Abba`s Waterloo

[mykfin]

Abba sang 'best' Eurovision song

Abba's Waterloo won the 1974 contest in Brighton
Abba's hit song Waterloo, which won at Eurovision in 1974, is the perfect song for the contest, according to experts.
Bristol University's physiologist and music expert Dr Harry Witchel said winning tunes at the song contest had to have seven crucial elements to them.

They were pace and rhythm, an easily memorable song, a perfect chorus, key change, a clearly defined finish, dance routine and finish.

He tipped Bosnian entry Call Me, by Feminnem, to win Saturday's final.

UK entry Javine, who will be performing at the show in Kiev, Ukraine, came seventh in his estimation.

EUROVISION PERFECTION

1. Waterloo - Abba
(Sweden - 1974)
2. Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi - Celine Dion
(Switzerland - 1988)
3. Puppet on a String - Sandie Shaw
(UK - 1967, above)
4. Ding-A-Dong - Teach-In
(Netherlands - 1975)
5. La Det Swinge - Bobbysocks
(Norway - 1985)
6. Making Your Mind Up - Bucks Fizz
(UK - 1981)
7. Vivo Cantando - Salome
Spain - 1969)
8. Hold Me Now - Johnny Logan
(Ireland - 1987)
9. Diva - Dana International
(Israel - 1998)
10. Take Me To Your Heaven - Charlotte Nilsson
(Sweden - 1999)
Source: Bristol University
Celine Dion's 1988 winner Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi came second to Abba in Dr Witchel's all-time list.

It was followed by Sandie Shaw's 1967 UK entry, Puppet on a String, in the chart compiled for broadcaster Music Choice.

Waterloo catapulted the Swedish foursome to worldwide fame.

'Three syllables'

Dr Witchel said: "For any music fan it should come as no surprise that Waterloo is the perfect Eurovision song.

"The main thrust of the song, the word Waterloo, is just three syllables long and then there's a lot of space for it to become both memorable and emotionally evocative.

"It's completely different from most other songs in terms of harmonies and rhythm.

"I don't think there will be too many tracks of its quality in the next 50 years of Eurovision."