They benefitted from the rule that countries had to sing in a national language until the late 90s. So Ireland was one of the few countries that was allowed English.
Before 2019 The Netherlands had 4 wins, with their last in 1975. Luxembourg hasn't taken part in almost 30 years, with their last win in 1983. It's quite impressive how certain countries can win all the time and then never in a really long time. The second and fourth contest were won by The Netherlands and third and fifth by France.
Probably because there were less entrants then, most of the Eastern European nations as well as former USSR didn't compete until the late '80s or early '90s
All I really know about Eurovision is that it helped launch ABBA onto the international scene. Still, I'm quite positive that Israel is not part of Europe.
All countries that are a part of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) can compete in Eurovision. Israel is not part of Europe, but they are part of EBU and can therefore compete in Eurovision (just like other countries such as Cyprus, Azerbaijan and Georgia etc). Even Australia have competed despite not being part of Europe or EBU.
Israel is no longer part of the EBU as of now (post-ESC 2017), and will not compete in any further ESCs - unless the EBU finds a way to invite them back in.
Named every single country in Europe. And Cyprus. And Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. And Turkey. And Canada and Australia just in case. uhh...... Israel? wtf.
Well, Scandinavia provided the Eurovision prototypical song ("Waterloo" by ABBA), so they kinda know how to win this contest.
Fun sidenote, the least "Waterloo"-esque song to win the Eurovision also came from Scandinavia: "Hard Rock Hallelujah!" by Lordi, Finland's only victory.
In the early years the Eurovision audiences used to laugh a lot at how much Norway, Denmark and Sweden would vote for each other. Especially in 1963, the first Scandi win, where Norway actually seemed to change its votes round to ensure that Denmark won. They've never stopped doing it, of course.
I'd rather be laughed at for having a fun, campy musical event that brings a continent (and more) together for a light hearted evening's entertainment, than for having elected [insert epithet here].
I don't think American music is absolutely terrible. And at any rate, I've heard they're setting up a Eurovision-style song contest in the States pretty soon (either this year or next year).
The funny thing is, I seriously doubt they would. Current fans absolutely hate the idea of the US at Eurovision and besides big names don't always perform well. For example Norway's Alexander Rybak is super well known in the community his song 'Fairytale' is super popular, his second 'That's how you write a song' attempt not so much. I would even dare to say hated on. USA would likely end low just like the UK.
Only just found out we Dutch have won it 4 times....had a real WTF moment, my general perception of Dutch musical culture (especially the stuff in Dutch) is trash. Appearantly we are not as incompetent as I thought.
Israel aren't toooooo well liked by their nearest neighbours... and they are part of the European broadcasting society (or something similar for that). Besides, we let Australia in so it may as well be come one come all!
It's not. It is however in the European Broadcasting Union, which is one of the requirements to participate. The only one not following this rule is Australia, but they depend on invites.
There is a similar, albeit smaller, contest run by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (a similar organisation to the EBU) featuring entrants from countries around Asia and the Pacific.
For me the shocking thing is that the UK is in this list 😂.
Other European countries generally hate us (and did long before brexit!) and give us ‘nil point’. Although we did get second place this year so miracles do happen….
We used to do quite well, bafflingly as we would often send in the most entire rubbish. The UK is way out ahead in the rankings of second-place finishes, 16 I think, with the next closest being on something like 5.
For my money I'm not sure there's a single year that we've sent in the best song. Possibly 2002. Possibly. Hmm
1967! Puppet on a string. The rest were pretty much all dirges that year and Sandie Shaw got more than twice as many votes as the song that came second (Ireland of course!)
Unbelievable, considering how Eastern Europeans have clearly mastered the art of music and performance art as evinced here, to the extent that their live performances seem to be broadcast from far into the future. Take that, Elvis, Lennon, and Bono...
Eastern Europe has some great music, but sure, let's cherry-pick some crappy music video and make a sarcastic blanket statement implying they all suck.
Sad they don’t have more Eurovision quizzes, it’s my favourite thing followed by geography :( Also, Sweden should be updated, they now have 7 wins with Loreen (my favourite song is tattoo now:)
Fun sidenote, the least "Waterloo"-esque song to win the Eurovision also came from Scandinavia: "Hard Rock Hallelujah!" by Lordi, Finland's only victory.
The event is a joke. These days Australia is a participator as well. Yes, you read that right: Australia.
(Geef mij je angst by Mirusia)
Asia: Turkey, Israel, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia
Africa: Morocco
Oceania: Australia
Other European countries generally hate us (and did long before brexit!) and give us ‘nil point’. Although we did get second place this year so miracles do happen….
For my money I'm not sure there's a single year that we've sent in the best song. Possibly 2002. Possibly. Hmm