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Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1975 with the song "Gelukkig zijn", written by Mary Boduin, and performed by Ann Christy. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Flemish Belgische Radio- en Televisieomroep (BRT), selected its entry through a national final. Ann Christy had previously taken part in the 1971 and 1973 national finals. Future Belgian representatives Micha Marah (1979) and Dream Express (1977) also took part in the national final.
| Eurovision Song Contest 1975 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participating broadcaster | Belgische Radio- en Televisieomroep (BRT) | |||
| Country |  Belgium | |||
| National selection | ||||
| Selection process | Eurosong | |||
| Selection date(s) | 1 March 1975 | |||
| Selected artist(s) | Ann Christy | |||
| Selected song | "Gelukkig zijn" | |||
| Selected songwriter(s) | Mary Boduin | |||
| Finals performance | ||||
| Final result | 15th, 17 points | |||
| Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest | ||||
| ||||
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Eurosong
Eurosong was the national final format developed by Flemish broadcaster Belgische Radio- en Televisieomroep (BRT) which determined the song that would represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 1975. This was the first edition of Eurosong, which would become the name of every BRT and VRT national final after 1975 (With the exception of 1996), and would become synonymous with the Eurovision Song Contest itself in Belgium.[1] This was also the first ever national final called Eurosong in the history of Eurovision Song Contest national finals, a name that would be adopted by several other countries for their national finals, such as: Ireland, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovakia.
Format
The first stage of the selection process consisted of seven semi-finals at the Amerikaans Theater in Brussels, taking part between 17 November 1974 and 16 February 1975, hosted by Staf Van Berendoncks. The format was similar to the former Belgian national final Canzonissima, where each semi-final had ten artists and the top three songs would be reused by their artists in the next semi-final while the other seven artists would select new songs. Songs that got top three in two consecutive semi-finals qualified to the final.[1][2][3]
Competing Entries
BRT shortlisted eight singers and two groups for Eurosong 1975: Ann Christy, Rita Deneve, Ingriani, Micha Marah, Ann Michel, Connie Neefs, Luk Bral, Joe Harris, The Lollipops, and Magenta. A rule in Eurosong 1975 allowed artists to also participate with bands, causing Dream Express, Jeremiah, Road, and The Pebbles to participate as well. A total of 58 songs competed in Eurosong 1975.
| Artist | Song | Songwriter(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Christy | "Als je eenzaam bent" | Erik Marijsse, Ignace Baert |
| "Gelukkig zijn" | Mary Boduin | |
| "Oh mon amour" | Leonil McCormick, Nelly Bijl | |
| Ann Christy & Dream Express | "Hartenbreker" | Luc Smets, Nelly Bijl |
| Ann Michel | "Alleen voortaan" | Cahelo, Gerd Frank, Gene van den Ostende |
| "Als de lente komt" | Phil van Cauwenbergh, Gerd Frank, Gene van den Ostende | |
| "Droomland aan zee" | Rudy Witt, Ernie Frank, Dyru Blanc | |
| "Je hebt je vergist" | Cahelo, Gerd Frank, Gene van den Ostende | |
| "Mijn gentleman" | Raymond Resmann, Jacques Raymond | |
| Connie Neefs | "Come On Baby" | Ernie Frank, Gerd Frank, Gene van den Ostende |
| "Fils à papa" | Jacques Raymond, Raymond Resmann | |
| "Ik ben funny" | Rudy Witt, Ernie Frank, Dyru Blanc | |
| "Leven moet je drinken" | D. Hermes, Huguette de Backer | |
| "Mijn droom" | Huguette de Backer, Gerd Frank, Gene van den Ostende | |
| "Ook dat nog" | Luc Smets, Walter Ertveld | |
| "Vraag niet waarom" | Phil van Cauwenbergh, Paul Quintens | |
| Ingriani | "Dan zal ik dansen" | Greta Mestdagh |
