This kicks off another series on this blog, where I celebrate my odd favourites. In short: I put the spotlight on songs only I like.
The first one is a lovely ballad, but most people fail to notice as they get distracted by the rather odd stage performance.
Marty Brem - Wenn du da bist (Austria 1981)
Marty had already represented Austria the year before as part of Blue Danube and opened the 1981 ESC in Dublin in style by drinking the national drink of the host country in his postcard and smiling sweetly into the camera.
On stage, he is helped (if that is the word I am looking for) by four ladies of which one sings and the others... well, they interact.
I would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the meeting where the radical decisions concerning this performance were taken. Who decided the dresses? Who decided the choreography? And why didn't they listen to the song before doing so?
After three minutes, the audience is left confused and the juries only gave it a total of twenty polite points.
Too bad that nobody ever got to notice what a sweet song this really is, heartfelt and sincere, with a very fine vocal delivery by Marty, whose career never really recovered after this.
I like it anyway, and I could be the only one. If you're with me on this one, please leave a comment to let me, Marty and all the Austrians know you are around.
