Editing Eurovision Song Contest (section)

== Entries and participants ==
{{Further|List of Eurovision Song Contest entries (1956–2003)|List of Eurovision Song Contest entries (2004–present)}}
[[File:PrepartyES - JJ 02.jpg|thumb|Austrian singer [[JJ (singer)|JJ]] is the most recent winner of the contest.]]
[[File:ABBA1974TopPop.jpg|thumb|After winning the {{Escyr|1974|3=1974 contest}} with the song "[[Waterloo (song)|Waterloo]]", the Swedish pop group [[ABBA]] became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of pop music.]]
[[File:Eurovision Song Contest 1980 - Johnny Logan 4 (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=Black and white photograph of Johnny Logan performing on stage at the 1980 contest|[[Johnny Logan (singer)|Johnny Logan]] is the first performer to have won the contest twice, in {{Escyr|1980}} ''(pictured)'' and {{Escyr|1987}}; he also wrote the winning song in {{Escyr|1992}}.]] The contest has been used as a launching point for artists who went on to achieve worldwide fame, and several of [[List of best-selling music artists|the world's best-selling artists]] are counted among past Eurovision Song Contest participants and winning artists. [[ABBA]], the winners for {{esccnty|Sweden|y=1974|t=Sweden in 1974}}, have sold an estimated 380 million albums and singles since their contest win brought them to worldwide attention, with their winning song "[[Waterloo (song)|Waterloo]]" selling over five million records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Andrew |date=21 October 2014 |title=Why are Abba so popular? |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140415-why-are-abba-so-popular |access-date=30 June 2020 |website=[[BBC]] Culture}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Murrells |first=Joseph |url=https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr |title=The Book of Golden Discs |publisher=Barrie & Jenkins |year=1978 |isbn=0-214-20480-4 |edition=2nd, illustrated |page=395 |url-access=registration}}</ref> [[Celine Dion]]'s win for {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=1988|t=Switzerland in 1988}} helped launch her international career, particularly in the [[English-speaking world|Anglophone]] market, and she would go on to sell an estimated 200 million records worldwide.<ref name="Dublin 88" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Southern |first=Kieran |date=21 May 2019 |title=Celine Dion and James Corden recreate famous Titanic scene for Carpool Karaoke |work=[[Irish Independent]] |agency=[[PA Media]] |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/celine-dion-and-james-corden-recreate-famous-titanic-scene-for-carpool-karaoke-38132381.html |access-date=30 June 2020}}</ref> [[Julio Iglesias]] was relatively unknown when he represented {{esccnty|Spain|y=1970|t=Spain in 1970}} and placed fourth, but worldwide success followed his Eurovision appearance, with an estimated 100 million records sold during his career.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2008 |title=Iglesias praises Eurovision as a learning moment |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/iglesias-praises-eurovision-as-a-learning-moment |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2016 |title=Julio Iglesias pulls out of NZ tour |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/86012722/julio-iglesias-pulls-out-of-nz-tour |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]}}</ref> Australian-British singer [[Olivia Newton-John]] represented the {{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=1974|t=United Kingdom in 1974}}, placing fourth behind ABBA, but went on to sell an estimated 100 million records, win four [[Grammy Award]]s, and star in the critically and commercially successful [[musical film]] ''[[Grease (film)|Grease]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2016 |title=Milestone Moments: 1974 - The arrival of ABBA |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/milestone-moments-1974-the-arrival-of-abba |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2019 |title=Olivia Newton-John displays movie memorabilia in Newbridge |url=https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2019/0723/1064799-olivia-newton-john-visits-newbridge/ |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]}}</ref>

