A Song for Europe 1989
200 entrants were submitted to a panel of selectors to sing in the national final. [1]
A Song for Europe 1989 was a very dis-jointed final. The original singer chosen for "Back in the Groove" was to have been Garry Gibb; the song "Shame" was to have been sung by its writer, Marwenna Haver, and the song that won had its name and the name of the performer changed.
The BBC held the final on 24 March 1989 at Studio 6 of the BBC Television Centre in London, featuring eight songs and hosted by Terry Wogan on BBC1. A separate results show was broadcast on BBC1 the same evening. BBC Radio 2 simulcast the final and also broadcast the results show, both with commentary by Ken Bruce.
The eight songs in contention to represent the United Kingdom were premiered in various programmes on BBC Radio 2 between 20 and 23 March.
The BBC Concert Orchestra under the direction of Ronnie Hazlehurst as conductor accompanied all but the winning song, but despite performing live, the orchestra were off-screen, behind the set. Hazlehurst conducted two live keyboard players who accompanied the UK entry’s backing track at the Eurovision final in Lausanne.
For the second year running, the BBC convened a panel to pass comment on each of the songs. The panel comprised Deke Arlon, Gary Davies, Leslie Bricusse, and former Eurovision winner Lulu.
There were 300,000 televotes cast in 90 minutes of telephone lines being open for voting.
A Song for Europe 1989 –24 March 1989 [2] | Draw | Artist | Song | Songwriter(s) | Televotes | Place |
|---|
| 1 | Frankie Johnson | "Back in the Groove" | Bradley James, Stewart James | 10,731 | 6 |
| 2 | James Oliver | "Can't Stop Loving You" | James Oliver | 9,110 | 7 |
| 3 | Jane Alexander | "Shame" | Marwenna Haver, Peter Oxendale | 47,664 | 3 |
| 4 | Danny Ellis | "Just for the Good Times" | Les Reed, David Reilly | 6,777 | 8 |
| 5 | Julie C | "You Stepped Out of My Dreams" | Bill Jessop, Jason Havenhand | 51,449 | 2 |
| 6 | Live Report | "Why Do I Always Get It Wrong" | Brian Hodgson, John Beeby | 111,996 | 1 |
| 7 | The Pearls | "Love Come Down" | Joe Ortiz, Pauly Moore | 33,279 | 4 |
| 8 | Linda Carroll | "Heaven Help My Heart" | Clark Sorely | 17,084 | 5 |
UK Discography
- Frankie Johnson - Back In The Groove: Polydor FJ2 (7" Single)/FJX2 (12" Single).
- Elkie Brooks - Shame: Telstar STATS2394.
- Julie C - You Stepped Out Of My Dreams: Sonet SON2343 (7" Single)/SONL2343 (12" Single).
- Live Report - Why Do I Always Get It Wrong: Brouhaha CUE7 (7" Single)/12CUE7 (12" Single).
United Kingdom 
