For many people across Europe, attention has turned to the Christmas season. Christmas is a festive time of year enjoyed by many people of many faiths. The Eurovision Song Contest community can look forward to Christmas parties featuring their favourite music across many borders. Many former participants at the Eurovision Song Contest have paid tribute to this time of year by recording songs and albums to mark the festive occasion. Esctoday.com has been looking for some of the best Christmas albums to feature on the site.
Christmas albums have been especially popular in Scandinavia, where former winner, Carola has released two albums and a special Christmas concert DVD. Fellow winner, Elisabeth Andreassen (with Bobbysocks in 1985 for Norway) released a Chrismas album with her duet partner for the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest entry, the late great Jan Wener. Bettan & Jan Werner's Jul (Bettan & Jan's Christmas) back in 1999 has returned to the stores following Jan's tragic death earlier this year. Hanne Krogh, the other half of Bobbysocks released Julens Vakreste last year.
The Scandinavian love of Christmas albums has seen releases by Meldodifestivalen favourite and Sweden's representative at the 1985 Eurovision Song Contest, Kikki Danielsson, 1998 entrant, Jill Johnson, and former Abba member Angetha Faltstog with her daughter, Linda Ulvaeus. Seven time Melodifestivalen entrant, Magnus Carlsson also released his Christmas album, Spar i snon this week.
Former Finnish Eurovision Song Contest representative Jari Sillanpää (2004, Takes 2 to tango) released the chrismas album, Hyvää Joulua whilst fellow Finnish contestant, Katri Helena (1979 with Katson sineen taivaan and Tule luo in1993) has released Hiljaisuudessa.
Beyond Scandinavia, former winners Celine Dion (Switzerland 1988) and Nicole (Germany 1982) have made their tribute to this special time of year. Celine released These are special times and Nicole delivered Weinachten mit Nicole. Two-time entrant for the United Kingdom, Cliff Richard released a CD of his favourite Christmas songs.
Below, you can find the links to the albums featured here. You can also click here to send us links to any other Christmas albums that you would like esctoday.com to feature.
Christmas Albums to view and purchase:
- Elisabeth Andreassen & Jan Werner: Bettan & Jan Werner's Jul (Norweigan)
- Celine Dion: These are special times (English)
- Carola: Carola Jul (Swedish)
- Carola: Jul i Bethlehem (Swedish)
- Carola: Julkonsert (DVD) (Swedish / English)
- Kikki Danielsson: Nu Ar Det Advent (Swedish)
- Jill Johnson: The Christmas In You (English)
- Agnetha Faltskog & Linda Ulvaeus: Nu Tandas Tusn Juleljus(Swedish)
- Nicole: Weihnachten mit Nicole (German)
- Cliff Richard: Cliff at Christmas (English)
- Hanne Krogh: Julens Vakreste (Norweigan / English)
- Magnus Carlsson: Spar I Snon (Swedish / English)
- Jari Sillanpää: Hyvää Joulua" (Finnish / English)
- Katri Helena: Hiljaisuudessa (Finnish)
