Keywords on blogs can be misleading. Nova, for instance, exists as a Dutch duo of synthesizer wizards, but also as a Swedish duo consisting of Claes af Geijerstam and Göran Fristorp, who made a name for themselves representing their country at the 1973 Eurovision Song Contest. They were originally called Malta, but were forced to change their band name because of the possible confusion with one of the participating countries in that year's contest.
Their song was called 'You're summer', which contains the rather intriguing line 'Your breasts are like swallows in nesting', written by the well-known poet Lars Forssell. At the close of voting, it had received 94 points, placing 5th in a field of 17 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5732 Found: Discogs.com, received February 25, 2015 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'You're summer' / 'You never tell me no'
I have bought a lot of Eurovision singles over the past year (as you can see on this blog), but so far it has been difficult to buy all the singles of one particular year. But I finally did it recently, as this single completes the year 1980 for me. Well... almost, because this copy unfortunately came without the picture sleeve. But for now, this will certainly do, because the track 'Huilumies' is one of my favourites of the year.
'Huilumies' (Finnish for 'A flute man') is sung from the perspective of the tititular 'flute man', who
sings that while he may not be able to express his feelings in words, he
is able to do so with his flute. At the close of voting, it had received 6 points, placing last in a field of 19 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5730 Found: Discogs.com, received February 25, 2015 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Huilumies' / 'Vie minut valoon'
Martine Clemenceau was born in 1949. In 1973 she represented France with the song 'Sans toi'. The song is a dramatic ballad, with Clémenceau expressing her feelings
about a lover who has left her. Clémenceau also recorded the song in
German, under the title 'Immer'. At the close of voting, it had received 65 points, placing 15th in a field of 17 competitors.
Her song Solitaire, written in 1981 is her most important hit in France. Laura Branigan 1983 recorded a cover of that song in 1983, which peaked at number 7 in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
My collection: 7" single no. 5729 Found: Discogs.com, received February 25, 2015 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Sans toi' / 'L'arlequin'
Ambasadori formed in 1968 when guitarist Slobodan Vujović recruited other band members. They came and went throughout the 1970s and include various musicians active
on the Sarajevo music scene at the time and after, such as trumpet
player Krešimir "Keco" Vlašić, singer Ismeta Dervoz, drummer Perica Stojanović, organist Vlado Pravdić bassist Ivica Vinković and saxophonist Andrej "Lale" Stefanović.
In 1976 Ambasadori represented Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Ne mogu skriti svoju bol', which appears on this single as the B-side, remarkably. The song is about a woman who is suffering because her lover had gone and she wants him to remember her. At the close of voting, it had received 10 points, placing 17th in a field of 18 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5728 Found: Discogs.com, received February 25, 2015 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Nocas mi se pjesma pise' / 'Ne mogu skriti svoj bol'
Dominique Walter was born as Dominique Gruère on May 22, 1942. In 1966, he represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Chez nous'. At the close of voting, it had received just 1 point, placing 16th in a field of 18 competitors.
The song deals with the traditions of France (and, by extension, Europe) as they are seen by the rest of the world, with Walter remarking that they appear to be overly romantic. Walter also recorded the song in German under the same title.
My collection: 7" single no. 5727 Found: Discogs.com, received February 25, 2015 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Chez nous', 'Chaque fois que je te revois' / 'E pericoloso l'amour', 'Si tu peux rire'
The Austrian band Mess consisted of Michael Scheikl and Elisabeth 'Lizzy' Engstler. They represented their country on the Eurovision Song Contest in 1982. Their song 'Sonntag' was composed by Michael Mell and written by Rudolf Leve. The song is in praise of lying around on a Sunday, which is described as being one of the best things to do.
At the close of voting, it had received 57 points, placing 9th in a field of 18 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5726 Found: Discogs.com, received February 25, 2015 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Sonntag' / 'Honey Bee'
Katja Ebstein was just 25 years old when she represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. She was born in Girlachsdorf (now Gniewków, Poland) and would go on to represent her country two more times: in 1971 and in 1980.
Her first attempt took place in 1970, with 'Wunder gibt es immer wieder'. Written by Christian Bruhn and Günter Loose, the song has a positive message: there is no point in complaining because miracles happen all the time, so one will inevitably happen for you too. At the close of voting, it had received 12 points, placing 3rd in a field of 12 competitors.
My collection: 7" single no. 5725 Found: Discogs.com, received February 25, 2015 Cost: 2 euro Tracks: 'Wunder gibt es immer wieder' / 'Ich will ihn'
