Eurovision may be a little over a month away, but if you’re like us, you’re already counting down the days. Up to now, 37 songs have been selected and released (you can listen to them all here). Currently, we are less than 50 days away from fighting to be crowned Eurovision 2023 champions (Slovenia and Latvia for the win we reckon!). But, while we wait, you may be wondering, which song is the best Eurovision song ever? Well, we have the answers. Don’t believe us, just take a listen to these belters! Using data from a poll by The Independent, we’ve found the best Eurovision songs of all time.
10. Dana International – “Diva” – Israel, 1998
The last time the UK hosted, Israel’s Dana International won with “Diva”. This win was particularly historic as Dana was the first openly trans participant (and first openly LGBTQIA+ victor) in the history of the contest, achieving a milestone for the representation of the LGBTQIA+ community.
9. Conchita Wurst – “Rise Like A Phoenix” – Austria, 2014
The most recent entry on this list. Rise Like A Phoenix is also another important song for the LGBTQIA+ community (Eurovision is known as “the gay Olympics” after all). Her selection in 2014 caused backlash in several countries and even led to petitions in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus asking for her removal. Evidently, those petitions did not work, as Conchita went on to win the contest.
8. Lordi – “Hard Rock Hallelujah” – Finland, 2006
Finland in Eurovision and rock music are practically synonymous at this point, with Lordi being the most famous of them all. Hard Rock Hallelujah won the 2006 contest, the first and so far only victory for Finland (I think that could change this year). It even broke the world record for the most number of people singing karaoke simultaneously when 80,000 people sang the song simultaneously in Helsinki.
7. Gina G – “Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit” – UK, 1996
You can tell this poll was conducted by a British newspaper because (spoiler alert) the next six songs are songs from the United Kingdom. Well, Gina G is actually Australian, but she performed for the UK. Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit is a classic piece of 90s Europop, which I did not actually realise was a Eurovision song until I started doing the research for this article. You learn something new every day.
6. Katrina and the Waves – “Love Shine a Light” – UK, 1997
The last time the UK officially won the contest (and I believe that’s going to hold for another year). Even more than a quarter of a century later, Love Shine A Light continues to have a lasting impact on the Eurovision fandom. The song’s name was the basis for the replacement show in 2020, culminating in the 2020 class singing the song.
5. Lulu – “Boom Bang A Bang” – UK, 1969
This song is involved in one of the most memorable moments in Eurovision history. Boom Bang A Bang, the second UK victory in Eurovision history, was involved in a four-way tie at the 1969 contest in Madrid. At the time there were no tiebreaker rules, so something like this will never happen again. A cool little trivia piece for your Eurovision party this May.
4. Cliff Richard – “Congratulations” – UK, 1968
Another classic in both British and general Eurovision history. “Congratulations” was considered to be the overwhelming favourite for the 1968 contest in London but ultimately lost to the Spanish entry by a mere 1 point. Talk about drama. Regardless, the song’s legacy withstands the tale of time as it remains only one of two UK entries that didn’t win to top the UK charts.
3. Brotherhood of Man – “Save Your Kisses for Me” – UK, 1976
The UK’s 1976 entry, “Save Your Kisses for Me” is next on the list. This was the UK’s third victory overall and second solo victory, with what would be the highest points total in the history of the contest for the next 10 years. To this day, it remains one of the biggest-selling Eurovision winners of all time and the biggest in the UK.
2. Bucks Fizz – “Making Your Mind Up” – UK, 1981
Bucks Fizz was formed with the 1981 contest in mind and clearly, it worked, as the band went on to secure the UK’s fourth victory with “Making Your Mind Up”. The band went on to be one of the biggest successes of the 1980s, which just goes to show the power of Eurovision and what it can do for a music career.
1. ABBA – “Waterloo” – Sweden, 1974
Was there really ever any doubt? ABBA is arguably the most famous act to have ever come out of Eurovision and Waterloo is probably their most famous song. So much so that at the 50th-anniversary concert, Waterloo was voted the most popular Eurovision song to date. While that concert was 18 years ago, it may provide some evidence that Waterloo is in fact the best Eurovision song ever.
So, to answer the question, which song is the best Eurovision song ever? Well, that is of course dependent on your individual taste. Music is a completely subjective thing, there’s no way of there ever being a definitive best Eurovision song ever. You can also read (if like me, you’re big into Eurovision) more on which country has won the most Eurovision and who are the most memorable stars of the competition.
Aside from Eurovision, another thing that’s coming up is deadline/exam season (hooray!). If you’re looking to improve your study habits in preparation for everyone’s favourite time of the year, check out this article to see when is the best time to study – in the morning or the night?
Last Updated on September 4, 2024
Published on April 3, 2023
A student from University of Nottingham.
