Which Are Some of the Best Previous Winners of the Eurovision Song Contest?

Eurovision is a massively popular song competition worldwide, which has been running since 1956 and has become an essential part of European culture. Technically it is the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) but everyone knows it simply as Eurovision. Nowadays, millions watch it every year across Europe and beyond.

There have been many previous ESC winners over the years, but three stand out. ABBA won Eurovision in 1974 with Waterloo, Celine Dion won for Switzerland in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, and Dana International won for Israel in 1998 with Diva (You Are Woman).

Who Won the First-Ever Contest?

They held the first Eurovision Song Contest in Lugano, Switzerland in 1956. It was a live broadcast with seven countries and 26 contestants and hosted by Marcel Bezenc. Lys Assia representing Switzerland won the contest with her song Refrain. The winner received an original trophy designed by Mœbius (Jean Giraud), who would design many future trophies for this contest. 

Which Are the Most Notable Eurovision Winners?

Many notable Eurovision winners have achieved outstanding success after the competition. ABBA, who won in 1974 with "Waterloo", became one of the best-selling bands of all time. Switzerland's 1988 entrant, Celine Dion, achieved massive success by selling over 200 million records worldwide. 

Loreen, who won for Sweden in 2012, has continued to release successful albums and singles. Conchita Wurst, who won for Austria in 2014, has become an influential LGBTQ+ activist and continues to produce music. Eurovision has produced many great winners, and here are some of the most notable:

Waterloo by Abba - Sweden

Waterloo helped the Swedish pop band Abba win the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 and would go on to be a global musical sensation. Waterloo was also named the best Eurovision song ever as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the event in 2005. 

The members of the band are Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Björn Ulvaeus. This group’s global record sales are really not known and according to Wikipedia they have sold between 150 million and 385 million albums. Abba ranks third all time in the UK in singles sales. 

After their Eurovision Song Contest win their success skyrocketed. Some of Abba's biggest hits include Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, and Take a Chance on Me. 

Besides influencing pop music, people have adapted their music for movies, musicals, and even video games. Abba’s continued success in the music industry is a testament to their talent and lasting impact on popular culture.

Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Don’t leave without me) by Celine Dion - Switzerland

In 1988, Celine Dion represented Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest with her song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Don’t leave without me). The song won the contest by a landslide, receiving 146 points. This victory helped launch Celine Dion’s career, as she became one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi is one of the most famous songs in Eurovision history. Immediately after its release, the song dominated the charts. Many artists, including Beyonce, who performed it during her European tour in 2010, have covered the song. 

This song's legacy goes beyond its success and includes the considerable impact it had on other artists over the years. Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi was a trendsetter when it came out and continues to be so today.

Euphoria by Loreen - Sweden

Loreen represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 and won with her song Euphoria. People widely praised the performance for its energy and Loreen’s strong vocals. This victory marked Sweden’s third win at Eurovision, solidifying their position as one of the most successful countries in the competition’s history.

Rise Like a Phoenix by Concita Wurst - Austria

Conchita Wurst is an Austrian singer and drag queen. With her song Rise Like a Phoenix, she surged to the top in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Conchita Wurst was born in Gmunden, Austria, in 1986. 

She released her debut album, Conchita, in 2009. Rise Like A Phoenix was a global phenomenon, topping the iTunes charts in 40 countries. 

Heroes by Måns Zelmerlöw - Sweden 

Måns Zelmerlöw, a talented Swedish singer, musician, and actor, won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 with his song Heroes. Born on October 24, 1986, in Vällingby, Stockholm County, Zelmerlöw’s victory in the contest helped cement his status as one of Sweden’s most successful musical exports. His memorable performance of “Heroes” helped showcase his vocal abilities and stage presence, earning him a devoted fan base around the world.

Who Won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest?

Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, with their song Stefania. Fans know the band, which was formed in 2019, for their unique blend of traditional Ukrainian music and modern pop elements. People widely praised their performance at Eurovision for its energy. The band members wear traditional Ukrainian clothing and play a variety of instruments, including a large drum and a wooden flute.

The victory marked Ukraine’s third win at Eurovision, following their wins in 2004 and 2016. Kalush Orchestra’s win was noteworthy, as people did not consider them the favorite going into the contest. However, their memorable performance and catchy song helped them secure the top spot in the competition.

Receiving enormous support from their fans worldwide was an incredible experience for the band members. They pledged to continue making music that celebrates their Ukrainian heritage. The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest left a lasting and impressive mark. The stage was a hub of immense talent and creativity, with many gifted artists hailing from different nations displaying their remarkable skills to the audience.

While only one act could emerge as the winner, all the performers should be commended for their hard work and dedication to their craft. Fans of Eurovision can look forward to next year’s competition where a new group of artists will have the chance to shine and compete for the coveted title of Eurovision champion.

All Performances for the Most Winning Country in the Eurovision

Ireland has the most Eurovision wins, with seven in total. The last victory was in 1996 when Eimear Quinn won with The Voice. We know Eimear for singing on the soundtrack of the movie Titanic and recording an album with Enya called Watermark (1988).

Sweden has six wins. Their most recent victory came in 2015 when Mans Zelmerlow won with Heroes. Luxembourg also has six wins and Corinne Hermes won in 1983 with Si La Vie Est Cadeau.

France has five victories. Their last win was in 1977 when Marie Myriam won with L’oiseau Et L’enfant. There have been moments in French Eurovision history where the country has faced close calls, as they came in second in 1958 and 1960 and third in 1936 and 1976. 

The United Kingdom has four wins, most recently in 1997, when Katrina and the Waves won with Love Shine a Light. There have been three German victories in the contest, in 1982, 2010, and 2015. The most recent win was in 2010 when Lena Meyer-Landrut won with her song Satellite. Spain won in 1968 and then again in 1969, which was a bit of a controversy, as there was no tiebreaker in place, so four countries were declared co-winners. 

Did Any Artist Win the Eurovision Twice?

There’s one artist who has won the Eurovision Song Contest twice: Johnny Logan. Logan is an Irish singer and songwriter who won the contest in 1980 with the song What’s Another Year and again in 1987 with Hold Me Now. His success at the contest has made him a legend in the world of Eurovision, and they often refer to him as Mr. Eurovision. 

There have been several other winners who have re-contested the competition. In fact, some former winners have had multiple attempts at the contest before gaining entry and winning. For example, ABBA won the contest in 1974 with Waterloo and had previously attempted to represent Sweden in 1973. 

Are There Any Returning Winners for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023?

There are several returning artists for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Julia Sanina is set to perform a part of "Маяк" with her band, The Hardkiss, during the first semi-final which she will be hosting. Performing a medley of famous Ukrainian music, Mariya Yaremchuk, Ukraine's 2014 representative, will kick off the second semi-final. 

Alyosha, who represented Ukraine in 2010, will perform “Ordinary World” with Liverpool-born singer Rebecca Ferguson. Zlata Dziunka, who represented Ukraine at Junior Eurovision 2022, will also join Mariya Yaremchuk and rapper OTOY in the second semi-final.