Eurovision Song Contest 1981
| Eurovision Song Contest 1981 | |
|---|---|
| Date and venue | |
| Final |
|
| Venue | RDS Simmonscourt Dublin, Ireland |
| Organisation | |
| Organiser | European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |
| Scrutineer | Frank Naef |
| Production | |
| Host broadcaster | Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) |
| Director | Ian McGarry |
| Executive producer | Noel D Greene |
| Musical director | Noel Kelehan |
| Presenter | Doireann Ní Bhriain |
| Participants | |
| Number of entries | 20 |
| Debuting countries | Cyprus |
| Returning countries | |
| Non-returning countries | |
Participation map
| |
| Vote | |
| Voting system | Each country awarded 12, 10, 8-1 point(s) to their 10 favourite songs |
| Winning song | United Kingdom "Making Your Mind Up" |
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, held on 4 April 1981 at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin, Ireland, and presented by Doireann Ní Bhriain. It was organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), who staged the event after winning the 1980 contest for Ireland with the song "What's Another Year" performed by Johnny Logan.
Broadcasters from twenty countries participated in the contest, equalling the record of the 1978 edition. Cyprus made their debut this year, while Israel and Yugoslavia both returned to the competition, after their one-year and five-year absences, respectively. Morocco and Italy decided not to participate.
The winner was the United Kingdom with the song "Making Your Mind Up", performed by Bucks Fizz, written by Andy Hill and John Danter. Germany finished second for the second consecutive year, while France finished third. Norway again finished last, with its third 'nul points' in the contest.
Bucks Fizz's win launched the group's hugely successful international career. Their performance on the Eurovision stage included a dance routine in which at one point the two male members ripped the skirts off the two female members, only to reveal mini-skirts; this today stands as one of the most defining moments in the contest's history.