The European Song Contest Trivia Quiz

Answer: J'Aime la Vie

All these song titles were performed in 1986 at the ESC.
Sandra Kim, born Sandra Caldarone, won with an enthusiastic performance of "J'aime la Vie" ("I Love Life"). The Swiss delegation moved for a disqualification as the lyrics of this song state "J'ai quinze ans" ("I'm fifteen years old"), which was not true at that time. However, in 1986 there was no alternative version for young participants, so Sandra Kim could keep the title.

As for the other songs: Timna Brauer sang "Die Zeit ist Einsam" ("The Time Is Lonely") for Austria and finished 18th. Ketil Stokkan competed for Norway and sang "Romeo". He became 12th. And the Swiss Daniela Simons claimed the second place with her song "Pas pour Moi" ("Not for Me").

This question was brought to you by player JanIQ from Belgium.

Answer: Last

After winning in 1957 with her song "Net als toen", Corry Brokken wanted to defend her title in Hilversum. Receiving only a single point, she finished on a disappointing shared last place with her title "Heel de Wereld".

She also performed in the first Eurovision contest ever held, in 1956. Although her final position is unknown, she is said to have done well with her song "Voorgoed voorbij".

In 2010, she still holds the record for being the only competitor to finish both first and last at the Eurovision Song Contest.

GraceGreer from the Netherlands crafted this question.

Answer: Poland came second

This second place is by far the best ranking of any Polish performer at the Eurovision Song Contest (as of 2010). In 2003, Poland managed another top ten finish (Ich Troje at seventh place).

Question by player Krzysztof.

Answer: ABBA

The song "Waterloo" was performed by the group ABBA, competing for Sweden. The band was named after the first names of their members: the Norwegian singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad and her Swedish husband Benny Andersson, and the Swedish couple Björn Ulvaeus - Agnetha Faltskög. The two marriages broke up later on.

ABBA's international career was boosted by the success of "Waterloo". Later hits include "SOS" (1975), "Fernando" (1976), "Dancing Queen" (1976) and "I Have a Dream" (1979).

The other names were of other 1974 contestants. The Italian singer Gigliola Cinquetti finished second with her song "Si". She's better known for her 1964 song "Non ho l'eta". Mouth and Macneal, the Dutch duo, ended third with "I See a Star". Olivia Newton-John sang "Long Live Love" for the UK and came in fourth. She's better known for the duet "You're The One That I Want" out of the movie "Grease" (1978).

This question was brought to you by player JanIQ.

Answer: Jemini

Jemini were formed in 1995 by Chris Cromby and Gemma Abbey, under the name Tricity. They later changed it to Jemini (Gem-and-I) at the age of 19. Hailing from Liverpool, their song "Cry Baby" was widely criticised for being off-key, and is widely regarded as the most unsuccessful UK Eurovision song of all time, due to the record 26 countries taking part in the contest. Despite this, the song achieved some success in Colombia, where it reached number 19 in the Hot 100 chart.

This question was brought to you by MusicalMan90, who suffers Britain's entries every year!

Answer: Linda Martin - 'Why Me?'

Johnny Logan wrote the song "Why Me" in 1992. It was performed by Linda Martin. It is quite a romantic song which has the singer wondering why, out all of the people he could have chosen, her lover has fallen for her.

Niamh Kavanagh won the contest in 1993, a year after Linda Martin's win. Ireland seem to win with love songs mostly, as this one is about finding love after having been lonely for so long.

Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan completed a famous hat trick for Ireland, winning the contest for a third year in a row in 1994. Rumour has it the Irish did not want to win this year and had sent in a song that they though was a bit different and would not do well. The song did not have a love theme, but was rather about lost youth.

Ireland did not win a fourth year in a row, but in 1996 Eimar Quinn won the contest for Ireland again. It is a nice folk song, focusing on "the Voice" controlling the forces of nature.

This question was written by James25.

Answer: Lena

19 year old Lena Meyer-Landrut performed the winning title. The German entry won the ESC final in Oslo, gathering a total of 246 points. Turkey ("We Could Be the Same" by maNga) came in second with 170 points, Romania ("Playing with Fire" by Paula Seling and Ovi) gained 162 points and came in third.
It was Germany's second victory. In 1982 singer Nicole had won with "Ein bisschen Frieden".

Player rosaklebb crafted this question while humming "Satellite".

Answer: People of the Sea

While not winning the contest, the blues-influenced ballad "Gente di mare" became a Top ten hit in many European countries in the summer of 1987.
Among Umberto Tozzi's most popular songs are "Ti amo" (1977) and "Gloria" (1979). Raf had an instant international hit with his first single "Self Control" in 1984.

This question was brought to you by player rosaklebb who considers "Gente di mare" her favorite Italian pop song.

Answer: Dana International is a transsexual

Dana International is the stage name of Yaron Cohen (born as a boy) or Sharon Cohen (after a successful sex reassignment surgery). She is now physically and legally female.

The Eurovision Song Contest artists may not playback. There are specific rules and techniques to avoid this.

Question crafted by player JanIQ.

Answer: Celine Dion

The general idea of the Eurovision Song Contest is to promote local artists. But some countries have chosen to send in foreign artists. Luxembourg, for example, has had entries by the Greek singers Nana Mouskouri (in 1963) and Vicky Leandros (in 1972).
Switzerland won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988 with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi" ("Don't Leave Without Me").
Maria Callas was Greek-American and never entered the Eurovision Song Contest. Neither did Astor Piazzola, the Argentine bandoneon player, nor Canadian singer Alanis Morissette.