Writing a temporary historical past of Eurovision is not any simple process. The famed tune contest has been happening since 1956, and it’s integrated a lot of twists and turns since its humble beginnings. Put merely, Eurovision is a world songwriting pageant. However it’s after all a lot more than that. On occasion it’s an instance of the ability of sentimental international relations. On occasion, it’s the world release of superstars to come back. (ABBA, Riverdance, and plenty of extra spring to mind.) Different occasions, it’s extraordinarily complicated. However, at all times, with out fail, it’s a large number of amusing. Every yr comes with the promise of seeing one thing you’ve by no means observed prior to. On this transient historical past of Eurovision, we provide a bluffer’s information to one of the vital international’s biggest leisure occasions. – Sam Armstrong

Can’t get sufficient Eurovision? Relive final yr’s match with this compilation.

1956

The sector’s most famed tune pageant was once born with a lofty ambition – to unite a Europe nonetheless ravaged through the hot Global Battle. French businessman Marcel Baison borrowed the concept that from Italy’s a hit San Remo pageant and were given the newly shaped Ecu Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Simply seven nations took phase on Would possibly 24, 1956, in Lugano, Switzerland, with every country acting two songs. Lys Assia received with the French-language “Chorus” for the host state. The UK had already commissioned its personal home Pageant Of British Widespread Songs and wouldn’t participate within the Eurovision Tune Contest till the next yr.

1957

Within the early days of the competition, there was once a regarded as transfer to advertise Ecu-style pop in a bid to stability the dominant American recordings that – even again then – had a stranglehold on gross sales on either side of the Atlantic. Those have been nationwide anthems, in the event you like, and so all ten of 1957’s entries have been carried out of their maiden tongue. The United Kingdom joined the competition this yr, in conjunction with Austria and Denmark. British soprano Patricia Bredin was hoping “All” would end up prophetic within the vote casting, however the Netherlands access, “Web Als Toen” through Corry Brokken, romped house to victory – even supposing the country had damaged the foundations with a efficiency a minute longer than the three:30 allowed.

1958

Right here’s the beginning of one thing atypical within the historical past of Eurovision: probably the most well-known access (through a rustic mile) of 1958 didn’t even win! Italy’ “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” got here 3rd for Domenico Modugno however bought thousands and thousands when issued as “Volare”/”To Fly” or even received the primary Grammy for Highest Male Vocal Efficiency, Tune Of The 12 months and Report Of The 12 months. As a substitute, France triumphed with Andre Claveau’s “Dors, Mon Amour,” whilst the United Kingdom snubbed this yr’s match – for sure smarting after completing 7th the former yr. 1958’s contest was once held in Hilversum, Holland (the custom starting to be established that the successful country would host the next yr).

1959

The United Kingdom returned to the fold and 1959 noticed the debut of Monaco (any other Eurovision pleasure: the conclusion for some that there are Ecu states so small it’s possible you’ll now not have heard of them). The United Kingdom’s access, Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson’s “Sing Little Birdie,” got here moment and was once the primary home Eurovision unmarried to make the United Kingdom charts – a phenomenon that will get extra fascinating later within the Nineteen Sixties and Nineteen Seventies. Germany presented the primary nod in opposition to the now-dominant rock ‘n’ roll with its access, however the judges weren’t inspired – it got here 8th out of eleven competing countries, whilst the Netherlands received once more with Teddy Scholten’s captivating “Een Beetje.”

1960

With rock ‘n’ roll nonetheless lacking in motion, the crack of dawn of the swinging Nineteen Sixties Eurovision was once the rest however. The 12 entries (Norway joined the competition this yr) ranged from delicate jazz, strident MOR, and the ones ubiquitous ballads; it is advisable to even pay attention a little bit of sunshine opera! France’s Jacqueline Boyer with “Tom Pillibi” was once the general tune of the evening and edged forward within the ballot on the eleventh hour. This was once the beginning of the historical past of Eurovision’s magic component: the unpredictable vote casting at evening’s finish, changing into ever-more erratic as the competition grew.

1961

3 extra nations joined Eurovision in 1961 – Finland, Spain, and Yugoslavia, bringing the choice of entries to an excellent 16. Once more, one of the greatest hits of the display didn’t win – The Allisons, for the United Kingdom, had a sizeable world damage with “Are You Certain?” however got here moment; whilst a remake of “Al Di L. a.” (Italy’s access through Betty Cutis) was once an American Best 10 hit for Emilio Pericoli when later featured within the movie Rome Journey however simplest got here 5th. The evening’s gold medal went to Luxembourg’s Jean-Claude Pascal and “Nous Les Amoureux,” which singularly didn’t make next affect any place.

1962

Without equal humiliation of Eurovision is the feared “null issues” – songs that fail to win a unmarried ranking from both the pro nationwide juries or audience vote casting from house. 1962 was once the primary time it took place, with Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Spain all falling to provoke. France’s Isabelle Aubret with “Un Premier Amour,” alternatively, romped house with 26 issues (runner-up Monaco may just simplest set up 13).

