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Writing a quick historical past of Eurovision is not any straightforward process. The famed track contest has been happening since 1956, and it’s included quite a few twists and turns since its humble beginnings. Put merely, Eurovision is a world songwriting competitors. Nevertheless it’s in fact rather more than that. Generally it’s an instance of the ability of sentimental diplomacy. Generally, it’s the worldwide launch of superstars to come back. (ABBA, Riverdance, and plenty of extra come to thoughts.) Different occasions, it’s extraordinarily complicated. However, at all times, with out fail, it’s lots of enjoyable. Annually comes with the promise of seeing one thing you’ve by no means seen earlier than. On this transient historical past of Eurovision, we provide a bluffer’s information to one of many world’s largest leisure occasions. – Sam Armstrong
Can’t get sufficient Eurovision? Relive last year’s event with this compilation.
1956
The world’s most well-known track pageant was born with a lofty ambition – to unite a Europe nonetheless ravaged by the latest World Conflict. French businessman Marcel Baison borrowed the idea from Italy’s profitable San Remo competitors and acquired the newly shaped European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Simply seven nations took half on Might 24, 1956, in Lugano, Switzerland, with every nation performing two songs. Lys Assia received with the French-language “Chorus” for the host state. The UK had already commissioned its personal home Competition Of British Widespread Songs and wouldn’t participate within the Eurovision Track Contest till the next yr.
1957
Within the early days of the competition, there was a thought-about transfer to advertise European-style pop in a bid to stability the dominant American recordings that – even again then – had a stranglehold on gross sales on each side of the Atlantic. These had been nationwide anthems, should you like, and so all ten of 1957’s entries had been carried out of their maiden tongue. The UK joined the competition this yr, together with Austria and Denmark. British soprano Patricia Bredin hoped “All” would show prophetic within the voting, however the Netherlands entry, “Internet Als Toen” by Corry Brokken, romped house to victory – despite the fact that the nation had damaged the principles with a efficiency a minute longer than the three:30 allowed.
1958
Right here’s the beginning of one thing unusual within the historical past of Eurovision: probably the most well-known entry (by a rustic mile) of 1958 didn’t even win! Italy’ “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” got here third for Domenico Modugno however offered hundreds of thousands when issued as “Volare”/”To Fly” and even received the primary Grammy for Greatest Male Vocal Efficiency, Track Of The 12 months and Document Of The 12 months. As an alternative, France triumphed with Andre Claveau’s “Dors, Mon Amour,” whereas the UK snubbed this yr’s occasion – little doubt smarting after ending seventh the earlier yr. 1958’s contest was held in Hilversum, Holland (the custom starting to be established that the profitable nation would host the next yr).
1959
The UK returned to the fold and 1959 noticed the debut of Monaco (one other Eurovision delight: the belief for some that there are European states so small you won’t have heard of them). The UK’s entry, Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson’s “Sing Little Birdie,” got here second and was the primary home Eurovision single to make the UK charts – a phenomenon that will get extra attention-grabbing later within the Nineteen Sixties and Seventies. Germany provided the primary nod in the direction of the now-dominant rock ‘n’ roll with its entry, however the judges weren’t impressed – it got here eighth out of 11 competing nations, whereas the Netherlands received once more with Teddy Scholten’s charming “Een Beetje.”
1960
With rock ‘n’ roll nonetheless lacking in motion, the daybreak of the swinging Nineteen Sixties Eurovision was something however. The 12 entries (Norway joined the competition this yr) ranged from tender jazz, strident MOR, and people ubiquitous ballads; you could possibly even hear a bit of sunshine opera! France’s Jacqueline Boyer with “Tom Pillibi” was the ultimate track of the evening and edged forward within the ballot on the eleventh hour. This was the beginning of the historical past of Eurovision’s magic ingredient: the unpredictable voting at evening’s finish, turning into ever-more erratic as the competition grew.
1961
Three extra nations joined Eurovision in 1961 – Finland, Spain, and Yugoslavia, bringing the variety of entries to a powerful 16. Once more, among the greatest hits of the present didn’t win – The Allisons, for the UK, had a sizeable worldwide smash with “Are You Positive?” however got here second; whereas a remake of “Al Di La” (Italy’s entry by Betty Cutis) was an American Prime 10 hit for Emilio Pericoli when later featured within the movie Rome Journey however solely got here fifth. The evening’s gold medal went to Luxembourg’s Jean-Claude Pascal and “Nous Les Amoureux,” which singularly didn’t make subsequent impression wherever.
1962
The last word humiliation of Eurovision is the dreaded “null factors” – songs that fail to win a single rating from both the skilled nationwide juries or viewers voting from house. 1962 was the primary time it occurred, with Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Spain all falling to impress. France’s Isabelle Aubret with “Un Premier Amour,” however, romped house with 26 factors (runner-up Monaco might solely handle 13).
