Blast from the past

🇳🇴 Blast from the Past: Norway 1980

photo: Nationaal Archief, Den Haag 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: Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg, representing Norway in 1980 with the song “Samiid Ædnan”. Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest Norway has had a long and varied history in the Eurovision Song Contest, which they first entered in 1960. Over the years, Norway has experienced both highs and lows in the competition.Norway has won the contest three times: 1985 – Bobbysocks: The duo, consisting of Hanne Krogh and Elisabeth Andreassen, won with the song “La det swinge” (Let it swing). This victory was a landmark moment for Norway, as it was their first win in the contest. 1995 – Secret Garden: An instrumental piece, “Nocturne”, with just 24 words sung by Norwegian violinist Rolf Løvland and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry, secured Norway’s second victory. 2009 – Alexander Rybak: The singer, violinist, composer, and actor won with a record-breaking 387 points for his song “Fairytale”. This score remained the highest in Eurovision history until the voting system was changed in 2016. Despite their victories, Norway is also known for having finished last a number of times, often with the infamous ‘nul points’. Some of these instances have become iconic in Eurovision history, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the contest. Melodi Grand Prix 1980 The national final, Melodi Grand Prix, was held on March 22nd at NRK Studio 2 in Oslo. Åse Kleveland, participant in 1966 and hosting Eurovision in 1986, was the host of the show. Note that she also traveled along with Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg to The Hague to introduce the duo. Every country had their own host in the 1980 show. The songs were: “Stjerneskudd“, by Anita Skorgan, 48 pts, 6th “Ja“, by Jahn Teigen, 32 pts, 9th “Parken“, by Radka Toneff, 43 pts, 8th “Bjørnen sover“, by Åge Aleksandersen og Sambandet, 61 pts, 1st “Maestro“, by Hilde Heltberg, 32 pts, 9th “Auståvind“, by Hennig Sommerro, 45 pts, 7th “Univers“, by Alex, 58 pts, 3rd “Rudi“, by Nina Askeland, 58 pts, 3rd “Svart fortid“, by Inger Lise Rypdal, 57 pts, 5th “Samiid ædnan“, by Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg, 61 pts, 1st As there was an ex aecquo between both the songs, all the juries had to give one vote for one of the winning songs. In that voting, “Bjørnen sover” received 4 points while “Samiid ædnan” got 5. Age Aleksandersen, the other winner Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg Sverre Kjelsberg was a multifaceted Norwegian musician, born on October 18, 1946, in Tromsø, and passing away on June 18, 2016. He began his musical journey as a bassist and vocalist for the popular 1960s rock band, The Pussycats. Known for their Beatlesque style, the band enjoyed considerable success domestically. After the band’s dissolution, Kjelsberg’s musical style evolved, incorporating elements of pop, rock, and folk. Sverre Kjelsberg is perhaps best remembered on the international stage for representing Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980, alongside Mattis Hætta, with the song “Sámiid Ædnan.” Mattis Hætta was a Sami singer and artist renowned for his contribution to the preservation and popularization of the traditional Sami form of singing, known as joik. Born on March 24, 1959, in Maze, Norway, Hætta was a prominent figure in the indigenous Sami community. His musical journey was intertwined with his cultural identity, and he has used his artistry to advocate for the rights and recognition of the Sami people. Mattis Hætta has continued to advocate for indigenous rights and remains a celebrated figure in Norway for his cultural contributions and activism. He passed away on November 9, 2022. Who are the Sami? The Sami are an indigenous people inhabiting the Arctic region known as Sápmi, which spans across the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. Numbering approximately 80,000 to 100,000, the Sami have a rich cultural heritage deeply intertwined with the natural landscapes they inhabit. Traditionally, the Sami have engaged in diverse livelihoods, including fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. However, reindeer herding is perhaps the most emblematic aspect of Sami culture, with specific communities having developed semi-nomadic lifestyles centered around reindeer migrations. The Sami have their own distinct languages, which belong to the Uralic linguistic family. While there are multiple Sami languages, many Sami people also speak the languages of the countries they reside in. Sami traditional clothing, known as “gákti,” is vibrant and distinctive, often adorned with colorful bands of decoration and intricate beadwork. The designs and colors can indicate a person’s geographical origin, marital status, and other personal details. Despite facing historical oppression and forced assimilation policies, the Sami have persevered in maintaining and revitalizing their cultural heritage. Today, they continue to advocate for their rights, including land rights, cultural preservation, and political representation within the Nordic countries and Russia. Apart from Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg, also Keiino brought the audience something of the Sami culture. Sami rapper Fred Buljo brought us the sound of the joik too! Samiid Ædnan “Sámiid Ædnan” is a significant and memorable song that represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980. Sung by Sverre Kjelsberg and Mattis Hætta, the song is a powerful melding of pop music elements with the traditional Sami form of singing known as joik. The title “Sámiid Ædnan” translates to “Sami Earth” and the song’s lyrics are a call for recognition of the indigenous Sami people and their rights. The song is performed in both Norwegian and Sami languages and emphasizes the unity and connection of the Sami people with their land. What made the performance standout in the Eurovision contest was Mattis Hætta’s joiking and the duo’s choice to wear traditional Sami clothing. This was an act of cultural pride and a political statement about indigenous rights. The song was written as a protest against the construction of a dam in the area where the Sami live. So,

