All Kinds of Everything

Eurovision 1971

On this day in 1971, the 16th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest was held in Dublin, Ireland, following the country’s victory at the 1970 contest with the song All Kinds of Everything by Dana. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), the contest was held at the Gaiety Theatre, and was hosted by Irish television presenter Bernadette Ní Ghallchóir.

Eighteen countries participated in the contest, equalling the record of the 1965 and 1966 editions. Austria returned after their two-year absence, while Finland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden all returned after having boycotted the competition the previous year. On the other hand, Malta competed for the first time.

The winner was Monaco with the song Un banc, un arbre, une rue, performed by Séverine, written by Yves Dessca, and composed by Jean-Pierre Bourtayre. This was Monaco’s first and only victory in the contest. This was also the only time in the contest’s history, where the second and third-placed entrants were also awarded.

Eurovision 1970

Tonight the 15th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest took place in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), the contest was held at the RAI Congrescentrum, and was hosted by Dutch television presenter Willy Dobbe.

Twelve countries participated in the contest this year. This was the lowest number of participants since the 1959 edition. The reason was that Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Austria all boycotted the 1970 edition, officially because they felt that the contest marginalised smaller countries and was no longer good television entertainment, though it is rumoured that this was also in protest of the four-way tie result that had occurred in 1969.

The winner of the competition was Ireland with the song All Kinds of Everything, performed by Dana, and written by Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith. This was Ireland’s first of their eventual record seven victories in the contest. The United Kingdom finished in second place for the seventh time, while Germany ended up in third place – the best result for the country at the time. This was also the only time that Luxembourg received nul points.

On March 21, 1970, the international final of the Eurovision Song Contest was broadcast on television from the RAI in Amsterdam. This program is presented by Willy Dobbe. Irish singer Dana wins with All Kinds of Everything. Waterman from the Dutch trio The Hearts of Soul will open this festival. This song by Pieter Goemans gets seven points. This score is good for a fifth place.