A number of performers have competed in the contest after having already achieved considerable success. These include winning artists [[Lulu (singer)|Lulu]],<ref name="UK">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: United Kingdom |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/united-kingdom |access-date=15 March 2021 |website=eurovision.tv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 2018 |title=Lulu at 70: singer celebrates landmark birthday |work=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/lulu-at-70-singer-celebrates-landmark-birthday-37488096.html |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> [[Toto Cutugno]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bensalhia |first=John |date=5 October 2018 |title=Music Maestros: Top 10 Best Selling Italian Music Artists and Acts |url=https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/music-maestros-top-10-best-selling-italian-music-artists-and-acts |magazine=Italy Magazine |access-date=25 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Puglisi |first=Federica |date=8 July 2020 |title=Happy birthday Toto Cutugno, the most loved Italian singer abroad |url=https://www.italiani.it/en/happy-birthday-toto-cutugno-the-most-loved-italian-singer-abroad/ |access-date=26 March 2021 |website=italiani.it}}</ref> and [[Katrina and the Waves]],<ref name="UK" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Emma |date=7 September 2020 |title=Katrina And The Waves reckon Eurovision winner Love Shine A Light 'didn't get a look in' in the UK |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/09/07/katrina-and-the-waves-reckon-eurovision-winner-love-shine-a-light-didnt-get-a-look-in-in-the-uk-13233379/ |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> and acts that failed to win such as [[Nana Mouskouri]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Keeb |first=Brigitte |date=21 April 1962 |title=Wendland Nearing One Million Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LhYEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22One+Million%22+%22Nana+Mouskouri%22 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=23 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Papadatos |first=Markos |date=8 July 2018 |title='Forever Young' with Nana Mouskouri, the biggest-selling female artist of all time! |url=https://www.neomagazine.com/2018/07/forever-young-with-nana-mouskouri-the-biggest-selling-female-artist-of-all-time/ |magazine=Neo Magazine |access-date=23 March 2021}}</ref> [[Cliff Richard]],<ref name="UK" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 May 2008 |title=Cliff Richard's 'Congratulations' beaten in Eurovision fix? |work=[[NME]] |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/cliff-richard-26-1328736 |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> [[Baccara]],<ref name="Luxembourg story">{{Cite web |last=Escudero |first=Victor M. |date=19 November 2017 |title=Luxembourg: Small in size, big in Eurovision |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/top-10-entries-from-luxembourg |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eames |first=Tom |date=16 November 2020 |title=How Scotland's football team has given Baccara's 'Yes Sir I Can Boogie' a sudden chart comeback |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/baccara-yes-sir-i-can-boogie-scotland-considine-video/ |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=[[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth Radio]]}}</ref> [[Umberto Tozzi]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dondoni |first=Luca |date=20 June 2019 |title=Tozzi: "Ti amo" ha 40 anni, merita una festa |language=Italian |work=[[La Stampa]] |url=https://www.lastampa.it/spettacoli/musica/2017/04/06/news/tozzi-ti-amo-ha-40-anni-merita-una-festa-1.34643232 |access-date=25 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 2017 |title=Italy's Music Charts: Then and Now |url=https://www.lagazzettaitaliana.com/entertainment/8532-italy-s-music-charts-then-and-now |magazine=La Gazzetta Italiana |access-date=25 March 2021}}</ref> [[Plastic Bertrand]],<ref name="Luxembourg story" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Idato |first=Michael |date=19 May 2015 |title=Eurovision's honour roll: from Domenico Modugno to ABBA and Celine Dion |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/eurovisions-honour-roll-from-domenico-modugno-to-abba-and-celine-dion-20150519-gh4lgl.html |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> [[t.A.T.u.]],<ref name="Decade Riga 03" /><ref name="The Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Paton Walsh |first=Nick |date=30 May 2003 |title=Vote switch 'stole Tatu's Eurovision win' |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/may/30/russia.arts |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> [[Las Ketchup]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 July 2019 |title=Las Ketchup: 'We didn't choose to do Eurovision — we had to do it' |work=[[Wiwibloggs]] |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/07/21/las-ketchup-didnt-choose-eurovision/193062/ |access-date=14 May 2021}}</ref> [[Patricia Kaas]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 January 2009 |title=Patricia Kaas représentera la France à l'Eurovision |language=French |work=[[Le Parisien]] |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/patricia-kaas-representera-la-france-a-l-eurovision-30-01-2009-392630.php |url-status=live |access-date=23 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323115319/https://www.leparisien.fr/culture-loisirs/patricia-kaas-representera-la-france-a-l-eurovision-30-01-2009-392630.php |archive-date=23 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Osborn |first=Michael |date=12 May 2009 |title=Battle of the Eurovision ballads |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8002018.