Eurovision Song Contest 1970 — 15th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest
Ireland won its first Eurovision title in 1970, a contest marked by a boycott from four nations protesting the prior year's four-way tie.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 15th Eurovision Song Contest
- Date
- 21 March 1970
- Winning song
- "All Kinds of Everything" by Dana (Ireland)
- Participating countries
- 12 (lowest since 1959)
- Boycotting nations
- Finland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden
- Luxembourg result
- Nul points (only time in contest history)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 1969 Eurovision Song Contest ended in an unprecedented four-way tie between France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. A ballot draw selected the Netherlands as host. Austria had already abstained in 1969, and four other nations—Finland, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden—chose to boycott 1970, citing concerns that the contest marginalised smaller countries and had deteriorated as television entertainment.
The 15th Eurovision Song Contest was held on 21 March 1970 at the RAI Expositie-en-Congrescentrum in Amsterdam, hosted by Willy Dobbe and organised by the EBU and NOS. Only twelve countries participated. Irish singer Dana performed "All Kinds of Everything," written by Derry Lindsay and Jackie Smith, and won the contest. The United Kingdom placed second and Germany third.
Ireland's victory was its first in what would become a record seven Eurovision wins. Germany achieved its best result to that point by finishing third. Luxembourg received nul points for the only time in the contest's history. The boycott reduced participation to levels not seen since 1959, prompting wider debate about the contest's format and fairness to smaller nations.
Work
Eurovision Song Contest 1970
Ireland's first Eurovision win launched a record-setting run of seven victories, while the 1970 boycott by four nations highlighted ongoing tensions over contest format and equity for smaller participating countries.