Cyprus

Music/Lyrics: Linas Rimsa, Sigitas Geda/Linas Rimsa, Sigitas Geda

The first entry of the night is more like a pagan chant than a song at times. Drums are used effectively to add a bit of bite.

Music/Lyrics: Wim Claes, Emma Philippa/Wim Claes, Emma Philippa

Two songs in and already we hear the first of the possible winners. The sweeping pan pipes sound beautiful in combination with the strings and the whole thing has impact.

Music/Lyrics: Alejandro Carmona, Carlos Lopéz/Fernando Rodriguez, Alejandro Piqueras

When the first impression the audience has is what the singer is wearing, it pays to leave positive or even neutral thoughts. Lydia’s choice of dress fails on both counts! The song she is charged with singing is, by Spanish standards, a rather lacklustre ballad. 

Music/Lyrics: Tonci Huljic/Vjekoslava/Huljic

Doris’ second tilt at the title is completely different to her first. 13 years earlier. She went up-tempo and much more dramatic. A vocal was included in the backing track, which was against the rules as all vocals have to be sung live on stage. As a result, the EBU deducted 33% of Croatia’s score from the contest. This gave them a lower five year point average, potentially relegating them from future contests. 

Music/Lyrics: Paul Varney/Paul Varney

Precious started the decline of the United Kingdom in the contest. Twelfth was the lowest finish for the UK at the time by one of the contests most successful countries. Say It Again is an empty lifeless mixture of soul and pop. Band member, Jenny Frost, went on to be part of successful girl group, Atomic Kitten

Music/Lyrics: Primoz Peterca/Primoz Peterca

Here is one of the problems with the free language rule! Darja’s pronunciation isn’t always exact, resulting in ‘eyes’ sounding like ‘arse’. That aside, her second Eurovision song is not unlike her first, a classy but standard ballad that you just know is going to build long before it does. .

Music/Lyrics: Erdin Tunc/Erdin Tunc, Canan Tunc

In a contest in which a lot of the entries are uninspiring, Dön Artik is a very welcome inclusion. Its pace and infectious rhythm inject the contest with vitality. 

Music/Lyrics: Stig André Van Eijk Stig/André Van Eijk

While a contemporary R ‘n’ B sound will be considered by some to be a positive, it is how the song sounds that counts. The best description was given by Radio 2 commentator Ken Bruce, who said “he’s wearing a vest with a picture of a bull on the front, and the song is a bit like something the bull might leave behind.”   

Music/Lyrics: Ebbe Ravn/Ebbe Ravn

Congratulations should be given to anyone still awake at the end. The Danish ballad meanders its way slowly and limply from the start to the finish.

Music/Lyrics: Pascal Grazic Pascal Grazic

Celiné Dion returns! Well, nearly. It is easy to imagine the 1988 winner and international superstar applying her talents to the French entry. Nayah controls the stage in Divaesque fashion. 

Music/Lyrics: Alan Michael, Tjeerd van Zanen/Alan Michael, Tjeerd van Zanen

If 1999 was the start of the British decline, the same could almost be be said of the Dutch. It would be the last time they would be in the top ten for many years. Marlayne’s performance was top notch, but the song, an up-tempo guitar based MOR effort, left her too much to do to finish too high up the scoreboard. 

Music/Lyrics: Seweryn Krajewski/Wojciech Ziembicki

Poland’s ballad is one of the best of the bunch. Remaining engaging throughout, it has a calm, emotional feel.

Music/Lyrics: Porvaldur Bjarni Thorvaldsson/Sveinbjörn Baldvinsson

One last hurrah for europop? After Selma’s second place, this style of song went out of fashion in the contest as the public became more and more involved in the voting. 

Music/Lyrics: Giorgios Kallis, Andreas Karanicolas/Giorgios Kallis, Andreas Karanicolas

Our second Marlain, although with a different spelling. Every year the contest throws up an astonishing result, and this year was the turn of Cyprus to suffer. Deserving of a much higher placing,  Tha'nai Erotas is fast and very catchy. 

Music/Lyrics: Lars Diedricson/Gert Lengstrand, Marcos Ubeda

Elements of the piano arrangement conjure up memories of Sweden’s most famous winner. Like Waterloo, it is very upbeat, memorable and adds touches of saxophone to provide a little quirkiness.

Music/Lyrics: Jorge do Carmo/To Andrade

Moving away from a traditional Portuguese sound, Rui’s song is a soft rock, MOR number that quickly becomes uninteresting. 

Music/Lyrics: Bronagh Mullan/Bronagh Mullan

Ireland had by now started a run of sending sub-standard, plodding ballads to the contest. A complete lack of charisma from the two sisters didn’t help. 

Music/Lyrics: Dave Moskin/Dave Moskin

Bobby’s young voice sounds a bit too twee for some, but will probably sound cute to others. As for the song, it is buried in the crowd and has nothing to lift it.

Music/Lyrics: Jeki Oved, Yaakov Lymai, Gabriel Butler/Jeki Oved, Yaakov Lymai, Moshe Datz

As it turned out, the hosts had a good draw. Following rather drab entries, Eden’s chirpy song and energetic dancing brought the show back to life. 

Music/Lyrics: Chris Scicluna/Moira Stafrace

The three Maltese starlets posed and smiled a lot. Despite being rather repetitive towards the end, the youthful pop sound of Believe 'n Peace would have already hooked those who like it without winning new fans.

