For most of the participants, winning the Eurovision Song Contest is also a guarantee of international chart success. But the following songs prove that you do not have to be successful to succeed with an ESC song.

© Imago / ITAR-TASS
Common Linets failed to achieve ESC in 2014

“In blue dyed blue (Volare)”, “Rain (bye-bye girl)” von Domenico Modugno

In 1958 and 1959, Italian singer Domenico Modugno (1928-1994) tried his luck at the Eurovision Song Contest. He finished third in 1958 with “Nell Blue Dipinto de Blue (Volare)”, and the following year he finished sixth in “Pio (Xiao Xiao Bambina)”. However, both songs became worldwide hits, selling millions of copies. Artists such as Dean Martin (1917-1995), Gypsy Kings, and Peter Alexander (1926-2011) have repeatedly adopted “Volare”. Modugno last competed in the European Music Competition in 1966, but later finished last with zero points.

“Congratulations” von Cliff Richard

In 1968, British Cliff Richard (80) sang “Congratulations” at the ESC in London. However, the Spanish entry “La, La, La” scored only one point. Richard only finished second. “Congratulations” later charted around the world and is still one of his greatest successes.

“There are always miracles” by Katja Ebstein

Katja Ebstein (76) represented Germany three times at the Eurovision Song Contest. It was never enough for her to win, but in 1970, 1971 and 1980 she completed two-thirds of the time. This is the most successful partner who does not win the competition. The most popular song today is “Wonders Are Again” from the 1970s. The song remained in the German Top 20 for ten weeks and is still a popular hit classic.

“Love is Blue” von Vicky Leandros

In 1967 Vicky Leandros participated in the Grand Prix de la Chanson for Luxembourg with the song “Lamour est bleu” because ESC was still called. They finished fourth. The song became a huge international success, and Leandros recorded it in several languages. The instrumental version of Paul Maurice (1925-2006) was particularly successful. It topped the US Billboard charts.

“This is you” von Mosseddes

The Spanish band Mossidades lost their song “Eras T” in 1973 at the ESC in Luxembourg. This was enough for second place. But the single release of the song was a huge success. Mossidades is one of the five Spanish effects that smashed the top ten in the US with a single song – and the only song to be performed entirely in Spanish. Another major award in 2013: “Eres T” was inducted into the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame.

“Disingis Khan” von Dicingis Khan

The German contestant of the same name “Dishingis Khan” in 1979 may not be considered by critics as a serious contender for ESC success. The song, written by Ralph Siegel (75), was enough to finish fourth in the music competition. “Disingis Khan” later became a chart hit, remaining number one on the German singles charts for four weeks. The song was later adopted by several international artists.

“Calm down after a storm” von the Common Linets

In 2014, European singer Conchita Worst (32) fell in love with Tom Newweir. For the Dutch band The Common Line, it was only enough to finish second to Worst. However, the song “Storm After Calm” became an international success. Isles Delaunch (43) and bandmate JB Myers (48) are number one on the Dutch charts, number two in Denmark and Austria, number three in Germany, number four in Ireland and top ten in Great Britain.

“No never never” von Texas Lightning

In 2006, the Texas Lightning Band gained ten points out of ten of the 37 countries that participated in Athens, and reached number fourteen, but their national anthem “No No Never” was a huge success in Germany. He remained number one on the charts for a week and a total of 38 weeks.

“He’s Mine” by Marion Rosenberg

The success of Marion Rosenberg (66) and her song “He’s Mine” is particularly remarkable. Because the pop singer did not even make it to the 1975 preliminary decision of the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm. At the time, they were only ranked 10th. Joy Fleming (1944-2017) was allowed to go to Stockholm with “A Song Can Be a Bridge”, but Rosenberg landed an evergreen with the candidate. The song remained on the charts for 20 weeks in 1975, reaching the top ten. Her 2004 remake managed to stay on the German single charts for eight weeks.