I've just compiled this in the last hour because I literally have nothing else to do and am starting to get Eurovision fever :cheer: these reflect my tastes as of now...some of these songs I liked more back in the day but others have got better with age...what is guaranteed is that in my opinion at least...all 40 songs are sensational and I would consider dousing myself in petrol for every single one of them!

40. Antique - (I Would) Die For You (Greece - 3rd, 2001)

 

 

The first appearance in the ESC of the wonderful and talented Helena Paparizou, Antique were a Greek duo with ties to Sweden whose contemporary ethno-pop song went all the way to the top three in 2001 to start what would be a glorious decade for the country! So catchy and so amazing :wub:

39. Shiri Maimon - Hasheket Shenishar/The Silence That Remains (Israel - 4th, 2005)

 

 

Not exactly supporting the argument that Eurovision is completely political, the friendless Israel made a storming if short return to form with the breathtaking ballad by Shiri Maimon...she scraped through the semi-final and then wowed everyone to come 4th in the final. In my opinion she should have finished 3rd...the two songs I think should have come in the top two places are still to come in this countdown...

38. Kate Ryan - Je T'adore (Belgium - 12th in Semi Final, 2006)

 

 

Um...did I miss something!?! This was one of THE greatest pure pop songs of 2006 and clearly too good for the Eurovision because it crashed out in the semi-final...this is one of the biggest crimes in Eurovision history because it was initially one of the favourites to win. Kate put in a good semi performance, which was vocally good, very slick and well choreographed so what happened...

38. Kate Ryan - Je T'adore (12th in Semi Final, 2006)

 

Um...did I miss something!?! This was one of THE greatest pure pop songs of 2006 and clearly too good for the Eurovision because it crashed out in the semi-final...this is one of the biggest crimes in Eurovision history because it was initially one of the favourites to win. Kate put in a good semi performance, which was vocally good, very slick and well choreographed so what happened...

 

 

I truly adore this track, I wish it won it in 2006

37. Michelle - To Live For Love/Wer Liebe Lebt (Germany - 8th, 2001)

 

 

It's Olive Snook...(sorry to those who don't watch Pushing Daisies :heehee:)...Germany weren't doing badly at the start of the decade and Michelle's beautiful ballad is memorable and stunning and I absolutely adored it for months after the contest! The English version isn't bad either!

I truly adore this track, I wish it won it in 2006

 

It was one of 4 standout tracks for me in 2006...I was absolutely gobsmacked when it failed to go through...

36. Bucks Fizz - Making Your Mind Up (United Kingdom - 1st, 1981)

 

 

Having not been alive in 1981, this was one of those tracks that was all around me in my childhood at which point it was nearing ten years old, showing what a truly great winner this song was...the UK definitely deserved to win in 1981 gimmick or no gimmick...timeless classic!

I've just compiled this in the last hour because I literally have nothing else to do and am starting to get Eurovision fever :cheer: these reflect my tastes as of now...some of these songs I liked more back in the day but others have got better with age...what is guaranteed is that in my opinion at least...all 40 songs are sensational and I would consider dousing myself in petrol for every single one of them!

:heehee: I hope I haven't started a dangerous trend! :kink:

 

And I love the list so far! :D :cheer:

35. Carola - Fangad Av En Stormvind (Sweden - 1st, 1991)

 

 

The first of a few visits to the great great country of Sweden, Queen Carola won the contest on her second visit having come 3rd earlier on in her career...this excellent infectious Swedish language pop track took her all the way in 1991!

:heehee: I hope I haven't started a dangerous trend! :kink:

 

And I love the list so far! :D :cheer:

 

:rofl: I think you may have, its surely one of the quotes of the year! what a way to express your love for something!

34. Elitsa & Stoyan - Water (Bulgaria - 5th, 2007)

 

 

After a terrible start to their ESC career, Bulgaria truly excelled a year ago with the stunning ethno-dance track Water/Voda...amazing instrumentation, staying true to their roots and a singer who bore more than a passing resemblance to Roxy from Sabrina The Teenage Witch :heehee:

33. Charmed - My Heart Goes Boom (Norway - 11th, 2000)

 

 

2000 wasn't exactly a vintage year but there were a few standout tracks for me...Norway gave Europe this absolutely excellent summery pop tune from an interesting looking female trio on a very colourful stage...I listen to this song a lot now still and it really should have come top five...

32. Natasha St-Pier - Je N’ai Que Mon Ame (France - 4th, 2001)

 

 

By a country mile this is my most listened to Eurovision song ever, for odd family reasons that I won't go into...let's just say it holds a place close to my heart...a stunning ballad by a beautiful French singer, France had the right formula in 2001 and 2002 before chucking it away for ugly singers with dire songs...oh well

31. Maria Haukaas Stroreng - Hold On Be Strong (Norway - TBC, 2008)

 

 

Already in my top 40, its one of two songs from 2008 to make this chart...Norwegian 'Idols' contestant Maria won her ticket to Eurovision earlier this year with the excellent mid-tempo ballad Hold On Be Strong. Many are predicting that this will fail to qualify and if it does then I will give up on Europe, because this track is stunningly good, though the lyrics are a bit questionable...

Omg I love all of these so far except Norway 2000! :heehee: Antique are amazing, probably one of my favourites ever, as is Shiri Maymon. Michelle is fantastic too, such an underrated song. :wub:

:o David what was wrong with Norway 2000!?! such a great summery song :wub:

30. Alsou - Solo (Russia - 2nd, 2000)

 

 

Thought of as a Russian Britney Spears back in the day, Russian singer Alsou was just 16 when this brilliant pop track finished 2nd in 2000, though unfortunately a long way behind Denmark's dire Olsen Brothers...Russia have deserved to win on more than one occasion this decade and if this and Serebro can't do it, then fingers crossed Dima Bilan's borefest won't win either...Alsou released a brilliant single here in 2001 called Before You Love Me too!

29. Rollo & King - Never Let You Go (Denmark - 2nd, 2001)

 

 

2001 was the first year I heard the songs before the contest and this one stood out like a sore thumb...for all the right reasons...a charming pop country song, Denmark had the (massive) home crowd behind them and deservedly so because this is one of the many songs that for me made 2001 a vintage Eurovision year. Terry Wogan called it 'the one to beat' and he was very nearly right...

28. Evelin Samuel & Camille - Diamond Of Night (Estonia - 6th, 1999)

 

 

For about five consecutive years around the end of the last decade and the beginning of this one, Estonia were unstoppable, giving us many excellent pop tunes, this being the first of four of their entries in my list. A really beautiful mid-tempo folk-pop song sung by an excellent singer and accompanied by a harp and violin, it was very new-age Corrs, and very much 'of its time'...sensational song