EUROVISION'S 100 SONGS THAT MATTER MOST. Update: #85-81. 

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.

#85

MADNESS OF LOVE

RAPHAEL GULLAZZI

Italy -2011

Eurovision was inspired by Italy’s annual San Remo Song Festival. The Italians had the idea to bring European countries together for an equivalent competition. There had been an Italian entry every year at Eurovision from 1956-1993. Italy withdrew for a few years and returned once in 1997. Its absence continued until 2011. Italy returned with a fresh vigour and has been 1 of “The Big 5” ever since. Its return saw it finish as the runner-up. It has finished in the Top 10 for 4 of the past 5 years: most unusual for any of “The Big 5” nations.

#84

TOM PILLIBI

JACQUELINE BOYER

France -1960

Jacqueline Boyer’s father Jacques Pills had finished last the previous year representing Monaco. She gave France its 2^nd ESC victory. The song went on to sell well in various European countries and was even translated into other languages.

 

#83

PARTY FOR EVERYBODY

BURANOVSKIYE BABUSHKI

Russia -2012

Standing out is a mighty advantage at Eurovision, If you can deliver a memorable performance- no matter how unique or incredulous it may be- voters will keep you in mind when the voting time commences. This strategy certainly paid out for Russia’s entry in 2012. Who could resist the gorgeous Russian grandmothers? They attracted a high score, enough to finish 2^nd.

#82

TU TE RECONNAITRAS

ANNE-MARIE DAVID

Luxembourg -1973

Israel made its debut in the 1973 ESC where Luxembourg managed to win on home soul. Few nations have managed to win 2 years in a row. Ireland, of course, would go on in later years to break records. Anne- Marie David’s triumphant French song means: “you will recognize yourself”.

 

#81

GIORGIO

LYS ASSIA

Switzerland -1958

The first singer to perform a winning Eurovision song was Lys Assia. She represented Switzerland in the inaugural ESC. She became the 1^st past winner to return to defend her title. Her efforts proved in vain, but Assia came back in 1958 (as did the Dutch 1957 winner Corry Brokken) to make it 3 consecutive years. This time, she narrowly lost to the French winning entry. By finishing 2nd, “Giorgio” also managed to beat a more famous Italian song from that contest: Domenico Modugno’s “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)”.

Another 5 songs featured tomorrow.