ry4n's Eurovision reviews - 2010 GF!

[ry4n]

64 contests
67 winners (1969 had a 4-way tie)
1,500+ entries
52 participating countries
26 host countries
27 winning countries
42 host cities
1 ranking (mine)

I need something to kill time during this quarantine, so I'm re-watching every Eurovision Song Contest, posting my thoughts on each contest, and reviewing/ranking the winners!

I know most of you guys on Pulse won't know the early winners, but maybe this is a good way to hear them if interested?

I will be doing this chronologically and I will use the tier system that the internet loves.

My sources for info are Wikipedia and eurovisionworld.com/

Criteria:
G.O.A.T.: My eventual top 10
YASSSS: I'm happy that it won, even if it isn't my favourite of the night
I like it: There's at least one flaw that I cannot overlook
Okay: Not happy that it won, but it has redeemable qualities
TRASHHHH: Super boring or super cringe


*the "meh" tier was later abolished

Let me know if you'd like to be tagged in this

[Leo ✔]

Totally in. Tag me.

[𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤]

tag

[ry4n]

1956: Lys Assia - Refrain

Country: Switzerland
Points: N/A
Language: French

Host: Lugano, Switzerland
Countries: 7
Entries: 14

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (French)}(Refrain d'amour...)

Refrain, couleur du ciel, parfum de mes vingt ans
Jardin plein de soleil où je courais enfant
Partout je t'ai cherché, mon amoureux lointain
Guettant par les sentiers où tu prenais ma main

Les jours s'en sont allés et nous avons grandi
L'amour nous a blessés, le temps nous a guéris
Mais seule et sans printemps
Je cours en vain les bois, les champs
Dis, souviens-toi nos amours d'autrefois?

Les années passent à tire-d'aile
Et sur les toits de mon ennui coule la pluie
Où sont parties les caravelles, volant mon cœur
Portant mes rêves vers ton oubli?
J'aurais voulu que tu reviennes comme jadis
Porter des fleurs à ma persienne
Et ta jeunesse en mon logis

Refrain, couleur de pluie, regret de mes vingt ans
Chagrin, mélancolie de n'être plus enfant
Mais seule et loin de toi, par les chemins où tu n'es pas
Je vais, pleurant mes amours de vingt ans

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}Refrain, colour of the sky, the scent of my twenties
Garden full of sun where I spent my childhood
Everywhere I've been looking for you, my distant love
Waiting along the path where you took my hand

The days passed away and we grew up
Love wounded us, time cured us
But lonesome and without spring
I run in vain through the woods, the fields
Say, do you remember our old loves?

The years pass away as quick as lightning
And upon the roofs of my concern pours the rain
Where did the caravels leave, stealing my heart
Carrying my dreams away from your memory?
I wanted you to come back like bygone
Carrying flowers to my shutter
And your youthfulness to my home

Refrain, colour of the rain, regret of my twenties
Sorrow, melancholy not to be a child anymore
But lonesome and far from you, along the roads where you are not
I go, crying the loves of my twenties

The first Eurovision contest was a weird one. Each country performed two songs. Each country cast two jury votes. Countries were allowed to vote for themselves. The ballot was secret, and the votes were never publicly released. The Luxembourg jurors weren't able to attend so Switzerland voted on their behalf (which makes Switzerland's win seem suspicious). There was no 3-minute rule. There's no surviving footage of this contest. And there was zero English songs in 1956 as the UK didn't participate until 1957. Thankfully, things become more familiar in 1957.

Stylistically, the 14 songs are what you'd expect to hear in 1956. SO MANY slow boring big band orchestral crooner/vocal ballads. I just listened to a quick recap of the 14 songs and they all sound the same lol. This is definitely not my era.

Despite possible corrupt voting, I think the jury picked the right winner. "Refrain" sounds BIG. It begins and ends with a huge blast of brass from the orchestra. It's Eurovision asserting its mark from the beginning. Meanwhile Lys Assia is a competent singer and the French language always sounds beautiful. (I believe French was the most widely spoken language on the European continent at the time, which would explain why so many of the early winners are in French). The orchestra and backing vocals chime in at the right times to elevate the song. Lyrically, "Refrain" is melancholic and reflective. About being nostalgic for a young romance. Wishing to recapture it, but she seems to accept that life moves on. I'd say it's a well written song, assuming the translation is accurate.

Verdict: YASSSSS tier. "Refrain" grew on me as I writing this review. It set a precedent for Eurovision winners and the contest is still going 64 years later.

My points go to....
12 pts Lys Assia "Refrain" (Switzerland)
10 pts Michèle Arnaud "Ne crois pas" (Luxembourg)
08 pts Franca Raimondi "Aprite le finestre" (Italy)
07 pts Lys Assia "Das alte Karussell" (Switzerland)
06 pts Freddy Quinn "So geht das jede Nacht" (Germany)
05 pts Dany Dauberson "Il est là" (France)
(meh to the rest)



Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤

[Leo ✔]

I haven't heard all the songs from 1956 but that intro... is just beautiful. Holy s**t!!

[ry4n]

1957: Corry Brokken - Net als toen

Country: Netherlands
Points: 31 (34.4% of highest score possible)
Language: Dutch

Host: Frankfurt, West Germany
Participants: 10

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Dutch)}Zit niet zo suf met die eeuwige krant
Gaap niet van slaap of verveling
'k Ben toch je vrouw en ik eet uit je hand
Maar 'k eet niet van de bedeling

Kijk me niet aan of je denkt: 'leef je nog?'
Ben ik nog altijd die vrouw
Waarmee je destijds - wanneer was dat toch?
Per se dat avontuurtje hebben wou

Wees nog eens lief, net als toen
Vraag me nog eens om een zoen
Breng me weer rozen, sta weer te blozen
Als je me ziet, net als toen
Wees nog eens lief en galant
Vind me weer mooi en charmant
Dan wordt de wereld weer net als vroeger
Een sprookjesland

Ja, je wordt dik en je haar wordt al grijs
Maar je kunt heus nog wel flirten
Ach, je bent soms nog zo'n kind, zo onwijs
Nurks en baldadig om beurten

Weet je nog? Weet je nog? Zeg nu niet nee
Weet je nog, dat je toen zei?
't Gelukkigste paar, dat zijn wij met z'n twee
Mijn liefde, liefste lief, gaat nooit voorbij

Wees nog eens lief, net als toen
Vraag me nog eens om een zoen
Breng me weer rozen, sta weer te blozen
Als je me ziet, net als toen
Wees nog eens lief en galant
Vind me weer mooi en charmant
Dan wordt de wereld weer net als vroeger
Een sprookjesland

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}Don't be so drowsy with that eternal paper
Don't yawn from sleep or boredom
I'm your wife and I eat out of your hand
But I don't eat from charity

Don't look at me as if you think: 'are you still alive?'
Am I still that woman
With whom you once - when was it again? -
Wanted to have that little adventure at all costs?

Be nice once again, just like then
Ask me once again for a kiss
Bring me roses again, blush again
When you see me, just like then
Be nice and gallant once again
Find me beautiful and charming again
Then the world will be just like before
A fairyland

Yes, you're getting fat and your hair is turning grey
But you still can flirt, believe me
Ah, sometimes you act like a child, so silly
Gruff and wanton by turn

Do you remember? Do you remember? Don't say no now
Do you remember, that you said then?
The happiest couple, that's the both of us
My love, dearest darling, never ends

Be nice once again, just like then
Ask me once again for a kiss
Bring me roses again, blush again
When you see me, just like then
Be nice and gallant once again
Find me beautiful and charming again
Then the world will be just like before
A fairyland

The second Eurovision Song Contest saw much of the original format and rules tweaked. Juries were no longer allowed to vote for their own country. The votes were made public, and a clearly defined voting system was established - each country was given 10 points to distribute however they wish... the current 12-point system wasn't adopted until the 1970's. And three new countries debuted (the UK, Denmark and Austria).

The 1957 contest was 1 hr 8 min, which I think is the shortest in ESC history. It featured more slow boring orchestral ballads. That won't change for a while. Germany had possibly the first joke entry in ESC history with "Telefon, Telefon"; where the performer Margot Hielscher literally sings and talks into a telephone prop. The Italian entry was over 5 minutes long, which lead to the implementation of the 3-minute rule in future contests. The UK's first entry was an operatic ballad, and boy does Patricia Bredin belt it. While the first Danish entry sees a wife say goodbye to her military husband. They even share an onstage kiss.

1957 is a fairly "meh" contest. While there's a few interesting performances, none of them feel all that memorable. They don't elevate themselves above the pack in the way "Refrain" did. My 12 points go to Germany for the lolz.

