Welcome back to our series in which we delve into the Eurovision archive and one of our editors picks out a song of a different era each day. Today, it’s Brent’s turn, and he’s bringing you a song from the 70s.
Germany 1979 – Dschinghis Khan – Dschinghis Khan (4th Place)
I have to admit the 70s are period of time where my knowledge of the contest is rather limited. At first I was going to go down the road of ‘Waterloo’ arguably the most famous Eurovision song of all time. But then I was walking to work and this gem of a song came on and with it some fantastic memories.
The first time I heard Dschinghis Khan was during the pre-show entertainment in Vienna at the first semi final. It makes sense that most of the locals in the audience had some vague idea of what the song was, for me I understood it as a quaint example of Eurovision’s kitsch past and not much else. But one guy next about three people away from me was delivering the performance of a life time, knowing every single word and being (as hard to believe as it may be) more animated than even the performers themselves!
With a final position of 4th place, Dschinghis Khan is the embodiment of the 70s and the love of a historical disco tune. It reminds me greatly of Boney M’s ‘Ma Baker’ and ‘Rasputin’ and this is probably why I love it so much. It’s up tempo, a little bit crazy but most importantly a whole bunch of fun. I love the costumes and the intensity of who I can only describe as the most bejeweled Genghis Khan I’ve ever seen! It’s safe to say that by the end of the week in Vienna, I at least knew when to do the “oh ho ho ho’s” and the “ah ha ha’s” and join in I did, but sadly there wasn’t enough room for me to spin with my arms above my head.
