A Rollercoaster of Sound: Remember Monday’s Unpredictable Anthem

The UK’s entry for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest is here, and it’s nothing short of a whirlwind. Performed by the close-harmony trio Remember Monday, their song, What The Hell Just Happened?, lives up to its name—because that’s precisely what comes to mind after listening to it. This electrifying, fast-paced track crams a chaotic mix of sounds into just under three minutes, making it one of the most unpredictable entries Britain has sent in years.

The song is a 1970s-inspired pastiche that jumps between tempos, styles, and instrumentation, blending classic rock, country, and musical theatre influences. It kicks off with tight harmonies before launching into an upbeat verse, only to slow down for the chorus, throw in some unexpected pauses, and then explode into screaming guitar solos and syncopated harmonic cascades. The sound is reminiscent of Queen’s imperial phase, mixed with a dash of Elton John flamboyance and the vocal stylings of The Andrews Sisters.

Lyrically, the track takes a humorous look at the aftermath of a wild night out, embracing the comedic chaos of waking up in a fog of confusion. The overall mood is joyful, breathless, and completely over the top—exactly what Eurovision thrives on.

 

How Did We Get Here? The Mysterious Eurovision Selection Process

For years, the UK’s Eurovision selection has been a point of contention. Once an open competition where the public could vote for their favorite song, the process has since become a backroom deal between the BBC and record labels. The results have been inconsistent, ranging from unknown hopefuls (Mae Muller, Joe & Jake, Scooch) to seasoned artists willing to take on Eurovision’s unpredictable challenge (Bonnie Tyler, Engelbert Humperdinck, Olly Alexander).

Among the rare success stories is Sam Ryder, who came second in 2022 and managed to build a career out of it. Remember Monday seems to be cut from the same cloth—relatively unknown in mainstream pop but boasting a solid online presence. The trio, Charlotte, Holly, and Lauren, have built a reputation through their polished, country-infused covers of hits by Shania Twain, Sabrina Carpenter, and Queen. Their biggest streaming success? A harmonized rendition of Queen’s Fat Bottomed Girls, which seems to have directly influenced their Eurovision entry (minus any lyrical references to body shapes, of course).

 

A Team Effort with International Influence

Unlike many previous UK entries, What The Hell Just Happened? boasts an impressive songwriting team. Remember Monday are credited as co-writers, working alongside British production duo Billen Ted (Tom Hollings and Sam Brennan), known for their work with Little Mix and Anne-Marie. Additionally, two Danish songwriters—Thomas Stengaard and Julie ‘Kill J’ Aagaard—played a role in crafting the song. Stengaard has Eurovision credentials, having co-written Denmark’s 2013 winning entry, initially rejected by Germany.

This international collaboration raises questions about how many hands it takes to craft a Eurovision hit. With multiple influences blending together, the song teeters between genius and chaos, offering a nostalgic yet fresh sound.

 

Will the UK Finally Break Its Eurovision Curse?

The UK’s recent Eurovision history has been, to put it mildly, disappointing. Scoring nul points has become a running joke, and expectations are often low. However, Remember Monday brings a fun, energetic, and unpredictable entry that could break the cycle of failure.

While the song doesn’t reinvent the wheel, its high-energy execution, theatrical charm, and tight harmonies could resonate with both casual viewers and die-hard Eurovision fans. If nothing else, it promises to entertain—and in a contest as wild as Eurovision, that might just be enough to avoid another year of Eurovisual humiliation.