🇷🇴 Blast from the Past: Romania 2006

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: Mihai Trăistariu, who represented Romania in the 2006 contest with “Tornero”. Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest Romania made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. The country has mostly participated every year, missing out only a few times. One notable absence was in 2016, when the country was disqualified due to unpaid debts to the European Broadcasting Union.Romania has achieved several respectable placements throughout the years, but, so far, the country hasn’t won the contest. Romania’s best results were third place, achieved in 2005 with the song “Let Me Try” by Luminița Anghel & Sistem and in 2010 with the song “Playing with Fire” by Paula Seling & Ovi. Romania is known for bringing a variety of music genres to the contest, from pop and rock to folk and traditional. Some entries, like “Zaleilah” by Mandinga in 2012, featured a mix of Romanian folk sounds with modern beats, giving it a distinct flavor.This year, unfortunately, Romania was facing their worst score ever, getting no points at all in the semifinal for “D.G.T. (Off and on)” by Theodor Andrei. Luminița Anghel Selecția Națională 2006 The Romanian national final always has the name Selecția Națională, also in 2006. Two semifinals and a final took place, three days in a row. The final, containing twelve songs, was held on February 26th. “Hey a hey”, Gina Pop Band, 4 pts, 10th “Se tu vuoi”, Linda, 10 pts, 6th “It’s our world”, Maria Radu & Mike Peterson, 5 pts, 8th “Sunshine”, Jasmine, 5 pts, 8th “Jokero”, Akcent & Nico, 20 pts, 2nd “Brand new feeling”, Dora, 13 pts, 3rd “Sagapo”, MiDo, 3 pts, 12th “Tornero”, Mihai Trăistariu, 22 pts, 1st “Be my boyfriend”, Indiggo, 6 pts, 7th “I believe in my star”, Laurențiu Cazan, 12 pts, 4th “Gândești prea high”, Delia, 4 pts, 10th “The universe”, Tony Poptămaș and Desperado, 12 pts, 4th Note that not only “Tornero” was a success. “Jokero” by Akcent and Nico also became an international hit. Aksent – Jokero Mihai Trăistariu Born on December 16, 1979, in Piatra Neamț, Romania, Mihai displayed an early passion for music. He began his music education at the Carmen Sylva Art School in Piatra Neamț and later graduated from the Bucharest Academy of Music. Mihai’s breakthrough came with his participation in various music festivals. In 1999 Mihai joined the group Valahia. They took part in the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000 with the song “Why” and reached a 2nd place. Also in 2002 (“Mother”, 4rd), and in 2004 (“Friends are friends”, 3rd). In 2005 he also took part, now in duet with Nico, “All the time”. It was the same year that Mihai’s debut album was released. But his rise to international fame was cemented with his Eurovision entry. In 2006, he performed the song “Tornero,” a catchy pop track infused with operatic elements. The song finished in 4th place, one of Romania’s highest rankings in the contest, and subsequently became a hit across Europe.In total, Mihai released four albums. Also, he took part in Selecția Națională numerous times. His most successful participation, apart from “Tornero”, was “I won’t surrender” in 2017, which reached a 2nd place. In 2019 Mihai withdrew, because he did not agree with Romanian television on the way the contest was organized. He had taken part in a show on another tv-station (Your Face Sounds Familiar) and stated “I do not trust the objectivity of the Eurovision Romania organisers, regarding the unclear situation about the competitors — those who qualified through the pre-selection and those who were later favoured — I decided to withdraw.”Nowadays, Mihai Trăistariu has another career….. he is, as far as we know, the only Eurovision participant with an OnlyFans page. Tornero The song stood out due to Mihai’s powerful vocal range and its infectious pop-opera blend. At the contest, held in Athens, Greece, “Tornero” managed to achieve 4th place with 172 points. This ranking is one of the highest Romania has achieved in the contest. The track is a pop song with operatic elements, and its title, “Tornero,” is an Italian word meaning “I will return.” The song is about a man who promises his love that he will return to her. “Tornero” was well-received, not just within the Eurovision community, but also among general music enthusiasts. After the contest, it charted in several European countries and became a notable hit.

