OK, it’s been a week, but I still need someone to explain the Eurovision result to me. Ukraine won - as well they should have. Obviously, they were always going to win but having listened to the track in isolation, I do think it was one of the better entries anyway.
But I simply do not understand how the UK’s entry came second. Why have we been let out of purgatory after so many years of nul points? Our government’s recent behaviour has certainly done nothing to mend relations with The Continent. And as for the song itself… I mean, it was fine… but it wasn’t that good, was it? Singer Sam Ryder seems like a nice chap, I hear he’s big on TikTok or something - but surely that’s not the reason for us being out of the European dog house?
(People who don’t care about Eurovision - stick with me, I do have a work-related point. Although, y’know, you should try to embrace Eurovision, it’s good for the soul: people all over Europe - and Australia, bless them - watching something truly ridiculous all at the same time … why wouldn’t you want to be part of that madness?)
In my quest to discover how the UK rose like the proverbial phoenix this year, I’ve been talking to … well, anyone who could spare the time, really. And, while reflecting on previous years, it suddenly occurred to me that I am hardly ever pleased with the contest’s outcome. I liked last year’s Italian winner well enough, (Måneskine - you may remember them from the table-photo-incident) but I still thought France was robbed.
So maybe, I’m seeking mysterious explanations for why the UK did so well when there’s actually a really obvious one: I’m not great at picking Eurovision winners. The things I like best and the things Eurovision judges favour rarely align.
But why this desperate need to know, anyway? As I’ve said, it’s just a pointless (if delightful) singing competition. Well, it’s not wholly different from any other life scenario - especially work. If you feel like something is “not good” and then it turns out that the majority of people think that option is clearly the best one, you’d want to dig into it a bit wouldn’t you? Or at least you should. Because the only other reaction is to write off everyone else as idiots, believing you're the only one who sees the truth. And that way lies arrogance and, ultimately, megalomania.
Notwithstanding genuine “emperor's new clothes” moments and herd mentality, if others disagree, you should have a good look at why. Is there something you missed? Something you didn’t fully understand? Or were you simply not the right person to make the call? We see this all the time in marketing - really poorly judged advertising and promotion aimed at a demographic that the firm in question doesn’t actually understand or know how to speak to.
It can be tough at the top. If the ultimate yes/no sign-off rests with you, you need to believe in the thing you’re signing off. Saying you were poorly advised won’t save your job. But you should at least find out why others disagree with your choice before issuing “my way or the highway” edicts, no? Being wrong is no crime if you correct your course. And it won’t diminish you in the eyes of your colleagues if you listen to them. And god knows, we’ve all had bosses who say they like people to challenge them but, in reality, won’t tolerate a moment’s dissent. No one remembers those guys fondly.
So what have we learned from Eurovision? Besides that musical appreciation is highly subjective and wolves eat bananas. If you’re wrong about something, check for clear reasons why. And if there aren’t any, rather than searching for some secret subplot, consider that the problem might be you.
Oh, and for the record, I liked Moldova best this year. What? This. Is. Eurovision.
Friday dance break
And continuing the musical nonsense, the results of last week’s poll are in and 66% of voters asked for a fun tune to kick off Friday. (The remaining 34% being split pretty evenly between “No, thank you”, “Bring back stationery corner” and “I hate polls”.)
For our inaugural bop, I am indebted to Rachel J for drawing my attention to this astonishing video. The theme to Muppet Show - already surely one of the happiest tunes on earth - has been made even more laughter-inducing and now has suggested dance moves … Ladies and gentlemen, the Dirty-Dancing-Muppet-Show mash-up!
Maybe don’t attempt that final lift, eh?
Take soundings
Wat vond je van Nederland?