The winner, Corry Brokken's "Net als toen", is a snoozefest. I can hum the melody of almost every Eurovision winner. This one I cannot. Where's the hook? It lacks the orchestral bombast of "Refrain". And it blends in with every other performance of the time. Yes I'm quite harsh with 1950's music but most of it bores me. On the positive side... the song is fine lyrically. Corry misses the romantic fairytale phase of her marriage. It's relatable. And the "Ja, je wordt dik en je haar wordt al grijs" part has a pleasing poetic bounciness to it.

Verdict: Meh tier. This just doesn't feel like a winner to me. The song isn't terrible, but I rank it pretty low compared to the other 66 champions.

My points go to....
12 pts Margot Hielscher "Telefon, Telefon" (Germany)
10 pts Patricia Bredin "All" (UK) (for the effort)
08 pts Bobbejaan Schoepen "Straatdeuntje" (Belgium) (the whistles are kinda annoying tho)
07 pts Birthe Wilke & Gustav Winckler "Skibet skal sejle i nat" (Denmark) (for the sweetness)
(don't care about the rest)



Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤

[ry4n]

1958: André Claveau - Dors, mon amour

Country: France
Points: 27 (30.0% of highest score possible)
Language: French

Host: Hilversum, Netherlands
Participants: 10
Voting method: Ten-member juries distributed 10 points among their favourite songs

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (French)}]Dors, mon amour
Le soleil est encore loin du jour
Nous avons pour aimer tout le temps
Et la nuit nous comprend

Dors, mon amour
Protégée par mes bras qui entourent
Ton sommeil d'un rideau de bonheur
Dors au creux de mon cœur

Je suis un roi qui tient tout son royaume en ses doigts
Et qui tremble de voir s'écrouler ce royaume enchanté

Dors, mon amour
Ma princesse enfermée dans sa tour
Avec tous les refrains de la nuit
Ma princesse endormie

Je suis ton âme pas à pas sur son chemin de joie
Et je m'amuse à me pencher sur ton sommeil étoilé

Dors, mon amour
Le soleil est encore loin du jour
Nous avons pour aimer tout le temps
Et la nuit nous comprend

Dors, mon amour
Protégée par mes bras qui entourent
Ton sommeil d'un rideau de bonheur
Dors au creux de mon cœur

J'entends la voix de ta vie qui bat tout près de moi
Et je sens comme un souffle très doux qui caresse ma joue

Dors, mon amour
Ma princesse endormie dans sa tour
J'aperçois le sourire du matin
Voici le soleil de demain
Le grand soleil de l'amour éternel

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}]Sleep, my love
The sun is still far from the day
We have all the time to love
And the night understands us

Sleep, my love
Protected by my arms that surround
Your sleep with a curtain of happiness
Sleep onto my heart

I'm a king that holds his whole kingdom in his fingers
And that shivers of seeing this enchanted kingdom falling down

Sleep, my love
My princess, locked up in her tower
With all the refrains of the night
My sleepy princess

I'm following your soul step by step on its way of joy
And I amuse myself by leaning over your starry sleep

Sleep, my love
The sun is still far from the day
We have all the time to love
And the night understands us

Sleep, my love
Protected by my arms that surround
Your sleep with a curtain of happiness
Sleep onto my heart

I hear the voice of your life that beats so close to me
And I feel like a very gentle blow that caresses my cheek

Sleep, my love
My princess, locked up in her tower
I see the morning smile
Here's the sun of tomorrow
The great sun of the eternal love

The 1958 contest saw the first interval act. Corry Brokken and Lys Assia represented the Netherlands and Switzerland (respectively) for the third consecutive year. A future dominant country in ESC, Sweden, debuted. The UK departed after losing its bid to host the contest. Which means, for the second and last time, there's no entries in English. The Netherlands hosted the contest instead, setting the tradition of the winning country hosting the next contest.

The most well-known entry of 1958 is not the winner. It's the Italian entry - Domenico Modugno's "Nel blu dipinto di blu" or "Volare". The song was a huge international hit and it even topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won two Grammy awards. Arguably the most successful song in ESC history.

The Italian and Swiss entries are better than anything from 1956 and 1957, aside from "Refrain". However the 1958 is another fairly dull set of entries. More slow orchestral ballads. Even the Swedish entry is dull! Margot Hielscher represents West Germany again; this time in a pageant dress holding vinyl records.

The third Eurovision winner, "Dors, mon amour", performed by André Claveau, is a typical 1950's crooner ballad. I could see Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin singing this. It's a diary of André's thoughts while he watches his significant other sleep. It's sugary sweet and well sung. Aptly, this song is a sleepy lullaby. It's another winner where I can't hum the melody from memory. Which is never a good thing.

Verdict: Meh. Another dull one. Italy is the real winner.

My points go to....
12 pts Domenico Modugno "Nel blu dipinto di blu" (Italy)
10 pts Lys Assia "Giorgio" (Switzerland)
08 pts Margot Hielscher "Für zwei Groschen Musik" (West Germany)
(meh to the rest)



Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤

[ry4n]

1959: Teddy Scholten - Een beetje

Country: Netherlands
Points: 21 (21.0% of highest score possible)
Language: Dutch

Host: Cannes, France
Participants: 11
Voting method: Ten-member juries distributed 10 points among their favourite songs

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Dutch)}Ik wou dat je hart een kast was met een deurtje
En dat ik kon kijken in het interieurtje
Dan moest je oprecht zijn, goed of slecht, maar echt zijn
En dan zei je al gauw, als ik vroeg: "Ben je trouw?"

Een beetje, verliefd is iedereen wel eens, dat weet je
Je wilt verstandig zijn, maar dat vergeet je
Zodra je naar wat Amor fluistert, luistert
Dan weet je, dat wordt weer net zoiets als Faust en Greetje
Met rendez-vous'tjes in een klein cafeetje
En slent'ren in de maneschijn

Met rozengeur
En kussen bij het afscheid aan de deur
De nacht is blauw, je fluistert mond aan mond
Ik zweer je eeuwig trouw

Een beetje, verliefd was je wel meer, meneer, dat weet je
Je hart kwam wel eens meer op een ideetje
Dat speet je, maar ach weet je, soms vergeet je
Wel een beetje gauw je eedje van trouw

Maar toch ben ik blij dat mijn hart ook geen deur heeft
Want je weet nooit wat daar in het interieur leeft
Wel wil ik beloven, als we ons verloven
En je vraagt: "Ben je trouw?", zeg ik nooit tegen jou...

Met rozengeur
En kussen bij het afscheid aan de deur
De nacht is blauw, je fluistert mond aan mond
Ik zweer je eeuwig trouw

Een beetje, verliefd was je wel meer, meneer, dat weet je
Je hart kwam wel eens meer op een ideetje
Dat speet je, maar ach weet je, soms vergeet je
Wel een beetje gauw je eedje van trouw

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}I wanted your heart to be a closet with a little door
And that I could look in the little interior
Then you had to be sincere, good or bad, but true
And then you'd soon say, when I asked: "Are you faithful?"

A bit, everyone is in love at least once, you know that
You want to be sensible, but you forget that
As soon as you listen to what Amor whispers
Then you know, it will be something like Faust and Gretchen
With little rendezvous in a little café
And strolling in the moonshine

With smell of roses
And kissing goodbye at the door
The night is blue, you whisper mouth to mouth
I swear eternal allegiance to you

A bit, you were in love more than once, mister, you know that
Your heart came up with a little idea more than once
You were sorry, but ah you know, sometimes you forget
Maybe a bit too soon, your little oath of loyalty

But actually, I'm happy that my heart has no door either
Because you never know what may live there in the interior
I'm willing to promise, when we get engaged
And you ask: "Are you faithful?", I'll never say to you...

With smell of roses
And kissing goodbye at the door
The night is blue, you whisper mouth to mouth
I swear eternal allegiance to you

A bit, you were in love more than once, mister, you know that
Your heart came up with a little idea more than once
You were sorry, but ah you know, sometimes you forget
Maybe a bit too soon, your little oath of loyalty

The fourth Eurovision Song Contest featured a livelier set of entries, thankfully. The uptempos outnumber the ballads! Denmark, the winning Netherlands, Germany and Sweden provide some playful/perky/buoyant numbers. The UK returned with a new formula that they'd repeat several times - the jaunty silly song ("Sing Little Birdie"), which includes whistles and a finger puppet. Too childish for me. It got them second place and they haven't missed a contest since. France also went the silly route with "Oui, oui, oui, oui". 1958 also saw Monaco debut (while Luxembourg missed this one). Domenico Modugno represented Italy again, but finished worse this time.

