I thought that he was from Wales because of the flag..At least, he is not from Luxerburg or Greece having this opinion (Vicky Leandros).. :P

I thought that he was from Wales because of the flag..At least, he is not from Luxerburg or Greece having this opinion (Vicky Leandros).. :P

Yes, I'm Russian and not British.

I try to be objective, even if United Kingdom is my favourite Eurovision country and won 12 times (mostly in 70s and 80s) in my personal annual Eurovision rankings.

If you had a question : Why modern ESC fans don't like old Eurovision contests or don't have any interest in them ? Top 3 from Eurovision 1962 would be a nice answer for you. Retro French songs are not very listenable today for the most music fans. Even such fogey peoples as me find them boring.

 

I loooove the old contests. In fact I would say lots of fans (non rubbishgais/schlagerboiz) do. My favourite contest ever is 1977. Thank you for adding "fogey peoples" and "doxy" to my vocabulary though. How old are you btw?

Edited March 19, 201411 yr by Tom AlKayZar

I loooove the old contests. In fact I would say lots of fans (non rubbishgais/schlagerboiz) do. My favourite contest ever is 1977. Thank you for adding "fogey peoples" and "doxy" to my vocabulary though. How old are you btw?

I adore the old contests. A period from 1965 to 1985 was Golden Eurovision era. My favourite years : 1974, 1980, 1971.

From 1977 : I love "Rock Bottom", "Casanova", "Lapponia", "It's Nice To Be In Love Again". Like "Mathema Solfege", funny "Boom Boom Boomerang" and "Une Petite Francaise".

30 years old. :)

 

Yes, I'm Russian and not British.

I try to be objective, even if United Kingdom is my favourite Eurovision country and won 12 times (mostly in 70s and 80s) in my personal annual Eurovision rankings.

 

Which is your second favourite country...? Do you like Greek entries..? United Kingdom is one of my favourite Eurovision countries too.

Which is your second favourite country...? Do you like Greek entries..? United Kingdom is one of my favourite Eurovision countries too.

Based on number of songs in my Eurovision top 100 : Germany.

Only some songs. (Thalassa - "Mia Krifi Evesthisia" :wub: , Mando - "Never Let You Go", "Mathima Solfege" and maybe Anna Vissi - Autostop)

Based on number of songs in my Eurovision top 100 : Germany.

Only some songs. (Thalassa - "Mia Krifi Evesthisia" :wub: , Mando - "Never Let You Go", "Mathima Solfege" and maybe Anna Vissi - Autostop)

 

Don't you like "You're My Number 1", "My Secret Combination" and "Die For You"..? I thought that they were our most likeable entries.. I don't like "Never Let You Go"..Mando is a great vocalist but her song was quite dull. Sabrina with "Camera" should represent us that year.

 

 

 

He hates anything even remotely 'ethnic' (/with the slightest bit of personality to it)

 

1968

 

Winner : Massiel - La La La (Spain)

 

Deserved ? : No

 

Who should won ? : Cliff Richard - Congratulations (United Kingdom)

 

 

1968 was the first time that the Eurovision Song Contest was broadcast in colour.

 

Joan Manuel Serrat was chosen to perform Spain's entry, intended to sing it in Catalan. The Franco government would not allow this – and insisted that the entry should be performed in Spanish, official language for all the territories of Spain, although Serrat wanted to claim for the other regional languages of this country, repressed under the Franco dictatorship. Hence the last-minute substitution of Massiel as singer.

 

Lucky Massiel beat the favourite (British song "Congratulations") by just only 1 point. "La, la, la" got many negative comments from the music critics and Bill Martin (writer of the UK entry) called the Spanish song "a piece of rubbish". Saint Etienne recorded the cover version, featured on the album "A Song for Eurotrash" (1998) with English lyrics that differ from the original, referring to the man she is dating instead of the things she is thankful for.

 

Cliff Richard was and still the most well-known singer on the time of his participation at Eurovision with eight # 1 singles in United Kingdom. Phil Coulter originally wrote the song as "I Think I Love You", but was unsure of the lyrics and got together with Bill Martin (the same team that wrote "Puppet on a String"), who changed it to "Congratulations". The song was immediately popular in the UK and became his ninth number one single. On the day of the contest, it was the favourite to win, so much so that the British press were posing the question: "What will come 2nd to 'Congratulations'?"

 

During the voting, "Congratulations" was leading for much of the way until the penultimate vote when Germany gave Spain six points, putting them one point ahead of United Kingdom. It finished second losing to Spain's entry "La, la, la" by just one point, and was a huge hit throughout Europe. The song is still popular and was chosen to lead the show which celebrated 50 years of Eurovision and which was named after it: "Congratulations".