Music/Lyrics: Ralph Siegel/Bernd Meinunger

Cynics could have a field day with this one. A Turkish group representing Germany with Turkish flavoured song whose title includes the name of the host city. There was even room in the lyrics for a burst of Hebrew. Siegel and Meinunger at their most desperate! 

Music/Lyrics: Dino Dervishalidovic/Dino Dervishalidovic

How the Bosnians must have wished their original choice could have been there! They were left with their hopes in the hands of daft, disorganised sounding ditty whose only saving grace was the occasional interjection by the fiddle. 

Music/Lyrics: Priit Paajusaar, Glen Pilvre/Kaari Sillamaa

Rumour has it that Estonia would have won if only juries had been used. Thank the Lord for televoting then! Some of the previous songs seemed to be designed to send viewers to sleep. Anyone still awake would surely have been finished off by Evelin’s dreary lullaby. 

Music/Lyrics: Petar Graso, Remi Kasinoti/Petar Graso, Remi Kasinoti

Conductor: Stjepan Kalogjera

Danijela was the lead singer of Magazin when they represented Croatia three years earlier. Now a solo artist, her tender ballad builds steadily while remaining calm throughout. It will always be a fan favourite. 

Music/Lyrics: Yiannis Malachias/Yiannia Valvis

Conductor: n/a

Greek entries usually sound distinctive because of the unique sound of Greek music. This time, a more cosmopolitan rock sound was tried but, while Dionysia’s performance was genuine, the song just wasn’t strong enough to score heavily. 

Music/Lyrics: Marie-Line Marolany/Marie-Line Marolany

Conductor:  n/a

African rhythms had brought France some success early in the decade. The formula was tried again in an effort to lift them above some of the lower placings they had experienced since then.

Music/Lyrics: Alberto Estébanez/Mikel Herzog

Conductor: Alberto Estébanez

While this is a song worth listening to, it lacks the punch of other Spanish entries, a bit Spanish ballad by numbers.

Music/Lyrics: Gunvor Guggisberg, Egon Egemann/Gunvor Guggisberg

Conductor: n/a

The last song that involved Egon Egemann was very strings based with emphasis on his solo violin. The same formula is applied here to less effect and a worse result. With more countries using televoting instead of juries, it was never going to be the favourite song of enough viewers to get many votes, and ended up with no points at all. 

Music/Lyrics: Gabriel Dusík/Anna Wepperyová

Conductor: Vladimir Valovic

Katarina looked very graceful in her long, black evening dress. Her song is just as graceful and is a well constructed ballad which never goes over the top.

Music/Lyrics: Jaroslaw Pruszkowski/Olga Pruszkowska

Conductor: Wiesiek Pieregorolka

Just when you think the Polish song is going to limp along from beginning to end, it comes to life for the instrumental. That point comes a bit too late in the song to change the minds of those already turned off by it. 

Music/Lyrics: Tzvika Pik/Yoav Ginai

Conductor: Tzvika Pik

Did all the publicity help Dana to win? This one was the complete opposite of the sweet innocent Dana who had brought Ireland its first victory in 1970. The styling and the song were loaded with camp, and if leaving a lasting impression became important with the advent of televoting, Diva certainly does that. 

Music/Lyrics: Stefan Raab/Stefan Raab

Conductor: Stefan Raab

The stage simply wasn’t big enough for Guildo! His performance took him into the audience and up the scaffolding at the side of the stage. Within the crazyness of the song were hints of jazz and blues, though they easily missed in the fun of it all.

Music/Lyrics: Jason Paul Cassar/Sunny Aquilina

Conductor: n/a

This is the first of Chiara’s three appearances in the contest and she laid down a marker for what was to follow; a gentle, inoffensive ballad which came closest to giving her a win.

Music/Lyrics: István Lehr/Horváth

Conductor: Miklós Malek

Perhaps fed up with putting in a lot of effort for little reward, this was to be the last song Hungary entered for seven years. Charlie’s dreary blues number was never going to encourage viewers to reach for a pen to write down the phone number. 

Music/Lyrics: Matjaz Vlasic/Ursa Vlasic

Conductor: Mojmir Sepe

The tone is set immediately. Tinkling piano gives way to acoustic guitar before Vili’s angst filled voice takes over to tell the story in this wonderful, emotive ballad.

Music/Lyrics: Gerry Morgan/Gerry Morgan

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

While the melody of the Irish song is reasonably memorable, there isn’t really enough in the arrangement to support it. Consequently, Is Always Over Now? struggles to move away from the start line.

Music/Lyrics: José Cid/José Cid

Conductor: Mike Sergeant

José Cid, who wrote and performed Portugal’s 1980 entry, returned as part of the specially formed Alma Lusa. Together they gave us another very jolly ditty and chirpy performance.

Music/Lyrics: Adrian Romcescu/Liliana Stefan

Conductor:

The 15th song of the night bowls along efficiently, and while it never sparkles, Eu Cred does enough (just) to keep the listener interested. It isn’t often that a singer is alone on the Eurovision stage, but Malina coped well without support from backing singers.

Music/Lyrics: Scott English, Simon Stirling/Scott English, Simon Stirling

Conductor: James McMillan

Not for the first time, the United Kingdom entered the most contemporary song of the contest. It’s a pop song that has aged well and bears repeated hearing. It is also worth saying Imaani executed her duties as ‘host singer’ very professionally, dealing well with the demands made on her time.

