The Shadows

Writer/Lyrics: Dick Bakker, Eddy Ouwens/Will Luikinga

Conductor: Harry van Hoof

The second Dutch winner has an international flavour with its simple lyrics and cheery melody. There is a belief that being first in the running order is a disadvantage. The birth of a new voting system was clearly not to the disadvantage of the Netherlands.

Writer/Lyrics: Tommy Swarbrigg, Jimmy Swarbrigg/ Tommy Swarbrigg, Jimmy Swarbrigg

Conductor: Colman Pearce

The Swarbrigg brothers wrote as well as performed the Irish song, which lyrically is a poor man’s ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’. They would represent Ireland again two years later.  

Writer/Lyrics: Pierre Delanoë, Jeff Barnel/ Pierre Delanoë, Jeff Barnel

Conductor: Jean Muzy

Such is the softness of the song, it’s almost as if the writers didn’t want anyone to hear it. As well as soft, it’s also very melodic. 

Music/Lyrics: Rainer Pietsch/Michael Holm

Conductor: Rainer Pietsch

No-one could fail to notice Joy! The big woman with the big voice belted out Germany’s entry, with lots of help from the brass section.

Writer/Lyrics: Bill Martin, Phil Coulter/ Bill Martin, Phil Coulter, Pierre Cour

Conductor: Phil Coulter

The lilting melody of the verses, which Géraldine almost whispers, gives way to a more impassioned chorus. 

Writer/Lyrics: Sven Hundsnes/Johnny Saeussen

Conductor: Carsten Klouman

The chorus is let down by the verses. While the chorus is quite strong, the listener might not make it beyond the first verse.

Writer/Lyrics: Simone Drexel/ Simone Drexel

Conductor: Peter Jacques

This is a pleasant, jolly song whose melody, in the chorus at least, is very much in the style of the circus.

Writer/Lyrics: Tadej Hrusovar/Dusan Velkaverh

Conductor: Mario Rijavic

If Dan Ljubezni was as memorable as it is pleasant, it could have won. As it is, the likeability factor doesn’t quite go far enough for this folk song.

Writer/Lyrics: Paul Curtis/Paul Curtis

Conductor: Alyn Ainsworth

Having long since stepped out of Cliff Richard’s ‘shadow’, this was a rare excursion into lyrics for a band better known for instrumentals. Bruce Welch had lead vocal duties, and let the world know when he forgot a couple of words when he turned to his colleagues and said “I knew it” in range of his microphone.

Writer/Lyrics: Sammy Galea/Iris Misfud

Conductor: Vince Tempera

After a two year break, Malta returned with a song whose lyrics are inane and melody childish. Amazingly, this did a lot better than the two previous Maltese entries.

Writer/Lyrics: Mary Boduin/ Mary Boduin

Conductor: Francis Bay

This is a steady tune which is easy to remember and sing along with. She seemed indecisive as to which language to sing in, chosing to sing half the song in Flemish and half in English.

Writer/Lyrics:  Shlomo Artzi/Ehud Manor

Conductor: Eldad Shrem

The third Israeli entry was the first up-tempo song from it. It showed a glimpse of the delights of Israeli pop that would delight fans in later years.

Music/Lyrics: Kemal Ebcioglu/Hikmet Munir Ebcioglu

Conductor: Timor Selcuk

As with many Turkish entries, this, their contest debut, didn’t make the impression on the scoreboard it deserved to. It’s not one of the foot tapper that fans would become used to, more a melodic, captivating song which has stood the test of time.   

Writer/Lyrics: André Popp/Boris Bergman

Conductor: André Popp

Making good use of the accordion, Sophie’s eyes barely look away from the camera during the close ups. The song moves along quite freely and easily.

Music/Lyrics: Kim Kuusi/Hannu Karlsson

Conductor: Ossi Runne

Unsurprisingly, there is a lot of fiddle playing as Finland turned to folk music. More surprising was that it finished as high as seventh. 

Music/Lyrics: José Luis Tinoco/ José Luis Tinoco

Conductor: Pedro Osório

Having been prevented by the EBU from dressing in full military regalia complete with loaded pistol, Duarte instead wore a sober (by 1970’s standards!) suit. A shame in a way, because the uniform would have suited this dramatic song quite well.

Music/Lyrics: Juan Carlos Calderón/ Juan Carlos Calderón

Conductor: Juan Carlos Calderón

Estíbaliz’s voice is the louder of the duo. Sergio is virtually a backing singer in one of the less Spanish of 1970’s Spanish entries. 

Writer/Lyrics: Lars Berghagen/ Lars Berghagen

Conductor: Lars Samuelson

The possibility of a second successive victory for the host nation couldn’t be ruled out. Jennie, Jennie is a sad ballad about a girl for whom life is becoming too difficult. 

Writer/Lyrics: David Shapiro/Andrea lo Vecchio

Conductor: Pier Natale Massara

Era is a very laid back song which winds its way steadily from the beginning to the end. Wess’ voice has a naturally rough tinge to it, but it still harmonises well with Dori’s more smooth vocal.