This was my by far the most favorite Eurovision from the old days! Sooooo many great songs and performances! Even back then it was hard to decide for me whom I would have given points and how. Almost all deserved some decent points! I would have prefered to share same points among countries: Norway and Germany for the first place (Yes you read it right: Norway! What a fantastic and timeless melody and solos. But singing in Norwegian was not cool like in English, we would all agree. :) ). Then for the next group, I would equally put fantastic Israel's song, Cyprus, France, inovative Portugal, Luxemburg and also a catchy Switzerland. Danmark was great too. And Span Y Solo Tu became one of Julio Iglesias' favorites. Great song. And some of those who could not have made it onto my humble scoreboard, I loved as well: Netherlands, my own then Yugoslavia, great and funny Finland, good Ireland. I found the songs from Greece, UK, Belgium, and Sweden good but average, ok songs (UK would have never come into the top ten, let alone have won it, if all had sung in Engish). Only Austria and Turkey were not up to the fantastic and high level this 1981 Eurovision had put up, though not bad songs by any means. So here is, how I would have voted (thank God I had not had to ... lol...) : 1. Norway 12 2. Germany 10 3. Israel 8 4. Cyprus 7 5. France 6 6. Portugal 5 7. Luxemburg 4 8 Switzerland 3 9. Denmark 2 10. Spain 1 11. Netherlands 12. Yugoslavia 13 Finlad 14. Ireland 15. Greece 16. UK 17. Belgium 18 Sweden 19. Austria 20. Turkey My deepest thanks to the poster of all of these videos: escbelgium2 !
And just look at what happens here. Two juries to the finish, we have the yet-to-be-repeated scenario of three countries tying for the lead! What follows are some of the most tense moments in Eurovision history.
"United Kingdom have done it again, heavens... Heavens they've done it again!" Terry Wogan really couldn't believe it, tbh Bucks Fizz are one of the luckiest winners in ESC history with just 2 bags of 12 points(least amount ever) and 4 points ahead at the end, Lena Valaitis of Germany really should've won imho and I'm a Brit. Back then most of us must've added another trophy to rub it in the Germans with WWII and World Cup 1966 xD. Dublin 1981 was a marvellous ESC, many great entries and thrilling and quirky voting from start to finish, must've been so intense to see Germany, Switzerland + UK level at top with 120 pts with just 2 countries left to vote.
Yes and what a roar from the Irish crowd as they not only realized Ireland received 12 but the UK's nose had been put out of joint by two other countries pulling level. I think Germany and Switzerland may both have suffered slightly by not singing in English.
@@@KeithbarberKeith tell me something I didn't know. Actually the quality of the song does suffer often if reprised in English. Anyway I don't care now since I don't watch it anymore.
@@Keithbarber Oh absolutely Keith. Not only that but artistes aren't even allowed to play their own instruments live! What a shambles the whole thing now is.
It must have been really nail-biting to watch such a close vote - I hope we have a bit more tension in 2024 given 2022 and 2023 were both pretty much a foregone conclusion (though fair play to Kaarija for putting up a strong challenge to Loreen)
For me, Germany and the UK were neck-in-neck for the best song of the evening. Germany would slightly edge them out, for me, but it's close enough that I'm happy the UK won.
I think the presentation could have been improved: true the main singer looked partially sighted and it was not his fault, but the woman looked a bit scruffy to me, underdressed with not so much connection with the aforementioned lead vocalist.
Shame on Swiss Jury!!!!!... Don´t get me wrong I really enjoy the British entry as a deserved winner. But come on, the Swiss voting is so unfair, at least not one point for Lena Valaitis and her superb entry... The best example for unfair Jury voting in Eurovision history :(
No, that were all the Irish entries (except 1970), Yugoslavia '89, Sweden '91, UK '97, Denmark '00, Estonia '01, Serbia '07, Russia '08, Germany '10, all rubbish.
@@Tomek-mf2ln Every singly Irish entry is a timeless ballad! A fantastic song and each time an amazing singer! There is a reason we have son so many times!