The hosts France tried a new gimmick with the stage - the performers entered via a revolving door that had a painted backdrop. And the host used a giant pointing stick for the scoreboard. I find that amusing for some reason.



So the Netherlands became the first repeat winner. "Een beetje" is definitely catchier than "Net als toen". The chorus has a bouncy sing-songy melody accentuated by Teddy's enunciation. I like it when Eurovision songs play to the poetic strengths of the respective languages. Because, generally, Dutch doesn't sound pretty. In between the perky choruses, the verses offer a more stripped back reflective side.

1950's love songs can be so serious. "Een beetje" ("A Bit" in English) is definitely not. Teddy is happy to be in a casual relationship. And that sentiment matches her chipper delivery. Teddy deduces that if they opened their hearts, it would lead to promises of being faithful, and inevitably one of them would cheat. She's happy to avoid that mess by not getting emotionally involved (ie. closing the door to her heart).


Verdict: YASSS tier for its uniqueness. Seems the first few "black-and-white era" winners are either quite good or quite meh.

My points go to....
12 pts Teddy Scholten "Een beetje" (Netherlands)
10 pts Birthe Wilke "Uh, jeg ville ønske jeg var dig" (Denmark) (she gets quite into the performance)
08 pts Brita Borg "Augustin" (Sweden)
07 pts Domenico Modugno "Piove (Ciao, ciao bambina)" (Italy)
06 pts Alice & Ellen Kessler "Heute Abend wollen wir tanzen geh'n" (West Germany)
05 pts Jean Philippe "Oui, oui, oui, oui" (France)
(meh to the rest)



Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤

[ry4n]

Also loved how they called up the countries with an actual phone in 57 and 58. Looks like a rotary phone too.



We're a long ways off from the today's production values!

[ry4n]

1960: Jacqueline Boyer - Tom Pillibi

Country: France
Points: 32 (26.7% of highest score possible)
Language: French

Host: London, United Kingdom
Participants: 13
Voting method: Ten-member juries distributed 10 points among their favourite songs

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (French)}Tom Pillibi a deux châteaux – le premier en Écosse
Tom Pillibi a deux châteaux – l'autre au Monténégro
Il a aussi deux grands vaisseaux qui vont au bout du monde
Chercher des ors et des coraux et les plus beaux joyaux

Il a d'la chance – Tom Pillibi
Et moi, je pense que je suis son amie
Il est si riche, que je l'envie
Il est si riche – sacré Tom Pillibi

Tom Pillibi a deux secrets qu'il ne livre à personne
Tom Pillibi a deux secrets – moi seule, je les connais
La fille du roi lui sourit et l'attend dans sa chambre
La fille du roi lui sourit et la bergère aussi

Il a d'la chance – Tom Pillibi
Et moi, je pense que je suis son amie
Quelle bonne étoile veille sur lui?
Quelle bonne étoile? – Sacré Tom Pillibi

Tom Pillibi n'a qu'un défaut, le mal n'est pas bien grave
Tom Pillibi n'a qu'un défaut, le mal n'est pas bien gros
Il est charmant, il a bon cœur, il est plein de vaillance
Il est charmant, il a bon cœur, mais il est si menteur

Que rien n'existe de tout cela
Mais je m'en fiche quand je suis dans ses bras
Car je suis reine du grand pays
Où il m'entraîne – sacré Tom Pillibi

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}Tom Pillibi has two castles – the first one in Scotland
Tom Pillibi has two castles – the other one in Montenegro
He also has two ships which go to the end of the world
To search for gold and corals and the most beautiful jewels

He's lucky – Tom Pillibi
And I think that I'm his girlfriend
He's so rich, that I envy him
He's so rich – blasted Tom Pillibi

Tom Pillibi has two secrets, which he won't tell anyone
Tom Pillibi has two secrets – I'm the only one who knows them
The king's daughter smiles to him and waits for him in her bedroom
The king's daughter smiles to him and the shepherdess too

He's lucky – Tom Pillibi
And I think that I'm his girlfriend
Which good star is looking after him?
Which good star? – Blasted Tom Pillibi

Tom Pillibi has only one fault, but it's nothing serious
Tom Pillibi has only one fault, but it's not such a big thing
He's charming, he's kind-hearted, he has so much courage
He's charming, he's kind-hearted, but he's such a liar

Because nothing exists of all that
But I don't care when I'm in his arms
Because I'm the queen of the big country
Where he takes me to – blasted Tom Pillibi

As Eurovision heads into the 1960s, I should mention the tense political situation during the early years of the contest. With Nikita Khrushchev taking power, the Warsaw Pact, the Hungarian revolt, the Soviet Union assuming control over eastern Europe, the Berlin Wall construction in 1961, and ultimately the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. The Cold War was at its hottest peak. An iron curtain divided Europe into east and west. And the destruction of World War II was still fresh in people's memories. So the west united for one day a year in a song contest to focus on something more positive. This context is worth mentioning.

Anyway onto the 1960 contest itself. It features another set of livelier songs, and a few more boring crooner ballads. The Netherlands declined to host again, so the UK stepped up. Meaning this is the first contest with an English speaking host (Katie Boyle - who would host three more times). The UK sent another silly jaunty entry ("looking high high high, looking low, low, low") and once again placed 2nd. Norway debuted and Luxembourg returned. Otherwise, pretty standard affair compared to the first four contests.

So the Netherlands and France play hot potato with the past 4 winners. "Tom Pillibi" is another perky bouncy number, in the same vein as "Een beetje". The instrumentation reminds me of classic Disney movies. And I like the sing-songy nursery rhyme enunciation of the verses. It sets the mood of a fantastical fairytale. Jacqueline's boyfriend is flexing big time. He's a king, he owns two castles, ships, some gold. Extreme exaggerations, I'm sure. But there's a twist towards the end of the song - it's all a lie! However, Jacqueline is still happy in this relationship for one reason. She is the one real thing that her boyfriend brags about. She gets to be the queen in this fairytale.

It's a neat song, although it's reductive of the previous winner. Right down to the twist ending ("But actually, I'm happy that my heart has no door either" in "Een beetje" / "but he's such a liar" in "Tom Pillibi".)


Verdict: YASSSS tier. f**k it, it's better than "Een beetje".

My points go to....
12 pts Jacqueline Boyer "Tom Pillibi" (France)
10 pts Wyn Hoop "Bonne nuit ma chérie" (West Germany) (quite good instrumentation)
08 pts Bryan Johnson "Looking High, High, High" (UK) (I hate how catchy this is)
07 pts Siw Malmkvist "Alla andra får varann" (Sweden)
06 pts Nora Brockstedt "Voi Voi" (Norway)
05 pts Katy Bødtger "Det var en yndig tid" (Denmark)
04 pts François Deguelt "Ce soir-là" (Monaco)
(meh to the rest)



Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤

[ry4n]

1961: Jean-Claude Pascal - Nous les amoureux

Country: Luxembourg
Points: 31 (20.7% of highest score possible)
Language: French

Host: Cannes, France
Participants: 16
Voting method: Ten-member juries distributed 10 points among their favourite songs

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (French)}Nous, les amoureux – on voudrait nous séparer
On voudrait nous empêcher d'être heureux
Nous, les amoureux – il paraît que c'est l'enfer
Qui nous guette ou bien le fer et le feu

C'est vrai, les imbéciles et les méchants
Nous font du mal, nous jouent des tours
Pourtant rien n'est plus évident que l'amour
Nous, les amoureux, nous ne pouvons rien contre eux
Ils sont mille et l'on est deux, les amoureux

Mais l'heure va sonner les nuits moins difficiles
Et je pourrai t'aimer sans qu'on en parle en ville
C'est promis, c'est écrit

Nous les amoureux – le soleil brille pour nous
Et l'on dort sur les genoux du Bon Dieu
Nous, les amoureux – Il nous a donné le droit
Au bonheur et à la joie d'être deux

Alors, les sans-amour, les mal-aimés
Il faudra bien nous acquitter
Vous qui n'avez jamais été condamnés
Nous, les amoureux, nous allons vivre sans vous
Car le ciel est avec nous, les amoureux

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}We, the lovers – they want to separate us
They would like to prevent us from being happy
We, the lovers – it seems that it's hell
That watches us or else the iron and the fire

It's true, the idiots and the evil ones
Harm us, do bad things to us
However nothing is more obvious than love
We, the lovers, we can do nothing against them
They are a thousand and we are two, the lovers

But the hour is going to ring on the least difficult nights
And I could love you without them talking about it downtown
It's promised, it's written down

We, the lovers – the sun shines for us
And we sleep on the knees of the Good Lord
We, the lovers – He gave us the right
To be happy and to be joyful together

Then, the without-loves, the mis-loved
It will be necessary that we pay back
Those who have never been condemned
We, the lovers, we're going to live without you
For the sky is with us, the lovers

1961 saw the debut of Finland, Spain (finally) and Yugoslavia (they weren't aligned with the Soviets). This brought the number of entrants to 16, making the 6th contest feel more full than the first 5. France, unlike the Netherlands, went through with hosting again. Unfortunately, the 1961 contest is heavy on the slow, sleep-inducing ballads. While Spain and Germany's performances are just painful. The UK placed 2nd for the third consecutive year. This time with harmonizing duo The Allisons, who remind me of the Everly Brothers. It's the most modern-sounding song of the night. Sweden provides a bouncy whistling number. France goes the silly hook route ("bing-a-bong"). And Italy finishes the night with a belter.

