Morrissey is in talks to write and perform Britain's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC reported. The news revealed Tuesday raised eyebrows among the former Smiths frontman's fans, since Eurovision is famed for its cheesy, upbeat entrants, past winners include Abba, Celine Dion, or Brotherhood of Man with "Save all Your Kisses for Me."
By contrast, Morrissey, whose hits include "Girlfriend In A Coma" and "Everyday Is Like Sunday," is an anti-monarchist vegetarian whose guitar-driven songs often focus on bleak social commentary.
The 47-year-old star, who has forged a successful solo career since the Smiths split in 1987, first hinted at his interest in taking part after last year's British entrant came fifth from last.
"I was horrified but not surprised to see the UK fail. Why didn't they ask me?" he reportedly said.
Eurovision pits countries from across the continent against each other in a competition to find which nation has written the best song. Although easy listening tunes have traditionally been the most successful, last year's winners were Finnish hard rock band Lordi, who performed wearing studded leather, capes and brandishing an axe. A BBC spokeswoman confirmed they were in talks with Morrissey ahead of this year's competition in May, but added "nothing is confirmed at the moment." | ?? |
A spokeswoman for Morrissey's record label, Sanctuary, added: "They sent him an invitation to take part in it.... I don't know if he's moved that forward."
Last year, the video for the star's single "You Have Killed Me" featured a pastiche of the Eurovision competition in the 1970s.
If Morrissey did want to become Britain's contestant for this year's competition in May, he would have to be selected by the public during the qualifying stages. |