The writing was on the wall by the time of the Swiss jury. They couldn't vote for themselves and they were never going to give Germany any points for historical reasons which gave the UK a chance to pull ahead enough before the final Swedish vote. Nail-biting stuff. I don't get the interest in the German entry - it was a corny, old-fashioned 'Schlager' song. Bucks Fizz were fresh, sexy, and exuberant, with a great song and of course that iconic skirt moment. Worthy winners. If there WAS a song that was criminally overlooked that year it was Lynda Williams from the Netherlands. Gorgeous woman, gorgeous song, gorgeous dress and wonderful female backing singer.
@@fz7091 My late nephew used to call it “The Vote For Your Nearest Neighbour Contest” - mind you, if the rules not only said that you couldn’t vote for your nearest neighbour, the Scandinavian nations and the former Yugoslavian republics could not vote for each other - and, if you could not vote for a song sung in your own language, the Germans couldn’t vote for Austria or, if sung in German, Switzerland - and the French could not vote for Luxembourg, Belgium (if sung in French), Switzerland (if sung in French) or any Francophone nation - apply that rule rigidly, and, if everyone sang in English, us Brits could not vote at all - or we could only vote for somewhere like Turkey, as it’s the only one not sung in English! A good way of guaranteeing that no country gets null points by any jury or leaves with null points, is by going from one up to however many countries are participating - let’s say 40 - no country leaves with less than 40 points - no more null points for Norway! Actually, the minimum would be 39, as you can’t vote for your own country! If you could, they would give them top marks, despite a mediocre performance of an abysmal song!
The only reason why the UK won was because bloody Switzerland didn't gave a single point to Germany. Besides the German song was way better than the UK entry!!!
@@jameswebb4974 absolutely! UK only won because everybody was already familiar with it going into the contest! The performance was awful and the song is cheesy. Germany’s entry is a timeless classic and should have been a landslide. Coming from a 15 year old from Ireland.
Da hatten wir es den Schweizern zu verdanken, dass es "nur" der 2te Platz wurde. Aber wie in diesem Fall ist es schon sehr merkwürdig, wenn der furchtbare Titel aus Jugoslawien 12 Punkte erhält und Deutschland leer ausgeht.
This was my by far the most favorite Eurovision from the old days!
Sooooo many great songs and performances!
Even back then it was hard to decide for me whom I would have given points and how. Almost all deserved some decent points!
I would have prefered to share same points among countries: Norway and Germany for the first place (Yes you read it right: Norway! What a fantastic and timeless melody and solos. But singing in Norwegian was not cool like in English, we would all agree. :) ). Then for the next group, I would equally put fantastic Israel's song, Cyprus, France, inovative Portugal, Luxemburg and also a catchy Switzerland.
Danmark was great too. And Span Y Solo Tu became one of Julio Iglesias' favorites. Great song.
And some of those who could not have made it onto my humble scoreboard, I loved as well: Netherlands, my own then Yugoslavia, great and funny Finland, good Ireland.
I found the songs from Greece, UK, Belgium, and Sweden good but average, ok songs (UK would have never come into the top ten, let alone have won it, if all had sung in Engish).
Only Austria and Turkey were not up to the fantastic and high level this 1981 Eurovision had put up, though not bad songs by any means.
So here is, how I would have voted (thank God I had not had to ... lol...) :
1. Norway 12
2. Germany 10
3. Israel 8
4. Cyprus 7
5. France 6
6. Portugal 5
7. Luxemburg 4
8 Switzerland 3
9. Denmark 2
10. Spain 1
11. Netherlands
12. Yugoslavia
13 Finlad
14. Ireland
15. Greece
16. UK
17. Belgium
18 Sweden
19. Austria
20. Turkey
My deepest thanks to the poster of all of these videos: escbelgium2 !
I was so surprised by Norway getting no points.
And just look at what happens here. Two juries to the finish, we have the yet-to-be-repeated scenario of three countries tying for the lead! What follows are some of the most tense moments in Eurovision history.
"United Kingdom have done it again, heavens... Heavens they've done it again!" Terry Wogan really couldn't believe it, tbh Bucks Fizz are one of the luckiest winners in ESC history with just 2 bags of 12 points(least amount ever) and 4 points ahead at the end, Lena Valaitis of Germany really should've won imho and I'm a Brit. Back then most of us must've added another trophy to rub it in the Germans with WWII and World Cup 1966 xD. Dublin 1981 was a marvellous ESC, many great entries and thrilling and quirky voting from start to finish, must've been so intense to see Germany, Switzerland + UK level at top with 120 pts with just 2 countries left to vote.