🇸🇲 Blast from the Past: San Marino 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: Valentina Monetta, who participated four times for San Marino. The song we take a closer look at is her first one: The Social Network Song (Oh oh – uh – Oh oh). San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest In 2008, San Marino debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest. However, the band Miodio did not reach the final. Fans had to wait until 2011, when Senhit (Senit back then) took part for the first time. Valentina Monetta did no less than four attempts. She, Senhit and Serhat were the three contestants for San Marino who managed to reach the final. Okay, and Flo Rida of course, who featured in Senhit’s song “Adrenalina”. With a 19th place, it was Serhat who had the best score for San Marino with his song “Say na na na”. National selection On 14 March 2012, during a press conference by SMRTV (San Marino Radio & Television) it was revealed that they had chosen Valentina Monetta as San Marino’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The decision came about after an SMRTV director stumbled upon Monetta’s performance one evening. A dedicated program, aired on 16 March 2012, was organized at the SMRTV studio to unveil Monetta’s contest song. The song titled “Facebook Uh, Oh, Oh”, composed by Ralph Siegel and penned by Jose Santana Rodriguez and Timothy Touchton, was introduced as San Marino’s Eurovision entry. Notably, Siegel, having crafted 20 Eurovision songs for different nations, clarified that “Facebook Uh, Oh, Oh” was crafted for the contest, but not specifically for Monetta. Facebook is a brand, uh, oh, oh Already two days after the presentation of the song, EBU told SMRTV that the song was breaking one of the Eurovision rules: mentioning brands in a song is not allowed. And Facebook is a brand. The lyrics had to be changed, and the song was now called “The Social Network Song (Oh oh – uh – Oh oh)”. Valentina was not the first one who faced this. That honour goes to Lotta Engberg who sang “Fyra Bug och en Coca-Cola”. Bugg was a Norwegian chewing gum brand and Coca-Cola is…. well, is Coca-Cola. Two years later, Belarusian Teo had to change the lyrics of his song. “Google Maps” became “All the maps”. Valentina Monetta Valentina Monetta, born on March 1, 1975, in the picturesque microstate of San Marino, is an iconic name in the Eurovision Song Contest universe. With a passion for music evident from her youth, Valentina’s journey to becoming San Marino’s most recognized Eurovision participant is a testament to her talent and determination. Starting her career in various jazz bands, Monetta’s versatile voice allowed her to experiment with different genres, including pop, jazz, and R&B. While she was making waves in the local music scene, it was her association with the Eurovision Song Contest that catapulted her to international fame. In 2012, SMRTV, San Marino’s national broadcaster, announced that Valentina would represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. She did not reach the final. However, this did not deter Valentina, and she returned to represent San Marino in 2013, 2014, and 2017. Out of these participations, her 2014 entry, “Maybe,” holds a special place, as it secured San Marino’s first-ever spot in the Eurovision Grand Final. Beyond Eurovision, Valentina released several singles and albums, further establishing her prowess in the music industry. Monetta’s relationship with Ralph Siegel, the renowned composer, further enriched her Eurovision experience. Siegel crafted multiple Eurovision entries for her, showcasing her versatility and range as a singer. Over the years, Valentina Monetta has become synonymous with San Marino’s Eurovision history. The Social Network Song (Oh oh – Uh – Oh oh) Ralph Siegel, a veteran Eurovision composer, crafted the music of the song, while lyrics were penned by Jose Santana Rodriguez and Timothy Touchton. The song’s lyrics delve into the digital age’s social media obsession, particularly highlighting the universal appeal and reach of platforms like Facebook. It’s a catchy, upbeat pop track with playful lyrics about online friendships, profile pictures, and virtual life. While it received a mix of amusement and skepticism from Eurovision fans and did not qualify for the final, “The Social Network Song” nonetheless holds a distinctive spot in Eurovision history for its timely subject matter during the rise of social media.

