Blast from the past

Blast from the past: Yugoslavia 1991

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 1991, when Baby Doll represented Yugoslavia with her song “Brazil”. Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest Yugoslavia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961. Already in their 2nd year, Yugoslavia reached a high score (4th) with Lola Novaković and her “Ne pali svetlo u sumrak”. Unfortunately, it was hard for the country to break that record. In 1983, the country reached the 4th place again with Danijel Popović and his “Džuli”. The English version of that song “Julie” became a worldwide hit. But Yugoslavia had to await their first and only victory until 1989. Riva won the contest with “Rock me”. Only three more Yugoslav entries followed, but the country fell apart. In 1992 they had their very last entry. Riva Jugovizija 1991 The Yugoslav national final was called Jugovizija. Eight regional television stations all had their contributions and their jury. In 1991, the contest was held on 9 March in Sarajevo. 16 songs participated: Tedi Spalato sang “Gospode moj”, 29 pts, 5th (HTV, Zagreb) Zorana Pavić sang “Ritam ljubavi“, 26 pts, 6th (TVBg, Belgrade) Milica Milisavljević-Dugalić sang “Sta će nebo reći“, 20 pts, 10th (TVPr, Pristina) Baby Doll sang “Brazil“, 68 pts, 1st (TVBg, Belgrade) Miran Rudan sang “Ne reci goodbye“, 5 pts, 15th (TVSl, Ljubljana) Jelena Džoja sang “Čuvaj se ljubavi“, 9 pts, 13th (TVSa, Sarajevo) Margarita Hristova sang “Daj mi krilja“, 3 pts, 16th (TVSk, Skopje) Vesna Ivić sang “Ime“, 11 pts, 11th (TVNS, Novi Sad) Ivana Banfić sang “Daj, povedi me“, 57 pts, 3rd (HTV, Zagreb) Helena Blagne sang “Navaden majski dan“, 25 pts, 7th (TVSl, Ljubljana) Šeri sang “Da li već spavaš“, 6 pts, 14th (TVBg, Belgrade) Ponoćni express sang “Pjesma o tebi“, 22 pts, 8th (TVCg, Titograd) Tony Cetinski sang “Marina“, 22 pts, 8th (TVNS, Novi Sad) Danijel Popović sang “Ma daj obuci levisice“, 66 pts, 2nd (HTV, Zagreb) Anastasija Nizamova-Muhić sang “Molitva“, 11 pts, 11th (TVSk, Skopje) Zerina Cokoja, “Bez tebe“, 52 pts, 4th, 52 pts, 4th (TVSa, Sarajevo) Danijel was the hot favourite to win the competition. However, Yugoslavia was about to fall apart. In June 1991, Croatia and Slovenia declared their independence. Four months before that, the political tension was very high. The result was that the jury of TVSl, TVSa and TVSk did not vote for any of the Serbian songs. TVBg and TVPr did not vote for Danijel, the latter did not vote for the other Croatian entry either. However, both juries gave “Brazil” their maximum number of points. That is what brought Baby Doll her victory. Danijel Popović Baby Doll Bebi Dol or Baby Doll, born Dragana Šarić on October 2, 1962, in Belgrade, is a prominent Serbian and former Yugoslav pop-rock singer. Raised by her jazz musician father, Milisav Šarić, she began her career in the late 1970s with the band Tarkus before co-founding Anoda Ruž with Goran Vejvoda in 1981. Following the band’s short run, she embarked on a solo career and gained fame with the 1981 single Mustafa, which won Song of the Year. In 1983, her debut album Ruže i krv earned her acclaim and established her popularity across Yugoslavia. Bebi Dol’s style evolved with each release, from the oriental-inspired Inš-Alah in 1986 to the dance-influenced tracks on her 1995 album Ritam srca. Her 1991 Eurovision entry, Brazil, remains iconic despite placing low, a result often attributed to Yugoslavia’s political turmoil. Her 2002 album Ljuta sam received mixed reviews, but she continued performing, venturing into cover albums like Čovek rado izvan sebe živi in 2006. In 2009, she participated as a finalist in the reality show Farma, appearing again in 2013 and 2015. Eight years later, she competed in the fourth season of Tvoje lice zvuči poznato, though she did not make it to the finals. In 2018, she entered the reality show Zadruga, but was quickly eliminated. In 2020, she appeared as a special guest in the series Tajkun. Brazil “Brazil” was written by Dragana Šarić herself, with music composed by Saša Habić and Zoran Vračević, the song blends Latin-inspired rhythms with Balkan pop, creating a vibrant, energetic piece. Known for its catchy melody and exotic flair, Brazil highlighted Bebi Dol’s theatrical style and ambitious staging, featuring elaborate costumes and dynamic choreography. Despite its popularity at home, the song faced challenges on the European stage, likely influenced by the tense political climate in Yugoslavia at the time. Ultimately, Brazil scored only one point at the contest, finishing in last place. However, the song later gained recognition as a unique Eurovision entry, maintaining a dedicated following among fans for its creativity and Bebi Dol’s distinct performance.

