They say that history is written by the winners. And for Eurovision that is mostly the case. The victor gets the trophy and reprises their entry, while the whole shebang arrives in the winning country approximately twelve months later.
But that doesn’t mean that we forget about everyone else. Often, some would even suggest that the best songs always come second. Many televoters would agree with that: Over the past two editions, the public vote winner has placed second overall.
And while we couldn’t possibly express an opinion on that, we’re more than happy to put it to the test and look back at all of the runners up from 2015 to 2022.
Which second-place act is your favourite? Vote in our poll and then share your thoughts in the comments.
Eurovision second place acts: 2015 to 2024
Eurovision 2015: Russia’s Polina Gagarina with “A Million Voices”
In a year in which the televotes and the jury couldn’t agree on anything, Russia profited and almost won. During the voting procedure, Russia held on to a lead until very late in the show, but Sweden took gold eventually.
Looking back at this in 2022, Polina Gagarina’s “A Million Voices” — with its message of peace — now seems hollow and dishonest. Polina has openly supported Russia’s war in Ukraine, and even performed at a massive Putin war rally earlier this year. Given that, we’re excluding her from the poll below. Sorry, not sorry.
Eurovision 2016: Australia’s Dami Im with “Sound of Silence”
In only its second year competing, Australia sashayed straight into the top two. Dami Im’s “Sound of Silence” won the jury vote and was seemingly on the way to a landslide victory, but eventually finished second, a tiny margin behind Ukraine’s “1944”.
Eurovision 2017: Bulgaria’s Kristian Kostov with “Beautiful Mess”
The top of the 2017 scoreboard was a beautiful mess of different genres. The winner from Portugal won the jury vote and the public, with Bulgaria’s Kristian Kostov finishing second in both. Kostov not only got the highest score ever for a non-winner, he also got the second-highest score of all time. Furthermore, just one year after Poli Genova secured Bulgaria’s top score in the contest, Kristian smashed it and then some.
Eurovision 2018: Cyprus’ Eleni Foureira with “Fuego”
In the days leading up to Eurovision 2018, fans became more and more convinced that Cyprus would win it. But in the end, as Eurovision 2019 host Assi Azar would say, they didn’t. Despite that, the song still became a staple choice for fan favourite all-time tops and achieved widespread success across Europe. We even saw it performed by Måns Zelmerlöw on the Tel Aviv stage.
Eurovision 2019: Italy’s Mahmood with “Soldi”
Mahmood’s win in the Sanremo Festival 2019 came as a surprise to many. But then, in the months leading up to Eurovision, the unique Italian R&B song grew on Eurofans. After Tel Aviv, “Soldi” charted in 24 countries in Europe.
Eurovision 2020: No contest
It’s the year that never was. Eurovision 2020 was cancelled because of that pandemic.
Eurovision 2021: France’s Barbara Pravi with “Voilà”
Barbara Pravi earned her spot at Eurovision the hard way: By competing in France’s quality national final Eurovision France: C’est Vous Qui Décidez! Barbara wowed with her voice, her beautiful melody and her classic-yet-contemporary staging to climb the scoreboard in Rotterdam. She’s subsequently toured Europe and continued to charm audiences with her kind spirit and delightful music.
Eurovision 2022: United Kingdom’s Sam Ryder with “SPACE MAN”
We all knew it would take someone very special to break the U.K.’s cycle of poor results and negative press coverage. Thankfully Sam Ryder was well up for the challenge. With his near-perfect falsetto and positive outlook on life and the contest, Sam gave the U.K. its best result since 1998. He went on to hit #2 on the U.K. charts, making “SPACE MAN” the highest charting Eurovision entry in the country since Gina G’s “Ooh Ahh…Just a Little Bit” in 1996.
Eurovision 2023: Finland’s Käärijä with “Cha Cha Cha”
Finnish rap doesn’t scream “Eurovision success.” But Käärijä knows how to break the rules. The UMK winner told the story of a man with social anxiety who grows into his own with the help of a sweet libation. He did this with a dazzling green bolero, a massive crate, and dancers performing ballroom dance. The song’s progression — from angry rap to rainbow-coloured joy — was the Jekyll and Hyde moment viewers craved. Finland stormed the televote and a legend was born.