Edited March 24, 201411 yr by AlexRus

 

1969

 

Winners : Spain, Netherlands, France, United Kingdom

 

Deserved ? : No (Spain and France), Maybe (United Kingdom), Yes (Netherlands)

 

Who should won ? : Lenny Kuhr - De Troubadour (Netherlands)

 

 

It was the first time that the contest resulted in a tie for first place, with four countries each gaining 18 votes. Since there was at the time no rule to cover such an eventuality, all four countries were declared joint winners. This caused an unfortunate problem concerning the medals due to be distributed to the winners as there were not enough to go round, so that only the singers received their medals on the night: the songwriters, to some disgruntlement, were not awarded theirs until after the date of the contest.

 

Spanish song was awful. "Un jour, un enfant" was a very standart French language ballad, describing the wonders of the world as seen by a child. Lulu was # 1 in my rankings, but musically "Boom-Bang-A-Bang" is similar with two previous and two next British Eurovision entries.

 

Singer-songwriter Lenny Kuhr representing Netherlands with "De troubadour" ("The troubadour"). In a ballad inspired both musically and lyrically by folk-song traditions, Kuhr sings about a troubadour of the Middle Ages, describing the impact the music has on his audiences. A troubadour was a composer and performer of the lyric poetry during the High Middle Ages. The texts of troubadour songs deal mainly with themes of chivalry and courtly love.

 

Dutch song was more intresting, than another 3 winners. It was a main reason, because I choose "De troubadour" and don't choose European hit "Boom-Bang-A-Bang".

Edited March 24, 201411 yr by AlexRus

 

1970

 

Winner : Dana - All Kinds Of Everything (Ireland)

 

Deserved ? : 50 / 50

 

 

Alternative winner choice : Mary Hopkin - Knock, Knock Who's There ? (United Kingdom)

 

 

Ireland won the contest with "All Kinds of Everything", penned by Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith, and sung by another unknown, Dana, an 18-year-old schoolgirl from Derry, Northern Ireland. "All Kinds of Everything" represented a return to the ballad form from the more energetic performances which had dominated Eurovision the previous years. Dana sings about all the things which remind her of her sweetheart, with the admission at the end of every verse that "all kinds of everything remind me of you". Some critics compared a lyrics and the mood of "All Kinds Of Everything" with "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music".

 

The recording by Dana this single became a massive hit in Ireland even prior to its Eurovision win reaching #1 on the chart dated 20 March 1970 and remaining at #1 for nine weeks: in October 1970 Dana received a gold disc for "All Kinds of Everything" selling 100,000 units in Ireland. In the UK "All Kinds of Everything" was #1 for 2 weeks in April 1970. "All Kinds of Everything" was also a hit in Netherlandfs (# 2), Austria (#7), Germany (#4), New Zealand (#8) and Switzerland (#3).

 

British "Knock, Knock Who's There?" (perfomed by beautiful Welsh singer Mary Hopkin) was a main favourite, but at the end of judging that evening, "Knock, Knock Who's There?" took only the second-place slot with 26 points. The singer expresses a long-held optimism at the prospect of love finally finding her. At the exact point that said optimism has faded, and she has resigned herself to not finding love and companionship, she hears a "knock, knock," which signifies love finally becoming attainable for her. Excited, she beckons love to "come inside" and into her life.

 

"Knock, Knock Who's There" peaked at #2 on UK Singles Chart before the contest and would be a chart fixture for 14 weeks.

 

Wonderful Top 2. Best possible result in all long Eurovision's history. Dana and Mary Hopkin had two best songs in that year. I have very warm and lovely feelings for both songs. "All Kinds Of Everything" is my favourite winner and "Knock, Knock" also is in my top 10 favourite Eurovision songs.

 

 

 

 

Don't you like "You're My Number 1", "My Secret Combination" and "Die For You"..? I thought that they were our most likeable entries..

I don't like them, not a fan of dance pop music and dislike the most Eurovision songs, which loved by fans.

 

Their places in my personal rankings :

"Die For You" : 21st place (from 23 songs in 2001).

"My Number One" : 17th place (from 39 songs in 2005).

"Secret Combination" : 24th place (from 43 songs in 2008).

Edited March 24, 201411 yr by AlexRus

I don't like them, not a fan of dance pop music and dislike the most Eurovision songs, which loved by fans.

 

Their places in my personal rankings :

"Die For You" : 21st place (from 23 songs in 2001).

"My Number One" : 17th place (from 39 songs in 2005).

"Secret Combination" : 24th place (from 43 songs in 2008).