One of the strangest Eurovision facts is Luxembourg winning FIVE times. Though I don't think any of their winners are native to Luxembourg. Another interesting fact: Luxembourg placed last in 1960 and first in 1961.

On initial assessment, the winner “Nous les amoureux” (translated: “We, The Lovers”) sounds like any other male crooner ballad from the “black-and-white era”. However, I think there's more depth to the song than that. The vocal tone and instrumentation create a downbeat, romantic, soothing atmosphere. I'm sure the French language has something to do with that. The lyrics are a reassurance and defiance against other people's opinions of Jean-Claude's relationship. All that matters is that they're happy together. “We, the lovers, we're going to live without you” is certainly a statement of conviction.

I like the way Jean-Claude sings the title phrase. It's the main hook of the song. But it's really the only hook. Not sure how I'd make the melody more memorable, though.

Verdict: Yeah, I like it


My points go to....
12 pts The Allisons "Are You Sure?" (UK)
10 pts Greetje Kauffeld "Wat een dag" (Netherlands)
08 pts Jean-Claude Pascal "Nous les amoureux" (Luxembourg)
07 pts Colette Deréal "Allons, allons les enfants" (Monaco)
06 pts Betty Curtis "Al di là" (Italy)
05 pts Franca di Rienzo "Nous aurons demain" (Switzerland)
04 pts Jean-Paul Mauric "Printemps, avril carillonne" (France)
(meh to the rest)



*I changed "Amazing" to "G.O.A.T." (Greatest of All Time)

Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤 born fearlessarrow

[born]

I love this! I'm lowkey offended that I'm not tagged

[ry4n]

Mar 14, 2020 19:00:59 GMT -5 born said:

I love this! I'm lowkey offended that I'm not tagged

Added to the list of tags!

[Leo ✔]

Patiently waiting how you rank my least favorite winner

[ry4n]

Mar 14, 2020 19:14:23 GMT -5 Leo ✔ said:

Patiently waiting how you rank my least favorite winner

I wonder which one that is.

There's 3 winners that are super cringe. But I'll get there eventually~

[fearlessarrow]

Please tag me too! I'm enjoying your write-ups so far!!

[ry4n]

1962: Isabelle Aubret - Un premier amour

Country: France
Points: 26 (57.8% of highest score possible)
Language: French

Host: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Participants: 16
Voting method: Juries gave points to three songs (3-2-1)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (French)}Un premier amour, premier amour, premier amour
Ne s'oublie jamais, s'oublie jamais, s'oublie jamais
Un premier amour, on le cherche toujours
Dans d'autres amours, toute sa vie on court après

Il nous a troublés et fait rêver et fait trembler
Ce premier amour, premier amour, premier amour
Mais l'enfant qu'on est, l'enfant qu'on est resté
Frémira toujours au souvenir de cet amour

Et toi, et toi que j'aimais
Qu'as-tu fait de toi?
Qu'as-tu fait sans moi?
Et moi, moi qui t'ai perdu
Qu'ai-je fait de plus?
Qu'ai-je fait de tant de bonheur?
Savions-nous d'ailleurs...

Qu'un premier amour, premier amour, premier amour
Ne s'oublie jamais, s'oublie jamais, s'oublie jamais?
Qu'un premier amour, on le cherche toujours
Dans d'autres amours, toute sa vie on court après?

Que tous ces baisers qu'on s'est volés plus que donnés
Ces gestes innocents nous engageaient pour si longtemps?
Non, les enfants d'alors que nous étions encore
N'ont pas soupçonné tant, ils étaient émerveillés
Qu'un premier amour, leur premier amour était si fort

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}A first love, first love, first love
Is never forgotten, never forgotten, never forgotten
A first love, we always look for it
In other loves, we pursue it our whole life

It confused us and made us dream and made us tremble
That first love, first love, first love
But the child that we are, the child that we remained
Will always hum in memory of this love

And you, and you who I loved
What did you make of yourself?
What have you done without me?
And I, I who lost you
What have I done more?
Was I so much more lucky?
Did we actually know...

That a first love, first love, first love
Is never forgotten, never forgotten, never forgotten?
That a first love, we always look for it
In other loves, we pursue it our whole life?

That all those kisses that we have stolen rather than given
Those innocent gestures engaged us for so long?
No, the children that we still were back then
Didn't suspect much, they were delighted
That a first love, their first love was so strong

The 1962 contest saw the same 16 countries compete as 1961. A new voting a system was adopted. Similar to the current 12-point system, but only the top 3 received points. 1962 is another contest heavy on the orchestral ballads. I'm ready to move on from this era. You'd never know rock-and-roll or doo-wop existed. It's also the year of performers singing the hell out of their songs. Particularly the last 3 of the night - Luxembourg, Italy and Monaco. All huge belters, each outdoing the previous one. While Austria's entry is straight-up opera.

Finland ("tipi-tii tipi-tipi-tipi tii") and the UK ("Ring-A-Ding Girl") fill the quota on silly hooks. Fud Leclerc represents Belgium for the 4th and final time. Luxembourg's Camillo Felgen, who placed last in 1960, redeems himself by finishing 3rd. The Netherlands send a vocal harmonizing duo akin to The Allisons (the UK's 1961 entry). While Sweden's entry is quite upbeat, despite the weird vocal ticks in the bridge.

So France wins for the 3rd time in 5 years. The country and its language dominated the early years of Eurovision. Despite the gluttony of big vocal performances in 1962, the winner actually aims for a downbeat performance; mostly. Indeed Isabelle's vocal tone is soft, soothing, and seductive. The part where she touches her face adds charm to the performance.

“Un premier amour” just feels magical. It's Isabelle's seductive voice. It's how she repeats certain phrases throughout, particularly the title phrase. And it's the restrained instrumentation. Meanwhile, the downbeat sections are balanced with vocal soars in the middle and end. “Un premier amour” is the perfect soundtrack to a romantic moonlit scene in a movie.

Verdict: YASSS tier. I was not expecting to rank the early winners so highly. But “Un premier amour” is pure CLASS.


My points go to....
12 pts Isabelle Aubret "Un premier amour" (France)
10 pts Inger Berggren "Sol och vår" (Sweden)
08 pts Marion Rung "Tipi-tii" (Finland) (lol)
07 pts François Deguelt "Dis rien" (Monaco) (for the effort)
06 pts De Spelbrekers "Katinka" (Netherlands)
05 pts Claudio Villa "Addio, addio" (Italy) (for the effort)
04 pts Conny Froboess "Zwei kleine Italiener" (West Germany)
03 pts Lola Novaković "Ne pali svetla u sumrak" (Yugoslavia) (quite soothing vocals)
(meh to the rest)



Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤 born fearlessarrow

[Leo ✔]

This is another of those oldies I enjoy, is decent!!

[ry4n]

1963: Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann - Dansevise

Country: Denmark
Points: 42 (56.0% of highest score possible)
Language: Danish

Host: London, United Kingdom
Participants: 16
Voting method: Juries gave points to five songs (5-4-3-2-1)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Danish)}Et solstrejf i en vandpyt
Et lille kindkys af en vind
Og sivet, der nynner
At livet begynder
Sit spind i dit sind

Et sølvfløjt fra en trætop
En svag tagfat-lyd af en kat
En rislen i bækken
En hvislen i hækken
Der si'r, at det ikke mer' er nat

Dugvåd ligger engen
Jomfru Daggry går til ro
Dagen står Puk-kåd ud af sengen
Og går over solens bro

Og os to?
Hvad med os to?
Ja, hvad med os to, dig og mig?
Jeg danser og danser og standser
Og sanser kun dig
Hvorfor løb du dog din vej?

