Special Sub-Topic: Eurovision: 1959 Click Here To Play: Eurovision: 1959

Where was the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest held?

France. The competition was held in the Palais des Festivals et des Congres in Cannes, France. Built to house the Cannes film festival, it is now used for exhibitions.

Which country won the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest?

the Netherlands. The Netherlands won with their entry "Een beetje" ("A Little Bit"). The song is about a young woman who, when asked if she is faithful to her lover, answers "a little bit".

The UK's 1959 entry was a song called "Sing, Little Birdie". Who sang it?

Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson. Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson sang the British entry. Written by Stan Butcher (composer) and Syd Cordell (lyricist), it placed second in the competition.

Normally at the end of the Eurovision competition, the winning song is sung again. This year more than one song may have been reprised. How many songs were sung again?

three. For the first (and as of 2008, last) time, all of the top three songs were sung again. The time alloted for the broadcast was 73 minutes, and presumably this was done to avoid finishing before the alloted time was up.

How many entries in the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest were sung in French?

two. Only two countries sang their entries in French this year. They were France - "Oui, oui, oui, oui" ("Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes") and Monaco - "Mon ami Pierrot" ("My Friend Pierrot")

For one country, the 1959 contest was its first. Which country was this?

Monaco. Monaco debuted at the 1959 Eurovision competition. Their entry, "Mon ami Pierrot" ("My Friend Pierrot"), didn't do well, however, as it took last (eleventh) place.

One country returned to Eurovision in 1959 after staying out for at least one cycle. Which country came back?

United Kingdom. The United Kingdom returned after skipping the 1958 competition. Their entry, "Sing, Little Birdie", placed second.

Who was the presenter at the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest?

Jacqueline Joubert. Jacqueline Joubert hosted the competition for her first time. (She also was the presenter in 1961.) Born in 1921, she was one of the early French television presenters and later became a producer.

There's always a halftime - what was the entertainment for the halftime of the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest?

none - there isn't always a halftime.... This year there was no halftime show. Charles Aznavour, Serge Gainsbourg and Maurice Chevalier were all French singers.

Eleven countries vied for the 1959 Eurovision Song crown. That there should have been a 1st position, 2nd position, 3rd etc, all the way to 11th, right? Wrong - or is it? How many countries, if any, tied for position?

four. Four countries tied for two positions. Italy and Belgium tied for sixth position with nine points each, while Sweden and Austria vied for ninth position with four points each.