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Massiel and La La La
40th anniversary of Spanish victory in Eurovision!
The 1968 Eurovision Song Contest was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London where a total of 17 countries competed. The event was televised in black and white in Spain while it was telecast in colour in Norway, Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands for the very first time. British presenter Katie Boyle had the honour of presenting the event for the 3rd time on British soil, as she also hosted the contest back in 1960 and 1963. The winning song La La La was composed by the famous Spanish duo EL Dúo Dinámico. Massiel wore an outfit by French designer Courreges. The 1968 Eurovision Song Contest will be remembered also for its voting as the United Kingdom was leading all the way until the very end when Spain caught up and won with only 1 point ahead.
Massiel and her song La La La have gone down in Spanish history as the first Spanish winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. Even today whenever anyone mentions the Eurovision Song Contest in Spain everyone relates it to La La La.
Massiel was already a well-known figure in Spain before her Eurovision victory, she was given a massive welcome on her return from London. Today Massiel is considered among Spain's most stablished and respected artists having enjoyed a successful career. You can watch Massiel's Eurovision performance in London which gave Spain its very first victory at the contest below.
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@ Annika
I agree, Sweden's song from that year was great.
'La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La'
Not much has changed in 40 years has it.
I'll be entering my own song called Ooh Ooh Ooh for 2009
- 30 more seconds of 'cut & paste' and I'll be done.
Cliff = Robbed
@ Portugalego in LA. The English version of La La La - He gives me love, is atrocious lyrically. However from 1968 to 1973 Spain almost ranked alongside the UK in finishing positions - 1st, 1st, 4th, 2nd, 10th, 2nd for Spain, 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 2nd, 3rd for the UK. It's a shame Spain lost out in 1971 with En Un Mundo Nuevo because it was far better than Monaco's winner but I suppose some would say that was Karma for 1968! LOL
PLEASE!!! No arguments about who actually WON 1968 Eurovision by her own merits. Excellent voice, tune, chorus, arrangements... Everybody knows that Cliff Richard's song wasn't really that bad, but definetely not good enough. It's amazing that even 40 years after the contest Spain's victory is still questioned!!!
On the other hand, the Catalan lyrics were much much much more beautiful!!! The lyrics in Spanish don't really make so much sense.
Strange way to celebrate this anniversary - sending the Chickichicki to the ESC!!! :-/
Anyway Cliff's 'Congratulations' still used at parties!
Political voting was alive and kicking in 1968. The Germans, still upset about losing the World Cup Final in 1966, gave six points to Spain and only two to the United Kingdom, giving Spain that one-point lead. It came as a shock to the BBC that Cliff lost. They had already invited Congratulations writers Bill Martin and Phil Coulter back stage to receive the trophy!
Me encanta Spanish language.. 
I was disappointed when "La, la, la" won in 1968. I thought that "Congratulations" was by far the best song. Cliff was robbed in 1973 too, if you ask me.
the best song of 1968 was without doubt Ireland's entry "Chance of a lifetime"sung by Pat Mc geegan, father of famous world champion boxer Barry. it's a really great song,and was performed amazingly.Ireland,should won."LaLaLa"was stupid.
Tuh! The best song of 1968 is Sweden´s "Det börjar verka kärlek banne mig". 
...men för all del...jag kan ha fel.... 
Are you people serious?!? La La La was (and is ) a million times better than Cliff's song of that year...! It's one of the most "eternal" ESC winners...
(Seems it's mainly native Britons who say otherwise, though )
"Congratulations" may be have been used as a "signature tune" for the contest, but that doesn't say anything about it's quality... That's only because of its lyrics. It's quite a mediocre tune, after all.
Spain might win again...
very bad!!!!!!!
Cliff was 100% robed!
Spain top 5 this year!
How the hell did this beat Cliff Richard ?
Aiii yaii yaaiiiii`
The UK and especially France were robbed that year. "La Source" is the best ESC song EVER, and "Congratulations" has become almost a signature tune of the Contest. Even in Spain it was a bigger hit than "La, la, la".
Spain had very good songs, this year is rubbish!!
Maybe Spain can win again after 40 years?
Less than 2 months left to find out!
Cliff Richard came 2nd in 1968, he locked himself towards the end of the voting. Las Malvinas is what the Argentinians (and I guess the rest of the Spanish speaking world) call the Falkland Islands.
thanks at Valenti Parilla Aixela
1968 National winner Joan Manuel Serrat wished to sing the song in Catalan but turned down by the Franco regime, and Massiel took his place to win!!! although Spain won again next year in 1969, maybe the curse of Serrat they never won again,
1982 Spanish Song El was a tango to compete in UK when Argentina and UK was in war in Malvinas islands
As much an ESC signature theme as is Te Deum.
Berk Ak, are you talking about Joan Manuel Serrat, who must to sing the song in London? He told that he wanted to sing the song in Catalan, so he was banned by Franco's Government, and Massiel sang "La la la" instead Joan Manuel Serrat.
Now Andorra let us to listen (well, this year only a frase) Catalan language in Eurovision Song Contest, THANKS ANDORRA!!!! Spain never remind that not only Spanish is talking in its territories... There are another languages with their roots into Spanish territories...
Nice song Spain. Pity you don't have just as a good song this year.
I'd love to see Portugal win followed by Spain!!
FORÇA IBERIAN PENINSULA!!!!
FRANCO didnt allow the Cataln original to compete
Massiel would never go to London in the first place, cause this song was in Catalan and sang by someone else, however fashist dictator Franco's Spain banned it to compete in London İn Catalan, Massiel was a last minute choice to sing the song in Spanish
1968 is a fun contest to watch. I have it on DVD. Massiel has a great voice, but her song wasn't as good as the French one. Isabelle Aubret's "La source" is the best song that year.
The first of many great entrys from Spain...not this year though!
Albania,Andorra,Serbia,Croatia or Portugal to WIN!!
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