Top 20 Eurovision Songs That Should Have Won

#20: “Is It True?” (2009)

Yohanna

If you were watching “Eurovision” in 2009, you’ll remember when Iceland’s Yohanna stepped onstage and delivered a vocal masterclass that left Europe spellbound. “Is It True?” is a hauntingly gorgeous ballad that lingers long after the final note, thanks to her crystal-clear vocals and aching vulnerability. Its melancholy melody wrapped listeners in a bittersweet embrace, it was truly beautiful. While Alexander Rybak’s “Fairytale” swept the scoreboard with a record-breaking score, many fans insist her musicality and depth were unmatched. The return of juries recognized her technical brilliance, yet even a trophy-worthy performance can’t overcome a “Eurovision” juggernaut, leaving her near-miss one of the contest’s great what-ifs.

#19: “I treni di Tozeur” (1984)

Alice & Franco Battiato

If “Eurovision” ever handed out a diploma for sophistication, “I treni di Tozeur” would have graduated top of its class. This 1984 entry from Alice and Franco Battiato is legendary among fans for taking the contest on a stylistic detour and delivering something akin to high art. Still, it lost out to upbeat, traditional Swedish winner, “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley.” Franco’s avant-garde sensibilities collided beautifully with Alice’s ethereal vocals, creating a soundscape that felt both experimental and timeless. The arrangement was pure elegance, weaving in a touch of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.: Some believe its fifth-place finish was due to the entry being “too ahead of its time.”

#18: “It’s My Life” (2013)

Cezar

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if Dracula fronted a “Eurovision” entry, look no further. This gloriously over-the-top popera spectacle is the kind of audacious, genre-bending performance that “Eurovision” was made for. Cezar’s vocals alone are worth tuning in for, swooping from a rich baritone to a glass-shattering countertenor with the kind of theatrical flair that leaves jaws on the floor. Sure, Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest took home the trophy with her folksy “Only Teardrops,” but Cezar’s high-energy performance embodied the contest’s spirit: bold, distinctive, technically demanding, and unforgettable. It may not have been the bookie’s favorite, but it lives on rent-free in our collective memory.

#17: “We Are the Winners” (2006)

LT United

Finland came to rock the continent. Lithuania came to ruffle some feathers. In 2006, a six-man band called LT United arrived in Athens, looking to break the country’s losing streak. While their boastful song didn’t end up netting them the win, the hubris, memorable lyrics, and straight-up hilarity of the song ranks it among one of the best to never win. The Greek audience wasn’t amused. They openly booed the song. But, the song still finished the contest in sixth place. It’s been a fan favorite ever since, and those who aren’t partial to Finland’s “Hard Rock Hallelujah” prefer it to this day.

#16: “Congratulations” (1968)

Cliff Richard

Among the songs that outgrew the contest itself, it’s Cliff Richard’s “Congratulations.” It’s a pure shot of pop joy delivered by one of Britain’s most charismatic icons, the kind that gets entire generations singing along. Heading into the 1968 final, it was the runaway favorite. But then came one of Eurovision’s most infamous plot twists: Spain’s “La La La” edged out “Congratulations” by a single point, with rumors swirling for decades about political interference behind the scenes. For many, Richard’s loss was a pop culture injustice. Yet the song’s legacy has only grown, outlasting its rival and proving that sometimes, the real winner is the one we’re still singing all these years later.

#15: “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” (2024)

Baby Lasagna

From the moment Baby Lasagna hits the stage, “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” comes in fast and loud. Croatia’s 2024 entry is packed with riotous energy, a chorus that sticks straight away, and that perfect mix of humor, chaos, and heart all crashing together in one moment. While Switzerland’s “The Code” ultimately clinched the win with a slick, poignant performance, “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” had what every “Eurovision” hopeful dreams of: real, grassroots momentum. Bookmakers kept it in the running all season, but it was the audience’s wild, stadium-shaking reaction that told the real story. This quirky underdog could have easily stormed the winner’s circle any other year. For fans, it’s already a modern classic.

#14: “Calm After the Storm” (2014)

The Common Linnets

Every so often, “Eurovision” delivers a moment of pure, unfiltered authenticity, and The Common Linnets’ “Calm After the Storm” is a textbook example. In a contest famous for pyrotechnics and sequins, this Dutch duo stripped it all back to the essentials: two voices, a guitar, and a connection so real you could feel it through the screen. Ilse DeLange and Waylon’s chemistry was magnetic, their harmonies heartbreakingly beautiful, and the song’s folk-country vibe was a breath of fresh air. While Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix” soared to a well-deserved win, “Calm After the Storm” quietly stole hearts across Europe, climbing the scoreboard and proving that sometimes, the most powerful moments are the simplest ones.

