I Like ’em Bouncy: The Eurovision Song Contest

It's Okay, They're Swedish But They're Mormons

Michael has nearly up and left me several times on account of my taste. Being a midwest girl, I like mayonnaise on everything. He’s allergic to mayonnaise. Being a son of the 60s, he’s steeped in classic rock. I prefer europop. In fact I’m a nut about the Eurovision song contest winners—but they have to be lively and upbeat. No syrupy schlager ballads allowed here. And banal lyrics help. The banaler, the better.

So—in celebration of the 2009 winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, here’s my own list of favorite past winners, in no particular order:

(Warning! DO NOT listen to these tunes while you’re tripping on acid, you will go insane.)

• For Norway, 2009: Alexander Rybak, “Fairytale”
  
• For Sweden, 1974: ABBA, “Waterloo”
  
• For Ukraine, 2004: Ruslana, “Wild Dances”
  
• For Denmark, 2000: The Olsen Brothers, “Fly on the Wings of Love”
  
• For Switzerland, 1988: Celine Dion, “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi”
  
• For the Netherlands, 1975: Teach-In, “Ding-a-Dong”
  
• For Sweden, 1984: The Herreys, “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Lay”
  
• For Norway, 1985: Bobbysocks, “La Det Swinge”
  
• For the UK, 1967: Sandie Shaw, “Puppet on a String”
  
• For Yugoslavia, 1989: Riva, “Rock Me”
  
• For the UK, 1976: Brotherhood of Man, “Save Your Kisses for Me”