If you're in Europe next week...

How have I lived my life without knowing about this show!?! Europeans singing in English in a competation setting is one of my favorite things. Thanks for the heads up. I'm laughing my butt off as I listen to last nights show. Oh My! the Dutch singers have blinking lights on thier pants!

Just a little insulting dont you think? I grew up in the UK and during the 60's 70's and early 80's there were a fair amount of singers, especially British that got their start here. They may not be familiar to North American audiences but they had a huge following in Europe. Bucks Fizz, Brotherhood of Man and even Cliff Richard sang in the contest. Now I think I am right in thinking that Cliff Richard has has just acouple less number one records than the Beatles and I believe ABBA are similar in record sales. From what I hear now it is pretty much a rigged contest, but in the 70's it was something we looked forward to. A bit kitschy yes, but some good groups and good songs came out of it and you have to look at the time and what was going on in the world.
Saying ABBA was "inflicted" on the world, well thats a bit harsh, it seems the Ugly American has hit the Rick Steeves boards.

Oh come on Pete, this is all in good fun. I don't feel the slightest bit insulted even though one of my alltime favourite songs was also a contestant at this competition 1976. Unfortunately, not a winner.

Michelle,

I think the rules of the competition have changed since the early years. Contenstants have to sing in their country's official language. Though the winning song is usually marketed in English across Europe.

A little tongue in cheek... irony doesn't always translate well in written form.

I personally like some of the Eurovision songs from the 1960s and 1970s, like "Pouppe de Cire, Pouppe de Son" and "Goeiemorgen, morgen".

But you must admit- Eurovision does divide opinion. Some love it, some find it intolerable.

Hmm, that's the first time I've been implied as an Ugly American. I'll ask my Belgian wife if she agrees...

Sorry, have to wash my hair that night. darn it.

I'll be in Europe next week......I wonder what's worse Eurovision or American Idol??????? I'll take my chances with Eurovision;) On second thought I may have to cancel my trip enitrely:

Some people seem to think Eurovision is a serious song contest, but it's not. It's pure comedy! Pretty much everyone I know gets some friends round, opens up the wine and the popcorn and spends three hours howling with laughter at the garish clothes and "interesting" lyrics. Roll on Eurovision!

This is my favourite Eurovision entry ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWDU9ZWMoEw

The costumes, the dance, the slightly off-key singing voice - fabulous!

Thanks Tom, just thanks. After all these years I finally got Waterloo out of my head and now it's back. LOL

Laura, that clip highlights the difference between Eurovision and Britain's Got Talent, the X-factor, American Idol, etc. Eurovision is definately a song contest, as opposed to a singing contest! Although I can't but wonder... was that in anyway a serious entry from Greece, or did they just say "Screw it, let's just send the most outrageous entry possible and see if anyone notices."?

And the winner this year is... Norway! Now, let's quickly book our tickets to Oslo for next year's show before they sell out!

Here's a clip of the winning song:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8052636.stm

Not a bad song at all. I'll take it over ABBA anyday (please, anything but ABBA!). But an observation. I wonder, if the contestants performed songs in their native languages, as opposed to English, would we get better lyrics? In case you missed the Shakespearean sublety of that first verse, here's a recap:

"Years ago, when I was younger
I kinda liked a girl I knew
She was mine and we were sweethearts
That was then but then it's true
I'm in love with a fairytale, even though it hurts
'Cause I don't care if I loose my mind
I'm already cursed"