1963
With The Beatles about to beat the world – and already a phenomenon of their homeland – the UK’s Ronnie Carroll and “Say Great Issues” was as far-off from Merseybeat as is feasible to think about. He got here fifth, whereas Denmark received for the primary time with “Dansevise” by Grethe and Jorgen Ingmann. The evening was tainted by a technical hitch. The Norwegians resubmitted their votes after failing to take action correctly within the first go-round. When a second try led to among the votes being modified, together with extra provided for his or her close to neighbours the Danes, it led to claims of humorous enterprise. This was the beginning of one other long-running theme within the historical past of Eurovision: the accusation of political voting.
1964
Italy swept the board with “Non Ho L’Eta” from Gigliola Cinquetti; the track was an enormous worldwide success and Gigliola would return to the Eurovision stage once more the next decade (and would host in 1991). Austria’s Udo Jurgens solely got here sixth with “Warum Nur Warum,” however the English-language cover-version, “Stroll Away,” by the UK’s Matt Monro later discovered success on each side of the Atlantic.
1965
French legend Serge Gainsbourg would write the primary traditional winner within the historical past of Eurovision – “Poupee De Circe, Poupee De Son” – for his 17-year-old god-daughter France Gall, representing Luxembourg. This quirky pop composition is a world away from his steamy duet “Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus,” which might show a scandalous sensation simply three years later. Eire joined the competition for the primary time, however its later dominance (peaking within the Nineteen Nineties) was a way off, with a comparatively modest inserting of sixth the primary time round.
1966
One other, maybe unsurprising, pattern within the historical past of Eurovision beginning to emerge presently was the coverage of competing nations selecting tracks comparable in model to the profitable track of the earlier yr. 1966 noticed a bunch of younger feminine vocalists, together with the primary Black performer – Milly Scott for The Netherlands. In the long run, it was Udo Jurgens, representing Austria for the third time in a row, and his piano-heavy “Merci Cherie” that broke freed from the race and romped to a convincing victory.
1967
With the Nineteen Sixties now actually swinging, it was the period’s cultural capital that lastly acquired high billing when the UK’s Sandie Shaw snatched one of many contest’s most sizable wins. Shaw would later declare to hate “Puppet On A String,” which will surely come to overshadow her profession, however there isn’t any doubting its affect on a Eurovision method within the years forward. Regardless of Sandie’s worldwide success, the track that did the enterprise in America was Vicky Leandros’s “L’Amour Est Bleu,” which topped the US charts for 5 weeks in an instrumental model by French orchestra chief Paul Mauriat.
1968
One of many strangest years within the historical past of Eurovision. Did Spanish dictator Basic Francisco Franco actually rig Eurovision? Rumors of tactical voting had been rife even then, with the recent favourite Cliff Richard – and his evergreen anthem “Congratulations” – lacking out by a single level in favor of Spain’s Massiel, who was picked to sing “La La La” after authentic singer Joan Manuel Serrat had expressed an curiosity in performing the observe in Catalan towards the chief’s needs. “La La La” topped the leaderboard regardless of Cliff’s 45 already being a smash throughout the continent and following some weird voting by the nationwide juries. In 2008, documentary filmmakers uncovered proof that Franco had employed brokers to bribe jurors in his bid to host the next yr’s present and rejuvenate Spain’s worldwide picture because the continent’s favourite tourism vacation spot.
1969
A uncommon one within the historical past of Eurovision – an unimaginable four-way tie for pole place by France (“Un Jour, Un Enfant” by Frida Boccara), the Netherlands (Lenny Kuhr’s “De Troubadour”), Spain (“Vivo Cantando” by Salome) and the UK (with Lulu’s “Increase Bang-A-Bang”). The UK’s entry was arguably the most important worldwide hit, however issues might have been very completely different – Elton John and Bernie Taupin had entered a track for that yr’s nationwide choice, however “I’ve Been Loving You Too Lengthy” didn’t be picked.
1970
In little greater than a decade, Julio Iglesias would change into one of many world’s most profitable artists, however, in 1970’s Amsterdam ceremony, he needed to make do with sixth inserting for “Gwendolyne.” This yr noticed 4 nations pull out, however this wasn’t precisely uncommon within the historical past of Eurovision. (The competition till very not too long ago affords many examples of countries selecting to not take part for one motive or one other.) However this slighter 12-song competitors noticed Eire declare its first crown. Dana’s “All Sorts Of Every little thing” was a candy ballad fully at odds with the intense political deterioration that might quickly dominate the area. Dana would go into politics herself – turning into a member of the European Parliament in 1999.
