Better the devil you know - United Kingdom 1993 - Eurovision songs with live orchestra

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CREDITS:
"Better the devil you know"
Country : United Kingdom
Year : 1993
Performed by : Sonia
Lyrics : Dean Collinson, Red
Music : Dean Collinson, Red
Arrangement : Nigel Wright
Conductor : Nigel Wright

[@mrspilling7664]

👏🤩 Happy 30th Anniversary Sonia🇬🇧💙💛 It was so emotional seeing you & Niamh Kavanagh 🇮🇪 💚 on the Eurovision Song Contest tonight.. I still play both your songs after all these years.. Liverpool should be so PROUD of you & itself tonight.. Full Circle Moment 💫👏💙💛🙏

[@Dim4323]

It was a Very head to head

[@wdaniel4914]

Sonia got her moment splendidly here!

[@JeSuisRene]

Soooooo much better than the recorded version. As it is live, this is probably one of my favourite Eurovision songs!

[@5Rays]

The dress rehearsal was even better but has disappeared, plus superior camera work.

[@danfrost3043]

THIS is what Eurovision is all about , catchy, upbeat , makes you feel happy. She looks stunning and completely nailed the vocals. She always looks like she's swallowed a bottle of liquid sunshine.

[@Thrlta]

But shes so fucken pale ahe might as well die ov an allergic reaction when she drinks it.

[@noahbowie5985]

@@Thrlta she's ginger. We're normally quite pale

[@skygazer6898]

Dan Frost Yes, she does..Not a bad look to have is it? Little Miss Sunshine.

[@zanducktv2398]

Sonia is very nice.

[@vellbariaofficial]

She wants her entry music to be known over PROPS!

[@rogerb68]

We need Sonia back at Eurovision..❤

[@celticbro1]

Make sure you watch the Grand final tonight in Liverpool!

[@vellbariaofficial]

the best ESC show is with live music, orchestra, and back up singers.

[@jamiestainer9389]

AMEN

[@fredrichards1110]

I agree 💯 👍

[@Keithbarber]

On stage musicians aren't live, they mime to a backing track

[@jonathanmarr5372]

@@Keithbarber not here they didn’t, this was absolutely live

[@Keithbarber]

@@jonathanmarr5372 I know *SINGERS* are live but the only time I know that on stage musicians played their instruments live for the uk was the new seekers in 1972, but I couldn't see a lead coming out of the keyboardist instrument and the drummer looked like they were electric drum pads, hence why I think on stage _musicians_ are not live, but the orchestra and singers are That's the clue - is to the instrument plugged in?

[@janetthomson642]

Sonia should have won Eurovision not come second, even after 27 years the song gives me the chills

[@daveelliott5855]

As should of Micheal Ball the year before, foiled both times by Ireland but we did pip them in 97

[@beldub01]

Absolute Nonsense - much better songs won on both occasions

[@beldub01]

🇮🇪

[@elleeme9451]

Amen! Chills.

[@killiansmith7632]

Don’t be bitter luv

[@Orlando-Corea]

Sonia (pitch perfect) and the orchestra transformed this song from average to almost a winner.

[@busty6984]

Amazing live voice

[@Gajol1000]

I didn't fancy this one too much back in 1993 but Sonia gave indeed a full-blooded performance that night!

[@GiorgosArestis-qw2ml]

2023 AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PASSION TO LISTEN THIS LOVELY TOON LIKE BACK THEN. SHE WAS PERFECT AND SO SWEET.

[@Magyarosivatuvaluk]

My winner from Lebanon 🇱🇧!!! 12 points for the UK 🇬🇧 from Lebanon 🇱🇧!!!! 🇱🇧 💝 🇬🇧 !

[@antejl7925]

Shkran merci

[@madabbafan]

It may not have been the best song but she performed the hell out of it. If there had been tele-voting this year I think it would have won

[@JeSuisRene]

Yes that is the case. While I love the revamped version of this song (the one performed by the RTÉ concert orchestra on the night), I do think there were better songs in the Song for Europe national final, such as So Much of Your Love, and Our World.

[@matagorta5]

1993: UK: 2nd with 162 points. 10 years later 2003: UK: 26th with 0 points. What happened BBC?

[@aufaidasehn]

Sean Sieczka The EBU abolished the language rule, that is the reason why the UK, Ireland and Malta usually fail since 1999.

