The History of Eurovision

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Get ready for one of the biggest music events in the world when the Eurovision Song Contest arrives in Liverpool on Tuesday 9th May. We’re taking a trip down memory lane to explore the history of Eurovision. As one of the most beloved music events, the Eurovision Song Contest has a long and storied past, full of ups and downs, incredible performances and unforgettable moments. From ABBA to Celine Dion, Eurovision has seen some of the most iconic pop songs, but how did it all start and how has it evolved through the years?

The Early Years: 1956-1969

The Eurovision Song Contest was first held in 1956, with just seven countries participating. The idea behind the contest was to bring together the countries of Europe in a friendly competition that celebrated their shared love of music.

Here are some fun facts from the early years of the contest:

The first winner of Eurovision was Switzerland with the song “Refrain” performed by Lys Assia.
The United Kingdom has been participating in the contest since the very beginning, but it wasn’t until 1967 that they scored their first win with the song “Puppet on a String” by Sandie Shaw.
In 1969, four countries tied for first place, with France, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom all receiving 18 points. To break the tie, a second round of voting was held, but when that ended in another tie between France and the United Kingdom, the winner was ultimately decided by a coin toss. France won the toss and took home the trophy that year.

The 1970s and 1980s: Disco Fever

The 70s and 80s were a time when Disco was becoming popular. Some of the most memorable performances from this era include Abba’s iconic win with “Waterloo” in 1974, and Bucks Fizz skirt-ripping performance of “Making Your Mind Up” in ’81. The United Kingdom would also have another winner with “Save Your Kisses For Me” by Brotherhood of Man in 1976, with the song going on to sell six million copies worldwide.

Some other interesting facts from the era are:

In 1979, Spain withdrew from the contest in protest of the voting system, which they felt was unfair to larger countries.
In 1988, the contest was held in Dublin, Ireland, and was won by Switzerland with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi” performed by the super star, Celine Dion.

The 1990s and 2000s: Pop Divas and Wacky Performances

The Eurovision Song Contest was evolving during this era into a more commercialised and theatrical event. Bigger budgets and more elaborate performances were common during these years. This was also the era of the pop diva, with some of the most iconic Eurovision performances coming from world renowned performers like Celina Dion, Katrina and the Waves and Ruslana. It was also a time of more eccentric performances that would turn into fan favourites, with entries such as “Hard Rock Hallelujah” by Lordi and Verka Serduchka’s “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”.

Other interesting facts from the time:

In 1994, the contest was held in Dublin, with Ireland winning the contest with the song “Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids” performed by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan.
In 2001, the contest was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, and was won by Estonia’s entry “Everybody” by Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, and 2XL.
Serbia won the contest in 2007 in Helsinki, Finland when Marija Serifovic performed the song “Molitva”.

The Modern Era: Diversity and Inclusivity

In recent years, the Eurovision song contest has become more diverse and inclusive, reflecting the changing times we live in. The contest now includes countries from far outside Europe, including Israel, Australia and Azerbaijan. It has also featured more LGBTQ+ performers and themes in its performances. The contest has also embraced the use of technology, with online voting and social media playing a bigger role in voting processes and the fans are able to engage with the contest.

Other facts from the modern era are:

In 2014, the contest was held in Denmark, and was won by Austria with their song “Rise Like a Phoenix” performed by Conchita Wurst, a drag queen who became a symbol of inclusivity and acceptance.
The Netherlands won in 2019 when the contest was held in Tel Aviv, Israel, with “Arcade” performed by Duncan Laurence.

From its humble beginnings in 1956 to its global competition status in 2023, the Eurovision Song Contest has done what it originally set out to do; bring Europe and the world together. With its mix of catchy pop tunes, over-the-top performances and political drama, it’s no wonder that millions of people across the world tune in to watch every year.

This year, it’s coming to Liverpool and we’re all incredibly excited to welcome thousands of Eurovision fans to the city. The Grand Final is set to take place on Saturday 13th May at the M&S Bank Arena, with the lad up to this date featuring all sorts of fantastic street parties and music events across Liverpool. If you can’t get a ticket to the event itself, you’ll find plenty to do during Eurovision.

The Eurovision Village will be at Pier Head, hosting live performances and screenings of the Grand Final. EuroClub is the official after-party of the events happening around the city, as well as the EuroFestival, bringing together a collection of collaborative projects between artists from Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Official Liverpool FC Hospitality Packages

If you’re planning on travelling to Liverpool to experience Eurovision, why not experience the best that Liverpool has to offer and watch a Liverpool game at the iconic Anfield stadium too? We still have some availability for Liverpool v Fulham and Liverpool v Brentford fixtures. Not only will you get to choose the hospitality package you prefer, you can also choose from several hotels for your stay in the city! Not only that, we also have excellent rates secured with hotels in Liverpool, and you have the flexibility to choose when you’d like to stay. Find out more and book your Liverpool break now.