Blast from the past: Belgium 1981

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 1981, when Emly Starr represented Belgium with her song “Samson”. Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest Belgium is one of the countries that participates from the beginning on. The Belgians switch every year between the Flemish and Wallon broadcasters. Just once, Belgium won: in 1986, Sandra Kim sang she was 15, claimed she was 14 and in the end appeared to be 13. However: more Belgian songs were successful. In 1978 and 2003 Belgium was the runner up: Jean Vallee and Urban Trad were very close. In recent years, Belgium made it to the top-5 with Loïc Nottet (2015) and Blanche (2017). The best scoring Flemish entry was the 2010 song “Me and My Guitar”, sang by Tom Dice. Eurosong 1981 No less than 40 songs participated in the Belgian selection of 1981. Out of three heats, 10 finalists were chosen. The final was held in the Amerikaans Theater in Brussels, hosted by Luc Appermont. No results were made public, apart from the winner. However, in later years jury members of those days confirmed that Liliane Saint-Pierre’s “Brussel” reached the 2nd place. Fancy Free sang “De Wereld Is Een Showtoneel“ De Opera sang “De Opera“ Gene Summer sang “Zing Het Maar“ Stella sang “Veel Te Veel“ Ann Michel sang “Ik Ben Gelukkig“ Johann Stollz sang “Hello Hello“ Emly Starr sang “Samson en Delilah“ Lester & Denwood sang “Bonnie“ Venus sang “Talisman“ Liliane Saint-Pierre sang “Brussel“ Liliane Saint-Pierre Stella already participated in 1970 for the Netherlands as a member of Hearts Of Soul, and in 1977 for Belgium as a member of Dream Express. She sang solo for Belgium in 1982. Liliane Saint-Pierre represented her country in 1987, in….. Brussels! The title of the winning song was later shortened to “Samson”. Emly Starr Emly Starr, born Marie-Christine Mareels on September 5, 1957, in Wetteren, Belgium, is a singer best known for representing Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. She began her career at a young age under the stage name “Heidi” but later adopted the name Emly Starr, performing English-language pop and disco songs. In 1978, she appeared in the short film Santiago Lovers. Starr gained recognition with her disco act “Emly Starr Explosion,” and in 1980, she participated in the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, finishing eighth with the song Mary Brown. The following year, she won Belgium’s Eurosong contest, earning the opportunity to perform Samson at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, where she finished in 13th place. In 1985, Starr played the role of Erika in the film Springen and sang its title song, Jump in the Dark. Eventually, she transitioned from performing to the business side of the entertainment industry, working alongside her husband, Tony Winter (Frans De Schrijver). Together, they manage the Globe Show Center in Denderleeuw, which houses a television studio and organizes events. They also provide showbiz equipment rentals, contributing to the Belgian entertainment scene. Samson “Samson” was composed by Kick Dandy, a pseudonym for Tony Winter (Frans De Schrijver), and the lyrics were written by Penny Els. It is a dynamic, upbeat disco-pop track, characterized by its catchy rhythm and energetic performance, which was a popular style in the early 1980s. The lyrics of “Samson” playfully reference the biblical story of Samson, known for his great strength, and Delilah, who betrays him. However, the song reinterprets the tale, using it as a metaphor for a romantic relationship, with the singer comparing herself to the powerful figure who falls for a lover’s charm. Emly Starr’s lively stage presence and the colorful, engaging choreography added to the song’s appeal. The daring dress with a high slit contributed to the festive atmosphere. Despite the spirited performance, “Samson” scored 40 points at Eurovision and finished in 13th place out of 20 entries. Although it did not achieve a top ranking, the song remains a memorable part of Emly Starr’s career.