| "Hey capitano" | Eddy Govert | |
| "Hey hey dandy" | Greta Mestdagh | |
| "Lady" | Greta Mestdagh, Rick Vervecken | |
| "Zo zacht" | Eddy Govert | |
| Joe Harris | "De wereld" | Joe Harris, Van Winkele, Pavic |
| "De wereld zingt een nieuw refrein" | J.Paul, J.R. van Herck | |
| "Hou je van mij" | J. Leopold, Roos Windels | |
| "Sla je handen in elkaar" | Eddy Govert | |
| "Zo was er niemand" | J. van Hoeck, Roos Windels | |
| Joe Harris & Jeremiah | "Het is zo goed weer thuis te zijn" | Joe Harris, Van Winkele, Pavic |
| Luk Bral | "Alleen" | Luk Bral, Dirk Devriendt |
| "Alles wat ik heb" | Willy van Couwenberghe, Luk Bral | |
| "Een zonnige zondagmiddag" | Luk Bral, Dirk Devriendt | |
| "Laat een jongenshart nooit alleen" | Romain Schoonis, Luk Bral | |
| "Kom geef mij je kleine hand" | Luk Bral | |
| "Morgen zal alles beter gaan" | Luk Bral | |
| Luk Bral & Road | "Ik wil terug naar mijn moeder" | Willy van Couwenberghe, Luk Bral |
| Magenta | "Alleen je lichaam" | Roland Arnould, Wim Reiling |
| "De dikke encyclopedie" | Roland Arnould, Wim Reiling | |
| "Een kind van nog geen zeven" | Roland Arnould, Wim Reiling | |
| "Het land van friet en pils" | Roland Arnould, Wim Reiling | |
| "Mens wat wil je meer" | Roland Arnould, Wim Reiling | |
| "Wat over Frits en z'n familie wordt verteld" | Roland Arnould, Wim Reiling | |
| "Zonder geld, zonder vrouw, zonder baan" | Roland Arnould, Wim Reiling | |
| Micha Marah | "Ik weet" | Willy van Couwenberghe, Albert Lepage |
| "Kom bij mij" | Willy van Couwenberghe, Albert Lepage | |
| "Weet je waarom" | Willy van Couwenberghe, Albert Lepage | |
| "Zeven uur is liefde" | Willy van Couwenberghe, Albert Lepage | |
| Micha Marah & The Pebbles | "'t Is over" | Bob Bobott, Fred Bekky |
| Rita Deneve | "Ben je vergeten dat ik van je hou" | Jules Callebaut, Yan Nick |
| "Ciao adieu, auf wiedersehen" | Jules Callebaut, Yan Nick | |
| "Dance Dance Mama" | Mary Boduin, Jules Callebaut, P. Montouris | |
| Unknown | ||
| "Niemand, is er dan niemand" | Sylvain van Holmen, Yan Nick | |
| "Vogelvrij" | Sylvain van Holmen, Penny Els | |
| The Lollipops | "Hello Everyone, Everywhere in the World" | Bobby Ranger |
| "Kansas City Joe" | Clark van Mere, José Fontaine | |
| "Love, Love, Love" | Johan Stollz, Rick Vervecken, E. Debacker | |
| "My Love, Oh My Love" | Erik Marijsse, Ignace Baert | |
| "Shalala" | Willy van Couwenberghe, Clarck van Mere | |
| "Valentijn" | Phil van Cauwenbergh, Paul Quintens | |
| "'t Was een mooie tijd" | Clark van Mere, José Fontaine, Rick Vervecken |
Shows
Semi-Finals
Voting in the semi-finals was done by five provincial juries, each consisting of ten members of the public, five men and five women. After every show, all fifty were replaced. Since songs introduced in semi-final 9 could not get top three in two semi-finals and qualify to the final, the rules to qualify for the final were changed for semi-final 9. Songs had to receive at least 377 points, the average number of points that every song that qualified to the final got in their last semi-final.[1]
The first four semi-finals were recorded on a Saturday and broadcast on the Sunday. The fifth semi-final was never recorded and broadcast due to a strike at BRT, but it still took place behind closed doors. The sixth and seventh semi-finals were broadcast live on a Saturday.[1]
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micha Marah | "Kom bij mij" | 365 | 3 |
| 2 | Ingriani | "Hey capitano" | 336 | 4 |
| 3 | Magenta | "Het land van friet en pils" | 250 | 8 |
| 4 | The Lollipops | "Shalala" | 219 | 9 |
| 5 | Connie Neefs | "Ik ben funny" | 331 | 5 |
| 6 | Joe Harris | "De wereld zingt een nieuw refrein" | 275 | 7 |
| 7 | Luk Bral | "Kom geef mij je kleine hand" | 286 | 6 |
| 8 | Rita Deneve | "Ben je vergeten dat ik van je hou" | 377 | 1 |
| 9 | Ann Michel | "Mijn gentleman" | 340 | 2 |
Ann Christy was absent from semi-final 1 as she was abroad at the time.
