Artist News

Molly Smitten-Downes to sing for UK’s Eurovision supper

By | Published on Wednesday 5 March 2014

Molly Smitten-Downes

The name on the lips of Eurovision fans (anyone?) today is ‘Molly Smitten-Downes’, the Leicestershire singer-songwriter who’ll sing her song ‘Children Of The Universe’ for the UK at this year’s big Song Contest. And if that name sounds at all familiar (anyone?), it’s because Molly is the ‘feat’ singer on (and co-writer of) a 2008 ‘Raindrops’ remix of Sash’s ‘Encore Une Fois’. Seriously… anyone?

Representing a break in recent Eurovision tradition (given last year and 2012’s British entrants Bonnie Tyler and Engelbert Humperdinck), Smitten-Downes isn’t quite so high-profile, and was scouted by TV bosses after submitting music to the BBC’s Introducing spotlight for undiscovered artists.

Describing her reaction to the Beeb’s taking a special interest in her, she says (via the BBC): “I was really surprised at first, and flattered that they thought I was worthy. And then I had a few reservations. Eurovision’s not got the most credibility in this country, at the risk of sounding ungrateful”.

She adds: “I feel, maybe naively, optimistic. I really believe music is something that breaks down political barriers. I think good music breaks through. Maybe I’m totally naive, but that’s why I’ve spent the past few years being skint, perfecting my craft, gigging in small venues. It should be about the music”.

And: “It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but hopefully people will respect it. I’d like to think that whatever song wins is because of the song. I’d like it to be mine, but we’ll just have to see”.

Yes, let’s wait until 10 May – which is when the grand final of this year’s ESC begins in Copenhagen, Denmark – and see. If only Britain was allowed to just have Sash doing ‘Encore Une Fois’ one more time. Because that is/was a banging track.



READ MORE ABOUT: |