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Blast from the past: Belgium 1981

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today, we go back to 1981, when Emly Starr represented Belgium with her song “Samson”. Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest Belgium is one of the countries that participates from the beginning on. The Belgians switch every year between the Flemish and Wallon broadcasters. Just once, Belgium won: in 1986, Sandra Kim sang she was 15, claimed she was 14 and in the end appeared to be 13. However: more Belgian songs were successful. In 1978 and 2003 Belgium was the runner up: Jean Vallee and Urban Trad were very close. In recent years, Belgium made it to the top-5 with Loïc Nottet (2015) and Blanche (2017). The best scoring Flemish entry was the 2010 song “Me and My Guitar”, sang by Tom Dice. Eurosong 1981 No less than 40 songs participated in the Belgian selection of 1981. Out of three heats, 10 finalists were chosen. The final was held in the Amerikaans Theater in Brussels, hosted by Luc Appermont. No results were made public, apart from the winner. However, in later years jury members of those days confirmed that Liliane Saint-Pierre’s “Brussel” reached the 2nd place. Fancy Free sang “De Wereld Is Een Showtoneel“ De Opera sang “De Opera“ Gene Summer sang “Zing Het Maar“ Stella sang “Veel Te Veel“ Ann Michel sang “Ik Ben Gelukkig“ Johann Stollz sang “Hello Hello“ Emly Starr sang “Samson en Delilah“ Lester & Denwood sang “Bonnie“ Venus sang “Talisman“ Liliane Saint-Pierre sang “Brussel“ Liliane Saint-Pierre Stella already participated in 1970 for the Netherlands as a member of Hearts Of Soul, and in 1977 for Belgium as a member of Dream Express. She sang solo for Belgium in 1982. Liliane Saint-Pierre represented her country in 1987, in….. Brussels! The title of the winning song was later shortened to “Samson”. Emly Starr Emly Starr, born Marie-Christine Mareels on September 5, 1957, in Wetteren, Belgium, is a singer best known for representing Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. She began her career at a young age under the stage name “Heidi” but later adopted the name Emly Starr, performing English-language pop and disco songs. In 1978, she appeared in the short film Santiago Lovers. Starr gained recognition with her disco act “Emly Starr Explosion,” and in 1980, she participated in the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, finishing eighth with the song Mary Brown. The following year, she won Belgium’s Eurosong contest, earning the opportunity to perform Samson at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, where she finished in 13th place. In 1985, Starr played the role of Erika in the film Springen and sang its title song, Jump in the Dark. Eventually, she transitioned from performing to the business side of the entertainment industry, working alongside her husband, Tony Winter (Frans De Schrijver). Together, they manage the Globe Show Center in Denderleeuw, which houses a television studio and organizes events. They also provide showbiz equipment rentals, contributing to the Belgian entertainment scene. Samson “Samson” was composed by Kick Dandy, a pseudonym for Tony Winter (Frans De Schrijver), and the lyrics were written by Penny Els. It is a dynamic, upbeat disco-pop track, characterized by its catchy rhythm and energetic performance, which was a popular style in the early 1980s. The lyrics of “Samson” playfully reference the biblical story of Samson, known for his great strength, and Delilah, who betrays him. However, the song reinterprets the tale, using it as a metaphor for a romantic relationship, with the singer comparing herself to the powerful figure who falls for a lover’s charm. Emly Starr’s lively stage presence and the colorful, engaging choreography added to the song’s appeal. The daring dress with a high slit contributed to the festive atmosphere. Despite the spirited performance, “Samson” scored 40 points at Eurovision and finished in 13th place out of 20 entries. Although it did not achieve a top ranking, the song remains a memorable part of Emly Starr’s career.