[@dramaticScar]

aufaida sehn malta slipped through the cracks though they came 2nd 2 times and 8th in 2013 whhile united kingom only got 2 top 5s and has for ireland they don´t even know what an ireland is

[@charlieharrison8511]

Sean Sieczka aufaida sehn Plus the voting system changed from 100% Jury to 100% Televote up until 2009.

[@morbidsearch]

Sean Sieczka The UK stopped sending good songs. Honestly, all they need to do now is send someone young and fresh with a powerful voice (i.e. not Molly) and they'd be back on top. Just look at Jade Ewen and Jessica Garlick.

[@dramaticScar]

PendulumFTW they did that with molly and look what happend also that girl of touch my fire was young it was miserable

[@careysfever]

Her vocals are similar to the studio version wow

[@vellbariaofficial]

and looked like Adele 2020 in that look!

[@Tenortalker]

Well done Sonia. A great performance.

[@Mochrie99]

So bloody catchy! Love the 50's early rock and roll style of this. Sonia is definitely was a talented young lady (and still is)

[@socksup]

Sonia and singers performed top notch, and gave it their all. Memorable song.

[@goonerbean4680]

Women smashed this Eurovision. All women in my top 5

[@mikestagraming]

This was fantastic and Sonia smashed it, but nothing could have beaten Ireland’s Niamh Kavanagh that year.

[@AnIrishMan500]

YOU ARE 100% RIGHT!!!

[@tourmaline07]

I prefer this to Niamh but then again I don't particularly take to ballads personally

[@spyz1448]

Who' s here after her appearance in Liverpool' s Eurovision song contest 2023...?

[@ariccua6101]

Ayo, here!

[@james767]

Hello

[@user-oh2bf1ue6n]

私はそれ以前から知ってました

[@andrewmcgeorge7820]

Give Sonia credit She threw everything into this.

[@Chris-ln6so]

Agreed. Terribly unlucky not to win.

[@paultopfitness8661]

What a voice! Well done Sonia

[@matteo2518]

Everything about that performance is outstanding. Amazing job uk

[@leelshal]

Such a great UK entry. Sonia delivered excellently. I always consider this a winner (she came 2nd).

[@skygazer6898]

Pierre. This was an excellent performance and a good song. Lovely Sonia was robbed

[@mikestagraming]

Sonia was great but deserved 2nd, Irelands Niamh Kavanagh was absolutely outstanding

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

@@skygazer6898 no she was not.

[@fredrichards1110]

Sonia was great she looked great sound great the uk 🇬🇧 should of won. They haven't had a good song since well 1997 when the uk last won but sonia was better than that

[@fz7091]

@@skygazer6898 No

[@Euroviking86]

This song is a big ball of fun and Sonia's performance was absolutely perfect. It was a better runner-up than the year prior, but there were many songs in 1993 that deserved to finish ahead of this too.

[@JeSuisRene]

I agree, a really fun song elevated by Sonia’s perfect performance and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. 1993 was a very strong year but I think this was one of the very best of 1993 (only edged out by Switzerland and possibly Norway too, for me). Then again, this was the song that sparked the Eurovision interest within me, so you wouldn’t hear a bad word about this song from me!

[@bazjamal3603]

Memories great memories..

[@barney1963]

An amazing live performance from Sonia ..she did well with such an average song ..well done ❤️

[@philkearney0577]

I wouldn't of minded having a bit of a blast on that back in the day.

[@alejandrodanielmoreno6247]

Real winners:UK and Norway. Kisses from Spain.❤💛❤. I want Sonia come back to ESC.❤❤❤

[@Anna-vk9tq]

Probably my favourite UK entry of all time

[@RK-rx6bl]

Oh my lord I’m here after watching Sonia live at the 2023 Liverpool Eurovision amazing.. 😊

[@lusitano232]

Great Song

[@thomashall4886]

Who is here after her performance at Eurovision 2023?

[@michaeld.5699]

What a great singer ❤

[@Lommy9999]

Great voice and performance

[@dulijanoivancic2692]

LEGEND !

I was 18... i so loved this song.

[@caroleross2053]

Sonia was pure sunshine.

[@nacht98]

one of the last really good entries from the UK!!

[@jamiegrifter]

Was sure she was going to win! If I remember well it was all down to the last vote and Malta let us down 😱

[@23bcm]

Me too....I remember screaming at the TV.

[@beldub01]

@@23bcm lost by 23 points not exactly close

[@xenonplays_]

@@beldub01 yes but, it came down to the final 12 points, UK needed 12 to win (they were only 11 behind) and Ireland were winning by 11, so UK could've won if Malta gave UK the 12.