1963

With The Beatles about to overcome the sector – and already a phenomenon of their place of origin – the United Kingdom’s Ronnie Carroll and “Say Glorious Issues” was once as a long way clear of Merseybeat as is conceivable to consider. He got here 5th, whilst Denmark received for the primary time with “Dansevise” through Grethe and Jorgen Ingmann. The evening was once tainted through a technical hitch. The Norwegians resubmitted their votes after failing to take action correctly within the first go-round. When a moment try resulted in one of the votes being modified, together with extra presented for his or her close to neighbours the Danes, it resulted in claims of humorous trade. This was once the beginning of any other long-running theme within the historical past of Eurovision: the accusation of political vote casting.

1964

Italy swept the board with “Non Ho L’Eta” from Gigliola Cinquetti; the tune was once an enormous world luck and Gigliola would go back to the Eurovision level once more the next decade (and would host in 1991). Austria’s Udo Jurgens simplest got here 6th with “Warum Nur Warum,” however the English-language cover-version, “Stroll Away,” through the United Kingdom’s Matt Monro later discovered luck on either side of the Atlantic.

1965

French legend Serge Gainsbourg would write the primary vintage winner within the historical past of Eurovision – “Poupee De Circe, Poupee De Son” – for his 17-year-old god-daughter France Gall, representing Luxembourg. This quirky pop composition is a worldwide clear of his steamy duet “Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus,” which might end up a scandalous sensation simply 3 years later. Eire joined the competition for the primary time, however its later dominance (peaking within the Nineties) was once a way off, with a comparatively modest hanging of 6th the primary time round.

1966

Every other, in all probability unsurprising, development within the historical past of Eurovision beginning to emerge right now was once the coverage of competing countries selecting tracks an identical in genre to the successful tune of the former yr. 1966 noticed a number of younger feminine vocalists, together with the primary Black performer – Milly Scott for The Netherlands. Finally, it was once Udo Jurgens, representing Austria for the 3rd time in a row, and his piano-heavy “Merci Cherie” that broke freed from the race and romped to a powerful victory.

1967

With the Nineteen Sixties now in point of fact swinging, it was once the period’s cultural capital that in any case were given best billing when the United Kingdom’s Sandie Shaw snatched one of the vital contest’s maximum sizable wins. Shaw would later declare to hate “Puppet On A String,” which might for sure come to overshadow her profession, however there’s no doubting its affect on a Eurovision system within the years forward. Regardless of Sandie’s world luck, the tune that did the trade in The united states was once Vicky Leandros’s “L’Amour Est Bleu,” which crowned america charts for 5 weeks in an instrumental edition through French orchestra chief Paul Mauriat.

1968

Probably the most strangest years within the historical past of Eurovision. Did Spanish dictator Basic Francisco Franco in point of fact rig Eurovision? Rumors of tactical vote casting have been rife even then, with the new favourite Cliff Richard – and his evergreen anthem “Congratulations” – lacking out through a unmarried level in choose of Spain’s Massiel, who was once picked to sing “L. a. L. a. L. a.” after authentic singer Joan Manuel Serrat had expressed an pastime in acting the observe in Catalan in opposition to the chief’s needs. “L. a. L. a. L. a.” crowned the leaderboard regardless of Cliff’s 45 already being a damage around the continent and following some extraordinary vote casting through the nationwide juries. In 2008, documentary filmmakers exposed proof that Franco had employed brokers to bribe jurors in his bid to host the next yr’s display and rejuvenate Spain’s world symbol because the continent’s favourite tourism vacation spot.

1969

An extraordinary one within the historical past of Eurovision – an unbelievable four-way tie for pole place through France (“Un Jour, Un Enfant” through Frida Boccara), the Netherlands (Lenny Kuhr’s “De Troubadour”), Spain (“Vivo Cantando” through Salome) and the United Kingdom (with Lulu’s “Growth Bang-A-Bang”). The United Kingdom’s access was once arguably the largest world hit, however issues may have been very other – Elton John and Bernie Taupin had entered a tune for that yr’s nationwide variety, however “I’ve Been Loving You Too Lengthy” didn’t be picked.

1970

In little greater than a decade, Julio Iglesias would develop into one of the vital international’s maximum a hit artists, however, in 1970’s Amsterdam rite, he needed to make do with 6th hanging for “Gwendolyne.” This yr noticed 4 nations pull out, however this wasn’t precisely uncommon within the historical past of Eurovision. (The competition gives many examples of countries opting for now not to take part for one reason why or any other.) However this slighter 12-song pageant noticed Eire declare its first crown. Dana’s “All Sorts Of The whole lot” was once a candy ballad totally at odds with the intense political deterioration that might quickly dominate the area. Dana would move into politics herself – changing into a member of the Ecu Parliament in 1999.

