Eurovision Song Contest 1973

June 16th, 2008 link to (permalink)

In order to persuade anyone that any kind of institutionalized event is a bad idea, all one needs to do is say “imagine x run by the DMV”. The Eurovision song contest is what it would be like if the music industry were run by the DMV.

To commemorate Eurovision’s biggest winners, the Irish, who have just blown the European Union treaty and the last time oil buggered up the global economy, here is the 1973 Eurovision song contest, held in Luxembourg - which is a bit like a country run by the DMV.

Following the terrorist attack against Israel at the Munich Olympics, and Israel’s debut in the competition, the floor manager strongly advised people in the audience to remain seated while clapping, to avoid being shot by security forces.

Belgium’s entry at 8:15 is pretty special, and if you have a history of hallucinogenic flashbacks, I’ve no idea what’s going on at 1:05, but you might not want to watch it. Beyond satire.

tags: comedy music nostalgia world

5 responses so far »

Robert : Aug 2, 2008 at 9:45 am

what did you vote in the european treaty? thats right
admin : Aug 7, 2008 at 10:56 am

Er… I didn’t. What’s your point exactly?
robert : Sep 12, 2008 at 6:14 pm

My point is that no one in Europe was allowed to vote. An early version of the treaty was tested on the French and Dutch public and was rejected outright. This time the only country in Europe allowed to vote was Ireland because, to the annoyance of our politicians, it’s written into our constitution that any change to the constitution has to be voted on by the public. The treaties mean a massive overhaul of all constitutions effectively handing over power to a European parliament on key issues… a parliament and president that were never voted in by the people. Why did we vote no? People were pretty annoyed all over Europe that Europe was being quietly turned into a federal state and this was felt all the way in Ireland. Were historically neutral and a yes vote allows conscription. Many feel the powers behind the yes vote fall very much into the free market capitalist / friedmanite category meaning a lot more privatisation, scant welfare, low taxes - and everything else that causes a massive poverty gap

If your still interested… heres some more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNpTBm7Xrt4
Shocking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kr0Foq3CQE

I love your site by the way! It’s my second favourite site after the BBC 
admin : Sep 12, 2008 at 9:19 pm

Ah - thanks that is a great point, although I though the conscription issue had been relaxed precisely because it made Irish ratification unlikely.

I have mixed feeling about the EU and the Irish no vote.

Regarding the EU, I hate bureaucracy, but think that the EU as a single market has been successful.

Re Ireland, on the one hand I like the eff you, attitude but on the other think that Ireland has benefitted from EU subsidies more than most.
rick : Sep 28, 2008 at 9:50 am

HEY NOW!

I work for the DMV and we produce FINE songs!