Michael Rice has earned abundant praise from Eurovision viewers after representing the UK in the song contest final.
The English singer was the 16th contestant to step onstage during Saturday’s final in Tel Aviv.
He delivered an acclaimed performance of the tune “Bigger Than Us”, co-written by John Lundvik, who was also representing Sweden during the final.
After Rice’s turn wrapped up, viewers turned to social media to share their impressions, praising Rice’s vocals – though some were left disappointed by the tune itself.
“What a lovely moment for Michael Rice. He did a great job there, and was clearly thrilled to be representing us. WELL DONE, MICHAEL!” one person wrote.
1/10 10. “Molitva” – Marija Šerifović (Serbia, 2007)
Let’s get down to business. Making their debut at Eurovision, Serbia later romped home as champions with this high-drama ballad. In an era when extravagance had well and truly taken hold, the staging was notably bare. The orchestra, the belting, the key changes, and the five backing singers dressed as a cross between beauty queens and security guards all make this feel like the climax of a modern opera.
Getty
2/10 9. “Hard Rock Hallelujah” – Lordi (Finland, 2006)
Has Eurovision ever seen anything like it, before or since? Finland’s first win after 45 years of participating came at the hands of a heavy metal band dressed in monster costumes – but this ranking is not based on novelty alone. Behind the growled vocals and pyrotechnics, “Hard Rock Hallelujah” is a pretty great song – even for those who ordinarily can’t stand this kind of thing. The backing vocals on the chorus are a particular high. It also provided a welcome departure from the high-octane pop-fest that many believe Eurovision to be.
Getty
3/10 8. “Hold Me Now” – Johnny Logan (Ireland, 1987)
The jewel in the crown of Ireland’s seven wins is this corker from Logan, who returned looking every inch the matinee idol in his pristine white suit. It’s the kind of big power ballad that fist-clenching was made for, and his big build on “I will always love you” should win another prize for the most ambitious key change.
Rex
4/10 7. “Fångad av en stormvind” – Carola (Sweden, 1991)
One of Sweden’s most popular entries, Carola is winning from the moment she bounds on stage and lets out that first “Woah-oh-oh!”. Her voice is flawless, the key changes are great, and who doesn’t appreciate a wind machine? Another slice of Scandi pop perfection.
AFP/Getty
5/10 6. “Making Your Mind Up” – Bucks Fizz (United Kingdom, 1981)
A high energy pop song with colourful young performers and fun choreography – “Making Your Mind Up” is the stuff that Eurovision is made of. The famous moment when the boys ripped off the girls’ skirts only to reveal shorter skirts beneath them is one of the competition’s most famous moments. A number one hit record across Europe that year, the song remains as infectious today as ever.
PA
6/10 5. “Ne partez pas sans moi” – Céline Dion (Switzerland, 1988)
Celine Dion was just 20 years old when she came to international attention with this performance. The song itself is excellent – a French chanson worthy of Edith Piaf, with a slightly twee drum machine stepping up the beat for a bop of a chorus. This all took place before Celine was transformed into an ageless power ballad queen (see the pageant-esque hair and outfit), but it’s thrilling to hear how her vocals were sheer perfection even then. Oh, and the arm choreography was well on its way too.
EPA
7/10 4. “Love Shine a Light” – Katrina and the Waves (United Kingdom, 1997)
The beautiful fusion of hammond organ, tambourines, hand clapping and the quasi-spiritual lyrics themselves make this feel like a glorious hymn – and Katrina really takes it to church. One of the highest scorers in modern times, this was the last time the UK won the competition, and it came the day after Labour’s landslide 1997 election victory. What a time to be alive.
PA
8/10 3. “Rise Like a Phoenix” – Conchita Wurst (Austria, 2014)
Conchita’s performance had everything you could want in a Eurovision performance. Elegant and fierce all at once, “Rise Like a Phoenix” could match the finest Bond theme, and is easily one of the most timeless of all the winners. The big band adds to the glamour of it all, and brings the goosebumps on that dramatic orchestral rise towards the final chorus. It was a powerful moment for LGBT+ visibility, too; the song’s theme of triumph over adversity secured it as an anthem for life’s survivors.
AFP/Getty
9/10 2. “Euphoria” – Loreen (Sweden, 2012)
It’s hard to pick any other recent winner that comes as close to contemporary chart toppers as “Euphoria” – a dance hit that many contemporary pop stars would kill for. Written by Sweden’s Thomas G:son – who has produced more than 90 songs for Eurovision competitors across multiple countries – “Euphoria” is built on clever pop formulas. The chorus itself is anthemic perfection, but when Loreen tacks on: “We’re going up, up, up…” it strikes gold. The Kate Bush-esque performance was an added bonus.
Getty
10/10 1. “Waterloo” – ABBA (Sweden, 1974)
ABBA burst onto the stage at the 1974 competition, kickstarting Sweden’s international reputation as masters of pop. Early adopters of the kind of kitsch which would come to typify the show, ABBA used their platform to offer a taste of the cultural phenomenon they would go on to become. From the opening piano build to the switch between a minor bridge and major chorus, to the catchy hooks littered throughout, “Waterloo” is a masterclass in how to write a hit, and the song rightly went on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time. ABBA continue to influence Eurovision contestants to this day, and while you may have another favourite, “Waterloo” is a song on which most people can agree is a solid gold classic. We promise to love you forever more.
