EUROVISION'S 100 SONGS THAT MATTER MOST. Update: #45-41.

EUROVISION’S

100

MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

(1956-2015)

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.

#45

LONG LIVE LOVE

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN

United Kingdom -1974

Some songs sound like no brainers upon 1^st listen. “Long Live Love” is 1 such song. It was the favourite to win in 1974. Olivia Newton-John had already enjoyed #1 success in Australia and had reached the top on the American Adult Contemporary chart. In the UK, she had racked up 4 chart hits. Surprisingly, the catchy song ended up in equal 4^th place at Eurovision. Then again, the winning song that year was a Swedish entry called “Waterloo” by ABBA.

#44

VIVO CANTANDO

SALOME’

Spain -1969

In 1969, Spain became the 1^st country to win Eurovision 2 years in-a-row. This time however, it had to share the victory with 3 other countries. The tied result proved an upset but this upbeat song was a much more worthy winner than the Spanish winner from 1968. Salomé’s song has a title that translates as “I live my life singing”. Spain has yet to win a 3^rd Eurovision despite continuing as 1 of “The Big 5” nations that automatically pre-qualify for the Grand Final.. 

#43

DAY AFTER DAY

ELNUR & SAMIR

Azerbaijan -2008

Azerbaijan made its 1^st appearance at Eurovision in 2008 with the catchy “Day After Day”. The nation has continued to select entries of a high quality ever since. The former Soviet republic’s participation marked a geographic and cultural expansion of the Eurovision family.

 

#42

NOCTURNE

SECRET GARDEN

Norway -1995

The winning entry in 1995 had precious few lyrics (a mere 24 words) and is mostly an instrumental track. It provoked criticism and a change to the rules. Nevertheless, “Nocturne” proved a decisive victor. As most of “Nocturne” featured music played by Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry, Ireland can justifiably claim a major contribution to this song’s triumph. Rolf Levland, 1 of its co-writers, had composed the Norwegian winner 10 years prior.

#41

IN YOUR EYES

NIAMH KAVANAGH

Ireland -1993

Ireland achieved its 2^nd consecutive (and 5^th overall) win in 1993 with the ballad “In Your Eyes”. Only 3 countries could claim to have achieved this feat prior to the Emerald Isle’s triumph: Spain, Luxembourg and Israel. Ireland emerged the victor from a field of 25 nations- the most to date. Following Niamh Kavanagh’s win, Dublin would host the ESC for a 4^th time in 1994. 

Another 5 songs featured tomorrow.