Back in the day, when Spain made an effort

While waiting for the not too exciting revelation which of tonight's nine rather tame candidates will represent Spain, the land of temper and passion, in Düsseldorf, I will close my eyes and remember the day when Spain pushed things forward in this contest.

Here are five Spanish entries with sparkle and attitude, five entries that wanted something, five entries that have left an impression.



Salomé - Vivo cantando (Spain 1969)

This entry is great fun from beginning to end. Salomé is in a great cheerful mood, she dances and sways and her dress dances along. Catchy, with several key changes and an explosive ending.



Lucia - El (Spain 1982)

A tempestuous tango, energetic and sexy, performed with grace and sensuality. Very Spanish at the same time as it pokes fun at some Spanish stereotypes.



Remedios Amaya - Quien maneja mi barca? (Spain 1983)

Bold and dignified, exotic and seductive, chanceless at a time when all eurosongs should sound the same in order to score. Nul points was a hard blow on Remedios personally, but unlike most most other entries of the night, she has not been forgotten.



Azucar Moreno - Bandido (Spain 1990)

Almost shockingly contemporary back then with a heavy backing track and an exotic flavour that hit home better with the juries than Remedios did. The performance got a false start when said backing tracks wouldn't start like they should, but in the end the sisters left Zagreb with a fifth place.



Eva Santamaria - Hombres (Spain 1993)

Yet another remarkably modern entry, unfortunately without the strong backing track. In the hands of the Irish orchestra, most of the modern parts were left in ruins, but this was anyhow the first entry ever with rap elements in the contest.