1971
There are textbook-length essays to be written on the event of the voting programs and the applied sciences that assist Eurovision all through its historical past, but it surely’s maybe sufficient to easily say right here that 1971’s adjustments noticed juries decreased to simply two members and that each track now needed to safe at the least a single level. What was much more shocking is every voting couple additionally needed to mark their rating after every efficiency, that means later entries had little probability of wise calibration! Little question engineered for one of the best of causes, this unusual system noticed Severine’s efficiency of “Un Banc, Un Arbre, Une Rue” for Monaco high the scoreboard, with Spain once more the runner-up and Germany (nonetheless but to win) coming third.
1972
Again as much as 18 competing nations, 1972’s contest noticed Greek vocalist Vicky Leandros, representing Luxembourg, win with the highly effective ballad “Apres Toi.” One other odd quirk of Eurovision is the knack for nations to inexplicably decide on some contemporary method all on the similar time. This yr it was the male/feminine duet (in itself maybe not such a nasty thought – it had labored for Denmark in 1963) however at least six acts adopted that method this time and all proved unsuccessful. Because it turned out, no duo would go on to win once more till 22 years later.
1973
There’s a historical past of acts coming again to Eurovision (we’ll come on to that champion, Johnny Logan, quickly) however famous person Cliff Richard’s return 5 years after his shock defeat with “Congratulations” is probably probably the most shocking. He was sincere concerning the motivation – his profession was beginning to sluggish and he wanted a giant hit – however “Energy To All Our Pals” for the UK limped in third, behind Spain and the evening’s winner: Anne-Marie David with “Tu Te Reconnaitras” (for Luxembourg once more). Blurring the normal boundaries of European geography, this yr noticed Israel coming into for the primary time.
1974
In all probability probably the most important within the contest’s lengthy chronology, Sweden’s 1974 winners ABBA are actually probably the most profitable act to emerge from the present, with gross sales of almost four-hundred million albums to this point and a spot within the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame. The four-piece had didn’t qualify at their nationwide alternatives the earlier yr (with “Ring Ring”) however “Waterloo” triumphed each at house and on the evening in Brighton, UK. The track had some stiff competitors, together with Olivia Newton-John for the host nation with “Lengthy Stay Love,” however emerged the runaway winner. Runner-up, Italy’s Gigliola Cinquetti, loved massive success along with her entry “Si.” Even third positioned The Netherlands landed a world hit with Mouth and MacNeal’s “I See A Star,” suggesting the competition had lastly come of age for record-buyers.
1975
Clearly repeating the ABBA method of the earlier yr, Educate-In’s “Ding Dinge Dong” was a cushty winner, with Cliff Richard’s former backing band, The Shadows, in second place for the UK with “Let Me Be The One.” The competition was rising in stature and scale, with Turkey coming into for the primary time and instantly illustrating one other Eurovision spectacle: a rustic voting fully out of character with the opposite nations. In 1975, it gave Sixteenth-placed Portugal high marks; was the one nation to not provide the UK a single vote, and solely awarded the winner 4 factors. This regional inconsistency of voting creates a lot further drama to this present day!
1976
One other contest traditional: Brotherhood Of Man’s “Save All Your Kisses For Me” is the UK’s best-selling Eurovision single and arguably as era-defining as “Waterloo” (the British four-piece had been additionally clearly modelled on the super-Swedes). The act would hit Billboard No. 27 with this track and go on to have two additional UK chart toppers in “Angelo” and “Figaro,” however that is the anthem that has saved their profession on simmer since their late Seventies peak. Politics is a perennial undercurrent of all worldwide competitions and Eurovision is not any exception. The Greek entry was a protest track concerning the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the nation solely took half after Turkey introduced it was staying out of the competitors this yr.
1977
With punk’s cultural revolution now at full pitch, Eurovision… stayed largely the identical; a protected, family-friendly enclave berthed removed from extra dramatic musical tides. France had been an outsider earlier than the competition (that is the interval when bookies first began to take bets on the profitable track) however the atmospheric “L’Oiseau Et L’Enfant” by Marie Myriam stole a march on its perkier competitors, together with the UK’s runner-up “Rock Backside” by Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran (proving once more that male-female-duet method simply didn’t seem to have that magic ingredient).
1978
The Eurovision crown lastly left its conventional frontiers, with Israel securing its first victory for Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta’s “A-Ba-Ni-Bi.” Izhar was well-known in his homeland and, after Cliff Richard’s makes an attempt to make it much less uncommon for established nationwide stars to enter, extra had been now collaborating. Spanish disco duo Baccara had loved worldwide success with “Sure, Sir, I Can Boogie” and represented Luxembourg on this yr’s contest with the sound-a-like “Parlez Vous Francais?” however solely got here seventh.
