Jack in the Box (song)
Encyclopedia
"Jack in the Box", written by David Myers and composed by John Worsley
, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1971
, performed by the Northern Irish singer Clodagh Rodgers
.
The singer expresses her strong feelings of love to a man who treats her like a toy, thus providing the "jack in the box" simile, as she feels that in exchange of his love, she would gladly "bounce on a spring" like the aforementioned toy (but isn't so thrilled to do it without reciprocation). At the end of the song, however, she lets this man know that one day she will be fed up enough to leave, so she hopes he will tell her he loves her, as she will do anything (within a reasonable time frame) to hear those words.
On February 20, 1971, Clodagh Rodgers sang six songs at the UK National Final, A Song for Europe
, which was aired on the television series It's Cliff Richard!. Rodgers was chosen by the BBC to be the United Kingdom's representative for that year, with the intent to ease tensions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland (severe fighting due to The Troubles
had strained relations). Due to a postal service strike, regional juries voted and picked "Jack in the Box," the third song performed that evening, to accompany Rodgers to Dublin. Rodgers later stated that she received death threats from the Irish Republican Army
for representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision.
In 1971, each national broadcaster were required to show "preview" videos; the BBC used footage from It's Cliff Richard! to showcase during Preview Week. At Dublin, the song was performed ninth on the night, after Luxembourg
's Monique Melsen
with "Pomme, pomme, pomme
", and before Belgium
's Lily Castel
and Jacques Raymond with "Goeiemorgen, Morgen
." For the performance Rodgers wore a pink frilly top and spangled hot pants. At the end of judging that evening, "Jack in the Box" took the fourth-place slot with 98 points.
After Eurovision, the song placed at #4 on the UK Singles Chart
. It remains her most famous hit.
This song features prominently in the Monty Python's Flying Circus
episode, "The Cycling Tour", in which a motorist believes, as a result of head trauma, that he is Clodagh Rodgers.
Les Vandyke
Les Vandyke was a popular music singer and later songwriter in the 1950s and 1960s. He was also known as Johnny Worth and John Worsley...
, was the United Kingdom's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1971
Eurovision Song Contest 1971
The Eurovision Song Contest 1971 was the sixteenth Eurovision Song Contest and the first held in Dublin, Ireland. The new voting system that was introduced in this Eurovision did have one big problem: some juries gave fewer points out than others...
, performed by the Northern Irish singer Clodagh Rodgers
Clodagh Rodgers
Clodagh Rodgers is a singer and actress from Northern Ireland, best known for her hit single, "Jack in the Box".-Career:...
.
The singer expresses her strong feelings of love to a man who treats her like a toy, thus providing the "jack in the box" simile, as she feels that in exchange of his love, she would gladly "bounce on a spring" like the aforementioned toy (but isn't so thrilled to do it without reciprocation). At the end of the song, however, she lets this man know that one day she will be fed up enough to leave, so she hopes he will tell her he loves her, as she will do anything (within a reasonable time frame) to hear those words.
On February 20, 1971, Clodagh Rodgers sang six songs at the UK National Final, A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe
A Song for Europe may refer to:*A Song for Europe, former name of British pre-selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest, now known as Eurovision: Your Country Needs You...
, which was aired on the television series It's Cliff Richard!. Rodgers was chosen by the BBC to be the United Kingdom's representative for that year, with the intent to ease tensions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland (severe fighting due to The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
had strained relations). Due to a postal service strike, regional juries voted and picked "Jack in the Box," the third song performed that evening, to accompany Rodgers to Dublin. Rodgers later stated that she received death threats from the Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
for representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision.
In 1971, each national broadcaster were required to show "preview" videos; the BBC used footage from It's Cliff Richard! to showcase during Preview Week. At Dublin, the song was performed ninth on the night, after Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
's Monique Melsen
Monique Melsen
Monique Melsen is a Luxembourgian singer, best known for her participation in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest...
with "Pomme, pomme, pomme
Pomme, Pomme, Pomme
"Pomme, pomme, pomme" was the Luxembourgish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, performed in French by Luxembourgish singer Monique Melsen...
", and before Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
's Lily Castel
Lily Castel
Lily Castel is a Belgian singer, best known for her participation with Jacques Raymond in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest.- Early career :...
and Jacques Raymond with "Goeiemorgen, Morgen
Goeiemorgen, Morgen
"Goeiemorgen, morgen" was the Belgian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, performed in Dutch by Jacques Raymond and Lily Castel....
." For the performance Rodgers wore a pink frilly top and spangled hot pants. At the end of judging that evening, "Jack in the Box" took the fourth-place slot with 98 points.
After Eurovision, the song placed at #4 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It remains her most famous hit.
This song features prominently in the Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python's Flying Circus
Monty Python’s Flying Circus is a BBC TV sketch comedy series. The shows were composed of surreality, risqué or innuendo-laden humour, sight gags and observational sketches without punchlines...
episode, "The Cycling Tour", in which a motorist believes, as a result of head trauma, that he is Clodagh Rodgers.