UK national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest had hit with "Walking On Sunshine", to enter a new track, "Love Shine A Light". This produced a win in the Eurovision Contest itself for the United Kingdom and for Katrina and the Waves in 1997, and followed with a second place for Imaani in 1998, but disappointment in 1999 for the all-girl band Precious. In 2000, the same format continued, but the final four songs were performed live in "A Song For Europe", still shunted to a graveyard Sunday afternoon slot. The result proved disappointing. Nicki French gave what author John Kennedy O'Connor describes in his book The Eurovision
Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 the final V.I.P. performed 19th in the running order, following Malta and preceding Russia. At the close of voting "Miért kell, hogy elmenj?" had picked up 39 points (the highest an 8 from the United Kingdom), placing Hungary joint 12th (with Greece) of the 25 entries. The Hungarian jury awarded its 12 points to contest winners the United Kingdom. Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 Hungary was represented by boyband V.I.P., with the song "Miért kell, hogy elmenj?", at the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 3 May in Dublin. "Miért kell, hogy elmenj?" was chosen as