ESC TOP 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS  This countdown commences with this post: #100-95.

EUROVISION’S

100

MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS

(1958-2015)

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.

#100

DORS, MON AMOUR

ANDRE CLAVEAU

France -1958

This winning entry has the dubious distinction of being the forgettable song that defeated 1 of the ESC’s most famous and best selling singles, “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)” by Domenico Modugno. While that song remains a timeless classic that has been covered by an array of recording acts, “Dors, Mon Amour” failed to excite outside France.

#99

SANOMI

URBAN TRAD

Belgium -2003

Despite having 4 official languages, Belgium’s representatives in 2003 opted to sing in an imaginary one! It finished in 2^nd place and continued the “only at Eurovision” reputation.

#98

MERCI CHERIE

UDO JURGENS

Austria -1966

After France Gall won in 1965 with a pop song that reflected 60s cool, it was surprising to see the grand prix go to a dated ballad in the following year. The French title means “Thank you, dear”, with the rest of the lyrics being in German. It remained Austria’s sole prize winner until 2014. It was the 1^st of only 2 winning songs sung in German so far. 

#97

ANGEL

CHIARA

Malta -2005

Malta has been eying a win at Eurovision since its 1^st appearance in 1971. Chiara has sung for her country thrice, with a personal best of a #2 finish with the ballad “Angel”. Malta is still waiting for that elusive 1^st win, as are Portugal (since 1964) and Iceland (since 1986).

#96

EEN BEETJE

Teddy Scholten

Netherlands -1959

When “Een Beetje” (Dutch for "a little bit") triumphed, The Netherlands was the 1^st country to score a 2^nd win in the ESC’s 4^th year.      

Another update will be added each weekday.

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#8 WALK ON BY

DIONNE WARWICK

(1964)

Writers:Burt Bacharach & Hal David

Dionne Warwick's distinctive and gorgeous vocals were put to great effect on the heartbreaking song "Walk On By". It is a gem among the much-loved classics penned and produced by the team of Burt Bacharach & Hal David.
When Warwick's original version was unleashed, it found favour with the American public. The moving ballad has a subtle bossa nova groove. It was issued as the follow-up to her 1st Top 10 hit "Anyone Who Had A Heart" the previous year. "Walk On By" followed it into the chart, peaking at #6. The disc reached #1 R&B. It also made the Top 10 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. Elsewhere, the single peaked at #9 in Britain and charted in Canada and Australia. 
Among the more noteworthy cover versions are interpretations from Isaac Hayes (1969), Gloria Gaynor (1975), Jo Jo Zep (1983), Sybil (1990), Gabrielle (1997), Cyndi Lauper (2003) and Seal (2005). Apart from Warwick's definitive reading of the song, the best remake is from Aretha Franklin in 1964.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites. 
Each week, 1 new songs from the remaining Top 10 will be added, while another 2 are also included from #1501-2000 on the other weekdays. Check back here for an update of the 2000.

CAMPEST ESC SONGS. This update concludes with the Top 10.

THE ALL-TIME TOP100

CAMPEST

EUROVISION SONGS!

(1956 - 2015)

The 10 Campest:

1 SAVE YOUR KISSES FOR ME

BROTHERHOOD OF MAN

UNITED KINGDOM (1976) * winner

2 WATERLOO

ABBA

 

SWEDEN (1974) * winner

3 PUPPET ON A STRING

SANDIE SHAW

UNITED KINGDOM (1967) * winner

4 DIVA

DANA INTERNATIONAL

 

ISRAEL (1998) * winner

5 MAKING YOUR MIND UP

BUCKS FIZZ

 

UNITED KINGDOM (1981) * winner

6 DANCING LASHA TUMBAI

VERKA SERDUCHKA

 

UKRAINE (2007)

7 OOH AAH... JUST A LITTLE BIT

GINA G.

 

UNITED KINGDOM (1996)

8 POUPEE DE CIRE, POUPEE DE SON

FRANCE GALL

LUXEMBOURG (1965) * winner

9 FLYING THE FLAG

SCOOCH

 

UNITED KINGDOM (2007)

10 WILD DANCES

RUSLANA

 

UKRAINE (2004) * winner

200 BEST ALBUMS - #195. This countdown continues next week. 

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included.

