SLO02 + + Sestre < < samo ljubezen

[2002] [Slovenia]
[13]

Sestre, a group of 3 Slovenian drag performers dressed as air hostesses: Miss Daphne, Miss Emperatrizz, and Miss Marlena.

The selection of this song wasn't very peaceful though. Anti-gay campaigners protested and asked for the trio to be barred and there was even a street protest in Ljubljana. This of course only deemed Slovenia as an unsuitable candidate to join the EU in 2004.

Catchy song, didn't do too well finishing in 13th place in the competition. Still, one of the most memorable entries in the contest to this day.

SPA90 + + Azúcar Moreno < < bandido

[1990] [Spain]
[05]

Everyone remembers the beggining of the 1990 ESC show where Azucar Moreno waited for the backing tape to start and it started midway through the song and everyone was very confused for about 2 minutes when the girls went backstage and waited for everything to start again.

The disco-flamenco song catapulted the two sisters Toñi and Encarna Salazán to stardom in Spain.

GBR96 + + Gina G < < ooh ahh... just a little bit

[1996] [UK]
[08]

Gina G ten years ago represented the UK in the ESC with a europop track, something that was a bit weird at the time. She reached #1 in the UK singles chart but European voters only took her to a 8th place in the ESC that year. Even Portugal did better that year.

MON71 + + Séverine < < un banc, un arbre, une rue

[1971] [Monaco]
[01]

Séverine won in 1971 with this magnificent Eurovision classic. I say magnificent because I am a sucker for French heartfelt songs about having a bench, a tree, a street, losing your innocence and keeping your dreams. Bless.

POR69 + + Simone de Oliveira < < desfolhada portuguesa

[1969] [Portugal]
[15]

In 1969, the magnificent Simone de Oliveira returned to the ESC for the second time. This time she brought 'desfolhada portuguesa' which means Portuguese deflowering and was written by Ary dos Santos, a famous Portuguese poet. Simone is still a popular songstress in Portugal.

Famous line 'quem faz um filho fá-lo por gosto' (whoever makes a child makes it because he/she wants to) was groundbreaking at the time of Salazar's dictatorship and probably is as famous as Shakira's line about her breasts being small and humble.

SPA75 + + Sergio y Estíbaliz < < tú volverás

[1975] [Spain]
[10]

Couple (still married) Sergio and Estíbaliz were at that time popular in Spain. In 1975 they went to Eurovision with this lovely song that sounds very much like The Carpenters. They are currently part of Spanish group El Consorcio.

SPA05 + + Las Supremas De Móstoles < < eres un enfermo

[2005] [Spain]
[Pre - 02]

Here are Las Supremas de Móstoles [The Mostoles' Supremes] with the video for their presentation at the pre-selection for Spain's ESC entry for 2005.

SPA05 + + Son De Sol < < brujería

[2005] [Spain]
[21]

This was a sweet funny song that didn't do very well in the ESC. Son De Sol are 3 girls from Málaga, in Andalucía. They will probably be remembered mostly for defeating Las Supremas de Móstoles in the selection of the song for Spain. Las Supremas entered with the magnificent hit "eres un enfermo" (you're sick) about their husbands being addicted to cybersex.

TUR03 + + Sertab Erener < < every way that i can

[2003] [Turkey]
[Winner]

Sertab Erener's performance at the 2003 ESC was brilliant and she absolutely deserved to win. This is one of Eurovision's best ever.

GRE01 + + Antique < < die for you

[2001] [Greece]
[03]

This is one of the best Eurovision songs ever. Antique are fronted by Helena Paparizou (who won the ESC in 2005 for Greece) and this song came third in the end behind Estonia and Denmark.

SPA02 + + Rosa < < europe's living a celebration

[2002] [Spain]
[07]

I had to start this blog with Rosa's entry for Spain in 2002. It is a very kitsch Eurovision track and of course very catchy. If you were living in Spain at the time there was no way you could get rid of listening to this.

As Rosa won 1st Operación Triunfo (Spain's Fame Academy), she became quite famous so Rosa and the whole Spain were a bit disappointed by her 7th place in the end.