Like the Wind
Encyclopedia
"Like the Wind" was the Belgian
entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999
, performed in English
by Vanessa Chinitor
. This was only the second time that Belgium had entered a song entirely in English, the first being Dream Express' "A Million in One, Two, Three
" back in 1977
.
The song was performed second on the night (following Lithuania
's Aistė
with Strazdas
and preceding Spain
's Lydia
with "No quiero escuchar
"). At the close of voting, it had received 38 points, placing 12th in a field of 23.
The song features Chinitor explaining that she needs to be "like the wind", in the sense that it is eternal and doesn't care about what happens to be in its way. For her Eurovision appearance, Vanessa wore a red dress which left her shoulders bare, whilst her female backing singers (including 1981 Dutch
representative Linda Williams
) appeared in black. She was also accompanied by a man in a grey suit, who, Terry Wogan
commented, appeared to be playing a "Mongolian nose flute" (it was actually an ocarina
).
It was succeeded as Belgian representative
at the 2000 Contest
by Nathalie Sorce
with "Envie de vivre
".
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999
Eurovision Song Contest 1999
The Eurovision Song Contest 1999 was the 44th Eurovision Song Contest, held on 29 May 1999 in Jerusalem, Israel after Dana International won the contest the previous year in the United Kingdom. The venue for the contest was the International Convention Center...
, performed in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
by Vanessa Chinitor
Vanessa Chinitor
Vanessa Chinitor is a Belgian singer, best known outside Belgium for her participation in the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest.- Early career :...
. This was only the second time that Belgium had entered a song entirely in English, the first being Dream Express' "A Million in One, Two, Three
A Million In One, Two, Three
"A Million in One, Two, Three" was the Belgian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1977, performed in English by Dream Express, a band consisting of Luc Smets and the three sisters Maessen; Bianca, Patricia and Stella...
" back in 1977
Eurovision Song Contest 1977
The Eurovision Song Contest 1977 was the 22nd edition series, and was held on 7 May 1977 in London. With Angela Rippon as the presenter, the contest was won by Marie Myriam who represented France, with her song "L'oiseau et l'enfant" . This was France's fifth victory, a record, which was equalled...
.
The song was performed second on the night (following Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
's Aistė
Aiste
Aiste is a new journal dedicated to the study of literature in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. The name is taken from the word for essay common to both languages. It is published by the University of Glasgow. Issue one is currently available, and the journal is scheduled to be published twice a year....
with Strazdas
Strazdas
"Strazdas" was the Lithuanian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, performed in Samogitian dialect of the Lithuanian by Aistė Smilgevičiūtė....
and preceding Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's Lydia
Lydia (singer)
Lydia Rodríguez Fernández , better known as Lydia, is a Spanish pop singer.-Career:When Fernández was 16 years old, she released her first album, Lydia, which went platinum in Spain. She became famous after dedicating a song to her musical idol Alejandro Sanz...
with "No quiero escuchar
No Quiero Escuchar
"No quiero escuchar" was the Spanish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in the year 1999, sung in Spanish by Lydia....
"). At the close of voting, it had received 38 points, placing 12th in a field of 23.
The song features Chinitor explaining that she needs to be "like the wind", in the sense that it is eternal and doesn't care about what happens to be in its way. For her Eurovision appearance, Vanessa wore a red dress which left her shoulders bare, whilst her female backing singers (including 1981 Dutch
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...
representative Linda Williams
Linda Williams (singer)
Linda Williams is a Dutch singer, best known for her participation in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest....
) appeared in black. She was also accompanied by a man in a grey suit, who, Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
commented, appeared to be playing a "Mongolian nose flute" (it was actually an ocarina
Ocarina
The ocarina is an ancient flute-like wind instrument. Variations do exist, but a typical ocarina is an enclosed space with four to twelve finger holes and a mouthpiece that projects from the body...
).
It was succeeded as Belgian representative
Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest
Belgium is a founding member of the Eurovision Song Contest. Since 1956, the country has participated 52 times, only being absent three times in total: in 1994, 1997 and 2001, due to low scores in the previous contests that relegated Belgium from the contest.-History of Belgium in the Eurovision...
at the 2000 Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 2000
The Eurovision Song Contest 2000 was the 45th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 13 May 2000 at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, following Charlotte Nilsson's victory in Jerusalem the previous year. It was the first time since 1996 that the contest was held on mainland Europe. The...
by Nathalie Sorce
Nathalie Sorce
Nathalie Sorce is a Belgian singer from Mornimont. She was secretly registered in a talent competition by a relative and went on to win. In 2000, she won the Belgian Eurovision national selection and represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song Envie de vivre, receiving...
with "Envie de vivre
Envie De Vivre
"Envie de vivre" was the Belgian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000, performed in French by Nathalie Sorce.The song was performed tenth on the night, following Russia's Alsou with "Solo" and preceding Cyprus' Voice with "Nomiza"...
".
Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|