Even if the Eurovision Song Contest is sacred in the old continent, few Quebecers follow this great annual music competition diligently. But over the years, a few events managed to resonate so powerfully that they reached North America. Here are five.
The beginnings of ABBA
The Swedish quartet started its career with flying colors in the spring of 1974 and won the 19th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest entitled Waterloo. Agnetha, Benny, Björn and Anni-Frid quickly continued this momentum and built one of the most recognized and celebrated music repertoires in history, featuring big hits from Mamma Mia, Fernando, SOS and of course The Winner Takes. It all on.
Celine Dion’s victory
35 years ago (already!) Celine Dion cemented her status as an international star by giving Switzerland victory in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song “Ne partez pas sans moi” played has since become a timeless anthem, serving as the theme song for the last edition of Star Academy in France. Note that Eurovision 1988 included another star in power among its nominees: Lara Fabian. Representing Luxembourg, the singer reached fourth place in the ranking thanks to the ballad “Croire”.
France relies on Natasha St-Pier
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We all know the song “I only have my soul”, a key piece in Natasha St-Pier’s repertoire. Well, the track was originally written for the Eurovision Song Contest so the New Brunswickers could represent France at the 2001 edition. The singer finished the competition in fourth place, behind Estonia, Denmark and Greece.
A podium for Annie Cotton
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Five years after Celine Dion, Switzerland called on another Quebecer to defend her honor: Annie Cotton. The one we knew as an actress here – especially in Watatatow – did well with the play “Me” and only took third place in the final ranking.
The triumph of Conchita Wurst
Fitted dress, cascading hair, vibrant glow, misty eyeshadow… and beard. Conchita Wurst did not go unnoticed during Eurovision 2014. The Austrian drag queen accepted the honor for her home country with her song “Rise Like a Phoenix”. At the same time, she launched an international career that took her from the Golden Globes red carpet in Los Angeles to the Crazy Horse stage in Paris.