Backing Singers: An Obituary

Yesterday the EBU announced that backing vocals could now be added to the instrumental backing tracks, and I am NOT here for this decision.

I understand the logistical difficulties, and I’ve already discussed why bringing back the orchestra isn’t feasible, as lovely as it is. However I had hoped that the EBU may consider making moves to restore some live backing for the sake of musical credibility, so to take further live elements away is really disappointing.

Their argument about future-proofing the contest and shrinking delegations doesn’t stand up to the most basic scrutiny. If that was the genuine reason, then they would be putting limits on the number of people allowed on stage. Instead we will now have one lead singer, and five girls churning butter or oiled blokes hitting pretend drums. While the rules state that a guide vocal or lead dub is categorically not allowed, it still makes it too easy to flatter a mediocre singer if the backings are pre-recorded.

Backing singers were far more present on stage between 1970 and about 2010. In the absence of professional staging concepts, it gave the cameraman another shot to work with. Certain songs also required the lead and the backing to be near enough to work together effectively. Backing singers need to be incredibly skilled, with an ability to be able to hit accurate notes and harmonise with little reference from the music, and were often better than the lead, as a couple of examples below will demonstrate.

So this list is ten great moments by backing singers (not you, Israel 85). Groups are not allowed in this list which meant some great performances by Arvingarna, Whitloof Bay, Milk and Honey, Les Humphries Singers etc aren’t here. To qualify, the backings needed to be hired just for the occasion.

10. United Kingdom, 1990

I’ll start with an example of the backings needing to some heavy lifting. Emma was very out of her depth here, but her backings just about keep this from being a complete disaster. Solid five part harmonies throughout, and Miriam Stockley adds some harmony support on verse two and a great long note through the second and third chorus.

9. Austria 1993

Firstly, that’s a difficult intro. The five backings have a single guide note, and would have needed to carefully watch the conductor for their cue. My beloved Gary Lux adds a harmony line on the verses which complements Tony Wegas’s tone beautifully. It’s a powerful song, and that’s due in no small part to the choir.

8. France 1977

I can’t write an article about backings without mentioning Georges and Michel Costa (second and third from left in this clip), who were the rent-a-backings for 16 Francophonic entries in the 70’s and 80’s. This was probably their most challenging gig with a complicated pattern and every backing needing to pull their weight. I especially love the single female harmony line on the verses – these are the touches that will be lost with the new rule.

7. Germany 1980

Backings tend to be exactly that – shoved over to one side of the stage, and wearing a dark colour so as not to upstage the lead. Our girl Katja could never be upstaged though, so the idea of making the backings an integral part of the performance was a great idea. Nothing very complex in the parts here, but this song would be much poorer without them.

6. Netherlands 1983

You know a backing part is just brilliant when you find yourself singing along with that instead of the lead. I love the sound these three make here, including triple entrant Sandra Reemer. Picking three female altos to offset Bernadette’s soprano was a very shrewd move, but an unusual one. Most backing groups will carry singers with differing ranges.

5. Italy 1990

Toto arrived in Zagreb without a choir for reasons best known to himself (this is Toto, so come on…) and managed to assemble Pepel In Kri, who represented Yugoslavia in 1975. Given how quickly they must have learned this song, not in their language (clearly the dress code was “wear whatever you have”) they do an incredible job and really lift this song from the ordinary composition it actually is. There’s not even a guide note for the intro this time, and they absolutely nail it.

4. Norway 1988

After last week’s airing on Eurovision Again, I couldn’t not put this on the list. Backing vocals can be subtle accents, or they can be a full on choir like this. Like with Emma, they have to hold up Karoline’s weak vocals a bit and you can hear how much more confident she is in the chorus with their support. The chap on the second left is Tor Endresen, who unfortunately is better known for his nul pointer in 1997. That had good backing as well though!

3. Netherlands 1993

I was torn between this one and the very similar 1998 entry, but I simply can’t ignore how these backings completely SLAY! I love the subtle mirroring of Ruth’s choreography. Roq-E Harrell on the right is the best thing about the whole package, and there’s also Humphrey Campbell, who sang lead the previous year. The whole choir are clearly top drawer singers, with stage presence to match.

2. Denmark 1979

Not only a intro for the backings here, but a long vocal break requiring them to keep their chords really accurate. While I wish Michael and Ianne Elo were a bit more relaxed like Debbie Cameron, I expect they had to concentrate pretty hard on their parts. Debbie was given a much more prominent role in 1981, and Michael Elo provided backing for three more Danish entries, and penned their 1991 effort.

1. Austria 1996

Well, there was never any contest for my number one. The skill level and interplay between George and his backings is exceptional and that is going to be greatest loss to the contest when the new rule takes effect. Fantastic showmanship and that dude in the middle is FEELING IT! I even love it when one of the ladies gets carried away and comes in too early at 1:33 – mistakes are what makes live music pure and authentic.

What do you think of the rule, and what are your greatest backing singer moments?