Eurovision Top 100, #53: Angelique (Denmark, 1961)

Back to 1961 we go for number 53 on the Eurovision Top 100 list, as Denmark’s Dario Campeotto gave us his song “Angelique.”

This is one about which you may have forgotten, or perhaps you never knew in the first place.  The Euro Yard is here to help.  When you’ve watched them all (except for the ones where no surviving video tapes exist), you’re bound to find a few gems in there, and the 1961 contest gave us several.

1961 was in what we would consider the First Era of Eurovision.  It was in the “first era” of staging, according to us, and the contest was finding its foundation and footing.  After all, this was only the sixth Eurovision Song Contest.  Staging was almost non-existent at this point, so to succeed, yes, the song had to be good, but you needed to be able to sing.

Dario Campeotto did not let me down, which is why his song has cruised well into the Top 100.

Vital Information: “Angelique”

What I Liked

If you want to listen to some smooth singing, check out this song.  I would describe Campeotto’s singing as comforting when he is singing the softer notes, and commanding when he goes up in volume and hits the high notes.

However, it often takes more than just strong singing to get into the Top 100.  We will cite our own video (link being repopulated soon) from the 1961 contest for further notes: We were in love with the lyrics, as Campeotto was in love with the mysterious Angelique.  You can read them for yourselves at Eurovision World, and yes, they paint a very vivid picture with attention to detail.

Other Facts

• This was Denmark’s third top-five finish in the contest.  It would be another two years until they won.
• Dario performed 13th in the running order in 1961, followed by the winner, Luxembourg.
• Campeotto passed away in 2023 at the age of 84.

Watch “Angelique” Elsewhere

Because it’s on YouTube.