Kom igen, kom igen
Kom igen, du, min elskede ven
Kom igen, kom igen
Hvor du ønsker det, danser vi hen

Kom, lad os danse
Alt kan der ske
Kom, lad os danse
Lad os danse, lad os le

Et sølvfløjt fra en trætop
En svag tagfat-lyd af en kat
En rislen i bækken
En hvislen i hækken
Der si'r, at det ikke mer' er nat

Dugvåd ligger engen
Jomfru Daggry går til ro
Dagen står Puk-kåd ud af sengen
Og går over solens bro

Og os to?
Hvad med os to?
Ja, hvad med os to, dig og mig?
Jeg danser og danser og standser
Og sanser kun dig
Hvorfor løb du dog din vej?
Kom igen, kom igen

Elskede ven

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}A ray of sunshine in a puddle
A little kiss on the cheek from a wind
And the rush, humming
That life's beginning
Its web in your mind

A whistle of silver from a treetop
A faint sound of a cat grabbing
A ripple in the stream
A whisper in the hedge
That says, that it isn't night anymore

The meadow is wet with dew
Lady Dawn goes to bed
Day gets up playfully
And crossing the bridge of the sun

And the two of us?
What about the two of us?
Yes, what about the two of us, you and me?
I'm dancing and dancing and stopping
And sensing only you
Why ever did you run away?

Come back, come back
Come back, you my beloved friend
Come back, come back
Wherever you wish, are we dancing to

Come, let us dance
Everything can happen
Come, let us dance
Let us dance, let us laugh

A whistle of silver from a treetop
A faint sound of a cat grabbing
A ripple in the stream
A whisper in the hedge
That says, that it isn't night anymore

The meadow is wet with dew
Lady Dawn goes to bed
Day gets up playfully
And crossing the bridge of the sun

And the two of us?
What about the two of us?
Yes, what about the two of us, you and me?
I'm dancing and dancing and stopping
And sensing only you
Why ever did you run away?
Come back, come back

Beloved friend

France could not afford to host 3 times in 5 years. So the UK stepped up again, with the classy Katie Boyle presenting. The hosting Brits redesigned the stage and switched to a hidden boom microphone. This allowed for more props and movement compared to the first 7 contests, where the performers mostly stood in one spot. So the 1963 contest was the first push towards a more visual medium (Eurovision began as an audio-focused program). Indeed, a few countries took advantage. The UK performer sat on a platform, Netherlands had a music box, Germany had some dancing, Italy had 7-foot portraits of women, and France had a spinning girl fading in and out of frame.

For the third year in a row, there was no change in the 16 competing countries. The voting system did change slightly - the juries now voted for five songs instead of three. Also of note; Nana Mouskouri, who has sold over 300 million records worldwide, represented Luxembourg.. even though she's Greek.

The 8th Eurovision Song Contest still contains plenty of orchestral ballads, but my top 3 is super strong. Switzerland's entry is excellent – I'm a sucker for these soft, melodic French language numbers. While Monaco's entry gives me the feels.

The 1963 jury result was controversial. Norway's jury votes were announced incorrectly, so they were pushed to the end of the queue. But after the other 15 countries revealed, Norway delivered a different result from earlier and it switched the winner from Switzerland to Denmark. This seemed suspicious.

But there's been enough Francophone winners. It's good when different styles win this contest - it's why I ranked “Een Beetje” and “Tom Pillibi” highly for breaking the ballad sludge. “Dansevise” is a fresh and unique Eurovision entry. The magic comes from the minimalist guitar plucking. It's pushed to the forefront, while the orchestra mostly quiets until the chorus, when the string section soars. This instrumentation creates such a melancholic mood. Grethe's performance complements it. Her delivery is downbeat in the verses and compelling in the chorus. “Dansevise” is a song of contrast. Even in the middle – the guitar/vocals are buoyant on “I'm dancing and dancing”, then switch to gloomy on “Come back, come back” three lines later. Similarly, the lyrics switch between listing physical sensations to getting lost in a dance to pleading for this guy to return. The repetition of certain phrases works well too. Yes it adds hooks, but it's also Grethe repeating thoughts in her mind. “Dansevise” is a rush of constantly changing emotions.


Verdict: G.O.A.T. tier. No question.

My points go to....
12 pts Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann "Dansevise" (Denmark)
10 pts Esther Ofarim "T'en va pas" (Switzerland)
08 pts Françoise Hardy "L'amour s'en va" (Monaco)
07 pts Emilio Pericoli "Uno per tutte" (Italy)
06 pts Alain Barrière "Elle était si jolie" (France)
05 pts Carmela Corren "Vielleicht geschieht ein Wunder" (Austria)
04 pts Annie Palmen "Een speeldoos" (Netherlands)
03 pts Heidi Brühl "Marcel" (West Germany) (fun but vocals seem off?)
02 pts Nana Mouskouri "À force de prier" (Luxembourg)
01 pts Jacques Raymond "Waarom?" (Belgium)
(I was able to pick 10 this time!)



Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤 born fearlessarrow

[ry4n]

1964: Gigliola Cinquetti - Non ho l'età

Country: Italy
Points: 49 (65.3% of highest score possible)
Language: Italian

Host: Copenhagen, Denmark
Participants: 16
Voting method: Juries gave points to three songs (5-3-1)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Italian)}Non ho l'età
Non ho l'età per amarti
Non ho l'età per uscire sola con te

E non avrei
Non avrei nulla da dirti
Perché tu sai molte più cose di me

Lascia che io viva un amore romantico
Nell'attesa che venga quel giorno
Ma ora no

Non ho l'età
Non ho l'età per amarti
Non ho l'età per uscire sola con te

Se tu vorrai
Se tu vorrai aspettarmi
Quel giorno avrai tutto il mio amore per te

Lascia che io viva un amore romantico
Nell'attesa che venga quel giorno
Ma ora no

Non ho l'età
Non ho l'età per amarti
Non ho l'età per uscire sola con te

Se tu vorrai
Se tu vorrai aspettarmi
Quel giorno avrai tutto il mio amore per te

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}I'm not old enough
I'm not old enough to love you
I'm not old enough to go out alone with you

And I wouldn't have
I wouldn't have anything to say
Because you know many more things than me

Let me live a romantic love
While I'm waiting for that day to come
But not now

I'm not old enough
I'm not old enough to love you
I'm not old enough to go out alone with you

If you want
If you want to wait for me
Some day all my love will be for you

Let me live a romantic love
While I'm waiting for that day to come
But not now

I'm not old enough
I'm not old enough to love you
I'm not old enough to go out alone with you

If you want
If you want to wait for me
Some day all my love will be for you

There is no available footage of the 1964 contest. Only a few clips and photos. The film was reportedly destroyed in a fire in Denmark. And no other copy has been uploaded online yet. Which is a shame because the stage looks elegant with the spiral stair case. This means I can't comment on the visual aspect of this contest.

Apparently the organizers could not decide on a voting system during this era. It was changed again – now the juries give points to three songs (5 pts, 3 pts, 1 pt). The 1964 contest saw Portugal debut (and receive 0 points) while Sweden missed out due to a boycott. The style of songs remained largely the same from previous contests. While the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Spain are the stand-outs in terms of fresh sound. The Dutch entry being a personal highlight of mine - excellent instrumental and bitterness, despite the lyrics suggesting a doormat situation. Meanwhile, Austria sent Udo Jürgens, who pours his heart out. More on that in 2 years.

This year's controversy came from a political protest invading the stage after Switzerland's performance.

So Italy won by a landslide – 49 points vs 17 for second place. The country deserved a win by this point. The Italian entries (thus far) aren't always to my taste, but they put forth the effort. “Non ho l'età” is structurally well-crafted. It contrasts minimalism and bombast, reaching the extremes on both ends. Indeed, “Non ho l'età” opens with a huge orchestral bang, then dives into the most delicate vocals. The song basically escalates in tension across three verses. Then repeats. The first involves Gigliola timidly whispering “I'm not old enough” while the orchestra restrains itself to a few “bom-bom”'s. The second verse teases with 4 dramatic piano notes. Finally, in the third section, Gigliola and the orchestra release all the built up tension. Asking nicely for this guy to wait isn't working, so she asserts her stance. While Gigliola's voice switches from meek to commanding.

Gigliola was 16 at the time, and her voice is just beautiful on this song. I love the message of a young girl standing up for herself. And the balance between shyness and the bursting works well.


Verdict: YASSS tier. This is a such strong run of winners.

