Spain’s Eurovision Dilemma

Last night Spain chose its Eurovision entry for 2016 and for the first time ever the whole song is in English, well at least the original version was. Barei will represent her nation with the song Say Yay! at the Stockholm-based contest in May. At the last minute, Spain’s national broadcaster, TVE, requested that every entry have at least a few words in Spanish. So, with that in mind, this year’s entry added some Spanish words that are sung by backing singers.

Personally, I think it’s a bit of a shame that counties don’t sing in their native language and a part of me really loved the Spanish for refusing to sing completely in English until now. Although Spain hasn’t won the contest since the 1960s so maybe this change will pay off, although for me, the song’s not a winner even with its distinctly European club feel.

Here’s a quick look at the good, bad and just plain strange of Spain’s past Eurovision entrants:

1. La La La by Massiel (1968)
This was Spain’s first winner and used the word “la” 138 times. There are still rumours however that Franco bought votes in order to win and improve Spain’s image across Europe.

2. Vivo Cantando by Salomé (1969)
Spain’s only other winning song, perhaps the voters were hypnotised by Salomé’s outfit.

3. Europe’s Living a Celebration by Rosa (2002)
The last time Spain actually thought it might stand a chance. Rosa Lopez had just won Operación Triunfo, Spain’s first modern talent show and for the Eurovision, her backing singers were her fellow contestants, most of whom have gone on to have successful careers, like David Bisbal and David Bustamante. Unfortunately for Rosa, the song came 7th.

4. Dancing in the Rain by Ruth Lorenzo (2014)
My personal favourite which came 10th back in 2014. Ruth is now a regular on Spain’s very successful celebrity Stars in your Eyes style show, Tu Cara Me Suena. (Click here to see Ruth’s impressive impression of Conchita Wurst, who she lost out to in the Eurovision)

5. Baila el Chiki-chiki by Rodolfo Chikilicuatre (2008)
What were Spain thinking? A guy with an Elvis hair, outlandish clothes and a child’s toy guitar. However, the chorus is so tricky to get out of your head, all together now, UNO…

What do you think of this year’s entry and who was your favourite Spanish entrant?

Don’t forget to watch the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 on 14th May!