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Corry Brokken

1958

1958 Logo (copyright - EBU)
Basic information
Date: 
3 March 1958
Venue: 
AVRO Studios - Hilversum, The Netherlands
Broadcaster: 
NOS
Presenter(s): 
Hannie Lips
About the contest: 

Sweden made its Eurovision debut in 1958, when Alice Babs came fourth with "Lilla Stjärna" - although she was already a big star, being one of the most popular artists in her country. In these early years of the Contest it was quite common to use established singers and not newcomers, as later became popular.

Although France achieved a clear victory, as is typical with the ESC, it was another song which got all the publicity. Domenico
Modugno's "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu" became a world mega-hit, both in its original Italian version and also in English by the American
singer Dean Martin. Since then, the song has been recorded by lots of different artist in practically every language.

All the countries had ten jurors, who awarded 1 point to their favourite song.

Trivia: 
No-one could be left in doubt about who the host country was, as the Netherlands had covered the stage with too many tulips.
About the songs: 
Domeniso ModugnoDomeniso Modugno


Italy – Domenico Modugno – Nel Blu, di Pinto di Blu (Italian)

Music/Lyrics: Domenico Modugno/Franco Migliacci & Domenico Modugno

Conductor: Alberto Semprini


Never mind the Eurovision Song Contest, this is one of the most famous songs in the world. Italy chose the Sanremo winner again with probably more confidence than before.

Corry BrokkenCorry Brokken

The Netherlands – Corry Brokken – Heel de Wereld (Dutch)

Music/Lyrics: Benny Vreden/Benny Vreden

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden


From the top of the scoreboard in 1957 to the bottom in 1958. This was Corry’s third and final song (and arguably her best) and had minimal arrangement, leaving her vocal to dominate. No wonder she gave up after this undeserved placing.

Andre ClaveauAndre Claveau

France – André Claveau – Dors Mon Amour (French)

Music/Lyrics: Pierre Delanoë/Hubert Giraud

Conductor: Franck Pourcel


France’s first victory was with this typical French ballad, which was also typical of their earlier entries. It’s nice enough but hands up if you prefer it to ‘Nel Blu, di Pinto di Blu. Thought not!

Solange BerrySolange Berry


Luxembourg – Solange Berry – Un Grand Amour (French)

Music/Lyrics: Michel Eric/ Monique Laniece & Raymond Roche

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden


This is the kind of song that would have been heard in late night cabaret, with the piano and double bass adding atmosphere.

Alice BabsAlice Babs

Sweden – Alice Babs – Lille Stjärna (Swedish)

Music/Lyrics: Åke Gerhard/Åke Gerhard

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden


No Schlager here! This is Sweden’s version of what everyone else was sending to the contest.

Raquel RastenniRaquel Rastenni

Denmark – Raquel Rastenni – Jeg Rev et Blad Ud Af min Dagbog (Danish)

Music/Lyrics: Harry Jensen/Harry Jensen

Conductor: Kai Mortensen


Following a relatively successful debut, Denmark gave us another pleasant, gentle foot-tapper.

Fud LeclercFud Leclerc

Belgium – Fud Leclerc – Ma Petite Chatte (French)

Music/Lyrics: André Dohet/André Dohet

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden


Belgium made good use of the orchestra’s brass section to create a Big Band sound. After singing in Flemish the year before, it was the turn of French this year.

Margot HielscherMargot Hielscher

Germany – Margot Hielscher – Für Zwei Groschen Musik (German)

Music/Lyrics: Friedrich Meyer/ Fred Rauch and Walter Brandin

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden


Brass was clearly the ‘in’ sound in 1958. There is also a Big Band feeling to the German song. Judging by her outfit, Margot had clearly just arrived from the Miss World contest

Liane AugustinLiane Augustin

Austria – Liane Augustin – Die Ganze Welt Braucht Liebe (German)

Music/Lyrics: Günther Leopold and Kurt Werner/ Günther Leopold and Kurt Werner

Conductor: Willy Fantl


This is a rather non-descript song. While there is nothing to dislike, it doesn’t really have anything likeable either. That’s probably why it finished mid-table.

Lys AssiaLys Assia

Switzerland – Lys Assis – Giorgio (Italian)

Music/Lyrics: Paul Berkhard/Fridolin Tschudi

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden


By far the most up-tempo of Lys’ Eurovision songs and her only one in Italian. This is a fun song which Lys must have enjoyed singing.

