EUROVISION'S 150 MOST INFLUENTIAL SONGS. This post: 1996. 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.

1996

Oslo hosted the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest and 29 nations wanted to compete in Norway. The EBU restricted the number of participants to 22 (Norway automatically qualified after winning in 1995). All 29 nations had to compete in an audio-only heat from which 22 entries would then qualify for the actual Contest presentation. The 7 countries that failed to qualify were: Germany (the first time it did not compete in the actual ESC), Denmark, Israel, Russia, Hungary, Romania and the FYR Macedonia (which had yet to debut at Eurovision). This process proved unpopular and was abandoned in 1997.

 

THE VOICE Eimear Quinn

Ireland

 

When “The Voice” was announced as the winning song for 1996, Ireland further entrenched itself in the lead for the most victories at Eurovision. Not only was this the country’s fourth win in 5 years, but a record-breaking seventh triumph overall. France and Luxembourg were now further behind in equal second place with their 5 wins. To date, this is the last time Ireland has won the Contest.

 

 

DEN VILDA One More Time

Sweden

 

Third place in 1996 went to the group One More Time. “Den Vilda” (meaning “The Savage”) was very different to the usual Swedish entries which have often been influenced by ABBA. One More Time did have a connection to ABBA however. Group member Peter Grönvall is the son of Benny Andersson from the act that changed the ESC forever with “Waterloo”.

 

 

OOH AAH… JUST A LITTLE BIT

Gina G

United Kingdom

 

The most commercially successful song of the 1996 Contest only finished in eighth position. The UK entry achieved worldwide success and was even nominated for a Grammy Award.

 

 

DIWANIT BUGALE

Dan Ar Braz Et L’Héritage Des Celtes

France

 

The French song “Diwanit Bugale” finished 19^th out of 23 nations, but is significant as the only entry to be performed in Breton. Its title translates as “Flourish, Children”.