World Song Contest

The 8th edition of the World Song Contest started in October 2005. The record of participants was not beaten but a qualifying round had to be organised as 34 countries, from all the continents, took part, including new comers San Marino and Norway. This time 7 countries were eliminated before the final. Estonia, Germany and USA were once again amongst them.

We also had a lot of famous names. If Mariah Carey didn't bring success to the USA, Alizée, Ricky Martin and Laura Pausini (representing Italy for the third time in a row) helped to qualify as well as artists related to the Eurovision Song Contest Ira Losco, Sakis Rouvas and Lena Philipsson. You can easily understand how good Russia did thanks to t.A.T.u. who belong to both of these categories. In final things were different for some of them and led to success for others. But without big names, and for the first time, Spain, Austria and France finished in the top 10 of the final. For Austria it's almost unbelievable as this country qualified because Macedonia didn't vote and thanks to a tie with Latvia in the qualifying round.

For it's first participation, Norway reached the top 10. The song received 12 points from 6 countries. But it was not enough to win. This time it was a battle between five countries. Probably that the difference was made by the popularity of t.A.T.u. who gave a second victory to Russia with the song Friend Or Foe. You can then expect more big stars in the future...