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515120314/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8002018.stm |archive-date=15 May 2009 |access-date=23 March 2021 |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> [[Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)|Engelbert Humperdinck]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 2012 |title=Engelbert Humperdinck is United Kingdom entrant! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/engelbert-humperdinck-is-united-kingdom-entrant |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref name="The Guardian" /> [[Bonnie Tyler]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2013 |title=Bonnie Tyler to represent United Kingdom |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/bonnie-tyler-to-represent-united-kingdom |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lanham |first=Tom |date=2 March 2021 |title='Total Eclipse' singer Bonnie Tyler survived Eurovision |work=[[San Francisco Examiner]] |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/total-eclipse-singer-bonnie-tyler-survived-eurovision/ |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> and [[Flo Rida]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2021 |title=Flo Rida will join Senhit for San Marino |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/flo-rida-to-join-senhit-for-san-marino |access-date=18 May 2021 |website=Eurovision.tv}}</ref> Many well-known composers and lyricists have penned entries of varying success over the years, including [[Serge Gainsbourg]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Paul |date=7 January 2018 |title=France Gall, Luxembourg's Eurovision 1965 winner, dies at 70 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/france-gall-passed-away-at-70-luxembourg-1965 |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Maev |date=7 January 2018 |title=France Gall: French singer who inspired My Way dies age 70 |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/07/french-singer-and-eurovision-winner-france-gall-dies-age-70 |url-status=live |access-date=23 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110055621/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/07/french-singer-and-eurovision-winner-france-gall-dies-age-70 |archive-date=10 January 2018}}</ref> [[Goran Bregović]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 January 2010 |title=Bregović to compose Serbian entry; picks from three artists |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/bregovic-to-compose-serbian-entry-picks-from-three-artists |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128030256/https://eurovision.tv/story/bregovic-to-compose-serbian-entry-picks-from-three-artists |archive-date=28 November 2020 |access-date=23 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> [[Diane Warren]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2009 |title=Diane Warren: Legendary songwriter |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/diane-warren-legendary-songwriter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919213534/https://eurovision.tv/story/diane-warren-legendary-songwriter |archive-date=19 September 2020 |access-date=23 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2008 |title=Andrew Lloyd Webber to compose the UK entry |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/andrew-lloyd-webber-to-compose-the-uk-entry |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Emma |date=14 May 2020 |title=Andrew Lloyd Webber was almost replaced by a body double at Eurovision because he was so nervous |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/05/14/andrew-lloyd-webber-was-almost-replaced-body-double-eurovision-was-nervous-12702228/ |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> [[Pete Waterman]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 January 2010 |title=Pete Waterman to write UK entry for Eurovision |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/01_january/29/eurovision.shtml |access-date=20 March 2021 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 2010 |title=Pete Waterman's Eurovision entry finishes last |work=[[Coventry Telegraph]] |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/pete-watermans-eurovision-entry-finishes-3064178 |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> and [[Tony Iommi]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2013 |title=Sabbath star Tony Iommi writes Eurovision entry |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-birmingham-21689607 |access-date=14 May 2021 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> as well as producers [[Timbaland]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2008 |title=Dima Bilan again conquers Russian hearts |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/dima-bilan-again-conquers-russian-hearts |access-date=14 May 2021 |publisher=eurovision.tv}}</ref> and [[Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2008 |title=Sébastien Tellier to represent France |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/sebastien-tellier-to-represent-france |access-date=14 May 2021 |publisher=eurovision.tv}}</ref>

