🇩🇰 Blast from the past: Denmark 2013

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today we talk about yet another winner: Denmark 2013.

Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest

Denmark made its debut in the contest in 1957. The country won its first Eurovision in 1963 with the song “Dansevise” performed by Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann. Denmark took a hiatus from the contest between 1966 and 1978 due to poor results and disagreement with the voting structure. After their return, it took a while but in 2000 the Olsen Brothers got to first place with “Fly On The Wings Of Love”. In 2013, the third Danish win was there: Emmelie De Forest sang “Only Teardrops”.

Photo credits: Robin Skjoldborg

National Final

To select its entries for Eurovision, Denmark holds an annual national selection called Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. In 2013, it was held in the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning on 26 January. The show was hosted by Lise Rønne, Louise Wolff and Sofie Lassen-Kahlke. The 10 competing songs were:

  1. Jeg har hele tiden vidst det“, sung by Frederikke Vedel
  2. Human“, sung by Brinck
  3. I’m not alone“, sung by Kate Hall
  4. Rejs dig op“, sung by Louise Dubiel
  5. We own the universe“, sung by Daze
  6. Stay awake“, sung by Simone
  7. Invincible“, sung by Jack Rowan feat. Sam Gray
  8. Only teardrops“, sung by Emmelie De Forest
  9. Beautiful to me“, sung by Albin
  10. Unbreakable“, sung by Mohamed Ali


In a superfinal, 3 songs came out:

  1. “Stay awake”, sung by Simone (15 pts., 3rd)
  2. “Only teardrops”, sung by Emmelie De Forest (26 pts., 1st)
  3. “Unbreakable”, sung by Mohamed Ali (19 pts., 2nd)

 

Photo credits: Albin Olsson

Emmelie De Forest

Emmelie Charlotte-Victoria de Forest, born on 28 February 1993 in Randers, Denmark, has music in her blood, claiming descent from Queen Victoria of the UK. With a Swedish father and Danish mother, her multicultural roots have influenced her musical journey. Starting her singing career at a tender age, Emmelie found her passion in jazz classics from the 1930s and 1940s, performing in local festivals by the age of 14.

Her moment of international recognition came in 2013 when she represented Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Only Teardrops.” Winning the competition, Emmelie became a sensation not only in Denmark but throughout Europe. This triumph was followed by her debut album of the same name and numerous tours across the continent.

Further establishing her Eurovision legacy, Emmelie introduced “Rainmaker” in 2014, which became the official anthem for the Eurovision Song Contest the following year. Her commitment to music continued with her sophomore album and various singles. After parting ways with Universal Music Group in 2015, she joined Cosmos Music and shifted her focus to songwriting. Her lyrical contributions graced multiple Eurovision stages, including penning Lucie Jones’ “Never Give Up on You” in 2017.

By 2018, Emmelie released her second album “History.” Her most recent endeavors include launching “Typical Love Song” in 2021 and making an appearance in the short film “Text Me When You Get Home.” Emmelie’s journey from a local festival singer to an international sensation underscores her enduring impact in the music industry.

Only Teardrops

The song combines a pop melody with folky undertones, particularly noticeable with the inclusion of the flute. Its catchy chorus and emotive lyrics discuss the complexities of love and conflict, suggesting that both love and understanding can be the solution to disputes. 

At the Eurovision contest, “Only Teardrops” stood out both in terms of its melodic appeal and Emmelie’s spirited performance. Garnering a total of 281 points, the song allowed Denmark to clinch the Eurovision victory that year. Emmelie’s barefoot performance added a unique touch and became one of the memorable moments from the contest. After its Eurovision win, “Only Teardrops” became a hit across Europe, charting in multiple countries.

