# 15. Krista Siegfrids - Marry Me (Finland - 2013)

 

 

Krista Siegfrids was born into the Swedish-speaking minority in Kaskinen in western Finland. Her mother language is Swedish, though Siegfrids also speaks fluent Finnish and English.

 

"Marry Me" is very catchy pure pop entry, which sounds like early Katy Perry hits from her best album "One Of The Boys". After "Marry Me" Krista had the second number one in my chart with "Seventeen" (it's original song, not a cover version of Marina and the Diamonds track, which also was my # 1).

 

Interesting fact : Krista became the second winner in a bride outfit, the previous was Fani Polymeri (Cyprus participant in 1989).

 

# 14. Vikki Watson - Love Is (United Kingdom - 1985)

 

 

"The history book on the shelf. Is always repeating itself."

 

Four years before a famous British group Bucks Fizz stopped Irish girlband Sheeba on the second place and stole Maxi's chance to re-write the history. Now Vikki won in 1985 contest against wonderful "Wait Until the Weekend Comes". It's not the last UK-Ireland top 2 in my rankings, Scooch and Dervish will do it again in 2007 year. Also Ireland is not eternal loser and their most powerful songs will come higher in this list.

 

The song was a contemporary ballad about a man and a woman who are both too afraid to plunge head-first with their emotions into a love affair; while both of them want to be loved by the other, both of them are letting their heads rule their hearts. In the chorus, Vikki sings that "love is" the product of a number of impulsive decisions, such as "taking a chance on two hearts beating as one."

 

"Love Is" win became the end of supreme British era in my ESC rankings. After it United Kingdom will have some additional wins, but their almost total domination over other countries was over.

 

Interesting fact : A start of "Love Is" (and maybe a chorus too) always remind me European minor hit Secret Service - Ten O'Clock Postman (1980).

Edited January 12Jan 12 by Last Dreamer

 

# 13. Anita Skorgan - Oliver (Norway - 1979)

 

 

Anita Skorgan already represented Norway on Eurovision before and was second in 1977 with "Casanova".

 

"Oliver" is a moderately up-tempo number, with Skorgan addressing a former lover (with whom she sings she broke up four weeks ago) who she sees in a disco. She tells him that if she happens to walk past him, she will ask him for a dance, because she believes that he misses her and she is prepared to give him another chance.

 

Interesting fact : Skorgan was once married to Jahn Teigen, another successful Norwegian singer-songwriter. Together they have a daughter.

 

# 12. Lynsey De Paul and Mike Moran - Rock Bottom (United Kingdom - 1977)

 

 

My second favourite singer of 70s didn't have any problems on Eurovision 1977 and United Kingdom won again.

 

After the contest "Rock Bottom" became a hit in many European countries (# 1 in Switzerland, # 2 in Austria, # 4 in Germany, # 6 in Sweden, # 7 in Ireland and Norway), but peaked only at # 19 in UK.

 

Based on pitiful quality of modern chart music I like to replace the word "rock" on "charts" in a lyrics.

 

Where are we? - Charts bottom

Tragedies? - We got 'em

Remedy? - Why don't we

Rub it out and start it again

 

Charts campaigns are not successful in streaming days, but I will like to see "Charts Bottom" in official UK Top 40.

 

Interesting fact : "Rock Bottom" was her last # 1 in my personal chart.

 

# 11. Mary Hopkin - Knock Knock (Who's There ?) (United Kingdom - 1970)

 

 

Welsh singer Mary Hopkin already had three chart hits in UK before her participation in Eurovision. Although she gave a confident performance and sang in a crystal-clear voice, and despite being the pre-contest favourite, Hopkin lost to "All Kinds Of Everything", performed by Irish singer Dana. Unfortunately her second place on Eurovision became the beginning of the end for her music career.

 

She could be my celebrity crush, if I would be a young man in 1970 year.

 

Interesting fact : For the first and last time my top 3 was the same with Eurovision results.

 

# 10. Marianne Mendt - Musik (Austria - 1971)

 

 

The Smaller The Numbers...The Bigger The Hits. Let's crack top 10 with Marianne Mendt.

