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Eurovision Day 4
Thu 09 May 2019Well, yesterday’s caused a flurry of people sending back the correct answer – hurrah!
In case you didn’t get it, the bearded lady herself – Conchita Wurst from Austria – was the winner!.
As yesterday, we have included a YouTube link to the performance at the bottom of the email, in case you’ve never seen this iconic moment!
Today is about two themes that Eurovision embody well – Peace and Love.
For a great deal of time, Eurovision winners had lyrics that spoke about peace, love, looking after our planet etc. The one thing a Eurovision song cannot do is be political. Some countries have pushed the envelope on this over the years – Spain for example used their entry (back in 1963) as the cue for a military coo. Franco (following this) was determined to get Spain to win and used a lot of ‘favours’ to do so. The year they hosted in Madrid, they had a sculpture created by Salvador Dahli specifically for the event! Russia fell foul of the Ukrainian travel ban (VERY long story) and their entrant was banned from entering and they also claimed foul play when their entrant Lazarev was beaten by the Ukraine with a song that was about Stalin! Oh the mind boggles.
However, back in the time of this particular entrants lyrics, the Eurovision was on fairly safe ground.
Bright colours, real orchestra, wild and wacky instruments, key changes and multiple costume changes were becoming the norm. This simple song cut through the glitz and became, for a time in the 1980’s, a song that was taught in primary schools across Europe. It embodied the image that every country wanted to portray.
It was also groundbreaking as this entry received 12 points from a country that had NEVER EVER voted for them before (you will understand why when you work it out or read the bottom of the email).
It was heralded as a watershed moment for European collectiveness and helped lower the political temperature both in Europe and in the UN. I have included the lyrics for the verse in English and the chorus in the original language. On the night, when they won, they sang it in every major language including the language of the country that had never given them 12 points. As it’s Friday – we have posted the winner’s entry in the youtube videos so you’re not stressed about it over the weekend lol!
“Just like a flower when winter begins
Just like a candle blown out in the wind
Just like a bird that can no longer fly
I’m feeling that way sometimeBut then, as I’m falling, weighed down by the load
I picture a light at the end of the road
And closing my eyes, I can see through the dark
The dream that is in my heart…Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Sonne
Für diese Erde, auf der wir wohnen
Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Freude
Ein bisschen Wärme, das wünsch' ich mir
Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Träumen
Und dass die Menschen nicht so oft weinen
Ein bisschen Frieden, ein bisschen Liebe
Dass ich die Hoffnung nie mehr verlier”Conchita : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRUIava4WRM
Nicole – 1982 German Winner : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne8K8wn3jZM
Israel gave them 12 points – which was the first time in the history of the contest.
Costume Changes! : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrJDldFpXMU
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Eurovision Day 3
Thu 09 May 2019We really do hope you enjoyed yesterday’s hark back to the old days – Bobbysocks from Norway – Winners!.
As yesterday, we have included a YouTube link to the performance at the bottom of the email, in case you need to revel in the drama of a static swing routine!
Today is about diversity and camp.
The Eurovision prides itself on being able to take pop culture, heritage and mythology and mash it together into one multi-coloured blob of fabulous.
There are three key points in the 64 years, where the Eurovision decides to thumb its nose at those cultures who may not be so accepting of diversity and go for it.
Long before LGBTQ+ become a thing, the trans community was represented by the entrant Dana International. She caused a huge stir when she competed in Birmingham (as we had won the contest the year before with Katrina and the Waves and so hosted it), with some broadcasters threatening to stop broadcasting when she was on. The EBU (European Broadcasting Union), threatened to withdraw funding to those broadcasters and remove their countries artists – this surprisingly put an end to it. We have put the video of Dana at the bottom of this email. She is performing again this year, as Israel are the hosts (following Netta’s winning entry of Toy) and there is a huge rumour she is potentially singing with Madonna – who is performing the interval act (no capes allowed this year).
However, the entrant who won and whose lyrics are below, helped to further the representation of the diversity within the world.
She was – until recently, the highest scoring entrant in the contest and has gone on to have an amazing career – including hosting the Eurovision the following year, singing with the likes of Lady Gaga, Adele, Shirley Bassey amongst others as well as being the go to artist within Austria for hosting large award ceremonies.
She has transformed the understanding of Gender Fluidity and has released a new album which was used within the Met Ball this week.
Ohhh and the third – well it would be remiss of us not to mention Sweden in all this. Sweden has done more for poking fun at Eurovision than any other country and Eurovision love them. Check out Mans and Pedre who hosted the contest recently … it is worth the watch!
“Waking in the rubble
Walking over glass
Neighbours say we're trouble
Well that time has passedPeering from the mirror
No, that isn't me
Stranger getting nearer
Who can this person beYou wouldn't know me at all today from the fading light I fly”
Mans and Pedra : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv6tgnx6jTQ
Bobby Socks : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKtUQS2VRD0
Dana International : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ5B6w-Baxs
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Eurovision Day 2
Wed 08 May 2019Ok, Ok, we get it … yesterday’s lyrics were pretty easy – Michael Ball – One Step Out Of Time – our 1992 entry, came 2nd with 139 points.
We have included a YouTube link to the performance at the bottom of the email, in case you have forgotten the sheer majesty of his fist pump plus this year’s UK entrant – Michael Rice.
Well today, we have a winner from back in the day when Australia didn’t take part and when Eurovision was still enjoying the resurgence of a costume change (Bucks Fizz), camp, a live orchestra still prevailed and when countries had to perform in one of their home languages.
This cheeky number was performed by a duo – one being a three times entrant who was teamed up with a four time entrant (who is one of only four entrants to finish both in first and second place (1985 and 1996 in this case)). Although performed on the night in their native language, the reprise (when they won) was performed in several (which became a Eurovision staple for many, many years) including English. Bon Chance!
“Look at me, I’m climbing up a ladder,
And I’m half-way bound with reaching for the stars,
No, I don’t have time to swing, no time for laughter,
But a voice inside my head keeps singing loud!
La det swinge, la de rock ‘n’ roll,
La det swinge til du mister all kontroll,
Oh hi oh,
La det swinge la det rock ‘n’ roll!”
Michael Ball https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUnwo8etJ_o
Michael Rice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOBhTgSrXJQ
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Eurovision Fortnight!
Wed 08 May 2019As it’s Eurovision fortnight and the 64th Eurovision (not including the original Melodianfestivalen – which still runs and is the way the Swedes choose their entrant), we thought we would try and quiz you with some Eurovision lyrics. We are not being cruel as these are in English and this particular one is a United Kingdom entry…
“Another week, another day,
When I call you’re miles away,
In the arms of another,
All my friends say I’m crazy,
Night after night I’m waitin’,
You say that I’m wrong,
Then you tell me I’m comin’ on too strong…”
Do you know it? Check tomorrow for the answer and the next question!