Blast from the past: Romania 2003

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 look back at Nicola’s Don’t Break My Heart, Romania 2003. Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest Romania made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. The year before, they already did an attempt. That year, they took part in the Eastern European qualification round Kvalifikacija za Millstreet. Romania has never won the Eurovision Song Contest so far. Both Luminița Anghel & Sistem with Let Me Try (2005) and Paula Seling & Ovi with Playing With Fire (2010) reached a 3rd place. However, Romania did not participate in this year’s contest. They will also be absent in the 2025 contest. Luminița Anghel Selecția Națională 2003 The Romanian national selection is called Selecția Națională. That was already the case in 2003. Two semifinals were held with 12 songs each. Mălina Olinescu (Eurovision 1998) was one of the contestants but she didn’t reach the final. The 10 who did are listed below: Valahia sang Friends Are Friends, 11 pts. 3rd D’La Vegas sang Oxigen, 5 pts, 10th Nicola sang Don’t Break My Heart, 24 pts, 1st Genius sang My Life, 9 pts, 6th Paula Seling sang Let’s Go!, 11 pts, 3rd Răzvan Crivaci and Liviu Sorescu sang Once Upon A Time, 9 pts, 6th Alexandra Ungureau sang Make This Love Come True, 11 pts, 3rd Centru’ Civic sang Come With Us, 9 pts, 6th Aurelian Temișan sang Let’s Have A Holiday, 20 pts, 2nd Mihai Trăistariu (member of Valahia) and Paula Seling later also represented Romania, Paula even twice. Mihai Trăistariu Nicola Nicoleta Alexandru, known as Nicola, was born on November 5, 1966, in Bucharest, Romania. She began her music career in 1985, performing at the Mamaia Festival, where she won several awards. Nicola sang in various bands before launching her solo career in 1999 with the hit song Cu tălpile goale (Barefoot). The song gained widespread airplay on many radio and TV stations across Romania. In 2003, Nicola rose to fame after winning Romania’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Don’t Break My Heart. She represented Romania in Riga, Latvia, and secured 10th place. That same year, she released her album Best of Nicola, which achieved great success and earned her a Platinum Disc. Nicola continued her music career, releasing albums and singles such as De mă vei chema (If You Call Me) and Honey in 2005. She received several MTV Romania Music Award nominations and collaborated with well-known international artists, including Thomas Nichols. In 2019, Nicola competed again in Romania’s Eurovision selection with the song Weight of the World. Don’t Break My Heart Nicola wrote and composed Don’t Break My Heart, with her husband Mihai Alexandru producing the song. With its catchy tune and her strong performance, Nicola won first place in Romania’s national competition, securing her spot at the Eurovision Song Contest in Riga. On May 24, 2003, Nicola performed Don’t Break My Heart for an international audience. The song’s upbeat pop melody and her powerful vocals captured attention. Nicola finished in 10th place, earning 73 points from the voting countries, marking a strong result for Romania at that time.

Blast from the past: Austria 1976

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 1976, when Waterloo and Robinson represented Austria with the song My Little World. Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest Austria started participating in 1957. Their first victory came in 1966, when Udo Jürgens won with Merci Cherie. It was his third consecutive participation. After that, Austria did not make it to the top-3 again for decades. In 2014 this changed, when Conchita Wurst gained the trophy with her Rise Like a Phoenix. In 2018 there was another top-3 place for Austria: Cesár Sampson even won the jury voting with Nobody But You. With Teya and Salena (Who The Hell Is Edgar?) last year and Kaleen (We Will Rave) this year, Austria reached the final. Almost returning My Little World was, as far as we know, selected internally. But in 2004, Waterloo and Robinson took part in the national selection again. Their song You Can Change the World was 2nd. After the national competition, Waterloo and Robinson, sued the winning group Tie Break. They said that the song Du Bist was too long (over three minutes) and copied the song Für Dich by German singer Yvonne Catterfield. However, the lawsuit was rejected for legal reasons. ORF, the TV broadcaster, said that the small time over the limit wasn’t enough to disqualify the song and promised to shorten it to three minutes for the Eurovision Song Contest. So no return at Eurovision for Waterloo and Robinson. Waterloo and Robinson Waterloo & Robinson is a pop music duo from Austria. The group consists of Hans Kreuzmayr (Waterloo) and Josef Krassnitzer (Robinson). Beginning Hans and Josef met in 1969 when Hans was looking for someone to help design displays for his boutique. Both were already playing in local bands. They decided to make music together. At their early shows, they were called The Edward Brothers. In 1971, they entered a music competition and came in third place with their song Du Kannst Sehen (a song about a blind girl). After that, they had hits with songs like Lili’s Haus, Baby Blue (their first big hit in Europe), and Hollywood, a worldwide hit. In 1974, Baby Blue and Hollywood took turns being number 1 and 2 on the Ö3 chart. Eurovision and Wild Land The duo represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976. They finished in 5th place with their song My Little World. In 1978, they filmed a movie called Wild Land in Kenya, and they also released an album with the same name. Germany Their popularity grew in Germany, but in Austria, their songs didn’t get as much attention. In 1979, they released Do You Remember Marianne, which became a hit in Germany but not in Austria. They appeared on many popular TV shows in Germany but started having disagreements due to their declining success in Austria. This led to their split in 1981. After the split After the split, Waterloo continued his solo career with songs like Im Land das Ewigkeit Heißt and other hits. Robinson also released some solo music and helped produce music for young artists, but he stayed out of the spotlight. Waterloo took part in the Austrian national selections for Eurovision twice as a soloist: in 1983 and in 1990. After about ten years, they tried working together again and performed concerts in 1989 and 1990. They both kept doing solo projects as well. Robinson went on an “Unplugged Tour,” and Waterloo spent time on a Native American reservation in North America. This experience influenced his later music, and he released albums with Native American themes like Tales of the Sun, Moon and Stars, Apaches’ Land, and Indio. While promoting Indio, Waterloo was playing Winnetou at a festival, where he met his current wife, Andrea. Nowadays Their concerts now include both their old hits from the 1970s and newer songs with Native American influences. In 2002, they released a new version of the Opus hit Live Is Life, which became a hit in Austria. In 2004, they placed second in the Austrian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with their song You Can Change the World. Waterloo released a solo CD in 2005 for his 60th birthday, and a Christmas CD in 2006. Robinson also worked on solo projects during this time. They were still touring together at that point. In 2007, they decided to focus only on their solo work for live shows. In 2015, they reunited for a short time to perform at special events and on TV for the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Vienna. My Little World My Little World is a song performed by the Austrian pop duo Waterloo & Robinson. The song was composed by Gerhard Heinz, who is known for his work in film scores and pop music, while the lyrics were written by Peter Orthofer. The track was selected to represent Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976. At Eurovision, which was held in The Hague, The Netherlands, My Little World was performed as Austria’s entry. The duo delivered a heartfelt and melodic performance that resonated with both the jury and the audience. The song, with its catchy tune and reflective lyrics, stood out during the competition. Ultimately, My Little World scored 80 points in the contest and finished in 5th place, a strong result for Austria. The song was well-received and helped further establish Waterloo & Robinson’s career both in Austria and internationally. Their Eurovision appearance cemented their reputation as one of the country’s leading pop acts during the 1970s.