🇺🇦 Blast from the past: Ukraine 2020

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: Go_A, who were supposed to represent Ukraine in the 2020 contest but did so a year later. We keep an eye on the, lesser known, 2020 entry. Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest Ukraine is one of the most succesful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest so far. With three victories since it’s debut in 2003, three more top-3 positions and not a single failure to qualify, this country holds a special record. Already in 2004, it was Ruslana who managed to get the first place in the contest. In 2016, Jamala brought the victory home again. It was in 2022 when Kalush Orchestra broke all the Eurovision records existing. And who does not remember Verka Serduchka, Ani Lorak, Svetlana Loboda and the group we are talking about today, Go_A? photo: UA:PBS Vidbir The Ukrainian national final is called Vidbir. There had been a lot of controversy about Vidbir in 2019: the winner, Maruv, had performed on Crimea after it had been occupied by Russia in 2014. Also, Maruv had planned several performances in Russia. In the end, for this reason Ukraine withdrew. A new rule in the 2020 is that only artists who had not performed in Russia after 2014 were allowed. Also, artists who had traveled to Crimea after that year without permission from the Ukrainian authorities, were not accepted. 16 songs entered two semifinals. Six songs were allowed to the final, where televoters and a jury chose the winner. The jury members were Andriy Danilko (Verka Serduchka!), Tina Karol and producer Vitaliy Drozdov. These were the songs, entering the final: “99“, sung by Krutь, 9 pts, 3rd “Vegan“, sung by Jerry Heil, 2 pts, 6th “Solovey“, sung by Go_A, 12 pts, 1st “Horizon“, sung by David Axelrod, 5 pts, 5th “Call for love“, sung by Khayat, 9 pts, 2nd “Bonfire“, sung by Tvorchi, 5 pts, 4th Go_A Go_A is a Ukrainian folktronica band formed in 2012. The band’s name fuses the English term “Go” with the Greek letter “Alpha”, representing the start of all things. Thus, their name signifies a “return to origins.” The ensemble features Kateryna Pavlenko on vocals from Nizhyn, Taras Shevchenko [uk] handling keyboards and percussion from Kyiv, Ihor Didenchuk [uk] of Lutsk (who is also part of the rap group Kalush), and Ivan Hryhoriak from Bukovyna. Their songs are performed solely in Ukrainian. Formed from a serendipitous 2012 meeting between Taras Shevchenko, a skilled keyboardist (unrelated to the renowned poet), and folk singer Kateryna Pavlenko, Go_A has swiftly become an emblem of contemporary Ukrainian music. Their initial offering, “Koliada” (Коляда), was soon overshadowed by the nationwide success of “Vesnianka” (Веснянка). This track ruled Ukraine’s 10Dance chart for six weeks and earned them the “Discovery of the Year” title by Kiss FM radio. Their debut album, “Idy na zvuk” (Follow the Tune), launched in 2016, fortified their reputation, incorporating the hit “Vesnjanka”. A special Christmas collaboration with Katya Chilly, “Shchedryi vechir”, marked the end of the year. Eurovision 2020 beckoned next. Chosen to represent Ukraine with “Solovey”, the pandemic’s shadow caused a cancellation. Undeterred, Go_A returned in 2021 with “Shum”, clinching fifth place overall, but a noteworthy second in public votes[9]. Adding to their laurels, band member Ihor Didenchuk, with rap group Kalush, triumphed in Eurovision the next year. In 2023, post their European tour, Go_A graced Eurovision again, performing “Shum” alongside Ukrainian musical legends during the flag parade. They further joined Duncan Laurence’s emotive “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. From traditional roots to global acclaim, Go_A epitomizes the spirit of modern Ukraine, harmonizing history with today. photo: EBU Solovey “Solovey” is the song by the Ukrainian band Go_A. Selected as Ukraine’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020, the track became synonymous with Go_A’s unique fusion of electronic music with traditional Ukrainian sound. The title “Solovey” translates to “Nightingale” in English, and lyrically, the song tells the tale of a young woman’s complex feelings towards a man, using the metaphor of the nightingale’s song to express deep emotions. Musically, “Solovey” incorporates the band’s signature blend of powerful vocal techniques, inspired by Ukrainian folklore, with contemporary beats and rhythms. Kateryna Pavlenko’s voice, with its distinctive timbre, rings out clear and strong, capturing the listener’s attention from the outset. COVID19 Due to the COVID19 pandemic, EBU, host organizers NOS/NPO/AVROTROS and the city of Rotterdam had to decide to a cancellation of the contest. That also meant that Go_A could not represent Ukraine in the 2020 contest. On the evening of the Grand Final, 16 May 2020, a show from a studio in Hilversum, Netherlands, was broadcast: Europe Shine A Light. Go_A was part of this show. Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC however supported Go_A to be the 2021 representants in the contest. Their song “Shum” reached a 5th place in the Eurovision Song Contest. Go_A at a home session during the pandemic.

