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Perhaps you've heard of the Eurovision Song Contest--the international song competition organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union?
Each participating country (currently 24 in all)- submits an original song to be performed live and transmitted to national broadcasters via the Eurovision and Euroradio networks, with competing countries then casting votes for the other countries' songs to determine a winner.
They've been doing this since the mid-50s, making it the longest-running contest of its kind in the world.
Several yearly winners have become international hits, bringing worldwide acclaim to participating groups like Abba and solo artists such as Julio Iglesias--among many others.
In fact, Abba won the contest in 1974 with "Waterloo," which became their first US hit. (We highlighted that song way back on 3/6/21).
Today, however, we're setting the clock back one more year to 1973, when the SECOND Place winner, Mocedades from Spain surprised everyone when their song "Eres Tu" ("It's You") became a HUGE hit in the US, even though it was sung entirely in Spanish--the only completely Spanish-language song to reach Billboard's Top 10: #8 on the Adult Contemporary Chart and #9 on the Hot 100.
An English language version was recorded and released, but the lyrics (and meaning) were changed, and, surprisingly, it was not a hit.
I think that speaks to the power and emotion of the Spanish version, which didn't need a translation.
HOWEVER, if you click today's link, the subtitles will translate the original lyrics for you! :-)
Note: For the record, the 1973 winner as Anne-Marie David of France, who represented Luxumbourg with a song called "Tu Te Reconnaitras" ("You'll Recognize Yourself.") I've included a link to that below as well.)
"Eres Tu" by Mocedades: a Eurovision runner-up, but nevertheless a "Great Song--Worldwide--in 1974! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URJsyi4kGus
"Tu Te Reconnitras" by Ann-Marie David:
Tomorrow: Special Moments.
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