EUROVISION'S 100 SONGS THAT MATTER MOST Update: #30-26. Another 5 songs coming tomorrow.

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.

#30

EVERYWAY THAT I CAN

SERTAB ERENER

Turkey -2003

Turkey was represented in 2003 at Eurovision by 1 of its biggest performers, Sertab Erener. This time, the nation had a song that was sung solely in English. Riga was the host city and accommodated competitors from a record- for the time- 26 countries. As more countries expressed interest in participating in the ESC, the 2003 event was to be the last before the introduction of semi-finals. Turkey won, finishing just 2 points ahead of runner-up Belgium. This win transported Eurovision to the city of Istanbul in 2004, the only city  that spans the continents Europe and Asia. The ESC borders were expanding further.

#29

VECHNI STRANIK

YOUDDIPH

Russia -1994

The mighty country of Russia made its debut at Eurovision in 1994. After years of resisting the ESC, and even launching an Eastern European alternative contest, the country was welcomed into the fold. The dissolution of the Soviet Union was reflected in the contest. 1994 also saw the debut of Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia.  The former 2 finished in the Top 5.

#28

MOLITVA

MARIA SERIFOVIC

Serbia -2007

Eastern Europe certainly dominated Eurovision in 2007. Serbia marched to pole position with a song whose title means “Prayer”. Ukraine finished as runner-up. Russia claimed 3^rd position. The rest of the Top 10 consisted of other countries in the Eastern portion of the European continent: Turkey (#4), Bulgaria (#5), Belarus (#6), Greece (#7), Armenia (#8), Hungary (#9) and Moldova (#10). The fact that so many Western European nations, including traditional ESC competitors failed to even qualify for the Grand Final sparked frustration and much criticism. Suddenly, talk of the Eastern Diaspora had started.

#27

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL KIDS

PAUL HARRINGTON & CHARLIE McGETTIGAN

Ireland -1994

1994 saw “Riverdance” launched internationally as the interval act at Eurovision. Dublin was the host city, following Niamh Kavanagh’s victory the previous year. When Ireland powered ahead once again in 1994, it placed the nation into the record books. No other country has ever won 3 consecutive times. This victory saw the luck of the Irish extend to a record-breaking 6^th win. Only Sweden has won 6 times.

#26

EVERYBODY

TANEL PADAR & DAVE BENTON with 2XL

Estonia -2001

Eurovision was headed for the Baltic states following the win by the Estonian entry “Everybody”. Dave Benton’s involvement was the 1^st win for a black singer at Eurovision. The public finally had a greater input with the partial introduction of tele-voting. The ESC would remain in the same region for 2 years, as Latvia won in 2002. It took years for Eurovision to return to Western Europe. Meanwhile, the ESC visited some countries for the 1^st time.