1979
With the competition shifting to Jerusalem, the host nation secured a sensational second victory with “Hallelujah” by Milk And Honey that includes Gali Atari. Disco – at this level, the preferred music style around the globe – was once more in proof, with Germany’s Dschingis Khan and its self-titled entry and Denmark’s “Disco Tango,” by Tommy Seebach proving that not each musical model was past the pale, even when punk had proved a bit too sturdy for Eurovision’s musical palette at this level in its historical past.
1980
Morocco entered Eurovision for the primary time in its historical past, however the evening belonged to Eire and the “King” of Eurovision: Johnny Logan, who received with the AOR ballad “What’s One other 12 months?” The African state got here second-to-last and would by no means return to the competition. Johnny would, in fact, be again once more (and once more). Belgium band Telex tried to flatter the competition with a observe entitled “Eurovision,” however the ploy didn’t work and the act got here seventeenth out of 19 entrants and would by no means have one other main hit, regardless of continent-wide success earlier that yr with the quilt of “Rock Round The Clock.”
1981
In 1981, Bucks Fizz was shaped to signify Nice Britain with “Making Your Thoughts Up” and the band’s Dublin efficiency was a memorable early instance of Eurovision choreography, with the feminine singers having their lengthy skirts ripped off by two male bandmates to disclose miniskirts beneath. The gimmick supported a wonderful pop hook and helped it romp house to victory, whereas the band would go on to have dozens extra hit singles within the decade forward, together with two extra British chart-toppers in “The Land Of Make Consider” (the group’s greatest world vendor) and “My Digital camera By no means Lies.”
1982
Maybe the second when the founding ideas of Eurovision lastly got here good, Germany received the competition on its twenty seventh try. The candy ballad “A Little Peace,” sung by 17-year-old Nicole Hohloch, noticed off all pretenders (and had the benefit of being carried out final within the operating order; at all times seen as being probably the greatest slots, because the efficiency is contemporary in voters’ minds). Second-place Israel gave the entry high marks, a notable rating given the heavy historic shadow forged by the still-relatively-recent previous. It’s probably the greatest examples of the optimistic, soft-political energy of the Eurovision mission in its historical past.
1983
With 20 nations now competing and 27 contests already in its historical past, 1983 marked the purpose when Eurovision’s skill to promote data began to wither. Whereas MTV and the brand new wave of British pop transfixed the globe, this yr’s champion, Corinne Hermes with Luxembourg’s “Si La Vie Est Cadeau,” failed to interrupt the British Prime 75 and continental success additionally proved patchy. Scoring additionally turned far much less constant, with regional bias making predicting a winner removed from easy. The late Ofra Haza nearly clinched the crown in 1983 with the fan-favorite “Hello” however needed to wait 5 extra years earlier than scoring a giant worldwide hit with “Im Nin’Alu.”
1984
With ever-so-slightly-bland Euro-pop predominant, three Swedes in gold boots by some means wowed audiences with “Diggi-Bathroom Diggi-Ley” and knocked Eire’s Linda Martin into second place (though she can be again quickly sufficient). Profitable male trio Herreys truly opened the present, making its win much more outstanding. British broadcasting legend Terry Wogan, by now the common commentator for his homeland, would invoice it the worst track he ever witnessed on the contest however, in fact, it was a protected however supremely catchy earworm anchored on a Hello-NRG beat, a sometimes-winning Eurovision method all through the competition’s historical past.
1985
Norway lastly made it to pole place with a innocent rehash of the earlier yr’s profitable method billed “La Det Swinge,” by Bobbysocks. Extra notable was the presenter’s try and create Bucks Fizz-inspired gasps when her costume “caught” on a nail to disclose a slighter outfit beneath and the sheer quantity of returning acts. (These acts included former winners Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta (coming fifth for Israel), Denmark’s Sizzling Eyes competing for the second yr operating, and Italy’s Romina Energy and Al Bano again after a nine-year break.)
1986
Iceland joined Eurovision for the primary time, however its entry – Icy’s “Gledibankinn” – solely scored 19 factors, coming Sixteenth. Belgium’s Sandra Kim romped house with 176 factors for her “J’Aime La Vie.” She was solely 13 when she carried out, turning into the competition’s youngest ever winner (immediately she’d be anticipated to enter the Junior Eurovision Track Contest, which was launched in 2003, and accepts contestants aged between 9 and 14). The Cyprus entry, “Tora Zo” by Elpida, is routinely thought to be one of many worst entries within the Eurovision canon and solely scored 4 factors on the evening.
