We continue our series looking at the participating countries of Eurovision and the reasons why we love them so very much. Next up is Spain. And while we let you feel the warmth of this nation, we will be looking today at the land of Latin fire and genuine passion. ¡Vámonos!
Spain’s path in the contest first started back in 1961, in neighbouring France’s beloved Cannes. And since that year, Spain has never missed any edition of the contest — becoming the only nation to record the most number of entries in a row since its debut. But what makes Spain really special? Let’s take a look at 10 reasons why we love Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest!
1. The Spanish language
From Conchita Bautista to this year’s Amaia and Alfred, Spain has consistently sung in their own language setting a record of 57 times out of 58 total appearances. Only Barei‘s 2016 entry “Say Yay” has been the only time Spain has sung entirely in English.
And by keeping this tradition, the Iberian nation has properly gifted us with fiery and emotional hits throughout its history. From Azúcar Moreno‘s beloved “Bandido” to powerhouse Pastora Soler‘s “Quédate Conmigo”, the language of Cervantes means passion… ¡y olé!
2. Queens of ballads
Spain hasn’t just sent one, or two or three… but 24 ballads throughout its history in the contest. And before 2015, it was the most used genre for Spanish entries. But the genre has also gifted us with truly powerful pieces that have become some of the most famous — and beloved — Spanish songs in Eurovision.
From Anabel Conde to Sergio Dalma to Pastora Soler; Spain does have a powerhouse of vocal mastery and proper passion.
3. They vary their selection processes
The truth is that you never know how will Spain decide their act for Eurovision. And has there been a format the Iberian nation hasn’t already used? In the last four editions of the contest, Spain has used up to four different selection methods in a row that included an internal selection, a national final, an online voting selection process and Operación Triunfo‘s TV Show.
But it can get more creative than that. Spain has also explored options that included selecting the artist internally and the song in a national final. Or an online vote where the top-10 most-voted contestants advance to a national final.
And they never stick with one national final format. In the past decade, we’ve seen Misión Eurovisión, Salvemos Eurovisión, Eurovisión 2009: el retorno, Tu país te necesita! 2010 Destino Oslo, Destino Eurovisión, Mira quien va a Eurovisión and Objetivo Eurovisión.
4. We have to talk about #Eurodrama
Spain’s Eurodrama chapters are worthy of being featured in a real telenovela. But without Spain’s dramatic waves, there wouldn’t be Eurofans taking their cup of tea while checking Twitter’s madness tragedy. Chocolate cookies are a plus!
Some of the most dramatic events with a Spanish origin include Barei’s technical and staging issues, Objetivo Eurovision‘s turbulent voting, Mirela not winning Objetivo Eurovision, and this year’s unfortunate words from Tinet Rubira. But without any doubt, the Objetivo Eurovision 2017 voting might still top the chapter list. The intensity of that episode not only hit the nation and appeared in the Spanish newscasts and on most famous talk shows — it even ended up being discussed in the Spanish Parliament.
5. Spain has a strong meme-hilarious fan community
When Eurovision hits, Spanish fans are ready to react. And that means a huge wave of memes, gifs and even video creations. From Cristina Cifuentes — the Madrid Community president who has been recently involved in a hilarious lotion shoplifting scandal — to Eleni Foureira’s remake with Spanish legend Belen Esteban; laughs are served!
May these memes be admired until the end of times!
Cifuentes en el supermercado pic.twitter.com/pSFd3rYCcI
— ?Chinito? (@roberponte) May 12, 2018
–BAJA LA PERSIANA CONIO. #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/eNZE3aLEok
— Usuario Arroba (@Mongolear) May 12, 2018
JAJAJAJAJAJJA pic.twitter.com/72M9xcct3t
— Aureal (@Aureal) May 12, 2018
Declaraciones de Eleni Foureira tras quedar segunda en #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/WFPS8AvlQq
— Manuelesky (@Manuelesky_) May 13, 2018
6. Operación Triunfo
The show that once moved Spain and gave the nation a new golden era at Eurovision, returned last autumn — and slayed again. Sixteen years after its first edition, the show finally came back on prime-time Spanish TV and served a brutal revolution viewers were not expecting.
A renovated Academy maintained its essence and 16 talented and charismatic contestants brought the music, the passion and the glam back to Iberia. With millions of viewers each night, top daily trending topics on Spanish social media and millions of song streams, Operación Triunfo was a major success.
From this platform has given us many familiar Eurovision faces, such as Rosa, Beth, Ramón, Soraya and Edurne, and of course this year’s beloved couple Amaia & Alfred. Let the OT family grow!