Blast from the past: Germany 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. Today, we go way back: to 1958, when Margot Hielscher sang her “Für Zwei Groschen Musik” for Germany. Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest Germany has always participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. Only in 1996 they didn’t manage to survive the audio semifinal. Germany managed to have high positions very often, but it was only in 1982 when the country had their first victory: Nicole managed to win the contest with her song “Ein bißchen Frieden”. In 2010 it happened again. Lena won with “Sattelite”. In recent years, Germany seems to have lost it with many songs ending up in last place or close to the last place. Michael Schulte was the exception with a 4th place in 2018. And this year, Isaak was 12th, so the only way is up for Germany. Lena Schlager 1958 Little is known about the 1958 national final. We know that it was held on the 20th of January in the Kleine Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. Eurovision 1957 host Anaid Iplikjan and Kurt A. Jung hosted the show. Twelve artists sang one song each. We know the singers, but only three titles of songs: Evelyn Künneke Erni Bieler Fred Bertelmann Gitta Lind sang “Etwas Leise Musik“ Lale Andersen sang “Die Braut der Sieben Meere“, 4th place Vico Torriani John Paris Margret Fürer Margot Hielscher sang “Für Zwei Groschen Musik“, 1st place Georg Thomalla Peter Lorenz Fred Weyrich We know that one of the songs was called “Drei Häuse Weiter”. However, it is unclear who sang it. source: Eurovision Artists Lale Andersen Margot Hielscher Margot Hielscher was born on September 29, 1919, in Berlin, Germany. She trained as a costume and fashion designer in the 1930s. While studying, she met famous singers and actors and decided to learn to sing and act as well. She worked in film as a costume designer before getting her first acting role in 1940. Margot became a popular actress during World War II, acting and singing in many films. She also toured as a singer to entertain soldiers. After the war, she performed for GIs and worked on the radio. In 1957 and 1958, Margot represented Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest. Hielscher appeared in 60 films and about 200 TV shows during her career. She was also known for her many singing performances and recorded over 400 songs. In the 1950s, she hosted Germany’s first TV talk show. Margot married film composer Friedrich Meyer in 1959. She lived in Munich for most of her life. Even in her later years, she continued to perform on stage. Margot Hielscher passed away on August 20, 2017, at the age of 97. She was buried in Munich next to her husband, Friedrich Meyer, who died in 1993. Margot Hielscher; photo Beeld en Geluid Für Zwei Groschen Musik “They chose miss Germany, miss France and miss Italy. There’s even a miss Fashion and miss Leg. But because everybody loves music, and there is no miss Jukebox yet, I would like to be miss Jukebox.”, that’s how the lyrics started. “Für Zwei Groschen Musik” (Music for Two Pennies) is a German song performed by Margot Hielscher at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958. The music for the song was composed by Friedrich Meyer, who was Hielscher’s husband. The lyrics were written by Aldo von Pinelli and Ralph Maria Siegel. The song is a charming, nostalgic piece that speaks about enjoying simple pleasures in life, like music, which can bring happiness even when money is scarce. Margot Hielscher performed the song as Germany’s entry at the Eurovision Song Contest, held in Hilversum, the Netherlands. The contest took place on March 12, 1958. Hielscher’s performance stood out for its elegance and simplicity, and she sang the song with grace, wearing a stylish outfit and using a telephone prop on stage, just as she had the year before. While wearing a dress with a ‘Miss Jukebox’ sash, and having a vinyl single in her hands throughout the entire song, Margot scored only 5 points. “Für Zwei Groschen Musik” finished in seventh place.