🇫🇮 Blast from the past: Finland 1989

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: Anneli Saaristo, who represented Finland in 1989. Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest Finland’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest has been marked by a variety of performances and results since the country’s debut in the competition in 1961. Over the years, Finland has experienced both highs and lows. Finland’s initial years in Eurovision were tough. For many years, the nation struggled to make a significant impact on the scoreboard. They even scored ‘nul points’ (zero points) in 1963, 1965, and 1982. Their best score was a 6th place for Marion Rung and her “Tom Tom Tom” in 1973.Finland’s most iconic moment in the contest came in 2006 when the hard rock band Lordi won with the song “Hard Rock Hallelujah”. Not only did this victory mark Finland’s first and, so far, only win in the contest, but it was also historic because Lordi was a hard rock band with a monster image – quite a departure from the usual Eurovision acts.This year, Finland reached the top again, winning the televote and reaching a second place overall. Again, the song “Cha-cha-cha” and Käärijä’s performance faced a unique sound and performance. Photo: Corinne Cumming/EBU Euroviisut, the national final In those days, the national selection was called Euroviisut. Ten songs competed in the contest that was held on February 4th in the Kulttuuritalo in Helsinki. Note that Anneli Saaristo sang two songs in the competition! Two songs are not in Finnish but in Swedish. The entire show can be watched here. Oi Äiti Maa, sung by Anneli Saaristo, 74 pts, 3rd Kan Det Vara Kärlek?, Mervi Hiltunen, 72 pts, 4th Hiljaisuutta, Kirka, 62 pts, 5th Rauhaton Sydän, Meiju Suvas, 24 pts, 10th Huominen Eurooppa, Tanjalotta Räikkä, 39 pts, 8th La Dolce Vita, Anneli Saaristo, 110 pts, 1st Minä Olen Muistanut, Kim Lönholm, 52 pts, 7th Rakkauden Laulut, Sonja Lumme, 62 pts, 5th Vad Finns Kvar, Cris Owen, 103 pts, 2nd Kahden Juhla, Marjorie, 31 pts, 9th Anneli Saaristo In the early 1970s, Saaristo participated in pop song contests. Throughout the decade, she worked as the soloist for a dance orchestra and mainly recorded cover versions of pop songs. In the spring of 1978, Saaristo competed in the Finnish Eurovision qualifiers Euroviisut with the song “Sinun Kanssasi, Sinua Ilman,” which became her first hit. Her next recording was “Aamulla Rakkaani Näin,” which Lea Laven had performed in the same qualifiers. Saaristo’s first album, “Aina Aika Rakkauden,” was released in 1980. Published by a small record company, the album was a commercial disappointment. In 1982, Saaristo participated in the Autumn Tune competition with the song “Tyhjät Sanat” and in the 1984 Euroviisut with “Sä Liian Paljon Vaadit,” finishing third. Both songs were hits, and her subsequent albums sold better than the first. In the fall of 1988, Saaristo received a press award in the Autumn Tune for her song “Taivaspaikka.” In 1989, she performed in the Eurovision qualifiers with the songs “Oi Äiti Maa” and “La Dolce Vita,” the latter winning. At the Eurovision Song Contest in Lausanne, “La Dolce Vita” placed seventh. The “La Dolce Vita” album achieved gold status. Some of Saaristo’s most renowned songs include “Viimeinen Känni,” “Evakon Laulu,” “Päättyneet Juhlat,” “Appelsiinipuita Aavikkoon,” and “Kypsän Naisen Blues.” In the project “Miten Enkeleitä Vietellään,” she interpreted Bertolt Brecht’s erotic poems alongside Monna Kamu and Liisa Tavi. In the 2000s, Saaristo participated in Rakkauden Kiertokulku concerts with Eija Kantola and Marjorie. Saaristo has also acted, for instance, in Turku City Theater. In 2005, she appeared in Timo Koivusalo’s movie Kaksipäisen Kotkan Varjossa. That same year, she was nominated for the Iskelmä-Finlandia award. In 2011, Saaristo was granted an artist pension. In recent years, she has performed with pop singer Fredi on the “Fredi’s Guest” concert tour. Controversy When Anneli Saaristo took part in Euroviisut and won it, this was of course mentioned in the fan magazines. A Finnish reporter in one of the magazines wrote about Anneli: “She looked like a nightmare already in 1978 when she for the firs time sang in our national heats but the 11 years since then have done their job well: there is no word to describe her looks!”. The writer of the article apologized one magazine later; he explained the article was not a proper translation of a letter in Finnish, and was mixed up with another article, that should have been published. La Dolce Vita “La Dolce Vita” is perhaps one of the most iconic songs associated with Anneli Saaristo, especially on the international stage. It was Finland’s official entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1989. The title, which translates to “The Sweet Life” in Italian, captures the essence of living life to the fullest and enjoying its pleasures. The song’s participation in Eurovision marked a significant moment for Finland. Competing in Lausanne, Switzerland, “La Dolce Vita” achieved a commendable 7th place finish. This placement was a notable achievement for Finland at that time. The tune itself is melodious and catchy, combining traditional pop elements with a distinct Finnish touch. Anneli’s powerful voice and emotive rendition made the performance memorable, helping the song stand out amidst other competitors. While “La Dolce Vita” may not have secured the top spot at Eurovision, it cemented its position as one of Anneli Saaristo’s most celebrated tracks. Following the contest, the song enjoyed considerable airplay and popularity in Finland and even gained recognition in various parts of Europe. The song’s success also contributed to Anneli’s continued prominence in Finnish music, further showcasing her versatility and talent.

🇪🇸 Blast from the past: Spain 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: Sergio Dalma, who represented Spain in 1991. Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest Spain has been a participant since its debut in 1961. The country has won the competition twice. The country’s first victory came in 1968 with the song “La, la, la” sung by Massiel. The second win was in 1969 with the song “Vivo cantando” performed by Salomé. Interestingly, 1969 was a unique year because four countries (Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, and France) tied for the first place, and there was no rule in place to break the tie, so all four were declared winners.Over the years, Spain’s results have been mixed. While the country has had some top 10 finishes since its last win, there have also been many years when Spain finished in the lower half of the leaderboard. One of the greatest successes has been “Eres tu”, a worldwide hit by the group Mocedades in 1973. Six years later Spain was close to a victory with Betty Missiego‘s “Su canción”. In recent years, Spain did very well in 2022, when Chanel‘s “SloMo” reached a 3rd place. National selection While currently the show Benidorm Fest is the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1991 Spanish television had an internal selection. TVE chose “Bailar pegados” out of a number of songs. However, almost every year they failed to keep all the titles secret. According to the blog Pasaporte A Eurovision, at least two more songs were in the race: Yossek submitted a song titled “Almas perdidas” and the 1992 participant Serafin Subiri submitted “Polvo de estrellas“. Sergio Dalma Josep Sergi Capdevila Querol, professionally known as Sergio Dalma, was born on 28 September 1964 and is a top-selling Spanish artist. With nine chart-topping albums in Spain, he dominated Spain’s official Productores de Música de España national album chart, especially from 2008 to 2013. Dalma’s journey began when he secured a contract after winning the TV program “Gent d’aqui.” In 1989, his debut album “Esa Chica es Mía” went Platinum, popularizing him in Ibero-America. In 1991, representing Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Bailar pegados,” he achieved fourth place and considerable fame in the U.S. and Ibero-America. Throughout his career, Dalma produced numerous hit singles and albums, like “Adivina” and “Via Dalma.” By 2013, Dalma’s “Cadore 33” became his fifth consecutive top album in Spain. He celebrated his 25-year career with a 2014 concert in Madrid, later releasing a CD/DVD of the event. Dalma’s albums, such as “Dalma [es]” in 2015 and “Via Dalma III” in 2017, continued to chart high. By 2019, after parting with Warner Music Group, he joined Sony Music’s Spanish division. Dalma, primarily performing in Spanish, has also sung in Catalan, Italian, English, and French. Photo: Ruben Ortega Bailar Pegados “Bailar Pegados” is best known internationally as the song that represented Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest 1991 held in Rome. Sergio Dalma performed the song and managed to achieve a commendable fourth place in the contest. The song was written by Julio Seijas and Luis Gómez Escolar. Seijas and Escolar are both well-known figures in the Spanish music industry, having written for several prominent artists.The lyrics of “Bailar Pegados” use the act of dancing closely (“pegados” means “close together” or “attached” in Spanish) as a metaphor for intimacy and the unique closeness between two people in love. The song speaks of the fear of dancing closely, akin to the vulnerabilities and fears in love, but also emphasizes the beauty and singularity of such a connection.

