I'm no one - Ilanit

I've been rather successful in collecting Ilanit's Eurovision songs recently. Having bought 'Ahava hi shir lishnayim' last month, I am also the proud owner of the French and German versions of that song - and now I have also added the English version.

Entitled 'I'm no one' on the cover and 'I'm no one if you leave me' on the label, this should be my penultimate Ilanit single, as I'm still after the Italian version of that other Eurovision song, 'Ey sham'. It's fun to collect all these versions, to be honest.

My collection: 7" single no. 7192
Found: Discogs.com, received 10 May 2024
Tracks: 'I'm no one if you leave me' / 'I can't say I love you'

Ein Lied ist wie ein Vogel - Ilanit

It doesn't happen very often that two versions of a single appear with the same seller, especially when you're after both versions. But that's exactly what happened earlier this month when I finally found 'Ahava hi shir lishnayim' and its German counterpart, 'Ein Lied ist wie ein Vogel'. It was a bit of a relief to find both singles in quick succession.

Ilanit recorded her 1977 Eurovision entry in several languages, but the original version and this German version are possibly the hardest to get hold of.Of course, now there is still the English version to go.

My collection: 7" single no. 7153
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Ein Lied ist wie ein Vogel' / 'Lass dich mal gehen'

Ahava hi shir lishnayim - Ilanit

Back in 1977 Ilanit represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time. She'd been the country's first representative in 1973 but she was invited back when the entries of the years after that didn't deliver the goods. While Ilanit had reached fourth place, Poogy only managed seventh place, Shlomo Artzi only got to place 11 and while Chocolate Menta Mastik reversed the county's fortunes by landing on sixth place, it wasn't enough for the ambitious Israeli broadcaster.

And so, Ilanit came back with the song 'Ahava hi shir lishnayim' ('Love is a song for two'), not exactly the most accessible title but a melodious song nonetheless. Ilanit also recorded the song in French as 'Ensemble' and in German as 'Ein Lied ist wie ein Vogel'. The song ended up in a slightly disappointed 11th place. In 1978 Israel would go for gold with Izhar Cohen.

My collection: 7" single no. 7161
Found: Record fair, Den Bosch, 13 April 2024
Tracks: 'Ahava hi shir lishnayim' / 'Hene halaila'

Ey sham - Ilanit

Back in 1973 a country called Israel made its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest. The song 'Ey sham' was performed by Ilanit, a singer who was originally contacted to perform for Germany. Then the opportunity arose to represent her own country. This single is particularly special since it features the original Hebrew version and only contains Hebrew writing. Hence, I relied on a transliteration to name these tracks.

Some people wonder why Israel even takes part in Eurovision. I think the world would be a better place if Arabic countries would also participate. Morocco tried it once, other countries never dared to. I guess there's a lot of unresolved hate in the world, and some people (both in Israel and elsewhere) are just not interested in peace and unity.

My collection: 7" single no. 7048
Found: Discogs.com, received 27 October 2023
Tracks: 'Ey sham' / 'Bifrot nevel ve'ugav'

Ensemble - Ilanit

It's impossible to find copies of Ilanit's two Eurovision songs in Hebrew, so for now I have to be satisfied with versions in other languages, which are sometimes available for more affordable prices. Like for instance this one: 'Ensemble' is the French version of  'Ahava Hi Shir Lishnayim', the song she performed at the 1977 edition when she represented Israel for the second time.

The French translation was contributed by Patrick Loubié, who would also deliver a translation for the Turkish song 'Pet'r Oil' in 1980. 

My collection: 7" single no. 6765
Found: Discogs.com, received 13 August 2022
Cost: €4
Tracks: 'Ensemble' / 'Bon voyage bonne chance'

Weit, so weit der Regenbogen reicht - Ilanit

Ilanit was Israel's first representative at the Eurovision Song Contest ever. This happened in 1973, with the song 'Ey Sham'. Although I didn't yet get a copy of the original version of the song, I bought the English version, 'All make believe', back in 2014, and recently I acquired this German version. Somehow I think 'Ey Sham' will one day be in my collection as well.

Ilanit said in interviews that she had rather mixed feelings about singing in German, because of Germany's troubled history in World War II, but she came to know Germans who were friendly people and this changed her point of view towards them.

My collection: 7" single no. 6670
Found: Discogs.com, received 30 March 2022
Cost: €3
Tracks: 'Weit, so weit der Regenbogen reicht' / 'Noch sind Wiesen grün'

All make believe - Ilanit

In 1973, Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, creating the first occasion on which a country from outside geographical Europe competed. This is explained by the fact that the Contest is open to members of the European Broadcasting Union, an organisation that extends beyond Europe - in fact, there are members from all continents.

'All make believe' is the English version of the song 'Ey sham', which was performed (in Hebrew) by Ilanit. She reached fouth position with the song. Ilanit participated in the 1977 edition as well, and would also have participated in 1984, but her entry was withdrawn when the broadcast day coincided with an Israeli memorial day.

My collection: 7" single no. 5612
Found: Chelsea Records, Antwerpen, August 10, 2014
Cost: 3 euro
Tracks: 'All make believe' / 'Still the green grass grows'