Blast from the past: Spain 2012

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, let’s talk about Pastora Soler, who represented Spain in the 2012 contest with the song “Quedate Conmigo”. Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest Spain has been a key participant in the Eurovision Song Contest since its debut in 1961. The country has won the competition twice, first in 1968 with “La, La, La” by Massiel, and again in 1969 with “Vivo Cantando” by Salomé, though the latter was part of a four-way tie for first place. Despite these early successes, Spain has struggled in recent years to achieve top positions. Its best recent result came in 2022, when Chanel finished 3rd with her energetic performance of “SloMo.” As part of the “Big Five” (alongside the UK, France, Germany, and Italy), Spain automatically qualifies for the final each year. This prominent status reflects the country’s significant financial contribution to the contest. Spanish entries are often a blend of modern pop and traditional music, reflecting the country’s rich musical heritage. Eurovision remains a major cultural event in Spain, drawing a passionate fanbase year after year. Recently, the national final Benidorm Fest put Spain back on the Eurovision map. Chanel’s “SloMo” won Benidorm Fest and reached a 3rd place in the Eurovision final. This year’s “Zora” didn’t end up high, but is a Eurovision classic already. Eurovisión: Pastora Soler On December 21, 2011, it was announced that Pastora Soler was going to represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest. The plan was to select the song through a national final, with all the songs sung by, of course, Pastora Soler. It started with an internet selection between 15 and 20 February. Two songs were submitted, one of them would be added to the national final: Ahora o nunca, 2,265 votes Me despido de ti, 1,750 votes The final was held on March 3rd, with a 50/50 televote and jury. Here are the songs and results: Tu vida es tu vida, 56 pts, 2nd Quédate conmigo, 72 pts, 1st Ahora o nunca, 52 pts, 3rd Pastora Soler Pastora Soler, born María del Pilar Sánchez Luque on September 28, 1978, in Coria del Río, Seville, is a famous Spanish singer and songwriter. Known for blending traditional Spanish music styles like copla and flamenco with modern pop and electronic sounds, she has built a successful music career. Pastora showed her singing talent as a child, performing Spanish folk songs. In 1994, she released her first album, Nuestras coplas. Five years later her song Dámelo ya became a big hit and made her famous. She continued to release successful albums, mixing different music styles, including the electronic-influenced Deseo in 2002. In 2005, Pastora signed with Warner Music Spain, releasing albums like Toda Mi Verdad (2007) and Bendita Locura (2009). In 2012, she represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Quédate conmigo, finishing 10th. After a short break in 2014 due to health issues, Pastora returned to the music scene with new albums and TV appearances, including La Voz Kids and La Voz Senior. In 2019, she also released the album Sentir, and in 2022, her album Libra came out, continuing her successful career. photo: Junta de Andalucía, Wikimedia Commons Quédate Conmigo “Quédate Conmigo” (Stay with Me) is a powerful ballad performed by Spanish singer Pastora Soler at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. The song was written by a talented team of lyricists and composers. They included Thomas G’son, Tony Sánchez-Ohlsson, and Erik Bernholm. Known for its emotional depth and Pastora’s stunning vocal delivery, the song talks about the pain of losing a loved one and the desire to have them stay, and filled with heartfelt emotion and strong musical arrangements. At Eurovision, “Quédate conmigo” earned wide praise for its moving performance and was considered one of Spain’s strongest entries in years. It finished in 10th place out of 26 finalists, scoring a total of 97 points, which was a significant achievement for Spain, as it was one of their best results in the contest in over a decade.