 

 

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Blast from the past: Monaco 1974

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we go back to 1974, when Romuald represented Monaco with the song “Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va”. Monaco in the Eurovision Song Contest Monaco debuted in 1959 and quickly became a mini‑state powerhouse: ten top‑five finishes and a lone victory in 1971, when SĂ©verine won with “Un banc, un arbre, une rue”. Though champions, the principality never hosted the contest. Other standout results include François Deguelt’s runner‑up in 1962 and third places for François Deguelt (1960), Romuald (1964) and Mary Christy (1976), with fourths from Michèle Torr (1977) and Caline & Olivier Toussaint (1978).  After 1979, Monaco withdrew until a short‑lived comeback. The 2004–06 entries all fell in the semi‑final: Märyon’s “Notre planète” (19th, 10), Lise Darly’s “Tout de moi” (24th, 22) and SĂ©verine Ferrer’s “La coco‑dance” (21st, 14), the first Eurovision song to include Tahitian. Citing voting patterns, TMC withdrew, and the microstate has not returned since. Monaco’s last Grand Final appearance remains 1979, yet compact history looms large: French‑language pop, performers and staging that helped Monaco punch above its size. SĂ©verine Internal selection Monaco 1974 Monaco’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 was handled internally by broadcaster TMC, continuing the principality’s preference for inviting established Francophone artists rather than staging a public national final. Veteran singer Romuald was appointed as Monaco’s act, performing “Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va”, a chanson ballad with music by Jean‑Pierre Bourtayre and lyrics by Michel Jourdan. Contemporary and retrospective listings describe the 1974 process as internal, with no televised competition and no alternate candidates publicly documented. Eurovision records show Monaco’s entry details and broadcaster credit accordingly.  Timing‑wise, the artist confirmation and song unveiling occurred in early 1974 ahead of the Brighton contest. The single was issued on Mercury as a 7″ 45 rpm, underscoring that the track was Monaco’s official entry. For researchers of Monaco’s Eurovision history, the 1974 campaign illustrates how a compact, broadcaster‑led selection, artist first, song second, could deliver a cohesive package without a public national final, a model Monaco often used in that era.   Romuald Romuald Figuier (born 9 May 1938 in Saint‑Pol‑de‑LĂ©on, Brittany) is a French singer best known to Eurovision fans as Romuald, noted for chanson repertoire. He began his career at the Théâtre des VariĂ©tĂ©s, appearing in Robert DhĂ©ry’s revue La Grosse Valse (1962–64). He first appeared at the Contest for Monaco in 1964, finishing third with “OĂą sont‑elles passĂ©es?”, composed by Francis Lai with lyrics by Pierre Barouh. Five years later he represented Luxembourg with “Catherine”, placing 11th in Madrid. He returned to Monaco in 1974 with “Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va”, which finished fourth in Brighton and remains one of the principality’s strongest results. Beyond Eurovision, Romuald worked on the international festival circuit. He represented Luxembourg at Sopot in 1968 and France at Viña del Mar in 1973 with “Laisse‑moi le temps”, a Michel Jourdan/Caravelli composition later adapted by Paul Anka and Sammy Cahn as “Let Me Try Again”, recorded by Frank Sinatra. Alongside singles in several languages, he also maintained a career on French television, stage and radio. Taken together, his three Eurovisions chart a rare cross‑border story: a French artist trusted by two microstates, and a performer who secured two top‑four finishes a decade apart. Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va “Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va” (Monaco 1974) is a classic French chanson ballad. Sung by Romuald, it finished fourth with 14 points, tying with Luxembourg and the United Kingdom. Music by Jean‑Pierre Bourtayre and lyrics by Michel Jourdan, the entry unfolds as an elegant break‑up narrative: the one who stays versus the one who leaves. Orchestral strings and subtle drum accents support Romuald’s burnished tenor, while backing voices add warmth and lift in the refrain. Conducted by Raymond Donnez, the performance balances restraint and drama, shaping a cinematic arc that gracefully swells to a poised, dignified climax.  