#13: “Sound of Silence” (2016)

Dami Im

If you want to spark a “Eurovision” debate, just mention Dami Im’s “Sound of Silence.” She delivered a performance that checked every box: powerhouse vocals, cutting-edge staging, and a chorus that soared into the stratosphere. Dami absolutely owned the jury vote, but when the televotes rolled in, Ukraine’s Jamala edged her out with the haunting “1944.” Fans still argue that “Sound of Silence” was the total package, a modern pop anthem with a showstopping visual twist that set a new standard for the contest. Dami’s stage presence was magnetic, her vocals flawless, and for many, she remains the champion of the fans’ hearts, no matter what the scoreboard says.

#12: “Space Man” (2022)

Sam Ryder

For generations of British “Eurovision” fans, disappointment had basically become something to celebrate. Until Sam Ryder rocketed onto the scene with “Space Man.” Ryder’s soaring vocals and infectious stage presence reignited a sense of national pride that had long been dormant. From the moment Ryder opened his mouth, for the first time in years, Brits could dare to dream. Of course, viewers ultimately showed solidarity with Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, who took the crown with the anthemic “Stefania.” In another timeline, Sam, or even Spain’s Chanel, might have clinched it, but Ryder’s near-victory stands as a watershed moment. He’ll forever be celebrated as the one who nearly brought “Eurovision” home for British fans.

#11: “We Could Be the Same” (2010)

maNga

Turkey’s maNga stormed the stage with an alt-rock spectacle that felt like a love letter to both headbangers, sci-fi aficionados, and, of course, “Eurovision” devotees. “We Could Be the Same” pulsed with heavy beats, electronic flourishes, and a unifying message. The staging was an easy bingo-card win, with robot dancers, futuristic visuals, and frontman Ferman Akgül commanding the spotlight with effortless swagger. While Germany’s Lena charmed Europe with the irresistibly quirky “Satellite,” there’s a reason maNga’s entry still sparks debate among fans. Many fans felt their bold fusion of styles and unforgettable performance offered a fresher, more daring alternative that deserved a stronger chance at victory

#10: “Spirit in the Sky” (2019)

Keiino

Given that the 2019 winner, “Arcade” topped international charts after its win in Tel Aviv, it’s pretty bold to say another song should’ve taken the contest that year. But we’re here to say Norway’s entry, “Spirit in the Sky”, was the true crowd pleaser. Performed by Keiino, a band fronted by an indigenous Sámi rapper, the song married traditional Norwegian folk music with upbeat dance pop. Its bridge features traditional joik singing and a drumline and, honestly, what other country could say that? The song handily won the public vote, but only placed sixth when factoring in the jury vote.

#9: “Dschinghis Khan” (1979)

Dschinghis Khan

Boney M. had Rasputin. Dschinghis Khan had, well, Genghis Khan. Clad in extravagant period costumes, the 1979 West German entry gave us a brutal history lesson wrapped in an infectious disco beat. What also set it apart was the staging. It may look tame compared to the thrills and horrors that would come later, but it was still early days for outrageous performances. The song itself was covered and translated into several different languages after the contest ended, despite it only placing fourth in the finals. If the length of the applause at the end is any indication, this stunt is just unforgettable.

#8: “Eres tú” (1973)

Mocedades

It wasn’t necessarily unheard of for a “Eurovision” song to jump across the pond and make a splash on the US charts, but Spain’s 1973 entry was one of the most successful examples. The fact that it’s entirely in Spanish only makes the feat more impressive. “Eres tú,” or “It’s You” in English, was performed by the Spanish band Mocedades. Between the soaring choruses and the crystal clear vocals of Amaya Uranga, it’s no wonder the song broke into several non-competing countries’ music charts. “Eres tú” has been covered and translated plenty of times since its performance at the contest. Though Spain lost to a worthy winner, the beautiful “Tu te reconnaîtras” from Luxembourg, we think this one could have at least been a tie.

#7: “Grande Amore” (2015)

Il Volo

This one launched a few thousand villain origin stories. Talk to anyone who watched Italy’s Il Volo pour their souls into the passionate pop-opera single, “Grande Amore,” and you might actually be hit with the heat of a thousand suns. An explosion of vocal technique and passion, the song was an unprecedented success. They came third in the finals despite winning the public’s heart. The next year, Eurovision broke from decades of tradition, and overhauled the voting system to give the public vote more weight. We’re not saying “Grande Amore” actually broke Eurovision, but you could make a case.