 

It was maiden win for Austria, which wasn't very successful in summary, but produced some sensational results in my Eurovision rankings. Despite poor result Eurovision fans are much more loyal to "Musik" than voters in 1971.

 

Interesting fact : "Musik" was performed in Viennese (a dialect of German language, spoken in Vienna, Austria).

 

# 9. Maxi - Do I Dream ? (Ireland - 1973)

 

 

"Do I Dream ?" lyrics is very similar to "All Kinds Of Everything". It's cute girlish song about the perspective of a young woman whose lover has just confessed his feelings for her. She asks him whether she is dreaming when she thinks of the wonderful future they will have together.

 

RTE had a wish to change "Do I Dream" lyrics, but Maxi's manager didn't it. RTE sent Tina Reynolds, but she didn't have accreditation and couldn't be ESC participant. Maxi was very nervous and her performance wasn't well.

 

Interesting fact : Maxi's win became the third success for Emerald Island, but only 37 years after Lesley Roy brought the next glass microphone for Ireland.

 

# 8. Kathy Kirby - I Belong (United Kingdom - 1965)

 

 

Before Eurovision blonde Kathy Kirby already had top 5 hit in UK chart, it was her cover of Doris Day's single "Secret Love". Her physical appearance often drew comparisons with Marilyn Monroe. Her popularity peaked in 1960s, when she was one of the best-known and most-recognised female personalities in British show business.

 

In 1965 year she was a favourite of the contest, but was beaten by 17 years old French singer France Gall, who represented Luxembourg.

 

Interesting fact : "I Belong" is my most loved ESC silver medalist's entry.

 

# 7. Sweet Dreams - I'm Never Giving Up (United Kingdom - 1983)

 

 

United Kingdom won again, this time with my favourite single from 1983 year "I'm Never Giving Up".

 

Let's look on British results in my Eurovision rankings from 1976 to 1983 :

1976 - 2nd place

1977 - winner

1978 - winner

1979 - 5th place

1980 - winner

1981 - winner

1982 - 3rd place

1983 - winner

 

Three other countries had two consecutive wins, Ireland won three times in four years, but nobody can't beat United Kingdom result from glorious days. After Vikki Watson's win in 1985 my favourite Eurovision country had 6 wins from last 9 contests.

 

Sweet Dreams was a British vocal trio composed of Carrie Gray, Helen Kray and Bobby McVay.

 

After the disbanding of the group, Gray went on to become a TV presenter, presenting Fame Academy among others. McVay became a radio presenter and later resumed his singing career when he was a part of Bucks Fizz comeback on British pop scene in 2015 year, together with three original members (Cheryl Baker, Jay Aston, Mike Nolan). In February 2018, McVay departed from the group as, living in Italy, he found it challenging to be constantly travelling between UK and Italy.

 

I always wanted to know something about Helen Kray.

 

Interesting fact : In my opinion German Marlene Charell is the most beautiful host in long Eurovision history. She recorded three singles in 70s, the one from them was German language version of Clodagh Rodgers - Lady Love Bug.

 

 

Some iconic acts for me in this latest batch of course, Abba - still voted the top Eurovision song of all-time, but I've heard it too much these days, but I rushed out to buy it after seeing them on 1974 Eurovision. Cindy & Bert I also remember that one, quite liked it. Mary Hopkin was my big fave of 1968/69/70 but I missed Eurovision that year so didnt get to hear the song that much abroad. Temma harbour was very popular though, that one I loved. Lynsey de Paul was fab in the early 70's, good songwriter, but Rock Bottom was just a bit old fashioned in 1977. Catchy, but in the UK we were having synth masterpieces changing the charts that year, from Bowie's Sound & Vision, Donna Summer's I feel Love, Space magic Fly to Jean Michel Jarre, we had punk, we had peak Abba and even Brotherhood Of Man so that was a lot to live up to!! Rock Bottom was fun though.

 

Kathy Kirby was one of my child-hood faves, loved her, but this wasnt a tune of hers I knew (too young to stay up and watch Eurovision) :lol: Sweet Dreams I havent heard since the 80's I think, but it was OK and McVay's part in Fizz' Amen is as good as any Eurovision classic. Vikki I vaguely remember, but the rest I'd need to play again!