7. Soraya’s magic trick
Spain and staging have an awkward relationship that sometimes doesn’t really work — or just fails. But some years, it uses iconic ideas. Soraya’s magic trick during her 2009 performance still remains unforgotten. Soraya trusted a famous Spanish magician who crafted the idea for her performance. While the trick might look easy-peasy, for Soraya it turned into a nightmare. In order to disappear, she had to move roll for five metres, while being poked in the legs with the sharp Swarovski crystals from her dress. Don’t try this at home!
8. Oit points gó tú…
…Romania!
9. Strike a pose: diva!
Spain and divas, divas and Spain. Since its debut, the Iberian nation has truly gifted us with strong Latin songstresses. From Salomé to Ruth Lorenzo, the list includes joyful Massiel and fiery Latin Son de Sol, Las Ketchup, Azúcar Moreno or Nina and Pastora Soler. But as well, we’ve seen some equally glam divos, such as Raphael, Julio Iglesias, Sergio Dalma or Serafín Zubiri. Wake and slay!
10. Spain’s hilarious outfits and gimmicks
Similar to staging, Spain’s outfits do clearly go hard or go home. From Lydia‘s rainbow-striped Pirulo ice-cream Barbara Dex winner to Remedio‘s distinctive blue and white striped dress; that’s inspiring fashion in all ways and the rest is nonsense.
But Spain also has worthy novelty performances that serve proper attitude all-about laughing but don’t care quality. While everyone pretty much can remember Rodolfo Chikilicuatre‘s “Baila el Chiki Chiki” and his four steps (1. El brikindans; 2. El crusai’to; 3. El maiquelyason; 4. El robocop), Spain has also in its record other gems such as Las Ketchup‘s glamorous “Bloody Mary” and their red office chairs or Son de Sol‘s joyful “Brujería” and their un-desired rapper.
¡Un Bloody Mary por favor! Chico Martini, perverso!
Bonus: Ruth Lorenzo’s diva hair flips
What are your favourite moments from Spain at Eurovision? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Spain has a wonderful language and amazing female vocalists! I also love how passionate Spanish fans are!
We’ve seen drama, magic tricks and weird outfits.
I think they’re still trying to figure out a way to achieve a good result at Eurovision.
Too much focus on women. What about the spanish HUNKS? Sergio dalma, DNash boys, Marcos Llunas, David Civera, Ramon, Manuel navarro, julio iglesis… spain sends alwyays beautiful people.
the also have song ‘lalala’ more than any other country with notable songs in 1968 and 1979 🙂
I actually laughed too much reading this ???
Anyone else noticed that all of the entries were Castilian a.k.a. Spanish and none in the other languages? There wasn’t even once Catalan or any other co-official language. I think that’s really a shame. France for example sent Corsican twice and Breton once. Lots of countries sent dialects. I guess with Spain it’s more of a political thing?
Very good comment. I wish Spain would bring songs in Galician , Basque, Catalan, Asturian, etc. And I hope they never repeat Barei again.
No mention of Eres Tu? Spain’s best entry ever. Shame!
And it chart in Billboard Hot 100
Agree – great song
Their 2014 spokesperson might have been bizarre, but does anyone remember the lady who announced the Spanish points in 2001? Look her up on YouTube. The hosts in Denmark had to make her repeat “Esluvenia” three times lmaooo
Dr. Death & The Tooth Fairy were no prize either, though lol
The eurodrama’s score is topped, in my opinion (I’m from Spain) by two Eurodramas: Manel Navarro’s victory and Daniel Diges’s victory. Mirela just didn’t want to know about it anymore, but Coral Segovia didn’t say a beautiful word about RTVE. It was a TRUE telenovela.
But Diges won the televote, didn’t he? Coral’s performance wasn’t exactly great.
My TOP 5 song from Spain
1.1989
2.1985
3.1988
4.1995
5.1969
then 2012,1980, 2001, 1991….
Overrated 1968,1970, 1973, 1984, 1997
Underrated in 1965, 1980, 1981, 1985,1998, 2007,2009, 2015
Spain seriously needs to look at themselves. The weakest country of the big 5 with such a big music world. If Spain had sent Lo Malo to Eurovision, that could’ve easily been a top 10 placing.
Spain needs to look at other big 5 countries such as Italy and France. Even Germany and the UK have shown signs of a slight improvement. Spain, you’re the weak link!
Sadly, it is the fault of a few workers of RTVE. We, the Spanish eurofans, are tired of it!
I totally understand. It’s a similar story here in the UK!
They should either send something very late 90s Enrique Iglesias, or try to copy the Puerto Rican formula like they did with Lo malo.
They gotta go back to the salsa explosion of 01-04. Four top tens in a row!
It’s been 50 years since they last won….
I do hope a country that hasn’t won before or a country that hasn’t won in quite a while like Spain (last win: 1969), France (last win: 1977) or the Netherlands (last win: 1975) can take it home next year.