Eurovision 2024: Croatia’s Baby Lasagna with “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”
With a name like Baby Lasagna, how could Europe ever forget Croatia’s Eurovision 2024 act? “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” — the sound of the riff Baby Lasagna sampled — told the story of a young person leaving his home in search of better opportunities. That story involved begging a cat to meow back and grappling with the pain and sadness inherent in such a journey. Baby Lasagna brought one of the catchiest hooks of the year along with some viral dance moves and memorable LEDs (neon agricultural life must always be remembered). It’s no wonder this secured Croatia it’s best-ever finish.
Who is your favourite Eurovision runner-up of the past ten years?
When this poll will close?
What a STRONG string of runner ups! My numer one of this list is NARROWLY Dami Im, because for me she was the truly winner of her year with such a breath taking performance (IMO Polina also gave such an AMAZING performance, but the difference between she and Mans was smaller than Dami v Jamala). My complete chart is:
1. Dami Im
2. Polina Gagarina
3. Eleni Foureira
4. Baby Lasagna
5. Kristian Kostov
6. Barbara Pravi
7. Mahmood
8. Käärijä
9. Sam Ryder
“ Looking back at this in 2022, Polina Gagarina’s “A Million Voices” — with its message of peace — now seems hollow and dishonest” NOW? It wasn’t hollow and dishonest sending this shameful song just one year after invading Crimea? Let’s not forget that the first time the EBU used anti-booing technology was precisely in 2015 because of the Russians…
1: Dami I’m
2: Sam Ryder
3: Käärijä
4: Mahmood
5: Baby Lasagna
6: Kristian Kostov
7: Eleni Foureira
8: Barbara Pravi
9: Polina Gagarina
1.2023
2.2019
3.2016
4.2021
5.2018
My personal favourite song here is “Voilà” 2021. I think that will be my favourite runner up for a very long time. There are a lot of good songs here though.
Also, seeing Kris Kostov sing “Beautiful Mess” live at LEP 2017 still holds a special memory for me.
personally ranked my me
Honestly that Youtube preview photo of Croatia makes it look even more of a Käärijä copy, like the green colour and pose with those arms while having mouth open as well?
Cha Cha Cha is a vibe. My favourite ESC song ever
And I like Rim Rim more than Cha Cha tbh
Me too….
Sound of silence is kinda overrated.
Indeed…
Finland’s Käärijä with “Cha Cha Cha”
Most of the runners-up (with exception of Kristian Kostov) are actually better than the winners. Fuego and Cha Cha iconic, Sound of Silence and Voilà absolutely stunning!
Cha Cha Cha is the most memorable one
It’s sad how Baby Lasagna, Sam Ryder and Eleni Foureira were screwed by virtue signalling and wokeness. Eurovision has gone too political and it’s destroying it. Enough is enough, folks.
1. Cha Cha Cha
2. Fuego
3. Voilà
These are iconic.
Good thing I can remember these songs since all of the videos are geo-blocked.
Cha Cha Cha, Soldi, Voilà, Space Man and Sound of Silence got my votes.
2015 should have been won by Italy
I wanted Belgium to win. I was pleasantly surprised by Australia’s entry.
2015 may have been the best year for music ever. I still have more than a dozen songs from that year on my Eurovision playlist. In contrast, I have only 6 from 2024. And I am not sure one of them is going to last much longer since I keep skipping it.
2015 was a very boring year, most songs were either radio pop or ballads in English, very little diversity, not much memorable entries, 2024 is much better musically
Cha Cha Cha and Rim Tim Tagi Dim could have potentially WON in those years, so they are definitely the best and were robbed. I also have Space Man as my third favourite Eurovision song as well so Sam Ryder was also robbed. Viola and Soldi are also magnificent! My winners for three years running are now 2nd placers!
I really like all the songs bar I really hate the Russian song a million voices
We were so enthusiastic after Barbara’s 2nd place in Rotterdam, converted into a confirmed French success in the 20’s for our country in the contest with Slimane’s 4th place finish in Malmö, and a realistic future victory in sights. Yet, a month after the Grand Final of 2024, France’s participation in Switzerland 2025 is at threats, as is the future of our national broadcaster after yesterday’s results of the European elections if candidates in the lead yesterday evening access to the government next July 7th. This is a massive shock, especially when it occures while commemorating 80th anniversary of D-Day… Read more »
Even though I’m completely against the rise of the far right in Europe, I don’t see how the victory of RN in France could be a threat for France’s participation at Eurovision. I don’t think it’s in their plan to care about the contest.
