The UK entry into the 2015 Eurovision song contest, Electro Velvet, has received a mixed response from critics and the public, with some declaring their song will guarantee the British don't win. The pop duo, featuring Rolling Stones tribute band frontman Alex Larke and one-time The Voice contestant Bianca Nicholas, will perform their electro-swing tune Still in Love With You.
In The Guardian, Stuart Heritage describes the song entry as a "nightmarish attempt to fuse Cotton Eye Joe, Doop by Doop and the collected works of Scatman John into a monstrous new form".
Heritage says that the UK never stood a chance anyway, because "everyone hates us", but he wonders if the song is an attempt "to deliberately make Europe disassociate with us entirely". He adds: "Nigel Farage is probably making it his ringtone as we speak".
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In the Daily Telegraph Neil McCormick says the choice of Electro Velvet demonstrates "the BBC's commitment to never again host Eurovision". McCormick describes their song as "an ersatz music hall jazz trifle, written to order by a veteran professional jingle writer behind the theme tune for Jim'll Fix It".
McCormick says that the BBC don't take Eurovision seriously, and treat it as a cheesy, anachronistic embarrassment. They may have a point, he says, but "if the show is a joke, let's send them a punch line".
Some Twitter users have been kinder to the song. BBC political correspondent Chris Mason tweeted: "Just heard the British Eurovision entry for the first time and I really like it!" While Ian Freeman wrote: "Love the UK #Eurovision entry by Electro Velvet, co-written by the great David Mindel! Sure-fire smash, electro-swing, sassy and catchy!"
But comedian Mark Gatiss tweeted: "Just heard our Eurovision entry. Doomed again."
Another Twitter user points out that the song sounds similar to a jingle for potato waffles: "Can't stop singing along to the UK's Eurovision entry" says Happy Toast, posting a link to a Youtube clip for a Bird's Eye waffle ad.
But if Electro Velvet isn't the UK's best Eurovision entry, can music fans console themselves that it won't be the worst?
Singing duos have had mixed fortunes for the UK in the competition, according to Benny Royston in Metro. In 1959 double act Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson scored a runner up place with their tune Sing Little Birdie, but the only other boy-girl duo, Jemini, grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons in 2003. They bagged the United Kingdom's first ever 'nil points' score for their song Cry Baby.
Worringly, says Royston, the female singer performed in a red dress while the guy wore a white shirt – the same combo as the music video released for I'm Still In Love With You.
This year's contest takes place in Vienna on 23 May.