Music/Lyrics: Michael Hajiyanni/Zenon Zindilis

Conductor: Costa Cacoyannis

Bursts of brass create an epic feel to the song, while the Greek language gives it the sound of a prayer to the Gods.  

Music/Lyrics: Eric van Tijn, Jochem Fluitsma/Eric van Tijn, Jochem Fluitsma

Conductor: Dick Bakker

It had been 23 years since the last Dutch victory. They must have fancied their chances of breaking that run with Edsilia’s modern and catchy song. Her performance was also worthy of the top spot.

Music/Lyrics: Bobby Ljunggren, Hakan Almquist/Ingela ‘Pling’ Forsman

Conductor: Anders Berglund

Jill sang a tender and sensitive ballad in a way that suggested she didn’t have a nervous bone in her body. In doing so, she pitched her performance at exactly the right level for the song.

Music/Lyrics: Philippe Swan/Philippe Swan

Conductor: n/a

The Belgians tried a young singer with the cute factor in the hope of achieving their second win. Her funk tinged pop song was a pre-contest favourite.

Music/Lyrics: Alexi Ahoniemi/Alexi Ahoniemi

Conductor: Olli Ahvenlahti

Bravely having a go with something a bit different, Finland entered a song which can best be described as earthy and sounding like something Enya might come up with if she was feeling energetic.

Music/Lyrics: David Eriksen, P K Ottestad/Linda Andernach Johannesen

Conductor: Geir Langslet

Despite the amount of percussion, Alltid Sommer still sounds slightly limp and laboured. Lars did his best and was rewarded with a generous place in the final scoreboard.

Music/Lyrics: Maria Rahula, Tomi Rahula/Peter Pruuli

Conductor: Heiki Vahar

Koit remained seated at the piano for the whole performance. He probably had difficulty summoning up enough energy as his song is a rather uninspired, lifeless ballad. 

Music/Lyrics: Erdinc Tunc/Canan Tunc

Conductor: Ümit Eroglu

Think of Turkish music and you think of high tempo, ethnically flavoured tunes. Unutamazsin is a welcome break from that style, and the piano based ballad is proof that the Turks can also do sensitive and emotional. 

Music/Lyrics: Grigor Koprov/Vlado Janevski

Conductor: Alexandar Dzambazov

As well as performing Macedonia’s debut, Vlado co-wrote it as well. Self belief was not lacking in him but in fairness, his Balkan ballad still sounds good many years after. As an added bonus, the English version is good as well, succeeding where many fail in having a sensible lyric.

Music/Lyrics: Constantina Constantinou/Constantina Constantinou

Conductor: Stavros Lantsias

The contest got off to a cracking start! Siblings Chara and Andreas had an up-tempo number with an infectious rhythm driving the whole song. They and the backing singers clearly enjoyed themselves. 

Music/Lyrics: Levent Coker/Mehtap Alnitenmiz

Conductor: Levent Coker

To avoid relegation from the contest, Turkey had to score 113 points, more than it had ever scored before. It was a wonderful moment when that was achieved with this unmistakably ethnic piece of uplifting pop.

Music/Lyrics: Tor Endresen, Arne Myksvoll/Tor Endresen, Arne Myksvoll

Conductor: Geir Langslet

Poor old Tor! He entered the Norwegian selection many times and when he finally won and went to the contest, he scored nothing. Although his guitar based mid-tempo MOR song deserved at least a few, this type of song was starting to sound a bit dated. 

Conductor: n/a

Bettina featured in George Nußbaumer’s backing group in 1996. Her song is jazz/funk influenced and while it is mainly in German, it features several words in English.

Ireland - Marc Roberts - Mysterious Woman (English)

Music/Lyrics: John Farry/John Farry

Conductor: n/a

The history books could have easily shown yet another victory for Ireland. Mysterious Woman is a well constructed and very engaging ballad which Marc delivered very well. 

Music/Lyrics: Saso Lobic/Zoran Predin

Conductor: Mojmir Sepe

Slovenia was one of the relative newcomers to the contest and this was arguably its best up to then. It’s a classy ballad during which Tanja stands fairly still and waves her arms slowly in the air in a manner that could have looked silly, but actually succeeded in fitting in with the mood of the song.

Music/Lyrics: Barbara Berta/Barbara Berta

Conductor: Petro Damiani

If the Swiss thought that his song was going to be a contender, they were always heading for disappointment. While not horrible to listen to, it is too easily forgotten, not a good sign when some of the scores would be decided by members of the public!

Music/Lyrics: Ed Hooijmans/Ed Hooijmans

Conductor: Dick Bakker

The experience of Mrs. Einstein shone through as they gave a very relaxed and professional performance of their up-tempo, old fashioned foot tapper.

Music/Lyrics: Fabio Ricci/Alessandra Drusian, Carmen di Domenico

Conductor: Lucio Fabbri

After a gap of four years, Italy returned for one year only. Almost as if Italian broadcaster RAI wanted to show Europe what it was missing, they sent a shortened version of the Sanremo winner and finished a creditable fourth. What a shame Italy hasn’t been seen in the contest since.