Yes and what a roar from the Irish crowd as they not only realized Ireland received 12 but the UK's nose had been put out of joint by two other countries pulling level. I think Germany and Switzerland may both have suffered slightly by not singing in English.
@@stevebbuk they were not allowed to sing in English in those days, it was their national language, but winning songs were often reprised in English
@@@KeithbarberKeith tell me something I didn't know. Actually the quality of the song does suffer often if reprised in English. Anyway I don't care now since I don't watch it anymore.
@@stevebbuk I think it's got worse since they dispensed with the orchestra
@@Keithbarber Oh absolutely Keith. Not only that but artistes aren't even allowed to play their own instruments live! What a shambles the whole thing now is.
Jay's legs were at least worth 10 points.
The UK give Greece 8 votes but that not came on scorboard until now
The Greek spokeswoman sounds stoned.
My family and I watched this.
It must have been really nail-biting to watch such a close vote - I hope we have a bit more tension in 2024 given 2022 and 2023 were both pretty much a foregone conclusion (though fair play to Kaarija for putting up a strong challenge to Loreen)
No one :
Sweden : "HOW'S THAT? GERMANY 12 POINTS!"
no points from Switzerland to Germany. Very disappointing. Lena Valaitis was the best!!!
Greece: Giving 12 points to Cyprus since the first time they made it to Eurovision
Check out the 1983 voting and you will be shocked... Hahahah
It would be 6 years before they gave them 12 points again, actually.
@@nikosnikolaoss2509 check the 2023 voting and you’ll be equally shocked.
Why Switzerland you bottled Johnny Blues Victory.
Israel "Halayla" "To nghit"
Had to be in the top 3
Great song gorges voices
Great melody
Absolutely fantastic song, performance, and energy !
For me, Germany and the UK were neck-in-neck for the best song of the evening. Germany would slightly edge them out, for me, but it's close enough that I'm happy the UK won.
@94ayd what were the disappointing marks that annoy you?
As someone from the U.K. born in 1995, these are absolutely unbelievable scenes 😂
Excellent song, loved both Mike Nolan and Bobby Gee in this, well done to the UK in 1981.
Can't argue with the result, but only 2 sets of 12 points. A record low.
Loved the lady from Greece
I don't get this close voting at all. For me there was no competition at all to the Swiss entry.
I think the presentation could have been improved: true the main singer looked partially sighted and it was not his fault, but the woman looked a bit scruffy to me, underdressed with not so much connection with the aforementioned lead vocalist.
My ranking from Turkey 🇹🇷
1-Switzerland 🇨🇭
2-Germany 🇩🇪
3-France 🇫🇷
4-Israel 🇮🇱
5-Netherlands 🇳🇱
6-Denmark 🇩🇰
7-Cyprus 🇨🇾
8-Belgium 🇧🇪
9-Greece🇬🇷 (Turkey)🇹🇷
10-United Kingdom🇬🇧
11-Ireland 🇮🇪
12-Yugoslavia
13-Luxembourg 🇱🇺
14-Austria 🇦🇹
15-Portugal 🇵🇹
16-Norway 🇳🇴
17-Spain 🇪🇸
18-Sweden 🇸🇪
19-Finland 🇫🇮
Terry wogan started to cry!! 😢😢😢❤❤❤❤
Good 👍 old 😤 days 🥸 of the Eurovision song 🎵 contest when they they' were no televoting 🤩♥️😑👀😄😃
@MadisonF because Terry Wogan isnt English, he is Irish actually.Thats why he wasnt all excited, because he is Irish! Want proof? Go to wikipedia!
Terry considered himself as much as a Brit than an Irishman.
he was excited ! what did you expect him to shout like crazy and act silly?
Shame on Swiss Jury!!!!!...
Don´t get me wrong I really enjoy the British entry as a deserved winner.
But come on, the Swiss voting is so unfair, at least not one point for Lena Valaitis and her superb entry... The best example for unfair Jury voting in Eurovision history :(
The Swiss vote handed victory to the UK admittedly..
