Watch Now #EurovisionAgain: The Hague 1980

Watch: #EurovisionAgain – Eurovision Song Contest, The Hague 1980

Eurovision fans are expected to cause the hashtag #EurovisionAgain to trend on Twitter as they watch the Contest and tweet along on Saturday evening. Those who aren’t able to enjoy the synchronised viewing are able to watch the classic Contest for a limited time on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.

The 25th Eurovision Song Contest: The Hague 1980

Nineteen countries took part:

1. 🇦🇹 Austria: Blue Danube – Du Bist Musik (You Are Music)
2. 🇹🇷 Turkey: Adja Pekkan – Pet’r Oil
3. 🇬🇷 Greece: Anna Vissi and the Epikouri – Autostop (Ωτοστόπ) (Hitch-hiking)
4. 🇱🇺 Luxembourg: Sophie and Magaly – Papa Pingouin (Papa Penguin)
5. 🇲🇦 Morocco: Samira Bansaïd – Bitaqat Hub (بطاقة حب) (Love Card)
6. 🇮🇹 Italy: Alan Sorrenti – Non So Che Darei (I Don’t Know What To Give)
7. 🇩🇰 Denmark: Bamses Venner – Tænker Altid På Dig (Always Thinking of You)
8. 🇸🇪 Sweden: Tomas Ledin – Just Nu! (Right Now!)
9. 🇨🇭 Switzerland: Paola – Cinéma
10. 🇫🇮 Finland: Vesa-Matti Loiri – Huilumies (A Flute Man)
11. 🇳🇴 Norway: Sverre Kjelsberg and Mattis Hætta – Sámiid Ædnan (Sameland)
12. 🇩🇪 Germany: Katja Ebstein – Theater
13. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Prima Donna – Love Enough For Two
14. 🇵🇹 Portugal: José Cid – Um Grande, Grande Amor (A Great, Great Love)
15. 🇳🇱 The Netherlands: Maggie MacNeal – Amsterdam
16. 🇫🇷 France: Profil – Hé, Hé, M’sieurs Dames – Hey, Hey, Ladies and Gentlemen)
17. 🇮🇪 Ireland: Johnny Logan – What’s Another Year 🍀
18. 🇪🇸 Spain: Trigo Limpio – Quédate Esta Noche (Stay This Night)
19. 🇧🇪 Belgium: Telex – Euro-Vision

Spoilers ahead: The full Eurovision Song Contest 1980 results.

Back to The Hague?

It was another chance for the Dutch to shine, as they stepped in to take over hosting duties when reigning champions Israel could not. In fact, Israel were absent completely from the 1980 Contest as the 19 April date clashed with Holocaust Memorial Day.

This would mark the last occasion on which a winning country declined the opportunity to host the Eurovision Song Contest the following year.

The Hague had already put on a great show in 1976 and, with both time and budgets against them, it was agreed that several components from the previous production would be used again in the Nederlands Congresgebouw – including elements of the stage and even the opening titles (which is why you might experience pangs of déjà vu and nausea as we watch this man eat a herring whole for the second time).

One classic component missing from the 1980 Contest is the postcards. Despite inventing the concept in 1970, NOS decided instead that songs should be introduced by a presenter of each broadcaster’s choice, speaking in one of their nation’s languages.

One brand new addition to the show was Morocco! They became the first African nation to appear at Eurovision. Their artist, the renowned Samira Said, performed Bitakat Hob (بطاقة حب) (Love Card) and finished in 18th position.

It was reported at the time that due to the poor result Moroccan TV decided they would not participate in the Contest ever again – something we hope they’ll reconsider one day.

For all the Belgian synthpop, aspirational penguins and Norwegian yoiking, the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest will forever be remembered because of one man. Mr Eurovision himself.

The now legendary Johnny Logan secured Ireland’s second Eurovision victory with the song What’s Another Year and the first of his three triumphs (he later won with Hold Me Now in 1987 and composed Linda Martin’s 1992 winner Why Me?).

We caught up with Johnny ahead of #EurovisionAgain to reminisce about The Hague and to find out what he thinks about the most recent winners, Måneskin!

Check out our exclusive Eurovision.tv interview with Irish champion Johnny Logan.

Make sure to use the hashtag #EurovisionAgain and join the conversation via our official Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook accounts.