‘Black Friday’ maybe an import from America but Eurovision is no stranger to the concept!

Yesterday saw the celebration of Thanksgiving by our American friends and family. The Friday after that day is known as ‘Black Friday’ where Department Stores lower their prices on previous goods and people go crazy for a bargain.

So how is Eurovision like ‘Black Friday’?

Well we have had many Eurovision songs that were submitted to national selections several times before they made the live shows and then went on to Eurovision.

Some even won the contest! Not only that but we have had several artists try and try and try to get to Eurovision and then like a ‘Black Friday’ bargain people love them!

So let’s have a Eurovision Black Friday Top 5 Countdown

#5 – Stig Rasta

He tried to represent Estonia as a singer, composer and band member on countless occasions. 2015 saw him team up with Elina and they became the ‘2 for the price of 1’ on the table and Estonia and Europe went crazy for Stig. ‘Goodbye to Yesterday’ sailed to #7 in the Grand Final.

#4 – Want a bargain song?

Well Ireland’s winning song in 1994 ‘Rock n Roll Kids’ had been sent in for the Irish National selection before it eventually made the Irish Finals. The song went on to win Eurovision and gave Ireland their third victory in a row. The song ran away with the victory in the voting sequence so it turned into a ‘Eurovision Black Friday’ winner.

#3 – Eurovision 1988 gave us plenty of Black Friday moments.

First up we got to learn of Celine Dion who won the contest for Switzerland. The Swiss Delegation got a bargain as Dion went on to become one of the world’s biggest selling artists of all time. I’d say it would cost them a pretty penny to get her to sing for Switzerland today.

Remember Scott Fitzgerald who came second in 1988 by 1 point. His song ‘Go’ was composed by Julie Forsyth and it sat in her bedroom drawer for several years before she decided to submit it into the UK National Selection. The rest as they say is history.

#2 – Ralph Siegel

Hey if you want a bargain for a song writer and producer then you can look no further than Germany’s maestro Ralph Siegel. He has written 24 songs that have actually made it to the Eurovision Song Contest and won the contest in 1982 with Nicole performing his song ‘Ein bißchen Frieden’. Also for all us members of the Press Corp – Mr Siegel throws one of the best parties at the contest. Let’s hope he has another 24 entries in him!

#1 – The Hosts

Many people always forget the Eurovision presenter/s at the contest. How could anyone forget the mishaps, the humor, the mistakes and the fashion moments. Eurovision got a ‘Black Friday Eurovision’ bargain as she steered the contest through 4 contests as presenter – 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1974. Despite being born in Italy, Katie Boyle was more British that the Queen herself. #Legend

So as you can see Eurovision and Black Friday go hand in hand like a crazy shopper grabbing a half priced electric kettle! Don’t mess with a Black Friday shopper or a Eurovision fan #JustSaying

Author/Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source : Eurovision Ireland