100 ESC SONGS THAT MATTER MOST. This update: #80-76. 

EUROVISION’S

100

MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

(1958-2015)

Now that the dust has settled on another fabulous Eurovision Song Contest, it’s time to look back on the most important and influential songs that have competed over the last 60 years. All of the winning songs are included, as well as other noteworthy entries from the most watched music contest in the world.

#80

L’OISEAU ET L’ENFANT

MARIE MYRIAM

France -1977

Eurovision was intending to expand its borders in 1977, allowing Tunisia to compete. The country decided against participating and has yet to do so. Marie Myriam represented France with a simple ballad that attracted many points. Her French song’s title means “the bird and the child”. Its win pushed France into the lead with a 5^th triumph.  Sadly, France has failed to achieve a victory since.

#79

LIFE

TOSE PROESKI

F.Y.R. Macedonia -2004

Tose Proeski is known as the “Elvis Presley of the Balkans”. He finally competed at Eurovision in 2004, introducing the popular entertainer to western Europeans and beyond while also enriching the musical range offered by the ESC.

 

#78

DING DINGE DONG

TEACH-IN

Netherlands -1975

How do you follow ABBA and the triumphant entry “Waterloo”? Well, you try to emulate the pop hooks into a song with a nonsensical title. This trend has been followed by a variety of acts in the wake of ABBA’s defining success; particularly in the case of subsequent Swedish entries. Teach-In adopted the strategy and gained a convincing win. This was the 4^th win for The Netherlands but, alas, is also the most recent Dutch victory.

#77

FREI ZU LEBEN

CHRIS KEMPERS & DANIEL KOVAC

Germany -1990

Europe was changing in 1990 and many songs reflected the radical shifts. Austria, Finland and Norway all entered songs that referred to the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. The German entry that year celebrated the unification of East with West Germany with a stirring song about freedom that finished in 9^th position.

 

#76

LA DET SWINGE

BOBBYSOCKS

Norway -1985

The ABBA sound was back when Norway strutted to victory in 1985. Sweden was the host country and its neighbouring nation offered a very catchy pop song that proved irresistible. Its title suggested we “let it swing” and the Norwegians swung into 1^st place for the first of 3 times.

Another 5 songs revealed tomorrow.