# 29 Ding Dinge Dong

Today saw quite a startling discovery in terms of Eurovisionness (if that's a word).

I reckoned the time had come to reveal a seminal Eurovision song to the world. It is Teach-In's Ding Dinge Dong (or is it Ding A Dong? I really can't be sure even though I have researched it in three different places) from the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest which saw my interest in Eurovision reignited.

Around about ten years ago the ex of my long-suffering partner Simon came round one evening for a spot of socialising. It could have been that he was making sure that Simon's new chap was up to the required "standard", I'm not sure. That aside, it was one of my CDs which Simon played to fill in the gaping silence which descended over the room from time to time.

Ding Dinge Dong was one of the tracks Simon played from my "Eurovision Winners Double CD of Joy" and which which sparked the interest of our guest for the evening. "I forgotten all about this. This was my favourite." It turned out our guest hadn't really consumed any Eurovision stuff since 1975.

Up until that point I thought I was pretty much the only person who confessed a love of this much-maligned event. Most people cast me a confused eye when I admitted to having "a number" of contests on video. Now, someone else with an otherwise healthy interest in the show had given one of it's winning songs some kudos.

Now I come to search on youTube for Teach-In's performance in 1975 contest I realise that there are a number of versions which amuse and entertain for a variety of reasons.

Shocking revelation number one is that until this afternoon I had absolutely no idea that the Netherlands pre-selection show featured three (possibly more) different performances of the same song. There was Teach-In's, power-singer "Debbie" and - by far the grooviest affair - one by Albert West.

As I delved deeper however, I discovered a brass band arrangement , a souped up (but no less satisfying) version by Russian blokey Alexey Glyzin and by far the best remix accompanying a slightly uncomfortable video by "Jane et Moi"

But by far the most entertaining is the simplest rendition of all. Included thus. Sometimes you don't need all the bells and whistles to deliver a punchy tune.

# 28 Macédomienne

Chris clearly understands what this week has been about. And his suggestion was a song I'd forgotten all about. Listening to it did, at first, raise a smile if only because I recalled how I'd rather taken to it's solitary tone so quickly when I heard it in 1990. A couple of minutes in however, it did rather tap into the dark side.

That's the thing about this song. As marvellously indulgent the sumptuous strings are in the live performance there's a deep melancholy about it which can, for those who could probably do with a few more carbs in their system, push certain individuals over the edge.

As sad as it sounds, there is a sense of hope about it. I don't say this with any deep understanding of the lyrics. My rather paltry research has only revealed that the title means "My Macedonian Woman". It's the sound of the music which is melancholic and hopeful all at the same time.

Eurovision songs used to help me recall what was going on around late spring in the year each particular song made it's appearance. Given that this is the first time I've put out the feelers for a song to review on what must seem quite a bizarre Eurovision blog, I'm in no doubt that this song will forever remind me of what has been quite possibly the most difficult week in a long time.

Please resist the tempation for sympathy. Macédomienne is full of hope ... I think.

Oh .. and I'm aware that the clip above isn't the live performance from the actual Eurovision. That's because the video clip I've found isn't the greatest quality. But, if you're a purist and you want see his live performance, watch the version below. Go on .. you get to hear it a second time that way. ;)

# 27 I can't live without music

Maybe it's because I am in a spectacularly foul mood today and ready to hit out at anyone who dares to come near me that I've picked out this shameful example of Eurovision hideousness. It's a cautionary tale about what happens when people start letting their woeful lack of understanding about tv performances spiral out of control.

Just imagine it. What we need is someone singing this song whose affliction (Corinna is blind, if you didn't know it - most will) will make the lyrics all the more poignant. She's going to find it difficult to jig about on stage so we'll thrown in some dancers and backing singers who can do that as well.

The result ? A terrible looking performance eclipsed by one of the particularly bad acts in Eurovision that year (Russia and Cyprus were even worse) although nowhere near as excrutiating as the UK's now infamous appearance the year after when Jemini suffered their humiliation. The backing singers literally scream into their microphones, the intonation is all off and even the gratuitous key-change doesn't improve things either.

Little wonder Germany came close to bottom of the pile that year in 21st place with a measely 17 points. A real shame, as its clear that May has the power to deliver a punchy melody. She is clearly an able singer, just not in these conditions.

But the cherry on the cake, every time I listen to this song is the penultimate line of the lyrics. "Music makes me feel like flyin', gives me hope when I'm a cryin'" Pass me the sick bucket, quickly.

Should anyone feel the need to ease my troubled brow with a suitably calming suggestion of the next Eurovision song you think I should listen to, then please let me know using the handy comments box below.