Lys Assia, the very first winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, remains an important symbol of the festival. Since taking first place with “Refrain” way back in 1956, she’s been a constant presence. We love her attitude. We love her fire! And we love hearing her opinions.
Lys has the just published her annual Lys’ list, which ranks her Top 20 favourite songs for Eurovision 2016. It’s clear that this lady loves ballads and mellow tracks but this year some upbeat songs earned a place in her Top too, with Malta’s “Walk On Water” being her ultimate favourite. What do you think of her picks?
LYS ASSIA’S TOP 20
1. Malta
2. FYR Macedonia
3. France
4. Serbia
5. Russia
6. Austria
7. Italy
8. Bosnia & Herzegovina
9. Czech Republic
10. The Netherlands
11. Australia
12. Ukraine
13. Switzerland
14. Iceland
15. Israel
16. Bulgaria
17. Croatia
18. Poland
19. Sweden
20. Armenia
Ira Losco “Walk On Water” at Eurovision in Concert
Ira Losco has already responded to the Grande Dame’s rankings, writing the following on Facebook:
Good morning everyone!! Eurovision’s very first Winner Swiss singer Lys Assia has chosen ?#?WOW? as her favourte in 2016 ?#?ESC? … I’m really chuffed!!
However, we’d advise Ira not to get too excited. Lys’ previous winners have included Belgium’s Axel Hirsoux in 2014 and Norway’s Mørland & Debrah Scarlett in 2015.
Switzerland was 13th, patriotism?
MALTA first agree100% wellsaid
@Melissa Kutcher
yeah Respect for her 🙂 🙂
I am impressed that Lys has kept up with Eurovision for 60 years, while former chanps like France Gall and Sandie Shaw turned their backs on the contest.
Loving her list. Long live the Queen! Make way, make way!
@Julian
Macedonia isn’t worth second place on her ranking, too dated i think
Poland is so boring, but that’s my opinion
France, well Amir can’t sing live, we’ve seen that at eurovision in concert
Austria, is too sweet for my taste, really Disney style, not my cup of tea
only 1 i agree with is Malta of course, i’m surprised Switzerland is on her list as 13th, that song isn’t good
Half of this songs will flop live, like Edurne last year.
Judging songs from their videoclips is sure way to be wrong a lot of times.
@georgekirkas
well only thing i’ve got in common with Lys, we got both Malta on top
but Macedonia on 2, she can’t be serious haha
I love her ranking, less Russia at the top 5, terrible song.
Belgium was her favourite in 2014? Haha omg that was my last!! And a 92 year old has a song with a rap part in her top 10, are generation is lit.
Spanish fans killing themselves in 3,2,1 LOL hahaha
Really not related to the article but JESC will be held on a Sunday this year! Jon Ola is executive supervisor and the show will be held in Valletta
@2L: Try writing an email to the Russian government to get a politically correct explanation about their desperation to win Eurovision even when they don’t deserve it? I would love to read their over-nationalistic-against-western-Europe-answer. It would be give me such a thrill to see their hatred against everybody else and filling their ego for reasons that can only be explained in the .. 19th century!! Poor Polina was “punished” to having given a kiss to Conchita … so what’s next in their agenda? Expecting to replace all the “booing” with “orgasms” from the public at the Globen arena? It’s a… Read more »
The fact that she places Malta on top is a surprise as it’s such a contemporary song and very up-to-date even for those who hate it because they might not even have anything better to do or haven’t found the time to clean their ears, who knows. Mrs. Assia has … the shade speaks for itself.
Another thing: the fact that she places France above Russia … it’s like glitter falling from the sky all over me … it makes me feel fabulous … and makes real music sound even more awesome … 🙂
Is this her bottom 20 or top 20?
Malta 1st !!! WOW 😀 Amazing 🙂
To the Finance Minister of the Republic of Malta: Dear Sir, Things can get out of hand pretty quick, you don’t wanna overturn the national budget for silly stuff like these. After all your country doesn’t begin with an A or ending with a jan. First manipulating the odds, then having a site going WeeWee and wetting themselves with excitement everytime Ira farts? And now bribing Lys Asia, the holly grail of Eurovision? What did you offer her? Two weeks in a presidential suit of a 5* hotel in Gonzo, Conzo, or Cozo? All inclusive, everything free, poppers included? Come… Read more »
OMG OMG I HAVE THE SAME TOP 1 AS LYS!!!!! LUV YA!!!!