In the Netherlands far right politicians want no public broadcaster, they say it’s a waste of tax money. No public broadcaster means no Eurovision.
They absolutely don’t care about Eurovision, and “don’t feel concern about it”. The thing is they detest more largely all the values shared in the contest, and overall the idea of a strong public broadcaster or every possibilities of contradiction, hence they promised to privatise France Télévisions as their first measure should they come in power.
I didn’t know. Very concerning then.
From views expressed at this website we can conclude with certainty that (1) best winner/runner-up/whatever is always the most recent one, and (2) general quality of songs is decreasing.
Ain’t that the truth, Ruth!
LOL, the recency bias!
Recency bias
I could vote for the fun songs with Cha chavcha or Rim Tim Tagi Dim but I prefer to go for a brilliant artist with good pop rock song. Sam Ryder would have been a great winner.
Just sad the Common Linnets just missed out.. would’ve voted for Calm after the storm
For now I voted for Fuego & Voila
Cha Cha Cha and Sound of Silence have stayed well played in my playlists, Space Man I listen once in a while as well as Fuego.
3 songs that i really wanted to win are Rim Tim, Cha Cha Cha, Fuego. But all songs are good actually and could/should be the winners of their season , except Space Man, i like the song and runner up is great, and the real winner was Chanel.
Cha Cha Cha!
1. Cha Cha Cha
2. Sound of Silence
3. Space man
Excellent
1.France 2021
2.Italy 2019
3.Croatia 2024
4.UK 2022
Good
5.Finland 2023
6.Australia 2016
Average
7.Bulgaria 2017
I don´t like
8.Cyprus 2018
9.Russia 2015
Cha cha cha for me – love Käärijä!!
Million Voices by Paulina! Why pretending Russia never existed in the competition?!
Paulina can go phaq herself
Because someone enjoys playing God.
Wait, no Polina in the poll? Tsk
The worst thing is that it will be the last year that this song is in the poll and this last year is ruined by politics
Granted, I haven’t even read the text by the video at first… I realized afterwards she wasn’t in the poll, how ironic. That btch.
It’s been over a year and I am still obsessed about Käärijä ?
Me too ?
It’s Cha Cha Cha??for me – one and only for so many reasons: In a minority language, Finnish of all languages! Käärijä reflects part of his culture through the song Visuals and K’s costume are non-conforming to any standards out there But most of all, Käärijä’s personality – absolute gold; Followed him for over a year now, there’s a bluntness and sincerity that very few artists out there have. He’s spoken so many times against bullying, body shaming, encourages consent and safety for everyone, openly supports the LGBTQ. I could go on forever, but yeah, Käärijä for me totally deserved… Read more »
Space Man is my favorite… (Beatles & Elton John vibes)
Voila! Should have won!
Happy for Mãneskins carreer but I agree with you
I love Fuego, Soldi, Cha Cha Chad, Rim Tim Tagi Dim and Viola. I can’t decide between them.
I never understood Sound of Silence, I think it is the weakest runner up ever.
My favourite ones, in this order, are: Cha Cha Cha, SpaceMan and Voila
For me the biggest ”should have won” in its year is Australia 2016
Ironically, the song at the bottom of this poll, with 615 votes in 217, would have won the contest in most other years with that score. Underrated ..and a stunning vocal from a very young singer .
That year there were more participants, hence more votes. That’s also why Salvador Sobral has got the all-years record.
Televote winners Cha Cha Cha and Rim Tim Tagi Dim, the ones that were truly robbed.
To be honest Rim tim etc was very lucky because of the dq of the Netherlands, Croatia can’t complain
Stop repeating this nonsense god damn iz!
Space Man is the only one I remember, literally none of the others made any impression on me at all. The song quality at this contest has just gotten weaker and weaker every year.
Soldi is so underrated in this poll. Modern, urban, catchy, involving the audience, great background story… A masterpiece.
I can’t believe 2015 was almost 10 years ago… time fly’s when you are having fun.
Voilà, bien sûr!
2021 was such an epic year. Barbara Parvi and Gjon’s Tears would’ve been worthy winners too. And I absolutely loved Go_A, Daði Freyr and The Roop as well.
The whole show was epic, especially the intervals compared to this year