The best song and performance should win – not any country who hasn’t won in 50 years.
Vuelve Conmigo is probably my favorite Eurovision song ever.
Special mention to Hombres from 1993.
Yaaass Hombres! Just discovered that one and I adore it. Love the Paid in Full beat on the studio version. Very 90s. The orchestral arrangement was great too and didn’t bog it down or make it less contemporary.
I actually really loved Un Bloody Mary, it had some really alternative jazz and latino vibes. The problem was the ridiculous staging. And Edurne with Amanecer was probably one of the best Spanish songs and stagings in ESC history, such a shame it scored so low, I was sure it will go to Top 5. Generally I’m pretty unimpressed with Spain though. Out of the Big 5. only UK is worse.
Thank GOD! I love Un Bloody Mary, it was actually very good. The performance was a disaster tho, those chairs make me crack up every time.
Actually, if you include the results from the last 10 years, Spain has actually been worst country of the big 5. The UK has an average placing of 18.9, whereas Spain is 19.9. Look up your facts before.
I meant the song quality, not the placing of course. UK is for me the worst out of all the countries. It only had two decent songs in the last 20 years.
Ok, now I understand!
We have Spain, Montenegro, Iceland and SAN MARINO, yet you think that the UK is the worst. WOW JUST WOW. There are worse countries than the UK in Eurovision, Spain reached it’s limit in 2004 but 2012, 2014 and probably 2015 were good entries. Sorry
I agree, calling the UK the country which sends the worst quality songs is very harsh. The problem with the UK’s songs is that they’re too average and not contemporary enough. The BBC is keen to stick in the direction of sending Scandicrap songs, which are generic pop songs (as the songs for You Decide are written in songwriting camps in Sweden and Denmark).
The UK doesn’t send awful songs, they’re just very mediocre, bland and in the middle of the road type songs!
I thought the writing camps for You Decide are usually set up within Britain itself, with a high ratio of local talent taking part in the songwriting process?
Let me tell you thar Montenegro, Iceland and San Marino are NOT from the big5, and noone is talking ’bout that group.
She/he said and I quote “UK is for me the worst out of all the countries”. I wouldn’t say she’s referring to the big 5 only!
@Dani
I meant the Big 5, sorry. And I also wrote for the last 20 years or so. Since 1997 there were so many horrible songs like Flying the flag, That sounds good to me, Teenage life, Electro Velvet etc. Molly and Surie were decent, Lucy Jones was quite good, but that’s it. It’s just my opinion, I don’t want to offend Brits or anything.
I love old Spanish ballads: Gwendolyne by Julio Iglesias, Bailar Pegados by Sergio Dalma, Eres Tu by Mocedades. And I love Llalame by Victor Balaguer from ’62, I’ll never understand its result! I like singing it, haha 😀
PS Where is Pequenito? 🙁
Barei had a great song still listenable to today. As I recall, she had a fight with the broadcaster about how to stage her own song, right? Spain has become notorious for bad staging. Alfred and Amaia this year are another prime example of just that. They would have found a way to screw up “Lo malo” as well because apparently, that’s what they love to do.
As a Spaniard, I can confirm that. Staging has been our main issue for quite a while now. This year we had a decent track, but didn’t even bother with the staging: it looked to me like we simply lowered the lights and that was it. No wonder Lithuania beat us to the punch with a similar-but-better-executed bid. And until someone in the Spanish delegation finally pays staging the attention it deserves, we will continue getting bogged down by it.
Yeah even when the song is really good they always manage to screw up the staging somehow.
Sometimes by accident but sometimes you just wonder what they were thinking.
Spain go all-in: either it’s a new classic or a total disaster. Very little room for boring stuff (although that’s slipped in too: sadly, Tu cancion had all the life sucked out of it by the time they got to Lisbon). Their best is a gallery of Eurovision classics, and at the top of that list is Vuelve conmigo. I typically dislike big scream-y power ballads (and Spain has sent a LOT of them) but they find a way to make me like them, no more so than here. Anabel Conde has an astonishing voice, and she absolutely killed it.… Read more »
Interesting names for their national final shows: Mission Eurovision, Let’s Save Eurovision, Eurovision 2009: The Return, Your Country Needs You: Destination Oslo, Destination Eurovision, See Who Goes to Eurovision, and Objective Eurovision. 😀
Spain needs Las Bistecs so so so much.
Spain is not a very interesting Eurovision country.
got to love the spanish drama!!!
who will go to eurovision?
lo malo no no no
mirela no no no
manel navarro no no no
aitana no no no
the guy from destination eurovision called Malo no no no
🙂
Wonderful to watch Anabel Conde again, how fabulous was she. For me Spain’s golden period includes Pastora, Edurne and Barei, who all deserved a better result.
Pastora deserved a better result, Barei however got the place she deserved!