# 33. Brotherhood Of Man - Save Your Kisses For Me (United Kingdom - 1976)

 

 

The one from the most well-known Eurovision classics and worldwide hit finished only at # 2 in my 1976 ranking. Don't get me wrong, it's good song and the one from my favourite ESC winners, but it's not a peak of their career and the opponent was very strong.

 

Interesting fact : From 1970 to 1983 years Brotherhood of Man recorded 12 studio albums, it's very impressive result for pure pop group.

 

# 32. Tina Reynolds - Cross Your Heart (Ireland - 1974)

 

 

Tina Reynolds tried to consolidate success of her Irish predecessors. It was impossible to beat most well-known Eurovision entry, but a bronze medal in my 1974 ranking is quite good result. "Cross Your Heart" became a local hit and spent 3 weeks on the top of Irish singles chart.

 

Interesting fact : Tina also recorded German-language version of her Eurovision entry under title "Hand Auf's Herz".

 

# 31. Sheeba - Horoscopes (Ireland - 1981)

 

 

In 1981 year we saw another round of persistent battle for Eurovision crown between two neighbour countries. Bucks Fizz won both titles (real contest and # 1 in 1981 ranking), but "Horoscopes" became the second most successful girl group song in this list.

 

Interesting fact : The one from Sheeba trio Irene McCoubrey represented Ireland on Eurovision 1973 under name Maxi.

 

# 30. Bucks Fizz - Making Your Mind Up (United Kingdom - 1981)

 

 

After Bucks Fizz triumph Cheryl Baker became the first and last singer with two wins in my Eurovision rankings. Don't know why, but there are not many fans of this classic in Eurovision fans community.

 

Interesting fact : Their "The Land Of Make Believe" became only one song in the history of my chart, which was # 1 in three different versions, when Blogos Mergaites got # 1 with "Norim Buti Vaikais" (cover on Lithuanian language). Combined result is 20 weeks at # 1 (!!!) - nine for Bucks Fizz, seven for allSTARS* in 2002 and four for Blogos Mergaites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# 29. Maggie MacNeal - Amsterdam (Netherlands - 1980)

 

 

Dutch singer Maggie MacNeal already represented her home country on Eurovision 1974 as a part of duet with UK top 10 hit "I See A Star".

 

Sadly Eurovision history is very unbalanced. Some years had 2-3 masterpieces, others didn't have even one all-time classic for this list. Wonderful ode to Dutch capital became only second in my 1980 ranking, with MacNeal singing that it is one of the great cities of the world, due in no small part to the atmosphere it creates due to its age. The uncharacteristically patriotic tilt of the lyrics can be explained by the fact that Eurovision'80 took place in other city (Hague).

 

Interesting fact : Three countries (Israel, Spain and United Kingdom) declined to host Eurovision 1980.

 

 

# 28. Prima Donna - Love Enough For Two (United Kingdom - 1980)

 

 

Bucks Fizz, Scooch, New Seekers and Brotherhood of Man already were mentioned in my top 100, so probably you will not surprised to see another British mixed group so high in this list. Prima Donna comprised sisters Kate Robbins and Jane Robbins, Sally Ann Triplett, Danny Finn (a former member of New Seekers), Alan Coates and Lance Aston (brother of Jay Aston).

 

"Love Enough For Two" was written and composed by singer Stephanie de Sykes and Stuart Slater.

 

Interesting fact : Two years later Sally Ann Triplett did a comeback on Eurovision scene as a part of Bardo and finished on third place after win in 1980.

 

 

 

Brotherhood of Mann ❤️

 

Such an iconic Eurovision winner

 

# 27. Co-Co - The Bad Old Days (United Kingdom - 1978)

 

 

Based on Eurovision result "The Bad Old Days" is the one from the most underrated British entries. It was finally placed eleventh from 20 songs, which at the time was the worst showing ever for UK entry. In the previous 20 attempts United Kingdom didn't get top 5 result only 2 times (7th in 1957 and 9th in 1966).

 

A title "Bad Old Days" looks a little ironic now, because in comparison with the poor quality of the most modern Eurovision entries, this song is a little treasure.

 

Interesting fact : This song also was written by Stephanie de Sykes and Stuart Slater, so they won Eurovision two times as the authors in 1978 and 1980.

Edited January 9Jan 9 by Last Dreamer

 

# 26. Nicole - Ein Bisschen Frieden (Germany - 1982)

 

 

17-year-old German high-school student Nicole Seybert brought the maiden win for her country with big European hit "Ein Bisschen Frieden". The English version "A Little Peace" was the last Eurovision winner to top UK singles chart and also holds the honour of becoming the 500th British Number One.

 

"A Little Peace" spent 3 weeks on the top of my personal chart, but shockingly was only 2nd in my 1982 Eurovision ranking.

 

Interesting fact : German "Ein Bisschen Frieden" and "Satellite" are my top 2 Eurovision winners from 1982-2024 period.

 

# 25. Mess - Sonntag (Austria - 1982)

 

 

Austrian duo Mess (Michael Scheickl and Elisabeth 'Lizzi' Engstler) has established a big sensation and became # 1 in my Eurovision ranking in a year of Nicole's participation.

 

The song is in praise of lying around on a Sunday, which is described as being one of the best things to do.

 

Interesting fact : Michael was married to Elisabeth but they have since divorced.

 

# 24. Maria Christian - Wait Until The Weekend Comes (Ireland - 1985)

 

 

Maria Christian repeated Sheeba result and finished on the second place, only behind British entry.

 

"Wait Until The Weekend Comes" is a charming ballad, with Christian pleading with her lover not to leave immediately, but rather to "wait until the weekend comes" and see how he feels then. She sings that he has previously felt more positive about their relationship over the weekend, so she hopes that this will be the case again.

