Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959

Belgium was represented by Bob Benny, with the song '"Hou toch van mij", at the 1959 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 11 March in Cannes, France. The song was chosen at the Belgian national final on 15 February. Benny would represent Belgium again in the 1961 contest.

Eurovision Song Contest 1959
Country Belgium
National selection
Selection processGrote Prijs van het Eurovisielied
Selection date(s)Semi-finals: 1 and 8 February
Final: 15 February 1959
Selected entrantBob Benny
Selected song"Hou toch van mij"
Selected songwriter(s)
  • Hans Flower
  • Ke Riema
Finals performance
Final result6th, 9 points
Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄1958 • 1959 • 1960►

Before Eurovision

Grote Prijs van het Eurovisielied

Grote Prijs van het Eurovisielied was the national final format developed by NIR in order to select Belgium's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1959. Eighteen entries competed in the competition that consisted of two semi-finals held on 1 and 8 February 1959 leading to a two-song final on 15 February 1959. All three shows was hosted by Jan Theys and were broadcast on NIR.[1][2]

Format

The format of the competition consisted of three shows: two semi-finals on 1 and 8 February 1959 and the final on 15 February 1959. Each semi-final featured nine competing entries from which one advanced from each show to complete the two song lineup in the final. Results during both semi-finals and final were determined by "expert" jury.[3][4]

Competing entries

Nine composers were approached by NIR to create the songs for the contest. Each composers wrote two songs for the contest. Then, NIR selected performers for the songs.[5]

Semi-final 1

First semi-final took place on 1 February 1959 at Funkis Cinema in Herentals.[6]

Draw Artist(s) Song Points Place
1 Al Verlane "Alles is nu voorbij" 0 4
2 Rina Pia "De klokkentoren" 0 4
3 Eric Franssen "Twee harten, één gedachte (amore...)" 0 4
4 Bob Benny "Riviera-riviera" 1 3
5 Jo Leemans "Levenssymphonie" 5 1
6 Enny Denita "Zoals heerlijk als nu (zoals nu)" 1 3
7 Jean Walter "Mijn liedje is uit" 0 4
8 Jean Walter "Als ik je verlaat" 2 2
9 Terry Lester "Voor u alleen" 0 4

Semi-final 2

Second semi-final took place on 8 February 1959 at Apollo in Antwerp.[7]

Draw Artist(s) Song Points Place
1 Enny Denita "Zingeling" 0 3
2 Bob Benny "Hou toch van mij" 4 1
3 Jo Leemans "Wij moeten dankbaar zijn" 0 3
4 Al Verlane "In d'eenzaamheid" 0 3
5 Terry Lester "Eens in het leven" 0 3
6 Frieda Linzi "Weekend melodie" 1 2
7 Eric Franssen "Liefde" 1 2
8 Jean Walter "Alles is nu voorbij" 1 2
9 Rina Pia "Een wiegje in witte satijn" 1 2

Final

The final was held on 15 February 1959 at 21:25 CET as part of NIR's TV show Show Band Show in Cultural and Artistic Center in Ukkel and hosted by Jan Theys. Song "Hou toch van mij" written by Ke Riema, composed by Hans Flower and performed by Bob Benny was selected as the winner of selection by the "expert" jury.[8][9][10]

Draw Artist(s) Song Points Place
1
 Jo Leemans "Levenssymphonie"
0
2
2
 Bob Benny "Hou toch van mij"
11
1

At Eurovision

On the night of the final Bob Benny performed last in the running order, following the United Kingdom. Voting was by 10-member national juries with each member awarding 1 point to his/her favourite song. At the close of the voting "Hou Toch Van Mij" had received 9 points (3 from Germany, 2 from Denmark and the United Kingdom and 1 from Monaco and the Netherlands), placing Belgium joint 6th (with Italy) of the 11 entries.[11]

Voting

References
  1. "Eurovision Artists: Nationale finale Eurovisie Songfestival".
  2. "Grote prijs van het Eurovisielied 1959".
  3. "Eurovision Artists: Nationale finale Eurovisie Songfestival".
  4. "Grote prijs van het Eurovisielied 1959".
  5. "Grote prijs van het Eurovisielied 1959".
  6. "Eurovision Artists: Nationale finale Eurovisie Songfestival".
  7. "Eurovision Artists: Nationale finale Eurovisie Songfestival".
  8. "Eurovision Artists: Nationale finale Eurovisie Songfestival".
  9. "Grote prijs van het Eurovisielied 1959".
  10. ESC National Finals database 1959
  11. ESC History - Belgium 1959
  12. "Results of the Final of Cannes 1959". Eurovision Song Contest. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
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