Music/Lyrics: Marcos Llunas/Marcos Llunas

Conductor: Toni Xucla

Spain does sincerity in music very well. Marcos sang like he meant it to lift an already high quality, very Spanish ballad.

Music/Lyrics: Ralph Siegel/Bernd Meinunger

Conductor: n/a

Another Siegel and Meinunger song and all the usual trademarks of their ballads are there. Bianca herself didn’t look too convinced of its merits. 

Music/Lyrics: Tomasz Lewandowski/Magda Czapinska

Conductor: Krzesimir Debski

With only three previous entries in the contest, Poland was already proving itself to be a strong competitor. Ale Jestem in no way lets the side down. It’s full of life, moves freely along and importantly, is very memorable.

Music/Lyrics: Harmo Kallaste/Kaari Sillamaa

Conductor: Tarmo Leinatamm

Maarja-Liis was making her second consecutive appearance in the contest, having been in Oslo the year before, when she performed a duet. As then, this song is a ballad that is pleasant, if not gripping. 

Music/Lyrics: Milic Vukasinovic, Sinan Alimanovic/Milic Vukasinovic

Conductor: Sinan Alimanovic

This was also the second appearance in the contest for Alma. Despite the title, this is a cheerier effort with an often repeated refrain.

Music/Lyrics: Thilo Krassman/Rosa Lobato de Faria

Conductor: Thilo Krassman

With the Blues Brothers cousins muttering in the background, Celia was never likely to be the first Portuguese singer to win the contest. The song is too bland and doesn’t go anywhere.

Music/Lyrics: Stephan Berg/Stephan Berg

Conductor: Curt-Eric Holmquist

Having tried (with some success) slow ballads for the previous three years, Sweden sent the type of song it is loved for; unashamedly upbeat and extrovert, Bara Hon Älskar Mig will certainly get the party started.

Music/Lyrics: Emmanouil Manousselis/Emmanouil Manousselis

Conductor: Anacreon Papageorgiou

Horepse was a late replacement as the Greek entry, and it shows. While it is not a bad song, it does sound under prepared.

Music/Lyrics: Ray Agius/Ray Agius

Conductor: Ray Agius

This is one of Malta’s better efforts. Debbie’s song flows effortlessly along and ups the ‘oomph’ just at the right time. The percussion section is put to good use.

Music/Lyrics: Viktor Rakonczai/Krisztina Bokor Fekete

Conductor: Peter Wolf

Boy bands were fashionable at the time. VIP and their song are an example of the worst of this ‘genre’, bland, irritating and empty. It sounds like it has lasted more than the regulation three minutes long before the three minutes are up! 

Music/Lyrics: Alla Pugachova/Alla Pugachova

Conductor: Rutgar Gunnarsson

Alla, the wife of 1994 Russian singer, Philipp Kirkorov, was given the opportunity for a suitably over the top performance for her big, show style song, and it is safe to say that she took full advantage!

Music/Lyrics: Lars Pedersen/Thomas Lægard

Conductor: Jan Glæsel

Kølig’s ode to the lady working on the telephone exchange is only the second rap song the contest has heard. His manic performance detracted slightly from what is quite a likeable entry. 

Music/Lyrics: Jean-Paul Dréau/Jean-Paul Dréau

Conductor: Régis Dupré

For someone so young, her performance was very relaxed. Her song is also very laid back and relaxed, perhaps a bit too laid back to have enough impact on the scoreboard.

Music/Lyrics: Davor Tolja/Alida Sarar

Conductor:  n/a

Four piece girl group ENI were very colourful and energetic as they performed their modern pop song. Although the look and sound were modern, it comes across as a bit amateurish. 

Music/Lyrics: Kimberley Rew/Kimberley Rew

Conductor: Don Airey

Katrina and friends scored what was at the time the highest number of points ever! Having won a low key national final, they headed to Dublin as one of the favourites. Love Shine A Light is a big anthem and was given a big performance by American Katrina. Both the televoters and juries loved it!

Music/Lyrics: Paul Oscar, Trausti Haraldsson/Paul Oscar

Conductor: Szymon Kuran

Without doubt, the most contemporary song of the contest, Paul gave us a high-tech trance song. His blonde, leggy dancers guaranteed the sexiest performance of the night.

Music/Lyrics: Levent Coker/Selma Cuhaci

Conductor: Levent Coker

In her first of two successive contest appearances, Sebnem sang a laid back, smooth Turkish song, ably assisted by a violin and an accordion. 

Music/Lyrics: Simon Tauber, Steve Rodway/Simon Tauber, Steve Rodway

Conductor: Ernie Dunstall

Wearing a dress made by her Gran, Australian born Gina injected a bit of life early in the show. Easily the most contemporary song for years, it could be argued that the international success of the song provided a springboard for a more modern look and feel to contests in the future. 

Music/Lyrics: Ketama/Ketama

Conductor: Eduardo Leiva

For many, this is one of the surprising qualifiers for the 1996 contest. It doesn’t get much more Spanish than this; a strong voice dominating a Flamenco rhythm.  

Music/Lyrics: Pedro Osório/Jose Fanha

Conductor: Pedro Osório

Portugal’s entry is just as ethnic as the Spanish song which preceded it, but is more digestible. Lucia was never seen without a smile on her face around Oslo, and her performance was suitably chirpy. She would be seen soon afterwards as Colin Firth’s intended in the romantic comedy, Love Actually.