My points go to....
12 pts Gigliola Cinquetti "Non ho l'età" (Italy)
10 pts Anneke Grönloh "Jij bent mijn leven" (Netherlands)
08 pts Los TNT "Caracola" (Spain)
07 pts Udo Jürgens "Warum nur, warum?" (Austria)
06 pts Hugues Aufray "Dès que le printemps revient" (Luxembourg)
05 pts Nora Nova "Man gewöhnt sich so schnell an das Schöne" (West Germany)
04 pts Arne Bendiksen "Spiral" (Norway)
03 pts Rachel "Le chant de Mallory" (France)
02 pts Matt Monro "I Love the Little Things" (UK)
01 pts Romuald "Où sont-elles passées" (Monaco)



Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤 born fearlessarrow

[ry4n]

Welp with the cancellation news today, and with time to kill in isolation, I'm very much committed to this. <3

58 winners to go. France Gall coming up tonight.

Also changed the title since I ended up reviewing the contests themselves as well.

[kimberly]

tag me pls!

[ry4n]

1965: France Gall - Poupée de cire, poupée de son

Country: Luxembourg
Points: 32 (37.6% of highest score possible)
Language: French

Host: Naples, Italy
Participants: 18
Voting method: Juries gave points to three songs (5-3-1)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (French)}Je suis une poupée de cire, une poupée de son
Mon cœur est gravé dans mes chansons
Poupée de cire, poupée de son
Suis-je meilleure, suis-je pire qu'une poupée de salon?
Je vois la vie en rose bonbon
Poupée de cire, poupée de son

Mes disques sont un miroir
Dans lequel chacun peut me voir
Je suis partout à la fois
Brisée en mille éclats de voix

Autour de moi, j'entends rire les poupées de chiffon
Celles qui dansent sur mes chansons
Poupée de cire, poupée de son
Elles se laissent séduire pour un oui, pour un nom
L'amour n'est pas que dans les chansons
Poupée de cire, poupée de son

Mes disques sont un miroir
Dans lequel chacun peut me voir
Je suis partout à la fois
Brisée en mille éclats de voix

Seule, parfois je soupire
Je me dis: "À quoi bon"
"Chanter ainsi l'amour sans raison"
"Sans rien connaître des garçons?"
Je n'suis qu'une poupée de cire, qu'une poupée de son
Sous le soleil de mes cheveux blonds
Poupée de cire, poupée de son

Mais un jour je vivrai mes chansons
Poupée de cire, poupée de son
Sans craindre la chaleur des garçons
Poupée de cire, poupée de son

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}I'm a wax doll, a sawdust doll
My heart is engraved in my songs
Wax doll, sawdust doll
Am I better, am I worse than a fashion doll?
I see life through bright rosy-tinted glasses
Wax doll, sawdust doll

My records are a mirror
In which everyone can see me
I'm everywhere at once
Broken in a thousand pieces of voice

Around me, I hear the rag dolls laughing
Those who dance to my songs
Wax doll, sawdust doll
They give in to a yes, to a name
Love is not only in songs
Wax doll, sawdust doll

My records are mirrors
In which everyone can see me
I'm everywhere at once
Broken in thousand pieces of voice

Alone, sometimes I sigh
I say to myself: "What good"
"Singing about love this way for no reason"
"Without knowing anything of boys?"
I'm nothing but a wax doll, but a sawdust doll
Under the sun of my blond hair
Wax doll, sawdust doll

But one day I'll live my songs
Wax doll, sawdust doll
Without fearing the warmth of boys
Wax doll, sawdust doll

While pop music underwent a massive shift in the mid 60's, Eurovision was slower to catch up. The 1965 contest still features many snoozer ballads – looking at you Ireland, Denmark, Finland and Yugoslavia. The Beatles were supposed to kill off this type of music! That said, the top 2 – Luxembourg and the UK – sound contemporary. Also the Dutch and Norwegian entries have livelier, more intricate/remarkable instrumentation. So some countries are pushing Eurovision forward. And I generally give my top points to the ones that do.

Elsewhere, Germany's performer sounds bored. Udo Jürgens represents Austria again with another tear-jerking ballad. Sweden goes straight-up opera (ABBA can't come soon enough). The UK places 2nd for the fifth time. Finland's performer looks like a young Abe Lincoln. And the '64 and '65 contests used a weird bar graph scoreboard instead of actual numbers.

Ireland finally debuts (so now we get two English songs per contest!) and Sweden returns, bringing the participating countries to 18. Which will be around the average until the late 80's.

The 1965 stage is tiny and basic, with a generic back drop. Once again, the performers stand still in front of a microphone. Love you Italy, but you dropped the ball there.

The early Eurovision contests focused on quality of song composition, rather than spectacle or pop appeal like later years. That's probably why I agree with most of the winners so far. The Francophone countries especially delivered on quality. Indeed, Luxembourg won for a second time in 1965, bringing the Francophone win ratio to 6/10. I think I've figured out Luxembourg's success – they're able to teleport top songs and artists from other countries. Gall was already successful in her native France. Even moreso after the 1965 contest, while “Poupée de cire, poupée de son” became a top 10 hit all over Europe. A sign that Eurovision is about to enter its next era – though I'd say '67 is the turning point.

“Poupée de cire, poupée de son” is my favourite pre-“Waterloo” winner. It is the most energetic Eurovision entry of the first 10 contests. It injects so much life into the contest. Frenetic, never stopping, thrusting forward. So much credit goes to the orchestra/instrumentation. The opening scampers, the string section holding things steady, the percussion stamping the syllables of the title phrase, the brief pause after the title phrase. It's so intricate and provides so much energy. But that's not to discredit France Gall – she spears that chorus right at you.

Lyrically, “Poupée” is a cynical self reflection of being a pop singer. It's a pop song criticizing pop songs.. so it's self deprecating and meta. Gall feels like a “rag doll, wax doll”, as per the translated title. Her music describes experiences of love that aren't real. Gall was 17 at the time - never experienced love. Yet the public listens to the fake stories anyway. The song ends with Gall hoping she'll find real love someday. “Poupée” addresses an interesting point about artists lacking creative control, and the public not caring about authenticity.. but that's a whole other discussion.


Verdict: G.O.A.T. tier.


My points go to....
12 pts France Gall "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" (Luxembourg)
10 pts Kirsti Sparboe "Karusell" (Norway)
08 pts Conny van den Bos "'Het is genoeg" (Netherlands)
07 pts Kathy Kirby "I Belong" (UK)
06 pts Udo Jürgens "Sag ihr, ich lass sie grüßen" (Austria)
05 pts Guy Mardel "N'avoue jamais" (France)
04 pts Conchita Bautista "¡Qué bueno, qué bueno!" (Spain)
03 pts Yovanna "Non, à jamais sans toi" (Switzerland)
02 pts Lize Marke "Als het weer lente is" (Belgium)
01 pts Bobby Solo "Se piangi, se ridi" (Italy)




Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤 born fearlessarrow kimberly

[born]

This is one of my favorites as well. Cool review

[Leo ✔]

This is the one I loathe. Even more than Salvador.

[ry4n]

1966: Udo Jürgens - Merci, Chérie

Country: Austria
Points: 31 (36.5% of highest score possible)
Language: German

Host: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Participants: 18
Voting method: Juries gave points to three songs (5-3-1)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (German)}Merci, merci, merci
Für die Stunden, Chérie, Chérie, Chérie
Uns're Liebe war schön, so schön
Merci, Chérie
Sei nicht traurig, muß ich auch von dir geh'n

Adieu, adieu, adieu
Deine Tränen tun weh, so weh, so weh
Unser Traum fliegt dahin, dahin
Merci, Chérie
Weine nicht, auch das hat so seinen Sinn

Schau nach vorn, nicht zurück
Zwingen kann man kein Glück
Denn kein Meer ist so wild wie die Liebe
Die Liebe allein, nur die kann so sein
So sein, so sein

Merci, merci, merci
Für die Stunden, Chérie, Chérie, Chérie
Uns're Liebe war schön, so schön
Merci, Chérie

So schön, so schön
Merci, Chérie
So schön, so schön
Merci, Chérie
Merci

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}Thank you, thank you, thank you
For the hours darling, darling, darling
Our love was beautiful, so beautiful
Thank you, darling
Don't be sad, as I have to leave you

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Your tears are painful, so painful, so painful
Our dream flies away, away
Thank you, darling
Don't cry, also that serves a useful purpose

Look ahead, not back
You can't force luck
Because no sea is as wild as love
Only love can be like that
Be like that, be like that

Thank you, thank you, thank you
For the hours, darling, darling, darling
Our love was beautiful, so beautiful
Thank you, darling

So beautiful, so beautiful
Thank you, darling
So beautiful, so beautiful
Thank you, darling
Thank you

The 1966 contest follows France Gall's lead; with most entries being noticeably more melodic, faster tempo, and less formal than previous years. Three songs in particular are stand-outs to me. First, the Norwegian entry is rather unique for Eurovision – it's a brooding, folksy number featuring an acoustic guitar. The Belgian entry is cute and Tonia has fun with it. And the Swedish entry is amusing. It involves a married couple lightheartedly playing lines off of each other. The song finished 2nd, becoming Sweden's first ESC smash.

