Autostop
Encyclopedia
"Autostop" was the Greek
entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980
, performed in Greek
by Anna Vissi
and The Epikouri
.
With music by Jick Nacassian and lyrics by Rony Sofu, the "Autostop" was Greece's sixth entry in the Contest. It is an up-tempo number in praise of the tradition of hitch-hiking throughout Europe
. Vissi suggests that it is the best way of seeing the world, and sings that one can even go as far as China
. The song is also memorable for the frequent repetition of the title, with the word being sung 37 times. Also of note is the fact that Lia Vissi
, Vissi's older sister, made an appearance as one of the backing singers, having done the same one year before. Both sisters would go on (at the 1982 Contest
in Anna's case and the 1985 Contest
in Lia's) to represent their country of birth, Cyprus
.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980
took place in The Hague
, Netherlands
on April 19, 1980. "Autostop" was performed third out of the nineteen entries of the night and followed Turkey
's Ajda Pekkan
with "Pet'r Oil
" while preceding Luxembourg
's Sophie & Magaly
with "Papa Pingouin
". At the close of voting, the performance had received 30 points, placing 13th in a field of 19.
It was succeeded as Greek representative at the 1981 Contest
by Yiannis Dimitras with "Feggari Kalokerino". As mentioned above, Anna Vissi returned to the Contest in 1982
, then representing her native Cyprus
with "Mono I Agapi
", and a third time in 2006
with "Everything
", again singing for Greece.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980
Eurovision Song Contest 1980
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the nation represented...
, performed in Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
by Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi , known as Anna Vishy in Cypriot Greek, is a Greek-Cypriot recording artist and actress...
and The Epikouri
Epikouri
Epikouri was a Greek band who were formed in 1980 as backing vocalists for Anna Vissi when they represented their country in Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song "Autostop." The entry finished in 13th place with 30 points. The band was formed by Achilleas Michailidis, Zaharias Michailidis and...
.
With music by Jick Nacassian and lyrics by Rony Sofu, the "Autostop" was Greece's sixth entry in the Contest. It is an up-tempo number in praise of the tradition of hitch-hiking throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Vissi suggests that it is the best way of seeing the world, and sings that one can even go as far as China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. The song is also memorable for the frequent repetition of the title, with the word being sung 37 times. Also of note is the fact that Lia Vissi
Lia Vissi
Olympia Vissi is a Greek Cypriot singer, songwriter, composer and politician, most notable for her two participations in the Eurovision Song Contest and being older sister of Greek Cypriot singer Anna Vissi.-Career:...
, Vissi's older sister, made an appearance as one of the backing singers, having done the same one year before. Both sisters would go on (at the 1982 Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1982
The Eurovision Song Contest 1982 was the 27th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 24 April 1982 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The presenter was Jan Leeming. The opening of the contest showed a map of Europe, with the translation "Where is Harrogate?" popping up on-screen from...
in Anna's case and the 1985 Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1985
The Eurovision Song Contest 1985 was the 30th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 May 1985 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The presenter was Lill Lindfors, and Norwegian duo Bobbysocks! was the winner of this Eurovision with the song "La det swinge"....
in Lia's) to represent their country of birth, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980
Eurovision Song Contest 1980
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the nation represented...
took place in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
on April 19, 1980. "Autostop" was performed third out of the nineteen entries of the night and followed Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
's Ajda Pekkan
Ajda Pekkan
Ayşe Ajda Pekkan is a Turkish pop singer and actress. Through a career spanning five decades thus far, Pekkan has released more than 20 albums and, with Sezen Aksu, is the most commercially successful female Turkish music artist with the sales of over 30 million copies worldwide. She is nicknamed...
with "Pet'r Oil
Pet'r Oil
Pet'r Oil was the Turkish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1980, held in The Hague, Netherlands...
" while preceding Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
's Sophie & Magaly
Sophie & Magaly
Sophie & Magaly was a group formed by French twin sisters Sophie and Magaly Gilles, who represented Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 performing the entry "Papa Pingouin". The song ended in 9th place gaining 56 points. However, it was a commercial success in France where one million...
with "Papa Pingouin
Papa Pingouin
A remake of this song, performed by Pigloo, became a huge hit in France in 2006, reaching number 1 of the charts for three weeks. The single debuted straight at number 3 and remained on the chart for 27 weeks from March 4 to September 2, 2006, becoming the 5th best selling single in France that year...
". At the close of voting, the performance had received 30 points, placing 13th in a field of 19.
It was succeeded as Greek representative at the 1981 Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1981
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 April 1981 at the Simmonscourt Pavilion of the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin. The presenter was Doireann Ní Bhriain...
by Yiannis Dimitras with "Feggari Kalokerino". As mentioned above, Anna Vissi returned to the Contest in 1982
Eurovision Song Contest 1982
The Eurovision Song Contest 1982 was the 27th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 24 April 1982 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The presenter was Jan Leeming. The opening of the contest showed a map of Europe, with the translation "Where is Harrogate?" popping up on-screen from...
, then representing her native Cyprus
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest
Cyprus made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. Cyprus' best result, fifth place, has been achieved on three occasions: in 1982 with Anna Vissi, 1997 with Hara & Andreas Constantinou, and 2004 with Lisa Andreas....
with "Mono I Agapi
Mono I Agapi
"Mono I Agapi" was the Cypriot entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed in Greek by Anna Vissi...
", and a third time in 2006
Eurovision Song Contest 2006
The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was the 51st Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens, Greece on 18 May and 20 May 2006 . The hosting national broadcaster of the contest was Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi . The Finnish band Lordi won the contest with the song "Hard Rock...
with "Everything
Everything (Anna Vissi song)
"Everything" was the song chosen by Greece as its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens.-At Eurovision:It finished in 9th position with 128 points...
", again singing for Greece.