A Song for Europe 1980 was held on 26 March 1980 (the same day as that year's budget), at the BBC Television Theatre in London and was hosted by a dinner-suited Terry Wogan.

The BBC Concert Orchestra under the direction of John Coleman as conductor accompanied all the songs, but all the music was pre-recorded.

Following his second place in the 1979 contest, songwriter Richard Gillinson was asked to submit a song to replace the disqualified entry "Tell Me" by The New Seekers, which was eliminated two weeks before the final after the group began promoting the track before the contest.

Owing to a tie break and with the live show quickly running out of time, a clearly flustered Terry Wogan, unsure of what to do in this unprecedented circumstance, returned to the 14 juries who were hastily asked to pick their favourite between songs two and five.

Regular Eurovision radio commentator Ray Moore served as spokesperson for the UK jury.