🇵🇹 Blast from the Past: Portugal 1994

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today we want to honour Sara Tavares, who participated for Portugal in 1994. She passed away last Sunday. Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest Portugal started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964. It all started with a zero. This was the starting signal for a long and not easy road for Portugal. The idiosyncratic entries the country had often finished low. Exceptions were Carlos Mendes (1958) and José Cid (1980), both of whom reached a seventh place. In 1996, Lucia Moniz finished in sixth place with her “O meu coração não tem cor”. But for a victory, Portugal had to wait until 2017. It was Salvador Sobral who managed to enchant both the televoters and the professional jury with his subdued song “Amar pelos dois”. It turned into a landslide victory for the Portuguese; something they had been waiting for so long. photo: EBU/Andres Putting Festival RTP Da Canção 1994 The national final in Portugal is always called Festival RTP Da Canção. This year, two semifinals were held, on 10 and 17 january. Each of the semifinals contained 10 songs. Among them, Marco Quelhas, who represented Portugal in the 2001 contest as a half of the duo MTM. Eight songs headed to the final: Isabel Campelo, “Malmequer do Campo“, 122 pts, 3rd Trivium, “Trovas do Demo e d’el Rei“, 84 pts, 5th Pedro Miguéis, “Todos Nós Alguma Vez“, 136 pts, 2nd Inova Fora Nada, “O Vento Sabe o Que Quer“, 83 pts, 6th José Carvalho, “Lisboa, Minha Linda Cidade“, 92 pts, 4th Fernanda Lopes, “Se Fores Poema“, 75 pts, 7th Tó Carlos, “Ai Dona Inês“, 46 pts, 8th Sara Tavares, “Chamar a Música“, 220 pts, 1st As you can see, Sara Tavares won with a landslide, 84 points ahead of the runner up! Sara Tavares Sara Alexandra Lima Tavares, born on February 1, 1978, in Lisbon, Portugal, was a renowned Portuguese singer, composer, guitarist, and percussionist. Of Cape Verdean descent, her parents immigrated to Portugal and settled in Almada in the 1970s. Tavares grew up in Lisbon and faced early family challenges, with her father leaving and her mother moving south with her siblings, leaving Sara in the care of an older woman. Tavares exhibited remarkable musical talent from a young age. In 1994, at just 16, she won the national television song contest “Chuva de Estrelas,” performing Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time.” That same year, she triumphed at the “Festival da Canção,” earning a spot in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest. Her winning song, “Chamar a Música,” was included on her debut EP, “Sara Tavares & Shout” (1996), where she blended gospel and funk with Portuguese influences. Her debut album “Mi Ma Bô,” produced by Lokua Kanza, was released in 1999. In 2017, Tavares released the album “Fitxadu,”. It was inspired by Lisbon’s diverse African sounds and cultures, showcasing a more electronic and urban sound. The album earned a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Portuguese Language Roots Album. Tavares was multilingual, composing in Portuguese, Portuguese-based Creole languages, and occasionally English. Sara was known for singing the European-Portuguese version of “God Help the Outcasts” from the Disney movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,”. She won a Disney Award for the best version of the original song with it. She also won a Portuguese Golden Globe for Best Portuguese Singer in 2000. photo: Henryk Kotowski Tavares passed away on November 19, 2023, in Lisbon at the age of 45, after a long battle with a brain tumor diagnosed since 2009. Her death was a great shock in the Eurovision community. Chamar a Música “Chamar a Música,” the captivating song that Sara Tavares performed at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, showcases her exceptional talent as a young artist. At just 16 years old, Tavares brought this melodic and emotionally resonant piece to the Eurovision stage, representing Portugal with grace and artistry. The song is characterized by its smooth, soulful melody. It is blending elements of Portuguese musical tradition with contemporary influences. Although Tavares’ performance was well-received, it ultimately placed 8th in the competition. Despite this, “Chamar a Música” remains a significant part of her early career, reflecting her deep connection to her cultural roots.

