Eurovision Top 100, #85: Ding-a-Dong (The Netherlands, 1975)

“Ding-a-Dong” is the first Dutch entry on the Eurovision Top 100 list we revealed, but it will not be the last.

In the earliest parts of the contest, the Netherlands was one of the dominant countries.  The Dutch won Eurovision two out of the first four years (1957 and 1959), then fell off into hard times for most of the 1960s.  They recovered to win the contest again in 1969, and by 1975, they had their fourth victory.  At the time, it tied with with Luxembourg and France for most Eurovision successes.

This song came during the brief era in the 1970s where the “native language rule” was lifted.  There was a Dutch version of this song, but it was also written into English for the Eurovision performance.

Vital Information: “Ding-a-Dong”

What I Liked

This song is very 70s, and despite what you might be thinking, that is intended as a compliment.  They are singing about a lost lover and the sadness associated with it, but still manage to do it in an upbeat and let’s call it “groovy” way.

Put it all together and you get a catchy performance, which is for certain what they intended.  I have to say as well: They of course did not perform it at the contest in 1975, but the Dutch version of this song slaps.  I might have had that one rated even higher than 85th.

Other Facts

• “Ding-a-Dong” was one of a small handful of songs to win Eurovision despite going first in the running order.
• This was the first contest where the “douze points” scoring system was introduced.  Teach-In got six of them that night, more than any other country.
• If you are a Dutch time-traveler from 1975, I must regret to inform you that the Netherlands will have to wait another 44 years to win Eurovision again.
• This was the first of many Eurovision Song Contests to be held in Sweden (Stockholm, specifically).

“Ding-a-Dong” Every Hour, or Whenever

Here are two YouTube links for you: the 1975 Eurovision final performance (English) and the Dutch version.