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| The Belgian city of Antwerp is famous for their diamond cutting, and Belgian diamond cutters like Gaby Tolkowsky (pictured) are world famous for their ability. |
Belgium is an interesting country because it is divided neatly in two into two regions---Wallonia, a French speaking region, and Flanders, a Dutch speaking one. Because of this, there are two national broadcasters and they swap the chore of organizing and selecting a song and singer between them each year.
Because of this language divide, Belgium has done something that no other country has done in Eurovision--sent songs in invented languages. The most successful of these songs is this number, from 2003
Urban Trad "Sanomi" 2003
It was successful, coming in second in 2003. It's not my type of song, but for sheer chutzpah it ranked highly on my list.
Belgium has also sent some rather avant garde choices to Eurovision, the most famous of which is this group
Belgium has also sent some rather avant garde choices to Eurovision, the most famous of which is this group
Telex "Euro-Vision" 1980
As for influential Eurovision contestants, Telex is probably second to ABBA for global influence. Their influence as one of the fathers of modern electronica and dance music has been wide reaching, and their acceptance of representing Belgium at Eurovision is pretty surprising. However, in my ranking they ranked so low because the song was built to provoke instead of actually win, which for me is unforgivable.
The rest of the songs in this group make it into this section with one real connecting factor, they put a smile on my face when I hear them. Take a listen to these and tell me you don't want to smile.
Lily Castel & Jacques Raymond "Goeiemorgen, morgen" 1971
Clouseau "Geef het op" 1991
My top five Belgian songs to follow soon.
6. Tom Dice "Me and My Guitar" 2010 Quality song.
7. Lily Castel & Jacques Raymond "Goeiemorgen, morgen" 1971
8. Vanessa Chinitor "Like The Wind" 1999 Enya anybody?
9. Ann Christy "Gelukkig zijn" 1975
10. Clouseau "Geef het op" 1991
11. Micha Marah "Hey Nana" 1979 This came in last in 79, and I don't know why.
12. Urban Trad "Sanomi" 2003
13. Telex "Euro-Vision" 1980
14. Lisa del Bo "Liefde is een kaartspel" 1996 Let's face it, I'm a sucker for a bouncy melody.
15. The KMG's "Love Power" 2007 I'm distracted by the lead singer's tan.
16. Liliane Saint-Pierre "Soldiers of Love" 1987 Cheesy, but in a great way.
17. Robert Cogoi "Près de ma rivière" 1964 The best of the early Belgian entries.
18 Jean Vallée "L'amour ça fait chanter la vie" 1978 A really solid song.
19. Bobbejaan Schoepen "Straatdeuntje" 1957 Schoepen is a Eurovisionary. Watch for a post on him.
20. Nicole & Hugo "Baby, Baby" I don't need to post this one. If you love Eurovision, you know this cheesy number by heart.
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