Special Sub-Topic: Eurovision: 1958 Click Here To Play: Eurovision: 1958

Where was the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest held?

the Netherlands. The competition was held in the AVRO Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands. AVRO is the Netherlands' public broadcasting system. Hilversum is a nexus for the media, with many different broadcasters operating from the town.

Which country won the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest?

France. France won with its entry "Dors, mon amour" ("Sleep, My Love"). Sung by Andre Claveau, the song was written by Pierre Delanoe (composer) and Hubert Giraud (lyricist).

A number of languages are normally heard during the Eurovision Song Contest, including French, English, German, Italian, Dutch, Danish and Swedish. Which one of these languages was not heard at the 1958 competition?

English. No song was sung in English. After having competed in 1957, the United Kingdom did not choose to compete this year.

One song did less well at the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest than it did elsewhere. The entry of which country went on to win several Grammy awards?

Italy. Italy's entry, "Nel blu dipinto di blu" ("Blue Painted in Blue") is popularly known as "Volare". Sung in Italian by Domenico Modugno, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first record to win Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1959.

How many entries in the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest were sung in French?

three. Three of the entries were sung in French this year. They were Belgium - "Ma petite chatte" ("My Little Sweetie") France - "Dors, mon amour" ("Sleep, My Love") and Luxembourg - "Un grand amour" ("A Great Love")

For one country, the 1958 contest was its first. Which country was this?

Sweden. Sweden took part for the first time this year. Their entry, "Lilla stjarna" ("Little Star") was performed by Alice Babs, a big star in Sweden. They finished fourth, with ten points.

One song did not transmit properly to some of the juries, which this year remained in their home countries. Which country had to perform its entry a second time?

Italy. The song performed twice (with neither instance being the winning song reprise) was Italy's. Their entry, "Nel blu dipinto di blu" ("Blue Painted in Blue"), was performed again after all the other songs had been presented.

Who was the presenter at the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest?

Hannie Lips. Hannie Lips was born in Rotterdam in 1924. In addition to presenting the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest, she was in two television shows, "Hokus Pokus dat kan ik ook" and "Redt een kind".

There's always a halftime - what was the entertainment for the halftime of the 1958 Eurovision Song Contest?

Metropole Orkest. The Metropole Orkest is the The Metropole Orchestra which, according to its own website (www.en.metropoleorkest.nl) is "the world's largest professional pop and jazz orchestra". Based in Hilversum, it also is often heard performing scores for films. Kaps and Velleman were both Dutch magicians.

Ten countries vied for the 1958 Eurovision Song crown. That there should have been a 1st position, 2nd position, 3rd etc, all the way to 10th, right? Wrong - or is it? How many countries, if any, tied for position?

four. Four countries tied for two positions. Belgium and Austria tied for fifth position with eight points each, and the Netherlands and Luxembourg fought over the dubious honour of coming in last, with one point each.