Nicki French is back with her 17-track celebration of all things Eurovision.
The new album from the hitmaker – who represented the United Kingdom back in 2000 with Don’t Play That Song Again – features her classic entry plus 11 additional tracks spanning the history of the Contest.
Included are favourite edits from her three previous EPs and two brand new songs produced by Matt Pop; a remake of Belle and the Devotions’ entry Love Games from 1984, and a pop-gospel version of Too Late For Love, the 2019 entry from Sweden’s John Lundvik.
There’s also a dance rendition of Sweet Dreams’ 1983 track I’m Never Giving Up, powerhouse version of Sergey Lazarev’s electronic extravaganza You Are The Only One from 2016, and upbeat mix of Teach-In’s 1975 entry Ding A Dong, plus extended mixes from Matt Pop, Project K and Pete Ware.
Alongside the album, Nicki has released a music video for her cover of Love Games.
Out now digitally, ‘Eurovision’ is also available to pre-order on CD (out May) and limited-edition vinyl (due September).
By the time of her Eurovision bid, Nicki was no stranger to the spotlight; having reached the UK Top 5 and hit No. 2 in the US with her cover of Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart, she went on to release two albums – ‘Secrets’ (1995) and ‘French Revolution’ (1997) – before receiving a phone call from songwriter John Springate who, along with Gerry Shephard, wanted to pitch their track for the biggest show in Europe.
“John contacted me and he was very hesitant,” she tells RETROPOP’s May 2023 issue. “He was very reticent about whether I’d be interested, but once he mentioned the word ‘Eurovision’ I actually screamed. I said to him, ‘Oh my God, John, I love Eurovision!’”
They submitted the song and the trio soon found themselves on the shortlist, at which point eight entries were played on BBC Radio 2 before a final four performed during “a live final on BBC One, tucked away on a Sunday afternoon”.
“We won that and suddenly we’re off to Stockholm a few months later,” Nicki cackles. “It was a whirlwind; a whirlwind of excitement and enthusiasm and fun… It was just lovely. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever been a part of!”
READ MORE: Nicki French reveals she was originally part of Scooch’s 2007 Eurovision performance [Exclusive]