Shots fired at Spain and Latvia. Modern & powerful sounds.
Good signal for these two as this old glory doesn’t even know how to use a smartphone.
It’s all about the young people these days.
@TIMO
Well, I can’t see how maturity has to do with expressing your opinion.
Well we have the same number one but that’s about it !
Although I can’t stand Lys Assia I find it quite interesting to see her top each year.
By the way I just noticed something. In 2014 she put Sebalter 13th in her top – he came 13th in the final. Last year Mélanie René was 17th with Lys – she came 17th in her semi. Now Rykka is at 13… 🙂
Does anyone like Ireland’s song?
@Michael-I think you are too pessimistic!
@Nicky91-You’re welcome!
It’s not a prediction, just her personal Top 20, and I have to say it’s not half bad.
Armenia? 20? HELL NO! SHE CRAZAY!
Every time I see an article with Lys Assia in it, I think it says about her death .
@Lola
that’s not funny, and relax she’s practicing those high notes without camera’s or not at the pre party’s 🙂
@georgekirkas
thank you for defending me 🙂
The only question is where is ESTONIA??
@WTF He is not ”advertising” Malta. He is just asking our opinions.
@nicky 91
Totally agree with wtf…give us all a break… ira constantly on all your posts. You better pray she reaches the high notes she failed to reach in Amsterdam????
@WTF
1000 times sorry, if i annoyed you with it
#TeamSamratoWin #TeamGabrielatoWin 🙂
I notice she has many ballads or pop ballads in her top. Not surprising, given her generation, really. Good on the grande dame to keep going strong! You go, girl! 😀
@Nicky91: How many articles do you plan on flooding with your endless Malta “advertising”, really? Shouldn’t you be a bit bored by now? I mean, you just had like 30 damn comments on that other Malta post…
@Azaad
She has Switzerland at 13.
Switzerland is surprisingly absent…interesting
Bonsoir Stockholm,
Merci madame Lys Assia, enfin quelqu’un qui a du goût en matière de musique, ce n’est pas le cas de tout le monde sur ce site… Je plaisante, chacun à son opinion, mais quand même… Respect pour Lys Assia et longue vie, santé bonheur !
A.R.Y. Macédoine, Autriche, Italie, Pays Bas, Russie font également partie de mon top 10. J’aurai également voté pour la France mais je peux pas car je suis Français…
Cordialement,
Maxime
Macedonia 2nd? HAHA! It’s a joke?
Anyway, thank you from France!
@MarioMario
Hi, great to see you again, and what do you think of Ira’s Walk On Water?
Sorry l meant top 20 yes Lys Ass is mad
Oh god she revealed her top 10 last time just to get attention. What happened? Her top 10 didn’t match real world. It’s weird wnd ridiculous for an old lady to act like us viewers her list her favourite why can’t she keep it to her self! When asked Francesca Michielin she said she doesn’t have favourite because they are different songs it’s amazing to see young artist like Francesca to act more mature than old Lys Ass. ..
Ha ha ha! 🙂 She should have predicted her own comeback better then because her song failed to do well! Obviously her taste is not that good
Let’s face it: the list is often a curse rather than beneficial. Also, she liked Twin Twin.
She’s just a simple person like all of us. It’s just her personal opinion, so whatever.
I agree with postion 3,4,5,7,9,10 in TOP 10 on her list , song on 1,2,6,8 are overrated for me.
Neither Romania and Poland was in that list:(
Estonia wasn’t in:(
Really bad taste. I’m sorry Lys! 😀
True Legend Lys Assia, beautiful kind person 🙂
@Alvaricomg
sorry but have respect for Lys 🙂
hahahhaha I’m sorry I don’t trust this top hahah last year she said that Edurne wa her 2nd…………….and you know what happened ahhaha