Guide to Eurovision
OK, some light relief.
At risk of losing any number of friends of good taste and reasonable intelligence, I have to admit to having a soft spot for the Eurovision Song Contest.
I know. But I think I can definitely show that there have been at least a half a dozen sublime moments that make the whole fifty nine year history of the thing worthwhile. I think.
If you think that’s eccentric, hey, someone called Paul Jordan got a Phd out of it.
http://www.escinsight.com/2012/01/24/why-eurovision-well-i-got-a-phd-out-of-it/
‘It’s through Eurovision that I became interested in Estonia and Eastern Europe in general. I studied several history modules on the region as part of my degree and I think Eurovision definitely helped to develop this interest. I wrote my undergraduate dissertation on Eurovision and then applied for a PhD scholarship.’
Me? I just love belting out Volare. Then again, Italy have twice pulled out of the contest, claiming, for some reason, that it is rubbish. I love the French singers too. But in 1982, a French minister of culture called it a “monument to drivel”. That’s way too harsh. Amongst the hundreds of songs submitted over the fifty eight years of its history, there’s at least a dozen of merit.
So, enter at your own risk. Warnings, cautions and disclaimers issued, here are my favourite Eurovision songs. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
It’s probably best to start with the best first …
1.
Patricia Kaas, Et s'il fallait le faire 2009 France
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3eYBMYeUE8
I rest my case here.
A most awesome song and performance, period. An emotional charge that goes through you like electricity. Watching this, I felt kind of vindicated. I think this three minutes makes up for the acres of … well, ‘drivel’ is too harsh, so what about the eccentric, unusual and exotic?
‘Until I'm nothing, But a shadow that follows you . And If I had to do it ..’
2.
Vicky Leandros, Apres Toi, Luxembourg, 1972
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka89ORFu_Tc
A Greek singer singing in French for Luxembourg.
Makes sense.
Another interesting lyric, another reference to shadows.
"After you I will be nothing but the shadow of your shadow".
3.
Nocturne, Secret Garden, Norway, 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol5YMjU37QI
This song ended Ireland’s run of three victories, the only time the hat-trick has been done in Eurovision history. Ireland came back and won the year after. But listen to this tune, the violin, it’s Irish! Has to be Irish!
Talking of which, for all of Ireland’s victories, it’s best ever entry didn’t win.
4. Pat McGuigan, Chance of a Lifetime, Ireland, 1968
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX_XGixiz18
Begorrah! It’s Barry’s da!
This is none other than Pat McGuigan, father of the Clones Cyclone, the very great and immensely popular world boxing champion Barry McGuigan. I loved watching Pat McGuigan sing Danny Boy before the big title fights, and then, whilst everyone was still drying their eyes, the bell would go and Barry would rush out from his corner and clobber his opponent. Never failed.
What a voice though! Whatever happened to the crooners? Look what they did to poor Englebert a couple of years ago. Outrage!
5.
Gigliola Cinquetti, Si, Italy, 1974
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3tdLu5gyxE
This has faded from memory. It was beaten by some here-today-gone-tomorrow outfit from Sweden.
The Italian national broadcaster RAI censored the song since the contest coincided with the campaigning for the 1974 Italian referendum on divorce and the repeated name of the song, “Si”, “Yes”, could have been taken as a subliminal message getting the Italian voting public to vote "YES" in the referendum. The song remained censored and as a result failed to enter the Italian Top 40 chart in Italy. And it failed to have much impact all over Europe. Oddly, as "Go (Before You Break My Heart)", it made the UK top ten. I remember it standing out in its stillness and elegance in a year of flash and noise and glam (not that I objected to that). Very few Eurovision songs, outside of the winners, ever had success in the UK. But this tasteful, restrained and understated little masterpiece did! I’ve never forgotten it, my own little piece of Eurovision. But it deserves a wider airing, so I’ll share it with the rest of the world.
6.
Anne-Marie David, Tu Te Reconnaitras, Luxembourg, 1973
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn1svLVprUk
OK, I’ll admit to having a soft spot for the French language singers. Anne-Marie David is another French singer singing for Luxembourg. Luxembourg have won the contest five times, a record that is second only to Ireland, with its seven wins. Four of those wins came with singers from France, and the other victory was down to Vicky Leandros, who is from Greece. Other contestants are Michele Torr (France), Nana Mouskouri (Greece), Baccara (Spain), Plastic Bertrand (Belgium)… I mean, is anyone actually from Luxembourg?
Anyway.
“For me, this is the absolute best winner from the golden age of the contest. Anne-Marie sang so magically (and still does), and the song was romantic and jazzy and timeless, all at the same time. A deserved winner, and a deserved Eurovision anthem.” (Sopon).
Fire in the eyes, passion in the expression, rage and pain pouring from the mouth, and an indomitable spirit in all – I should have made this my number one. Let’s face it, this had to be good to defeat the mighty Cliff Richard.
Now this context in Luxembourg in 1973 took place against the backdrop of terrorist threats. Terry Wogan remembers special forces, dogs and machine guns everywhere, and the floor manager telling the audience: ‘Please do not stand up to applaud or you may be shot by security forces’. Some might think that it would take that amount of hardware to generate any applause for some of the acts entered over the years. (Anyone remember Gemini? No? That’s probably for the best).
7.
Domenico Modugno, Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare), Italy, 1958
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-DVi0ugelc
Come on, admit it, you’re all convinced now. Have a look at the artists who recorded this: Dean Martin, Al Martino, Jerry Vale, David Bowie, Cliff Richard, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Dalida, Gipsy Kings, Chico & the Gypsies, Bobby Rydell, and Barry White. Barry White!! Let the music play on!
8.
