Top 10 Eurovision Songs

Let's start off with a controversial choice. The winning track of Eurovision 1998, "Diva" was performed by Dana International, a group of four Israeli women being led by the contest's first transgender contestant. This naturally caused controversy as many participating countries did not recognize gender identity as it was not common place in their societies. Interesting fact, "Diva" was the last song entirely in another language other than English to win Eurovision, as the song is in Hebrew, until 2007.

Considered one of the best entries to the contest in the last ten years, "Only Teardrops" wasn't just a hit during the contest. Danish singer Emmelie de Forest released the track in Denmark prior to Eurovision, charting at number two on Danish charts. Re-released after the contest, it easily reached number one on the same chart. One of Denmark's most popular entries into the Eurovision contest, "Only Teardrops" won the contest in 2013 with an amazing 281 points.

Norway sure knows how to pick their entries. Norway's third ESC win, "Fairytale" shattered records with the on-stage performance by violinist and singer Alexander Rybak. The track scored the most points by any individual entry since the contest's inception with 387 points. Already a chart-topper in Norway due to its success at the 2009 Melodi Grand Prix, "Fairytale" received gold certifications in Norway and Finland as well as platinum certification in Russia.

The most recent ESC winner, "Rise Like a Phoenix" performed by Conchita Wurst was the 2014 entry from the great nation of Austria. Receiving moderate commercial success in the European Union, this operatic pop track received 169 points in the semi-finals and 290 points in the finals. The track is only the second win for Austria, the last being in 1966. Will it take them another 50 years to win again? We doubt it.

Alright everyone, make room for the Brotherhood of Man. One of the oldest entries on our list, "Save Your Kisses For Me" is the United Kingdom entry for Eurovision 1976. The song was already a major hit before entering Eurovision, and winning the contest only escalated the band's overall popularity. "Save Your Kisses For Me" became a worldwide hit, topping the charts not only in Europe but Australia and the United States. The track still remains as the best-selling Eurovision winner since the contest's inception.

One of the rare instances where the performing artist isn't from the corresponding country, Canadian-born artist Celine Dion performed "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi" as Switzerland for Eurovision 1988. The track almost didn't win, squeaking past "Go" by Scott Fitzgerald in one of the closest finishes in the history of ESC, earning only one point over Fitzgerald to secure first place. Due to Celine Dion's huge multinational career, "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi" is considered one of the most popular Eurovision Song Contest winners.

Finally, Germany has an entry on our list. Originally written by American songwriters Julie Frost and Dane John Gordon, the song was performed by German vocalist Lena and ended up being selected as Germany's entry for Eurovision 2010. Prior to its performance at Eurovision, "Satellite" became Germany's fastest selling release ever by selling around 464,000 digital downloads. "Satellite" eventually won the contest that year, placing first with 246 points. Since then, the song has become gold and platinum certified in many countries.

I bet you didn't think metal would make this list. The most popular entry from Finland's impressive collection of Eurovision performers, "Hard Rock Hallelujah" placed first in Eurovision 2006 with an impressive 292 points. The record for the most points was held by Lordi, until it was broken by Alexander Rybak's "Fairytale". In celebration for the band winning Eurovision, Finland broke the world record for most karaoke singers at once as they sang "Hard Rock Hallelujah" in Helsinki.

Now its Sweden's turn. Best known as Sweden's entry into Eurovision 2012, "Euphoria" achieved the second highest point total in the history of Eurovision. The track placed first with 372 points. This was not all the success that the track received, earning almost all critics' praise as well as becoming certified nine times due to selling 360,000. "Euphoria" has also become the best-selling Eurovision winner from Sweden surpassing "Waterloo" by ABBA.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Making Your Mind Up” (1981)
Bucks Fizz

“Lipstick” (2011)
Jedward

“What's Another Year” (1980)
Johnny Logan

“Ding-a-Dong” (1975)
Teach-in