1987
When Eire’s Johnny Logan received for the second time along with his composition “Maintain Me Now,” he might declare his place within the historical past of Eurovision (however he wouldn’t be stopping there…). With Italy and Greece once more returning to the competition, entrants totalled 22 for the primary time, and tensions surrounding choosing the right track intensified. Israel nearly withdrew when its Minister of Tradition allegedly determined its track wasn’t sturdy sufficient, however cooler heads ultimately prevailed. Notable too was the looks this yr of French punk-pop provocateur Plastic Bertrand, of “Ca Airplane Pour Moi” fame, representing his homeland with “Amour Amour.”
1988
Many North American audiences don’t notice that Celine Dion’s European breakthrough arrived along with her 1988 power-ballad victory for Switzerland. “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi” inched forward of the UK’s “Go” by Scott Fitzgerald by only one mark, due to the ultimate Yugoslavian jury, which didn’t award Nice Britain even a single level. It launched the French-Canadian’s profession outdoors her home market (and following some success in France) though her English-language debut wouldn’t arrive till the next yr. In different surprises, Turkey truly awarded Greece three factors, whereas Cyprus needed to withdraw on the eleventh hour after it was found its entry, “Thimamai,” had been written 4 years earlier.
1989
On the eve of the collapse of the Iron Curtain, Yugoslavia received for the primary time with “Rock Me” by the band Riva. After Celine’s success the earlier yr, there was a plethora of spectacular feminine singers and the odd curveball, together with one other unsuccessful male/feminine duo (this time, Israel paired a 12-year-old boy soprano with a a lot older girl). German famous person Dieter Bohlen from the vastly profitable band Fashionable Speaking partnered with songwriter Joachim-Horn Bergnes to enter songs for his homeland and neighboring Austria, coming 14th and fifth respectively.
1990
Technical difficulties (typically as hosts tried to attach with the worldwide juries) proved a part of the material of Eurovision evening in its earliest years. In 1990, it was nonetheless taking place, with the Zagreb contest witness to one thing of a false begin when the opening Spanish act failed to search out its cue. Most of the songs this yr referenced the continuing revolution in Europe’s japanese borders, with Italy’s profitable “Insieme: 1992” by male vocalist Toto Cutugno following this theme.
1991
Internet hosting the Eurovision Track Contest is taken into account one of many hardest gigs in tv and Italy’s choice to go the duty to earlier winners Toto Cutugno and Gigliola Cinquetti maybe wasn’t the neatest transfer, with Toto, particularly, struggling to maintain up. Sweden’s Carola had come third in 1983 and would document an album with Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees however swept the board in 1991 with rousing hi-NRG anthem “Fangad Av En Stormvind.”
1992
Johnny Logan was again on championship kind though, this time, not as a performer. He wrote winner Linda Martin’s “Why Me?” for Eire after additionally composing her 1984 entry “Terminal Three.” It marked the beginning of Eire’s ascendancy on the present, with the highest three songs additionally all carried out in English (the UK was second, with Malta coming in third). Some nations, corresponding to Switzerland, struggled to decide on a language that might make everybody joyful. In 1992, the French-speaking Swiss overturned a choice on the unique profitable track of the nationwide heats when its lyrics had been later translated and carried out in German.
1993
With Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia becoming a member of the competition, the present turned one thing of a geography lesson for audiences attending to grips with new European borders. Regardless of the brand new entrants, it remained very a lot enterprise as regular, with Eire’s Niamh Kavanagh retaining the crown for host nation Eire. “In Your Eyes” is an achieved ballad however was nearly overwhelmed by the UK’s perky cod-Motown providing “Higher The Satan You Know” by former Inventory Aitken Waterman starlet Sonia (though the track bore little relation to the Kylie Minogue traditional extra acquainted to followers of the hit manufacturing trio).
1994
With Eire once more internet hosting the competition, 1994 is memorable not a lot for that yr’s winner (Eire once more for Paul Harrington with Charlie McGettigan’s “Rock ‘N Roll Children”) however the interval act. The printed staged at The Level, Dublin, showcased the worldwide breakthrough of Riverdance with a phase led by Michael Flatley charming TV audiences and launching a worldwide phenomenon. This yr additionally witnessed a document surge within the variety of new nations selecting to take part, with Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, and Slovakia coming into for the primary time.
1995
There was loads of press hypothesis that Eire wouldn’t need one other win (internet hosting the competition prices hundreds of thousands for the broadcaster and regional authorities) and, on the evening, it got here safely 14th – far behind winner Norway’s largely instrumental “Nocturne” from Secret Backyard. It’s probably the runaway success of Riverdance influenced each the entry and the following voting that supported it. Switzerland sat this yr out and, throughout this period, the nation that got here final was additionally disqualified from coming into the next yr, with Germany humiliated this time round.