The Danish entry lets loose too. It's a boisterous 1950's number where a couple randomly dances on stage in the middle of the song. Luxembourg (whose instrumental sounds like “She's Not Unusual”), Yogoslavia, Switzerland and France have melodic entries as well.

Conversely; Austria, Spain and Italy go for dramatic, gut-wrenching emotion. Austria's Udo Jürgens did the exact same thing for the third year in a row, and won. Spain went for super intense anguish. And Domenico Modugno represented Italy for the third time... and received 0 points. What a tumble from “Volare”.

The 1966 card is frontloaded though, and ends on 3 letdowns. First the Netherlands. They seem to be the most willing to try new things in the 60's. But their 1966 entry is a doozy. Milly Scott is the first black performer in Eurovision, which is awesome. But the performance involves two guitarists dressed in stereotypical Mexican attire (sombreros and all). And the lyrics are nonsense. Then Ireland has an incredibly bland entry. And finally, the UK has an incredibly dated entry – with Kenneth McKellar dressed in full traditional Scottish attire.

The 1966 contest featured the same 18 participants as 1965. They kept the weird 5-3-1 voting system. And a German language song finally won. You could argue that Austria and Germany had the biggest disadvantage in early Eurovision. They're not part of the Francophone bloc, nor the Nordic bloc. They lack the widespread recognition of English. And German doesn't sound “pleasant” like Spanish or Italian. Also, perhaps World War II was still fresh in people's memories.

But persistence pays off for Udo Jürgens. For three consecutive years, he gave the exact same performance of crying his heart out in front of a piano. I appreciated his earnest emoting at first, but after the THIRD consecutive time I'm just over it. It's like the juries gave him the win so he'd finally stop. I cannot review “Merci, Chérie” in a vacuum.

In 1964, Jürgens plead “why, why, why” a bunch of times. In 1965, he asked to keep his pain and desperation a secret. And in 1966, he thanks his ex for her love. There is a progression of maturation across these three performances. But structurally and melodically, each song is so similar, and weaker than the previous one.

That said, I do like how Jürgens trembles while repeating certain words. It creates a hook. And it gives the impression that he's sobbing and struggling to get the words out while he says goodbye on a dark rainy night. That's the mental image I get anyway.


Verdict: It's ok. Reductive. Jürgens pours everything into “Merci, Chérie”. But my reaction is just “whatever”.


My points go to....
12 pts Åse Kleveland "Intet er nytt under solen" (Norway)
10 pts Tonia "Un peu de poivre, un peu de sel" (Belgium)
08 pts Lill Lindfors & Svante Thuresson "Nygammal vals" (Sweden)
07 pts Madeleine Pascal "Ne vois-tu pas?" (Switzerland)
06 pts Berta Ambrož "Brez besed" (Yugoslavia)
05 pts Margot Eskens "Die Zeiger der Uhr" (West Germany)
04 pts Raphael "Yo soy aquél" (Spain)
03 pts Udo Jürgens "Merci, Chérie" (Austria)
02 pts Ann Christine "Playboy" (Finland)
01 pts Ulla Pia "Stop – mens legen er go'" (Denmark)




Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤 born fearlessarrow kimberly

[ry4n]

1967: Sandie Shaw - Puppet On A String

Country: United Kingdom
Points: 47 (29.4% of highest score possible)
Language: English

Host: Vienna, Austria
Participants: 17
Voting method: Ten-member juries distributed ten points among their favourite songs

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics}I wonder if one day that you'll say that you care
If you say you love me madly, I'll gladly be there
Like a puppet on a string

Love is just like a merry-go-round
With all the fun of the fair
One day I'm feeling down on the ground
Then I'm up in the air
Are you leading me on?
Tomorrow, will you be gone?

I wonder if one day that you'll say that you care
If you say you love me madly, I'll gladly be there
Like a puppet on a string

I may win on the roundabout
Then I'll lose on the swings
In or out, there is never a doubt
Just who's pulling the strings
I'm all tied up in you
But where's it leading me to?

I wonder if one day that you'll say that you care
If you say you love me madly, I'll gladly be there
Like a puppet on a string

I wonder if one day that you'll say that you care
If you say you love me madly, I'll gladly be there
Like a puppet on a string

Like a puppet on a string

General Overview

“Puppet on a String”'s win forever changed the direction of Eurovision stylistically. As the first non-serious winner, “Puppet” ended the “black-and-white” era, and it kicked off whatever the next era is – the stretch from here to “Waterloo”. I'll give it a name later. It's the era when Eurovision entered its peak period of relevance and chart impact. Indeed, “Puppet” was a huge hit across the continent. The early years produced plenty of classics too; but fewer countries participated, television wasn't as widely accessible, and most of those entries sound old as f**k.

The voting method returned to the original one from 1957. Denmark withdrew for the next decade. The hosting Austria built a unique stage atheistic – it had revolving mirrors behind the performers. Presenter Erica Vaal introduced the audience in several languages. The jury voting was a mess though – the university students kept entering incorrect numbers. And Vaal almost announced the winner before calling the final country (Ireland). It's a funny moment though.

This year's orchestra is superb. They used a variety of instruments and focused more on percussion. Even including a tambourine. So Eurovision finally sounds vaguely 60's. Chart music was changing quickly at the time with all the experimental songs ready to burst. But this contest always existed in its own bubble before 2000.

The 1967 entries are a mix of lighthearted catchy numbers and the usual plethora of ballads.

The Entries

Netherlands: Thérèse Steinmetz - Ring-dinge-ding
The Netherlands employs a silly “ring ding ding a ding” hook, but Thérèse has fun with it.

Luxembourg: Vicky Leandros - L'amour est bleu
My favourite of 1967. Strong melody, beautiful voice, and intricate instrumentation (percussion and strings especially). Simply magical. It goes for the “wall of sound” feel. So it sounds pretty 60's to me. A cover even topped the Billboard Hot 100.

Austria: Peter Horton - Warum es hunderttausend Sterne gibt
Dull.

France: Noëlle Cordier - Il doit faire beau là-bas
Gentle, melancholic verses with a typical vocal chorus.

Portugal: Eduardo Nascimento - O vento mudou
Portugal submits a black performer to score political points. The baritone sounds fresh.

Switzerland: Géraldine - Quel cœur vas-tu briser?
An honest female ballad, but it feels flat.

Sweden: Östen Warnerbring - Som en dröm
A cinematic ballad.

Finland: Fredi - Varjoon – suojaan
Fredi has a unique raspy voice, while the chorus employs a commanding, marching beat.

West Germany: Inge Brück - Anouschka
Hopeful and sufficiently melodic.

Belgium: Louis Neefs - Ik heb zorgen
A catchy, memorable, bellowing chorus. There's also an unexpected fake finish.

UK: Sandie Shaw - Puppet on a String
WINNER (see below)

Spain: Raphael - Hablemos del amor
Raphael represents Spain for the second year in a row with a passionate, intense belter.

Norway: Kirsti Sparboe - Dukkemann
Breezy, uplifting and melodic.

Monaco: Minouche Barelli - Boum-Badaboum
The performance contains a bunch of “boom boom”'s and backwards counting. Minouche sounds off-key though.

Yugoslavia: Lado Leskovar - Vse rože sveta
A standard male ballad, aside from the monologue and trumpet solo.

Italy: Claudio Villa - Non andare più lontano
Italy goes opera, overdramatic vocals and all – I don't care about opera.

Ireland: Sean Dunphy - If I Could Choose
Ireland submits another bland thing, which somehow finishes in 2nd place.

The Winner

So the UK finally earned their first win after 5 second-place finishes. Britain had now cemented its place at the forefront of Eurovision; where it would remain until the 21st century. “Puppet” is a fitting example of the UK's cynical contempt towards the contest. The country has a vibrant music scene known for pushing boundaries, especially in the mid 60's. Eurovision is the opposite of that, so the UK looks down on it. Often they submit utter trash thinking that's what Europe wants. Indeed, Sandie hated “Puppet” when she first heard it. Still, Sandie's success inspired the UK to send established artists for the next decade. (Sandie having earned two UK #1's before “Puppet”).

