EuroVisionary.com - Everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest - We welcome the 2009 Contest in Moscow

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.

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.

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.