1996
Again in acquainted territory on the high of the scoreboard was Eire once more, with “The Voice” by Eimear Quinn far and away the highest-rated track of the evening (162 factors versus second-placed host nation Norway with 114). However probably the most profitable observe of the competition was indisputably the worldwide smash “Ooh Aah… Simply A Little Bit” by Australian Gina G, competing for the UK. It topped the British charts and even made the US Prime 20, a uncommon feat then and now for Eurovision songs, but it surely solely positioned eighth by the nationwide juries on the evening.
1997
“Love Shine A Mild” was a track written for charity The Samaritans and carried out by Katrina And The Waves (a band nonetheless finest identified for the Eighties traditional “Strolling On Sunshine”). It received massive for the UK – 70 factors forward of runner-up Eire. Executives at British state broadcaster The BBC had been caught off-guard by the UK’s success. “I knew it was track, however I didn’t assume it was going to win,” admits veteran commentator Ken Bruce. Additionally of be aware: This was the yr when televoting first appeared (with 5 of the collaborating nations utilizing the tactic that might change into ubiquitous within the twenty first century).
1998
With the competition shifting to Birmingham, England for the primary time in its historical past, the choice was made to cap the variety of competing nations to 25 – the host nation, six nations that had missed out competing in 1997, and the 18 different nations that had one of the best common scores throughout the earlier 5 years. It was indicative of the rising, fragmentation of the brand new European geography that entry guidelines had been turning into so complicated. This yr’s contest broke contemporary floor with Dana Worldwide, who had been born Yaron Cohen in 1972, profitable for Israel with the anthem “Diva.” She had unsuccessfully entered nationwide alternatives for Eurovision earlier than and was a significant nationwide star.
1999
The contentious difficulty of language selection for entries was swept apart in 1999, with the competition organizers lastly agreeing that it was time for Eurovision to desert its historical past of restrictions and simply let the songwriters and performers resolve. This was additionally the yr when the usage of a home orchestra ended, with most acts instantly selecting a backing observe as a substitute. The ultimate administrative change was the choice to permit the competition’s 4 most important funders to routinely qualify, making certain locations endlessly extra for France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Charlotte Nilsson with “Take Me To Your Heaven” for Sweden would win the ultimate contest of the twentieth Century.
2000
With Latvia becoming a member of (however Greece, Hungary, and Slovakia bailing for monetary causes), the attain of the competition was widening with the present streamed on-line for the primary time, selecting up new audiences in territories corresponding to Japan and Australia. The digital age had actually arrived! There was no signal of comparable revolution with the profitable track – “Fly On The Wings Of Love” by the Olsen Brothers for Denmark was sentimental schlager by way of and thru, though the observe was later revived by Spanish dance act XTM and DJ Chucky in moderately extra frenetic kind.
2001
The phenomenon of the Baltic states beginning to rule the Eurovision roost could be traced again to Estonia’s 2001 win with “All people” by Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, and 2XL. In an indication of the altering occasions, earlier evergreen champions Eire ended up twenty first – the nation’s worst exhibiting to this point. Danish supergroup Aqua, well-known for “Barbie Lady,” carried out within the interval and, with expertise now beginning to rework the attain and operation of the present, televoting was now actually beginning to change the normal nationwide jury system.
2002
With the competition hosted for the primary time in a former Soviet republic, the complexities of participation continued to weave an unpredictable narrative of the present. Latvia had been relegated after 2001 and so was unable to participate this time, however a shock late choice by Portugal to choose out resulting from points with its broadcaster again house led to Latvia (the best scoring nation within the relegated blacklist) coming again in and profitable the whole contest! “I Wanna” by Marie N was solely the third entry by the nation, but it surely secured a stable lead over second-place Malta, with the UK’s Jessica Garlick coming third.
2003
It was lastly Turkey’s time to grab the Eurovision crown, with “Each Means That I Can” by Sertab Erener, after 28 years of collaborating. This was additionally the yr Eurovision turned a UK tabloid sensation for the entire fallacious causes – the dreaded ‘nul factors’ being awarded to the UK for the primary time, due to Jemini’s infamous efficiency of “Cry Child.” As one of many massive funders of the evening, the UK couldn’t be relegated, however the flop got here as a shock to the newspapers and a nation then nonetheless assured of success. Jemini blamed the debacle on technical points, but it surely was a style of issues to come back for British audiences.
2004
With the EBU lastly accepting the festivities couldn’t be contained in a single sitting, 2004 noticed the competition rework right into a two-night spectacle, with a semi-final being staged three nights earlier than the principle occasion. Each European state that needed might now participate and so the record expanded to accommodate 36 nations, with one other win in the direction of the east of the continent. Ukraine’s “Wild Dances” by Rusiana is one other Eurovision traditional and featured on that yr’s contest CD – and, for the primary time, official DVD – of the present.
