Eurovision Song Contest (1956-1982) - It's A Knockout (Winner: ABBA)

[Corki]

Nicole progresses to the semi-final with a 2-0 win as the M-G votes for the German song.

 

Time to decide the last semi-finalist.

[Corki]

Round 2, Tie 4

 

 

Save Your Kisses for Me by Brotherhood of Man (U.K. - 1976)

Yet more success for the U.K. as this song notched up 164 points. Across Europe, it managed to sell over 5 million copies. A truly successful song.

 

 

vs.

 

 

Tu te reconnaîtras by Anne-Marie David (Luxembourg - 1973)

Following on from victory in 1972, Luxembourg became the first country to win back-to-back outright (Spain tied in 1969 after their 1968 win). The song, translated as "You'll recognize yourself", scored 129 points. It was a surpise victory, as the song managed to beat Sir Cliff Richard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0qQhz1yPy0

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 21st May 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

Anne-Marie David and Luxembourg get the M-G's vote.

[Krakalakachkn]

Luxembourg

[Corki]

And Anne-Marie is the last name to make the semi-finals with a 2-0 win.

 

And on that note, we move on to the 1st semi-final.

[Corki]

Semi-Final, Tie 1

 

 

 

Non ho l'età by Gigliola Cinquetti (Italy - 1964)

1964 saw Italy win for the first time with a total of 49 points. Translated, it means "I'm not old enough". The song is sung from the perspective of a young girl who is telling her lover that she is not old enough to love him properly, but that one day she intends to do so. She pleads with him to "Let me live a romantic love" while she waits to be old enough to love properly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yFM5qDXIzU (this is just the song as a live performance is impossible to find)

 

vs.

 

 

 

Ein bißchen Frieden by Nicole (Germany - 1982)

Despite the numerous times Germany has entered, this is their only victory. It was won by 17 year old student Nicole. It scored 161 points, and won by a then record margin of 61 points. The performance was unlike most other Eurovision entrants in that Nicole performed while seated on a stool, playing a white acoustic guitar and accompanied by a backing group which included a harpist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAOOKBbUabs

 

 

Voting ends Friday 22nd May 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Krakalakachkn]

Italy

[Corki]

This is a tough one to call, but I think the Italian song just pips the German song. As a result, a 2-0 win for Gigliola takes her through to the final.

 

The second semi-final is on the way.

[Corki]

Semi-Final, Tie 2

 

 

Tu te reconnaîtras by Anne-Marie David (Luxembourg - 1973)

Following on from victory in 1972, Luxembourg became the first country to win back-to-back outright (Spain tied in 1969 after their 1968 win). The song, translated as "You'll recognize yourself", scored 129 points. It was a surpise victory, as the song managed to beat Sir Cliff Richard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0qQhz1yPy0

 

 

 

vs.

 

 

Waterloo by ABBA (Sweden - 1974)

Probably one of the greatest songs to win Eurovision. Such a catchy tune, and easily remembered lyrics. It's great to dance to! So many things made it successful. It won with 24 points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGs7dTjUsXw

 

 

Voting ends Sunday 24th May 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Majsju]

ABBA

 

And Corki, it is supposed to be written ABBA, not Abba, as the letters represent the initials of the band members first names.

[Krakalakachkn]

Anne-Marie David

[Corki]

It looks like my vote ends the current tie - and the M-G's vote goes to ABBA.

 

We now move onto the Grand Final and 3rd/4th play-off.

[Corki]

The Final

 

 

Non ho l'età by Gigliola Cinquetti (Italy - 1964)

1964 saw Italy win for the first time with a total of 49 points. Translated, it means "I'm not old enough". The song is sung from the perspective of a young girl who is telling her lover that she is not old enough to love him properly, but that one day she intends to do so. She pleads with him to "Let me live a romantic love" while she waits to be old enough to love properly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yFM5qDXIzU (this is just the song as a live performance is impossible to find)

 

 

 

vs.

 

 

Waterloo by ABBA (Sweden - 1974)

Probably one of the greatest songs to win Eurovision. Such a catchy tune, and easily remembered lyrics. It's great to dance to! So many things made it successful. It won with 24 points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGs7dTjUsXw

 

 

Voting ends Monday 25th May 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

3rd/4th Play-off

 

 

 

Ein bißchen Frieden by Nicole (Germany - 1982)

Despite the numerous times Germany has entered, this is their only victory. It was won by 17 year old student Nicole. It scored 161 points, and won by a then record margin of 61 points. The performance was unlike most other Eurovision entrants in that Nicole performed while seated on a stool, playing a white acoustic guitar and accompanied by a backing group which included a harpist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAOOKBbUabs

 

vs.

 

 

Tu te reconnaîtras by Anne-Marie David (Luxembourg - 1973)

Following on from victory in 1972, Luxembourg became the first country to win back-to-back outright (Spain tied in 1969 after their 1968 win). The song, translated as "You'll recognize yourself", scored 129 points. It was a surpise victory, as the song managed to beat Sir Cliff Richard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0qQhz1yP

 

 

 

Voting ends Monday 25th May 2009 at 11pm (GMT)

[Corki]

The M-G votes as follows:

 

The Final: ABBA

 

3rd/4th Play-off: Anne-Marie David

[Krakalakachkn]

The Final: Non ho l'eta

 

Play-off: Anne-Marie David

[Majsju]

ABBA

 

Anne-Marie David

[Corki]

It's time to conclude this part of the "Eurovision Song Contest - It's A Knockout". I know it's a bit later than it should have been, but I would have done it this morning before work - except I had forgotten I was out of a training course!

 

In the 3rd/4th play-off, it is a 3-0 win triumph for Luxembourg's Anne-Marie David, as she beat Germany's Nicole.

 

And in the Final, Sweden's ABBA take their place in the Grand Final against the winner of the other leg of this contest with a 2-1 win Italy's Gigliola Cinquetti.

[Corki]

I would also like to thank Maj and Krak for taking part throughout most of this contest. Thanks for the support!