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Michel | "Mijn gentleman" | 401 | 1 |
| 2 | Micha Marah | "Kom bij mij" | 383 | 2 |
| 3 | Ingriani | "Zo zacht" | 316 | 6 |
| 4 | Magenta | "Alleen je lichaam" | 189 | 9 |
| 5 | The Lollipops | "Kansas City Joe" | 142 | 10 |
| 6 | Connie Neefs | "Ook dat nog" | 231 | 7 |
| 7 | Ann Christy | "Als je eenzaam bent" | 376 | 3 |
| 8 | Joe Harris | "Sla je handen in elkaar" | 321 | 5 |
| 9 | Luk Bral | "Alleen" | 226 | 8 |
| 10 | Rita Deneve | "Ben je vergeten dat ik van je hou" | 372 | 4 |
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Michel | "Alleen voortaan" | 360 | 3= |
| 2 | Micha Marah | "Weet je waarom" | 360 | 3= |
| 3 | Ingriani | "Dan zal ik dansen" | 380 | 2 |
| 4 | Magenta | "De dikke encyclopedie" | 192 | 8 |
| 5 | The Lollipops | "Hello Everyone, Everywhere in the World" | 350 | 5 |
| 6 | Connie Neefs | "Mijn droom" | 323 | 6 |
| 7 | Ann Christy | "Als je eenzaam bent" | 413 | 1 |
| 8 | Joe Harris | "Hou je van mij" | 311 | 7 |
| 9 | Luk Bral | "Een zonnige zondagmiddag" | 156 | 9 |
Rita Deneve would have participated with the song "Maar toch blijf je de eerste" but was absent due to the birth of her son.
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luk Bral | "Alles wat ik heb" | 269 | 9 |
| 2 | Rita Deneve | "Vogelvrij" | 314 | 6 |
| 3 | Ann Michel | "Alleen voortaan" | 359 | 3 |
| 4 | Micha Marah | "Weet je waarom" | 356 | 4 |
| 5 | Ingriani | "Dan zal ik dansen" | 375 | 1 |
| 6 | Magenta | "Zonder geld, zonder vrouw, zonder baan" | 186 | 10 |
| 7 | The Lollipops | "Valentijn" | 296 | 8 |
| 8 | Connie Neefs | "Come On Baby" | 318 | 5 |
| 9 | Ann Christy | "Gelukkig zijn" | 372 | 2 |
| 10 | Joe Harris | "Zo was er niemand" | 305 | 7 |
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Harris & Jeremiah | "Het is zo goed weer thuis te zijn" | 387 | 3 |
| 2 | Luk Bral | "Morgen zal alles beter gaan" | 279 | 7 |
| 3 | Rita Deneve | "Niemand, is er dan niemand" | 337 | 4 |
| 4 | Ann Michel | "Je hebt je vergist" | 321 | 6 |
| 5 | Micha Marah | "Zeven uur is liefde" | 325 | 5 |
| 6 | Ingriani | "Hey hey dandy" | 402 | 2 |
| 7 | Magenta | "Mens wat wil je meer" | 262 | 9 |
| 8 | The Lollipops | "My Love, Oh My Love" | 220 | 10 |
| 9 | Connie Neefs | "Leven moet je drinken" | 267 | 8 |
| 10 | Ann Christy | "Gelukkig zijn" | 423 | 1 |
The fifth semi-final was not broadcast due to a strike at BRT, but it still took place.
