EUROVISION'S 150 MOST INFLUENTIAL SONGS. This post: 2019.  More: tomorrow.

EUROVISION

1956-2022

THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SONGS

(in chronological order)

 

This year’s Contest will see the 70^th song declared a winner. Caffè Lattè lists all of the past winning entries and other songs that have had a lasting impact on the Eurovision Song Contest.

2019

The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest took place in host city Tel Aviv.  Bulgaria and Ukraine withdrew, decreasing the number of participating countries to 41.

 

ARCADE Duncan Laurence

Netherlands

The Netherlands had not won at Eurovision since 1975. “Arcade” gave the Dutch a fifth victory, placing it in equal third position with France, Luxembourg and the UK for the most wins. Only Sweden and Ireland have won more, with 6 and 7 respectively. Duncan Laurence’s entry was a strong favourite before the Contest began and stormed ahead in the Grand Final, accumulating 498 points.

 

 

SOLDI Mahmood

Italy

Italy can usually be relied on to present a quality song. In 2019, it was represented by a very contemporary entry that differed vastly from any of its previous offerings. “Soldi” (meaning “money”) was performed in Italian with some lyrics in Arabic by Mahmood. As both a Muslim and gay man, the song deals with his relationship with his father. Italy gained 472 points and finished as the runner-up. Mahmood returned to compete again in 2022 with Blanco singing “Brividi” and finished in sixth position.

 

 

SPIRIT IN THE SKY KEiiNO

Norway

Norway was first represented by a song with lyrics in Northern Sàmi back in 1980. That entry finished in 16^th place. In 2029, “Spirit In The Sky” stormed the Eurovision stage. This song incorporated dance, pop, folk and Sàmi yoik. It was performed in English with some lyrics in Sàmi. Its message pleads for equality, especially for Norway’s indigenous peoples. The song earned 331 points and ended the night ranked sixth. KEiiNO won the public voting and has gone on to chart success in many countries.

 

PROUD Tamara Todevska

North Macedonia

North Macedonia achieved its best ever ESC result with “Proud”, a song about female empowerment that resonated enough to attract a score of 305 points. As well as ending a non-qualifying period that lasted 7 years, this entry won the jury vote.

 

 

ZERO GRAVITY

Kate Miller-Heidke

Australia

One of the most memorable moments of the 2019 Contest was the staging of Australia’s entry. “Zero Gravity” was performed by the well-respected singer/ songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke. She sang her song energetically while on a pole above the stage. After winning her Semi-Final, “Zero Gravity” landed in ninth position. This remains Australia’s most recent Top 10 finish. Australia competed in every Grand Final until 2021 (-there was no 2020 Contest).

 

 

HATRIÕ MUN SIGRA

Hatari

Iceland

Iceland’s entry shocked many Eurovision viewers with its stage presentation and sound. Hatari’s song, performed in Icelandic, means “hatred will prevail”. Iceland has yet to win the Contest and this was the country’s best result since 2009. “Hatriõ Mun Sigra” was awarded 232 points, placing it in tenth position.