 

It's not because of my origin but all of them were potential winners. "Die For You" was one of my favourite songs that year (not only in Eurovision). Estonia's song was totally dreadful. The same happened with Kalomoira. Ukraine or Greece should have won that year (2008). Dima Billan had much better song in 2006. But the monsters won (The had amazing song too). "You're my number 1" had the most captivate performance that year. When Helena performed live on stage, everybody forgot the rest.. :smoke:

 

1971

 

Winner : Severine - Un Banc, Un Arbre, Une Rue (Monaco)

 

Deserved ? : Yes

 

 

Classic French ballad won again. "Un banc, un arbre, une rue" ("A Bench, a Tree, a Street") was performed by singer Severine, representing Monaco.

 

The lyrics focusing on the loss of childhood innocence, and people following their dreams. The opening lines to the chorus translate as "We all have a bench, a tree, a street/Where we cherished our dreams/A childhood that has been too short".

 

Serevine was only 8th in my ranking, but who cares about it. :) Her song is a good sample of traditional ballad in French and deserved ESC winner.

Edited March 27, 201411 yr by AlexRus

 

1972

 

Winner : Vicky Leandros - Apres Toi (Luxembourg)

 

Deserved ? : No

 

Who should won ? : New Seekers - Beg, Steal or Borrow (United Kingdom)

 

 

Greek singer Vicky Leandros won a third Grand Prix for Luxembourg with "Apres Toi", performed in French.

 

"Apres toi" is a dramatic ballad, with the singer telling her lover what will happen to her once he has finally left her for someone else; "After you I will be nothing but the shadow of your shadow". Vicky Leandros also recorded the song in an English language version, released in Britain and Ireland as "Come What May", which reached no. 2 in both the UK and Irish singles charts.

 

Sorry, Vicky. Your song is good, but it's not wonderful "L'amour Est Bleu". United Kingdom got rid from the songs in "Puppet On A String" style and send mixed pop group New Seekers (2 years before ABBA and 4 years before Brotherhood Of Man).

 

Their "Beg, Steal or Borrow" was a fresh water for Eurovision. The song was composed and written by Tony Cole, Steve Wolfe and Graeme Hall. The theme is a love song to a former lover. The two lovers should be together and one of them will "beg, steal or borrow" in order to "bring" the other love. The song was a No.2 hit in the UK and sold well in Europe.

Edited March 27, 201411 yr by AlexRus

 

1973

 

Winner : Anne-Marie David - Tu Te Reconnaitras (Luxembourg)

 

Deserved ? : No

 

Who should won ? : Cliff Richard - Power To All Our Friends (United Kingdom)

 

 

Damn, third consecutive win for French language ballad. Yes, it's tragic. "Tu Te Reconnaitras" was not very bad, but still the one from three most overrated ESC winners today.

 

It's a little fun fact, that the most popular Eurovision participant also was the most underrated at Eurovision (only maybe Norwegian beauty Anna Karine Strom also can pretend on this sad trophy). Cliff Richard is back and his song was even better, than previous ESC attempt. He came 3rd with 123 points.

 

Most music fans did the right choice and "Power To All Our Friends" became the European hit after contest (# 1 in Netherlands and Norway, # 2 in Belgium and Ireland, # 3 in Switzerland, # 4 in Germany and United Kingdom, # 7 in Austria) and was more successful in charts, than "Eres Tu" and "Tu Te Reconnaitras".

 

1974

 

Winner : ABBA - Waterloo (Sweden)

 

Deserved ? : Yes. Most deserved Eurovision winner ever.

 

 

It's my favourite Eurovision contest. :wub:

 

The winner of the Contest was Sweden with the song "Waterloo" performed by the band ABBA, that went on to become the # 1 pop music recording acts of all time. ABBA are among the few Eurovision winners to achieve international superstar status.

 

Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson chose "Waterloo" in place of another of their songs, "Hasta Manana". "Waterloo" is about a girl who is about to surrender to romance, as Napoleon had to surrender at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, as referenced in the song.

 

The original title of the song was "Honey Pie". "Waterloo" was originally written with simultaneous rock music and jazz beats (unusual for an ABBA song); this was later discarded in favour of more disco-esque rhythms. The song broke the "dramatic ballad" tradition of the Eurovision Song Contest by its flavour and rhythm, as well as by its performance: ABBA gave the audience something that had never been seen before in Eurovision: flashy costumes (including silver platform boots), plus a catchy uptempo song and even simple choreography. The group also broke from convention by singing the song in a language other than that of their home country; prior to "Waterloo" all Eurovision singers had been required to sing in their country's native tongue, a restriction that was lifted briefly in the 1970s (thus allowing "Waterloo" to be sung in English), then reinstated a few years later before ultimately being removed.

