Not Shirley Bassey

Where do I begin? To tell a story about a European dream? (We had further lyrics, but they aren’t printable, and Dame Shirley, we really do salute you). This page is a mini (you’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off) condensed milk Eurovision tribute. So much to write in so little space. We weep a little tear for the Irish entry that never happened: “My Lovely Horse” (from the TV series ‘Father Ted’ with the sadly missed Dermot Morgan). However, as you will see, Ireland might take the biscuit, or even the giblet, this year. We were going to give you our all-time run down of faves, raves and Euro curiosities, but it then struck us that to do this we would have to write a book. Did Eurovision make us such sad specimens as human beings? Unfortunately, vestiges of honesty prevent us from pinning all our childhood traumas and subsequent adult neuroses on Startling Singing Nuns, so we’ll just have to blame Freud instead….

The Eurovision Song Contest is a big event. Some might even say that it stretches the boundaries and asks more questions than it manages to answer (for example, a: ‘What constitutes Europe?’, b: ‘What constitutes a song?’, c: ‘Recreational hallucinogens? Who needs them?’). WE ARE NOT THESE CONTINENTALLY WEARY CYNICS. We embrace (and have embraced) Europe, in more ways than one. Given limited space, the editor can only give you her Top Two Eurovision Songs of all time. Number One is: France Gall, 1965: Poupeé de Cire, Poupeé de Son. Enough said. Number Two (Geography prize first class) goes to ABBA, 1974: Waterloo. A Swedish band that sang about a Napoleonic battle fought between English, French and Prussians on what was yet to become Belgian territory shows a certain sense of style - expressing the spirit of Europe, absolutely (or sorry should I say Absolut?).

Eurovision 2008: Fun and Controversy! Greece in Eurovision

In 2008 Eurovision will be hosted in Belgrade, Serbia and our TV hosts will be Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimović. We are looking forward to a great evening! To weed out the sheep from the goats (so to speak), there will be two semi-finals, which will be held on the 20th and 22nd May. The ’big night’ will be on Saturday 24th May. Having conducted extensive research, we have to say that it looks to be an interesting mix. Ireland’s entry ‘Dustin the Turkey’ has already shaken some dodgy dentistry in Euroland (you thought I was going to say ‘ruffled a few feathers’. Well, I didn’t. So there). Spain is also doing something a wee bit alternative, and France is singing in English. I think we’ll stop now, actually, before the world stands still upon its axis. And even with our sneak previews, there is bound to be a (musical) surprise on the night.

Greece in Eurovision

Greece first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, with classic singer Marinella, and her contribution: Κρασί, θάλασσα και τ' αγόρι μου, (wine, sea and my boyfriend). The song came 11th. Since then, Greece has had mixed fortunes. Shining moment came with Elena Paparizou ‘My Number One’ in 2005 (which won), low point possibly with Thalassa in 1998. This year’s entry is from Kalomoira, with her song Secret Combination. Hmm. Wait and see. Not really in the same league as Marinella, we feel, but may stand a chance…..

And Finally….

Hosting a Eurovision themed party is one way to get through the international play list. One of the better functions that we have attended was in 2004 in Oxford (just before we moved to Crete), hosted by our neighbours Kate and Tony Clayton-Hathway. Everyone who attended had been allocated a participating country via sweepstake. Our mission: to bring along food and drink from said country to the gathering. For some this was an easier task than others. A drink from Poland? Why, vodka of course! A drink from Switzerland…..? Slightly more challenging in the UK. Anyway, a jolly good time was had by all, and by the time we got to the voting nobody cared who was going to win. Fond memories….