Music/Lyrics: Andreas Georgiallis/Rodoulla Papalambrianou

Conductor: Stavros Lantsias

This is the first of Constantinos’ four (although he’s still trying for more!) appearances. It’s a tender ballad which he sang from the heart.

Music/Lyrics: Paul Abela/Alfred Sant

Conductor: Paul Abela

The tune is a happy one, but the lyric - about a relationship gone wrong - isn’t. Her performance was merry and the song is one of the best from the small island.

Music/Lyrics: Zrinko Tutic/Zrinko Tutic

Conductor: Alan Bejlinski

Maja brought her experience to bear as she filled the stage on her own for her performance of her big Croatian ballad. Some of the big notes were challenging, but she was up to the task.

Music/Lyrics: George Nußbaumer/George Nußbaumer, Michael W Krausz

Conductor: Michael W Krausz

The Austrian song is in the minority Voralbergian language, the only time it has been heard in Eurovision. The song is a very cheerful gospel number that had them clapping in the aisles. 

Music/Lyrics: Regis Mounir/Regis Mounir

Conductor: Rui Reis

Switzerland’s song is an under-rated ballad that deserved a higher placing. Kathy’s voice reflected the nature of the lyric as she yearns for someone she can’t have.

Music/Lyrics: Costas Bigalis/Iro Trigoni

Conductor: Michalis Rozakis

Percussion instruments provide an interesting intro and gave a sense of anticipation of what may follow. What does follow is an upbeat, flowing tune which Marianne performs very well. 

Estonia - Ivo Linna and Maarja-Liis Ilus - Kaelakee Hääl (Estonian)

Music/Lyrics: Prit Pajusaar/Kaari Sillamaa

Conductor: Tarmo Leinatamm

At first glance, a young Maarja-Liis and a not so young Ivo might seem an odd combination for a duet. However, it is suitable given the lyrics; a young girl uncertain in the world and the voice of experience giving advice.

Music/Lyrics: Torhild Nigar/Torhild Higar

Conductor: Frode Thingnaes

Rumoured to be one of the songs rejected by NRK for the 1991 national final that never was, I Evighet is a lilting, flute inspired ballad. With Elisabeth at the microphone, it was always going to be up there at the end

Music/Lyrics: Dan Ar Braz/Dan Ar Braz

Conductor: Fiachra Trench

Although his song is in Breton, Dan employed the services of two British ladies for the main vocals. Diwanit Bugale is a gentle lullaby that was never going to win, but wasn’t destined to finish last either. 

Music/Lyrics: Aleksander Kogoj/Aleksander Kogoj

Conductor: Jozé Privsek

Regina’s dress was made by an old lady she met in a rural Slovenian village who offered it to her to wear in Oslo. The clarinet dominates the instrumental parts. 

Music/Lyrics: Piet Souer/Peter van Asten

Conductor: Dick Bakker

There is an abundance of na-na-na's at the beginning, but don’t let that put you off! After that, the song develops into a likeable, mid-tempo song that stays in the memory.  Little Maxine may well have needed physiotherapy for her neck, such was the height difference in height between herself and Franklin.

Music/Lyrics: John Terra/Daniel Dittmar

Conductor: Bob Porter

As with their Dutch neighbours before them, there are na-na-na’s aplenty at the start. Despite the dodgy opening, the overall effect of the song is pure, unashamed, unadulterated feel good fun! 

Music/Lyrics: Brendan Graham/Brendan Graham

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

What a shock! No-one predicted yet another Irish win. It was written by the man who had written Ireland’s 1994 winner. It’s a very Irish folk song. When asked who or what ‘The Voice’ belonged to, Brendan said it was up to the listener to decide. Had the current televoting system been in place, Eimear would have been nowhere near the top of the scoreboard. Definitely a case of the luck of the Irish!

Music/Lyrics: Timo Niemi/Timo Niemi

Conductor: Olli Ahvenlahti

Jasmine’s stylists had given her a formal look, which was inappropriate and looked odd! A casual approach for her gentle folk song would have been more in line with Jasmine’s youth and bubbly personality, and would have distracted less from a very pleasant tune.  

Music/Lyrics:  Anna Mjöll Olafsdottir, Olafur Gaukur/Anna Mjöll Olafsdottir, Olafur Gaukur

Conductor: Olafur Gaukur

Jazz loving Anna Mjöll sung a tribute to the genre and its most famous exponents. It’s very laid back and relaxing. 

Music/Lyrics: Robert Amirian/Kasia Kowalska

Conductor: Wiesiek Pieregorolka

There is drama by the bucket load in Kasia’s song and performance. Strong piano and short bursts of strings are to the fore in the arrangement.

Music/Lyrics: Adrian Bajramoviv, Sinan Alimanovic/Adrian Bajramoviv, Sinan Alimanovic

Conductor: Sinan Alimanovic

After Poland came another song full of passion, if not too much excitement. Za Nasu Ljubav never quite takes off.

Music/Lyrics: Juraj Burian/Juraj Burian

Conductor: Juraj Burian

Like the Bosnian song before it, the Slovakian song struggles to get going and it is difficult to stop one’s mind wandering to other things before the end. 

Music/Lyrics: Peter Grönvall/Nanne Grönvall

Conductor: Anders Berglund

This was one of the favourites going into the contest. In fact, it was revealed afterwards that it had won the pre-selection round. It’s a haunting piece of music, not unlike the type of song that has brought Enya big hits.

