It’s official! Thame songwriter makes the UK top six for Eurovision 2018

THAME-based singer/songwriter, Samir Elshay, has recently been given the great opportunity to represent the UK in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Lisbon in May. His song, Crazy, which he composed alongside Iceland’s two-time representative, Greta Salóme has made the final six and has been entered into the BBC 2 show, You Decide, airing on February 7, 2018. 

If their song, to be performed by Raya, wins, it will be this years UK entry for the Eurovision song Contest.

You can see Samir performing one of his other songs, Some Kind of Love, here: https://vimeo.com/154318682

The Eurovsion Song Contest will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, during May 8, 10 and 12, 2018.

Raya is described as: “…a multi-talented performer, known for her experience in acting, dancing, DJ’ing and, of course, singing. RAYA has travelled across the globe and performed a numerous international venues. RAYA has also had past experience as a vocal coach.” See full details of all six acts for ‘You Decide’ HERE

The UK has won Eurovision just five times since it began in 1956, our big winners being Sandie Shaw with the song Puppet on a String in 1967, Lulu with Boom Bang-a-Bang in 1969 (tied), Brotherhood of Man with Save Your Kisses for Me“in 1976, Bucks Fizz with Making Your Mind Up in 1981 and Katrina and the Waves with Love, Shine a Light in 1997.

We’ve finished as runner-up on a record 15 occasions including Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson (1959), Matt Monro (1964), Kathy Kirby (1965), Cliff Richard (1968), Mary Hopkin (1970), The New Seekers (1972), Scott Fitzgerald (1988), Michael Ball (1992), Sonia (1993) and Imaani (1998). Since then, we’ve only finished within the top ten twice. Jessica Garlick in 2002 finished joint third and Jade Ewen in 2009 finished fifth.

The UK national selection for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, ‘Eurovision: You Decide’ will be held on Wednesday, February 7, at the world-famous Brighton Dome. The show will be hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Swedish Eurovision winner, Måns Zelmerlöw.

So, could 2018 be the UK’s year?

Elshay, as he prefers to be known, is hoping that everyone will watch You Decide, and love his song – and vote for ‘Crazy’ – and once again help Thame talent make musical history! (The last Thame musician to do that, was Jack Bevan, the drummer with the mega successful indie-rock band, Foals.