EUROVISION'S 150 MOST INFLUENTIAL SONGS. This post: 1978-79. 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.

1978

Eurovision welcomed a record 20 entrants to host city Paris in 1978. Denmark returned after an 11-year absence. Turkey also came back to the Contest. The show was telecast live in Dubai for the first time. By night’s end, the outcome was problematic for some Middle Eastern countries.

 

A-BA-NI-BI

Izhar Cohen & Alpha Beta

Israel

 

Israel won Eurovision for the first time in 1978 with the catchy song “A- Ba- Ni-Bi”. While some critics maintained that the country ought not be competing as it was not in Europe, the entry collected 157 points, leaving runner-up Belgium with a score of 125. Jordan, one of the countries that does not recognize Israel, interrupted the broadcast blaming technical issues. The following day, Jordanians were told that Belgium had won Eurovision!

 

1979

Until 1979, the Eurovision Song Contest had always been held in a European location. For the first time, the ESC went beyond the Continent. Jerusalem was chosen as the host city. There were religious objections to it being held on the Sabbath. Twenty nations were due to attend, but Turkey was pressured to withdraw. TV ratings were declining and Eurovision was showing signs of a need for transformation.

 

HALLELUJAH

Milk and Honey with Gali Atari

Israel

 

For only the third time, a country achieved a second consecutive triumph. Spain and Luxembourg had accomplished this previously. Israel once again secured a second decisive win with “Hallelujah”. The song was successful across Europe.

JE SUIS L’ENFANT SOLEIL

Anne-Marie David

France

Almost since its inception, countries have recruited performers from other nations to perform their Eurovision entries. Some of these ‘imports’ have even won the Contest, including France Gall, Vicky Leandros and Jean-Claude Pascal. In 1979, a past winner returned to compete. French singer Anne-Marie David had represented Luxembourg and won Eurovision in 1973. Six years later, she was back but this time singing for her country of origin: France. By doing so, she became the first previous winner to come back and compete representing a different country. Her French entry finished in third place.

DSCHINGHIS KHAN Dschingis Khan

Germany

Initially, there were some concerns that a German song celebrating the warrior Genghis Khan may have been deemed offensive. The group Dschinghis Khan gave an unforgettable performance, adorning over the top costumes. Its energetic delivery impressed enough judges to award Germany a fourth- place finish.