Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 1979

Belgium was represented by the song "Hey Nana", performed by Micha Marah at the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Jerusalem on 31 March.

Eurovision Song Contest 1979
Country Belgium
National selection
Selection processEurosong
Selection date(s)3, 10, 17 & 24 February 1979
3 March 1979
Selected entrantMicha Marah
Selected song"Hey Nana"
Finals performance
Final result18th=, 5 points
Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄1978 • 1979 • 1980►

Before Eurovision

Eurosong

Although the Belgian preselection consisted of only six songs (all performed by Marah), broadcaster BRT managed to spin out the selection process for five weeks by means of a one-off format which, rather unsurprisingly, was never used again. All the shows were held at the Amerikaans Theater in Brussels and hosted by Karl Buts.

Semi-finals

Four semi-finals were held in February 1979 to select the three songs to progress to the final. In the first three semi-finals the lowest-placed song, after a public vote, was eliminated, leaving three songs in the fourth semi-final, where they were joined by Marah's own second-chance choice from the three previously eliminated songs. In the fourth semi-final, again the bottom song was eliminated and the three survivors went on to the final. Many found the whole process - whereby it had taken four weeks to narrow six songs down to three - somewhat absurd and pointless, particularly as the three songs which ended up qualifying for the final had been the top three songs in every round of voting.[1]

Semi-final 1
Semi-final 1 – 3 February 1979
Draw Song Points Place Result
1 "Mooi prater" 454 6 Eliminated
2 "Alleen" 504 5 Advanced
3 "Alles zal zich weer herhalen" 549 4 Advanced
4 "Mijn dagboek" 571 3 Advanced
3 "Hey Nana" 766 2 Advanced
4 "Comment ça va?" 849 1 Advanced

Semi-final 2

"Alles zal zich weer herhalen" was selected as Marah's second-chance choice.

Semi-final 2 – 10 February 1979
Draw Song Points Place Result
1 "Alleen" 516 4 Advanced
2 "Alles zal zich weer herhalen" 424 5 Saved
3 "Mijn dagboek" 685 3 Advanced
4 "Hey Nana" 713 2 Advanced
5 "Comment ça va?" 746 1 Advanced

Semi-final 3
Semi-final 3 – 17 February 1979
Draw Song Points Place Result
1 "Alleen" 509 4 Eliminated
4 "Mijn dagboek" 632 3 Advanced
3 "Hey Nana" 690 2 Advanced
4 "Comment ça va?" 832 1 Advanced

Semi-final 4
Semi-final 4 – 24 February 1979
Draw Songwriter(s) Points Place Result
1 "Alles zal zich weer herhalen" 233 4 Eliminated
4 "Mijn dagboek" 381 3 Advanced
3 "Hey Nana" 576 2 Advanced
4 "Comment ça va?" 758 1 Advanced

Final

The final was held on 3 March 1979 with the three surviving songs, this time voted on by a 20-strong "expert" jury rather than the public. In the only real surprise in the entire event, the jury went for "Hey Nana" as their choice, although it had finished well behind "Comment ça va?" in every round of public voting. It was not a popular decision, as it was pointed out that the public had clearly and consistently indicated their preference for "Comment ça va?", only to have their choice overturned by 20 people.[2]

Final – 3 March 1979
Draw Song Points Place
1 "Mijn dagboek" 58 3
2 "Hey Nana" 96 1
3 "Comment ça va?" 83 2

At Eurovision

On the night of the final Marah performed 12th in the running order, following France and preceding Luxembourg. At the close of the voting "Hey Nana" had received just 5 points (2 from Denmark and the United Kingdom and 1 from Germany), placing Belgium joint last (with Austria) of the 19 entries, the fifth time Belgium had found itself at the bottom of the Eurovision scoreboard. The Belgian jury awarded its 12 points to Spain.[3]

"Hey Nana" is noted for lyrics which those who understood Dutch cited as among the most facile and childish ever heard at Eurovision. Marah herself made no secret of her dislike for the song, refusing even to record it, making it one of very few Eurovision songs never to have been released commercially in its home territory.

Points awarded to Belgium[4]
12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points
5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

Points awarded by Belgium[4]
12 points Spain
10 points Ireland
8 points Norway
7 points Denmark
6 points France
5 points Portugal
4 points Germany
3 points Netherlands
2 points Israel
1 point Greece

See also

References
  1. "ESC National Finals database - Belgium semi-finals 1979". Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  2. ESC National Finals database - Belgium final 1979
  3. ESC History - Belgium 1979
  4. Eurovision Song Contest 1979
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