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Blast from the past
Martijn

Blast from the past: Monaco 1974

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we go back to 1974, when Romuald represented Monaco with the song “Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va”. Monaco in the Eurovision Song Contest Monaco debuted in 1959 and quickly became a mini‑state powerhouse: ten top‑five finishes and a lone victory in 1971, when SĂ©verine won with “Un banc, un arbre, une rue”. Though champions, the principality never hosted the contest. Other standout results include François Deguelt’s runner‑up in 1962 and third places for François Deguelt (1960), Romuald (1964) and Mary Christy (1976), with fourths from Michèle Torr (1977) and Caline & Olivier Toussaint (1978).  After 1979, Monaco withdrew until a short‑lived comeback. The 2004–06 entries all fell in the semi‑final: Märyon’s “Notre planète” (19th, 10), Lise Darly’s “Tout de moi” (24th, 22) and SĂ©verine Ferrer’s “La coco‑dance” (21st, 14), the first Eurovision song to include Tahitian. Citing voting patterns, TMC withdrew, and the microstate has not returned since. Monaco’s last Grand Final appearance remains 1979, yet compact history looms large: French‑language pop, performers and staging that helped Monaco punch above its size. SĂ©verine Internal selection Monaco 1974 Monaco’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 was handled internally by broadcaster TMC, continuing the principality’s preference for inviting established Francophone artists rather than staging a public national final. Veteran singer Romuald was appointed as Monaco’s act, performing “Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va”, a chanson ballad with music by Jean‑Pierre Bourtayre and lyrics by Michel Jourdan. Contemporary and retrospective listings describe the 1974 process as internal, with no televised competition and no alternate candidates publicly documented. Eurovision records show Monaco’s entry details and broadcaster credit accordingly.  Timing‑wise, the artist confirmation and song unveiling occurred in early 1974 ahead of the Brighton contest. The single was issued on Mercury as a 7″ 45 rpm, underscoring that the track was Monaco’s official entry. For researchers of Monaco’s Eurovision history, the 1974 campaign illustrates how a compact, broadcaster‑led selection, artist first, song second, could deliver a cohesive package without a public national final, a model Monaco often used in that era.   Romuald Romuald Figuier (born 9 May 1938 in Saint‑Pol‑de‑LĂ©on, Brittany) is a French singer best known to Eurovision fans as Romuald, noted for chanson repertoire. He began his career at the Théâtre des VariĂ©tĂ©s, appearing in Robert DhĂ©ry’s revue La Grosse Valse (1962–64). He first appeared at the Contest for Monaco in 1964, finishing third with “OĂą sont‑elles passĂ©es?”, composed by Francis Lai with lyrics by Pierre Barouh. Five years later he represented Luxembourg with “Catherine”, placing 11th in Madrid. He returned to Monaco in 1974 with “Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va”, which finished fourth in Brighton and remains one of the principality’s strongest results. Beyond Eurovision, Romuald worked on the international festival circuit. He represented Luxembourg at Sopot in 1968 and France at Viña del Mar in 1973 with “Laisse‑moi le temps”, a Michel Jourdan/Caravelli composition later adapted by Paul Anka and Sammy Cahn as “Let Me Try Again”, recorded by Frank Sinatra. Alongside singles in several languages, he also maintained a career on French television, stage and radio. Taken together, his three Eurovisions chart a rare cross‑border story: a French artist trusted by two microstates, and a performer who secured two top‑four finishes a decade apart. Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va “Celui qui reste et celui qui s’en va” (Monaco 1974) is a classic French chanson ballad. Sung by Romuald, it finished fourth with 14 points, tying with Luxembourg and the United Kingdom. Music by Jean‑Pierre Bourtayre and lyrics by Michel Jourdan, the entry unfolds as an elegant break‑up narrative: the one who stays versus the one who leaves. Orchestral strings and subtle drum accents support Romuald’s burnished tenor, while backing voices add warmth and lift in the refrain. Conducted by Raymond Donnez, the performance balances restraint and drama, shaping a cinematic arc that gracefully swells to a poised, dignified climax.  

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