Birthe Kjær

Music/Lyrics: Franco Fasano/Franco Ciani, Franco Berlincioni

Conductor: Mario Natale

Anna and Fausto won the Sanremo festival in 1989, and three of the writers of that song also wrote Avrei Voluto. It needed a stronger input from the orchestra, who were not yet warmed up, and as a result, it sounded less strong than it is. The argument set to music is a very strong theme which Anna and Fausto got into the spirit of.

Music/Lyrics: Shaike Paikov/Shaike Paikov

Conductor: Shaike Paikov

Despite being surrounded by Galit and a couple of backing singers, Gili started very nervously but did become more relaxed. The song had potential to be a big belter, but suffered because of Gili’s immature voice.

Music/Lyrics: Kiev Connolly/Kiev Connolly

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

Kiev’s song is soft rock and moves along smoothly. As well as The Passengers, Kiev was accompanied by a female singer who was never far from his shoulder and was surplus to requirements.

Music/Lyrics: Jan Kisjes/ Jan Kisjes

Conductor: Harry van Hoof

A week of rehearsals had taken its toll on Justine’s voice, which cracked on the big note right at the end. That didn’t detract from the quality of her big power ballad.

Music/Lyrics: Timur Selçuk/ Timur Selçuk

Conductor: Timur Selçuk

Usually, if the most memorable thing about a song is the performance of the conductor, it wouldn’t be saying much about the quality of the song. However, despite Timur’s energetic display with the baton and a repetitive lyric, there is still a very infectious tune and rhythym to make the song stand out on its own.  

Music/Lyrics: Stef Bos/Stef Bos

Conductor: Freddy Sunder

Door De Wind starts modestly staying within itself, but by the end, it comes out of its shell by picking up the pace and power.

Music/Lyrics: John Beeby/Brian Hodgson

Conductor: Ronnie Hazlehurst

As usual, the United Kingdom was near the top of the bookmakers list. This year, it was fully justified. Why Do I Always Get It Wrong is a quiet, yet emotive ballad that leaves its mark.

Music/Lyrics: Inge Enoksen/Leiv Grotte

Conductor: Pete Knutsen

Heard on its own, Venners Nærhet is an appealing song; a sincere and gentle ballad. However, it doesn’t quite have the strength to pull itself above the competition. 

Music/Lyrics: Ricardo/Pedro Luis

Conductor: Luis Duarte

Portugal tried a rock song for the first time. The final position on the scoreboard doesn’t reflect how good the song is. The downfall comes when the lyrics go all geographic.

Music/Lyrics: Tim Norell, Ola Hakansson/Tim Norell, Ola Hakansson

Conductor: Anders Berglund

Sporting a hairstyle that any lead singer of a rock band would be proud of, Tommy gave everything as he delivered his uplifting piece of rock. Time has not diminished its quality.  

Music/Lyrics: Maggie Parke, Gast Waltzing/Maggie Parke, Bernard Loncheval

Conductor: Benoit Kaufman

Fronted by American Maggie Parke, the band representing Luxembourg gave us something different. An obvious bass, brass and plucked strings make Monsieur stand out from the crowd

Music/Lyrics: Soren Bundgard/Keld Keick

Conductor: Henrik Krogsgaard

Veteran Birthe showed the others how to do it as she lifted this bouncy little number to third place. There was even a chance to Henrik to dash from the orchestra pit to join in the proceedings on stage. How fortunate that the conductor from the previous song was on hand to take over, and seemed to know exactly where to start.  

Music/Lyrics: Dieter Bohlen/Joachim Horn-Bernges

Conductor: n/a

Thomas (a former member of the Vienna Boys Choir) achieved Austria’s highest placing since 1976, and the top five has eluded them ever since. Nur Ein Lied starts in dramatic style and maintains its grandness right to the end.

Music/Lyrics: Matti Puurtinen/Turkka Mali

Conductor: Ossi Runne

A song in Finnish with an Italian title and Spanish influences, what more could you ask for?

Music/Lyrics: Guy Matteoni, G. G. Candy/Sylvein Lebel

Conductor: Guy Matteoni

The second of the annoying child singers was much more confident than Gili had been earlier in the evening. She breezed her way through this admittedly good ballad.

Music/Lyrics: Juan Carlos Calderon/Juan Carlos Calderon

Conductor: Juan Carlos Calderon

In a year that contained more than its fair share of big ballads, Spain’s stood apart from the rest.  Nina sang with real feeling and could have brought her country its third win.

Music/Lyrics: Marios Meletiou/Efi Meletiou

Conductor: Haris Andreadis

A couple of wobbles with the vocals didn’t help a song already in need of all the assistance it could get. It’s rather empty and unsatisfying. 

Music/Lyrics: Marie-Louise Werth/Marie-Louise Werth

Conductor: Benoit Kaufman

This is the only song in the history of the contest to be sung in Switzerland’s fourth language, Romanche. It’s a rather subdued effort which passes by almost unnoticed.    

Music/Lyrics: Yannis Kyris, Marianna Efstratiou/Villy Saniánou

Conductor: Yiorgos Niachros

Marianna was one of the stronger singers in the contest but had one of the weakest songs. It holds itself together, but seems to drift along aimlessly, never really taking off or achieving its potential. 

Music/Lyrics: Valgeir Gudjonsson/Valgeir Gudjonsson

Conductor: Valgeir Gudjonsson

Perhaps a little unlucky to score no points at all, this is a steady rather than strong ballad. It wasn’t the worst song in the contest, but was probably just outside the top ten of most of the juries.  

Music/Lyrics: Dieter Bohlen/Joachim Horn-Bernges

Conductor: n/a

Had Austria chosen a different song, Germany may well have been fifth instead. The two are very similar in style and presentation. This is not such a big surprise when you consider that the same songwriters were responsible for both songs.  

Music/Lyrics: Rajko Dujmic/Stevo Cvikic

Conductor: Nikica Kalogjera

Yugoslavia’s 24th entry brought it its first and only win. The often tried Balkan ballad was abandoned in favour of a europop tune of the type so often derided by cynics. It is one of the less musical credible songs Yugoslavia entered, but a win is a win and it is fun. Not only that, but the ‘Rock me baby’ refrain is very memorable.