1971

There are textbook-length essays to be written at the construction of the vote casting programs and the applied sciences that reinforce Eurovision during its historical past, however it’s in all probability sufficient to easily say right here that 1971’s adjustments noticed juries lowered to only two contributors and that each tune now needed to safe a minimum of a unmarried level. What was once much more sudden is every vote casting couple additionally needed to mark their ranking after every efficiency, which means later entries had little likelihood of good calibration! Undoubtedly engineered for the most productive of causes, this atypical machine noticed Severine’s efficiency of “Un Banc, Un Arbre, Une Rue” for Monaco best the scoreboard, with Spain once more the runner-up and Germany (nonetheless but to win) coming 3rd.

1972

Again as much as 18 competing nations, 1972’s contest noticed Greek vocalist Vicky Leandros, representing Luxembourg, win with the robust ballad “Apres Toi.” Every other strange quirk of Eurovision is the knack for countries to inexplicably select on some recent method all on the identical time. This yr it was once the male/feminine duet (in itself in all probability now not one of these unhealthy thought – it had labored for Denmark in 1963) however at least six acts adopted that system this time and all proved unsuccessful. Because it grew to become out, no duo would move directly to win once more till 22 years later.

1973

There’s a historical past of acts coming again to Eurovision (we’ll come directly to that champion, Johnny Logan, quickly) however celebrity Cliff Richard’s go back 5 years after his surprise defeat with “Congratulations” is in all probability probably the most sudden. He was once fair concerning the motivation – his profession was once beginning to gradual and he wanted a large hit – however “Energy To All Our Pals” for the United Kingdom limped in 3rd, in the back of Spain and the evening’s winner: Anne-Marie David with “Tu Te Reconnaitras” (for Luxembourg once more). Blurring the normal obstacles of Ecu geography, this yr noticed Israel coming into for the primary time.

1974

One of the vital within the contest’s lengthy chronology, Sweden’s 1974 winners ABBA are for sure probably the most a hit act to emerge from the display, with gross sales of just about four-hundred million albums thus far and a spot within the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Repute. The four-piece had didn’t qualify at their nationwide alternatives the former yr (with “Ring Ring”) however “Waterloo” triumphed each at house and at the evening in Brighton, UK. The tune had some stiff pageant, together with Olivia Newton-John for the host nation with “Lengthy Are living Love,” however emerged the runaway winner. Runner-up, Italy’s Gigliola Cinquetti, loved large luck together with her access “Si.” Even 3rd positioned The Netherlands landed a world hit with Mouth and MacNeal’s “I See A Big name,” suggesting the competition had in any case come of age for record-buyers.

1975

Obviously repeating the ABBA system of the former yr, Train-In’s “Ding Dinge Dong” was once a at ease winner, with Cliff Richard’s former backing band, The Shadows, in moment position for the United Kingdom with “Let Me Be The One.” The competition was once rising in stature and scale, with Turkey coming into for the primary time and straight away illustrating any other Eurovision spectacle: a rustic vote casting totally out of persona with the opposite countries. In 1975, it gave Sixteenth-placed Portugal best marks; was once the one nation to not be offering the United Kingdom a unmarried vote, and simplest awarded the winner 4 issues. This regional inconsistency of vote casting creates such a lot additional drama to at the present time!

1976

Every other contest vintage: Brotherhood Of Guy’s “Save All Your Kisses For Me” is the United Kingdom’s best-selling Eurovision unmarried and arguably as era-defining as “Waterloo” (the British four-piece have been additionally obviously modelled at the super-Swedes). The act would hit Billboard No. 27 with this tune and move directly to have two additional UK chart toppers in “Angelo” and “Figaro,” however that is the anthem that has stored their profession on simmer since their past due Nineteen Seventies height. Politics is a perennial undercurrent of all world competitions and Eurovision is not any exception. The Greek access was once a protest tune concerning the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the rustic simplest took phase after Turkey introduced it was once staying out of the contest this yr.

1977

With punk’s cultural revolution now at complete pitch, Eurovision… stayed in large part the similar; a protected, family-friendly enclave berthed a long way from extra dramatic musical tides. France have been an intruder prior to the competition (that is the duration when bookies first began to take bets at the successful tune) however the atmospheric “L’Oiseau Et L’Enfant” through Marie Myriam stole a march on its perkier pageant, together with the United Kingdom’s runner-up “Rock Backside” through Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran (proving once more that male-female-duet system simply didn’t seem to have that magic component).

1978

The Eurovision crown in any case left its conventional frontiers, with Israel securing its first victory for Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta’s “A-Ba-Ni-Bi.” Izhar was once well-known in his place of origin and, after Cliff Richard’s makes an attempt to make it much less odd for established nationwide stars to go into, extra have been now participating. Spanish disco duo Baccara had loved world luck with “Sure, Sir, I Can Boogie” and represented Luxembourg on this yr’s contest with the sound-a-like “Parlez Vous Francais?” however simplest got here 7th.

