead

BBC Radio 2's poll provided a fascinating retrospective of UK Eurovision entries in the 21st century, highlighting the enduring appeal of certain songs and the factors that contribute to success. The results underscore the need for a strategic approach to song selection, artist choice, and staging. The future of UK Eurovision rests on embracing lessons from the past and implementing innovative strategies to recapture the glory days of UK Eurovision wins. Share your thoughts on the best UK Eurovision moments of the 21st century! What are your predictions for the future of UK Eurovision?