Eurosong fans from around the world, stop racking your brain, as we’ve compiled you the list of the 15 countries that have won Eurovision the most, so you can sit back, relax, and re-listen your favorite hits.
Starting with 1956, every year in May, with a few exceptions, this biggest music spectacle puts hundreds of millions in front of the TV. The opinions are divided, and while some love it, the other find it cheese. One thing is for sure, the winner must be a full package – extraordinary performer that dances very well, sometimes slightly eccentric with exceptional vocal possibilities. Music shows such as X Factor and The Voice, also quite successful, are not the real threat to Eurosong, which is broadcasted on five continents, thus being worldwide famous. After all, we all grew up with the Eurovision, whether we like it or hate it. If you prefer the second choice more, then you should check out the list of the 10 Most Popular Songs of All-Time, because a good evergreen is something that we all like to listen from time to time. Thanks to the European Broadcasting Union – what was once a light entertainment program destined to bring together war-ravaged Europe, became the longest-running music contest ever.
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Before we turn up the music, let’s take a look at the sources we used while compiling the list of countries that have won Eurovision the most. The Eurovision Times and the list of all Eurovision winners were more than helpful when it comes to the number of victories per country as well as the performer’s names and titles of their songs. For all additional information and facts, we used the official Eurovision website. So, refresh your memory while listening and reading about greatest songs of Eurovision, at least until the next year. These 15 countries are taking only 6 places since many of them have the same number of wins. So, let’s find out which countries have the most music talents, at least when it comes to Eurovision!
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.
5. Norway
Victories – 3
Are three victories enough to put in the shadow eleven last places? As for our list of countries that have won Eurovision the most, it is. Long-awaited victory is brought by duo Bobbysocks! singing the ‘La det swinge’. Ten years later, in 1995, the song Nocturne that contained only 24 words accompanied by violin swept away Europeans. Last, but not least is the Alexander Rybak performance of ‘Fairytale’ in 2009 and his domination with an astonishing 387 points scored. The song was quite a success afterward.
Israel
Victories – 3
Triumphal performance in 1998 is the most noticed of all Israel’s performances at Eurovision, because the winning song, titled ‘International Diva’ has been sung by transgender artist Dana. The reactions were opposing – gay communities in Europe embraced Dana and made her the instant favorite, while the Orthodox Jewish residents characterized her as an abomination. Besides this victory, Israel has two more – the first was in 1978 when Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta sang ‘A-Ba-Ni-Bi’, and the second only one year after when ‘Hallelujah’ was the best.
Denmark
Victories – 3
After the first triumph back in 1963, almost 4 decades passed before the Danes won again in 2000. Whether it’s the matter of Danish absence from the competition or their switched focus on the beach, licorice festivals and enjoyments in life, the one thing is for sure – the Viking’s blood still runs through the veins of those Northerners, since winning is definitely something that they are good at. After Olsen Brothers victory in 2000. Danes gained one more when Emmelie De Forest sang ‘Only Teardrops in 2013’.
4. Netherlands
Victories – 4
‘De vogels van Holland’ was the first song ever sang at Eurovision, but it was not one of the winning ones, although the Netherlands has them four. Just a year after, in 1957 Corry Brokken succeed in pursuit of a trophy, as well as Teddy Scholten two years later. The 1969’s Eurovision was interesting – the Netherlands won, as well as France, Spain, and the UK since it was a four-way tie. Six years after, the Netherlands won the fourth and the last time, at least for now, with the song titled ‘Ding-adong’.
3. Luxembourg
Victories – 5
Despite being one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe and worldwide, it’s not small at all if greatness would be measured by success in Eurovision since it has 5 Eurosong victories. Anyhow, the interesting fact is that none of those 5 winners came from Luxembourg. Among the winners are France Gall and her song titled ‘Poupee de cire, poupee de son’, that made her worldwide recognized in the 60’s, three French artists and a Greek singer Vicky Leandros that won Eurosong in 1972.
United Kingdom
Victories – 5
Being the part of the Big Five, the UK, that’s up next in our list of countries that have won Eurovision the most, is with other four largest financial contributors to the European Broadcasting Union automatically qualified for the Grand Final. However, considering the UK’s poor placement between 1999 and 2016, it seems that previous fact is not going to its favor. But, if we dig a little deeper in the past, the situation is as follows – starting with Sandie Shaw’s success in 1967, the UK has been racking up victories, 4 more, to be correct, with the last one in 1997 sang by Katrina & The Waves. At the same time span, the UK finished second 15 times. So, maybe last 16 years are just a calm before the storm? Time will tell.
France
Victories – 5
Five victories are more than enough for the place on our list of the 15 countries that have won Eurovision the most, so, France beyond doubt deserves it. Yet, it is hard not to notice that all 5 triumphs happened really long time ago, with the most recent one in 1977. Did French lose the sense of rhythm and melody, or is it something else? Nevertheless, after Anre Claveau’s win at the third Eurovision contest, French artists Jacqueline Boyer, Isabelle Aubret and Frida Boccara gained three more victories during the 60’s. The last and the most surprising one was the victory of Marie Myriam, the outsider that became famous overnight by singing the song titled0 ‘L’oiseau et l’enfant’.
2. Sweden
Victories – 6
Lack of emotional expressiveness is definitely a stereotype when it comes to the Northerners since they sang their heart out for six times from the time of the Eurovision’s beginning. Måns Zelmerlöw’s last year victory is still fresh in our memory, while we are recalling the first Swedish winning song, everlasting classic– the ABBA’s Waterloo. Although this song has been declared as the best one to enter the contest since its beginning, it received no points from the UK jury in distant 1974. However, it’s the biggest success story of the Eurovision, even though 2012’s euphoria around Loreen’s victory song was at the top of the charts in 17 countries, and it was sold in more than 250,000 copies thus becoming the best-selling Eurovision song ever. The Herrey brothers, Carola and Charlotte Nilsson, gained three more victories for Sweden. And now, let’s see the number one in our list of countries that have won Eurovision the most.
1. Ireland
Victories – 7
Maybe Irish people are best known for being among the top beer drinkers in the world, but this list of the 15 countries that have won Eurovision the most makes Ireland the absolute winner of Eurovision, ever. It can be said that Johnny Logan is the Ireland’s lucky charm considering his two powerful ballads that won twice. Five years later, in 1992 he puts to the test his composing skills, as well, and with another ballad, sang by Linda Martin, he wins again. The next two years, Eurovision couldn’t get off the island and the main responsible musicians were Niamh Kavanagh and her song titled In Your Eyes, as well as a male duo, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan, that rock’n’rolled without any orchestral accompaniment. If we counted right, that’s five for now. Two more victories are the first one, back in 1970, accomplished by singer Dana, and the last one in 1996 – a Celtic-inspired song wit sounds of Irish instruments played in a folk style, performed by Eimear. But, putting all these victories aside, Ireland truly is the most successful, since 31 times embarked the top 10 and 18 times the top 5 places – is it a musical talent or a work of the Druid’s magic potion?
