Spain In The Eurovision Song Contest
Spain debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961, finishing 9th. Since 1999, Spain is one of the "Big Five" (along with France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy) and therefore automatically allowed to participate in the final because they are the five biggest financial contributors to the European Broadcasting Union.
Spain has won the contest twice, first in 1968 with the song "La, la, la" sung by Massiel and second one year later, when Salomé's "Vivo cantando" was involved in a four way tie with Lulu's "Boom Bang-a-Bang", representing the United Kingdom, Frida Boccara's "Un jour, un enfant", representing France, and Lennie Kuhr's "De troubadour"", representing the Netherlands. Spain has only hosted the contest once, in 1969, since lots were drawn after 1969's four way tie, and the contest was hosted by the Netherlands.
Spain has competed in the contest continuously since the country's debut in 1961, having already appeared in 52 consecutive contests. The only country with a longer run of uninterrupted Eurovision appearances is the United Kingdom, ever-present since 1959.
Spain was represented in the 50th anniversary special of Eurovision Congratulations by their 1973 entrants Mocedades, singing the song "Eres tú". The song had made it into the top 14 for the special after being selected in an online vote by the voting public across Europe.
Read more about Spain In The Eurovision Song Contest: Selection Process, Spain and The "Big Five", Interrupted Performances, Contestants, Voting History (1975-2012), Hostings, Marcel Bezençon Awards, Commentators and Spokespersons, Congratulations: 50 Years of The Eurovision Song Contest, See Also
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