1979

With the competition shifting to Jerusalem, the host country secured a sensational moment victory with “Hallelujah” through Milk And Honey that includes Gali Atari. Disco – at this level, the most well liked tune style around the globe – was once once more in proof, with Germany’s Dschingis Khan and its self-titled access and Denmark’s “Disco Tango,” through Tommy Seebach proving that now not each musical genre was once past the light, even supposing punk had proved a little bit too robust for Eurovision’s musical palette at this level in its historical past.

1980

Morocco entered Eurovision for the primary time in its historical past, however the evening belonged to Eire and the “King” of Eurovision: Johnny Logan, who received with the AOR ballad “What’s Every other 12 months?” The African state got here second-to-last and would by no means go back to the competition. Johnny would, after all, be again once more (and once more). Belgium band Telex attempted to flatter the competition with a observe entitled “Eurovision,” however the ploy didn’t paintings and the act got here seventeenth out of nineteen entrants and would by no means have any other main hit, regardless of continent-wide luck previous that yr with the quilt of “Rock Round The Clock.”

1981

In 1981, Dollars Fizz was once shaped to constitute Nice Britain with “Making Your Thoughts Up” and the band’s Dublin efficiency was once a memorable early instance of Eurovision choreography, with the feminine singers having their lengthy skirts ripped off through two male bandmates to show miniskirts beneath. The gimmick supported a advantageous pop hook and helped it romp house to victory, whilst the band would move directly to have dozens extra hit singles within the decade forward, together with two extra British chart-toppers in “The Land Of Make Imagine” (the gang’s greatest world dealer) and “My Digital camera By no means Lies.”

1982

In all probability the instant when the founding ideas of Eurovision in any case got here excellent, Germany received the competition on its twenty seventh try. The candy ballad “A Little Peace,” sung through 17-year-old Nicole Hohloch, noticed off all pretenders (and had the good thing about being carried out final within the working order; at all times observed as being one of the vital ideally suited slots, because the efficiency is recent in electorate’ minds). 2nd-place Israel gave the access best marks, a notable ranking given the heavy historic shadow solid through the still-relatively-recent previous. It’s one of the vital ideally suited examples of the certain, soft-political persistent of the Eurovision challenge in its historical past.

1983

With 20 nations now competing and 27 contests already in its historical past, 1983 marked the purpose when Eurovision’s skill to promote data began to wither. Whilst MTV and the brand new wave of British pop transfixed the globe, this yr’s champion, Corinne Hermes with Luxembourg’s “Si L. a. Vie Est Cadeau,” failed to wreck the British Best 75 and continental luck additionally proved patchy. Scoring additionally changed into a long way much less constant, with regional bias making predicting a winner a long way from simple. The past due Ofra Haza nearly clinched the crown in 1983 with the fan-favorite “Hello” however needed to wait 5 extra years prior to scoring a large world hit with “Im Nin’Alu.”

1984

With ever-so-slightly-bland Euro-pop fundamental, 3 Swedes in gold boots one way or the other wowed audiences with “Diggi-Bathroom toilet Diggi-Ley” and knocked Eire’s Linda Martin into moment position (even supposing she can be again quickly sufficient). Profitable male trio Herreys in reality opened the display, making its win much more outstanding. British broadcasting legend Terry Wogan, through now the common commentator for his place of origin, would invoice it the worst tune he ever witnessed on the contest however, in fact, it was once a protected however supremely catchy earworm anchored on a Hello-NRG beat, a sometimes-winning Eurovision system during the competition’s historical past.

1985

Norway in any case made it to pole place with a risk free rehash of the former yr’s a hit system billed “L. a. Det Swinge,” through Bobbysocks. Extra notable was once the presenter’s try to create Dollars Fizz-inspired gasps when her get dressed “stuck” on a nail to show a slighter outfit beneath and the sheer quantity of returning acts. (The ones acts integrated former winners Izhar Cohen and Alphabeta (coming 5th for Israel), Denmark’s Sizzling Eyes competing for the second one yr working, and Italy’s Romina Energy and Al Bano again after a nine-year ruin.)

1986

Iceland joined Eurovision for the primary time, however its access – Icy’s “Gledibankinn” – simplest scored 19 issues, coming Sixteenth. Belgium’s Sandra Kim romped house with 176 issues for her “J’Aime L. a. Vie.” She was once simplest 13 when she carried out, changing into the competition’s youngest ever winner (lately she’d be anticipated to go into the Junior Eurovision Tune Contest, which was once introduced in 2003, and accepts contestants elderly between 9 and 14). The Cyprus access, “Tora Zo” through Elpida, is automatically considered one of the vital worst entries within the Eurovision canon and simplest scored 4 issues at the evening.

