Ever wondered what makes a Eurovision song famous? Sometimes it’s not just about winning but rather the unadulterated passion an artist puts into a song that keeps it relevant through the years.
Take ABBA, for example. They entered “Ring Ring” into the 1973 competition and didn’t win, yet they’re still at the heights of superstardom almost 50 years later.
We’ve rounded up the best Eurovision songs that didn’t win ahead of this year’s competition as a reminder that your favourite entry doesn’t have to win to become iconic.
1. “Ring Ring” by ABBA, Sweden (1973)
It’s not technically a Eurovision song, but it did come third in the 1973 Melodifestivalen, the annual Swedish song competition that determines their Eurovision Song Contest entry.
ABBA’s rise to superstardom after they won the 1974 competition with “Waterloo” makes it too good not to mention. They started a pop revolution and became one of the best-selling bands of all time.
It might not be a “Dancing Queen” or “Mamma Mia!”, but “Ring Ring” is still regarded as one of the most famous Eurovision songs, and it’s undeniably catchy.
2. “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare)” by Domenico Modungo, Italy (1958)
Many of the best Eurovision songs pre-70s fade into obscurity, as there are so many new additions each year. But this one has only grown in popularity, being covered by the likes of Dean Martin and David Bowie.
Despite not winning, it was Billboard’s No.1 single of the year in 1958 and went down in history as the first song to win Song of the Year at the first-ever Grammy Awards.
3. “Moustache” by Twin Twin, France (2014)
It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years since a group of French men almost stole the show singing about moustaches.
On the surface, it’s nothing more than a fun pop song. But if you pay attention to the lyrics, you’ll notice it makes a statement about the effects of consumerism on modern life.
It may have finished last in the 2014 final, but its catchy nature and vibrant music video made it a favourite with viewers, and it’s still just as addictive today.
Related: Who will win Eurovision 2023?
4. “One Step Out of Time” by Michael Ball, UK (1992)
If the title doesn’t make it obvious, this runner-up from 1992 was more of an 80s-inspired ballad about the singer pining after a former lover. Perhaps this is why it was so popular with an audience high on cheesy hits.
“One Step Out of Time” was a pre-competition favourite, but it lost to “Why Me?” by 16 points during the final.
Still, it’s one of the best Eurovision songs in our eyes, mostly thanks to the powerful vocals and irresistible synth-pop sound.
5. “Just a Little Bit” by Gina G, UK (1996)
Every 90s kid knows this one from their school discos, and it still frequents many wedding playlists in the UK. It’s one of those nostalgic hits that has stood the test of time and is certainly one of the best Eurovision songs that didn’t win due to its ability to stick around.
“Just a Little Bit” is also the fourth-highest charting Eurovision song in the US. It’s rare for songs from the competition to hit the charts in America—the latest to do so was “Arcade” by Dutch singer Duncan Laurence, the winning 2019 entry.
6. “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” by Verka Serduchka, Ukraine (2007)
One of the more eccentric entries the competition has seen, “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”, is one of the most famous Eurovision songs in existence. The iconic live performance from Helsinki still circulates on social media today.
Sadly, the song came in second place during the 2007 competition, losing to “Molitva” by Serbian singer Marija Šerifović. But it featured in the 2015 film Spy during a chase scene with leading actress Melissa McCarthy—not many Eurovision songs have that claim to fame!
Related: Ranked: the 10 best British bands of all time
7. “Spirit in the Sky” by KEiiNO, Norway (2019)
This song landed its place on our list of the best Eurovision songs that didn’t win for its spellbinding lyrics and catchy nature.
It has an 80s disco sound with a folk twist and certainly has the air of a winning song, so it placed first in the televote that year. It finished in sixth place overall, which feels like a crime.
“Spirit in the Sky” reached #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart following the competition, and KEiiNO is still releasing music and touring today.
8. “Dark Side” by Blind Channel, Finland (2021)
Reminiscent of Evanescence and Linkin Park, this is one of the most famous Eurovision songs of recent years, amassing chart success in multiple countries following the competition.
It finished in sixth place but was nominated at the 2021 Global Metal Apocalypse Awards and helped the band land their first record deal with Sony Music.
Blind Channel is still releasing music, and you’ll love their 2022 single "Bad Idea" if you enjoyed their Eurovision entry.
9. “Space Man” by Sam Ryder, UK (2022)
We couldn’t create a list of the best Eurovision songs that didn’t win without including this one.
It’s the highest-charting UK entry since the Gina G hit we mentioned earlier and was the best-selling song in the country by the end of 2022.
Unashamedly inspired by Elton John’s “Rocket Man” and Bowie’s “Space Oddity”, the song carries the torch forward by adding a contemporary twist to the theme of a lonely space traveller.
It was a favourite with viewers but narrowly lost to Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra with their entry, “Stefania!”.
Sam Ryder valiantly discussed coming in second place by saying, “They needed to win that. They were always going to win that. It’s so important that we use the platform of Eurovision to celebrate solidarity and to shine light into darkness.”
Specialist music insurance through Insure4Music
Are you a passionate musician yourself? If so, you may want to consider specialist musician insurance to protect yourself and your equipment.
At Insure4Music, we arrange cover for accidents and if your instruments or gear are lost, damaged, or stolen. So, whether practising for Eurovision or performing at your local club, you can do so with complete peace of mind.
Learn more about how we can help here, or get an online quote in minutes.