Past participants have contributed to other fields in addition to their music careers. The Netherlands' [[Annie M. G. Schmidt]], lyricist of the first entry performed at Eurovision, has gained a worldwide reputation for her stories and earned the [[Hans Christian Andersen Award]] for children's literature.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lynch-Brown |first=Carol |date=22 December 2010 |title=A profile of Annie M. G. Schmidt, 1988 Hans Christian Andersen medalist |journal=Early Child Development and Care |volume=48 |pages=19–27 |doi=10.1080/0300443890480104 | issn = 0300-4430 }}</ref> French "[[yé-yé]] girls" [[Françoise Hardy]] and contest winner [[France Gall]] are household names of 1960s pop culture, with Hardy also being a pioneer of [[street style]] fashion trends and an inspiration for the global [[Youthquake (movement)|youthquake]] movement.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wilson |first=Eric |date=11 June 2014 |title=Now You Know: Françoise Hardy Was the Original Street Style Star |url=https://www.instyle.com/fashion/street-style/original-street-style-star-francoise-hardy?slide=b3b12a90-74fc-4486-ba8d-73bd6a0cbd04#b3b12a90-74fc-4486-ba8d-73bd6a0cbd04 |magazine=[[InStyle]] |access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Borrelli-Persson |first=Laird |date=14 March 2017 |title=Sarah Jessica Parker Narrates the History of 1960s Fashion in Vogue |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/vogue125-video-fashion-history-sarah-jessica-parker-1960s |access-date=27 March 2021 |magazine=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mackenzie-Smith |first=Stevie |title=A Tribute to France Gall, the Iconic Yé-Yé Star |url=https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/10483/a-tribute-to-france-gall-the-iconic-ye-ye-star |magazine=[[Another Magazine]] |access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref> Figures who carved a career in politics and gained international acclaim for humanitarian achievements include contest winner [[Dana Rosemary Scallon|Dana]] as a two-time [[Irish presidential election|Irish presidential candidate]] and [[Member of the European Parliament]] (MEP);<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2011 |title=Dana Rosemary Scallon seeking presidency backing |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-14985227 |access-date=30 June 2020 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 October 2011 |title=Irish presidential election: Michael D Higgins elected |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15488067 |access-date=30 June 2020 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Nana Mouskouri as Greek MEP and a [[List of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors|UNICEF international goodwill ambassador]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nana Mouskouri Goodwill Ambassador |url=https://sites.unicef.org/people/people_nana_mouskouri.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422195834/https://sites.unicef.org/people/people_nana_mouskouri.html |archive-date=22 April 2021 |access-date=25 March 2021 |website=unicef.org |publisher=[[UNICEF]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 October 1934 |title=European Parliament - Nana MOUSKOURI |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/2183/NANA_MOUSKOURI/history/4 |access-date=25 March 2021 |website=Europarl.europa.eu |publisher=[[European Union]]}}</ref> contest winner [[Ruslana]] as member of [[Verkhovna Rada]], Ukraine's parliament and a figure of the [[Orange Revolution]] and [[Euromaidan]] protests, who gained global honours for leadership and courage;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahuja |first=Masuma |date=5 March 2014 |title=Why did Michelle Obama give a Ukrainian pop star the Women of Courage award? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2014/03/04/why-did-michelle-obama-give-a-ukrainian-pop-star-the-women-of-courage-award/ |access-date=30 March 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref name="live">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Russell |date=15 February 2008 |title=Ruslana: sings<!