Eurovision 1971 - United Kingdom

Clodagh Rodgers performing "Jack in the Box", the UK entry at the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest.
Four years after "Puppet on a String", the British sent another cheery song whose title refers to a toy, and they were duly rewarded with yet another top-5 placing. This may not be such a classic as the Sandie Shaw number, but it;s still a cute and uplifting song - not to mention that Clodagh's hotpants must have caused quite a stir at the time!
(Especially dedicated to ESCsince1968, in the hope that someday he'll repeat his school performance of this in front of us all!) ;-)

[@barbararene4200]

Am I the only one watching this vintage clip? I love this song. Wonder if Clodagh is still active in show business. I think she is wonderful. FUN song.

[@gerasoras]

Ahhh The Cycling Tour episode....awesome =D

[@aichagermany]

She did quite a turn from Clodagh to Trotsky to Eartha Kitt to Heath 🤣🤣🤣

[@donaldcampbell1490]

Eurovision songs by uk were so much better then and the music far happier tban of later years. And of course the singers.

[@MrMjp58]

Just watched an old film of 'shake me' disabled for comments so I'll rave about it here. Live vocals of sublime quality. She was/is class.

[@IngerAnna]

Reminds me of Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a string" that won 4 years earlier.

[@stuckinthe60s56]

@@Billy219shut up Ada

[@carrieclark123]

My first exposure to the Eurovision Song Contest back in '71. I was never the same...

[@lonespokesperson7254]

My first exposure as well - I was 12.

[@lornajones110]

its so weird, shes my great aunty!

[@jaynehinds3339]

lorna jones she was fab

[@gazza2933]

Aunty Clodagh was and is beautiful! Lorna, I hope that she is doing well. 💐

[@Suzyfromtheblock]

She is beautiful how is she xxx

[@oj3396]

This song was actually played in the Swedish Talkshow ”Skavlan” yesterday, while the guest was presented. I was so surprised when i heard it :)

[@047396]

love this clodagh lived in wimbledon london for a while and run a very popular wine bar in wimbledon village which me and my friends went to a lot it was great its now called hemmingways.

[@johndearden7931]

I wished I had known that when I lived in Putney!

[@stanibol]

1971 was the last Eurovision Contest I watched on German TV and I fell in love with Clodagh R.

[@raywoodman5084]

One of my favourite Eurovision songs along with Puppet on a string and a mountain of other songs.

[@vladski67]

Cutting edge stuff that was truly reflective of the most dynamic pop music this country could ever produce. I was in love with her and would have stalked her if I didn't have to go to school in the morning.

[@swellin69]

Just love her husky voice.

[@DislocatedCardiganV1]

Love Monty Python

[@davidjamesmurray6651]

Great voice and a beautiful irish woman, very talented ❤️

[@neonskyline1]

my friend John Worth wrote this along with Adam Faith's stuff and many more great songs :)

[@Glenn1967ful]

In the days when we always came first or second. From 1967 to 1977 we never fell below this level, partly due to the fact we used well known singers such as Cliff Richard and Lynsey de Paul. After LDP, we had to use little known acts and our performance slumped.

[@AndrewKoala]

Also known as 'Cloda Rogers', the name under which she made the 1966 single "Stormy Weather"/"Lonely Room" She shot to fame in 1969 with two Top 5 hits "Come Back and Shake Me" and "Goodnight Midnight" She also won the award for 'The Best Legs' in British show business and insured her voice for one million pounds She looks great in her pink frilly top and spangled hot pants. She finished in fourth place, behind Monaco, Spain and Germany.

[@davidhall9260]

Bought the single in 1971, in 1972 saw Clodagh at the London Palladium as Cinderella , very talented & underrated lady beautiful too. She did not like this song, but she didn't let that show ,a real pro!

[@NickB]

I remember that one. Ronnie Corbett as Buttons...

[@juancar988]

Clodagh Rodgers en algunas quinielas partia como favorita, finalmente quedo en cuarta plaza aunque posteriormente la cancion tuvo un exito comercial enorme siendo el disco que mas vendio segido muy de cerca por España, Alemania e Italia. Solo recordar que la cancion española fue Nº 1 en Ventas en U.K. Importante voz la de Clodagh sin duda.

