Holland: 12 Points!

Remember when Ally McBeal gets herself a theme tune? Whenever she goes, when she needs a boost, she hears her song in her head and off she goes.

Well now, I've found mine. A couple of weeks ago the ace #1 Hits From Another Planet posted The Netherlands winning entry from the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest - Teach In with Ding A Dong. Still remaining as the last time Netherlands won the contest, it beat the UK entry (The Shadows - Let Me Be The One) into our very favourite 2nd place by 14 points. What's more, Teach In were the first act to perform on the night, the first winners under the 12, 10, 8 - 1 point system and only the 2nd band to win the contest.  They also hold a special place, holding the title in the year between ABBA and the UK's Brotherhood of Man wins.

Teach In were Gettie Kaspers, Chris de Wolde, Ard Weenink, Koos Versteeg, John Gassbeek and Ruud Nijhui. Imagine having to announce that!  Ding A Dong was their only UK hit, reaching no. 13 in April 1975 and they split shortly after in 1978. Ding A Dong is also known as Dinge Dong in it's native land. It's almost unbearably upbeat but pulls through particularly with it's fabulous breakdown which sounds a bit like it's gone into the Grandstand Theme Tune (thanks Jack). This is the type of thing Emma Bunton wishes she could come up with. Plus if you can't love a song which goes "Ding-a-dong every hour, when you pick a flower
Even when your lover is gone, gone, gone" then you've got no soul.

Download Teach In - Ding A Dong (English Studio Version)
Watch the performance at The Netherlands selection show in it's native language
Watch the final moments of Eurovision 1975 and marvel at how slow it is, fast forward a bit and watch them reprise their winning song.
Watch Edywn Collins covering the song on Eurotrash