Every year, I’m desperate to see the UK turn its fate around and reclaim Eurovision glory. Or at least get more than a measly nul points from the public vote. As a relatively recent convert to the Song Contest, for a long time I was completely unaware of the flak that the UK receives when it comes to picking up points from around Europe. After moving to the UK in 2022, I witnessed Sam Ryder’s soaring success and the pride that the UK felt when he finished in second place. But in the years since, the tide of public sentiment has shifted again, with acts now struggling to crack the formula to impress the rest of Europe. In 2024, Olly Alexander faced a brutal nul points from the public, while girl group Remember Monday suffered the same response last year, too.
This time around, the BBC decided to mix things up and choose an act that was called a ‘curveball’ by some – electronic musician Sam Battle, who performs as Look Mum No Computer. With a huge social media following, he already has an established fan base. His electronic genre of music is often a popular choice at Eurovision, resulting in standout performances from competitors. However, after tuning into last night’s second semi-final, where Look Mum No Computer performed his song Eins, Zwei, Drei, I’m worried another low leaderboard finish is on the cards.
When I first heard the song upon its release, I loved it. Over the years, Sam has set himself apart in his genre, making music with his own electronic inventions – and clearly having a hell of a lot of fun in the process. His song – in which he dreams of escaping the monotony of the daily routine and 9-5 – was inspired by a trip to Germany. Its genius is its simplicity – after a string of pop ballads being sent by the UK in recent years, Sam’s song is a fun novelty complete with silly rhymes, including linking mustard and a roly-poly with custard. The staging for the song is bonkers but brilliant – with Sam stuck in an office set up before getting bored and bringing the computers (dancers with monitors on their heads) to life. As the song goes on, he also interacts with synthesisers he built himself – all while wearing a pink boiler suit which could become an iconic Eurovision costume that fans emulate in years to come. Sam is charismatic and plays into his character perfectly.
However, it feels as though he still has an uphill battle to face. In 2003, 2008, 2010, 2019 and 2021, the UK picked up the unenviable position of last place, with two of those including the dreaded ‘nul points’. Each year, it seems as though the UK will always receive a lacklustre public response, no matter what. Sitting in the Media Centre in Vienna, that much was evident during Sam’s performance when he tried to encourage the audience to sing back to him.. and not a single person did. That was in stark contrast to songs from other countries that had seen a wave of people jump out of their seats to sing and dance – not only to acts from their home countries, but also to others. At the end of each song, there was applause from the room. However, at the end of the UK’s, I didn’t hear a single clap. As a British journalist remarked to me following the performance: ‘This is our lasting punishment for Brexit.’
I feel the frustration of UK acts and fans who have become accustomed to the feeling that no matter how hard they try, the public response is always expected to be harsh. But despite bookmakers currently ranking Look Mum No Computer as a 150/1 outsider to claim victory for the UK, his performance last night was still praised by many. ‘At LAST a proper bonkers Euro song from the UK!’ social media user JudgeHill declared. ‘This is a great song, a great staging and a loveable and charming artist. The vocals can improve on Saturday but the vibes are most important with an entry like this. You deserve televoting points this year!’ Eddie from Sweden shared. ‘This does not deserve 0 tele points, come on guys. It’s so fun,’ Anouskas from Greece wrote while urging others to support the song. Another said it was ‘bringing absolute chaos in the best way’. Meanwhile, Matt from the UK begged: ‘Please Europe, can we just have 1 point.’ Responding to critics, one person called James posted on X: ‘It’s so funny because if this (intentional and self-aware nonsense) was from one of the microstates or a Scandi country the same people cringing now would be buying the costume, getting the tattoo, and saying it’s the most profound thing they’ve ever seen.’
Speaking to the BBC about his entry this week, Look Mum No Computer compared it to Marmite. ‘You either love it or hate it – but I think there’s a slot open for our sort of thing,’ he said. Not counting Sam Ryder’s second placing in 2022, the UK has failed to make the top 10 in Eurovision for more than 15 years. While this year won’t see the country win, I’m hoping the risk taken to send a boundary-pushing act who has given it his all will at least pay back with a decent smattering of support from the public. The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final airs tomorrow night from 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
