Eurovision Song Contest 1975 — 20th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest
The 1975 Eurovision introduced the 12-10-8-to-1 points voting system still used today, and set a record of 19 competing nations.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 20th Eurovision Song Contest
- Date
- 22 March 1975
- Winning song
- "Ding-a-dong" by Teach-In (Netherlands)
- Participating countries
- 19 (record at the time)
- Netherlands' contest victories
- 4 (matching France and Luxembourg record)
- UK second-place finishes
- 9 (record-extending)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Sweden earned hosting rights after ABBA won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Waterloo', obligating Sveriges Radio to organise the following year's event. A record 19 countries registered to compete, including Turkey making its debut, while Greece withdrew in protest over the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
The 20th Eurovision Song Contest took place on 22 March 1975 at Stockholmsmässan in Stockholm, hosted by Karin Falck. The Netherlands won with 'Ding-a-dong' performed by Teach-In, becoming the first song to win from the opening position in the running order and giving the Netherlands its fourth contest victory.
The newly introduced 12-10-8-to-1 points voting system, replacing the prior format, was adopted permanently for all subsequent editions of the contest. The Netherlands' fourth win matched the then-record held by France and Luxembourg, while the United Kingdom extended its record for second-place finishes to nine.
Work
Eurovision Song Contest 1975 — winner: "Ding-a-dong" by Teach-In
The contest introduced the 12-10-8-to-1 voting system that became permanent, and set a participation record of 19 nations, shaping the format of Eurovision for all future editions.