For Eurovision Song Contest 2022, Azerbaijan will be the last country to reveal their entry with the release planned for March 21st. But does releasing the song last help the country’s chances in the contest? Let’s find out!
| YEAR | ENTRY | RELEASE DATE | RESULT |
| 2021 | 🇲🇹 Malta: Destiny – Je me casse | March 15th | 7th in final |
| 2020 | 🇷🇺 Russia: Little Big – UNO | March 12th | contest cancelled |
| 2019 | 🇦🇲 Armenia: Srbuk – Walking Out | March 10th | DNQ (16th in semifinal) |
| 2018 | 🇬🇪 Georgia: Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao – For You | March 13th | DNQ (18th in semifinal) |
| 2017 | 🇦🇲 Armenia: Artsvik – Fly with me | March 18th | 18th in final |
| 2016 | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria: Poli Genova – If Love Was a Crime | March 21st | 4th in final |
| 2015 | 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Knez – Adio | March 17th | 13th in final |
| 2014 | 🇷🇺 Russia: Tolmachevy Sisters – Shine | March 19th | 7th in final |
| 2013 | 🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni – L’essenziale | March 18th | 7th in final |
| 2012 | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Engelbert Humperdinck – Love Will Set You Free | March 19th | 25th in final |
“Save the best for last” has not been the case at Eurovision, if we look at the statistics. For the past ten years, the song that was released last has never won the contest. Poli Genova came the closest after finishing fourth in the final in 2016. Interestingly, the song that was released as the last song for the contest has finished seventh in the final three times.
Notably, in 2014, the winning entry “Rise Like a Phoenix” by Conchita Wurst was the second-last song to be released. Also in 2011, “Running Scared” by Ell & Nikki was released as the second-last song before Belarus revealed their new song, after having to replace their original entry after it was disqualified.
For Eurovision Song Contest 2022, Azerbaijan’s song is the last song to be released. Nadir Rustamli’s entry will be released on Monday, March 21st.
Which of these songs is your favourite? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to Eurovision 2022!
Interesting analysis! L\’Essenziale was arguably released mid-February when it won Sanremo.
That\’s true! However it was not confirmed to be Italy\’s entry until late March with other songs also being rumoured to be the selected entry.