1957

1957 ESC Logo (copyright - EBU)
Basic information
Date: 
13 February 1957
Venue: 
Grosser Sendesaal des Hessischen Rundfunks, Frankfurt
Broadcaster: 
ARD/HR
Presenter(s): 
Anaid Plikjan
About the contest: 

With three debutants, United Kingdom, Austria and Denmark, 10 countries were competing in the second Eurovision contest, each with just one song which would be the standard for ESC from 1957 and forward.

Corry Brokken got a clear victory for The Netherlands with her song “Net Als Toen”. The song was one minute longer than allowed by the rules, but in these early years of Eurovision, it was not taken that seriously and the Netherlands were not the only ones to break that rule as the Italian entry went on for exactly 5 minutes and 9 seconds.

A memorable moment from the '57 performances was the Danish entry ending with a never-ending kiss. The kiss was not supposed to be that long, but they had been told to stop kissing on a certain signal… someone forgot to give the signal and they were standing there kissing waiting for a signal that never came!

Trivia: 
The shortest Eurovision entry ever came from UK in 1957. The song “All” was just 1 minute and 52 seconds.
About the songs: 
Bobbejaan SchoepenBobbejaan Schoepen

Belgium - Bobbejaan Schoepen - Straatdeuntje (Flemish)

Music/Lyrics: Harry Frekin/Eric Franssen

Conductor: Willy Berking

The normal structure of a song is verse, chorus, verse, chorus etc. This one is verse, a few la-la-la's, followed by whistle, whistle etc.

Danièle DupréDanièle Dupré

Luxembourg - Danièle Dupré - Tant de Piene (French)

Music/Lyrics: Jean-Pierre Kemmer / Jacques Taber

Conductor: Willy Berking

Danièle was given this standard French ballad, which she delivered adequately enough.

Patricia BredinPatricia Bredin

UK - Patricia Bredin - All (English)

Music/Lyrics: Reynell Wreford/Alan Stranks

Conductor: Eric Robinson

Experienced theatrical singer, Patricia, opened the UK's participation with what could have been an operatic aria.

Nunzio Gallo: Nunzio GalloNunzio Gallo

Italy - Nunzio Gallo - Corde della mia Chitarra (Italian)

Music/Lyrics: Mario Riccione/Giuseppi Cavaliere

Conductor: Armando Trovajoli

The song which won the 1957 Sanremo festival, it lasts for over five minutes. Frankly, it seems longer as it is a very very slow song which doesn't vary much.

Bob MartinBob Martin

Austria - Bob Martin - Wohin, Kleines Pony? (German)

Music/Lyrics: Kurt Svab/Hans Werner & Kurt Svab

Conductor: Carl de Groof

Austria's first entry was a jolly little song. It was enjoyed by the audience, if not the judges

Corry BrokkenCorry Brokken

The Netherlands - Corry Brokken - Net Als Toen (Dutch)

Music/Lyrics: Guus Jansen/Willy van Hemert

Conductor: Dolf van der Linden

Starting brightly, this year's winner becomes mor of a standard ballad. The arrangement adds to the song without being intrusive.

Margot HeilscherMargot Heilscher

Germany - Margot Heilscher - Telefon, Telefon (German)

Writer/Lyrics: Friedrich Meyer/ Ralph Maria Seigel

Conductor: Willy Berking

The first use of a gimmick at the Eurovision Song Contest. Margot pretendedto talk on the phoneduring the song.

Paule DesjardinsPaule Desjardins

France - Paule Desjardins - La Belle Amour (French)

Writer/Lyrics: Guy Lefarge/Francis Carco

Conductor: Paul Durand

As in the first contest, France entered a ballad typical of the nation. The string section were the busiest in the orchestra.

Birthe Wilke and Gustav WincklerBirthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler

Denmark - Birthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler - Skibet Skal Sejle i Nat (Danish)

Writer/Lyrics: Eric Fiehn/Paul Sorenesen

Conductor: Kai Mortensen

The first song from Denmark and the first duo as well. It is a pleasant mid-tempo (for the period) tune.