They were not obliged to vote for the neighbour
@@nikosnikolaoss2509 instead they voted for their other neighbour, France 😂
Why should we (Swiss) help the Germans ? Sorry, but we preferred much more the UK as winner in 1981.
So sad that Norway did not get any point.
I would have given them a few points.
But the best song won.
Terry Wogan accused many cheesy songs from the 2000s. What did his country sent at 1981 contest? The most rubbish winning song ever
No, that were all the Irish entries (except 1970), Yugoslavia '89, Sweden '91, UK '97, Denmark '00, Estonia '01, Serbia '07, Russia '08, Germany '10, all rubbish.
@@Tomek-mf2ln about germany 2010 i agree with you
@@Tomek-mf2ln UK 1997? Are you actually insane.
You have no taste! Think 1981, it was fresh back then!
@@Tomek-mf2ln Every singly Irish entry is a timeless ballad! A fantastic song and each time an amazing singer! There is a reason we have son so many times!
The Velcro put them over the top🥳
the best song won!
The writing was on the wall by the time of the Swiss jury. They couldn't vote for themselves and they were never going to give Germany any points for historical reasons which gave the UK a chance to pull ahead enough before the final Swedish vote. Nail-biting stuff. I don't get the interest in the German entry - it was a corny, old-fashioned 'Schlager' song. Bucks Fizz were fresh, sexy, and exuberant, with a great song and of course that iconic skirt moment. Worthy winners. If there WAS a song that was criminally overlooked that year it was Lynda Williams from the Netherlands. Gorgeous woman, gorgeous song, gorgeous dress and wonderful female backing singer.
78 & 81, Norway got 0, and Sweden performed and voted last, everyone thinking hopefully the Swedes would give them a point or two
Turkish points dissapearing and coming back 3 times . WTF?
Cyprus didn't give Greece 12 points. WTF?!?!
People vote for the song not country back then
@@fz7091 My late nephew used to call it “The Vote For Your Nearest Neighbour Contest” - mind you, if the rules not only said that you couldn’t vote for your nearest neighbour, the Scandinavian nations and the former Yugoslavian republics could not vote for each other - and, if you could not vote for a song sung in your own language, the Germans couldn’t vote for Austria or, if sung in German, Switzerland - and the French could not vote for Luxembourg, Belgium (if sung in French), Switzerland (if sung in French) or any Francophone nation - apply that rule rigidly, and, if everyone sang in English, us Brits could not vote at all - or we could only vote for somewhere like Turkey, as it’s the only one not sung in English!
A good way of guaranteeing that no country gets null points by any jury or leaves with null points, is by going from one up to however many countries are participating - let’s say 40 - no country leaves with less than 40 points - no more null points for Norway!
Actually, the minimum would be 39, as you can’t vote for your own country! If you could, they would give them top marks, despite a mediocre performance of an abysmal song!
Bucks fizz victoire mérité
La c était un tubes très dansant
good one
The only reason why the UK won was because bloody Switzerland didn't gave a single point to Germany. Besides the German song was way better than the UK entry!!!
FILIP Carpentier As a Brit, I agree.
No way!
@@jameswebb4974 absolutely! UK only won because everybody was already familiar with it going into the contest! The performance was awful and the song is cheesy. Germany’s entry is a timeless classic and should have been a landslide. Coming from a 15 year old from Ireland.
@@callhouston4811 Timeless Classic?Hardly anybody remembers it now.Bucks Fizz deserved to win!
Da hatten wir es den Schweizern zu verdanken, dass es "nur" der 2te Platz wurde. Aber wie in diesem Fall ist es schon sehr merkwürdig, wenn der furchtbare Titel aus Jugoslawien 12 Punkte erhält und Deutschland leer ausgeht.
R44
Ths Swiss from Germany
cyprus and greece political voting:))
Its natural.. We are one nation. Same language, customs, names, religion
Completely unfair to Portugal one of the best this year. More than the same to Portugal.But UK doing well, nice song.
switzerland
Makes you laugh. Terry Wogan isn't or wasn't British his Irish. .just like that Other Irish person. Nowadays. !!!
Next eurovision uk wins because everyone lives here now yahh
no points for Switzerland from my country, shame on you Belgian jury👎
uk winner????wtf?????
germany the real winnerrrrrrr
obviously not!!!