[@tamnaharrie]

esc 1971 was held in DUBLIN and CLODAGH came from WARRENPOINT CO. DOWN.... GREAT SONG

[@ESCsince1968]

Lovely Tasos thank u for the dedication in this video clip. I feel very honoured, given that it was ESC in my home city and a classic sung albeit for the UK by a fellow countrywoman related and known to family members & friends from the lovely seaside town of Warrenpoint.

[@Ampex196]

Clodagh is a lovely, lovely lady (though not quite as tall as I'd imagined). She's an absolute delight! Many thanks for posting.

[@chrismcmullen4525]

My new most favorite song ever...

[@eurocharter]

It came in 4th at Eurovision and also peaked at #4 on the UK chart

[@Dilhan777]

Very jolly. Thank you for posting!

[@beadsstitcher]

LOVE ITTTTTTTTT !! ONE OF THE BEST!

[@Euroviking86]

Yes, a very entertaining, charming song and performance, and Clodagh must indeed have been a pioneer in the 'best legs' category. For its sheer entertainment value I'm quite happy with this song's 4th place.

[@donaldcampbell1490]

Looking back its lovely to see and hear this again. Great stuff.

[@mikeysussex321]

Fantastic.

[@lapponia77]

The first Eurovision song I loved

[@bluedotmusic]

Both Parents were Irish, she was born in Warrenpoint County Down N Ireland. Her sister Lavinia was one of her backing singers .

[@DONKEYOK]

I remember Clodagh's songs for Europe songs, on Cliff''s show.One in particular was Another time another place, I think Clodagh would have won with that song without a doubt , she always had a voice and with those looks ...... beautiful .

[@joeoconnor5400]

This finished her career in the UK. Mary Hopkin failed in Eurovision 1970 and her career nose dived as a result.

[@gregbutcher_musicplacecheck12]

Wasn't she so gorgeous, beautiful and stunning. We don't get performers like Clodagh anymore. An era long gone of real raw talented singers. musicians and songwriters. the fun has certainly gone from todays music. it's all about sex, hate and attitude and you mothers own me. lol. sad but true. god bless you Clodagh and many others from this era.

[@The_Great_Darino]

Greg Butcher there were PLENTY of songs about sex, hate and attitude back then. Plus a bonus category: War.

[@Mistersafehouse]

what a difference seeing it in colour and with fairly decent sound. the other clips make the event look more archaic than it actually was. mulitple coloured lights in the background too...whey! somehow the simple, smoke and mirrors efforts all those years back looks less irritating than the way they do it now. yep i'd also forgot she wore hot pants. then again i was only 9.

[@ESCsince1968]

Yes.

[@robinaxeman]

I remember it well,I was at this show at Wembley Conference Centre when I was a cop,and got a press hand out of a plastic brief case with a 45rpm disc and many other goodies inside.I finally threw it out not too long ago as it was getting a bit tatty.

[@gf1001]

A Johnny Worth song, he wrote A number of Adam Faiths early hits as well as recording for Embassy records too.

[@tasosk3]

LOL! Oh, these must have all been priceless moments... :-D

[@blade0954]

@ESCsince1968 ha ha i bet your the life and soul of the party,best wishes,liked your comment

[@kevinmchugh5997]

She is with her Bobby now. RIP. x

[@ESCsince1968]

At parties in Spain I wsa expected to sing in Irish, likewise in Dublin sing in Spanish and a friend who is fluent in German dared me to sing in German at his 40th bitrthday party. So I did. But it's not for public cinsumption (too much LOL!)

[@odonghue]

Great job Clodagh, who is from Ireland, singing for England, in Dublin Ireland.....

[@johnking5174]

The 1971 Eurovision was in colour only by the help of the BBC who loaned an outside colour broadcasting unit to RTE to produce the show, as RTE was not in full colour by then.

[@johnking5174]

@@Billy219 RTE in Ireland wouldn't have a full color service until the autumn of 1976 - it took until then before they kitted out their largest television studio - Studio 1 in their Dublin television centre to color.

[@johnking5174]

@@Billy219 Billy, I did not understand what you have written.

[@LQUID8R]

Wow, how the heck did this innocent little video end up as a debate on nationality with transatalantic insults thrown in !! I well remember Ms Rogers being the hottest thing on TV for a while back there - see 1:17 with the wiggle and the "look at the way that it swings" - says it all really !