 

# 6. Anne-Karine Strom - Mata Hari (Norway - 1976)

 

 

Most underrated song from all Eurovision history "Mata Hari" easily became the first winner for Norway in my ranking.

 

I don't understand how she finished in a bottom of the table only with 7 points.

 

Interesting fact : With two last places Anne-Karine Strom is the least successful Eurovision participant.

 

 

 

# 5. Sandie Jones - Ceol An Ghra (Ireland - 1972)

 

 

I want to believe that you didn't get boring with another song from my 70s "Holy Trinity" country. ;)

 

Beautiful ballad "Ceol An Ghra" ("Music Of Love") was only one Irish Eurovision entry on their native language. The song became # 1 in Irish chart and won in my ranking, but shockingly finished on 15th place from 18 participants.

 

Interesting fact : Sadly we didn't have HD television in 70s, but I love this preview and it's my favourite Eurovision videoclip. She looks a little bit like dominatrix in black leather high heels boots.

 

# 4. Samantha Janus - A Message To Your Heart (United Kingdom - 1991)

 

 

Six years after the previous win United Kingdom did it again for 9th time.

 

"A Message To Your Heart" is my favourite British entry, which was performed by Brighton resident Samantha Janus. As you know Brighton was the host city of Eurovision 1974, where ABBA received a substantial boost to their worldwide music career.

 

In this year Rome was a host city. The singers were asked to sing a known Italian song which would then be used as a short clip for the postcard. Samantha Janus sang a short piece of "Ricordati Di Me" in her postcard.

 

Interesting fact : All songs in top 4 won my "Song of The Year" award.

 

# 3. France Gall - Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son (Luxembourg - 1965)

 

 

It's even not my farvourite Gall's single. I always prefered scandalous "Les Sucettes", but "Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son" win changed Eurovision. After it the contest moved in a right direction.

 

Interesting fact : Many popular singers and groups from different countries and music genres recorded their covers of France Gall's main hit. From baroque pop group Divine Comedy to Eurodance singer Kim Kay. Swedish band Therion even released symphonic metal version. Is it the most covered ESC song ?

 

 

 

 

# 2. Dana - All Kinds Of Everything (Ireland - 1970)

 

 

Dana's win became a wonderful start for my favourite Eurovision decade. She sings about all the things which remind her of her sweetheart (such as wishing-wells, wedding bells and an early morning dew) with the admission at the end of every verse that "all kinds of everything remind me of you".

 

It was a great time, when the cute song about the first love won on Eurovision and spent 2 weeks on the top of main music chart in the world. In Ireland "All Kinds Of Everything" was a record holder with 9 weeks at # 1, before "Mull Of Kintyre" (10 weeks at # 1) in 1978.

 

"All Kinds Of Everything" already got some very good deserved results in my previous rankings (2nd place in top 100 UK # 1 songs and the best single from 1970 year).

 

Interesting fact : This UK chart moment could be my # 1 favourite in all music history, but it happened 13 years before my birth.

 

www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19700412/7501/

 

Recap :