1987

When Eire’s Johnny Logan received for the second one time together with his composition “Cling Me Now,” he may just declare his position within the historical past of Eurovision (however he wouldn’t be preventing there…). With Italy and Greece once more returning to the competition, entrants totalled 22 for the primary time, and tensions surrounding choosing the right tune intensified. Israel nearly withdrew when its Minister of Tradition allegedly determined its tune wasn’t robust sufficient, however cooler heads ultimately prevailed. Notable too was once the semblance this yr of French punk-pop provocateur Plastic Bertrand, of “Ca Aircraft Pour Moi” repute, representing his place of origin with “Amour Amour.”

1988

Many North American audiences don’t notice that Celine Dion’s Ecu step forward arrived together with her 1988 power-ballad victory for Switzerland. “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi” inched forward of the United Kingdom’s “Move” through Scott Fitzgerald through only one mark, due to the general Yugoslavian jury, which did not award Nice Britain even a unmarried level. It introduced the French-Canadian’s profession outdoor her home marketplace (and following some luck in France) even supposing her English-language debut wouldn’t arrive till the next yr. In different surprises, Turkey in reality awarded Greece 3 issues, whilst Cyprus needed to withdraw on the eleventh hour after it was once came upon its access, “Thimamai,” have been written 4 years previous.

1989

At the eve of the cave in of the Iron Curtain, Yugoslavia received for the primary time with “Rock Me” through the band Riva. After Celine’s luck the former yr, there was once a plethora of spectacular feminine singers and the strange curveball, together with any other unsuccessful male/feminine duo (this time, Israel paired a 12-year-old boy soprano with a miles older lady). German celebrity Dieter Bohlen from the massively a hit band Fashionable Speaking partnered with songwriter Joachim-Horn Bergnes to go into songs for his place of origin and neighboring Austria, coming 14th and 5th respectively.

1990

Technical difficulties (frequently as hosts attempted to hook up with the world juries) proved a part of the material of Eurovision evening in its earliest years. In 1990, it was once nonetheless going down, with the Zagreb contest witness to one thing of a false get started when the hole Spanish act failed to search out its cue. Lots of the songs this yr referenced the continued revolution in Europe’s jap borders, with Italy’s successful “Insieme: 1992” through male vocalist Toto Cutugno following this theme.

1991

Website hosting the Eurovision Tune Contest is regarded as one of the vital hardest gigs in tv and Italy’s choice to move the duty to earlier winners Toto Cutugno and Gigliola Cinquetti in all probability wasn’t the neatest transfer, with Toto, specifically, suffering to maintain. Sweden’s Carola had come 3rd in 1983 and would list an album with Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees however swept the board in 1991 with rousing hi-NRG anthem “Fangad Av En Stormvind.”

1992

Johnny Logan was once again on championship shape even supposing, this time, now not as a performer. He wrote winner Linda Martin’s “Why Me?” for Eire after additionally composing her 1984 access “Terminal 3.” It marked the beginning of Eire’s ascendancy on the display, with the highest 3 songs additionally all carried out in English (the United Kingdom was once moment, with Malta coming in 3rd). Some nations, corresponding to Switzerland, struggled to select a language that might make everybody glad. In 1992, the French-speaking Swiss overturned a choice at the authentic successful tune of the nationwide heats when its lyrics have been later translated and carried out in German.

1993

With Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia becoming a member of the competition, the display changed into one thing of a geography lesson for audiences attending to grips with new Ecu borders. Regardless of the brand new entrants, it remained very a lot trade as standard, with Eire’s Niamh Kavanagh conserving the crown for host country Eire. “In Your Eyes” is an achieved ballad however was once nearly overwhelmed through the United Kingdom’s perky cod-Motown providing “Higher The Satan You Know” through former Inventory Aitken Waterman starlet Sonia (even supposing the tune bore little relation to the Kylie Minogue vintage extra acquainted to fanatics of the hit manufacturing trio).

1994

With Eire once more web hosting the competition, 1994 is memorable now not such a lot for that yr’s winner (Eire once more for Paul Harrington with Charlie McGettigan’s “Rock ‘N Roll Youngsters”) however the period act. The published staged at The Level, Dublin, showcased the world step forward of Riverdance with a section led through Michael Flatley fascinating TV audiences and launching a world phenomenon. This yr additionally witnessed a list surge within the choice of new nations opting for to take part, with Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, and Slovakia coming into for the primary time.

1995

There was once quite a few press hypothesis that Eire wouldn’t need any other win (web hosting the competition prices thousands and thousands for the broadcaster and regional govt) and, at the evening, it got here safely 14th – a long way in the back of winner Norway’s in large part instrumental “Nocturne” from Secret Lawn. It’s most probably the runaway luck of Riverdance influenced each the access and the following vote casting that supported it. Switzerland sat this yr out and, throughout this period, the rustic that got here final was once additionally disqualified from coming into the next yr, with Germany humiliated this time round.

