Eurovision 1981 - My Top 20 [with comments]

This is my personal top 20 songs in Eurovision Song Contest 1981. Turn on closed captions for the comments. Please, enjoy!

Footage borrowed from: @svetv

The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Dublin, Ireland, following the country's victory at the 1980 contest with the song "What's Another Year" by Johnny Logan. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), the contest was held at the RDS Simmonscourt on 4 April 1981, and was hosted by Irish television journalist Doireann Ní Bhriain.

Twenty countries participated in the contest, equalling the record of the 1978 edition. Cyprus made their début this year, while Israel and Yugoslavia both returned to the competition, after their one-year and five-year absences, respectively. Morocco and Italy decided not to participate.

The winner was the United Kingdom with the song "Making Your Mind Up", performed by Bucks Fizz, written by Andy Hill and John Danter. Germany finished second for the second consecutive year, while France finished third. Norway again finished last, with its third nul points in the contest.

Bucks Fizz's win launched the group's hugely successful international career. Their performance on the Eurovision stage included a dance-routine where the two male members ripped the skirts off the two female members only to reveal mini-skirts, and today stands as one of the most defining moments in the contest's history.

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[CookieFonster]

1981 is a real classic of a year. My favorite two are the actual top two for sure: the UK and Germany, both well remembered songs. And I love how Portugal's entry has gained a cult following among modern fans, despite its low result.

[Navarone]

Just discovered your channel. Many nice videoes. Love the videoes like this one where you give us your verdict of the final. Finn Kalvik from my country Norway is my first memory of Eurovision. I was 8 years old and Finn became a hero. I also had a gitar and tried to be him. After that Jahn Teigen became my big Eurovision hero. :)

[andrewprestage]

Finally someone who agrees with me about Denmark so underrated

[classicgameover]

great to see a classic Eurovision ranking coming from SL again

[michaelhammond]

Yes! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Luxembourg's entry this year is super-underrated. It's my personal winner of 1981. It gives me chills all the way from head to toe. I also love your personal winner. No doubt that it's a super catchy disco song that I keep playing on a loop for hours straight.

[Riqu]

Luxembourg, Greece, Belgium and Denmark were all underrated. Especially the Greek entry has a special place in my heart❤

[hiitsmejurarara]

Great list! Denmark is my winner as well, such a great performance. Debbie & Tommy just spread joy and good vibes, it makes me smile so much whenever I hear it ❤

And hey, someone who shares my thoughts on Switzerland - I'd actually go as far to say it's the worst of Peter, Sue & Marc's entries. I think the others are also not great (I am personally not a huge fan of her voice), but they are at least charming. "Io senza te" meanwhile just drags on for three veeeery minutes.

And as an Austrian, I really don't know how much booze (or worse) was involved to come up with *that* staging. I am still confused... but kinda intrigued? 😅

[Sh.ent]

For the next time can you do your top of Eurovision 1982 or 1985

[TheNiceOneNice]

My ‘first’ EsC I can remember ☺️. Had the songs on tape ( copy) and on video, so I know, and can sing along to ALL the songs💕Have many favorites, but my top 5 is:

1. France 🇫🇷
2. Sweden 🇸🇪( Ahh Björn Skifs🥰)
3. Denmark🇩🇰
4. Germany 🇩🇪
5. Spain 🇪🇸

( But I love them all 🫶🏻😊)

[lemasander]

Your number one would definitely have been a worthy winner too 🤩 it deserved so much more recognition than it got! I love it 😍

[toypedro]

I'm so proud that you put Denmark in first!

[choozmic]

1. France
2. Greece
3. Germany
4. UK
5. Netherlands
6. Portugal
7. Switzerland
8. Luxembourg
9. Belgium
10. Finland

[saranissen]

Switzerland is my favorite from 1981, just love Io Senza Te, but Denmark is my 2nd and UK my 3rd.

[nd_Place_Vasil]

lol Carlos does look like Måns. and he's my winner

[juergenhartmann]

I do agree about the Austrian entry - I memorize it often even after so many years.

[lordphreak]

Donme dolap was often played on RTRFM in Perth Australia on their El Ritmo program in the mid 2000s. Got great appreciation for that song

[o-b-]

My ranking:
Israel 🇮🇱 🥇
Germany 🇩🇪 🥈
Denmark 🇩🇰 🥉
Spain 🇪🇸
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Ireland 🇮🇪
France 🇫🇷
Greece 🇬🇷
Portugal 🇵🇹
Luxembourg 🇱🇺
Netherlands 🇳🇱
Sweden 🇸🇪
Yoguslavia 🇧🇦
Cyprus 🇨🇾
Belgium 🇧🇪
Turkiye 🇹🇷
UK 🇬🇧
Austria 🇦🇹
Finland 🇫🇮
Norway 🇳🇴

[aknigge]

Here are my personal votes/rankings, i'am from the Netherlands (Rotterdam city)

12 points: Sweden - Björn Skifs - Fangad i en dröm
10 points: Austria - Marty Brem - Wenn du da bist
8 points: France - Jean Gabilou - Humanahum
7 points: Belgium - Emly Starr - Samson
6 points: Luxembourg - Jean Claude Pascal - C'est peut être pas l'Amérique
5 points: Greece - Yiannis Dimitras - Feggari kalokerino
4 points: Cyprus - Island - Monika
3 points: Germany - Lena Valaitis - Johnny Blue
2 points: Denmark - Tommy Seebach & Debbie Cameron - Kröller eller ej
1 point : Switzerland - Peter, Sue & Marc - Io senza te

[virvejalonen]

Io senza te ❤ is in my top 5 of all entries ever. I remember you also didn't appreciate my other melancholic top 5 favourite, Anouk from 2013, so this isn't a surprise. France was my number one back in 1981, but nowadays I find it maybe a bit pompous.

[enriquebascuascastro]

Schlager lucas i love your video's so much can you do eurovision 1964 my top