#195

 

 DEDICATED: Renee Geyer

[2007]

Blues & soul vocalist Renee Geyer's voice has been wowing audiences and critics alike in Australia for 5 decades. On 'Dedicated', Geyer takes on several R&B standards and revisits her 1970s remake of James Brown's "It's A Man's Man's World" from a female perspective.  Highlight tracks: I Wish It Would Rain; Why Can't we Live Together; This Is Dedicated To The One I Love.

More albums featured next week.

CAMPEST ESC SONGS Update: #15-11. Concludes with the Top 10 tomorrow.
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THE ALL-TIME TOP100

CAMPEST

EUROVISION SONGS!

(1956 - 2015)

15 PARTY FOR EVERYBODY

BURANOVSKIE BABUSHKI

 

RUSSIA (2012)

14 LA VOIX

MALENA ERNMAN

 

SWEDEN (2009)

13 BOOM BANG-A-BANG

LULU

 

UNITED KINGDOM (1969) * winner (tie)

12 RISE LIKE A PHOENIX 

 CONCHITA WURST

 

AUSTRIA (2014)

11 CONGRATULATIONS

CLIFF RICHARD

UNITED KINGDOM (1968)

200 BEST ALBUMS - #196. This countdown continues tomorrow

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included.

#196

 

 BREAKFAST IN AMERICA:Supertramp

[1979]

Supertramp delivered its best album ever with tracks which were diverse but aimed squarely at the pop mainstream. Highlight tracks: The Logical Song; Breakfast in America; Casual Conversations.

Another album featured tomorrow.

CAMPEST ESC SONGS Update: #20-16. Another 5 added tomorrow.

THE ALL-TIME TOP100

CAMPEST

EUROVISION SONGS!

(1956 - 2015)

20 DAG EFTER DAG

CHIPS

 

SWEDEN (1982)

19 DRAMA QUEEN

DQ

 

DENMARK (2007)

18 ENERGY

NUSA DERENDA

 

SLOVENIA (2001)

17 LONG LIVE LOVE

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN

 

UNITED KINGDOM (1974)

16 IT HURTS

LENA PHILIPSSON

SWEDEN (2004)

200 BEST ALBUMS - #197. This countdown continues tomorrow

THE CAFFE` LATTE`

200

MOST RECOMMENDED ALBUMS

Some are the best selling, while others may be obscure, but the albums listed here are all worthy of a listen. No compilation/ best of sets. Only exceptional live albums included.

#197

 

 XANADU Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: 
Various Artists

[1980]

One side is made up of tracks which showcase Olivia Newton - John singing solo and with Cliff Richard, Gene Kelly and The Tubes. The remaining tracks are songs by The Electric Light Orchestra (including the title song, a collaboration with Newton-John who is the star of the movie). It is a fun and frivolous collection of songs, far better than the film. Highlight tracks: Magic; All Over the World; Xanadu.

Another album featured tomorrow.

CAMPEST ESC SONGS Today's update: #25-21.

THE ALL-TIME TOP100

CAMPEST

EUROVISION SONGS!

(1956 - 2015)

25 MY NUMBER ONE

HELENA PAPARIZOU

 

GREECE (2005) * winner

24 KNOCK, KNOCK WHO'S THERE?

MARY HOPKIN

 

UNITED KINGDOM (1970)

23 ZWEI KLEINE ITALIENER

CONNY FROBOESS

GERMANY (1962)

22 FAIRYTALE

ALEXANDER RYBAK

 

NORWAY (2009) * winner

21 UN, DEUX, TROIS

CATHERINE FERRY

 

FRANCE (1976)

CAFFE` LATTE`TOP 2000 TRACKS {EXPANDED EDITION}

#1939 YOU'RE ONLY HUMAN (SECOND WIND) Billy Joel
"You're Only Human" was 1 of the 2 new tracks included on the piano man's 'Greatest Hits' album in 1985. He wrote the song and Phil Ramone produced the recording. It was a Top 10 single in both America and Australia.

#1940 SOMETHING'S MISSING (IN MY LIFE) Marcia Hines with Monalisa & Terry Young
Paul Jabara wrote the ballad which not only highlighted the gorgeous vocal skill of Marcia Hines, but showcased the talents of mighty backup vocalists Monalisa & Terry Young. The single peaked at #9 in Australia in 1979 and was lifted off Hines' album, 'Ooh Child'.

The list is a ranking made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice.This expanded section now includes songs from the last few years. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
Along with climbing among the remaining Top 100, 2 new songs ranked in positions 1501-2000 will also be added each other weekday.