1996

Again in acquainted territory on the best of the scoreboard was once Eire once more, with “The Voice” through Eimear Quinn a long way and away the highest-rated tune of the evening (162 issues as opposed to second-placed host country Norway with 114). However probably the most a hit observe of the competition was once indubitably the world damage “Ooh Aah… Simply A Little Bit” through Australian Gina G, competing for the United Kingdom. It crowned the British charts or even made america Best 20, an extraordinary feat then and now for Eurovision songs, however it simplest positioned 8th through the nationwide juries at the evening.

1997

“Love Shine A Mild” was once a tune written for charity The Samaritans and carried out through Katrina And The Waves (a band nonetheless ideally suited identified for the Nineteen Eighties vintage “Strolling On Sunshine”). It received large for the United Kingdom – 70 issues forward of runner-up Eire. Executives at British state broadcaster The BBC have been stuck off-guard through the United Kingdom’s luck. “I knew it was once a excellent tune, however I didn’t suppose it was once going to win,” admits veteran commentator Ken Bruce. Additionally of be aware: This was once the yr when televoting first seemed (with 5 of the collaborating nations the usage of the process that might develop into ubiquitous within the twenty first century).

1998

With the competition shifting to Birmingham, England for the primary time in its historical past, the verdict was once made to cap the choice of competing nations to twenty-five – the host country, six nations that had neglected out competing in 1997, and the 18 different nations that had the most productive reasonable ratings around the earlier 5 years. It was once indicative of the rising, fragmentation of the brand new Ecu geography that access regulations have been changing into so complicated. This yr’s contest broke recent floor with Dana Global, who have been born Yaron Cohen in 1972, successful for Israel with the anthem “Diva.” She had unsuccessfully entered nationwide alternatives for Eurovision prior to and was once a significant nationwide famous person.

1999

The contentious factor of language selection for entries was once swept apart in 1999, with the competition organizers in any case agreeing that it was once time for Eurovision to desert its historical past of restrictions and simply let the songwriters and performers make a decision. This was once additionally the yr when the usage of a space orchestra ended, with maximum acts straight away opting for a backing observe as an alternative. The general administrative trade was once the verdict to permit the competition’s 4 major funders to mechanically qualify, making sure puts eternally extra for France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. Charlotte Nilsson with “Take Me To Your Heaven” for Sweden would win the general contest of the 20 th Century.

2000

With Latvia becoming a member of (however Greece, Hungary, and Slovakia bailing for monetary causes), the achieve of the competition was once widening with the display streamed on-line for the primary time, selecting up new audiences in territories corresponding to Japan and Australia. The virtual age had in point of fact arrived! There was once no signal of an identical revolution with the successful tune – “Fly On The Wings Of Love” through the Olsen Brothers for Denmark was once sentimental schlager via and thru, even supposing the observe was once later revived through Spanish dance act XTM and DJ Chucky in moderately extra frenetic shape.

2001

The phenomenon of the Baltic states beginning to rule the Eurovision roost may also be traced again to Estonia’s 2001 win with “Everyone” through Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, and 2XL. In an indication of the converting occasions, earlier evergreen champions Eire ended up twenty first – the country’s worst appearing thus far. Danish supergroup Aqua, well-known for “Barbie Lady,” carried out within the period and, with generation now beginning to develop into the achieve and operation of the display, televoting was once now in point of fact beginning to exchange the normal nationwide jury machine.

2002

With the competition hosted for the primary time in a former Soviet republic, the complexities of participation persisted to weave an unpredictable narrative of the display. Latvia have been relegated after 2001 and so was once not able to participate this time, however a surprise past due choice through Portugal to choose out because of problems with its broadcaster again house resulted in Latvia (the best scoring country within the relegated blacklist) coming again in and successful all the contest! “I Wanna” through Marie N was once simplest the 3rd access through the country, however it secured a cast lead over second-place Malta, with the United Kingdom’s Jessica Garlick coming 3rd.

2003

It was once in any case Turkey’s time to clutch the Eurovision crown, with “Each and every Approach That I Can” through Sertab Erener, after 28 years of participating. This was once additionally the yr Eurovision changed into a UK tabloid sensation for all the unsuitable causes – the feared ‘nul issues’ being awarded to the United Kingdom for the primary time, due to Jemini’s infamous efficiency of “Cry Child.” As one of the vital large funders of the evening, the United Kingdom couldn’t be relegated, however the flop got here as a surprise to the newspapers and a country then nonetheless assured of luck. Jemini blamed the debacle on technical problems, however it was once a style of items to come back for British audiences.