[@kinetsievarvenfloot1237]

@@xenonplays_ Which would have been poetic justice because the previous time the Eurovision was held in Ireland the United Kingdom lost by a single point on the very last vote.

[@xenonplays_]

@@kinetsievarvenfloot1237 Yes to Celine (Switzerland) in 1988 right??

[@surreyanglia268]

so nice when we had professional singers representing uk now its like we get the singers from the local kareoke night at the local boozer.

[@inezfeytons1764]

Real Winner

[@alessandroursus9882]

Bravo Sonia you ré thé best

[@applebee1975]

Very catchy

[@noahbowie5985]

Start the campaign. Bring back Sonia, Imaani and Katrina and the Waves. We might have a shot at winning then

[@savvimeletiou9446]

Crystal voice and very nice orthophony

[@trevoredwards5139]

the real winner , massive career

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

massive career my arse

[@Thrlta]

It's his standard ov measurement for alignment with his malignantly miniature rod

[@celticbro1]

Great song and performance.

[@catgirlKL]

This was a great performance, looking back at it now 23 years later, it still looks fresh. I didn't even actually like the song to start with but that performance changed my mind. Wish she'd won, Sonia is so bubbly and looked like she was enjoying every minute. Actually, I really believe that would stand a chance now.

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

No would not have hope and only that the UK pay money they would NOT Qualify like Ireland they would have a hard time to get to the Final same this year 2019 The UK entry Michael Rice came in Last Brilliant singer, not a great song. My self i would love to see the The UK. IRELAND.AND SWEDEN. GERMANY. and all the Entries from the late 80s have their own Singing Competition .

[@JeSuisRene]

@@djbillybopdjbillybop2817 the jurors liked this song enough to place it second out of 25.

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

@@JeSuisRene you miss my point I am talking about Eurovision today Sonia even ABBA would not have a chance the way the voting is now.

[@Thrlta]

The lobsided asymmetrical dancing is quite charming, actually.

[@PierroHyaplo]

Lyrics : (It’s better the devil, devil) (Yeah, yeah, yeah…) (It’s better the devil, devil) (Yeah, yeah, yeah…) Baby, don’t do things that make me blue You know my love is always true Baby, don’t do things that make me cry I just can’t seem to sleep at night You know I love him every day It breaks my heart when he goes away (Yeah, yeah, yeah…) Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t Aha… aha… I’ll give you my heart and my soul if you give me your love Aha… aha… Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t I tell him that I love him most every day I’m out of my head, I don’t know what to say He never plays around like the other guys do He’s got the key to my heart and my love is true You know I love him every day It breaks my heart when he goes away (Yeah, yeah, yeah…) Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t Aha… aha… I’ll give you my heart and my soul if you give me your love Aha… aha… (Oh no…) Don’t tell me lies boy (Oh no…) Don’t make me cry (Oh no…) Don’t tell me lies boy (Oh no…) Don’t say goodbye Better the devil (Better the devil) Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t You know I love him every day It breaks my heart when he goes away (Yeah, yeah, yeah… when he goes away) Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t Aha… aha… I’ll give you my heart and my soul if you give me your love Aha… aha… (Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t) Ooh… (Aha… aha…) oh yeah… (I’ll give you my heart and my soul if you give me your love) Better the devil (Aha… aha…), better the devil (Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t) (Aha… aha…) Yeah… (I’ll give you my heart and my soul if you give me your love) I’ll give you my heart (Aha… aha…), ooh baby…

[@user-dj8mh2sd3y]

It s look like Christmas song!

[@Ian_Livesey]

This makes me nostalgic.

[@TheKonga88]

Sonia is sooooooooooooooo cute. :-)

[@joannaksyta1215]

Outstanding ❤

[@Picnicl]

So confusing .. Sonia, who's worked with Stock, Aitken and Waterman, although had left them by the time that this song was released, sang this song that happens to have exactly the same title as a completely different Stock Aitken and Waterman song penned for Kylie Minogue three years earlier. It's as if it's a snub to SA and W. And , for many years until now, my faulty memory was that Sonia had originally sang the SA and W song and that it had been so popular that SA and W then gave it to their biggest star overall as of since then Kylie Minogue.

[@confidentconnor5741]

She had four 12 points that's a great achievement most countries back then weren't lucky to even get 1 lol

[@JeSuisRene]

Connor Parry Yes, and they were from Austria, Belgium, Iceland and Israel. Funnily enough, Iceland weren’t that keen on giving us points back then, and this is the only set of 12 points they’ve ever given us!