 

Lys AssiaLys Assia

Switzerland - Lys Assia - L'enfant Que J'étais (French)

Writer/Lyrics: Géo Voumard/Emile Gardaz

Conductor: Willy Berking

Lys returned after winning the first contest. A similar song to 'Refrain', it finished near the bottom instead of at the top.

1956

1956 Eurovision Song Contest logo © EBU
Basic information
Date: 
24 April 1956
Venue: 
Teatro Kursaal, Lugano, Switzerland
Broadcaster: 
SSR
Presenter(s): 
Lohengrin Filipello
About the contest: 

This is where it all began, Lugano, Switzerland. Who could have imagined how the contest would change and develop, or would have even existed more than fifty years later? Seven countries took part and, probably to make the show more of an event, each had two songs. Can you imagine that today? Rehearsals would take a month!

Only those involved at the time with a particular country will know if there were any tactical decisions regarding singers and songs. However, it is interesting to note that only one chose a male and a female singer, four chose one up-tempo song and one ballad while Switzerland flaunted it and sung in different languages. They were one of two countries to use the same singer for both songs.


As there was no voting procedure or even a final scoreboard broadcast, much of the voting remains a mystery. What is known is that each country had two jurors who marked all the songs, including their own, out of ten. ‘Refrain’ was announced as the winner. The final positions of the other songs have never been revealed.

Trivia: 
One might say that it was no wonder Switzerland won as they were given the advantage of voting twice - and even on their own country! The reason for Switzerland to be in that position was due to the fact that Luxembourg did not send any judges to Lugano, they asked the Swiss judges to vote on their behalf which was accepted.
About the songs: 

The Netherlands - Jetty Paerl – De Vogels van Holland (Dutch):

Music/Lyrics: Cor Lemaire / Annie M. G. Schmidt

Conductor: Fernando Paggi

There is a slow ‘Um-Pa-Pa’ feel to the first song to be performed on the Eurovision stage. The string section does most of the work.

Lys AssiaLys Assia

Switzerland – Lys Assia – Das Alte Karussel :

Switzerland was one of only two countries to use the same singer twice. Lys first song is in German and it doesn’t sound as the title might lead you to expect.

Belgium – Fud Leclerc – Messieurs les Noýes de la Siene:

Belgium’s first effort of the night was a slow ballad with not much happening in the arrangement.

 

Germany – Walter Andreas Schwarz – Im Wartesaal Zum Grossen Glück:

Walter’s song is in the style that Europe was used to at that time. It contrasted with their second song, maybe a deliberate tactic.

 

France – Mathé Altéry – Le Temps Perdu:

Mathé sings soprano in the type of song you would expect from the French. Another ballad with minimal arrangement.

 

Luxembourg – Michéle Arnaud – Ne Crois Pas:

This song is up-tempo and holds the interest of the listener longer than some of the songs before it.

 

Italy –Franca Raimondi – Aprite le Finestre:

Franca won the Sanremo festival earlier that year with this song. The second up-tempo song in a row, and faster than most of its competitors.

 

The Netherlands – Corry Brokken – Voorgoed Voor Bij:

Winner-to be- Corry Brokken sang this standard ballad, which included a long instrumental from the string section of the orchestra.

Lys AssiaLys Assia

Switzerland – Lys Assia – Refrain (French):

Music/Lyrics: Géo Voumard / Émile Gardaz

Conductor: Fernando Paggi

Switching to French for her second song, Lys makes good use of the brass, woodwind and string sections. While it is another ballad typical of the time, it does have a bit more to keep the listener interested. That is probably why it won.

 

Belgium – Mony Marc – Le Plus Beau Jour de ma Vie:

The words ‘Ding Dong’ are used regularly throughout this standard French style ballad. The start of a trend perhaps?

 

Germany – Freddy Quinn -So Geht das Jede nacht:

This song immediately stands out from the crowd because of its contemporary Rock ‘n’ Roll style. Listening to it over fifty years later, some might wonder why it didn’t win.

 

France – Dany Dauberson – Il Est Là:

This s more up-tempo than most of the songs in the debut contest. Brass dominates the arrangement.

 

Luxembourg - Michéle Arnaud – Les Amants de Minuit:

Michéle returned to the stage with her second song, a very quiet and understated ballad and passes by almost unnoticed.

 

Italy – Tonina Torrielli – Amami Se Vuoi:

This ballad was second in Sanremo. While it still sounds dated (as you would expect), it has aged better than most.

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