‘I still cry when I hear Ein Bisschen Frieden today’: readers’ favourite Eurovision songs

Bardo – One Step Further (1982)

The greatest Eurovision song that never won was One Step Further by Bardo, representing UK in 1982. It suffered from the “year-after-a-winner” curse, following Bucks Fizz’s triumph in 1981 – but in my opinion this should have won and Bucks Fizz should have come seventh instead. In my memory, One Step Further was an exciting tune sung by an enticing romantic duo who sparkled with chemistry. I have deliberately not rewatched it online so it shall remain permanently frozen in my mind: a perfect Eurovision moment. Tim Thornton, 49, musician, London

Nicole – Ein Bisschen Frieden (1982)

There are so many Eurovision songs like this one that remind me of key moments in my life. After each contest, all through the year, I used to rewatch the video recordings my dad made of it. My dad was a massive fan of Eurovision – usually the France and Luxembourg entries. He had always loved the Nicole song and I was surprised to hear it on the 60th anniversary show in 2015. I broke down in tears. It still makes me cry now. He died in 2001 and I didn’t cry a lot back then. I suppose it was 14 years of built-up emotion. Phil, 39, Middlesbrough

Lordi – Hard Rock Hallelujah (2006)

It has to be Hard Rock Hallelujah, the 2006 winner from Finnish rock band Lordi. I recall seeing them at the Download festival the year before: dressed up in their extravagant horror-based costumes, they made me think Kiss and Gwar had merged to produce a rock spawn. Never in a million years did I think they would be suitable to appear on Eurovision, let alone win it. As a dedicated metalhead, it was refreshing to see a hard rock band triumph. Given Måneskin won only a couple of years ago, this will hopefully set the trend for years to come. Grant, 38, health intelligence adviser, Edinburgh, Scotland

Riva – Rock Me (1989)

I was 10 years old, living in Sydney, Australia, when Riva won Eurovision in 1989 with Rock Me. The following year, the contest was held in Zagreb (in what is now Croatia), and then in 1992 Yugoslavia competed for the last time before the war broke the country up. It is interesting to think of the Eurovision song contest as some kind of history marker. My dad was from Croatia but he died when I was little, so when the song came out I was especially taken by it. I remember being at my friend’s house, whose mother was from Zagreb, and she was crying. I remember feeling really emotional and proud. The chorus is so catchy. I still sing the song at random times. Katia, Los Angeles, US

Circus Mircus – Lock Me In (2022)

If we’re getting into real Eurovision, it’s the Georgian non-qualifiers Circus Mircus with the delightfully batty Lock Me In. But if we’re sticking to finalists, the 1998 UK entry Where Are You? by Imaani can’t be beat. (It was – by Dana International – but you know what I mean.) Lydia, QI elf, Leicestershire

Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan – We Were the Rock’n’roll Kids (1994)

It is is gently folky and sweetly nostalgic, with a fine melody and addictive chorus. Charlie is a very nice man with a fine Border accent. I also loved the Hothouse Flowers song Don’t Go, which they played during the interval on another year Ireland won, because we usually won back then. I think the country has moved on from Eurovision as a bit of cráic – it’s too big now – but I still have great memories. Noel MacLiam, 60, musician, County Donegal, Ireland

Vicky – L’Amour Est Bleu (1967)

I have no memories of this one being performed at the time because it’s even older than me. But L’Amour Est Bleu, performed by Vicky Leandros for Luxembourg in 1967, is my favourite. It’s a glorious anthem of lost love, swinging between defiance and melancholy like a teenager’s moods. This was the year that Puppet on a String won but Vicky’s song deserved the prize. Tim Footman, 55, writer, London

Abba – Waterloo (1974)

Waterloo, of course. There are many other favourites, including another Swedish hit, Euphoria. However, Agnetha and Frida emerging in their eye-catching outfits, their smiles and feelings of pure joy, Björn’s star guitar and Benny’s piano taking centre stage: pop perfection. It is a cracking song and the best ambassador for Eurovision. Marta, 46, Weybridge

Zlata Ognevich – Gravity (2013)

The first one I remember is Waterloo but my favourite is Gravity, the Ukrainian entry 10 years ago. It was the one where she was carried on to the foggy stage by a giant (but why?). The lyrics are slightly odd but her singing voice is fantastic, second only to Italy’s Giorgia Todrani. Her personal history reflects the ongoing tragedy of Ukraine and Crimea in particular. Andrew Scaife, 66, retired, York

Alexander Rybak – Fairy Tale (2009)

By far the best, most dynamic and thrillingly beautiful Eurovision winner. The performance is in a class of its own. The traditional dancers, the three women who slide into the song in the middle, and that violin! Perfection. Daniel S Philips, 63, wine producer, Barcelona

DJ Bobo – Vampires Are Alive (2007)

This has a brilliant, catchy hook, a dynamic, cool video and amazing harmonies that should have made it a real contender for Switzerland in 2007. A rubbish semi-performance which involved a load of shop mannequins and singers who were huffing and puffing through the ambitious yet irrelevant choreography sunk this banger, though, and it didn’t make the final. It’s still on my playlist today but it wasn’t until recently that I realised that vampires by definition are not actually alive. Ellie Baskerville, 55, St Asaph, Wales

Les Fatals Picards – L’amour à la Française (2007)

My primary school students and I love L’amour à la Française by Les Fatals Picards. It is in French and English, it’s funny, creative and a good representation of the “French cultural exception”: the idea that France has a unique cultural way of expressing itself in art, music, culture, etc. Some silly lyrics go: “I remember, jolie demoiselle, so beautiful with your sac Chanel,” and “I gave you a rendez-vous, what is it, what is it?” Alexandra Milovanovic, 38, French teacher, Virginia, US