How to review Eurovision 1974? I’ll share the winner at the end – as most people, Eurovision fans or not – know that story.
So instead, some of the potentially less well-known aspects of the 1974 contest:
Just like in 2023, the UK had stepped in to host, despite not winning in 1973. No war this time - it was because Luxembourg had ‘done the double’, winning in both 72 and 73, and didn’t have the cash to splash on a second contest. So the BBC, and Eurovision veteran Katie Boyle (for her fourth and final time), hosted the event at the Brighton Dome.
Eighteen countries planned to take part, but the death of French President Georges Pompidou four days earlier – and his memorial service, which took place on the same day as the Eurovision Song Contest – meant that the French delegation decided not to compete. Their performer, Dani, was in the audience to watch the show instead. Luxembourg’s winning act from 1973, Anne-Marie David (who was French), was also meant to attend – to hand over the trophy to the next winner, but stayed in France due to the period of national mourning.
Always with an interesting story in Eurovision, Italy didn’t actually broadcast the Eurovision live in 1974, despite Eurovision royalty – Gigliola Cinquetti – taking part for them. Gigliola won the contest in 1964, and has subsequently co-presented in 1991 in Rome, and been an interval act in Turin in 2022. But in 1974, she came second, with her song ‘Si’ (in English, ‘Yes’). Due to a highly political divorce referendum campaign in Italy at the time (which was held on 12 May 1974), state television channel RAI decided not to show the contest, in case they were accused of it being a ‘subliminal message and a form of propaganda to influence the Italian voting public to vote "yes" in the referendum.’ The song wasn’t played on most Italian state TV and radio stations until after the referendum had been held, over a month later!
Australia’s own (national treasure) Olivia Newton-John – a vision in a baby blue nightdress – took part as the UK entrant, which gave us the memorable ‘Long Live Love’, which finished joint fourth.
Voting was the now-antiquated ’10 jurors’ system – whereby each country had ten individual jurors, each chosing their favourite song. This means that technically, a country could give anywhere from 1 to 10 votes to any country – with the total sum from each country just 10. Finland and Switzerland both gave FIVE POINTS to the winners – i.e. half of their country’s total vote. This style of voting also meant that the winning score was extremely low by modern standards – only 24 points! But way ahead (comparatively) of Italy (18), Netherlands (15) and UK, Luxembourg and Monaco (all on 14 points).
Oh – and – the winner? ABBA, Sweden, Waterloo. As you all know, after the show they conquered the world – which apparently began with an all-night party in the appropriately named Napoleon Suite at The Grand Brighton Hotel.