“Puppet on a String” is a conflicting song to rate. Like it's either TRASH or SMASH. The lyrics are problematic. Sandie is proud to be a doormat for this guy. And the circus-y farting horn instrumentation is too cutesy. That said, “Puppet” is one catchy bop isn't it? The way Sandie jumps out – IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII wonder if one day THAT you'll say THAT you care. She drills that hook into your head. The marching circus beat sticks with you. The pre-chorus elevation is melodically strong. And “Puppet” is the most bright and colourful Eurovision entry thus far.


Verdict: Weighing the good and the bad, I'll settle on “I like it”


My points go to....
12 pts Vicky Leandros "L'amour est bleu" (Luxembourg)
10 pts Louis Neefs "Ik heb zorgen" (Belgium)
08 pts Sandie Shaw "Puppet on a String" (UK)
07 pts Thérèse Steinmetz "Ring-dinge-ding" (Netherlands)
06 pts Kirsti Sparboe "Dukkemann" (Norway)
05 pts Fredi "Varjoon – suojaan" (Finland)
04 pts Raphael "Hablemos del amor" (Spain)
03 pts Östen Warnerbring "Som en dröm" (Sweden)
02 pts Minouche Barelli "Boum-Badaboum" (Monaco)
01 pts Eduardo Nascimento "O vento mudou" (Portugal)

Bubblin' Under:
#11: Inge Brück "Anouschka" (West Germany)
#12: Noëlle Cordier "Il doit faire beau là-bas" (France)
#13: Lado Leskovar "Vse rože sveta" (Yugoslavia)

Nah:
#14: Sean Dunphy "If I Could Choose" (Ireland)
#15: Claudio Villa "Non andare più lontano" (Italy)
#16: Géraldine "Quel cœur vas-tu briser?" (Switzerland)
#17: Peter Horton "Warum es hunderttausend Sterne gibt" (Austria)




Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤 born fearlessarrow kimberly

[Leo ✔]

Here comes the two spanishs songs, I'm nervous!!

[ry4n]

1968: Massiel - La, la, la

Country: Spain
Points: 29 (18.1% of highest score possible)
Language: Spanish

Host: London, United Kingdom
Participants: 17
Voting method: Ten-member juries distributed ten points among their favourite songs

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Spanish)}(La lalala lalala lalala...)

Yo canto a la mañana que ve mi juventud
Y al sol que día a día nos trae nueva inquietud
Todo en la vida es como una canción
Que cantan cuando naces y también en el adios

La lalala lalala lalala...
La lalala lalala la...
La lalala lalala lalala...
La lalala lalala...

Le canto a mi madre que dio vida a mi ser
Le canto a la tierra que me ha visto crecer
Y canto al día en que sentí el amor
Andando por la vida aprendí esta canción

La lalala lalala lalala...
La lalala lalala la...
La lalala lalala lalala...
La lalala lalala...

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lyrics (Translated)}(La lalala lalala lalala...)

I sing to the morning which sees my youth
And to the sun that brings us new hope day by day
Everything in life is like a song
Which is sung when you were born and also on your farewell

La lalala lalala lalala...
La lalala lalala la...
La lalala lalala lalala...
La lalala lalala...

I sing to my mother who gave me my life
I sing to the earth which has seen me growing
And I sing to the day when I felt love
Walking through life I learned this song

La lalala lalala lalala...
La lalala lalala la...
La lalala lalala lalala...
La lalala lalala...

General Overview

Eurovision is now in colour! Although many viewers didn't own colour televisions at the time. I don't like black & white aesthetic much – colour is more pleasing visually. London, and presenter Katie Boyle, hosted for the third time in 9 years. And the same 17 participants from 1967 competed in 1968.

The vote reveal is an exciting one. France lead for the first half. Then the UK lead. Then Spain overtook at the last minute. Ultimately, one point stopped the UK from winning twice in a row.

The 1968 contest shoved all the forgettable songs into the first third, and finished with 3 of my favourites of the night.

Many countries deliver enjoyable uptempos.

The Entries

Portugal: Carlos Mendes - Verão
Breezy but the performance feels off?

Netherlands: Ronnie Tober - Morgen
The Dutch entry employs a marching drum beat throughout. Forgettable song though.

Belgium: Claude Lombard - Quand tu reviendras
Beautiful, angelic vocals. The restrained orchestra complements it.

Austria: Karel Gott - Tausend Fenster
A standard dramatic male ballad.

Luxembourg: Chris Baldo & Sophie Garel - Nous vivrons d'amour
A male/female couple romantically harmonizing. But they're out of sync and the pacing is sluggish.

Switzerland: Gianni Mascolo - Guardando il sole
Tedious, overdramatic male ballad. If you've heard one, you've heard them all.

Monaco: Line & Willy - À chacun sa chanson
Another male/female couple romantically harmonizing. However, this entry has a sweet, breezy, fairytale boat ride feel to it.

Sweden: Claes-Göran Hederström - Det börjar verka kärlek, banne mej
Sweden goes for a swinging 1950's style orchestral dance. The lyrics describe the unexpected mundane aspects of a romance.

Finland: Kristina Hautala - Kun kello käy
An average female ballad.

France: Isabelle Aubret - La source
My favourite of 1968 is France. Isabelle Aubret (the winner of 1962) returns. Her soft vocals, and the breezy instrumental, paint the image of a beautiful, innocent girl laying in a sunny grassy field. But darkness lurks beneath the facade when three men kidnap and abuse the girl. Isabelle compares the incident to wolves preying on a lamb. It's such a bold choice for Eurovision, though only Francophone viewers would understand the lyrics.

Italy: Sergio Endrigo - Marianne
Gentle and melancholic. Sergio's warm voice and the string section sell this.

UK: Cliff Richard - Congratulations
The UK selected one of its biggest acts ever in Cliff Richard. Arguably, TOO big for Eurovision. (He was pretty successful on the European mainland as well). It'd be like sending Ed Sheeran in 2021. “Congratulations” is a jaunty number. It's annoyingly catchy and borderline TRASH. But Cliff gets quite into it. I don't hate it.

Norway: Odd Børre - Stress
Odd Børre employs the gimmick of rapidly repeating a bunch of monosyllables. It's a silly song.

Ireland: Pat McGuigan - Chance of a Lifetime
Ireland repeats their proven formula of blandness.

Spain: Massiel - La, la, la
WINNER (see below)

West Germany: Wenche Myhre - Ein Hoch der Liebe
A cute bop. Wenche has fun with the performance.

Yugoslavia: Dubrovački trubaduri - Jedan dan
Yugoslavia finishes the night by dressing in Medieval costumes while playing the flute and lute. A preview of future quirky Eurovision entries. It's a jubilant entry.

The Winner

“La La La” is Spain's first win. And it's a controversial one – Joan Manuel Serrat was originally chosen to represent Spain, but she wanted to sing in Catalan. And there's allegations that Franco bribed jury votes. The main criticism of “La La La” is the lack of substance – half the lyrics are literally “la la la la la la la la la la”. That's a noticeable shift from the early winners. Still, the “la”'s are catchy, and the brass explosion elevates it. In between the “la”'s are two downbeat verses describing what inspires Massiel to sing. I like when her voice soars during this section.


Verdict: I like it.


My points go to....
12 pts Isabelle Aubret "La source" (France)
10 pts Dubrovački trubaduri "Jedan dan" (Yugoslavia)
08 pts Massiel "La, la, la" (Spain)
07 pts Wenche Myhre "Ein Hoch der Liebe" (West Germany)
06 pts Sergio Endrigo "Marianne" (Italy)
05 pts Claude Lombard "Quand tu reviendras" (Belgium)
04 pts Cliff Richard "Congratulations" (UK)
03 pts Claes-Göran Hederström "Det börjar verka kärlek, banne mej" (Sweden)
02 pts Line & Willy "À chacun sa chanson" (Monaco)
01 pts Kristina Hautala "Kun kello käy" (Finland)

Bubblin' Under:
#11: Ronnie Tober "Morgen" (Netherlands)
#12: Carlos Mendes "Verão" (Portugal)

Nah:
#13: Odd Børre "Stress" (Norway)
#14: Karel Gott "Tausend Fenster" (Austria)
#15: Gianni Mascolo "Guardando il sole" (Switzerland)
#16: Chris Baldo & Sophie Garel "Nous vivrons d'amour" (Luxembourg)
#17: Pat McGuigan "Chance of a Lifetime" (Ireland)




Leo ✔ 𝐒 𝐨 𝐮 𝐧 𝐝 𝐜 𝐥 🕤 𝐜 𝐤 born fearlessarrow kimberly

[ry4n]

So 1969 has four winners (yes there a 4-way tie). I will split that retrospective into five posts - one for my thoughts on the contest itself, and 4 to highlight each winner individually