Blast from the past: Ukraine 2010

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 look back at Alyosha‘s “Sweet people”, the Ukrainian song in 2010. Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Ukrainian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest was “Hasta la vista”, sung by Olexandr Ponomariov in 2003. Already a year later, the country had it’s first victory with Ruslana and her “Wild dances”. Ukraine is the only country that always reached the final so far. Ukraine managed to win the contest even three times already: with Ruslana, in 2016 with Jamala and her “1942” and in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra’s “Stefania”. Evrobachennya. Ukrayina-2010 Vasyl The road that lead to “Sweet people” being the Eurovision song was quite a complicated one. In December 2009, Ukrainian Television announced that the artist representing the country was selected internally. It was the 28 years old singer and performer Vasyl Lazarovych who got the job. The national final Evrobachennya. Ukrayina was held on March 5. Vasyl sang a total of 5 songs. The winning song was “I love you”, written and composed by Brandon Stone and Olga Yarinich. However, a storm of criticism came up, especially about the idea of giving only one artist the chance to perform. 20 songs After 10 days, Ukrainian broadcaster NTU decided to have a new national final. “I love you” was now one of 20 songs. Vitaliy Kozlovskiy sang “”I-L@VE?” Vasyl Lazarovych sang “I love you”, 24 pts, 7th SH and BB sang “Ne zhurys” OIeksiy Matias sang “Angely ne umirayut”, 32 pts, 3rd Zaklyopi sang “Anybody home?” 23 pts, 8th Ivan Berezovskyi sang “No doubt”, 21 pts, 10th Stereo sang “Ne shkody s uma”, 22 pts, 9th Irina Rosenfeld sang “Forever”, 29 pts, 6th Shanis sang “Lechu k tebe” Max Barskih sang “White raven” Vladyslav Levytskyi sang “Davay, davay!” Miya sang “Vona” DaZzle Dreams sang “Emotional lady” Masha Sobko sang “Ya tebya lyublyu”, 36 pts, 2nd Zlata Ochnevich sang “Tiny island”, 30 pts, 5th Mira Gold sang “Crazy lady” Natalia Valevska sang “Europe”, 31 pts, 4th Juliya Voice sang “Zavyazhi mne glaza” El Kravchuk sang “Fly to heaven”, 21 pts, 10th Alyosha sang “To be free”, 36 pts, 1st A new song Accusations of plagiarism were made about the winning song “To be free” immediately after the contest. Also, it was said to be published already in 2008. While NTU wanted to investigate this, the final deadline of submitting a song was so close that NTU decided that Alyosha could sing another song in Eurovision: “Sweet people”. Alyosha Olena Oleksandrivna Kucher, known as Alyosha and later by her real name, Olena Topolia, is a celebrated Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and composer. Born on May 14, 1986, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, she grew up in a hardworking family; her father was a traffic officer, and her mother worked at an aviation plant. From a young age, Olena was passionate about music, singing in school choirs and attending the “Youth” music studio. She later graduated from the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts with a degree in Pop Vocal. Olena’s career began to take off after she won the international competition Yalta 2006. In 2010, she gained worldwide attention when she represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Sweet People,” . Olena quickly became a prominent figure in the Ukrainian music scene. She has written and composed many of her own songs, as well as for other artists. Over the years, Olena has released several successful albums, such as A World Outside Your Door and Tocka na karte. In 2023, she returned to Eurovision as an interval act, performing a duet with Rebecca Ferguson. That same year, she started performing under her real name, Olena Topolia, marking a new chapter in her career. Sweet people The song “Sweet people” was composed by Alyosha, alongside Borys Kukoba and Vadym Lisitsa. It was written in response to environmental concerns, carrying a strong message about the negative impact of human actions on the world. The lyrics call for awareness and responsibility, warning about the destruction caused by pollution and the need to protect the planet for future generations. At the Eurovision Song Contest, “Sweet People” represented Ukraine after the forementioned last-minute change from Alyosha’s original song, “To Be Free,” due to plagiarism accusations. In the grand final, Alyosha delivered a powerful performance of the ballad in Oslo, Norway. The song finished 10th out of 25 participants, scoring a total of 108 points. “Sweet People” stood out for its emotional message and Alyosha’s strong vocal performance, gaining widespread recognition across Europe.

🇵🇹 Blast from the Past: Portugal 1994

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 want to honour Sara Tavares, who participated for Portugal in 1994. She passed away last Sunday. Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest Portugal started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964. It all started with a zero. This was the starting signal for a long and not easy road for Portugal. The idiosyncratic entries the country had often finished low. Exceptions were Carlos Mendes (1958) and José Cid (1980), both of whom reached a seventh place. In 1996, Lucia Moniz finished in sixth place with her “O meu coração não tem cor”. But for a victory, Portugal had to wait until 2017. It was Salvador Sobral who managed to enchant both the televoters and the professional jury with his subdued song “Amar pelos dois”. It turned into a landslide victory for the Portuguese; something they had been waiting for so long. photo: EBU/Andres Putting Festival RTP Da Canção 1994 The national final in Portugal is always called Festival RTP Da Canção. This year, two semifinals were held, on 10 and 17 january. Each of the semifinals contained 10 songs. Among them, Marco Quelhas, who represented Portugal in the 2001 contest as a half of the duo MTM. Eight songs headed to the final: Isabel Campelo, “Malmequer do Campo“, 122 pts, 3rd Trivium, “Trovas do Demo e d’el Rei“, 84 pts, 5th Pedro Miguéis, “Todos Nós Alguma Vez“, 136 pts, 2nd Inova Fora Nada, “O Vento Sabe o Que Quer“, 83 pts, 6th José Carvalho, “Lisboa, Minha Linda Cidade“, 92 pts, 4th Fernanda Lopes, “Se Fores Poema“, 75 pts, 7th Tó Carlos, “Ai Dona Inês“, 46 pts, 8th Sara Tavares, “Chamar a Música“, 220 pts, 1st As you can see, Sara Tavares won with a landslide, 84 points ahead of the runner up! Sara Tavares Sara Alexandra Lima Tavares, born on February 1, 1978, in Lisbon, Portugal, was a renowned Portuguese singer, composer, guitarist, and percussionist. Of Cape Verdean descent, her parents immigrated to Portugal and settled in Almada in the 1970s. Tavares grew up in Lisbon and faced early family challenges, with her father leaving and her mother moving south with her siblings, leaving Sara in the care of an older woman. Tavares exhibited remarkable musical talent from a young age. In 1994, at just 16, she won the national television song contest “Chuva de Estrelas,” performing Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time.” That same year, she triumphed at the “Festival da Canção,” earning a spot in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. Her winning song, “Chamar a Música,” was included on her debut EP, “Sara Tavares & Shout” (1996), where she blended gospel and funk with Portuguese influences. Her debut album “Mi Ma Bô,” produced by Lokua Kanza, was released in 1999. In 2017, Tavares released the album “Fitxadu,”. It was inspired by Lisbon’s diverse African sounds and cultures, showcasing a more electronic and urban sound. The album earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Portuguese Language Roots Album. Tavares was multilingual, composing in Portuguese, Portuguese-based Creole languages, and occasionally English. Sara was known for singing the European-Portuguese version of “God Help the Outcasts” from the Disney movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,”. She won a Disney Award for the best version of the original song with it. She also won a Portuguese Golden Globe for Best Portuguese Singer in 2000. photo: Henryk Kotowski Tavares passed away on November 19, 2023, in Lisbon at the age of 45, after a long battle with a brain tumor diagnosed since 2009. Her death was a great shock in the Eurovision community. Chamar a Música “Chamar a Música,” the captivating song that Sara Tavares performed at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, showcases her exceptional talent as a young artist. At just 16 years old, Tavares brought this melodic and emotionally resonant piece to the Eurovision stage, representing Portugal with grace and artistry. The song is characterized by its smooth, soulful melody. It is blending elements of Portuguese musical tradition with contemporary influences. Although Tavares’ performance was well-received, it ultimately placed 8th in the competition. Despite this, “Chamar a Música” remains a significant part of her early career, reflecting her deep connection to her cultural roots.