[@Valtteri2]

Betta than that years Winna :D =) Clodagh is wonderful =)

[@IThinkYouLookLarvely]

It's all tongue-in-cheek with the song sounding pretty old for 1971 but a lot of fun as a lot of the memorable eurovision hits used to be. Maybe that's what we're doing wrong now- taking it too seriously! The backing singers seem to be wearing a skirt on each leg, but makes sense for the time! Also, bring back hotpants!!

[@ESCsince1968]

@blade0954 Thanks, maybe I was occasionally in times gone by - not much need for Clodagh, Muriel or Massiel take-off nowadays, even amongst ESC fans. And best wishes to you!

[@garyengland1719]

You never know Clodagh might enter the song contest. but that's up the big brother the BBC.

[@tasosk3]

(imagining Seamus jumping around shouting "the wages of looove, the wages of love...") Oh, Gosh, I really need to see that! :-D Come on, I'll buy you all the drinks you need!

[@MrEurocat]

@tripletwin "As an American, Im completely innocent..." that should read " Im completely oblivious to the outside world & havent a clue what goes on in other countries, therefore I really dont have a scooby what Im talking about"

[@ESCsince1968]

As if a John Knox like character would understand that holy sacrement of the Roman sort. Padre mio, Mea Culpa! Mea Culpa! Mea Maxima Culpa!

[@ESCsince1968]

Yes, but it's the straight black hair wig swaying about to the beat and the see-through chiffon mini-length dress that you need to get your imagination around. LOL! As for tossing about the microphone, Well!!!!!

[@templemanw1]

great voice even better legs

[@ESCsince1968]

Yes, but then there are my performances in Spain of Sandie Jones singing Ceoil An Ghra (72) of Massiel sining La La La in Dublin or my rendition of Un Jour Un Enfant, not to mention Diese Welt (as a bet) - I'd be ossified with the drinks and couldnt stand up never mind sing! LOL!

[@stephenhowell5611]

Backed by the Breakaways with an extra member, wonder who she was ?

[@ESCsince1968]

No, I've never met her. BTW I think this was a really good song in a really strong year as in Monaco & Germany 2 all time greats, then for me comes Vita Vidder. But so many good ones. Even De Tijd & Menina both that you like very much.

[@MrEurocat]

@corn4wankus lol how true ........although pilates was invented in the 1920s but we get your drift. :)

[@truefalse207]

This song is awsome, la la llalal lalaa

[@eflabb]

A little bit Puppet-on-a-Stringish, I heard it for the first time in 30 years or so recently and thought it dated. But you know what; it's cheerful, ebullient and effervescent...maybe I'm the one who's dated!

[@AndrewKoala]

In 1970 she was asked to represent the UK in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. Part of the reasoning behind the BBC's invitation was their concern over what reaction the UK entrant would get on the stage from the Irish public. She received death threats from the IRA as a result of her appearing for the UK

[@owg59]

it's mr. gulliver!

[@starlord2112]

Hot Pants. I love the 1970,s

[@karlbensley58]

the would not get away with this now ,and hell knows how they did back then ,, saying that with only 3 channels to watch ,,lol ,not much option really at the time ,,everyone was glued to there TVs for the euro vision contest and FA cup ,the streets were dead ,i was 6 when this one and remember it very well ,i think Clodagh was my first crush ,lol

[@johnking5174]

Well two and a half channels - BBC 2 was never counted as a full channel in our house as it was barely on the air five hours a day

[@tasosk3]

You're welcome - and, really, the honor is all mine ;-) Interesting info about Clodagh - so, have you happened to meet her, even briefly?

[@harfuch1]

Does anybody has "save me" with clodagh? for me this song is her best one.

[@clonmultcity]

Every time I see this I think Clodagh's pink spangly hot pants must have scandalised Catholic Ireland of 1971 :-)

[@MrEurocat]

@Pearlofeire Yes thanks for the correction

[@mapple74300]

Monthy Pythons brought me here.

[@industrialcathedral]

mapple74300 same here

[@tasosk3]

Yes, I know that - and your remark is right, my description should rather be "referring to toys" or sth like that, to avoid confusion. Oh, I just love it when you correct me! ;-)

[@chrisredditch]

Reminds me of Mel Brooks "Producers" Don't ask me why

[@franknims8993]

Just back from a cycling tour of north Cornwall ...