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Christy & Dream Express | "Hartenbreker" | 319 | 4 |
| 2 | Joe Harris & Jeremiah | "Het is zo goed weer thuis te zijn" | 325 | 3 |
| 3 | Luk Bral | "Laat een jongenshart nooit alleen" | 233 | 9 |
| 4 | Rita Deneve | "Ciao adieu, aufwiedersehn" | 317 | 5 |
| 5 | Ann Michel | "Droomland aan zee" | 272 | 7 |
| 7 | Ingriani | "Hey hey dandy" | 378 | 2 |
| 8 | Magenta | "Een kind van nog geen zeven" | 192 | 10 |
| 9 | The Lollipops | "Love, Love, Love" | 281 | 6 |
| 10 | Connie Neefs | "Fils à papa" | 262 | 8 |
After Semi-final 6, Micha Marah withdrew "Ik weet" as she wanted to participate with a different song in semi-final 7.
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connie Neefs | "Vraag niet waarom" | 329 | 5 |
| 2 | Ann Christy | "Oh mon amour" | 351 | 3 |
| 3 | Joe Harris | "De wereld" | 341 | 4 |
| 4 | Luk Bral & Road | "Ik wil terug naar mijn moeder" | 209 | 10 |
| 5 | Rita Deneve | "Dance Dance Mama" | 394 | 1 |
| 6 | Ann Michel | "Als de lente komt" | 286 | 7 |
| 7 | Micha Marah & The Pebbles | "'t Is over" | 384 | 2 |
| 8 | Ingriani | "Lady" | 329 | 5 |
| 9 | Magenta | "Wat over Frits en z'n familie wordt verteld" | 242 | 8 |
| 10 | The Lollipops | "'t Was een mooie tijd" | 235 | 9 |
Final
The final, consisting of ten songs, took place on 1 March 1975 also at the Amerikaans Theater, hosted by Staf Van Berendoncks. Six singers were involved, with four (including Christy) performing two songs apiece. Voting was by five regional juries, each consisting of 20 members of the public, and "Gelukkig zijn" emerged the winner by a margin of almost 60 points.[1][4]
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Christy | "Als je eenzaam bent" | 765 | 3 |
| 2 | Ann Michel | "Mijn gentleman" | 598 | 10 |
| 3 | Joe Harris & Jeremiah | "Het is zo goed weer thuis te zijn" | 600 | 9 |
| 4 | Ingriani | "Dan zal ik dansen" | 744 | 4 |
| 5 | Micha Marah | "Kom bij mij" | 695 | 7 |
| 6 | Rita Deneve | "Dance Dance Mama" | 727 | 6 |
| 7 | Ann Michel | "Alleen voortaan" | 626 | 8 |
| 8 | Ingriani | "Hey hey dandy" | 767 | 2 |
| 9 | Ann Christy | "Gelukkig zijn" | 825 | 1 |
| 10 | Micha Marah and the Pebbles | "'t Is over" | 735 | 5 |
| Draw | Song | Brabant |
East Flanders |
Limburg |
West Flanders |
Antwerp |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Als je eenzaam bent" | 160 | 156 | 150 | 150 | 149 | 765 |
| 2 | "Mijn gentleman" | 112 | 115 | 120 | 122 | 129 | 598 |
| 3 | "Het is zo goed weer thuis te zijn" | 103 | 110 | 139 | 123 | 125 | 600 |
| 4 | "Dan zal ik dansen" | 138 | 147 | 148 | 175 | 136 | 744 |
| 5 | "Kom bij mij" | 148 | 126 | 149 | 127 | 145 | 695 |
| 6 | "Dans dans mama" | 128 | 146 | 168 | 137 | 148 | 727 |
| 7 | "Alleen voortaan" | 124 | 116 | 129 | 117 | 140 | 626 |
| 8 | "Hey hey dandy" | 138 | 159 | 150 | 160 | 160 | 767 |
| 9 | "Gelukkig zijn" | 195 | 156 | 164 | 154 | 156 | 825 |
| 10 | "'t Is over" | 175 | 123 | 166 | 144 | 127 | 735 |
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On the night of the final Christy performed 11th in the running order, following Israel and preceding Malta. Under the free-language rule in operation at the time, Christy performed the first half of the song in Dutch, before switching to English. At the close of the voting "Gelukkig zijn" had received 17 points, placing Belgium 15th of the 19 participating countries.[5][6]
Voting
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