Urban Symphony, Rändajad, Estonia, 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOsmEO_osXQ
Just to prove I’m still with it.
Rändajad means nomads or travellers. Urban Symphony lead singer Sandra Nurmsalu points out that "we all are travellers". And so we are, on life’s journey. The combines violin, viola, cello and electronica within an exotic oriental sound.
9.
Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann, Dansevise, Denmark, 1963
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYyhJvRE3mQ
Try this one if you want something a bit different, exotic and jazzy. The first winner from Scandinavia. Guitarist Jørgen Ingmann recently died, 21st of March 2015, so here’s a little tribute to his memory. He was a very fine guitarist.
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=eurovision_winner_jrgen_ingmann_died
10.
Zeljko Joksimovic, Lane Moje, Serbia and Montenegro, 2004
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7OvpjplJ_8
A Balkan ballad and an award winning song, and no wonder. Combining ethno elements and traditional Serbian sounds in a contemporary style. Stick with it, the competition still has its moments.
11.
The Shadows, Let me be the one, United Kingdom 1975
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg-SbSu6pz8
Shadows again. This time not just the lyrics but a whole band. I fully expected this one to win, and sat there in front of the screen, with my bottle of pop and a bag of crisps, and saw a song about a “Ding, Dang, Dong” come out victorious. Later that year, I saw Leeds United robbed by the referee in the European Cup Final against Bayern Munich. And developed a deep sense of injustice. It turns out that I was right about the referee. Not sure there was any vote rigging in Eurovision, but this very Beatlesque song remains a favourite.
12.
Brotherhood of Man, Save your kisses for me, United Kingdom, 1976
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aDSHdUohmA
No. Never did the dance. Not often, anyway. This is the UK’s revenge for The Shadows loss the previous year. It received maximum 12 points from seven countries. Last time I heard, the band are still going, as good as ever ….
13.
Mary Hopkin, Knock Knock Who's There, United Kingdom, 1970
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb0dBVWozRo&index=16
This interest, frankly obsession, with Eurovision, is all Mary Hopkin’s fault really. I remember her from when I was a tiny tot, and thought she sang like a bird. I still struggle to understand how this gem lost out to Dana’s All Kinds of Awfulness. Not that I hold a grudge. For long. But if you can, check out Mary Hopkin’s album Earth Song, Ocean Song, which is as fine a slice of folk pop as I’ve ever heard. This was more her style.
http://www.applerecords.com/#!/albums/Earth_Song_Ocean_Song
14.
Séverine, Un banc, un arbre, une rue, Monaco, 1971
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2EKuiNbMRc&index=23
"We all have a bench, a tree, a street/Where we cherished our dreams/A childhood that has been too short".
Loss of innocence and life a series of little deaths, I suppose. Oh, and follow your dreams. It’s profound stuff.
15.
Marie Myriam, L'oiseau et l'enfant, France, 1977
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgMlZS4NsEs
At last, a French singer who wins for France. Now this won the year I started to study French for the first time. I was mystified why my French teacher never showed the slightest interest in the fact that France had won Eurovision, baffled. Judging by the expression on her face, I don’t think she even knew what I was talking about. Or maybe she just thought it was all rubbish. Knock it all you like, I moved easily into the rich and raw world of Brassens, Brel, Greco etc through my initiation. And check out Aznavour, La Boheme etc – peerless.
As for the song …
“Dark is the misery,
the men and the war
who believe that they hold the time’s reins
The country of love has no borders
For those with child’s heart
Like a child with light in their eyes
That sees distant birds passing by
Like the blue bird flying over the earth
We will find this world of love.”
That’ll do me fine.
16.
Live Report, Why Do I Always Get It Wrong?, United Kingdom 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z00NxHm-Ic
A long forgotten gem from the UK. I don’t think it’s been heard since 1989. Which is a shame. I remember it being sung on the building sites I was working on. Then it lost and disappeared without trace. And now I’m bringing it back. Norway, Portugal, Luxembourg, France and Germany all gave the maximum 12 points to this, and good on them for that!
17.
Mocedades, Eres Tu, Spain, 1973
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUQnlXsISvg
Gotta rush through these, it’s been a long day and it’s time for bed. Many rate this the greatest ever Eurovision entry.
18.
1958 France - André Claveau - Dors, mon amour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgdSDsw5ns
19.
1961 Finland - Laila Kinnunen - Valoa Ikkunassa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMu44znU-8A
Both very charming.
20.
Johnny Logan - Hold Me Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSXx7-EceBA&index=2
Johnny won the competition twice. I remember my Irish school friend being very proud of him, singing What’s Another Year in my ear all the way home from school. Put me right off that one. But this is a cracker.
21.
The Allisons Are You Sure 1961 Eurovision
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3FbzoljjFQ
22.
Eurovision 1968 - Finland - Kristina Hautala - Kun kello käy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G74lvQKYtk
OK, I’ll admit it, I’m a fanatic. A hopeless case really. Ashamed of myself? Hell no! Here’s another gem.
The immortal Jahn Teigen giving a remarkably restrained performance of the delicate ballad "Mil etter mil", Norway 1978
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxkRc2VZJqU
I have no words. I just have so much admiration for a middle-aged man in red pants and braces. Immense.
And if you have made it this far, you just so deserve this last, and very probably least, entry, Ming the Merciless singing about Genghis Khan for Germany. No, I have no idea either. This makes some kind of sense.
Eurovision 1979 Germany Dschinghis Khan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAEUrp2V4ss
Always knew that Ming the Merciless was just an old song and dance man. I wish I had this amount of energy. And the clothes. There must be something truly liberating about being able to embarrass yourself disgracefully in public, and have a big smile on your face at the end of it. I’m off to seek help.