Music/Lyrics: Jascha Richter/Keld Heick

As the songs were heard in alphabetical order, the Danish song would have been the sixth to fall on the ears of the listening juries. There was not a chance that it would stand out enough to qualify. it’s a ballad that fails to get off the ground and fails to hold ones attention for long enough.

Music/Lyrics: Hanne Haller/Hanne Haller

The failure of Germany to qualify left NRK with less money to spend, as Germany is one of the biggest financial contributors to the EBU. Its omission is one of the biggest mysteries in the history of the contest. There is lots of energy and pace which combine with a very contemporary sound to create a song that many fans can still sing many years later.

Music/Lyrics: Delhusa Gjon/Delhusa Gjon

A real travelogue from the Hungarians! Almost every capital city in Europe gets a mention and why not? It worked for the Irish in 1990 so why not now? Unfortunately, it didn’t! Even so, it would have been worthy of a place in the final line up. Delhusa’s at times big ballad is strong enough not to need a live performance to enhance it, although it does sound better in Hungarian than English. He can feel aggrieved at not qualifying, far worse songs made it through.

Music/Lyrics: Doron VitenBerg/Eyal Madani

The mistake the Israelis made was to submit the live version of the audio for the pre-selection. Galit sounded as if she was stretching her voice too much and the up-tempo song sounds messy. Maybe the studio version would have impressed more.

Music/Lyrics: Kaliopi Gril/Kaliopi Gril

Here is one that would have benefited from a live performance. It would have given Kaliopi the chance to put across the emotion her voice portrays. From the audio, she could come across to some as simply screeching aimlessly. That is unfair as there is clearly emotion behind the vocal. 

Music/Lyrics:

It is possible to feel sorry for the Romanians being forced to stay at home. Theirs is a strong ballad which Monica would have given full justice to given the opportunity to perform it live. 

Music/Lyrics: Andrej Kosinskij/Nikolaj Denisov

Andrej sounds very like Mick Hucknall and the song is not a million miles away from something you would find on a Simply Red album. It is jazzy in feel and no-one can be surprised that he didn’t need to book a flight to Norway.

Music/Lyrics: Wojciech Waglewski, Mateusz Pospieszaalski/Wojciech Waglewski

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

Poland came close to winning on its debut the previous year with an epic ballad. This time, Justyna’s song is more in the style of a Polish folk/gypsy song. Her choreography consisted almost exclusively of lots of hand waving.

Music/Lyrics: Richard Abbott, Barry Woods/Richard Abbott, Barry Woods

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

Under normal circumstances, this uninspiring folk ballad would not have been considered as a possible winner. However, on the back of three wins in a row for Ireland, no-one would have bet against it! Sighs of relief all round then when it became clear it was not going to be four in a row.

Music/Lyrics: Cheyenne Stone/Cheyenne Stone

Conductor: Hermann Weindorf

Pretentions of greatness were misplaced as Cheyenne and her husband presented their slightly funk influenced song in a way that suggested they thought it was going to finish higher than was ever likely.

Music/Lyrics: Zlatan Fazlic, Sinan Alimanovic/Zlatan Fazlic

Conductor: Sinan Alimanovic

There was a lot of international sympathy for Bosnia at the time which possibly translated into votes for some of the new country’s other entries. However, this is a rather non-descript song which passes by unnoticed. It was never likely to feature highly on the scoreboard. Davor hardly opened his eyes the whole time he was singing performance.

Music/Lyrics: Rolf Lövland/Petter Skavlan

Conductor: Geir Langslet

Ireland may not have won the contest, but there was more than a hint of Irish about the song that did claim the prize. The group even borrowed a former member of the RTE concert orchestra to perform the main part of the song, the violin solo.

Music/Lyrics: Ilya Reznyk/Igor Bershadsky

Conductor: Michael Finberg

The big man with the big voice and a sense of melodrama was the perfect performer for a song like this. There is no understatement here!

Music/Lyrics: Bó Halldórsson, Ed Welch/Jon Örn Marinosson

Conductor: Frank McNamara

There is a feeling that Bo’s beautiful ballad never quite takes off to achieve its full potential. Even so, it is still a very worthy entry and there is more than enough in the song to enjoy.

Music/Lyrics: Michael W Krausz/ Michael Krausz

Conductor: Michael Keinzl

The Austrian entry is a jazz/funk number which is slightly messy, but welcome in a contest containing a lot of ballads. Perhaps expecting not to be involved at the end of the show, Stella appeared to be wearing pyjamas.

Music/Lyrics: Jose Maria Puron/Jose Maria Puron

Conductor: Eduardo Leyva

Spain should send a song like this every year! Anabel may have been small in stature, but her voice filled the auditorium. Her song is a smouldering fire of emotion. The Spanish delegation were delighted with the result and celebrated wildly afterwards.  

Music/Lyrics: Melih Kibar/Zeynep Talu Kursuncu

Conductor: Melih Kibar

The 1995 contest was bursting with ballads. Even the usually cheery Turks slowed down the tempo. The beginning of the song is better than bearable, but by the end, it sounds a bit laboured. 

Music/Lyrics: Tonci Huljic/Vjekoslava Huljic

Conductor: Stipica Kalogjera

Soprano Lidija lent an operatic feel to Croatia’s entry, which also had a classical edge. It was classy, but possibly a bit too high brow to have a wide enough appeal.