—sic—> major recording deal with Warner Records |url=http://esctoday.com/10527/ruslana_sings_major_recording_deal_with_warner_records |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204031105/http://www.esctoday.com/10527/ruslana_sings_major_recording_deal_with_warner_records/ |archive-date=4 December 2013 |access-date=30 March 2021 |publisher=ESCToday}}</ref><ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/guide/about-kyiv/musicians-liven-up-euromaidan-stage-332611.html Musicians liven up EuroMaidan stage], ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' (29 November 2013) {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131129091452/http://www.kyivpost.com/guide/about-kyiv/musicians-liven-up-euromaidan-stage-332611.html |date=29 November 2013}}</ref> and North Macedonia's [[Esma Redžepova]] as member of political parties and a two-time [[Nobel Peace Prize]] nominee.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cartwright |first=Garth |date=14 December 2016 |title=Esma Redžepova obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/14/esma-redzepova-obituary |access-date=30 March 2021 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

Competing songs have occasionally gone on to become successes for their original performers and other artists, and some of the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling singles]] globally received their first international performances at Eurovision. "[[Save Your Kisses for Me]]", the winning song for the {{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=1976|t=United Kingdom in 1976}} performed by [[Brotherhood of Man]], went on to sell over six million singles, more than any other winning song.<ref>{{Cite book |last=O'Connor |first=John Kennedy |title=The Eurovision Song Contest: The Official History |publisher=[[Carlton Publishing Group|Carlton Books]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-8444-2994-3}}</ref>{{sfn|West|2020|pp=95-96}} "{{lang|it|[[Nel blu, dipinto di blu (song)|Nel blu, dipinto di blu]]|i=no}}", also known as "{{lang|it|Volare|i=no}}", third-placed song for {{esccnty|Italy|y=1958|t=Italy in 1958}} performed by [[Domenico Modugno]], is the only Eurovision entry to win a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]]. It was the first Grammy winner for both [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] and it has since been recorded by various artists, topped the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] in the United States and achieved combined sales of over 22 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pierluigi |first=Panza |date=17 February 1996 |title=Piramidi rotanti luci da record e 007 in azione |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1996/febbraio/17/Piramidi_rotanti_luci_record_007_co_0_9602175076.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802023205/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1996/febbraio/17/Piramidi_rotanti_luci_record_007_co_0_9602175076.shtml |archive-date=2 August 2012 |access-date=9 July 2020 |website=[[Corriere della Sera]] |quote=Il brano presentato a Sanremo che ha venduto di piu' e' "Nel blu dipinto di blu" di Domenico Modugno (22 milioni di dischi).}}</ref> "{{lang|es|[[Eres tú]]|i=no}}", runner-up for {{esccnty|Spain|y=1973|t=Spain in 1973}} performed by [[Mocedades]], became the first Spanish-language song to reach the top 10 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=15 September 2017 |title=Hispanic Heritage Month: The 50 Greatest Latin Songs of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/greatest-of-all-time/6760654/best-latin-songs-of-all-time |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=9 July 2020}}</ref> and the Grammy-nominated "[[Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit]]", which came eighth for the {{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=1996|t=United Kingdom in 1996}} performed by [[Gina G]], sold 790,000 records and achieved success across Europe and the US, reaching number 1 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and peaking at number 12 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=David |title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] |publisher=Guinness World Records Limited |year=2006 |isbn=1-904994-10-5 |edition=19th |location=London |page=593}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Sarah |date=21 May 2012 |title=50 best-selling tracks of the '90s |url=https://www.nme.com/photos/50-best-selling-tracks-of-the-90s-1437045 |access-date=9 July 2020 |website=[[NME]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Gina G Chart History (Hot 100) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/gina-g/chart-history/hsi/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=9 July 2020}}</ref>

