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Just 14 of the best Eurovision songs in recent years
THE EUROVISION SONG Contest is nearly upon us. This year’s competition takes place from May 8th – 12th in Lisbon, Portugal.
Is there a better television event? No. It’s ability to rip the piss out of itself is what keeps us coming back for more. That and the sheer madness of it all.
In celebration of the imminent glitter and mad cap dancing we decided to take a look back at some of the best and brightest (literally) entries into this beautiful, beautiful competition.
1. Dancing Lasha Tumbai – Verka Serduchka (Ukraine, 2007)
This song just encapsulates everything important in Eurovision. Glitter, mad outfits, mad dancing, singing in German for discernible reason. It came 2nd overall coming behind Serbia but honestly it’s one of the best Eurovision entries ever.
2. Fairytale – Alexander Rybak (Norway, 2009)
Baby-faced Alexander charmed us all with his song about being in love with a girl who was a ‘fairytale’. Norway smashed it and won the contest in 2009 and Alexander is returning this year to represent Norway again. Let’s hope he brings his violin.
3. Party for Everybody – Buranovskiye Babushki (Russia, 2012)
Also known as the ‘Russian Granny Song’, this entry actually came 2nd in 2012 losing quite rightly to ‘Euphoria’. Still it was nice to see Russian grannies getting out of the house to represent their country in a signing competition. Perhaps we should consider sending a group of Irish mammies.
4. It’s My Life – Cezar (Romania, 2013)
Is there anything more Eurovision than a man dressed up like a goth singing in an unexpected high pitched voice about love? No, no there is not. God bless you Romania.
5. Pirates of the Sea – Wolves of the Sea (Latvia, 2008)
The same year we entered Dustin, Latvia entered a song about pirates. One of the lyrics is ‘we can’t be anything other than pirates’ which is misleading given their name. They could be wolves too. There’s also just a lot of screaming and grunting in this spectacle.
6. Hard Rock Hallelujah – Lordi (Finland, 2006)
The winners of the 2006 contest gave us something completely different. How the main singer walked in those shoes we will never know but this song and this entire entry was a masterstroke.
7. Run Away – Sunstroke Project & Olia Tira (Moldova, 2010)
The song that launched a thousand saxophone memes and frankly a song that deserved a lot more than a measly 22nd place finish. Saxophone guy actually returned last year for Moldova’s ‘Hey Mamma’ which came 3rd overall and was a banger.
8. No Prejudice – Pollaponk (Iceland, 2014)
A song all about how racism is terrible with lovely lyrics like ‘Don’t discriminate, tolerance is bliss’. Ah Iceland, such a loving bunch.
9. Alcohol is Free – Koza Mostra (Greece, 2013)
This song was basically about the financial collapse in Greece and how the people suffered so much as a result of the politicians actions. It came 6th overall and honestly it’s still a cracking tune.
10. Moustache – Twin Twin (France, 2014)
France’s utter refusal to sing in English seems to be a factor as to why they continue to do terrible in Eurovision. This song actually came last in 2014 which is a crime against Eurovision because it’s a song about having a bloody moustache, it’s GREAT.
11. We’ve Got the World – Mickey Joe Harte (Ireland, 2003)
It’s 15 years since Mickey Joe made us all feel good about ourselves with a song that was number one in Ireland for the entire month of May. This wonderful little song finished 11th in the final and we haven’t had a decent Eurovision entry since.
12. Rise Like A Phoenix – Conchita Wurst (Austria, 2014)
Probably the best ballad of recent years, Conchita took Eurovision by storm in 2014 and won. Her song about struggling through something and coming out the other side resonated with a lot of people. That dress and beard combination is also stunning.
13. Euphoria – Loreen (Sweden, 2012)
Sweden have been doing very well in recent years winning in both 2012 and 2016 and appear to be sneaking up to take our crown of most Eurovision titles won. Euphoria definitely deserved it though.
14. Yodel It! – Ilinca feat. Alex Florea (Romania, 2017)
In what produced the most awkward shift in Eurovision history, Romania gifted us with the yodeling song last year. It’s a pity the timing was slightly off because otherwise they might have ended up at Coachella this year.
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