The Eurovision Song Contest has brought us some fantastic winning songs that are still played in nightclubs to this day.
As we eagerly await the final tonight here’s a look at the good, the bad and the downright strange winners of the last ten years.
2016 Ukraine - Jamala ‘1944’
1944 is a song inspired by the deportation of the Crimean Tatars by the Soviet Union at the hands of Joseph Stalin because of their alleged collaboration with the Nazis. Heavy stuff! The historical reference aside, this is one winner that I can’t get on board with. It’s her damn screeching. Australia was my winner this year, so I’ve also linked their (better) track ‘Sound of Silence’.
2015 Sweden - Måns Zelmerlöw ‘Heroes’
Sweden are quickly closing in on Ireland for the most wins as they currently lie on six after Måns Zelmerlöw dominated with Heroes. They won on a staggering 365 points, 62 points more than runners up Russia (phew!). The production of the performance alone won it for them.
2014 Austria - Concheta Wurst ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’
Putting the bearded lady aside this song has everything you need to win the Eurovision, it’s dramatic, powerful and carries a very strong message. Overcoming petitions from Belarus and Russia to be pulled from the Song Contest, Austria had the last laugh when they went on to win with what will be one of the most iconic winners ever.
2013 Denmark - Emmelie de Forest ‘Only Teardrops’
Only Teardrops winning felt like Eurovision déjà vu, it had a very similar feel to Euphoria. Nevertheless it was a deserved winner. This was the third win for Denmark, having won in 2000 and 1963.
2012 Sweden - Loreen ‘Euphoria’
Sweden has won the song contest a total of five times, their last win in 2012 with this uplifting dance track Euphoria. It still gets people on the dancefloor and is an all-round fantastic winning song. Those dance moves though!
2011 Azerbaijan - Ell & Nick ‘Running Scared’
Azerbaijan are always ones to watch in the Eurovision, having won the contest in 2011 and their semi-final in 2013. They only joined the contest in 2008 and have placed in the top 10 every year, apart from last year when they finished 22nd. Their all-white ensembles has an air of Blink 182’s All the Small Things video about it, hard to take it serious after that.
2010 Germany - Lena ‘Satellite’
Germany are part of the Big Five so they don’t know the pain of never making it to the finals, last year is still very raw for me. They’ve won twice, but I can’t fathom how they managed it with ‘Satellite’. Firstly her forced accent is insanely annoying and she’s more or less talking rather than singing. Secondly who buys light blue underwear to wear for someone, such a random colour? Finally if you get past the annoying voice and actually listen to the lyrics she is a stalker.
2009 Norway - Alexander Rybak ‘Fairytale’
The Eurovision is known for cheesy and overly simplistic lyrics and this is exactly what Norway brought to the table in 2009 with Fairytale. Norway has won the Eurovision three times, received null points four times and finished in last place eleven times, so needless to say there has been more bad than good throughout their time in the song contest.
2008 Russia - Dima Bilan ‘Believe’
Russia has appeared in 19 finals and have never missed a final since 2004. 2008 was the only year they won, however they did win their semi-final in 2012. Politics is rife within the Eurovision and it can go either way for Russia. Something tells me this year it worked in their favour because there really isn’t much to the song.
2007 Serbia - Marija Serifovic ‘Molitva’
Serbia first appeared in the Eurovision in 2007 and blew everyone away with Molitva. They won on a staggering 298 points and rank third for the highest points ever scored. They have failed to qualify twice since then and did not participate last year. Their entry this year has been attracting a lot of attention of late which could spell a spectacular comeback.
As we eagerly await the final tonight here’s a look at the good, the bad and the downright strange winners of the last ten years.
2016 Ukraine - Jamala ‘1944’
1944 is a song inspired by the deportation of the Crimean Tatars by the Soviet Union at the hands of Joseph Stalin because of their alleged collaboration with the Nazis. Heavy stuff! The historical reference aside, this is one winner that I can’t get on board with. It’s her damn screeching. Australia was my winner this year, so I’ve also linked their (better) track ‘Sound of Silence’.
2015 Sweden - Måns Zelmerlöw ‘Heroes’
Sweden are quickly closing in on Ireland for the most wins as they currently lie on six after Måns Zelmerlöw dominated with Heroes. They won on a staggering 365 points, 62 points more than runners up Russia (phew!). The production of the performance alone won it for them.
2014 Austria - Concheta Wurst ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’
Putting the bearded lady aside this song has everything you need to win the Eurovision, it’s dramatic, powerful and carries a very strong message. Overcoming petitions from Belarus and Russia to be pulled from the Song Contest, Austria had the last laugh when they went on to win with what will be one of the most iconic winners ever.
2013 Denmark - Emmelie de Forest ‘Only Teardrops’
Only Teardrops winning felt like Eurovision déjà vu, it had a very similar feel to Euphoria. Nevertheless it was a deserved winner. This was the third win for Denmark, having won in 2000 and 1963.
2012 Sweden - Loreen ‘Euphoria’
Sweden has won the song contest a total of five times, their last win in 2012 with this uplifting dance track Euphoria. It still gets people on the dancefloor and is an all-round fantastic winning song. Those dance moves though!
2011 Azerbaijan - Ell & Nick ‘Running Scared’
Azerbaijan are always ones to watch in the Eurovision, having won the contest in 2011 and their semi-final in 2013. They only joined the contest in 2008 and have placed in the top 10 every year, apart from last year when they finished 22nd. Their all-white ensembles has an air of Blink 182’s All the Small Things video about it, hard to take it serious after that.
2010 Germany - Lena ‘Satellite’
Germany are part of the Big Five so they don’t know the pain of never making it to the finals, last year is still very raw for me. They’ve won twice, but I can’t fathom how they managed it with ‘Satellite’. Firstly her forced accent is insanely annoying and she’s more or less talking rather than singing. Secondly who buys light blue underwear to wear for someone, such a random colour? Finally if you get past the annoying voice and actually listen to the lyrics she is a stalker.
2009 Norway - Alexander Rybak ‘Fairytale’
The Eurovision is known for cheesy and overly simplistic lyrics and this is exactly what Norway brought to the table in 2009 with Fairytale. Norway has won the Eurovision three times, received null points four times and finished in last place eleven times, so needless to say there has been more bad than good throughout their time in the song contest.
2008 Russia - Dima Bilan ‘Believe’
Russia has appeared in 19 finals and have never missed a final since 2004. 2008 was the only year they won, however they did win their semi-final in 2012. Politics is rife within the Eurovision and it can go either way for Russia. Something tells me this year it worked in their favour because there really isn’t much to the song.
2007 Serbia - Marija Serifovic ‘Molitva’
Serbia first appeared in the Eurovision in 2007 and blew everyone away with Molitva. They won on a staggering 298 points and rank third for the highest points ever scored. They have failed to qualify twice since then and did not participate last year. Their entry this year has been attracting a lot of attention of late which could spell a spectacular comeback.