Since 1956, when the Eurovision music contest began in earnest, until today, 26 different countries have won first place.

Eurovision, one of the longest-running television programs in the world, has fanatical fans and so many… enemies that snub it. But, whether we like it or not, wonderful songs have come out of the competition, which have remained in the history of music, each with the corresponding style and trend of the time it was released.

The big ‘winners’ of Eurovision, in terms of subsequent global careers, were of course ABBA, who won the contest representing Sweden in 1974 with the song ‘Waterloo’.

The country with the most wins – 7 – is Ireland, with Johnny Logan the absolute star after winning twice in the Competition and once on Tuesday as the composer of the country’s entry.

The most famous, Hold me now, came first in 1987 and marked the young loves of millions of people. It remains a fantastic, heartbreaking ballad.

In 1978, Israel won the Eurovision song me to A-Ba-Ni-Bi. It became a huge hit, without anyone knowing the lyrics.

Earlier, in 1972, Luxembourg sent Vicky Leandros with Apres toi, which also became a worldwide success and marked the beginning of a long international career.

In 1988 Celine Dion won first prize in the Eurovision contest with the song Ne partez pas sans moi, representing Switzerland. Her first album in English followed and the rest is history…

In 1998, Israel rocked the Eurovision stage and the world when it sent transgender Dana International with “Diva”.

Just a party girl, who triumphed without (again) anyone knowing what she was saying!

Viva Maria, Viva Victoria, Aphrodite
Viva le Diva, Viva Victoria, Cleopatraaaaaa

Years later, in 2014, Austria sent persona Conchita Wurst (the woman with the beards to those who trolled the entry) with the “jamsbontic” Rise Like a Phoenix. Conchita swept not only her subversive appearance but also her performance was a truly remarkable piece that will always be remembered.

Among the special moments written in the history of the competition was Sertab Erener with Everyway That I Can which rightfully brought victory to Turkey in 2003. Even today, her music is stuck in our brains!

In 2004, Ruslana (Ukraine’s Zina) won in Istanbul with Wild Dances and her wild, ethnic look with sheep, fires and yachts became a Eurovision classic.

In the same year, Zeljko Joksimovic represented Serbia-Montenegro with the melodious and touchingly good Lane Moje. He came second with many wondering why.

Finland’s Lordi’s victory in Athens – which brought the competition to Elena Paparizou’s victory in 2005 – is one of those cases where a song comes first by some strange conspiracy of the universe (and the voters) and forever enters the list of the most ” kitsch” participations.

Nevertheless, Hard Rock Hallelujah wrote its own story and was forever etched in our memory, even if for the wrong reasons.