Eurovision Top 100, #100: Hajde da ludujemo (Yugoslavia, 1990)

“Hajde da ludujemo” is where we kick off the Eurovision Top 100 of all-time, and what a great way to start: With a fun, energetic song.

I would say hello to Yugoslavia, but it has not had much to say lately.  Let’s then say hello to former Yugoslav countries, with their erstwhile land making the top 100 list for the first (but not last) time.

Vital Information: “Hajde da ludujemo”

Yugoslavia had home-field advantage for this contest after winning in 1989, and they put on a good show with this number.  For a song that came in seventh place, I will go so far as to say that this was still underrated.  In 1990, Toto Cutugno won with a cute, if not cheesy, song about European unity.  As for Tajči, she was just there to sing and bop.

Something this catchy cannot be left off of this list, and thankfully, its score was just high enough to make it.

What I Liked

This song is pure happiness.  We came for the singing, but we stayed for the dancing.  I will forever associate this song with Tajči waving her arms and shuffling around with such joy throughout the whole number. 

The tune is upbeat, pleasant, and smile-inducing.  How can anyone not be pleased after watching?  This is the kind of song I went through Eurovision’s history to find.

Other Facts

• Tajči relocated to the United States and is still performing as of 2024.
• This song went 15th in the 1990 running order.
• Yugoslavia received douze points from Israel and Turkey.
• Word on the street is that over three decades later, this song can still be heard in Croatia and its Balkan neighbors.  That is a testament to its staying power.
• As of 2024, this was the only Yugoslavian or successor country song to be performed in its native land.

Gotta Hear “Hajde da ludujemo” Now?

The video of her 1990 Eurovision performance can be found on YouTube.

This song is also available for streaming on Spotify.