The winner takes it all…but what happens next???
Here’s a few questions for you: do you keep up to date with the careers of any Eurovision winners? Are you still listening to their music? Have you become enough of a fan to like them on Facebook? Or have you forgotten all about them (shame on you)?
My answers vary, so I decided to do a little more research to see how some of the last decade’s champions have fared since they earned enough douze points to earn them a place in the history books (the ESC history books, that is: the most interesting history books out!). Here’s what I discovered…
Sertab Erener
- Sertab in Riga, 2003; and her latest album Rengarenk
Winner of: 2003 (Riga, Latvia) with Every Way That I Can
Since her win, Sertab has released 6 albums and 11 singles. Her winning song went to #1 in Turkey, Sweden and Greece, but she has made limited chart appearances in the last few years – despite such prolific musical activity. Her singles that have topped the charts are Here I Am (2003) and Bu Böyle (2009), which both made it in Turkey. Sertab’s last official release was Açik Adres in 2009, which reached #3 there.
My pick for Sertab: Here I Am http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8atJYRVFWmc&ob=av2e
Listen to her latest single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ke8xhFUr7k
Ruslana
- Ruslana in Istanbul, 2004; and her latest album, Wild Energy
Winner of: 2004 (Istanbul, Turkey) with Wild Dances
Since exchanging her Xena, Warrior Princess leather for…well, more leather, Ruslana has released 4 albums and 12 singles. Her winning song went to #1 in Greece, Ukraine and Belgium, and #2 in Turkey. The majority of her releases since have been Ukrainian singles and have charted consistently, with Ring Dance with the Wolves (2005), Skazhy Meni (2005), Dyka Enerhiya (2006), Vidlunnia Mriy (2008) and Moon of Dreams (2008) all reached the #1 position. Her latest release is Wow (2011) which peaked at #7.
My pick for Ruslana: Moon of Dreams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFkJLhgyQag&feature=related
Listen to her latest single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFEDBrgYbkM
Helena Paparizou
- Helena in Kyiv, 2005; and her latest album, Greatest Hits and More
Winner of: 2005 (Kyiv, Ukraine) with My Number One
Helena has released 5 albums, 22 singles and numerous EPs since triumphing in Kyiv. Her chart successes have been almost countless! Her winning song went to #1 in Greece and Sweden and she has barely been out of the top 10 in Greece since. Lately, she hasn’t charted charts as solidly as she did in the few years post-win, but nonetheless continues to be a hugely popular artist. She’s topped the charts in Greece and Cyprus with Mambo! (2005), and in Greece with Heroes (2006), Fos (2007), Mazi Sou (2007), To Fili Tis Zois (2007), Porta Gia Ton Ourano (2008), I Kardia Sou Petra (2008) and Baby It’s Over (2011). Her latest single is Love Me Crazy.
My pick for Helena: Baby It’s Over, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jBuniWjsgw&feature=fvwrel
Listen to her latest single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEmFeyaS9GQ
Dima Bilan
- Dima in Belgrade, 2008; and his latest album, Dreamers
Winner of: 2008 (Belgrade, Serbia) with Believe
Dima has produced 3 albums and 10 singles since ripping his shirt open in Serbia. Believe failed to make an impact on the charts, only just making the Top 30 in Sweden, and slipping in to the Top 100 in Belgium and Germany. Several of his other singles have reached #1 in Russia. His latest album, Dreamer features a duet with singer Anastacia, and the title track was the latest to be released in March 2011.
My pick for Dima: Changes, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tayy4Hiyn28&feature=related
Listen to his latest single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3cd0OkaPP0
Alexander Rybak
- Alexander in Moscow, 2009; and his latest album, Visa Vid Vindens Angar
Winner of: 2009 (Moscow, Russia) with Fairytale
Alexander’s record victory saw him catapulted to the top spot in Norway, Ireland, Russia, Finland, Greece, Sweden and Denmark, as well as making the Top 10 in the UK (an honourable achievement for a modern Eurovision entry!) and charting in Australia. He’s since released 3 albums and 7 singles. His first single after Eurovision, Funny Little World, went to #1 in Norway, but his latest Swedish-language single Resan Till Dig has failed to chart anywhere, unfortunately. Still, Alex scored a whopping great legion of loyal fans alongside his whopping great score in Moscow.
My pick for Alexander: Fela Igjen (feat. Opptur), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaH-VAC-fxs
Listen to his latest single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elj2rrnqY7Q
eurovisionbyjaz.com 
2 Responses to “The winner takes it all…but what happens next???”
To answer your question: Yes, I do (or at least try to) keep up to date with some of my favorite eurovision artists. Not only the winners, also those that even failed to qualify to the finals. Yes, I still listen to their music. I like Dima Bilan’s fb page and follow him and Ruslana on twitter. And now that you mention it, I’ll look for Helena’s FB page xD
I love your pick for Sertab! Can’t say the same about her new single 😛
I hated Ruslana’s new single, it’s so different from her old cool ethnic stuff that I love. I still listen to her older cds.
From Helena I loved porta gia ton ourano, but nothing can be compared to the epicness of her 2006 album “The game of love”!
Dima’s latest album is great. Love both the single and your pick as well as most of the songs in the album So much better than his 2008 one 😛
As for Rybak, well I was never a fan, but I enjoyed some songs from his firsts albums, especially Roll with the wind and Europe Skies. His new single sounds pretty nice and that rap song is funny xD
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I agree with you on Rybak, and Ruslana – I do prefer her older stuff. I think the new song is ok, but I love the dance battle she has with herself in the video!
I’m always keeping an eye out for new music from anyone Eurovision, particularly Serebro (BIG LOVE!). There’s something about Russian pop that I just can’t get enough of. And Eric Saade, since there’s something about Swedish pop I can’t get enough of either. I swear his looks have (almost) nothing to do with it =D
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