🇧🇪 Blast from the past: Belgium 1996

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: Lisa Del Bo, who represented Belgium in 1996. Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest Belgium is one of the founding countries of the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated since the inaugural event in 1956. Unique to Belgium is its two main broadcasting systems: the Flemish-speaking VRT and the French-speaking RTBF. The broadcasters alternate each year in selecting the nation’s representative for the contest. This alternating system ensures representation from both linguistic communities. Over the years, Belgium has sent songs in Dutch, French, English, and even German. Belgium only won one time: in 1986 Sandra Kim won with a landslide with her song “J’aime La Vie”. However, in 1978 Jean Vallée reached a second place with the song “L’amour, Ça Fait Chanter La Vie”. The contest was, in that year, also broadcast in Jordan. Israel won, but as Jordan didn’t recognize Israel, they mentioned Belgium as the winner. Another time Belgium became 2nd was in 2003, with Urban Trad and “Sanomi”. In recent years, Belgium did quite well in Eurovision with artists such as Tom Dice (2010), Loïc Nottet (2015), Blanche (2017) and Gustaph (2023). National Final The national selection in Belgium in 1996 was called “De Gouden Zeemeermin” (The Golden Mermaid). Four semifinals with ten songs each were held. Michel Follet and Alexandra Potvin hosted these shows, as well as the final. On March 9th, in the Casino of Knokke, the final selection was made: Lisa Del Bo, “Liefde is een kaartspel“, 215 pts, 1st Patrick Alessi, “Een andere wereld”, 73 pts, 11th Chelsy, “Kijk me aan“, 128 pts, 8th William Reven, “Zo voel ik vandaag“, 119 pts, 9th Nadia, “Morgen komt de lente”, 135 pts, 7th Peter Van Laet, “Er is iets“, 143, 4th Sabien Tiels, “Nooit meer alleen“, 139 pts, 6th Doran, “Jij alleen”, 37 pts, 12th Gary Hagger, “Dat ik hou van jou“, 141 pts, 5th Splinter, “Ik laat je nooit meer gaan“, 189 pts, 2nd Enzo, “Mooi“, 151 pts, 3rd Mario Caselli, “Mademoiselle“, 90 pts, 10th Before the final, male trio Enzo was among the favourites, but in the end they didn’t win; Lisa Del Bo did. Anyone who wants to rewatch the entire show: that is possible! You can watch it here! Lisa Del Bo Lisa Del Bo was born on 9 July 1961 in Mopertingen, Bree, Belgium. From a young age, she showed an interest in music, though details of her early life and musical education are not widely documented. In 1990, she was the winner of the Belgian version of the Dutch Soundmixshow with the song “What’s a woman” by Vaya Con Dios. She has since released 13 albums. In 1993, Del Bo participated in Eurosong, the Belgian preliminary round for the Eurovision Song Contest. In this, she finished third with the song “Vlinder”, behind Barbara Dex. Three years later, in 1996, Del Bo took another chance in the Belgian pre-selection. With the song “Liefde is een kaartspel”, she managed to win and therefore got to represent Belgium in that year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Lisa Del Bo cooperated with Luc Steeno and Willy Sommers on a duet album, “De mooiste duetten en méér”. Her most recent album, “Niet alleen”, was released in 2022. All of her albums reached the album charts and were successes. Liefde is een kaartspel “Liefde is een kaartspel” is a melodic song that uses card-playing as a metaphor for the game of love. The song was composed by Siirak Brogden and John Terra, with Daniël Ditmar writing the lyrics. The lyrics convey the idea that, in love, just as in card games, there’s an element of chance and unpredictability. You might not always win, but it’s worth taking the risk. At the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Oslo, Norway, the song was performed in Dutch. Despite being considered a contender by some, the song finished 16th place out of 23 participants, which was somewhat of a disappointment for the Belgian delegation. In 2001, the Swedish entry “Listen To your Heartbeat” was accused of plagiarism. It was supposed to be a copy of “Liefde is een kaartspel”. The composers of the Swedish song, Thomas G:son and Henrik Sethsson, denied it. They said the similarities were a coincidence. In 2003, the Belgian music association, SABAM, declared that the song “Listen to Your Heartbeat” was a case of plagiarism. Though the song’s composers refuted the claims, they faced potential legal action from the lyricists and composers of “Liefde is een kaartspel”. To resolve the matter, the Swedish delegation agreed to a financial settlement.

