Eurovision Song Contest 1975

Eurovision Song Contest 1975 was the 20th edition of the annual competition, held in Stockholm following ABBA's victory the previous year in Brighton. The contest was presented by Karin Falck from the St Eriks-Mässan exhibition hall. A significant and lasting change was introduced with the new scoring system, which replaced the previous jury rankings with the now-iconic system of awarding points from 1 to 12. The Netherlands won the contest with the upbeat song "Ding-A-Dong", performed by the group Teach-In.

Background and format

The 1975 contest was organized by SVT as the first to be held in Sweden, capitalizing on the massive global success of ABBA after their 1974 win with "Waterloo". The production was overseen by executive producer Claes af Geijerstam and directed by Bo Billtén. The most revolutionary change was the introduction of a new voting procedure, developed by the European Broadcasting Union, where each national jury could award points to their top ten songs, with the favorite receiving 12 points. This system, designed to create suspense, has defined the contest's dramatic tension ever since. The stage design, by Bengt Peterson, featured a distinctive "flower" motif with petal-like segments that could open and close.

Participating countries

Nineteen countries participated, matching the record set at the 1973 contest. Notable returns included France and Malta, while Greece made its debut, represented by singer Marinella with the song "Matiematika". Turkey also returned after a one-year absence. The United Kingdom was represented by the veteran group The Shadows, while Israel sent the popular singer Shlomo Artzi. Absentees included Monaco and Andorra. Each entry was conducted by the contest's musical director, Montezuma, except for the Swedish, Finnish, and Yugoslav songs, which used their own conductors.

Contest overview

The show opened with a film sequence touring Stockholm before presenter Karin Falck welcomed the audience. The running order was determined by draw, with the Netherlands performing third and the United Kingdom closing the show. Musical styles varied widely, from the British instrumental "Let Me Be the One" by The Shadows to the dramatic Italian entry "Era" performed by Wess and Dori Ghezzi. A notable moment was the performance by Portugal's Duarte Mendes, whose song "Madrugada" featured lyrical social commentary. The interval act featured a performance by the Swedish Radio Jazz Group.

Results and voting

The voting sequence, using the new points system for the first time, provided considerable drama. The United Kingdom and Malta traded the lead early on, but the Netherlands surged ahead in the later votes. The Dutch entry "Ding-A-Dong" ultimately triumphed with 152 points, securing a clear victory. The United Kingdom finished second with 138 points, while Italy took third place. France, represented by Nicole Rieu, finished fourth. The voting was notable for the first-ever 12 points awarded, given by Finland to Italy. The points were announced via telephone by each national jury spokesperson, a method that would become a staple of the contest.

Aftermath and legacy

The victory for the Netherlands was its fourth win, tying its record with France at the time. The winning group, Teach-In, experienced significant international chart success, particularly in Scandinavia and the Benelux countries. The new voting system was universally acclaimed and has remained in use ever since, becoming one of the contest's most recognizable features. The 1975 contest solidified Sweden's reputation as a capable and innovative host, paving the way for future contests in Gothenburg and Malmö. The event is also remembered for further establishing the modern, globally-oriented pop spectacle that ABBA's win had heralded, influencing the musical direction of subsequent editions.

Category:Eurovision Song Contest by year Category:1975 in Sweden Category:1975 in music Category:International song competitions hosted by Sweden