Sandie Shaw awarded MBE for services to music and charity!

Fifty years ago, she gave the United Kingdom the first of its five Eurovision wins. Now, Sandie Shaw has found herself on the Queen’s birthday honours list, revealed last month, and awarded an MBE. Sandie has received the honour for her services to music and charity. According to The Guardian, Sandie explains that she is proud to accept the MBE as recognition for “her work in Nichiren Buddhism, and towards fairer treatment for artists and creators in the music industry”.

Sandie: The UK’s first Eurovision winner

In 1967, Sandie Shaw represented the United Kingdom with Puppet on a String. Of the five songs she performed in the national final, the winning entry was reportedly her least favourite! “From the very first oompah to the final bang on the big bass drum” she hated the song, but it became a massive hit throughout Europe and into Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Puppet on a String topped the UK charts for three weeks and was even the biggest-selling single of the year in Germany. Sandie was already well-known across the continent. Her Eurovision victory elevated her career to even higher heights!

One of Eurovision’s Greatest Hits?

More recently, Sandie hit the news in Eurovision-related headlines following the BBC’s decision not to invite her to Eurovision’s Greatest Hits, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. She said that she would have no problem with performing Puppet on a String but also offered to contribute to hosting the show. Graham Norton and Petra Mede were eventually chosen.

At the concert, the only British act to perform was Brotherhood of Man. Save Your Kisses For Me is the biggest-selling Eurovision winner of all-time in the UK so perhaps that choice was justified. Nevertheless, Denmark had two artists in the concert: The Olsen Brothers and Emmelie de Forest. Sweden also had two representatives. Therefore, we’d have loved the room for Sandie to take part too!

We send our congratulations to Sandie for receiving her MBE. Hopefully, we will see her in a Eurovision-related activity again soon!

Are you glad to see Sandie honoured for her work by the Queen? Which is your favourite Sandie Shaw song? Let us know in the comments below and via our social media @ESCXTRA!