It's gonna be a cold cold Christmas - Dana

Dana was the sweet innocent Irish singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970 with 'All kinds of everything'. In 1977 she released 'Fairytale', the song I remember from my childhood and which I bought back in 1992. 

In between, there was this seasonal hit: the wistful 'It's gonna be a cold cold Christmas'. When I say 'hit', I don't mean in the Netherlands, because the single didn't chart over here. But in the UK it reached number 4. Dana went on to become a politician in Ireland, saying all kinds of unfortunate things about abortion. She was also vocal for her opposition to divorce and same sex marriage, along with a Eurosceptic line on the EU. She may have a good singing voice, but I'd rather she'd keep her mouth shut to be honest.

My collection: 7" single no. 7612
Found: Discogs.com, 17 March 2025
Tracks: 'It's gonna be a cold cold Christmas' / 'The goodbye song' 

All kinds of everything - Dana

The first time Ireland won the Eurovision Song Contest, it was actually with a nice song (It's a shame they broke with that tradition from the second time they won). Dana Rosemary Scallon sang 'All kinds of everything' in 1970 and won the Contest.

The sleeve of this Dutch pressing of the song pictures previous winner Lenny Kuhr (who was one of four winners of the 1969 Contest) handing a bunch of flowers and the Eurovision award to Dana.

My collection: 7" single no. 1638

Found: All that music, Leiden, May 3, 1992

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'All kinds of everything' / 'Channel breeze'

Fairytale - Dana

Dana's main clame to fame is winning the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland. It was the first time that country won the contest, but it wouldn't be the last time. Dana, meanwhile, had a very successful international career thanks to her winning song, 'All kinds of everything'. Seven years later, she released this single, 'Fairytale', an energetic popsong not reminiscent of 'All kinds of everything' at all. 'Fairytale' reached no. 13 in the UK and no. 5 in the Netherlands. In Mexico, it was no. 1 for eight weeks, reaching gold status.

My collection: 7" single no. 1628

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, April 18, 1992

Cost: 1 guilder

Tracks: 'Fairytale' / 'Country girl'

Download: here