🇮🇪 Blast from the past: Ireland 1977

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: The Swarbriggs plus Two, participating in 1977. Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest Ireland has been a dominant force in the Eurovision Song Contest, boasting a record seven victories, the most by any participating country. Their winning streak began in 1970 when Dana serenaded audiences with “All Kinds of Everything.” A decade later, Johnny Logan emerged as a Eurovision legend for Ireland. He first won in 1980 with “What’s Another Year” and then again in 1987 with “Hold Me Now.” Furthermore, Logan wrote the winning song “Why Me?” which was performed by Linda Martin in 1992. The ’90s continued to be a golden era for Ireland. Following Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh captured the title in 1993 with “In Your Eyes.” The subsequent year, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan triumphed with “Rock ‘N’ Roll Kids.” In 1995, Eimear Quinn’s ethereal voice won with “The Voice,” marking an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory for Ireland. Johnny Logan National Final Ireland chose their entry through the Irish National Song Contest on 20 February 1977. The show was hosted by Mike Murphy and was not held in a big hall but at the RTÉ TV Studios in Dublin. Eight songs and eight different artists competed: Jamie Stone, “If I Give My Love”, 19 pts, 2nd Dickie Rock, “I Can’t Go On Without You”, 8 pts, 6th Sunshine, “Look Before You Leap”, 0 pts, 8th D.J. Curtin, “You Cannot Stop The Music”, 5 pts, 7th The Swarbriggs Plus Two, “It’s Nice To Be In Love Again“, 25 pts, 1st Denis Allen, “Da-dum Da-dum I Love You So”, 12 pts, 5th Colm C.T. Wilkinson, “There Was A Dream“, 18 pts, 3rd Chips, “Goodbye Goodbye“, 13 pts, 4th Chips Note that former participants Dickie Rock (1966) and The Swarbriggs (1975) participated. Colm C.T. Wilkinson had to wait another year, as he represented Ireland in 1978. The singer of the group Chips is quite a famous one: Eurovision winner Linda Martin, who first took part in 1984, before she won in 1992. The Swarbriggs Plus Two The Swarbriggs Thomas “Tommy” and John James “Jimmy” Swarbrigg are renowned figures in Irish music, both as former pop artists and promoters. In the early ’60s, Tommy showcased his trumpet skills with Joe Dolan’s showband, The Drifters, distinct from the famed American band. By 1969, after a split, The Times Showband emerged with Jimmy as the lead singer. Their distinctive approach of composing original tracks made them stand out in the showband scene. Their rise was meteoric, leading to their own TV show by 1973. By mid-’70s, they embarked on solo careers, eventually retiring in 1980. Known as The Swarbriggs, the duo graced the 1975 Eurovision stage with “That’s What Friends Are For”. By 1977, alongside Nicola Kerr and Alma Carroll as The Swarbriggs Plus Two, they presented “It’s Nice To Be In Love Again”, a song they authored. The brothers penned both their Eurovision entries and numerous top 20 hits throughout the ’70s, such as the chart-topping “Joanne” in 1976 and other memorable tunes like “Looking Through The Eyes Of A Beautiful Girl” and “If Ma Could See Me Now”. In subsequent years, the Swarbriggs transitioned into concert promotion, bringing to Ireland acts like Smokie, Leo Sayer, Meatloaf, and others. They’re even humorously credited as the muse for the “My Lovely Horse” video in the show “Father Ted”. Their song “If Ma Could See Me Now” found renewed popularity, featuring in the 2002-2008 “Mrs Brown’s Boys” film series. Nicola Kerr Nicola Kerr was, in those days, a wellknown and asked backing vocal and member of several groups. She had been a member of Chips before she joined The Swarbriggs in their song. As a solo singer, she did two attempts to go to Eurovision: in 1981 with “The One In My Life” and in 1989 with “This Isn’t War (It’s Revolution)“. But the biggest success for Nicola was being a backing vocal for Murray Head in the worldwide hit “One Night In Bangkok”. Alma Caroll Alma began her musical journey at 15, performing solo in Dublin during 1965. By 1967, she joined Bing Crosby on his Dublin-filmed TV special with the “Young Dublin Singers” and even got her radio series on RTE. The next year, her song in the Irish National Song Contest, “Give Me All Your Love,” placed fourth but didn’t fare well on the charts. Alma’s TV presence grew, with appearances on shows like RTE’s “Steady As She Go-Goes” and BBC in Britain. Despite never having a solo chart-topping hit, Alma’s prominence in the entertainment world didn’t wane. She remained active in the early ’70s, releasing singles and making TV appearances. In 1973, she placed second in the National Song Contest with “Isn’t It Grand”. A highlight of her career was being part of Swarbriggs Plus Two in 1977, where their song “It’s Nice To Be In Love Again” ranked first in Irish charts and third in Eurovision. By the early ’80s, her performances began to wane, with her last known record in 1982. Today, Alma is married to Penney’s founder, Arthur Ryan, and is a Director for UNICEF in Ireland. It’s Nice To Be In Love Again The song is emblematic of the upbeat, catchy melodies often associated with Eurovision entries. With its lively tempo and harmonious vocals, “It’s Nice To Be In Love Again” captured the euphoria and bliss of being in love. The performance was well-received, earning the group a respectable third place in the contest. The song, written and composed by Jimmy and Tommy Swarbrigg, received twelve points from Norway, the United Kingdom, Israel and Sweden. Finland was the only country not to give any points to the song at all.

