EUROVISION'S 150 MOST INFLUENTIAL SONGS. This post: 2017.  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.

2017

Yet again Kyiv hosted the Eurovision Song Contest following the second Ukrainian win in 2016. In 2017, the number of competitors was still 42, with Portugal and Romania returning. First, Bosnia & Herzegovina withdrew. Then, Ukraine banned the Russian performer Julia Samoylova because she had appeared in Crimea. The EBU tried to offer alternatives, but Russia decided to pull out of the 2017 Contest. The Russian entry “Flame Is Burning” was to compete in Semi-Final 2.

 

AMAR PELOS DOIS

Salvador Sobral

Portugal

Portugal had missed the 2016 Contest but returned to compete the following year. This proved a wise decision. Portuguese entries have participated since 1964. By 2017, no other country had waited as long for its first win. Salvador Sobral changed the nation’s fortunes. “Amar Pelos Dois” scored a resounding victory, with a total of 758 points. The song, performed in Portuguese, was the first winner not performed in English since 2007. Its title means “Love for us both”.

 

 

BEAUTIFUL MESS

Kristian Kostov

Bulgaria

The same individuals that had written “If Love Was A Crime”, Bulgaria’s entry for the 2016 Contest, were responsible for that country’s 2017 song.  While Poli Genova had finished fourth, Kristian Kostov improved on her result. “Beautiful Mess” earned 615 points and claimed the runner-up position. This remains Bulgaria’s best result.

 

 

OCCIDENTALI’S KARMA

Francesco Gabbani

Italy

Italy started the Contest as the strong favourite. Its stage performance featured a dancing ape which has immortalized the song. The entry's title translates as “Westerners’ Karma”. It was performed in Italian and gathered 334 points, finishing in sixth place.

 

YODEL IT!

Ilinca featuring Alex Florea

Romania

Like Portugal, Romania returned to the Contest in 2017 (after clearing its debts to the EBU). “Yodel It!” is remembered for its fusion of rap, hip hop and yodelling. The stage performance involved two cannons. With a final score of 282 points, Romania finished in 7^th place; one of its best results.