2. Dana - All Kinds Of Everything (Ireland - 1970)

3. France Gall - Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son (Luxembourg - 1965)

4. Samantha Janus - A Message To Your Heart (United Kingdom - 1991)

5. Sandie Jones - Ceol An Ghra (Ireland - 1972)

6. Anne-Karine Strom - Mata Hari (Norway - 1976)

7. Sweet Dreams - I'm Never Giving Up (United Kingdom - 1983)

8. Kathy Kirby - I Belong (United Kingdom - 1965)

9. Maxi - Do I Dream ? (Ireland - 1973)

10. Marianne Mendt - Musik (Austria - 1971)

11. Mary Hopkin - Knock Knock (Who's There ?) (United Kingdom - 1970)

12. Lynsey De Paul and Mike Moran - Rock Bottom (United Kingdom - 1977)

13. Anita Skorgan - Oliver (Norway - 1979)

14. Vikki Watson - Love Is (United Kingdom - 1985)

15. Krista Siegfrids - Marry Me (Finland - 2013)

16. Silvia Night - Congratulations (Iceland - 2006)

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

18. Sanna Nielsen - Undo (Sweden - 2014)

19. ABBA - Waterloo (Sweden - 1974)

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

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

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

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

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

25. Mess - Sonntag (Austria - 1982)

26. Nicole - A Little Peace (Germany - 1982)

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

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

29. Maggie MacNeal - Amsterdam (Netherlands - 1980)

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

31. Sheeba - Horoscopes (Ireland - 1981)

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

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

34. Clodagh Rodgers - Jack In The Box (United Kingdom - 1971)

35. Alice and Ellen Kessler - Heute Abend Wollen Wir Tanzen Geh'n (Germany - 1959)

36. Jetty Paerl - De Vogels Van Holland (Netherlands - 1956)

37. Susanne Georgi - La Teva Decisio (Get A Life) (Andorra - 2009)

38. Gry Johansen - Kloden Drejer (Denmark - 1983)

39. Valentina Monetta - The Social Network Song (San Marino - 2012)

40. Geraldine - Toi (Luxembourg - 1975)

41. Patricia Bredin - All (United Kingdom - 1957)

42. Sandra Oxenryd - Through My Window (Estonia - 2006)

43. Anna Bergendahl - This Is My Life (Sweden - 2010)

44. Lena Meyer-Landrut - Satellite (Germany - 2010)

45. Anne-Karine Strom - The First Day Of Love (Norway - 1974)

46. Scooch - Flying The Flag (For You) (United Kingdom - 2007)

47. Valentina Monetta - Maybe (San Marino - 2014)

48. Marlayne - One Good Reason (Netherlands - 1999)

49. Monika Linkyte and Vaidas Baumila - This Time (Lithuania - 2015)

50. Bonnie Tyler - Believe In Me (United Kingdom - 2013)

51. Lotte Nillson and Kenny Lubcke - Alt Det Som Ingen Ser (Denmark - 1992)

52. Grethe Kausland and Benny Borg - Smating (Norway - 1972)

53. New Seekers - Beg, Steal Or Borrow (United Kingdom - 1972)

54. Yiannis Savidakis and Fani Polymeri - Apopse As Vrethoume (Cyprus - 1989)

55. Simone Stelzer - Keine Mauern Mehr (Austria - 1990)

56. Olivia Newton-John - Long Live Love (United Kingdom - 1974)

57. Maarja-Liis Ilus - Keelatud Maa (Estonia - 1997)

58. Betty Mars - Come, Comedie (France - 1972)

59. Marcha - Rechtop In De Wind (Netherlands - 1987)

60. Novi Fosili - Ja Sam Za Ples (Yugoslavia - 1987)

61. Anita Skorgan - Casanova (Norway - 1977)

62. Ireen Sheer - Feuer (Germany - 1978)

63. Jana Burcheska - Dance Alone (Macedonia - 2017)

64. Sophie - Une Chanson C'est Une Lettre (Monaco - 1975)

65. Heidi Bruhl - Marcel (Germany - 1963)

66. Linda Williams - Het Is Een Wonder (Netherlands - 1981)

67. Sophie Carle - 100% D'amour (Luxembourg - 1984)

68. Ellen Nikolaysen - Touch My Life With Summer (Norway - 1975)

69. Bernadette - Sing Me A Song (Netherlands - 1983)

70. Cat Cat - Bye Bye Baby (Finland - 1994)

71. Moje 3 - Ljubav Je Svuda (Serbia - 2013)

72. Gisela - Casanova (Andorra - 2008)

