Current Events > Eurovision 1956

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1956. The first Eurovision. Actual points given to the entrants haven't been made public. Hence, we know who won the contest, but not who was second, third etc. Also, as a first and last, 7 countries participated but each had two entries.

I could provide links to each song, but then this would become a three or four page post. If you want to listen to these songs, here's a playlist for your convenience:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlHlhdzYi00ykjldLqJ2K4OcZ45B5ZfzF

Without further ado, here are my brief opinions on the songs. I'll use the current-day score system of 1-8 and 10 and 12, but also a separate 1-5 rating, since a winner's trophy doesn't mean the song's good. It only means it's the best of the bunch.

14th
Walter Andreas Schwarz Im Wartesaal zum groen Glck
[Germany]
This is a tedius and uninspiring non-song; it's a spoken short story with background music.
1/5

13th
Math Altry Le temps perdu
[France]
Math's overly trembling and tinny singing voice is (sadly) the main focus in this unremarkable song that might as well have been composed (and recorded) in the 1930's.
1/5

12th
Mony Marc Le plus beau jour de ma vie
[Belgium]
A typical 1940's-like song (in 1956) that is about a weddingexplains the ding dongsbut is devoid of joy thanks to Mony's flat performance.
2/5

11th
Lys Assia Das alte Karussell
[Switzerland]
A bright and cheery tune, albeit tempered, isn't really my cup of tea, but Lys does convey the merriment associated with carousels quite well, and the arrangement and orchestration is fine. That fanfare insert was a bit brash, though.
2/5

10th
Corry Brokken Voorgoed voorbij[Netherlands]
Corry sings loudly. Maybe a bit too loudly? Aside from that, there's not much to note here. Decent arrangement, decent performance.
(1 pts) 2/5

9th
Jetty Paerl De vogels van Holland
[Netherlands]
It's lively and optimistic, Jetty can sing in Dutch without grating my ears, and despite the silly onomatopeia, De vogels van Holland isn't an embrassaing listen.
(1 pt) 3/5

8th
Michle Arnaud Les amants de minuit
[Luxemburg]
Feels like an ordinary 1950's slow-paced schlager, but it's also what Le Temps Perdu would be like if it took itself out of the past, had a good singer, and a more involved orchestra.
(2 pts) 3/5

7th
Franca Raimondi Aprite le finestre
[Italy]
A naive, peppy, and cheery 1950's bouncy walze, that more often than not feels so childish it makes one cringe. But aside from those "lallalalas", this is quite nice to listen towith earbuds if you're in public.
(4 pts) 3/5

6th
Fud Leclerc Messieurs les noys de la Seine
[Belgium]
One of only three male performers this year, Fud's role is to tell the (surprisingly dark) tale of the drowned men in the Seine, and he takes this much more seriously than Germany's Walter did about... whatever uninteresting matter it was.
(6 pts) 3/5

5th
Dany Dauberson Il est l
[France]
A fast pace, swift strings, sharp trumpets, and Dany's assertive, almost incenced deorum gives this song a frenetic and fiery feeling.
(5 pts) 3/5

4th
Michle Arnaud Ne crois pas
[Luxemburg]
In a way, this is a repeat of Il est l, but whereas that was like a turbluent tirade delivered in anger, Ne crois pas' constant, unwavering and driving rhythm gives it the feel of vengeful reading of damning indictments.
(7 pts) 3/5

(Cont...)
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3rd
Freddy Quinn So geht das jede Nacht
[Germany]
I should dismiss this shameless cover of Bill Haley and His Comets' Rock Around The Clock, but it's refreshing to have a "modern" rock and roll song in a contest where the others still have one foot in the 1940's.
(8 pts) 4/5

2nd
Tonina Torrielli Amami se vuoi
[Italy]
Probably the only song this year that exudes a sober and serious aura and doesn't go overboard with the orchestra to show how dramatic things are. Dips down into 30 seconds of quiant and pleasant jazz instrumental in the middle. Still, I think Tonia disrupts the song's tranquil ambiance at times by singing a touch too loudly.
(10 pts) 4/5

1st
Lys Assia Refrain[Switzerland]
(12 pts)
Even though this feels like it's many years behind the times, this is a nuanced and competent performance all around. Not a fan of the brash and cliched intro and outro fanfares, but aside from that, I dont have anything to complain about.
4/5
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Tag
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You should save your thoughts in a document :)
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BalanceLost posted...

You should save your thoughts in a document :)

Yeah, I can do that. It's unlikely I'll ever publish them anywhere, though. I can't think anyone would care that much to read some random's opinions about a song contest that's become rather farcical and ostentatious circus over the past 20 years.
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It could still be fun to have!
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BalanceLost posted...

It could still be fun to have!

I wouldn't call it fun. Fun bestows me with joy and smiles. But I suppose I will be moderately satisfied by archiving my musings.
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