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'

Sufi - MFO

Of course, I already have the 12" single of 'Sufi', but nothing is more desirable than the 7" single - at least, that's what I think. Like the 12" single, the 7" single was released by ZYX records, with the same sleeve. The English version appears on the A-side, and the original Turkish version on the B-side.

MFÖ’s career continued in the ensuing decades, with a lot of success, mainly in Turkey. They have participated in charity events especially on street animals, education, spinal cord paralysis. On 8 July 2023 member of the band Özkan Uğur died due to a relapse of the lymphoma cancer he had previously survived.

My collection: 7" single no. 7671
Found: Ebay, received 24 April 2025
Tracks: 'Sufi (English version)' / 'Sufi (Original version)'

 

Take him home - Jump the gun

Jump the Gun were an Irish pop and rock band, best known for competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 with the song 'Take him home'. They finished eighth in the contest. The group consisted of Roy Taylor on lead vocals and bass guitar with Eric Sharpe on guitar, Peter Eades on piano and keyboards, Brian O'Reilly on drums, and Ciaran Wilde on saxophone. Wilde joined the group shortly before Eurovision 1988, the other members of the group had all been members of Irish show bands during the 1980s.  

Getting hold of this single wasn't easy: it was released on Monitor Records, which I guess was a small record company in Ireland, and copies are pretty scarce these days. So it was a pleasure to be able to order this one, along with a few other rare Eurovision singles.

Singer and bass player Roy Taylor died after a battle with motor neurone disease on 1 June 2023.

My collection: 7" single 7668
Found: Ebay, received 24 April 2025
Tracks: 'Take him home' / '(A little bit) closer'

I anixi - Sofia Vossou

Some Eurovision songs become legendary for different persons and for different reasons. I loved 'I anixi' ever since I first heard it, which was during one of those preview shows I guess, because I was already familiar with it before it was played in Rome during the evening of the Contest. Those who saw that performance will remember that a solo went horribly wrong, thanks to a member of the orchestra who was flown in at the last minute without having had any rehearsals. (But that we didn't know, as innocent viewers.)

Getting this single has been a problem, because its worth has soared in recent years. Fortunately I was able to find this one together with the original press map for an altogether reasonable price, which is quite amazing. 'I anixi' didn't get the placing it deserved in my opinion, but I'm glad I finally have it on disc.

My collection: 7" single no. 7674
Found: Ebay, received 24 April 2025
Tracks: 'I anixi' / 'Tell me'

Muistojeni laulu - Laila Halme

Laila Sinikka Halme was born on 4 March 1934. She represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1963 with 'Muistojeni laulu'. The song did not receive any points and ended up in joint last place with the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.

In 1987 she hosted the Finnish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, together with Lasse Mårtenson. Halme continued to sing and also tried her hand at acting in a handful of Finnish films. She passed away on 28 November 2021, aged 87.

My collection: 7" single no. 7666
Found: Discogs.com, received 23 April 2025
Tracks: 'Muistojeni laulu' / 'Olen mikä olen'