[@stephensmith6810]

It was a great year. I was there she should have won or Netherlands x

[@alessandroursus9882]

Great!!!!

[@Gazowen-qz5xy]

How did this not win words fail me

[@matthewwest4831]

How Sonia didn't win in 1993 with better the devil you know is a mystery killer pop tune brilliant singer a winning combination but no only 2nd place how I wish the UK could be in the top 5 again we will keep trying each year to scale the top again

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

She did not win because she got a lower score so not good enough to win.

[@Helvett222]

Bravo Sonia ! I examined the transmission of this contest live (I was not a teenager), in principle, this song could win - for me.

[@bnkundwa]

Good job.

[@esterherschkovich6499]

Great song🙂

[@nimeialiu1372]

I love this song. From Spain 12

[@brucewayne0569]

Don´t make me Cry of emotion Sonia , your voice its like an Angel...

[@dramaticScar]

its rather ironic to call her an angel when she sings that she is a devil there is an horror story about a bear and the devil called 1999

[@brucewayne05]

+dramaticrui yes ,It is ironic and also only a metaphor for those who can understand what it means...

[@TomRipley7350]

brucewayne05 Ooh, burn.

[@anilhandro]

Should have won greetings from Turkey ♥️♥️

[@amyclarke41]

she was a cheery reminds me of Gemma in Corrie

[@musicloverUK]

A young Mr Mick Wilson backing singing there! 😎

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

Mick Wilson from 10 cc

[@LA-gh3mi]

The biggest voices are packaged in minut bodies..She has the 'Lulu' thing.

[@brian.7966]

better than Lulu. Lulu is crap.

[@Davidhjrick]

Lulu is an appalling ‘singer’

[@veganstrongstyle7131]

Best song I've seen at a Eurovision

[@michaelleacy]

This was not a great song at all, but on the night Sonia gave it a fantastic performance. Just the right amount of power but also carefree as the song dictates. I think the drum backing helped a lot. Also the mutiple times the chorus is repeated is another important factor for it to stay in judges memories. Excellent top 2 songs that year

[@sommy38]

shut up....she was all for winning and robbed!!!!...there was shit going on ..politics,,,,Sonia was truly championesque

[@michaelleacy]

peter sommerville Who rattled your cage? Did you read my comment at all. I was very complimentary about Sonia and her performance. Jeez, some people

[@sommy38]

pmsl...sorry mustve been in daddysonia mood..apologies

[@_Lancs2024]

I have to say I disagree, your right just the amount of professional performance and carefree attitude, but this was the best song on the night. It was close but for me Ireland didn't deserve to win.

[@ruaidhri_5474]

peter sommerville Sonia was robbed? Tf you on about? Niamh’s song was sensational and so too was this, came down till the last vote if you watched it.

[@statisym]

Thirty years, 15 May 2023!

[@vicentevittola3168]

eu amo a Sonia

[@verkaforever]

TheDrewster68, I was about to put exactly the same comment! This song was perfect for ESC- Sonia was robbed!

[@paulhynes3781]

Its a catchy enough tune but Sonia was not robbed, she was very lucky to get second place with this Bonnie Langford performance, it was even dated for the 80s let alone 90s. Ireland's song was far superior on the night.

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

@@paulhynes3781 No best song won.

[@malkophilippe2303]

Sonia was my favourite. 2018 I still like that song. I never understood how come this song did now win. Live orchestra actually was a good thing. Less countries, more music & live voting.

[@damolive3150]

The reason she didn't win was In your eyes Niamh Kavanagh..

[@TheDrewster68]

The REAL winner in 1993\

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

No

[@JeSuisRene]

Yes, Switzerland and the United Kingdom were my favourites in 1993!

[@confidentconnor5741]

Deffo

[@inezfeytons1764]

@@djbillybopdjbillybop2817 oh yes

[@mikestagraming]

UK was great but deserved 2nd place, Ireland brought the house down. Norway was great too

[@Roberesvivos]

LOVE her and Uk

[@paulandre836]

GET A LIFE

[@markwhite4266]

Sonia proper nailed it. Great Eurovision song. My only critique it was slightly repetitive and didn't give Sonia that big belt it moment

[@alejandrodanielmoreno9995]

❤❤❤

[@oiooi6460]

Terrific performance deserved better

[@rosshutchison2031]

Great live performance from Sonia. Shame about the backing singers who let her down. He is a bit like someone's dad dancing at a wedding!