🇵🇹 In memoriam: Sara Tavares

The sad news came to us that today, 19th November 2023, Portuguese singer Sara Tavares passed away. Sara represented Portugal in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Chamar a musica”. Sara Tavares was a multifaceted artist whose music blended her Cape Verdean roots with world music influences. She was born on February 1, 1978, in Lisbon, Portugal. Raised in a multilingual environment, her exposure to diverse cultures and musical traditions at an early age shaped her eclectic musical style. Sara’s talent was first recognized when she won two significant Portuguese music contests, including the televised Chuva de Estrelas, at the age of 16. This early success laid the foundation for her musical career. In the same year, she won Festival Da Canção, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She reached an 8th place in the international final in Dublin, one of the higher scores for Portugal. Her debut album, “Sara Tavares & Shout,” released in 1996, showcased her unique blend of African, Portuguese, and world rhythms, establishing her as a promising new voice in world music. Tavares’ artistry is characterized by soulful melodies, rich harmonies, and a blend of languages, predominantly Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole, which she seamlessly weaves into her songs. Following her debut, Tavares took a brief hiatus to refine her sound and direction. She reemerged with “Mi Ma Bô” in 1999, an album that further solidified her unique musical identity, combining traditional African sounds with contemporary influences. Tavares’ renewed breakthrough came with her 2006 album “Balancê,” which earned critical acclaim and expanded her international audience. It showcased her matured songwriting and a deeper exploration of her African roots, featuring hits like “Bom Feeling” and “Balancê.” Her subsequent album, “Xinti,” released in 2009, continued this trajectory, delving deeper into the exploration of her identity and heritage. The album was a critical success, praised for its introspective lyrics and rich, multi-layered compositions. Beyond music, Tavares is known for her activism and advocacy for cultural diversity and inclusion. She has been a vocal advocate for the African diaspora’s culture, using her music as a bridge between different cultures and generations. Sara Tavares suffered of a brain tumor and passed away at age 45.

🇹🇷 Özkan Uğur passed away

Today the sad news came to us that Özkan Uğur passed away. Uğur represented Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest twice: in 1985 and 1988, both times as a member of the group MFÖ. Özkan Uğur was 69 years old. Early years Born on February 16, 1954, in Ankara, Turkey, Özkan Uğur is a renowned Turkish musician, singer, and songwriter. His career is spanning several decades Uğur’s passion for music blossomed at a young age. Growing up in a musically inclined family, he was exposed to various genres, from traditional Turkish folk music to Western rock and pop. This diverse musical upbringing played a crucial role in shaping Uğur’s artistic identity, allowing him to effortlessly blend different styles and create a unique sound of his own. Mazhar-Fuat-Özkan In the late 1970s, Uğur’s career took off when he became the lead vocalist and bassist for the influential Turkish rock band MFÖ (Mazhar-Fuat-Özkan). Alongside his bandmates Mazhar Alanson and Fuat Güner, Uğur contributed to the band’s success with his powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence. MFÖ’s innovative approach to rock music, infused with elements of Turkish folk and pop, resonated with audiences and propelled them to national stardom. MFÖ and Eurovision Uğur’s collaboration with MFÖ resulted in numerous hit songs, including “Ele Güne Karşı Yapayalnız,” “Peki Peki Anladık,” and “Mazeretim Var Asabiyim Ben.” Their distinctive sound and energetic performances earned them a dedicated fan base, and they continue to be revered as pioneers of the Turkish rock scene. In 1985, MFÖ represented Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. Their song “Didai didai dai (aşık oldum)” reached a 14th place. Three years later, the band was in Eurovision again with the song “Sufi”, being 15th in the ranking. Solo career Despite his success with MFÖ, Uğur embarked on a solo career in the 1980s, eager to explore his creative boundaries beyond the confines of a band. His solo albums showcased his versatility as an artist, as he experimented with various musical genres, including pop, jazz, and even classical music. Collaborations Throughout his career, Uğur has collaborated with numerous prominent musicians and songwriters, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile artist. He has worked with notable Turkish composers such as Fikret Kızılok, Timur Selçuk, and Sezen Aksu, contributing his unique vocal talents to their compositions. Uğur’s collaborations have resulted in timeless classics, including “Küçük Bir Aşk Masalı,” “Benimle Oynar Mısın,” and “Öpüşmek İstiyorum.” Film and television Aside from his musical endeavors, Uğur has also ventured into acting, showcasing his versatility as a performer. He has appeared in several films and television series, earning critical acclaim for his on-screen presence and natural acting ability. Awards Özkan Uğur’s contributions to Turkish music have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He has received prestigious honors, including the Golden Butterfly Award for Best Male Performer and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kral TV Music Awards.