 

The "Waterloo" single introduced the world to the phenomenon that was to become ABBA. The song shot to No. 1 in the UK and stayed there for two weeks, becoming the first of the band's nine UK No. 1's, and the 16th biggest selling single of the year in the UK. It also topped the charts in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, West Germany, Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland, while reaching the Top 3 in Austria, France, Netherlands, Spain, and ABBA's native Sweden. (The tune did not reach No. 1 in their home country, its Swedish (No. 2) and English (No. 3) versions were beat out for the top spot by "Waterloo" album due to Sweden having a combined Album and Singles Chart at the time.)

 

Unlike other Eurovision-winning tunes, the song's appeal transcended Europe: "Waterloo" also reached the Top 10 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and United States (peaking at No. 6, "Waterloo" is one of only three Eurovision winners, the others being Domenico Modugno's "Volare" and Brotherhood of Man's "Save Your Kisses For Me", to be an American Top 40 hit).

 

Here is my top 5 ranking:

1. ABBA - Waterloo (Sweden)

2. Cindy & Bert - Die Sommermelodie (Germany)

3. Tina Reynolds - Cross Your Heart (Ireland)

4. Anne-Karine Strom - The First Day Of Love (Norway)

5. Olivia Newton-John - Long Live Love (United Kingdom)

Edited March 28, 201411 yr by AlexRus

1972

 

Winner : Vicky Leandros - Apres Toi (Luxembourg)

 

Deserved ? : No

 

Who should won ? : New Seekers - Beg, Steal or Borrow (United Kingdom)

 

 

Greek singer Vicky Leandros won a third Grand Prix for Luxembourg with "Apres Toi", performed in French.

 

"Apres toi" is a dramatic ballad, with the singer telling her lover what will happen to her once he has finally left her for someone else; "After you I will be nothing but the shadow of your shadow". Vicky Leandros also recorded the song in an English language version, released in Britain and Ireland as "Come What May", which reached no. 2 in both the UK and Irish singles charts.

 

Sorry, Vicky. Your song is good, but it's not wonderful "L'amour Est Bleu". United Kingdom got rid from the songs in "Puppet On A String" style and send mixed pop group New Seekers (2 years before ABBA and 4 years before Brotherhood Of Man).

 

Their "Beg, Steal or Borrow" was a fresh water for Eurovision. The song was composed and written by Tony Cole, Steve Wolfe and Graeme Hall. The theme is a love song to a former lover. The two lovers should be together and one of them will "beg, steal or borrow" in order to "bring" the other love. The song was a No.2 hit in the UK and sold well in Europe.

 

Just no.."Apres Toi" is wonderful and it was the best song by far that year..It wasn't random the fact that it was so successful in Europe after the contest...Justice!!! "Beg, Steal or Borrow" is quite annoying when Apres Toi is quite relaxing..They also tried to copy other bands with their song..

Edited March 31, 201411 yr by Insomnio

Just no.."Apres Toi" is wonderful and it was the best song by far that year..It wasn't random the fact that it was so successful in Europe after the contest...Justice!!! "Beg, Steal or Borrow" is quite annoying when Apres Toi is quite relaxing..They also tried to copy other bands with their song..

For music history New Seekers wasn't the first mixed pure pop group, The Seekers and Brotherhood Of Man were the pioneers. But New Seekers was the first famous group on Eurovision and their song is a good choice for United Kingdom after some years of "the clones of Puppet On A String". :)

 

I prefer "L'Amour Est Bleu", than "Apres Toi".

Edited April 16, 201411 yr by AlexRange

1975

 

Winner : Teach-In - Ding-a-dong (Netherlands)

 

Deserved ? : Yes

 

 

20th edition of Eurovision. Dutch pop group Teach-In won with catchy pop song "Ding-a-dong".

 

"Ding-a-dong" was notable for being one of the Eurovision winners that had quirky or entirely nonsensical titles or lyrics, following in the footsteps of Massiel's "La La La" in 1968 and Lulu's "Boom Bang-a-Bang" in 1969. The song, performed entirely in English, was an up-tempo ode to positive thought. The band (only the second to win the Contest in a non-native language after ABBA the year before) sings that one should "sing a song that goes ding ding-a-dong" when one is feeling unhappy.

 

"Ding-a-dong" wasn't a huge European hit as "Waterloo", but reached some remarkable positions in charts (# 1 in Switzerland and Norway, # 3 in Netherlands and # 13 in United Kingdom).

 

Weak year. The postcards were more notable, than songs. All artists tried to draw their portraits. It was really fun thing.