Eurovision - Greatest Hits, Kind Of

Welcome back! Double post day, to celebrate Eurovision. In preparation for tonight, I'm going to put some classics (genuine Eurovision classics), disrespected gems (songs that should have done better) & 'Eurovision Classics' (songs that are pure Eurovision filth; tunes that make you say 'what the f*ck').

Classic

Firstly, let's start with a classic and you can't get more classic than my overall favourite song. A previous winner of the competition for the United Kingdom - ladies and gentlemen, Brotherhood of Man! It's a pure feelgood song.

Disrespected Gem

This gained no points at all. I've put this as a disrespected gem as it should have done better. It's a beautiful ballad, it wasn't a placeholder song like some host countries enter the year they host, they had a grand piano that set on fire. There really wasn't an explanation as to why it received no points - very unfair to tell Austria they've done a fantastic show and then dump on their entry. Deserved better.

Eurovision Classic

This finished 11th. Listen to it and remember that this placed higher than 14 other songs. One of the songs it beat was Sunstroke Project from Moldova, who gave the world the Epic Sax Guy with their entry. This song is just pure comedy.

Classic

Our next genuine classic is from Ukraine. This is 'Wild Dances' by Ruslana - they won in just their second year in the competition. It's driving beat and melody made it a sure fire hit. For fans of Gran Theft Auto, it can also be heard on one of the radios in Grand Theft Auto IV.

Eurovision Classic

For starters, I love this song. It finished 10th, but is definitely a 'Eurovision Classic' rather than one that is unanimously loved. Back in the day, I bought this song off iTunes for a full 99p.

Classic

Most people when they think of greatest Eurovision song of all time, they go 'Waterloo' by Abba. Me, I go 'Dancing Lasha Tumbai' by Verka Serduchka. This finished second in 2007 and has pretty much kept Verka returning every few years to the contest in a guest spot.

Eurovision Classic

Back in 2006, Lithuania went all out and told Europe they were going to win the contest. They didn't. It's fun and likeable, if not a bit of a weird old man boy band. This comes up on lists every year, reminding people of Lithuania's misplaced (comical) bravado.

Disrespected Gem

Again, I class a disrespected gem as a song I like that should have done better. This time, in 2011, Israel sent Dana International back for a second bit of the cherry. Eurovision said 'thanks, but no thanks'. Yes, it wasn't as good as her winning track 'Diva' from 1998, but was better than some of the other songs that qualified this year.

Eurovision Classic

This is just plain weird. There are no words to explain what is actually happening in this performance. Bare in mind, this came 22nd in the same year that Verka came 2nd (see above). The only song to do worse than this was Ireland, which we'll discuss below.

Disrespected Gem

Ireland in 2007 were vastly underappreciated. This is my third entry from 2007, not sure why 2007 stands out so much in my mind - maybe because it was such a weird year for songs; mostly songs you'd hit skip if they came up on your Spotify/Apple Music etc. This did not deserve to come last - even Scooch did better than them! If you want some context, this is the highlight package for the 2007 final here. Yes, she is a bit pitchy at the start and looks slightly spaced, but in no way a bottom placed song.

Classic

Final one for this post and another classic. This one is an interval performance rather than an actual entrant. Petra Mede is a fantastic host for Eurovision - she has hosted twice and hosted an anniversary concert with Graham Norton and killed it each time. I've included both interval performances as they both warrant viewing. Remember, she hosted alone in 2013 and then again with Måns Zelmerlow - performing in the interval on both occasions. Her humour is fantastic. I can't say much more, just watch.

Enjoy the show, everyone!

Back soon!