đŸ‡«đŸ‡· Blast from the past: France 1958

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. And we immediately start off with something really old. We go back to France 1958!

France in the Eurovision Song Contest

No less than 5 times France won the Eurovision Song Contest. Not only AndrĂ© Claveau (1958), the man we will talk about today, won the contest. Two years later it was Jacqueline Boyer who won with “Tom Pillibi”. Again, two years later, in 1962, Isabelle Aubret won the contest with “Un premier amour”. Frida Boccara was one of the 4 winners in 1969 with “L’oiseau et l’enfant”. And the last one was Marie Myriam in 1977. She sang “L’oiseau et l’enfant”. But note also that in 1991 Amina had as much points as the winning Carola (Sweden). However, Sweden received more times 10 points, so Carola won.

Marie Myriam

National selection

André Claveau was selected internally by French broadcaster ORTF. On the 7th of February, 5 singers (not Claveau himself) sang one song each. However, they knew they were not going to represent France in Eurovision, as André was already chosen. The songs were:

  1. Parigi Roma, sung by Charles Dumont (but not in the link)
  2. Héléna, sung by René Denoncin (again, the link brings you to the version of another singer)
  3. Musique magique, sung by Jocelyn Jocya
  4. Dors mon amour, sung by Hubert Giraud (this is Claveau’s version, no version of Hubert Giraud could be found)
  5. Tape dans tes mains, sung by André Richin (The song could not be found online)

The full results of the contest are not known, but “HĂ©lĂ©na” seems to be the runner up after “Dors mon amour”.

Jocelyn Jocya

André Claveau

AndrĂ© Claveau, was born on 17th December 1911 in Paris. In the 1930s, he started performing in small clubs in and around Paris. By the 1940s, Claveau was already a household name in France, with a string of hits making regular appearances on French radio. The pinnacle of Claveau’s career came in 1958 when he represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest. He charmed the international juries and secured France’s first victory in the competition. Claveau was very down to earth: winning the Eurovision Song Contest didn’t mean he wanted to stay among the rich and wealthy. In stead, he was happy he could by a new cow for his farm!

Parallel to his singing career, Claveau also demonstrated his talent as an actor. He starred in a number of French films in the 1950s, most notably the musical comedy Pas de vacances pour Monsieur le maire in 1951. His charm and charisma translated seamlessly to the silver screen, and his acting roles only increased his popularity. However, with the arrival of rock and roll in the 1960s, Claveau’s traditional style of music fell out of favour with the younger audience. His popularity waned, and he found it increasingly difficult to compete with the new musical wave. As a result, Claveau decided to retire from public life by the end of the decade.

André Claveau, photo credits: Nationaal Archief

Dors Mon Amour

The title “Dors mon amour” translates to “Sleep, My Love” in English. This title reflects the tender sentiment of the song, which is essentially a lullaby sung by a lover to his beloved. The lyrics, written by Pierre DelanoĂ«, depict the singer soothing his lover to sleep, promising that in her dreams she will find a world full of happiness and love. The composition by Hubert Giraud complements the lyrics with its gentle, melodic flow, effectively capturing the song’s warm and calming essence.

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In the Spotlight: SĂžren Torpegaard Lund

Tomorrow the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Wiener Stadshalle in Vienna . 15 countries compete for a spot in the final. One of them is Denmark, represented by SĂžren Torpegaard Lund But who is he? Let’s give him a spotlight Danish singer and musical theatre star SĂžren Torpegaard Lund is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names in Scandinavian entertainment. With a background deeply rooted in theatre and a growing catalogue of heartfelt pop songs, the Danish artist combines emotional storytelling with impressive stage presence. In 2026, his journey reached a new milestone when he won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and secured the ticket to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Early Life and Education SĂžren Torpegaard Lund was born on 23 December 1998 in Gudme, a small town on the Danish island of Funen. From an early age, it was clear that performing would play a major role in his life. As a teenager, he already appeared in short films, while musical theatre became his true passion. After completing secondary school, Lund decided to fully dedicate himself to the performing arts. Between 2016 and 2019, he studied at Den Danske Scenekunstskole in Fredericia, one of Denmark’s most respected performing arts academies. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in musical performance and developed the versatile style that would later define both his music and theatre career. Dansk Melodi Grand Prix Debut Lund first entered the Eurovision spotlight in 2023, when he competed in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with the emotional ballad “Lige her”. Although the song did not qualify for the final round, his performance stood out thanks to his warm vocals and sincere delivery. Eurovision fans quickly took notice of the young performer’s theatrical charisma. Following the competition, Lund released an English version of the song, titled “In a Perfect World”, introducing his music to an international audience. Later that same year, he released “Stor Kunst”, his first original single as a songwriter. The track, created together with Tim Schou, showcased a more contemporary pop sound while still maintaining the emotional depth that characterizes his work. In 2024, Lund continued building his musical identity with releases such as “De ting, jeg hvisker” and “En dreng som mig”. The latter originated from the Danish musical Matador, in which Lund also starred on stage. In October 2024, he released his debut EP Øjesten through the Little Yellow House label. A Rising Star in Musical Theatre Alongside his recording career, Lund has become a familiar face in Danish musical theatre. Shortly after graduating, he landed roles in several major productions, including Oliver!, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Kinky Boots and Jersey Boys. One of his most notable performances came in 2022, when he played Tony in West Side Story at the Copenhagen Opera House. The role further cemented his reputation as one of Denmark’s most promising musical theatre talents. Audiences also praised his portrayal of Daniel Skjern in the successful stage adaptation of Matador. It was during this production that he performed “En dreng som mig”, a song he would later officially record and release. His work in theatre has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, Lund received the prestigious Reumert Talent Prize, honoring exceptional emerging performers in Danish theatre. He later appeared as a featured soloist during Denmark’s nationally televised Christmas celebrations and at Queen Margrethe II’s 50-year jubilee concert. Outside the theatre world, Lund has also made occasional television appearances, including a guest role in the crime drama Sommerdahl. As an openly queer artist, he has become an important voice for visibility and representation in Danish entertainment. In 2024, he received a nomination for “Artist of the Year” at the Danish Rainbow Awards. Road to Eurovision 2026 After his first Dansk Melodi Grand Prix experience, Lund openly expressed his wish to return to the competition with a song he had personally helped create. That ambition finally became reality in 2026. Competing with the upbeat pop track “FĂžr vi gĂ„r hjem” (“Before We Go Home”), Lund delivered one of the evening’s most energetic performances during the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix final on 14 February 2026. Both the jury and the televoters embraced the performance, leading him to a surprise victory over strong favourite Sissal. Denmark’s entry is massively popular and currently ranked third with the bookmakers. The question is not whether SĂžren will qualify for the final — the real question is: just how far can he go once he gets there?        