 

Interesting fact : In 2020 year she was a participant in a French version of "The Voice" in Lara Fabian team and was eliminated during the semi-final.

Clodagh Rodgers I'm fond of Jack In A Box, though I have never seen the 1971 contest, out of the country at the time but Singapore UK Forces radio played that song a lot. Brotherhood Of Man's I always liked but never loved, I was full-on ABBA at that time, though I rated Angelo and Oh Boy. I think there were other entries I liked that year a bit more. Bad Old Days was a good Cheryl Baker intro and I always preferred it to Making Your Mind Up, but Bucks Fizz unexpectedly became top quality pop throughout.

 

Nicole was a worthy winner, I def wanted her to win that year. Prima Donna was never a fave, but it was OK, Maggie MacNeal I'd been a fan of as part of Mouth & MacNeal, they had at least 3 good pop singles. Stephanie De Sykes as writer of 2 entries, she really should have been the UK entrant as well, she might have done well with the name recognition after her 2 mid 70's hits. The others I dont remember!

 

# 23. Manuella - Blue And Red (Slovenia - 2016)

 

 

Let's do a little comeback in the modern times after a long journey in past with Slovenian blonde beauty Manuella Brechko and her song. She became the first winner from ex-Yugoslavia country with a ballad "Blue and Red", which sounds like something from early Taylor Swift songs.

 

Interesting fact : Two other Slovenian acts also had # 1 songs in my chart (Atomik Harmonik with "Turbo Polka" and Skupina Zakapane with "Atmosfera").

 

 

# 22. Maywood - Ik Wil Alles Met Je Delen (Netherlands - 1990)

 

 

Maywood was a Dutch singing duo of sisters Aaltje ("Alie") and Doetje ("Edith") de Vries. They each took on a stage name for the project : blonde Alie became "Alice May" and the dark-haired Edith became "Caren Wood". While incorporating a range of styles, the group's sound often resembled that of ABBA.

 

Dutch ladies won the 4th Eurovision trophy for their home country after Jetty Paerl in 1956, Greetje Kauffeld in 1961 and Marcha in 1987.

 

Interesting fact : Main Maywood hit "Late At Night" was successful in some European charts include one week at # 1 in Netherlands.

 

# 21. Hanne Krogh - Lykken Er (Norway - 1971)

 

 

In 1971 Hanne Krogh was 15 years old. Her second place became a start of glorious Norwegian 70s in my rankings. "Lykker Er" is a good little pop song and almost impossible to dislike this cute girl. Her performance gave some additional points from me for her image. On the night of the contest, she sang the song in a ball gown with elbow-length gloves and an umbrella.

 

Easily it's the one from my favourite performances in all Eurovision history. Fourteen years after her debut Hanne Krogh won on Eurovision as a part of Bobbysocks.

 

Interesting fact : Famous Anne-Karine Strom was a participant of Melodi Grand Prix for the first time, but finished only on very low 10th place.

 

# 20. Cindy and Bert - Die Sommermelodie (Germany - 1974)

 

 

My favourite German entry "Die Sommermelodie" ("The Summer Melody") finished on the second place in 1974 ranking.

 

The song is a duet, with both singers describing a brief romance over summer. They explain to each other that while each still has feelings for the other, the relationship must end. Cindy & Bert also recorded the song in English, as "Our Summersong of Love".

 

Interesting fact : Cindy and Bert recorded a cover version of Black Sabbath classic "Paranoid" on German language.

 

 

# 19. ABBA - Waterloo (Sweden - 1974)

 

 

ABBA became the first Swedish winner with iconic Eurovision song "Waterloo" in a real life and in my ranking too.

 

Possibly 19th place is a little bit low for this wonderful song, but don't get me wrong. It's amazing entry, ESC classic, # 1 in my chart (I already wrote it about Bucks Fizz and Brotherhood of Man too), but ABBA released some songs, which I love more than "Waterloo". "Ring Ring" could be a little higher, but also not in top 10.

 

Interesting fact : Don't know why, but in a postcard Agnetha was named Anna.

 

 

# 18. Sanna Nielsen - Undo (Sweden - 2014)

 

 

Seventh Melodifestivalen attempt became the luckiest for Sanna Nielsen and finally she found her way on Eurovision scene.

 

My favourite Swedish entry "Undo" finished the contest only on 3rd place, but in my heart she always will be the real winner of ESC - 2014.

 

Interesting fact : I also compiled Melodifestivalen yearly rankings from 2000 year. Sanna had two wins with "Du Och Jag Mot Varlden" (a duet with Fredrik Kempe) in 2005 and "Undo" in 2014 year.

 

 

 

# 17. Birgit Oigemeel - Et Uus Saaks Alguse (Estonia - 2013)

 

 

Estonian pop princess Birgit Oigemeel represented her country with a ballad "Et Uus Saaks Alguse". The song has been recorded in several other languages, include the version on my native language. I love her charming accent.

 

 

"Don't call her hot, call her beautiful". It's almost impossible to say better words. In 2013 year Birgit was pregnant by her first child, she is a mother of two kids now.

 

Interesting fact : The chocolate company did a special edition of their production, related to Birgit's Eurovision participation. The winner in this list also was awarded by the limited chocolate issue.

 

 

# 16. Silvia Night - Congratulations (Iceland - 2006)

 

 

Legendary Silvia Night (Agusta Eva Erlendsdottir) easily won not only in 2006, but in my decade ranking with iconic "Congratulations".

 

Yes, Silvia, European children loves you too.

 

Interesting fact : She is Icelandic voice of Elsa in both parts of "Frozen".