This site uses cookies: Find out more.
This site uses cookies: Find out more.
Buy Tickets
04th May, 2023

Celebrating Eurovision: Mary Hopkin and The Beatles

As Eurovision 2023, to be hosted in Liverpool, edges closer we explore a link between The Beatles and The Eurovision Song Contest, and that link is Welsh folk singer Mary Hopkin. 


4th May, 1968. ABC Television Studio, Manchester.

 

The story starts on May 4th 1968, on the British television talent show ‘Opportunity Knocks,’ where a talented young 17-year-old Mary Hopkin began performing – going on to win six episodes in a row. Little did Mary know; the iconic British model Twiggy was watching one of those performances on her television at home.


That weekend, Twiggy was talking to a friend about Mary’s performance on the programme, a friend who was soon to establish a record label with his band. That friend was… Paul McCartney! Just two days later, Mary received a telegram asking her to call Apple Corps. Hesitant at first, she was persuaded by her mum to telephone the label.

“So I rang up and was put through to this guy with a Liverpool accent” Mary later recalled. It was, of course, Paul McCartney - and the next day she was on her way to London to sign a contract.

3 Savile Row, London. Apple Corp HQ.

 


30th August, 1968. EMI Studios, London.

 

Fast forward to August 1968, and with the launch of The Beatles’ Apple Records came the release of Mary’s debut single ‘Those Were The Days,’ produced by Paul himself. On spending time with her mentors, The Beatles, Mary described them as “very respectful, the perfect gentlemen” and reflected on having “lots of fun” shopping with Linda McCartney, then Linda Eastman.

Following a number of TV appearances, the release of her debut album Post Card, and her first tour, our story is now in the year 1970 – the year that Mary represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest.

 

21st March, 1970. Amsterdam.

 

Mary’s entry song, later released on Apple Records, was called ‘Knock Knock Who's There.’ The song was well received, putting her in second place behind Ireland, with their winning ballad ‘All Kinds of Everything.’ ‘Knock Knock Who's There’ went on to become a worldwide hit, selling over a million copies and peaking at number 2 in the UK.

The song seemed to be popular to almost everyone but the songstress behind it: Mary herself. It wasn’t the type of music she personally desired to sing, and later said “standing on a stage singing a song you hate is awful. Unless you’re expressing what’s inside there’s just no point.” 

In fairness to Mary, although it is an enjoyable song with, of course, beautiful vocals – it could be reasonable to say that it lacked some of the soul and heartfulness found in Mary’s more recent original folk music like the tracks found on her 2013 album ‘Painting by Numbers’ and her latest release ‘Two Hearts’ written and recorded together with her daughter Jessica Lee Morgan.

Nevertheless, it was popular.

After her appearance in Eurovision in 1970, Mary wanted to escape from the demands of showbiz before returning to her folk-music roots. She returned to recording in the late 70s and stayed true to herself and to her passion for heartfelt folk music.



Mason Griffiths

Mason is the Content and PR Manager at The Beatles Story.

No comments exist

Subscribe for General Information

Subscribe for Educations

Subscribe for Travel Trade

Subscribe for Press

Song Facts: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
21st December, 2016

Song Facts: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

It was fifty years ago today … recording sessions for Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band took place. The album which caused a major shift in modern music did help define the 1967 Summer of Love, but the hard work began in the wint
From Beatbird to Beat-boss: A Personal Beatles Story.
24th August, 2022

From Beatbird to Beat-boss: A Personal Beatles Story.

There’s an air of excitement around The Beatles Story exhibition when any new items of memorabilia are going on display, but what is always more interesting is when we uncover the unique and personal stories behind them, and there aren’t
'For You Blue' by Jan Morris - #LetItBe50
06th May, 2020

'For You Blue' by Jan Morris - #LetItBe50

As a romantic at heart this song resonates with me so much as it is known that George Harrison solely wrote ‘For You Blue’ in late 1968 as a love song to his then wife Pattie Boyd. And whilst the marriage sadly never lasted, the lyrics of
SIGN UP

Sign up to our e-newsletter for the latest news, offers and updates.

Great Date Guide North West       Great Date Guide North West                     

 

The Beatles Story - Britannia Vaults - Albert Dock - Liverpool - L3 4AD

 

This Website Was Designed By ALT Agency Birmingham