The 1958 Eurovision Song Contest introduced the tradition of hosting in the winning country and featured the Italian entry that became a global pop standard.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 3rd Eurovision Song Contest
- Date
- 12 March 1958
- Participating countries
- 10
- Winning song
- Dors mon amour – André Claveau (France)
- Italian entry Grammy wins
- 2 Grammy Awards (1959) for Nel blu, dipinto di blu
- First-time participant
- Sweden
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
France won the 1957 Eurovision Song Contest, making its national broadcaster eligible to host the following year's edition. The European Broadcasting Union organised the event and selected AVRO Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands, establishing for the first time the principle that the winning country's broadcaster would host the next contest.
On 12 March 1958, ten countries competed at the AVRO Studios in Hilversum, presented by Hannie Lips. France won with 'Dors mon amour' performed by André Claveau, claiming the country's first of five eventual victories. Sweden made its debut, while the United Kingdom did not participate.
France's win reinforced the new hosting tradition that has largely continued ever since. The Italian entry, 'Nel blu, dipinto di blu' by Domenico Modugno, achieved far greater lasting fame after the contest, becoming a worldwide hit and winning two Grammy Awards in 1959, demonstrating that Eurovision could launch songs to global commercial success.
Work
Eurovision Song Contest 1958
Established the host-nation tradition and featured 'Nel blu, dipinto di blu', which became one of the most internationally successful songs ever associated with the contest, winning two Grammy Awards.