Back in December, 5 countries have withdrawn from the contest, due to EBU’s decision to include Israel in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. Ireland, Spain, Iceland, Slovenia and the Netherlands showed their disagreement by choosing not to participate- marking the first time in Eurovision history that such a mass withdrawal occurred.
As part of our Remembering series, we are celebrating each of these countries’ contributions to Eurovision, highlighting the beautiful moments and iconic performances they have given us over the years. At ESCHeartbeats, we respect their decisions and stand in solidarity, even though we will miss them dearly!
Today, we turn the spotlight on Spain, a proud member of the ‘Big Five’- countries that provide financial support to the contest and automatically qualify for the final as a token of gratitude. Spain debuted in the contest in 1961 and participated every year thereafter until 2025, building a rich and unforgettable history.
Spain’s debut came with Conchita Bautista and her ballad ‘Estando Contigo’ (=being with you), which earned  a respectable 9th place. Spain achieved its first victory in 1968 with Massiel and her upbeat hit ‘La La La‘. The following year, in 1969, Spain won again with Salomé’s ‘Vivo Cantando‘ (=I Love Singing), in a historic four-way tie with France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—the only time Eurovision has had four winners in a single year.
Throughout the 1970s to the 1990s, Spain frequently achieved strong results. They finished second 4 times: with ‘En un mundo nuevo‘ by Karina in 1971, ‘Eres tú’ by Mocedades in 1973, ‘Su canción‘ by Betty Missiego in 1979, and ‘Vuelve Conmigo‘ by Anabel Conde in 1995. Spain also secured a third-place finish with ‘Lady, Lady’ by Bravo in 1984.
In the 21st century, Spain experienced more mixed results, but still shone with memorable performances. Notable achievements include Pastora Soler’s ‘Quédate Conmigo ‘(=Stay With Me) in 2012 and Ruth Lorenzo’s ‘Dancing in the Rain’ in 2014, both finishing 10th, and the sensational Chanel in 2022 with ‘SloMo‘, achieving a remarkable third place—the country’s best result in decades.
Even in years when Spain scored lower, their songs consistently captured the hearts of Eurovision fans. With passionate lyrics, flamenco-inspired performances, dazzling choreography, and the beautiful Spanish language, Spain has left a lasting mark on the Eurovision stage. Whether it’s a heartfelt ballad or an upbeat dance anthem, Spain’s contributions remain unforgettable, proving that they are a vital part of Eurovision history.