73. Vicky Leandros - L'amour Est Bleu (Luxembourg - 1967)

74. Lise Haavik - Du Er Fuld Af Logn (Denmark - 1986)

75. Anita - Einfach Weg (Austria - 1984)

76. Swarbriggs Plus Two - It's Nice To Be In Love Again (Ireland - 1977)

77. Margot Eskens - Die Zeiger Der Uhr (Germany - 1966)

78. Teddy Scholten - Een Beetje (Netherlands - 1959)

79. Micha Marah - Hey, Nana (Belgium - 1979)

80. Mariana Efstratiou - To Diko Sou Asteri (Greece - 1989)

81. Texas Lightning - No No Never (Germany - 2006)

82. Jeane Manson - J'ai Deja Vu Ca Dans Tes Yeux (Luxembourg - 1979)

83. Jessica Garlick - Come Back (United Kingdom - 2002)

84. Michelle - Wer Liebe Lebt (Germany - 2001)

85. Monica Aspelund - Lapponia (Finland - 1977)

86. Lena Valaitis - Johnny Blue (Germany - 1981)

87. Carita Holmstrom - Keep Me Warm (Finland - 1974)

88. Mary Cristy - Toi, La Musique Et Moi (Monaco - 1976)

89. Chris Baldo and Sophie Garel - Nous Vivrons D'amour (Luxembourg - 1968)

90. Evdokia Kadi - Femme Fatale (Cyprus - 2008)

91. Kasia Mos - Flashlight (Poland - 2017)

92. Kristina Hautala - Kun Kello Kay (Finland - 1968)

93. Lys Assia - Das Alte Karussell (Switzerland - 1956)

94. Malene Mortensen - Tell Me Who You Are (Denmark - 2002)

95. Twiins - I'm Still Alive (Slovakia - 2011)

96. Daria Kinzer - Celebrate (Croatia - 2011)

97. Julia Savicheva - Believe Me (Russia - 2004)

98. Gina G - Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit (United Kingdom - 1996)

99. Katrina and The Waves - Love Shine A Light (United Kingdom - 1997)

100. Iris - Would You ? (Belgium - 2012)

Top 100 (by countries) :

19 : United Kingdom

10 : Germany

8 : Netherlands

7 : Norway

7 : Ireland

6 : Luxembourg

5 : Finland

4 : Denmark

4 : Austria

3 : Estonia

3 : Sweden

2 : Monaco

2 : Andorra

2 : San Marino

2 : Belgium

2 : Cyprus

1 : Switzerland

1 : France

1 : Latvia

1 : Lithuania

1 : Yugoslavia

1 : Slovenia

1 : Macedonia

1 : Poland

1 : Iceland

1 : Slovakia

1 : Greece

1 : Serbia

1 : Russia

1 : Croatia

 

Top 100 (by decades) :

1950s - 5

1960s - 7

1970s - 31

1980s - 20

1990s - 9

2000s - 11

2010s - 17

 

Edited January 16Jan 16 by Last Dreamer

 

# 1. Anmary - Beautiful Song (Latvia - 2012)

 

 

 

For me "Beautiful Song" is a something special, I gave 10/10 rate, but honestly her masterpiece is in a league of its own. This song separated a history of pop music on two parts : before and after. Even the title of my retrospective chart "Gražios Dainos" ("Beautiful songs" on Lithuanian) is a reference to my all-time # 1 favourite song.

 

Everything is perfect : singer, lyrics, vocals, staging (I prefer her NF final performance, but Eurovision version is good too). It's a masterpiece and the best song, which was ever recorded.

 

Possibly if you didn’t know it before, but both her NF performances were different.

 

Final :

Semifinal :

 

Iconic book "History of Eurovision" was really missed in the main contest.

 

Interesting fact : I used this special rate system for Eurovision and pre-selections songs from 2010s decade.

 

10 - Anmary - Beautiful Song

9 - Iconic

8 - Wonderful

7 - Very good

6 - Good

5 - Average

4 - Forgettable

3 - Weak

2 - Bad

1 - Very bad

0 - Awful

 

Like Birgit Anmary also was awarded by the limited chocolate issue.

 

Edited January 16Jan 16 by Last Dreamer

Dana was a number one for me in 1970, I even preferred it to Mary Hopkin's entry, and it's still quite sweet, though if I chose to play one of her hits I would go for Fairytale these days - not the Eurovision winning song! France Gall is also cute and catchy, and Samantha Janus I charted but havent heard it in ages. I thought it was OK at the time. The others I dont remember! :o

 

One day I'll do a Eurovision top 100, I reckon I could easily find 100 I like a lot or love :)

 

After the contest Twinkle recorded English language cover version of "Poupee De Cire, Poupee De Son" under the title "A Lonely Singing Doll".