🇮🇪 Blast from the Past: Ireland 1979

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: Cathal Dunne, who represented Ireland in 1979 with the song “Happy man”. Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest Ireland’s journey in the Eurovision Song Contest reads like a tale of two eras. Once the undeniable monarchs of Eurovision, their story is a mix of triumph and challenge, a saga of unparalleled success followed by a period of struggle. In the golden age of Irish Eurovision history, the nation didn’t just participate; they dominated. Their legacy began with Dana’s “All Kinds of Everything” in 1970. The 1980s saw Johnny Logan emerge as a Eurovision icon. His “What’s Another Year” in 1980 and “Hold Me Now” in 1987 didn’t just win; they brought him the title Mr. Eurovision. Linda Martin, with “Why Me?” in 1992, written by none other than Logan, added another chapter to this story. The 1990s continued to smile on Ireland, with Niamh Kavanagh’s “In Your Eyes” in 1993 and the duo of Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids” in 1994. Eimear Quinn’s “The Voice” in 1996 was perhaps the zenith of this era. In recent years, Ireland struggles and hardly reaches the final. Johnny Logan, 1987 The Irish National Song Contest 1979 On the 4th of February, the Irish National Song Contest was held. Eight songs were performed, and regional juries chose the winner. Some familiar names could be found on the shortlist: Tweed, “No restrictions“, 4 pts, 5th Johnny Logan, “Angie”, 15 pts, 3rd Anderson, “Goodbye”, 3 pts, 6th The Memories, “The main attraction“, 13 pts, 4th Red Hurley and Tina, “Hiding behind our smile”, 0 pts, 8th Cathal Dunne, “Happy man“, 36 pts, 1st Catriona Walsh, “Superstar”, 3 pts, 6th The Miami Show Band, “Too much is going on”, 26 pts, 2nd Both Red Hurley and Tina represented Ireland before, but faced a zero this time. Totally unknown, but soon to become one of the biggest Eurovision stars ever, Johnny Logan, made his debut in this national final. Cathal Dunne Cathal Dunne, born in 1951 in Cork, Ireland, is a renowned Irish singer, widely recognized for his participation in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest. He represented Ireland with the song “Happy Man,” which became quite popular, reaching No. 3 in the Irish charts. Dunne’s musical journey began early, influenced by his uncle, Jack Lynch, the former Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland. After graduating from University College Cork and Montfort College of Performing Arts in 1974, Dunne quickly made his mark in the music industry. He won the Castlebar Song Contest that same year with “Shalom” and participated in the Yamaha Music Festival in 1976 with “Lover, Not a Wife.” His single “Bad Boy” and top ten hit “Danny” further established his presence in the Irish music scene. He was also known for his performances with his backing bands, Stateside and later The Formula, in Irish clubs. In 1981, Dunne’s song “We’ll be there” was featured in Fianna Fáil’s general election campaign. His Eurovision entry “Happy Man” won him the Irish National Song Contest, beating notable competitors like Tina Reynolds, Red Hurley, and future winner Johnny Logan. He finished fifth in the Eurovision final in Jerusalem. Dunne’s move to the United States in the early 1980s marked a new chapter in his career. Settling there permanently after initial concerts in Michigan in 1982, he embraced the role of a traditional Irish balladeer, releasing several albums and diversifying his performances with comedy and show tunes. His continued dedication to music has kept him connected to his Irish roots while entertaining audiences in his adopted home. Happy Man As said, “Happy Man” was Ireland’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest held in Jerusalem that year. This ballad with its optimistic lyrics stood out as a cheerful and engaging composition. Dunne, not just the performer but also the songwriter, showcased his multifaceted talent through this entry. The song’s essence, encapsulated in its title, reflects a positive and content outlook on life. Its light-hearted and jubilant nature resonated with audiences, leading to a respectable fifth-place finish in the contest. This achievement was significant, considering the competitive nature of Eurovision and the diverse array of musical styles it encompasses. “Happy Man” enjoyed commercial success following the contest, particularly in Ireland where it reached number three on the charts. The song remains a memorable part of Cathal Dunne’s musical career.

