EUROVISION'S 100 MOST IMPORTANT SONGS Update: #65-61. More songs coming tomorrow.

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.

#65

SI

GIGLIOLA CINQUETTI

Italy -1974

After winning in 1964, Gigliola Cinquetti represented Italy again 10 years later with the stupendous ballad “Si”. She finished 2^nd overall, behind ABBA and “Waterloo”.

                                                      

#64

REFRAIN

LYS ASSIA

Switzerland -1956

Eurovision arrived in the era of the French chanson. The first winner “Refrain” reflected this. Swiss vocalist Lys Assia sang her song in French with a title that means “chorus”. In its inaugural year, only 7 nations competed with 2 songs each, not necessarily by the same performer. In 2015, no less than 40 countries participated. The final votes are a mystery today; all we know is “Refrain” received the most. The fact that Swiss judges stepped in for Luxembourg which may cast some doubt as to the fairness of that year’s outcome.

#63

FERNANDO EN PHILIPPO

MILLY SCOTT

Netherlands -1966

Milly Scott became Eurovision’s 1^st black vocalist. Her Dutch entry finished 15^th among the 18 songs in 1966. In 2001, a black singer finally collected 1^st prize- Dave Benton for Estonia.

 

#62

J’AIME LA VIE

SANDRA KIM

Belgium -1986

The official story was that Sandra Kim was aged 15 at the time she represented Belgium. After the young performer was pronounced the winner, the truth was revealed: she was only 13! Kim remains the youngest ESC winner. Her song with a title that is French for “I love life” was catchy and upbeat. Switzerland’s entry finished 2^nd and once Kim’s real age was out, Swiss TV attempted in vain to have the song disqualified. After competing at every ESC since its inception, Belgium managed its 1^st – and so far only- victory.

#61

KNOCK KNOCK (WHO’S THERE?)

MARY HOPKIN

United Kingdom -1970

By the time she represented the UK at Eurovision, Mary Hopkin had enjoyed a worldwide hit with “Those Were The Days” and was signed to The Beatles’ Apple record label. Despite finishing as the runner-up, she enjoyed success around the world with this song. To add salt to the wound, on the UK chart “Knock Knock” peaked at #2, blocked by the same song that had beaten her at the ESC – Dana’s “All Kinds Of Everything”!