What the hell just happened? - Remember Monday

This year's Eurovision Song Contest has come and gone, and some physical releases have arrived over the past few weeks. The latest is the pink vinyl 7" single of the UK entry 'What the hell just happened?' by Remember Monday. 

I'm sorry to say that while I quite liked the song with all its tempo changes - recalling early Queen songs - at first, but the more I heard it, the more grating it become. Especially the title of the song, which is repeated in shrill exclamations by the three singers, becomes a bore after two or three times. And it is repeated almost a dozen times. No wonder, then, that this song didn't score much at the Eurovision Song Contest. And, get this: they even do this on the B-side. Bring back Sam Ryder!

My collection: 7" single no. 7679
Found: Remember Monday website, received 13 May 2025
Tracks: 'What the hell just happened?' / 'What the hell just happened? (karaoke version)'

Karusell - Kirsti Sparboe

Kirsti Sparboe (born on 7 December 1946) was just 18 years old when she represented Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Karusell', a song that was written by Jolly Kramer-Johansen. He composed music for several Norwegian films, including De vergeløse from 1939, Bastard from 1940, Tørres Snørtevold from 1940, Den farlige leken from 1942, and Bustenskjold from 1958. 

The song ended up in 13th place in a field of 18 competitors. It didn't deter her from trying again: in 1967 she participated again with 'Dukkemann' (I'm still searching for that single!) and in 1969 she tried for the third and last time with 'Oj, oj, oj, så glad jeg skal bli'. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7678
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 May 2025
Tracks: "Karusell' / 'Med lokk og lur'

Maman - Louane

Last week was all about the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, and it was the usual mix of beautiful ballads, hyped up loud noises, ridiculousness and the odd scandal. As usual I like to focus primarily on the good songs, and fortunately this year there were a few. One of the best was France's entry, even if it bordered on the sentimental.

At least Louane's performance of 'Maman' was sincere and executed well. Frankly it's a scandal that the song ended up in seventh place, because in the past this would have easily won. Unfortunately the French language seems to be some kind of handicap these days, as Luxembourg and Switzerland (those countries also sent in some fine songs and performances) are sure to agree. 

This single was originally released as a limited edition, which I missed out on, but fortunately a second edition, pressed on purple vinyl, was released a few weeks later. 

My collection: 7" single no. 7677
Found: Official Louane website, received 12 May 2025
Tracks: 'Maman (original version)' / 'Maman (instrumental version)'

Ljubim te pesmama - Extra Nena

Although I bought a copy of 'Ljubim te pesmama' four years ago, it always bugged me that I didn't have a copy of the four track EP, featuring all language versions of the song. When the opportunity came up recently, I didn't hesitate of course!

Extra Nena was Yugoslavia's last ever Eurovision artist, even if by 1992 the country was already in big trouble. In fact, only Serbia and Montenegro competed that year in the national final. Slovenia had already proclaimed its independence in June 1991. It was the starting point for several armed conflicts, particularly in Croatia and later in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Anyway, 'Ljubim te pesmama' was recorded in Serbian, English, French and Italian, and all versions appear on this EP. Extra Nena (real name: Snežana Berić) continued her career as a singer, actress and writer of children's books well into the new century.

My collection: 7" single no. 7676
Found: Discogs.com, received 1 May 2025
Tracks: 'Ljubim te pesmama', 'We can't have our love anymore' / 'Je t'embrasse par mes chansons', 'Ti bacio con ogni canzone'

To diko sou asteri - Mariana Efstratiou

Before Mariana Efstratiou represented Greece with one of the most beautiful song titles in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest ('Emis forame tou himona anixiatika', in 1996), she participated with 'To diko sou asteri' in 1989. Although very different from her 1996 entry, and a lot more subtle, it is also a great example of what Greek songwriters were capable of back then. 

Composed by Yannis Kyris and Marianna Efstratiou with lyrics by Villy Sanianu, the song is an inspirational ballad, with Mariana exhorting her listeners to "find your own star" in their lives. It ended up in ninth place in a field of 22 competitors. I was familiar with the English version first, when I bought a CD of the majority of the 1989 entries a few years after the fact, but now that I finally have the original version as well, I'm very glad.

My collection: 7" single no. 7669
Found: Ebay, received 24 April 2025
Tracks: 'To diko sou asteri' / 'Your star (A star that shines on you)'

The real me - Kiev Connolly

Although Ireland was very successful in the Eurovision Song Contest during the Eighties and Nineties, they also sent in some duds from time to time. At least, this is what the viewing public thought when they made the Irish entry end up somewhere near the bottom of the scoreboard. 

Kiev Connolly was born on 5 April 1956 and he formed his band The Missing Passengers during his stay in Germany from 1978 onwards. He also wrote 'The real me', which became Ireland's Eurovision entry for 1989. It finished in 18th place with 22 points. This was, at the time, Ireland's worst Contest result.

My collection: 7" single no. 7670
Found: Ebay, received 24 April 2025
Tracks: 'The real me' / 'Haze on Mizen Head'

Seninle bir dakika - Semiha Yanki

The very first Turkish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest was 'Seninle bir dakika' in 1975. The song was performed by Semiha Yanki, who was born on 15 January 1958.

Despite a strong performance, Semiha got only three points (from Monaco) and came in last place. There were also problems with the scoreboard, and even these three points did not appear, causing the host Karin Falck to say: "Could we have three points on the Turkey?"

My collection: 7" single no. 7672
Found: Ebay, received 24 April 2025
Tracks: 'Seninle bir dakika' / 'Love is the name of the game'