The turn of the century has also seen numerous competing songs becoming successes. "[[Euphoria (Loreen song)|Euphoria]]", [[Loreen]]'s winning song for {{esccnty|Sweden|y=2012|t=Sweden in 2012}}, achieved Europe-wide success, reaching number one in several countries and by 2014 had become the most [[Music download|downloaded]] Eurovision song to date.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2012 |title=Loreen's "Euphoria" Enjoys Biggest Chart Success From Eurovision Winner In Years |url=https://www.wmg.com/news/loreen-s-euphoria-enjoys-biggest-chart-success-eurovision-winner-years-19271 |publisher=[[Warner Music Group]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kreisler |first=Lauren |date=9 May 2014 |title=The Most Downloaded Eurovision Songs of All Time Revealed! |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-most-downloaded-eurovision-songs-of-all-time-revealed-__4088/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929045506/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-most-downloaded-eurovision-songs-of-all-time-revealed-__4088/ |archive-date=29 September 2018 |access-date=21 March 2021 |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> The video for "[[Occidentali's Karma]]" by [[Francesco Gabbani]], which placed sixth for {{esccnty|Italy|y=2017|t=Italy in 2017}}, became the first Eurovision song to reach more than 200 million views on YouTube,<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2018 |title=Occidentali's Karma hits 200 million views on Youtube! |url=https://escxtra.com/2018/09/16/occidentalis-karma-hits-200-million-views-on-youtube/ |access-date=13 April 2020 |publisher=escxtra.com |archive-date=7 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107033627/https://escxtra.com/2018/09/16/occidentalis-karma-hits-200-million-views-on-youtube/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> while "{{lang|it|[[Soldi]]|i=no}}" by [[Mahmood (singer)|Mahmood]], the runner-up for in {{esccnty|Italy|y=2019|t=Italy in 2019}}, was the most-streamed Eurovision song on [[Spotify]] until it was overtaken by that year's winner for the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2019}}, "[[Arcade (song)|Arcade]]" by [[Duncan Laurence]], following [[Viral phenomenon|viral success]] on [[TikTok]] in late 2020 and early 2021;<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2019 |title=Italy: Mahmood's "Soldi" is now the most-streamed Eurovision song on Spotify |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/10/16/italy-mahmoods-soldi-is-now-the-most-streamed-eurovision-song-on-spotify/242939/ |access-date=13 April 2020 |publisher=Wiwibloggs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 January 2021 |title='Arcade' passes 'Soldi' as the most-streamed Eurovision entry on Spotify |url=https://escxtra.com/2021/01/29/arcade-passes-soldi-as-the-most-streamed-eurovision-entry-on-spotify/ |access-date=29 January 2021 |website=ESCXTRA.com}}</ref> "Arcade" later became the first Eurovision song since "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" and the first Eurovision winning song since "Save Your Kisses for Me" to chart on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, eventually peaking at number 30.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=13 April 2021 |title=Duncan Laurence's 'Arcade' Is First Eurovision Song Contest Winner to Hit Hot 100 in 45 Years |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/duncan-laurence-arcade-hits-hot-100-eurovision/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=10 June 2021 |title=Duncan Laurence Has 'No Idea' How His Breakthrough Single 'Arcade' Keeps Going Viral |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9585063/duncan-laurence-arcade-hot-100-eurovision-interview |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611031033/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9585063/duncan-laurence-arcade-hot-100-eurovision-interview |archive-date=11 June 2021 |access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee Adams |first=William |date=31 August 2021 |title=Eurovision winners Måneskin and Duncan Laurence crack Top 30 on Billboard charts |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/08/31/maneskin-and-duncan-laurence-crack-top-30-on-billboard-charts/266506/ |access-date=6 September 2021 |website=Wiwibloggs}}</ref> The {{Escyr|2021|3=2021 contest}} saw the next major breakthrough success from Eurovision, with [[Måneskin]], that year's winners for {{esccnty|Italy|y=2021}} with "{{lang|it|[[Zitti e buoni]]|i=unset}}", attracting worldwide attention across their repertoire immediately following their victory.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=3 August 2021 |title=Chartbreaker: Inside Måneskin's Unlikely, TikTok-Assisted Journey to Rock Stardom |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9609530/maneskin-beggin-august-chartbreaker/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=5 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |title=Maneskin Is Italy's First Rock Band to Rule the Charts |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/pop-star-ranking/2021-september/maneskin-is-italy-s-first-rock-band-to-rule-the-charts.html |access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=21 October 2021 |title=Måneskin live in London: embrace the Eurovision winners' rock'n'roll circus |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/live/maneskin-london-live-islington-academy-review-radar-3076159 |access-date=22 October 2021 |publisher=[[NME]]}}</ref>