2005
The record of entrants was nonetheless increasing – Bulgaria and Moldova joined the occasion – making a document tally of 39 contestants. My Massive Fats Greek Marriage ceremony had been a box-office sensation and it was lastly time for Greece to shake off its ‘at all times the bridesmaid, however by no means the bride’ billing with a convincing win for the appropriately titled “My Quantity One” by Helena Paparizou. On the different finish of the scoring, the massive 4 funding nations all got here on the backside, with France scoring worst of all.
2006
Proving there’s truly no such factor as a wholly predictable profitable track, Finland seized Eurovision glory with Lordi’s “Onerous Rock Hallelujah.” The metallic band had shaped greater than a decade earlier and the pyrotechnics and macabre theatrics that made up their reveals had been energized by this surprising platform of worldwide fame, with The Arockalypse album making charts across the globe. Different acts, corresponding to Eire’s Brian Kennedy and 1991 Swedish champion Carola, turned or returned to the competition as a approach of rebuilding their profile as their careers slowed, however Kennedy solely managed tenth place and Carola got here in fifth. Each maintained respectable profiles again house, nevertheless.
2007
With the EBU now scrapping its latest cap of 40 entrants, competitors once more soared with a document 43 nations collaborating, together with new entrants the Czech Republic, Georgia, and the newly unbiased nations of Montenegro and Serbia. It proved to be Serbia’s evening, with “Molitva” by Marija Serifovic knocking it out the park on the nation’s first try. Eire’s fall from grace after so a few years on high continued, with it lastly ending final within the ultimate for the primary time. The UK didn’t do significantly better, with the tongue-in-cheek “Flying The Flag (For You)” by former hitmakers Scooch scraping into twenty second place.
2008
Russia lastly made it to the highest for the primary time in its Eurovision historical past with the charismatic “Consider” by pop icon Dima Bilan, who had come second at Eurovision in 2006 with “By no means Let You Go.” Dima used this win to attempt to get away internationally, releasing an English-language album in 2009 that includes recordings made with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. Political tensions and up to date conflicts within the area meant safety on the competitors reached record-levels, however the reveals handed with out incident.
2009
Profitable a record-breaking 387 factors (from a attainable 492), Norway’s Alexander Rybak turned a Eurovision sensation along with his pop-folk monster “Fairytale.” Two semi-finals had now change into the continuing template for the present and the closing evening’s occasion on the Olimpiysky Aerna in Moscow was an audio-visual triumph, with ever-more formidable staging and results. The UK enlisted Phantom Of The Opera maestro Andrew Lloyd-Webber and acclaimed hitmaker Diane Warren for its entry – “It’s My Time” by soon-to-be Sugababes member Jade Ewan. It was her time and improved the UK’s efficiency with a Prime 5 inserting.
2010
Lena’s “Satellite tv for pc” turned the primary German Eurovision triumph since Nicole’s “A Little Peace” in 1982 (and the primary time one of many ‘Massive 4’ nations had received for the reason that designation was established). Former winner Niamh Kavanagh got here again to signify Eire however got here in twenty third; whereas the sensible thought of getting Pete Waterman (of Inventory Aitken Waterman fame) to work his hitmaking magic on the UK’s entry additionally fell flat – Josh Dubovie’s “That Sounds Good To Me” completed final.
2011
This was the contest of the returning artist, together with entrants for a lot of states together with Georgia and Iceland. Most notable had been Lena, attempting to repeat her success for Germany a second yr operating (this time, although, “Taken By A Stranger” would place tenth) and Dana Worldwide with “Ding Dong,” which surprisingly didn’t make it additional than the semi-finals for Israel. “Working Scared” by Ell & Nikki for Azerbaijan was first previous the ending line from 43 nations and got here on solely the nation’s fourth yr of participation.
2012
With contemporary branding now a central part of every Eurovison – this yr’s theme was “Mild Your Fireplace,” impressed by host nation Azerbaijan’s moniker: “Land Of Fireplace.” 2012’s Eurovision focus as a substitute turned someplace chillier, with Sweden’s “Euphoria” by Loreen receiving the best variety of most factors (12) of any entry within the contest’s historical past (18 nations gave it high rating). The Eurodance belter turned an enormous world hit and even made the UK Prime 3, the primary time a non-British entry had achieved so since 1987’s “Maintain Me Now” by Johnny Logan.
