Eurovision song contest

[George 1978]

I sometimes think of the Eurovision song contest as being a little bit like the FA cup. Back in the day the latter was percieved as being quite an event, unlike the comparatively nondescript occasion it is now. you'd switch the box on in the morning and there'd be live coverage before kick off, brief interviews with fans on their way to Wembley, the players getting ready etc, a real sense of building up the atmosphere before the game. To some extent Eurovision was similar, there was more of a feeling of anticipation if memory serves me well. TV was largely a more collective experience anyway, with only two or three channels at your disposal and no internet hardly surprising!

The ESC does have comparisons with the FA Cup Final, and the World Snooker Final - both are usually shown in May, and in some years, both the Eurovision and the FA Cup have been on the same day.

Got that Now That's What I Call Eurovision CD in the post in the week which is advertised on the NOW music channels - the CDs are mostly winning songs and UK entries obviously. Still great, though - I can't think of anyone else who has put songs from across the years on one compilation, although I do get the annual official Eurovision CD every year - used to get mine from my local HMV before the Lockdown.

[Cartimand]

My earliest memory of Eurovision was, as a very small boy, being allowed to stay up to watch it on my parents' (rented) black and white TV.
I remember Vicky Leandros singing L'Amour est Bleu and thinking it was the most beautiful song I'd ever heard.
Was terribly disappointed that she didn't win!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD4ib9-laGY

My musical tastes developed in the 70s and 80s into heavy metal and prog rock, but I've always maintained a certain fondness for Eurovision and will certainly be watching tonight.

[W1 Rover]

I sometimes think of the Eurovision song contest as being a little bit like the FA cup. Back in the day the latter was percieved as being quite an event, unlike the comparatively nondescript occasion it is now. you'd switch the box on in the morning and there'd be live coverage before kick off, brief interviews with fans on their way to Wembley, the players getting ready etc, a real sense of building up the atmosphere before the game. To some extent Eurovision was similar, there was more of a feeling of anticipation if memory serves me well. TV was largely a more collective experience anyway, with only two or three channels at your disposal and no internet hardly surprising!

[beccabear67]

I watched the Rotterdam 20201 show the other night; too much choreography and stage effects for me. So many imitative photogenic ladies in sparkly costumes without any great voices... we have more than enough of these today, so I thought of the finalists the guy from Portugal should be the ultimate winner and the Iceland group runner-up. Eastern Europe seems awash in copycat pop and I think Kylie Minogue perfected that whole thing ages ago.

[Semi42]

Don’t fancy our chances again this year, I’m going with the favourite Malta to win

[George 1978]

Last time I watched it ABBA won.
Right proper songs in those days guv!

Showing your age - the irony is that the UK didn't give Sweden a single point back then.

The UK won in 1976 with Brotherhood of Man, but Buck's Fizz won in 1981.

I sometimes like to think that I am watching one of the many European satellite channels on Sky when I watch it - more exciting...

[W1 Rover]

Last time I watched it ABBA won.
Right pwoper songs in those days guv!

[George 1978]

Good luck to James Newman - again!

Looking forward to Germany and Moldova this year (Big Five country and second Semi Final victor) - interesting how many points they will get on Saturday night.

[George 1978]

Re: Eurovision song contest

Amazing that we associated Rice with being poor...

[zabadak]

Re: Eurovision song contest

Amazing that the UK had 16 points last Saturday, and now we just have 11.

At this rate, we'll have nul again by next week!

[George 1978]

Re: Eurovision song contest

Amazing that the UK had 16 points last Saturday, and now we just have 11.

[George 1978]

Re: Eurovision song contest

I guess that means Ireland will win next year, as I'm pretty sure Johnny Logan won in 1980, perhaps my earliest Eurovision memory.

And perhaps the UK can win the year after? One can only hope.

[Clare]

Re: Eurovision song contest

Morocco was in the 1980 competition and they were obviously the wrong side of the Mediterranean to be in Europe.

This year's contest has comparisons with 1979-1980 - in 1979 Israel hosted it and won it but due to the cost and the 1980 ESC being on a Remembrance Day, they defend their title the following year. The 1980s contest was hosted by the Netherlands who came 12th the year before. It is ironic then that the final contest of this decade is hosted by Israel and next year will be hosted by the Netherlands - just like the final year of the 1970s and the first year of the 1980s.

I guess that means Ireland will win next year, as I'm pretty sure Johnny Logan won in 1980, perhaps my earliest Eurovision memory.

[George 1978]

Re: Eurovision song contest

Morocco was in the 1980 competition and they were obviously the wrong side of the Mediterranean to be in Europe.

This year's contest has comparisons with 1979-1980 - in 1979 Israel hosted it and won it but due to the cost and the 1980 ESC being on a Remembrance Day, they defend their title the following year. The 1980s contest was hosted by the Netherlands who came 12th the year before. It is ironic then that the final contest of this decade is hosted by Israel and next year will be hosted by the Netherlands - just like the final year of the 1970s and the first year of the 1980s.

[darren]

Re: Eurovision song contest

One thing that irks me a bit is having israel and australia in it.

Only euro countries in a eurovision song contest.
one thing i did notice is you have more than just each jury voting between 1 and 12 points.

Did i see right or was there something called a public vote.

When did that come in.