2004

With the EBU in any case accepting the festivities couldn’t be contained in one sitting, 2004 noticed the competition develop into right into a two-night spectacle, with a semi-final being staged 3 nights prior to the primary match. Each and every Ecu state that sought after may just now participate and so the record expanded to house 36 nations, with any other win in opposition to the east of the continent. Ukraine’s “Wild Dances” through Rusiana is any other Eurovision vintage and featured on that yr’s contest CD – and, for the primary time, respectable DVD – of the display.

2005

The record of entrants was once nonetheless increasing – Bulgaria and Moldova joined the celebration – making a list tally of 39 contestants. My Large Fats Greek Marriage ceremony have been a box-office sensation and it was once in any case time for Greece to shake off its ‘at all times the bridesmaid, however by no means the bride’ billing with a powerful win for the accurately titled “My Quantity One” through Helena Paparizou. On the different finish of the scoring, the large 4 investment countries all got here on the backside, with France scoring worst of all.

2006

Proving there’s in reality no such factor as a completely predictable successful tune, Finland seized Eurovision glory with Lordi’s “Onerous Rock Hallelujah.” The steel band had shaped greater than a decade previous and the pyrotechnics and macabre theatrics that made up their presentations have been energized through this sudden platform of world repute, with The Arockalypse album making charts world wide. Different acts, corresponding to Eire’s Brian Kennedy and 1991 Swedish champion Carola, grew to become or returned to the competition as some way of rebuilding their profile as their careers slowed, however Kennedy simplest controlled tenth position and Carola got here in 5th. Each maintained first rate profiles again house, on the other hand.

2007

With the EBU now scrapping its latest cap of 40 entrants, pageant once more soared with a list 43 countries participating, together with new entrants the Czech Republic, Georgia, and the newly unbiased countries of Montenegro and Serbia. It proved to be Serbia’s evening, with “Molitva” through Marija Serifovic knocking it out the park at the nation’s first try. Eire’s fall from grace after such a lot of years on best persisted, with it in any case completing final within the last for the primary time. The United Kingdom didn’t do a lot better, with the tongue-in-cheek “Flying The Flag (For You)” through former hitmakers Scooch scraping into twenty second position.

2008

Russia in any case made it to the highest for the primary time in its Eurovision historical past with the charismatic “Imagine” through pop icon Dima Bilan, who had come moment at Eurovision in 2006 with “By no means Let You Move.” Dima used this win to take a look at to wreck out the world over, freeing an English-language album in 2009 that includes recordings made with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. Political tensions and up to date conflicts within the area supposed safety on the pageant reached record-levels, however the presentations handed with out incident.

2009

Profitable a record-breaking 387 issues (from a conceivable 492), Norway’s Alexander Rybak changed into a Eurovision sensation together with his pop-folk monster “Fairytale.” Two semi-finals had now develop into the continued template for the display and the final evening’s match on the Olimpiysky Aerna in Moscow was once an audio-visual triumph, with ever-more formidable staging and results. The United Kingdom enlisted Phantom Of The Opera maestro Andrew Lloyd-Webber and acclaimed hitmaker Diane Warren for its access – “It’s My Time” through soon-to-be Sugababes member Jade Ewan. It was once her time and stepped forward the United Kingdom’s efficiency with a Best 5 hanging.

2010

Lena’s “Satellite tv for pc” changed into the primary German Eurovision triumph since Nicole’s “A Little Peace” in 1982 (and the primary time one of the vital ‘Large 4’ countries had received because the designation was once established). Former winner Niamh Kavanagh got here again to constitute Eire however got here in twenty third; whilst the sensible thought of having Pete Waterman (of Inventory Aitken Waterman repute) to paintings his hitmaking magic on the United Kingdom’s access additionally fell flat – Josh Dubovie’s “That Sounds Just right To Me” completed final.

2011

This was once the contest of the returning artist, together with entrants for plenty of states together with Georgia and Iceland. Maximum notable have been Lena, seeking to repeat her luck for Germany a moment yr working (this time, although, “Taken By way of A Stranger” would position tenth) and Dana Global with “Ding Dong,” which unusually didn’t make it additional than the semi-finals for Israel. “Working Scared” through Ell & Nikki for Azerbaijan was once first previous the completing line from 43 countries and got here on simplest the rustic’s fourth yr of participation.

2012

With recent branding now a central part of every Eurovison – this yr’s theme was once “Mild Your Fireplace,” encouraged through host country Azerbaijan’s moniker: “Land Of Fireplace.” 2012’s Eurovision center of attention as an alternative grew to become someplace colder, with Sweden’s “Euphoria” through Loreen receiving the best choice of most issues (12) of any access within the contest’s historical past (18 nations gave it best rating). The Eurodance belter changed into an enormous world hit or even made the United Kingdom Best 3, the primary time a non-British access had accomplished so since 1987’s “Cling Me Now” through Johnny Logan.

