Last Dreamer

# 5. Sandie Jones - Ceol An Ghra (Ireland - 1972) -EthssVf7mY 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.

# 6. Anne-Karine Strom - Mata Hari (Norway - 1976) SkjSwjV1JLc 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.

# 7. Sweet Dreams - I'm Never Giving Up (United Kingdom - 1983) in5hT6P9KFA 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.

# 8. Kathy Kirby - I Belong (United Kingdom - 1965) OeDI52bdntQ 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.

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

# 10. Marianne Mendt - Musik (Austria - 1971) AKzXt6841FU 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).

# 11. Mary Hopkin - Knock Knock (Who's There ?) (United Kingdom - 1970) Kvo8pzEyxF4 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.

# 12. Lynsey De Paul and Mike Moran - Rock Bottom (United Kingdom - 1977) N_WWnKt4GAY 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.

# 13. Anita Skorgan - Oliver (Norway - 1979) A4xUtThueC4 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.

# 14. Vikki Watson - Love Is (United Kingdom - 1985) i2fGW93FZxI "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).

# 15. Krista Siegfrids - Marry Me (Finland - 2013) dlBXOveVh7c 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).

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

# 17. Birgit Oigemeel - Et Uus Saaks Alguse (Estonia - 2013) Ooo6GvZNLhI 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. BjbqUHSfHXE "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.

# 18. Sanna Nielsen - Undo (Sweden - 2014) 5PQJI-3LW-8 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.

# 19. ABBA - Waterloo (Sweden - 1974) Sj_9CiNkkn4 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.

# 20. Cindy and Bert - Die Sommermelodie (Germany - 1974) 6iFcnZnDnac 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.

# 21. Hanne Krogh - Lykken Er (Norway - 1971) tELNBuDYcN8 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.

# 22. Maywood - Ik Wil Alles Met Je Delen (Netherlands - 1990) m9upqK0D7Ms 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.

# 23. Manuella - Blue And Red (Slovenia - 2016) ulI3F1T82is 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").

Sadly "Tears On My Pillow" is very underrated now.

It's my favourite Kylie's song.

# 24. Maria Christian - Wait Until The Weekend Comes (Ireland - 1985) 8vQPBlCDv7s 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.

# 25. Mess - Sonntag (Austria - 1982) PVTc56iZi0A 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.

# 26. Nicole - Ein Bisschen Frieden (Germany - 1982) hp_b-095yPc 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.

# 27. Co-Co - The Bad Old Days (United Kingdom - 1978) 1P0xVkOi-x8 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.