[@grahamnewman8484]

Although she came second and Irish entry was a worthy winner, I feel this was a more typical Eurovision song and would have been an equally worthy winner

[@Thrlta]

Too bad there was Niamh

[@samuelpreston7547]

We’d kill to finish on the left side of the leader board. 🇬🇧 I think if we ever got 2nd half the country would pass out with shock. 😂

[@jayamber4448]

imo the winner of the night was netherland, vrede was performed majestically and has aged superbly.

[@JeSuisRene]

@@jayamber4448 As much as I like the Netherlands' song (my 6 points), my personal favourite was from Switzerland.

[@marie-louisedahl2826]

Still a crush.....🙈

[@petea1918]

This should of won! Remember watching it as if it was yesterday. Sonia was robbed

[@JeSuisRene]

Yes we can thank Greece and Malta..

[@oier2718]

Irish song was so good tho, and is should have won**

[@Magyarosivatuvaluk]

UK 🇬🇧 was amazing 😉! But Ireland 🇮🇪 Top was great ! So I am happy that you were both in the Top 2! I wished that Finland 🇫🇮 was in the Top 3 too.

[@pandemits]

One of the notorious times that UK sent well-established international singers to ESC, only for them to finish second or third to practically unknown performers, even in their own countries...

[@conorsmith8551]

Who doesn’t love a good underdog story though ! Haha

[@tallulahrubymonroe4280]

still love it in 2018 she should have won was a wonderful uk entry!

[@apollokinsys5957]

Oh it's Sonia

[@alessandroursus9882]

My winner!!!!!robed by juries!!!!!

[@kevinlongman007]

We woz robbed!

[@skygazer6898]

A cracking performance from lovely Sonia and a catchy song. Lovin that catsuit too. Anyone know what position song reached?

[@JeSuisRene]

2nd with 164 points, Ireland won on the last set of points.

[@skygazer6898]

@@JeSuisRene Thanks Rene. I am assuming it was Johnny Logan as he always seemed to be winning. Sonia done herself proud

[@JeSuisRene]

Skygazer No, it wasn’t Johnny Logan in 1993 - he won it performing in 1980 and 1987 and as songwriter for Linda Martin in 1992. In 1993, it was Niamh Kavanagh who won it for Ireland. Needless to say that as much as I liked the Irish entry that year, I’ve always preferred this one over Ireland’s entry.

[@skygazer6898]

@@JeSuisRene Wow! i bow down at your impressive knowledge. I am afraid with me, everything now gets a bit hazy. I shall check the winner out

[@jchdhc]

The real winner. Much better song and singer

[@bizzaro1988]

The real winner was the actual winner let's be honest

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

sorry better singer won

[@JeSuisRene]

@@djbillybopdjbillybop2817 I felt that Niamh screeched and wailed through most of the song. Still, each to their own.

[@djbillybopdjbillybop2817]

@@JeSuisRene if think that good God what music or singers do you listen to also were are you from.

[@JeSuisRene]

@@djbillybopdjbillybop2817 I listen to many ESC songs from the 90s including Niamh's song as the song is actually very good. I just prefer Sonia's song for the blend of 80s pop and 50s rock and roll, and I thought she pulled off a much better performance.

[@kat7777]

Can't beat a not of microphone and electronic inversion to make it bearable for us UK

[@eurovisiopedia]

She should win 🇹🇷💞🇬🇧

[@AnIrishMan500]

This was a fun catchy song for the UK, but it was 100% no match for the emotion and beauty of the performance of 'In Your Eyes' delivered by Niamh Kavanagh's voice for Ireland. I watched it live and Ireland was the undoubted winner of Eurovision 1993.

[@michaelcoulson1090]

Ireland was boring

[@aleannecchini]

She looks like Sigrid :O

[@godaz7777]

Better the devil you know - United Kingdom 1993 - Eurovision songs with live orchestra

[@luvhart]

Jeez the camera work was so shoddy that year. Absolutely appalling directing that ruined some of these performances

[@JeSuisRene]

I think the Netherlands and Spain suffered the most from the camera work but it isn't too great here...

[@kevinchun5242]

Holding it in equestrian centre in the middle of nowhere may have a part to play in the poor lighting setup and also the delay on the vision mixing.

[@luvhart]

@@kevinchun5242 I dunno, perhaps. The venue is superb (I’ve been there). I do love the story of ‘Millstreet 1993’ and staging it there was a fantastic idea and had a huge positive impact on the communities of South West Ireland....but when you have a show which some glaringly obvious flaws, it’s a mark of Director not doing a good job.

[@barnbersonol]

That's her sister in the backing singers