Eurovision 2023 is just around the corner as the hit song contest is set to take place in Liverpool. The Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra won last year’s competition so it should take place in the victors’ home country but it’s not possible due to conflict with Russia.
That said, every year fans eagerly anticipate the announcement of who will represent their country in the competition, an honour which falls to Mae Muller from London this year. While we congratulate her achievement, we still can’t help but wonder… Which Scottish artist would be up for it?
It wouldn’t be the first time either as Glasgow-born popstar Lulu famously represented the nation in Eurovision 1969 with her hit song “Boom-bang-a-bang”. That’s why we asked you, our Scotsman readers, who the ‘Ultimate Scottish Eurovision entry would be’ and you offered some - largely nostalgic - answers.
As voted by all of you, here are 13 Scottish artists that would be perfect for Eurovision.
9. Big Country
Big Country are a Scottish rock band that formed in Dunfermline (Fife) back in 1981. They were especially popular in the early to mid 1980s. The Classic Rock History website wrote that the band’s top three songs were “East of Eden”, “Fields of Fire” and “In a Big Country” taking the number one spot. Photo: via Chalice of Blood
10. Almost Angelic
You might not think that the Karen Dunbar Show is the place people’s minds would wander to when thinking of Eurovision entries but yet here we are. For a wee bit of craic at the song contest, let’s leave it to the ever-talented Almost Angelic to deliver a hit performance of any number of tracks, maybe “Who Let the Dogs Out”. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via Ricky Silveri
11. Ye Cannae Shove yer Granny aff a Bus
If we’re to represent the ‘Scottish’ element of having a Scottish entry representing the UK at Eurovision then this song isn’t the worst choice in the world… Maybe. It’s definitely got Scottish vocabulary in there so now all that’s left to do is choose who the singer is and if it gets an updated mix… Could it be a good hardcore rock track in the right hands? Photo: bowie15 on Canva Pro
12. Peat and Diesel
Peat and Diesel are a three-piece band from Stornoway, the main town on the Isle of Lewis (Outer Hebrides of Scotland). The group consists of Calum “Boydie” MacLeod, Uilly Macleod and Innes Scott. Their style is considered a mix of folk, rock and punk, with comedic lyrics about the ups and downs of island life. Photo: via WikiCommons