2013
Sweden’s third metropolis of Malmo was chosen to host the competition for the second time in Eurovision historical past and the evening’s win went simply over the water to neighboring Denmark, solely not too long ago linked to that nation by the town’s Oresund Bridge. Emmelie de Forest’s “Solely Teardrops” was a throwback to extra conventional folk-pop, whereas the UK’s efforts to recapture scoreboard success with veteran singer Bonnie Tyler, of “Complete Eclipse Of The Coronary heart” fame, fell considerably brief with the singer inserting nineteenth.
2014
A really highly effective assertion was made when Conchita Wurst received for Austria with the ballad “Rise Like A Phoenix.” The cis man has generally described himself as a drag queen however, regardless of the identification, greater than 195 million folks witnessed a world-class efficiency that is still one in every of Eurovision’s most iconic. Regardless of the style’s rarity on the contest, country-rock duo The Widespread Linnets for the Netherlands got here second with “Calm After The Storm” and in addition constructed essential and business momentum with their look.
2015
Arguably the successor to Johnny Logan’s King Of Eurovision crown, Mans Zelmerlow has created a world profession from his win on the present, with a number of appearances at later occasions and quite a few visitor slots on options concerning the contest. His track “Heroes” secured a convincing win, regardless of a robust exhibiting from Russia’s “A Million Voices” by Polina Gagarina. The dance-pop confidence of “Heroes” was enhanced by a intelligent graphic choreography that noticed Mans carry out with a cartoon character, proving but once more that the competition’s profitable method is commonly that canny mix of an excellent track and memorable staging. This yr, Australia entered for the primary time as a particular visitor.
2016
Profitable track “1944” tackles a theme about as faraway from Eurovision camp as could be imagined. Jamala composed and carried out the difficult work on the Globe Enviornment, Stockholm, and it particulars the deportation of the Crimean Tatars by Soviet dictator Stalin. With the competition televised within the USA for the primary time and a brand new system of nationwide juries and common televoting now being settled on, Eurovision was beginning to develop in essential confidence. Mans Zelmerlow was again this yr to host, whereas Australia returned as an ordinary contestant, with Dami Im nearly seizing the crown in runner-up place.
2017
Portugal made Eurovision historical past with a win on its 53rd try (it was truly the primary time the nation had even made it to the highest 5). “Amar Pelos Dois” by Salvador Sobral is a romantic jazz waltz and has change into one of many nation’s most beloved ballads. Not solely was it Portugal’s first win, but it surely secured 758 factors within the newest voting system – a brand new document. Host nation Ukraine banned the Russian contestant from performing as she had traveled from Russia to Crimea, proving that politics continues to be an unwelcome undercurrent to a contest that believes it’s right here to de-escalate tensions of this kind.
2018
“Toy” by Netta secured Israel its fourth win (and first since 1998) whereas this yr’s branding was “All Aboard!” – a pleasant hook on pure range and the host nation’s seafaring heritage. With entrants totaling the earlier document of 43, there have been extra acquainted faces to match returning nations, together with Norway’s Alexander Rybak, who solely managed fifteenth this time. The evening’s low level was a stage invasion whereas the UK’s SuRie carried out “Storm.” Commentators seized on the Brexit row because the catalyst, however the artist declined an invite to return to the stage, saying she was pleased with the efficiency she had given.
2019
Stress round the place the sixty fourth version of the Eurovision Track Contest can be held noticed one thing of political grandstanding, with Jerusalem acknowledged because the probably venue for the occasion. In the long run, Tel Aviv hosted Eurovision for the primary time in historical past. “Arcade” by acclaimed singer-songwriter Duncan Laurance received for the Netherlands, whereas the interval act was none apart from famous person Madonna, who carried out “Like A Prayer” and “Future” from her then-recent Madame X album.
2020
Rotterdam had anticipated to host the 2020 occasion however, for the primary time in its lengthy historical past, Eurovision was canceled, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eurovision: Europe Shine A Mild was a two-hour stay TV particular commissioned as a substitute, which was a wonderful wallow in nostalgia for followers of the competition and culminated in all of 2020’s deliberate contestants performing a model of Katrina & The Waves’ 1997 winner “Love Shine A Mild.” The printed helped soothe the troubled temper of the second when it was broadcast in Might of that yr.
2021
With all of the earlier yr’s contestants invited again to Rotterdam to carry out a brand new track, 41 nations took half within the 2021 return, staged whereas many social and sensible restrictions remained in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic (limiting the scale of this yr’s viewers, for instance). Italian rock band Maneskin stormed to victory with a observe that was already making waves throughout the continent and marked the primary return of onerous rock to the competition since Lordi’s win in 2006. “I Wanna Be Your Slave” made charts throughout Europe and even lower by way of stateside.
On the lookout for extra? Check out our picks of the greatest Eurovision songs of all-time.
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