AFP/Getty
1/10 10. “Molitva” – Marija Šerifović (Serbia, 2007)
Let’s get down to business. Making their debut at Eurovision, Serbia later romped home as champions with this high-drama ballad. In an era when extravagance had well and truly taken hold, the staging was notably bare. The orchestra, the belting, the key changes, and the five backing singers dressed as a cross between beauty queens and security guards all make this feel like the climax of a modern opera.
Getty
2/10 9. “Hard Rock Hallelujah” – Lordi (Finland, 2006)
Has Eurovision ever seen anything like it, before or since? Finland’s first win after 45 years of participating came at the hands of a heavy metal band dressed in monster costumes – but this ranking is not based on novelty alone. Behind the growled vocals and pyrotechnics, “Hard Rock Hallelujah” is a pretty great song – even for those who ordinarily can’t stand this kind of thing. The backing vocals on the chorus are a particular high. It also provided a welcome departure from the high-octane pop-fest that many believe Eurovision to be.
Getty
3/10 8. “Hold Me Now” – Johnny Logan (Ireland, 1987)
The jewel in the crown of Ireland’s seven wins is this corker from Logan, who returned looking every inch the matinee idol in his pristine white suit. It’s the kind of big power ballad that fist-clenching was made for, and his big build on “I will always love you” should win another prize for the most ambitious key change.
Rex
4/10 7. “Fångad av en stormvind” – Carola (Sweden, 1991)
One of Sweden’s most popular entries, Carola is winning from the moment she bounds on stage and lets out that first “Woah-oh-oh!”. Her voice is flawless, the key changes are great, and who doesn’t appreciate a wind machine? Another slice of Scandi pop perfection.
AFP/Getty
5/10 6. “Making Your Mind Up” – Bucks Fizz (United Kingdom, 1981)
A high energy pop song with colourful young performers and fun choreography – “Making Your Mind Up” is the stuff that Eurovision is made of. The famous moment when the boys ripped off the girls’ skirts only to reveal shorter skirts beneath them is one of the competition’s most famous moments. A number one hit record across Europe that year, the song remains as infectious today as ever.
PA
6/10 5. “Ne partez pas sans moi” – Céline Dion (Switzerland, 1988)
Celine Dion was just 20 years old when she came to international attention with this performance. The song itself is excellent – a French chanson worthy of Edith Piaf, with a slightly twee drum machine stepping up the beat for a bop of a chorus. This all took place before Celine was transformed into an ageless power ballad queen (see the pageant-esque hair and outfit), but it’s thrilling to hear how her vocals were sheer perfection even then. Oh, and the arm choreography was well on its way too.
EPA
7/10 4. “Love Shine a Light” – Katrina and the Waves (United Kingdom, 1997)
The beautiful fusion of hammond organ, tambourines, hand clapping and the quasi-spiritual lyrics themselves make this feel like a glorious hymn – and Katrina really takes it to church. One of the highest scorers in modern times, this was the last time the UK won the competition, and it came the day after Labour’s landslide 1997 election victory. What a time to be alive.
PA
8/10 3. “Rise Like a Phoenix” – Conchita Wurst (Austria, 2014)
Conchita’s performance had everything you could want in a Eurovision performance. Elegant and fierce all at once, “Rise Like a Phoenix” could match the finest Bond theme, and is easily one of the most timeless of all the winners. The big band adds to the glamour of it all, and brings the goosebumps on that dramatic orchestral rise towards the final chorus. It was a powerful moment for LGBT+ visibility, too; the song’s theme of triumph over adversity secured it as an anthem for life’s survivors.
AFP/Getty
9/10 2. “Euphoria” – Loreen (Sweden, 2012)
It’s hard to pick any other recent winner that comes as close to contemporary chart toppers as “Euphoria” – a dance hit that many contemporary pop stars would kill for. Written by Sweden’s Thomas G:son – who has produced more than 90 songs for Eurovision competitors across multiple countries – “Euphoria” is built on clever pop formulas. The chorus itself is anthemic perfection, but when Loreen tacks on: “We’re going up, up, up…” it strikes gold. The Kate Bush-esque performance was an added bonus.
Getty
10/10 1. “Waterloo” – ABBA (Sweden, 1974)
ABBA burst onto the stage at the 1974 competition, kickstarting Sweden’s international reputation as masters of pop. Early adopters of the kind of kitsch which would come to typify the show, ABBA used their platform to offer a taste of the cultural phenomenon they would go on to become. From the opening piano build to the switch between a minor bridge and major chorus, to the catchy hooks littered throughout, “Waterloo” is a masterclass in how to write a hit, and the song rightly went on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time. ABBA continue to influence Eurovision contestants to this day, and while you may have another favourite, “Waterloo” is a song on which most people can agree is a solid gold classic. We promise to love you forever more.
AFP/Getty
“Well, that wasn’t at all awful. Well done, Michael Rice!” another person tweeted.
Someone else chimed in with more positive feedback, writing: “Well done Michael Rice. Fantastic performance and great song.”
One viewer said Rice “should be proud” of his performance, while someone else wrote: “I absolutely loved it.”
“First time I heard the song it sounded average but tonight at the final it was utterly brilliant,” another Twitter user wrote. “Well bloody done to Michael Rice, done the UK proud!”
Twenty-six countries are represented in the final. The winner will be influenced by votes cast by the public via text messages.
Click here to read The Independent’s live blog of the final.
