Dutch girl group O’G3NE have their sights set on Eurovision 2017, but girl groups haven’t been seen much at Eurovision this decade. But in the 2000s, the contest was full of female vocal groups ready to zig-a-zig-ah. We’re taking a look back, and continuing on from the first part, now we’re down to the top eight – let’s look at the ladies who spiced up Eurovision.

To rank the girl groups, we’re looking at the percentage of available points that each act received. For example, each finalist in 2013 could only receive a maximum of 456 points — i.e. 12 points from each of the other 38 countries voting. If an act finished with 100 points, they would have received 21.93% of the points available to them.

We’re covering girl groups from 1999 onwards. We’re only including vocals groups of three or more, so this excludes other combinations of female performers, like bands (Vanilla Ninja, Black Daisy, Elaiza), groups backing one singer (Can-linn, Urban Symphony) or choral groups (Buranovskiye Babushki). But we still love them all!

8. XXL – “100% te ljubam” (FYR Macedonia 2000)

15th place in grand final with 29 points — 10.51% of available points

XXL delivered a slick ’90s girl group look, with impressive choreography. But there’s a suggestion that all the effort went into the group’s staging at the expense of the vocal technique, resulting in a very average 15th place for “100% te ljubam” (I love you 100%). Curiously, the video for this performance isn’t online, but you can watch the national final performance with live vocals or this video that uses Eurovision footage with studio vocals:

7. Times Three – “Believe ‘n Peace” (Malta 1999)

15th place in grand final with 32 points — 12.12% of available points

Times Three brought a Destiny’s Child aesthetic to Israel, wearing different outfits made in the same shimmery silver fabric. While their song “Believe ‘n Peace” still holds up as a sweet, uplifting pop number, it’s let down by the super awkward, clichéd girl-group choreography. And behold the authentic ’90s touch – the lead singer has Rachel-from-Friends hair.

6. The Rounder Girls “All to You” (Austria 2000)

14th place in grand final with 34 points — 12.32% of available points

Curvelicious trio The Rounder Girls brought a Motown feel with their performance of “All to You”. They delivered a new millennium twist on the classic 1960s girl group sound. While The Rounders only placed 14th, it wasn’t a sign that a Motown sound wouldn’t work at Eurovision — in 2015, Malta’s Destiny won Junior Eurovision with her ’60s-style number “Not My Soul”.

5. Precious – “Say It Again” (United Kingdom 1999)

12th place in grand final with 38 points — 14.39% of available points

Of all the Spice Girls-inspired groups, it’s reassuring that the best entry was from the UK, ensuring that Eurovision had least one example of a radio-friendly ’90s girl group. Precious performed “Say It Again” skilfully, with both their vocals and choreography on point. The group placed 12th, which is still one of the UK’s best results in recent years. Member Jenny Frost would go on to join the even more successful girl group Atomic Kitten.

4. Feminnem “Call Me” (Bosnia and Herzegovina 2005)

14th place in grand final with 79 points — 16.88% of available points

Feminnem debuted at Eurovision with the joy of “Call Me”, unleashing their swishy blonde hair and power vocals onto the Kyiv crowd. The ABBA-inspired song had tight harmonies, and paid tribute to Eurovision’s 50th anniversary, along with an upbeat schlager sound that made Feminnem a fan favourite.

3. Charmed – “My Heart Goes Boom” (Norway 2000)

11th place in grand final with 57 points — 20.65% of available points

Norway delivered the super fun “My Heart Goes Boom”, which included the memorable lyric “I lost my mind and popsicle”. Charmed designed their own costumes, with bold silhouettes and a palette of black and purple ’90s club style. The song placed 11th, missing out on making the top ten by only two points.

2. Afro-dite – “Never Let It Go” (Sweden 2002)

8th place in grand final with 72 points — 26.09% of available points

“Never Let It Go” was reportedly intended for Alcazar, who turned it down. Instead it went to the three divas of Afro-dite, who went on to win Melodifestivalen and gave Sweden yet another top 10 finish. Afro-dite’s success with “Never Let It Go” was proof that it’s not just enough to have cute singers in shiny dresses — the song has be just as good.

1. Serebro – “Song #1” (Russia 2007)

3rd place in grand final with 207 points — 42.07% of available points

Serebro is the go-to act for “successful Eurovision girl group”. The cool and saucy grooves of “Song #1” only placed at #3, but the song became established as an enduring fan favourite. Serebro might have more line-up changes than Dolly Style, but they’re still going strong, having outlasted all the other girl groups that were put together for Eurovision. And who else could combine giant collars and cuffs with a lyrics like “Put a cherry on my cake and taste my cherry pie”?

Who is your favourite girl group from modern Eurovision?

Which girl group is your favourite? Have your say and vote in our poll. You can vote for as many as you like but you can only vote once, so make it count.

[polldaddy poll=9519325]

Should there be more girl groups in Eurovision? Or is it an outdated concept? Which girl group would you like to see in Kyiv next year?

CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR EUROVISION LISTS

14 Comments
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Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

Moje 3 are fourth in your poll but didn’t make the top 8?

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

CatCat!

Stan
Stan
7 years ago

it’s a bit older, but I really like Mekado’s Wir geben ‘ne party (Germany ’94)

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
7 years ago

Robyn: Band, group; does it really matter? In many of Destiny’s Child’s hits, Beyoncé did almost all of the lead singing (verses, for sure). I would have included every and all girl groups/bands in this survey, including Urban Symphony.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

For some reason I love FYROM 2000. 😀

I think girl groups are a nice addition but they usually don’t have many chances of doing well.

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Russia should have rigged 2007 instead of 2008, but then we wouldn’t have had the “Molitva” glory.

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

YASSS @ Times Three! My favorite girl group at the ESC ever. LGBT-friendly legends!

Laburnum
Laburnum
7 years ago

Russia 2012?

pap
pap
7 years ago

I still think Serebro should’ve won 2007. It’s the greatest band from Russia.

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Thanks for reminding me what a gem “My Heart Goes Boom” by Charmed is!

mad-professor
mad-professor
7 years ago

Where were Twiins? Or are they not counted because they’re a duo?

Ilja
Ilja
7 years ago

Where is Randajad?

Pollaski
Pollaski
7 years ago

And to add in- kinda ironic, considering the most iconic Eurovision entry ever was a group.

Pollaski
Pollaski
7 years ago

Can’t really argue with this too much. Excellent work for both parts. Although it begs a question- why can’t groups win Eurovision? Not just girl groups and boy bands, but actual instrument plaing acts too (yes, I know they’re not REALLY playing on stage, but…) Since the 21st century dawned, we’ve had Lordi and that Estonian group in 2001 that nobody thinks ever should have won. (And yes, the Olsens and Ell/Nikki, but we’re not counting duos). And Urban Trad got close in 2003, and plenty of other acts have done respectably. But being a group somehow seems to preclude… Read more »