[[Johnny Logan (singer)|Johnny Logan]] was the first artist to have won multiple contests as a performer, winning for {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1980|t=Ireland in 1980}} with "[[What's Another Year]]", written by [[Shay Healy]], and {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1987|t=in 1987}} with the self-penned "[[Hold Me Now (Johnny Logan song)|Hold Me Now]]". Logan was also the winning songwriter for {{esccnty|Ireland|y=1992|t=Ireland in 1992}} with "[[Why Me? (Linda Martin song)|Why Me?]]" performed by [[Linda Martin]], and has therefore achieved three contest victories as either a performer or writer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Malmö 1992 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/malmo-1992 |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Four further songwriters have each written two contest-winning songs: [[Willy van Hemert]], Yves Dessca, [[Rolf Løvland]], and [[Brendan Graham]].{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|p=201}} Following their introduction in {{escyr|2004}}, [[Alexander Rybak]] became the first artist to win multiple Eurovision semi-finals, finishing in first at the second semi-finals for {{esccnty|Norway|y=2009|t=Norway in 2009}} and {{esccnty|Norway|y=2018|t=2018}}; he remains the only entrant to have done so to date.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alexander Rybak - Norway - Moscow 2009 |url=https://eurovision.tv/participant/alexander-rybak |access-date=14 June 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alexander Rybak - Norway - Lisbon 2018 |url=https://eurovision.tv/participant/alexander-rybak-2018 |access-date=14 June 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>

=== Winners ===
{{Further|List of Eurovision Song Contest winners}}
[[File:Eurovision winners map.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|Each country's win record in the contest {{as of|2025|lc=y|post=}}]]
72 songs from 27 countries have won the Eurovision Song Contest {{as of|2025|lc=y|post=.}}<ref name="Winners" /> {{Esccnty|Ireland}} and {{Esccnty|Sweden}} have recorded the most wins with seven each, followed by {{Esccnty|France}}, {{Esccnty|Luxembourg}}, the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom}}, and the {{Esccnty|Netherlands}} with five each.<ref name="Facts & Figures" /><ref name="Winners" /> Of the 52 countries to have taken part, 24{{efn|{{Esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro}} participated twice (in {{Esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro|y=2004|t=2004}} and {{Esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro|y=2005|t=2005}}) but did not win. However, this country ceased to exist since.}} have yet to win.<ref name="ESC History" /> Only one contest has featured multiple winners in a single year: in {{Escyr|1969}}, four countries{{efn|Namely {{Esccnty|France|y=1969}}, {{esccnty|Spain|y=1969}}, the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=1969}}, and the {{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=1969}}}} finished the contest with an equal number of points and were all declared winners due to the lack of tiebreak rules at the time.<ref name="Facts & Figures" /><ref name="Madrid 69">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Madrid 1969 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/madrid-1969 |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> A majority of winning songs have been performed in English, particularly since the rule requiring native-language songs was abolished in 1999: since then, only seven winning songs have been performed either fully or partially in a language other than English.<ref name="ESC History" />

Only one country has won the contest on its first appearance: {{esccnty|Serbia}} won in 2007 with {{esccnty|Serbia|y=2007|t=its first participation}} as an independent country;{{efn|Entries from Serbia had previously participated representing now-defunct countries {{Esccnty|Yugoslavia}} and {{Esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro}}.}} since {{Esccnty|Switzerland}} had won the inaugural contest in 1956 with {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=1956|t=its second entry}} in that contest.<ref name="Helsinki 07">{{Cite web |date=30 December 2009 |title=The end of a decade: Helsinki 2007 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/the-end-of-a-decade-helsinki-2007 |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Other countries have had relatively short waits before winning their first contest, with {{esccnty|Ukraine}} winning on {{esccnty|Ukraine|y=2004|t=its second appearance}} in 2004 and {{esccnty|Latvia}} winning with {{esccnty|Latvia|y=2002|t=its third entry}} in 2002.