2013

Sweden’s 3rd town of Malmo was once selected to host the competition for the second one time in Eurovision historical past and the evening’s win went simply over the water to neighboring Denmark, simplest not too long ago related to that nation through the town’s Oresund Bridge. Emmelie de Wooded area’s “Simplest Teardrops” was once a throwback to extra conventional folk-pop, whilst the United Kingdom’s efforts to recapture scoreboard luck with veteran singer Bonnie Tyler, of “Overall Eclipse Of The Middle” repute, fell rather quick with the singer hanging nineteenth.

2014

A in point of fact robust commentary was once made when Conchita Wurst received for Austria with the ballad “Upward thrust Like A Phoenix.” The cis guy has infrequently described himself as a drag queen however, regardless of the id, greater than 195 million other people witnessed a world-class efficiency that is still considered one of Eurovision’s maximum iconic. Regardless of the style’s rarity on the contest, country-rock duo The Not unusual Linnets for the Netherlands got here moment with “Calm After The Typhoon” and likewise constructed important and business momentum with their look.

2015

Arguably the successor to Johnny Logan’s King Of Eurovision crown, Mans Zelmerlow has created a world profession from his win on the display, with more than one appearances at later occasions and a lot of visitor slots on options concerning the contest. His tune “Heroes” secured a powerful win, regardless of a formidable appearing from Russia’s “A Million Voices” through Polina Gagarina. The dance-pop self assurance of “Heroes” was once enhanced through a suave graphic choreography that noticed Mans carry out with a caricature persona, proving once more that the competition’s successful system is frequently that canny mix of an ideal tune and remarkable staging. This yr, Australia entered for the primary time as a different visitor.

2016

Profitable tune “1944” tackles a theme about as got rid of from Eurovision camp as may also be imagined. Jamala composed and carried out the difficult paintings on the Globe Area, Stockholm, and it main points the deportation of the Crimean Tatars through Soviet dictator Stalin. With the competition televised in america for the primary time and a brand new machine of nationwide juries and common televoting now being settled on, Eurovision was once beginning to develop in important self assurance. Mans Zelmerlow was once again this yr to host, whilst Australia returned as a normal contestant, with Dami Im nearly seizing the crown in runner-up position.

2017

Portugal made Eurovision historical past with a win on its 53rd try (it was once in reality the primary time the country had even made it to the highest 5). “Amar Pelos Dois” through Salvador Sobral is a romantic jazz waltz and has develop into one of the vital nation’s maximum liked ballads. No longer simplest was once it Portugal’s first win, however it secured 758 issues in the newest vote casting machine – a brand new list. Host country Ukraine banned the Russian contestant from acting as she had traveled from Russia to Crimea, proving that politics is still an unwelcome undercurrent to a competition that believes it’s right here to de-escalate tensions of this kind.

2018

“Toy” through Netta secured Israel its fourth win (and primary since 1998) whilst this yr’s branding was once “All Aboard!” – a pleasing hook on herbal variety and the host country’s seafaring heritage. With entrants totaling the former list of 43, there have been extra acquainted faces to check returning nations, together with Norway’s Alexander Rybak, who simplest controlled fifteenth this time. The evening’s low level was once a level invasion whilst the United Kingdom’s SuRie carried out “Typhoon.” Commentators seized at the Brexit row because the catalyst, however the artist declined a call for participation to go back to the level, pronouncing she was once happy with the efficiency she had given.

2019

Stress round the place the sixty fourth version of the Eurovision Tune Contest can be held noticed one thing of political grandstanding, with Jerusalem mentioned because the most probably venue for the development. Finally, Tel Aviv hosted Eurovision for the primary time in historical past. “Arcade” through acclaimed singer-songwriter Duncan Laurance received for the Netherlands, whilst the period act was once none instead of celebrity Madonna, who carried out “Like A Prayer” and “Long run” from her then-recent Madame X album.

2020

Rotterdam had anticipated to host the 2020 match however, for the primary time in its lengthy historical past, Eurovision was once canceled, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eurovision: Europe Shine A Mild was once a two-hour are living TV particular commissioned as an alternative, which was once an excellent wallow in nostalgia for fanatics of the competition and culminated in all of 2020’s deliberate contestants acting a edition of Katrina & The Waves’ 1997 winner “Love Shine A Mild.” The published helped soothe the bothered temper of the instant when it was once broadcast in Would possibly of that yr.

2021

With all of the earlier yr’s contestants invited again to Rotterdam to accomplish a brand new tune, 41 nations took phase within the 2021 go back, staged whilst many social and sensible restrictions remained in position because of the COVID-19 pandemic (restricting the dimensions of this yr’s target market, as an example). Italian rock band Maneskin stormed to victory with a observe that was once already making waves around the continent and marked the primary go back of exhausting rock to the competition since Lordi’s win in 2006. Later, “I Wanna Be Your Slave” made charts throughout Europe or even minimize via stateside.

Searching for extra? Take a look at our choices of the best Eurovision songs of all-time.

FlipsideMediaET eMagazine • “The whole lot Tune”