🇬🇧 Blast from the past: UK 1970

photo credits: Nationaal Archief, Den Haag 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: 1970 runner up Mary Hopkin. United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest We already talked about the British Eurovision winners in this blast from the past. But what we didn’t mention are the many times that the United Kingdom organized the contest because other countries couldn’t. That started already in 1960, when The Netherlands were not able to organize the contest so soon after their first time. The contest went to the Royal Festival Hall in London. Three years later France faced the same problem. The brand new BBC TV Studio in London was the place to be. When Monaco won the contest in 1971, Monegask tv was not able (or willing?) to organize the contest. We went to Scotland instead, to Edinburgh. Two years later, Luxembourg couldn’t have the contest for a second year in a row, so we went to Brighton. And most recently, when Ukraine won the contest in 2022 while at war, it was again the United Kingdom taking it over; this time in the Echo Arena in Liverpool. National final 1970 Six songs all were sung by Mary Hopkin on the 7th of March. Cliff Richard was the host of the contest. People were able to vote by postcard, and one week later the results were made public. Three ships, 60,330 votes, 3rd Early in the morning of your life, 15,090 votes, 6th I’m going to fall in love again, 74,640 votes, 2nd You’ve everything you need, 39,360 votes, 5th Can I believe? 42,180 votes, 4th Knock knock (who’s there?), 120,290 votes, 1st As you see, “Knock knock (who’s there?)” won with a landslide, having almost double the votes of the runner up “I’m going to fall in love again”. Mary Hopkin Mary Hopkin, born on 3rd May 1950 in Pontardawe, Wales, is a renowned British folk singer hitting the charts in the late 1960s and 1970s. Her journey to fame began in the late 1960s when she appeared on the British television talent show, “Opportunity Knocks”. Her ethereal performance caught the attention of none other than Paul McCartney, who was then looking for artists for the Beatles’ newly formed Apple Records label. McCartney signed her, and under his guidance, Hopkin released her chart-topping single “Those Were the Days” in 1968. The song quickly became an international sensation. Mary represented the UK in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Knock, Knock Who’s There?”. Her debut album “Postcard”, also produced by McCartney, showcased her ability to blend folk with pop, creating a sound that was both fresh and reminiscent of older, simpler times. She took a hiatus from the music world in the mid-1970s to focus on her family. In the years that followed, Hopkin explored various musical avenues, collaborating with a range of artists and dabbling in different genres. Her collaborations with the famed producer Tony Visconti resulted in several acclaimed albums, including “Earth Song/Ocean Song”, which is considered by many as one of the seminal folk albums of the 1970s. Knock Knock (Who’s There?) “Knock, Knock Who’s There?” is a catchy, upbeat pop song that achieved considerable fame in the early 1970s. Its most significant claim to fame is being the United Kingdom’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970. The song was a strong contender in the competition, ultimately finishing in second place. Given Eurovision’s vast audience, this placement ensured that the song reached millions of listeners across Europe and beyond. The lyrics of “Knock, Knock Who’s There?” combine a playful, almost nursery rhyme-like quality in its chorus with verses that express themes of love, hope, and anticipation. The song’s arrangement, characteristic of the era, features a blend of pop and orchestral elements, giving it a full, melodious sound. Following its appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest, “Knock, Knock Who’s There?” enjoyed commercial success, especially in the UK where it reached the number two spot on the charts. Its popularity cemented Mary Hopkin’s status as one of the leading British singers of the time, complementing Mary Hopkins earlier success with hits like “Those Were the Days.”

🇩🇰 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: “Jeg har hele tiden vidst det“, sung by Frederikke Vedel “Human“, sung by Brinck “I’m not alone“, sung by Kate Hall “Rejs dig op“, sung by Louise Dubiel “We own the universe“, sung by Daze “Stay awake“, sung by Simone “Invincible“, sung by Jack Rowan feat. Sam Gray “Only teardrops“, sung by Emmelie De Forest “Beautiful to me“, sung by Albin “Unbreakable“, sung by Mohamed Ali In a superfinal, 3 songs came out: “Stay awake”, sung by Simone (15 pts., 3rd) “Only teardrops”, sung by Emmelie De Forest (26 pts., 1st) “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.