#6: “Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit” (1996)

Gina G

Considering the amount of play this one got, it’s hard to believe that the United Kingdom only earned eighth place out of 23. From its opening synthesizer to its breathy chorus, Gina G’s “Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit” is peak ‘90s techno Europop. Its electronic sound led to a charmingly awkward bit of staging. Old contest rules required every instrument used in the song to be physically present on stage, which is why there are two computers just chilling behind Gina G and her backup dancers. Despite its lackluster result in the 1996 Eurovision, the track found more success after the contest. It even made it to the 1998 Grammys as a nominee for Best Dance Recording.

#5: “Fuego” (2018)

Eleni Foureira

Cyprus did not come to play in 2018. Eleni Foureira dazzled the stadium with a fiery, pop chart-friendly song of female empowerment. The hairography alone was worth the price of admission. On Grand Final night, this song had the crowd in Lisbon beside itself. “Fuego” is a catchy, well-produced dance hit, bursting with energy and sensuality. Even if you didn’t know it was a Eurovision entry, “Fuego” sounds like a hit single that would be at home in any country’s top 40. It finished in a strong second place, but some still think it deserved to be in the top spot.

#4: “Think About Things” (2020)

Daði & Gagnamagnið

For the first time in Eurovision’s long and complicated history, the contest was officially canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every participating country had already chosen and released their songs, and fans could only speculate who would’ve won. Iceland’s quirky, memeworthy, and genuinely brilliant “Think About Things” by Daði Freyr became the odds-on favorite. The song and its endearing, charmingly nerdy music video achieved viral success, helped along by the isolation of lockdowns and quarantines. To add insult to injury, if it had won, it would have been the country’s first-ever. Daði would get a second chance at the next year’s contest, where he and his band finished fourth.

#3: “Cha Cha Cha” (2023)

Käärijä

Eurovision 2023 will forever be remembered as the year Käärijä turned the stage into a neon-lit, fever dream. With his electric green bolero, infectious energy, and a sound that offered a fresh mash-up of metal and schlager, Käärijä’s “Cha Cha Cha” united the arena in a euphoric, collective chant that felt like a once-in-a-generation pop culture moment. When the jury handed victory to Loreen’s polished, radio-friendly entry instead, it launched a debate about who “Eurovision” is really for: the passionate fans, or the so-called experts behind the scenes. During the voting sequence, the live audience in Liverpool famously drowned out the presenters with their thunderous Cha-cha-chant. It was clear who truly won the night.

#2: “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” (2007)

Verka Serduchka

Serbia’s winning song is a heartrending and powerful ballad, but Ukraine’s outlandish, semi-incoherent 2nd-place entry has more than earned its legendary status. In 2007, drag queen Verka Serduchka brought the house down with “Dancing Lasha Tumbai.” Despite allegations that the song’s gibberish title bore resemblance to the phrase, “Russia Goodbye,” the song managed to avoid an international incident, winning over millions of fans. When people talk about how unhinged Eurovision is, this is what they mean. It’s an overstimulating mix of campiness, joy, and sheer nonsense.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein” (1975), Joy Fleming

Flemming’s Soul-Shattering Vocals Turned a Simple Bridge into Unforgettable “Eurovision” History

“Rhythm Inside” (2015), Loïc Nottet

Avant-Garde Choreography & Minimalist Beats Brought a Modern, Artistic Edge to Eurovision

“Soldi” (2019), Mahmood

A Strong Contender in a Year of Strong Contenders

“Hold Me Closer” (2022) Cornelia Jakobs

Jakobs’s Raspy Intimacy & Cinematic Staging Made Every Viewer Feel Her Heartbreak

“Moustache” (2014), Twin Twin

While It Came Last, Its Colorful Energy & Satirical Humor Defined Campy Fun

#1: “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)” (1958)

Domenico Modugno

Our twelve points go to Italy, for the classic song, “Volare.” Domenico Modugno’s entry, known by its original name “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu,” already sounded timeless when he performed it at the 1958 contest. Despite placing 3rd overall, it is widely regarded as the contest’s first veritable hit record. Modugno won two awards at the very first Grammys ceremony in 1959, beating songs by English-language stars Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Perry Como. It has since been recorded by some of the most famous and beloved singers of all time, including Dean Martin and David Bowie. “Volare” became a point of national pride for Italy, and would inspire many more singers to try their hand at the contest.

Which “Eurovision” song do you feel was robbed of victory? Let us know in the comments.