ABBA’s Waterloo tops poll for best Eurovision song of all time
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Swedes strike the right note with most popular Eurovision song
ABBA’s ‘Waterloo’ is the most popular Eurovision winner of all time, according to a Ladbrokes poll of 1,000 Eurovision fans.
The Swedish quartet’s 1974 classic was voted the most popular Eurovision song of all time by 46% of the UK, while Bucks Fizz’s ‘Making Your Mind Up’ came second with 10% of the vote. Brotherhood Of Man’s ‘Save Your Kisses for Me’, came third with 7%, and was followed by Katrina and the Waves’ ‘Love Shine a Light which secured 6% of the vote.
Abba – Waterloohttps://t.co/MKjx3JIcgs pic.twitter.com/ZwuhY0WRBj
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The survey, commissioned by Ladbrokes ahead of the big night in Liverpool on May 13, also found that 37% fans thought Cliff Richard was robbed in 1968 when ‘Congratulations’ missed out on a win by just one point. Twenty two per cent of respondents thought Gina G’s ‘Ooh Aah…Just a Little Bit’ was the greatest song to never win Eurovision, while 15% thought it was Sonia’s ‘Better The Devil You Know.’
When it comes to favourite commentators, Terry Wogan still reigns supreme, with 52% of the public voting for him as their favourite, while 21% loved Graham Norton.
The research also found that 15% of fans would skip watching their football team play in the Champions League final for Eurovision, while 14% would miss their country playing in World Cup Final to watch the show. A dedicated 9% would miss their friend’s anniversary party, while 8% would miss a wedding for it.
When it comes to how they vote, 33% vote based on the quality of the music. 26% vote based on the country, while a patriotic 17% will always back the UK, no matter what.
The survey also found that 54% of the population thought Eurovision’s voting system should be reformed.
When it comes to their wish list for future acts, 20% want to see Adele give up her Las Vegas residency and represent the UK. Nineteen per cent would like to see Ed Sheeran represent his country and 17% would like to see Robbie Williams do the same, while only 10% would opt for Harry Styles.
Twenty-one per cent would like to see Alan Carr step into Graham Norton’s shoes and take over commentary duties, and 16% would nominate Holly Willoughby for the job, while just 4% would like to see Gemma Collins commentate.
Jessica O’Reilly, head of Ladbrokes PR, said: “It might be nearly 50 years since ABBA won Eurovision with Waterloo, but it’s clearly still hitting the high notes with fans.”
