6. Switzerland
Victories – 2
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about Switzerland? Watches? Chocolate? We are giving you one more to think about – Eurovision. Being the first country to host this competition in 1956, the victory of its representative Lys Assia was not a surprise. However, there is no doubt whatsoever that ‘Refrain’ is a classic. Céline Dion and her performance of the Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi is to blame for the Switzerland’s second victory in 1988. It’s when her career took wing, and today she is one of the most popular singers in the world. And now, let’s see what else we have in our list of countries that have won Eurovision the most.
Italy
Victories – 2
Volare, oh, oh, cantare, oh, oh,oh….wait, wait! That’s the wrong song. Although it became a huge international hit, this Modugno’s ballad is not one of Eurovision’s winning songs – it finished third on the Eurosong 1958. The Italians were blowing hot and cold when it comes to participation and appearance on this contest since they didn’t compete for 14 years in a row, not to mention earlier one or two-year withdrawals, due to alleged lack of interest in the country. Despite this hesitance, Italy won twice – first time in 1964 when Gigliola Cinquetti sang the ‘Non ho l’età’, and the second when Toto Cutugno performed the ‘Insieme:1992’ during the Eurosong 1990 in Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
Spain
Victories – 2
Despite receiving null points for 4 times, its two victories put the Spain on our list of the 15 countries that have won Eurovision the most. The rumor is that Spanish dictator, General Francisco Franco had something to do with the 1968 Massiel’s victory since her song titled ‘La, la,la’ with a total of 138 ‘la’s’ had beaten the famous Cliff Richard’s ‘Congratulations’. Massiel denied such accusations. Either way, the song is catchy as well as second winning song of Spain representative – ‘Vivo Cantando’, sang by Salomé in the following year. Two in a row – maybe the rumors are true?
Austria
Victories – 2
One thing is for sure – the Eurosong 2014 winner raised (from) the dust! The glory of Austria that ranks 5th in our list of countries that have won Eurovision the most was born again, like a Phoenix with the help of the Thomas Neuwirth A.K.A. Conchita Wurst, considering that Udo Jürgens won with the Merci Cherie, long ago in 1966. Whether she/he is a drag queen, a bearded lady or a transgender woman, Conchita overnight became a promoter of freer and more tolerant Europe, that gained her fame among LGBT population and much more.
Ukraine
Victories – 2
Various musical styles and performers represented this country through the years, and it is quite a success that 2 of a total 13 times it participated it won. Beside this year Jamala’s triumph, Ukraine was on the top in 2004. Ruslana’s song and her wild dancers brought her victory and a seat in the Ukranian parliament, as well! However, Jamala still didn’t set her foot in the Verkhovna Rada. Maybe she should’ve worked more on her dancing skills, instead of pointing out burning problems that citizens of Ukraine had and are still having.
Germany
Victories – 2
First Eurovision victory for Germany, that’s next in line in our list of countries that have won Eurovision the most, gained a young 17-year-old girl Nicole, in 1982. This success launched her career. The English version of her song ‘Ein Bißchen Frieden’ reached the UK charts and became a big hit all over the Europe. The second winning entry at the Eurosong 2010 was a song titled ‘Satellite’, written by Julie Frost and John Gordon. Altogether, Lena, the German singer and songwriter, received a total of 246 points. Considering her success, Lena was the German representative at Eurovision the next year, too. Unfortunately for them, she didn’t win again.