[@ESCsince1968]

It's s pity the video quality from this year is not so good as it doesnt do songs real justice - like this one here. BTW, you'd have to fill me full of a lot of wine to get me to sing in public. I dare not tell you the variety of ESC songs I've sung at parties & the likes. I'm also known in certain circles for doing a very good rendition of Muriel Day Ireland 69. LOL!

[@kevinbarton9052]

Clodagh Rodgers has beautiful legs in this video. She must join Celebrity Legs Hall of Fame

[@Agnethatheredhairkid]

The rules of Eurovision say anyone can represent a nation to sing no matter where they are from but the song's writer(s) must be of that nation. I hope that answers your question, my friend.

[@layde1]

She sings this in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. she knows the lyrics aren't all that and the la-la-laaing is usual Eurovision fayre and she just goes along with it all. She does a pretty good a job, too. She is also easy on the eye but those clothes and hotpants are awful. A mini or maxi dress would have been better, however, she may actually be dressing as a Jack in a Box.

[@AuntyM66]

Boy those hot pants are back in fashion

[@BeverleyRainford]

@iamsexgod it finished 4th that year and the uk "voted" this to be a better entrant than englebert humperdkinks"another time another place" but he's our entrant this year and i cannot wait to hear his song :-)

[@113jm]

@Buscles Are you not thinking of Dana? She was in eurovision around this time.

[@halsatia]

This strangely sounds like "King Herod's Song" from the Lloyd Webber musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar.' Furthermore, that song was entered for the 1969 UK selection, but didn't get chosen. A very interesting...case.

[@ESCsince1968]

BTW Tasos. She was wearing 'hotpants'. Short pants would be something different.

[@nicimoose7474]

I like your top 3. Mine was: 1.UK, 2. Norway, 3.Germany

[@grahamchambers9665]

when women looked so sexy'' fantastic legs by the way''''' loved the 70s in my youth''soulgray''

[@lukehallinan9966]

Wonderful- terrible song compared to ‘Come back and Shake me’ but worth seeing it for nostalgia and how stunning she was in those hot pants. Sally Carr of Middle of Road was another absolute gorgeous lady

[@MrEurocat]

@AndrewKoala Thanks for the info..............some people think the ESC isnt political yet your comments show how clever the BBC were to calm feeling towards the British. Ive always found the "privately educated" politicians of the UK kowtow to our European neighbours lest we offend them. A privately educated trait - be polite/nice at all times!

[@richpat]

Nice, I liked Clodagh what is she doing now? does anyone know?

[@aichagermany]

Where is Mr. Pither?

[@MrEurocat]

@Pearlofeire Your nationality is the issue - you can represent any country!

[@BeverleyRainford]

@PaddyGoo actually wasnt celine the swiss entrant?

[@pjames37]

Are there? Are you sure? Apart from other cheesy euro entries and showaddywaddy, I can't think of any!

[@NeonGreenFairyJedi]

I only watched this because Monty Python made me curious lolz

[@eurovision4ever11]

THIS SHOULD OF WON

[@terryjohn]

yeh cheers me too sarcastly'' ah' makes me old. tj

[@hardyfh1]

@pjames37 I am saying that there are worse things than a jolly song. That's a fairly trite observation really. I think Clodagh Rodgers' performance is far better than the song, mind. I once saw Showaddywaddy. They were a good turn.

[@TheEctomorph]

@dc2001 In your humble opinion.

[@TheRokkiephantomlove]

Stalin always hated me

[@pogodziej]

I heard a rumour that she had to perform wearing a bulletproof vest during her performance/rehearsal or something because at that time Ireland and the UK had a nasty conflict over Northern Ireland (which kinda lasts until today, but I digress). And she was representing the UK while the show was in Dublin and she got some death threats or something? It doesn't look like that here, or it's just a very well fitted bulletproof vest, which in that case, GO GURL! Match that style with that safety. xD If it's true, then that guy that showed his ass in 2017 is officially boring to me now and 1971 is most savage Eurovision year ever.

[@tasosk3]

Oh, yes, sorry for that. Already fixed (to self: "Of COURSE it's hotpants, stupid - hasn't that James Brown song taught you anything?!")

[@kexkaka47]

Without joking??? Is that you?

[@quadibloc2]

Vieterinukke brought me here!