The latest edition of the Eurovision Song Contest once again provided plenty of talking points, particularly with regards to the winners.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra rode a wave of public support to claim top spot, although you would be hard-pushed to argue it was the best song.
That honour goes to Sam Ryder, whose Space Man was unfortunate not to end the United Kingdom’s barren run in this competition.
While the Ukrainian victory was undoubtedly a feelgood moment, the song is unlikely to appear too high up any list of greatest winners. Here’s our top five.
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Waterloo – ABBA -Sweden – 1974
According to recent research by Betway, Sweden’s tally of six Eurovision victories puts them just one behind Ireland in the all-time standings.
Their first Eurovision win was Waterloo by ABBA, a song that became a global hit and provided a platform for the Swedish quartet to become household names.
From the opening piano build to the chorus, Waterloo is a masterclass in how to construct the perfect pop song. As classic Eurovision songs go, this is number one.
Euphoria – Loreen – Sweden – 2012
This magnificent dance banger was straight out of the Clubland playbook, with the soaring vocals and pumping beat blowing away the competition in 2012.
Loreen’s Euphoria became the anthem of the summer, blaring out of bars and nightclubs in most European holiday destinations.
While Loreen has continued to enjoy success in Sweden, she has not matched ABBA’s global achievements. Despite this, Euphoria is a timeless Eurovision masterpiece.
Love Shine a Light – Katrina and the Waves – United Kingdom – 1997
Everyone loves a comeback story, which is why Katrina and the Waves’ victory with Love Shine a Light in 1997 was such a special moment.
The band enjoyed success during the 1980s before dropping off the radar, but roared back into the public eye to become the UK’s fifth Eurovision winner.
Love Shine a Light won by 70 points (a record margin at the time) and is unquestionably one the finest Eurovision songs ever written.
Diva – Dana International – Israel – 1998
Dana was the first transgender woman to compete in the contest, sparking outrage amongst Orthodox Jews and other people with conservative views.
Her performance of Diva was a genuine ‘goosebumps’ moment, perfectly highlighting Eurovision’s status as a force for diversity.
Dana subsequently performed in the 50th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen after Diva was selected as one of the best songs in the competition’s history.
Making Your Mind Up – Bucks Fizz – United Kingdom – 1981
While the music industry was shifting away from pop music, Bucks Fizz proved it still had a place in the public’s hearts by winning Eurovision in 1981.
Making Your Mind Up’s ridiculously catchy beat coupled with a skirt-ripping dance routine found favour with the juries to hand the UK their fourth victory at Eurovision.
The group’s success sparked talk they could be the next ABBA, but they ultimately failed to match up to the Swedish legends. Making Your Mind Up is a still a great song though.