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

In the Spotlight: SĂžren Torpegaard Lund

Tomorrow the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Wiener Stadshalle in Vienna . 15 countries compete for a spot in the final. One of them is Denmark, represented by SĂžren Torpegaard Lund But who is he? Let’s give him a spotlight Danish singer and musical theatre star SĂžren Torpegaard Lund is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names in Scandinavian entertainment. With a background deeply rooted in theatre and a growing catalogue of heartfelt pop songs, the Danish artist combines emotional storytelling with impressive stage presence. In 2026, his journey reached a new milestone when he won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and secured the ticket to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Early Life and Education SĂžren Torpegaard Lund was born on 23 December 1998 in Gudme, a small town on the Danish island of Funen. From an early age, it was clear that performing would play a major role in his life. As a teenager, he already appeared in short films, while musical theatre became his true passion. After completing secondary school, Lund decided to fully dedicate himself to the performing arts. Between 2016 and 2019, he studied at Den Danske Scenekunstskole in Fredericia, one of Denmark’s most respected performing arts academies. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in musical performance and developed the versatile style that would later define both his music and theatre career. Dansk Melodi Grand Prix Debut Lund first entered the Eurovision spotlight in 2023, when he competed in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with the emotional ballad “Lige her”. Although the song did not qualify for the final round, his performance stood out thanks to his warm vocals and sincere delivery. Eurovision fans quickly took notice of the young performer’s theatrical charisma. Following the competition, Lund released an English version of the song, titled “In a Perfect World”, introducing his music to an international audience. Later that same year, he released “Stor Kunst”, his first original single as a songwriter. The track, created together with Tim Schou, showcased a more contemporary pop sound while still maintaining the emotional depth that characterizes his work. In 2024, Lund continued building his musical identity with releases such as “De ting, jeg hvisker” and “En dreng som mig”. The latter originated from the Danish musical Matador, in which Lund also starred on stage. In October 2024, he released his debut EP Øjesten through the Little Yellow House label. A Rising Star in Musical Theatre Alongside his recording career, Lund has become a familiar face in Danish musical theatre. Shortly after graduating, he landed roles in several major productions, including Oliver!, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Kinky Boots and Jersey Boys. One of his most notable performances came in 2022, when he played Tony in West Side Story at the Copenhagen Opera House. The role further cemented his reputation as one of Denmark’s most promising musical theatre talents. Audiences also praised his portrayal of Daniel Skjern in the successful stage adaptation of Matador. It was during this production that he performed “En dreng som mig”, a song he would later officially record and release. His work in theatre has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, Lund received the prestigious Reumert Talent Prize, honoring exceptional emerging performers in Danish theatre. He later appeared as a featured soloist during Denmark’s nationally televised Christmas celebrations and at Queen Margrethe II’s 50-year jubilee concert. Outside the theatre world, Lund has also made occasional television appearances, including a guest role in the crime drama Sommerdahl. As an openly queer artist, he has become an important voice for visibility and representation in Danish entertainment. In 2024, he received a nomination for “Artist of the Year” at the Danish Rainbow Awards. Road to Eurovision 2026 After his first Dansk Melodi Grand Prix experience, Lund openly expressed his wish to return to the competition with a song he had personally helped create. That ambition finally became reality in 2026. Competing with the upbeat pop track “FĂžr vi gĂ„r hjem” (“Before We Go Home”), Lund delivered one of the evening’s most energetic performances during the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix final on 14 February 2026. Both the jury and the televoters embraced the performance, leading him to a surprise victory over strong favourite Sissal. Denmark’s entry is massively popular and currently ranked third with the bookmakers. The question is not whether SĂžren will qualify for the final — the real question is: just how far can he go once he gets there?        

Read More »
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