Eurovision Song Contest: These songs did not settle - but became hits
The history of the Eurovision Song Contest has given rise to many a hit that has also become an international success. And sometimes a song even outperformed the year's winner in terms of sales and chart rankings. Like these:
Two of the best examples are the Italian contributions "Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare)" and "Piove (Ciao ciao bambina)". With both songs Domenico Modugno (1928 - 1994) was sent to the ESC race in the years 1958 and 1959 respectively. And although none of the songs won the Grand Prix, they became worldwide hits that sold millions. "Volare" has even been adapted several times by artists such as Dean Martin, the Gipsy Kings and even singer Peter Alexander.
Vicky Leandros, 66, was not even of legal age when she attended the 1967 ESC. She started with "L'amour est bleu" for Luxembourg and finished fourth. The song became a big international hit and Leandros recorded it in several languages. The instrumental version of Paul Mauriat (1925 - 2006) even made it to number one on the US Billboard charts. The song was covered by music stars like Bing Crosby or Vanessa-Mae. For the version of the Techno-Opis Scooter Leandros went back into the studio to record the chorus. After almost 45 years, the song reached 2011 again so the German charts in 77th place.
Worldwide charts striker
Cliff Richard (78) was in 1968 with his song "Congratulations" as a big favorite. Led the field for a long time, but was overtaken by the Spanish contribution just before the end and relegated to second place. Nevertheless, "Congratulations" stormed the charts worldwide and is still one of his biggest hits.
In 1973, the Spanish band Mocedades sang their song "Eres tú" at the ESC in Luxembourg. They narrowly missed the victory and finished second. Following the Grand Prix, the song was released as a single - with great success. Mocedades is one of the five Spanish acts that has broken the US top ten with a song - and the only song that has been performed entirely in Spanish. In 2013, the song was even included in the "Latin Grammy Hall of Fame".
More successful than Lena Meyer-Landrut
The title "Genghis Khan" by the band of the same name was critically eyed in the run-up to the ESC 1979 in many places. Despite the prophecies of doom, the pop group produced by Ralph Siegel (73) landed on a good fourth place. And even after the Grand Prix, the song kept long in the charts and was later adapted by numerous artists.
In 2006, Texas Lightning only landed in 15th place, but their country song "No no never" was a big hit at least in Germany. He stayed in first place for a week and a total of 38 weeks in the charts. With that, Texas Lightning even relies on Lena Meyer-Landrut's (27) winning song "Satellite".