🇲🇪 Blast from the Past: Montenegro 2009

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: Andrea Demirović, singing “Just Get Out Of My Life”. Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest Montenegro made its debut as an independent nation in the competition in 2007, following the dissolution of Serbia and Montenegro, which had previously competed together. Montenegro’s participation has been marked by a series of ups and downs. Initially, Montenegro struggled to make an impact in the contest. Their debut entry, “Ajde Kroči” by Stevan Faddy, failed to qualify for the final. This set a precedent for the country’s early years in the competition, with several non-qualifications following. Montenegro’s most successful entry to date came in 2015, when Knez represented the country with the song “Adio”. This song qualified for the grand final and finished in 13th place. However, maintaining this level of success has been challenging. Following “Adio”, Montenegro has had a mixed record at the contest, with more non-qualifications. The country has occasionally decided to withdraw from the competition, as was the case in 2010 and 2011 due to financial reasons, and again after the 2019 contest. In 2023 the country did not take part either. Participation in 2024 is not yet confirmed. National Selection 2009 Montenegro decided to select their entry internally. The submission period opened on December 27 and closed on January 20. A total of 22 songs were submitted. Although the selection was not public, several titles were leaked: Free Jack, “Ljubav se san” Ivan Čanović and Merima Njegomir, “Kad bi dao Bog” Nina Petković, “Srce Balkansko” Sergej Ćetković, “Sjenke ljubavi” Unfortunately, none of these songs can be found on YouTube. But on 23 January, it was announced that Andrea Demirović was going to represent Montenegro with the song “Just Get Out Of My Life”. Sergej Ćetković Andrea Demirović Andrea Demirović is a Montenegrin singer. Born on June 17, 1985, in Podgorica, Montenegro (which was then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), Andrea embarked on a journey in music that has seen her become a household name in her home country and beyond. She is also known simply as Andrea. From a young age, Andrea demonstrated a passion for music, which led her to pursue formal education in the field. She became a student at the prestigious Cetinje Music Academy, where she focused on Music Pedagogy. Breakthrough Andrea’s big break came in 2002 at the Sunčane Skale festival, an annual music event that has been instrumental in launching the careers of many artists from the region. Her performance at the festival captured the attention of both the public and music professionals, setting the stage for a series of successful appearances at regional music festivals. Mirela In 2006, Andrea released her first album, aptly titled “Andrea,” under the renowned City Records label. In anticipation of her follow-up album, which was due for release in 2009, she introduced her fans to the single “The Queen of the Night.” This track was a cover of Mirela’s song from Misión Eurovisión 2007. Eurovision Andrea’s foray into the Eurovision Song Contest started with participations in the Serbo-Montenegrin and Montenegrin national finals. With the song “Just Get Out of My Life,” Andrea performed as the opening act in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest on May 12, 2009. In 2015, Andrea participated in Odbrojavanje za Beč (Countdown to Vienna), the Serbian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She did not win the ticket to Eurovision that year. Despite this, she played a prominent role in the contest by announcing the Montenegrin votes. Recent music In 2021, Andrea released a duet with Bojan Jovović, “Proljeće”. One month ago, she released a brand new single: “Poquito”! Just Get Out Of My Life The song The song “Just Get Out Of My Life” is an uptempo pop number with elements of disco and funk. Its catchy rhythm and melody are designed to be instantly engaging. The English lyrics speak of a strong-willed individual who is taking a stand against a toxic relationship, conveying a message of empowerment and self-respect. The performance In the performance, Andrea Demirović’s vocal delivery showcased her range and ability to convey emotion. The staging aimed to complement the song’s dynamic energy. Despite a vibrant performance that opened the first semi-final, “Just Get Out of My Life” did not secure enough votes to progress to the grand final. Ralph Siegel The song was composed by Ralph Siegel, a German producer and songwriter who is a Eurovision veteran. He wrote numerous entries for the contest over the years, including several for Germany. One of them was 1982 winner “Ein bißchen Frieden” by Nicole. The lyrics were penned by Bernd Meinunger and José Juan Santana Rodriguez. The collaboration of such experienced songwriters on Montenegro’s entry highlighted the country’s serious commitment to making an impact at the contest.