{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=208–209}} Conversely, some countries have had considerable gaps between their debut entry and their first win: {{esccnty|Greece}} recorded its first win {{esccnty|Greece|y=2005|t=in 2005}}, 31 years after its first appearance, while {{esccnty|Finland}} ended a 45-year losing streak {{esccnty|Finland|y=2006|t=in 2006}}.{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=208–209}}<ref name="Countdown Athens 06">{{Cite web |date=27 December 2011 |title=Countdown to Baku – Athens 2006 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/countdown-to-baku-athens-2006 |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> {{esccnty|Portugal}} holds the record for the most contest entries prior to its first win {{esccnty|Portugal|y=2017|t=in 2017}}, coming 53 years after it first competed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2017 |title=Salvador Sobral given a hero's welcome in Portugal |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/salvador-sobral-given-a-hero-s-welcome-in-portugal |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Other countries have also had large gaps between their winning entries: Switzerland went 32 years between winning in 1956 and {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=1988|t=1988}}, and a further 36 years between then and winning {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=2024|t=in 2024}}; {{esccnty|Denmark}} had a 37-year gap between its wins {{esccnty|Denmark|y=1963|t=in 1963}} and {{esccnty|Denmark|y=2000|t=2000}}; the Netherlands had a 44-year gap between its wins {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=1975|t=in 1975}} and {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2019|t=2019}}; and {{esccnty|Austria}} achieved its second win {{esccnty|Austria|y=2014|t=in 2014}}, 48 years after its first win {{esccnty|Austria|y=1966|t=in 1966}}.<ref name="ESC History" />{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=208–209}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2014 |title=Welcome home, Conchita! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/welcome-home-conchita |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>

The United Kingdom holds the record for runner-up placements, having finished second sixteen times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: United Kingdom |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/united-kingdom |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> {{Esccnty|Norway}} has finished last on a record twelve occasions, including scoring ''[[nul points]]'' four times; it shares the record for receiving this score with Austria.<ref name="Facts & Figures" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Norway |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/norway |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Countries have recorded back-to-back wins on four occasions: {{Esccnty|Spain}} in {{Esccnty|Spain|y=1968|t=1968}} and {{Esccnty|Spain|y=1969|t=1969}}; Luxembourg in {{Esccnty|Luxembourg|y=1972|t=1972}} and {{Esccnty|Luxembourg|y=1973|t=1973}}; Israel in {{Esccnty|Israel|y=1978|t=1978}} and {{Esccnty|Israel|y=1979|t=1979}}; and Ireland in {{Esccnty|Ireland|y=1992|t=1992}}, {{Esccnty|Ireland|y=1993|t=1993}}, and {{Esccnty|Ireland|y=1994|t=1994}}, becoming the first and only country to date to win three times in a row.{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=208–209}} Additionally, Ireland later won {{Esccnty|Ireland|y=1996|t=in 1996}}, giving it a record four wins in the span of five years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Ireland |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/ireland |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>

[[File:ESC2016 winner's press conference 19.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=The Eurovision trophy|right|[[Jamala]], winner for {{Esccnty|Ukraine|y=2016|t=Ukraine in 2016}}, holding her trophy]]
The winning artist(s), songwriter(s), and broadcaster, receive a medal or a trophy, which since 2008 has followed a standard design: a handmade trophy of sandblasted glass with painted details in the shape of a 1950s-style [[microphone]], designed by Kjell Engman of the Swedish-based glassworks [[Kosta Boda]].<ref name="Trophy" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://kostaboda.co.uk/eurovision-song-contest/ |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=[[Kosta Boda]] |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516174401/https://kostaboda.co.uk/eurovision-song-contest/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The award is typically presented by the previous year's winner; others who have handed out the award in the past include representatives from the host broadcaster or the EBU, and politicians; in 2007, the fictional character [[Joulupukki]] (the original [[Santa Claus]] in Finland) presented the award to the winner [[Marija Šerifović]].<ref name="Helsinki 07" />{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|p=216}}