World Song Contest

After the scandal in WSC .16, this edition of the contest was seen as a test and despite some players decided to take a break, 31 countries finally took part in July 2006. This edition will  stay in memories for several reason. Aleksandar, who won four times for Russia, decided to leave the game, just like Mike (who played for Canada) did in WSC .16. They will always be welcomed here of course ! But despite all this, the World Song Contest didn't die and we had one of the most exciting edition with no songs seen as a big favourite. As a results, some countries realized their best results since they first participated.

Nelly Furtado was probably the biggest star of this edition with the number 1 hit "Maneater". She helped Portugal to reach not only its first top 10 but also top 5 position. This wasn't the only song to have met success all over the world. France was represented by Bob Sinclar and the dance hit "Love Generation". But what worked for Portugal, didn't for France. Latvia also reached the top 5 for the first time in 7 participations.

Having friends can help to reach some good positions in the contest. But for these countries, this score was just the result of a good choice. Portugal's best result so far was 20th, while Latvia usually finished outside the top 15th. What about Monaco then which could count on some friends, Italy and France first... Of course their 12 points helped but even without them, Monaco would have won. A first victory for this country with the song "Je Ferme Les Yeux", performed by Najoua Belyzel (who made a come back after she gave its best result to France in WSC .12), and the first winner to be entirely sung in French. Finland took the silver medal, followed by the Netherlands, Latvia and Portugal.

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THE WINNER  

Country: Monaco
Artist(s): Najoua Belyzel
Song: Je Ferme Les Yeux

French electro-pop chanteuse Najoua Belyzel (real name: Najoua Mazouri) was born December 15, 1981, in Nancy. The product of a large Moroccan family, she began writing her own songs at age 14, and after a brief stint studying law at the University of Nancy, she quit school to relocate in Paris in search of a career in pop music. After a casting call Belyzel joined the group Benoît, which enjoyed brief success with the single "Tourne-toi Benoît" but later foundered. She left their ranks in 2003, teaming with up-and-coming songwriter Christophe Casanave. Belyzel issued her debut solo single, "Gabriel," in 2005. The record emerged as a massive hit, peaking at number three on the French pop chart and setting the stage for the LP Entre Deux Mondes, which entered the album chart at number seven. The follow-up single, "Je Ferme les Yeux," reached the number 13 spot in early 2006. Her second album Au Féminin was released in 2009.