France - Nathalie Santamaria - Il Me Donne Rendez-vous (French)

Music/Lyrics: Francois Bernheim/Didier Barbelivien

Conductor: Michel Bernholc

Unusually, the French song is easily the most commercial of the contest. The employment of a very pretty singer certainly wasn’t going to hinder the chances of success, it very nearly worked.

Music/Lyrics: Ferenc Balazs/Attila Horváth

Conductor: Miklós Malek

Hungarian isn’t the most attractive of languages, especially when sung in a croaky voice. This combination makes the song easy to underrate. Czaba’s tender, piano based ballad would have benefited from the free language rule that exists today.   

Music/Lyrics: Pierre Theunis/Pierre Theunis

Conductor: Alec Mansion

Boasting several verses (or several choruses, depending on your point of view), Belgium’s song builds with each one, but lands just the wrong side of the border between dull and interesting. 

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Rudden, Catsiana Mais/Stephen Rudden, Catsiana Mais

Conductor: Mike Dixon

A musical first for the Eurovision Song Contest, rap music. It was a brave, but always doomed to fail, attempt. Rap music has limited appeal and a lot of jurors would not have been familiar with that genre anyway. 

Music/Lyrics: Antonio Vitorino de Almelda/Rosa Lobato de Faria

Conductor: Thilo Krassman

Portugal’s contribution is a slow paced soul number appealing for racial harmony. Tó gave it his all, but looked a bit awkward as he swayed from side to side.

Music/Lyrics: Alexandros Panayi/Alexandros Panayi

Conductor: George Theophanous

Every contest needs an over the top piece of drama, and this year, it was provided by Cyprus. That said, Alex gave one of the best performances of the night. There are brief but impactful interjections from the backing singers and lots of sudden changes in intensity. 

Music/Lyrics: Hakan Almquist, Bobby Ljunggren/Ingela ‘Pling’ Forsman

Conductor: Anders Berglund

Every Swedish song seems to be in the shadow of Abba. Se På Mej is a world away from Waterloo, it is a slow, quiet number that never threatens to boil over. 

Music/Lyrics: Lise Cabble, Mette Mathisen/Lise Cabble

Conductor: Frede Ewert

The Banjo made a rare and welcome appearance in the contest. That is the only interesting aspect about what is otherwise quite a dull effort! It lumbers along lifelessly. 

Music/Lyrics: Primoz Peterca, Saso Fajon/Primoz Peterca

Conductor: Jozé Privsek

Prisluhni Mi is a graceful ballad of the type that has often been done well in contests past. It’s a bit ballad-by-numbers, but bears up well under multiple listens. 

Music/Lyrics: Moshe Datz/Hamutal Ben-Zeev

Conductor: Gadi Goldman

Perhaps determined to avoid relegation, Israel sent this uplifting anthem. Like all good anthems, it builds and builds to the big finish. Liora was rightly disappointed with 8th.

Music/Lyrics: Alfred Sant/Ray Agius

Conductor: Ray Agius

Soul is a genre not often heard in the contest. Malta’s effort wasn’t a disaster by any stretch of the imagination, and Mike’s gravelly voice suits the song well.

Music/Lyrics: Nikos Terzis/Antonis Pappas

Conductor: Haris Andreadis

Elements of classical Greek culture are all over Pia Prossefchi. As a result, it is possibly one for aficionados only, but well worth a listen. 

Conductor: Anders Berglund

Getting things started were the odd couple! Marie and Roger had completely different images. What counts is the performance and their voices worked well together for this big (almost) ballad.

Music/Lyrics: Karl Salli, Nake Lentonen/Karl Salli, Nake Lentonen

Conductor: Olli Ahvenlahti

Finland sent a fresh and contemporary dance number to Dublin. The image given to the two sisters of Cat Cat didn’t quite work and relying on the orchestra took away the punch that dance tracks need.

Music/Lyrics: Brendan Graham/Brendan Graham

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

Surely Ireland couldn’t win for an unprecedented third time in a row? Not with two middle aged gentlemen singing an Irish folk song? It was too introspective to have broad appeal, wasn’t it? Yes, yes and no! Ireland made history and showed all those newcomers how it’s done.

Music/Lyrics: George Theophanous/George Theophanous

Conductor: George Theophanous

Two years after she finished 11th with a song written by her husband, they teamed up again, and finished 11th again. The Greek styles of the two songs aren’t worlds apart. There’s more of an ‘oomph’ this time and plenty of emoting by Evridiki. 

Music/Lyrics: Fridrik Karlsson/Stefán Hilmarsson

Conductor: Frank McNamara

Under the circumstances, the pressure was on Sigga to give a good performance and deliver a result, and she succeeded with the first part. While pleasant enough to listen to, Nætur seems to drift along and doesn’t seem to go anywhere. 

Music/Lyrics: George de Angelis, Mark Dean/George de Angelis, Mark Dean

Conductor: Michael Reed

Following in the more famous footsteps of Michael Ball and Sonia, West End star Francis accepted the BBC’s invitation to represent her country. The result was a very different song than the United Kingdom had sent before. It wasn’t the musical number that many may have expected; it is more in the style of the new age/gothic genres. Someone had the idea of including a crown of ‘thorns’ in Francis’ clothes.

