Ricardo Goncalves will announce Australia's votes to the world at the live broadcast of the Eurovision Grand Final on Sunday 13 May. We asked the Portuguese-Australian Eurovision tragic for his all-time favourite Eurovision moments.
Take Me To Your Heaven
Charlotte Nilsson (Sweden)
Charlotte Nilsson won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1999 in Jerusalem with this ABBAesque song. Colourful and catchy, it’s a classic tune with all the right elements to make it worthy of winning the competition.
She did however try to return in 2008, with a name change, Charlotte Perrelli and the song ‘Hero’. She placed 18th.
Ooh Ahh… Just A Little Bit
Gina G (UK)
Before Australia officially competed in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Dami Im’s 2016 performance still giving me chills, there were many Australians on stage representing other countries, like Gina G, who sung for the UK in 1996.
While the song doesn’t give me chills, it’a a fun, kitsch dance number, and oh so Eurovision. It placed 8th but led to even greater success with the tune topping the UK music charts.
You Are The Only One
Sergey Lazarev (Russia)
Eurovision isn’t Eurovision without a surprise visual element like this performance by Russia’s Sergey Lazarev in 2016 in Stockholm.
Dancing in front of a large screen with images projected on it, which he then magically walks all over.
The spectacular visual element of this song, is matched with a catchy pop tune.
Euphoria
Loreen (Sweden)
This is my favourite Eurovision song of all time.
The 2012 winner is a former television talent show contestant, but really broke out of the mould by delivering a minimalistic yet powerful performance.
The uplifting dance track is right up my alley.
On a side note, I was lucky enough to interview Loreen back in 2013 when she visited Australia!
Quedate Comigo
Pastora Soler (Spain)
Ballads always do well at Eurovision and this 2012 entry was a banger, which included two Eurovision essential elements, a massive high note, and an even bigger key change.
My Number One
Elena Paparizou (Greece)
I’m a big fan of Greek music, even if I can’t speak it, but the Greeks really know how to put on an entertaining show, and this 2005 winner was no exception.
Great song, great choreography, and a surprise human bouzouki.
Elena Paparizou was already Eurovision alumni before winning, appearing first as the lead singer of Antique with the song ‘Die For You’ in 2001 and came third.
J’ai Cherche
Amir (France)
Eurovision can be kitsch but it often produces genuinely good pop music like this great song from France performed at the 2016 event.
Following another successful trend of singing half in-language and half English, it’s the perfect little song for someone special.
READ MORE
Ricardo’s Top 5 places in Lisbon
The Eurovision Song Contest will screen across SBS and SBS On Demand from May 9 -13. For full screening details, and to rate the performances, head to www.sbs.com.au/Eurovision.
Primetime evening broadcasts
Semi-Final 2 – Friday 11 May, 7.30pm, SBS. Live streaming at SBS On Demand and available for catch-up** FEATURING JESSICA MAUBOY
Remaining LIVE early morning broadcasts
Grand Final – Sunday 13 May, 5am (AEST) SBS and live streaming at SBS on Demand (See voting information here)
