EUROVISION'S 150 MOST INFLUENTIAL SONGS. This post: 1987. 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.

1987

After waiting 30 years, Belgium finally won at Eurovision in 1986. The following year, Brussels was the host city where a record-breaking 22 countries vied for the top prize. The increased number of participating nations was due to all of the previous year’s 20 returning along with comebacks for Italy and Greece. The EBU restricted the number of contenders to 22, which delayed the return of others as well as the arrival of new nations. In 1987, Eurovision history would be made.

 

HOLD ME NOW Johnny Logan

Ireland

 

Many Eurovision winners had returned to the Contest. The first winner, Lys Assia represented Switzerland again in 1957 and 1958. Some came close to repeating their previous success, most notably Italy’s Gigliola Cinquetti who has finished in first and second place. Until 1987, no ESC winner had achieved a second victory. Ireland made history when Johnny Logan was crowned with the top prize. He had already won in 1980 with “What’s Another Year”.  In 1984, Logan penned the runner-up song “Terminal Three” for Linda Martin. In 1987, he fared even better: both performing and writing the winning entry “Hold Me Now”. This meant that Logan had provided Ireland with 2 of its 3 winning songs.

 

 

GENTE DI MARE

Umberto Tozzi & Raf

Italy

 

Italy's Sanremo Song Festival is where its Eurovision entry is decided. The country has been represented by some stellar talent and classy songs. Italy has twice withdrawn from the Contest because of the lack of success of its quality entries. In 1987, the juries recognized the high standard of the Italian song “Gente Di Mare” which translates as “People Of The Sea”. It was performed and composed by 2 local talents: Umberto Tozzi (who penned Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” and “Ti Amo”) and Raf (who co-wrote Branigan’s “Self Control”). Their duet finished in third place; an enthusiastic welcome back for Italy.