Music/Lyrics: Zeljen Klasterka/Zeljko Krznaric

Conductor: Zdravko Sljivac

Having failed to win the Dora (Croatia’s selection show for the contest) the previous year with arguably a much better song, Tony tried again with a ballad that is very sincere and traditionally Croatian in sound. 

Music/Lyrics: Joao Carlos Oliveira/Rosa Lobato de Faria

Conductor: Thilo Krassman

At first glance, the Portuguese song is a sad affair, but the lyrics are actually positive. Sara, one of the youngest singers in the contest, carried it well.

Music/Lyrics: Giuseppe Scaramella/Giuseppe Scaramella

Conductor: Valeriano Chiaravalle

Duilio’s ballad builds steadily chorus by chorus. The only verse is right at the beginning.

Music/Lyrics: Ivar Must/Leelo Tungal

Conductor: Urmas Lattikas

Estonia’s debut is more likely to appeal to appeal to older listeners than younger ones. Nagu Merelaine is easy to listen to and doesn’t fit into any particular genre.

Music/Lyrics: Antonio Furtuna, Dan Bittman/Antonio Furtuna, Dan Bittman

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

The piano is the dominant instrument throughout Dan’s ballad. It works well, providing the song with an easy flowing feeling and a sound to make the listener maintain interest to the end. 

Music/Lyrics: Christopher Scicluna/Christopher Scicluna, Moira Stafrace

Conductor: Anthony Chircop

The tune is ok, but the lyrics are, at times, awful; ‘to tell you the truth, I’ll never change my youth’, and ‘not easy to say, there’s a will, there’s a way’, being a couple of examples. Chris should have taken the deeper notes as Moira couldn’t get down that far. Apart from that, it’s reasonable, and the theme of striving to succeed could be inspirational for some. 

Music/Lyrics: Edwin Schimscheimer/Coot van Doesburgh

Conductor: Harry van Hoof

Willeke was the choice Dutch broadcaster, NOS, to go to Dublin. The public selected a good, musical style big ballad for her to sing. 

Music/Lyrics: Ralph Siegel/Bernd Meinunger

Conductor: Norbert Daum

Mekado were three ladies put together by prolific contest writers, Siegel and Meinunger. Justifiably one of the favourites, their song is a contemporary, up-tempo tune which stays long in the memory. The performance was very professional.

Music/Lyrics: Martin Durinda/Martin Sarvas

Conductor: Vladimir Valovic

Old fashioned (in a good way) rock band Martin Durinda and Tublatanka got Slovakia’s so far occasional participation off to a good start. As you might expect, it’s a rock song, although the strings take away some of the impact. 

Music/Lyrics: Ovidijus Vyshniauskas/Gintaras Zdebskis

Conductor: Tomas Leiburas

Lithuania’s history in the contest started very inauspiciously with a failure to score even a single point. Ovidijus did deserve a few. Perhaps the shaven head with the leather trousers pt a few people off.

Music/Lyrics: Rolf Lövland/Hans Olav Mörk

Conductor: Pete Knutsen

Experienced Elisabeth teamed up with the youthful Jan for this ballad that remains popular with the fans. Big ballads need big voices to pull them off and these two coped easily. Jan’s immense talent is a big loss to music after his tragically early death.  

Music/Lyrics: Edo Mulahalilovic/Adi Mulahalilovic

Conductor: Siman Alimanovic

The audience applauded Alma and Dejan so loudly for so long at the beginning of the song that Dejan missed his cue because he couldn’t hear the orchestra. He maintained concentration enough to come in at the right place. Sentimentality aside, this is a very solid ballad. 

Music/Lyrics: Costas Bigalis Costas Bigalis

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

Costas and his band looked like a recession hit Showaddywaddy in their colourful jackets. It’s definitely Greek, but doesn’t represent Greek music well, being a bit too juvenile. 

Music/Lyrics: Alfons Weindorf/Karl Brunner, Johann Brunner

Conductor: Richard Österreicher

Petra was one of the younger singers in the contest, and it showed during her sometimes nervy performance. The song is an understated anthem.

Music/Lyrics: Alejandro Abad/Alejandro Abad

Conductor: Jose LLobel

The scene is reflective and melancholy for the verse. When the chorus arrives, the song almost explodes into life and develops a rock feel.

Music/Lyrics: Silvester Jenei/Silvester Jenei

Conductor: Peter Wolf

Another country losing its Eurovision virginity. Frederika only needed to stand absolutely still to perform her folk song. It received the first maximum of the night, and deserved to do well.  

Music/Lyrics: Lev Zemlinski/Youddiph

Conductor: Lev Zemlinski

Russia’s first song starts gently but builds into the epitome of dramatic! Her cleverly designed dress allowed the choreography to increase the dramatic atmosphere as it waved and curled around her. A majestic debut indeed!  

Music/Lyrics: Stanislaw Syrewicz/Jacek Cygan

Conductor: Noel Kelehan

Only the seemingly unstoppable Irish prevented a debut win for Poland. Petite Edyta was the little lady with the big voice with a fine ballad that has aged very well. 

Music/Lyrics: Bruno Maman/Nina Morato

Conductor: Alain Goraguer

The eccentric Nina looked and sounded like Barbara Streisand performing a number from ‘Cabaret’. It’s one of those you love or hate with not much room for views in-between.