Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982
Encyclopedia
The Netherlands was represented by Bill van Dijk
, with the song '"Jij en ik
", at the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Harrogate
, England
on 24 April. The song and performer were chosen independently of each other at the Dutch national final on 24 February.
Ironically, while "Jij en ik" performed poorly at Eurovision and was forgotten immediately after, "Fantasie eiland", which had finished second in the Dutch national final, was picked up by British
record producer Tim Friese-Greene
, recorded in English (as "Fantasy Island") by the group Tight Fit
, and became a top 5 hit in the UK and also a chart success in Ireland
.
. It consisted of three acts and three songs, with each act performing each song, giving nine performances in total. Firstly, a professional jury of seven, including former Eurovision entrants Ben Cramer and Getty Kaspers (lead singer of Teach-In
), each chose their favourite song; then the choice of performer was made by 12 regional juries who each had 10 points to divide between the artists.
and preceding Ireland. The performance is mainly remembered for two incongruities: a famously self-conscious and uncomfortable wink at the camera by the female drummer, and the diminutive van Dijk's routine with an extremely tall female backing singer towering over him. At the close of voting "Jij en ik" had received just 8 points (5 from Germany
and 3 from Sweden
), placing the Netherlands 16th of the 18 entries, ahead only of Denmark
and Finland
. The Dutch jury awarded its 12 points to Cyprus
.
Bill Van Dijk
Willem Edsger van Dijk is a Dutch singer and musical performer.He is best known for his rendition of the Wilhelmus , which he performed on countless occasions in football stadiums. Moreover, Van Dijk worked on various musical productions...
, with the song '"Jij en ik
Jij En Ik
"Jij en ik" was the Dutch entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed in Dutch by Bill van Dijk.The song is a love song with a simple melody...
", at the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 24 April. The song and performer were chosen independently of each other at the Dutch national final on 24 February.
Ironically, while "Jij en ik" performed poorly at Eurovision and was forgotten immediately after, "Fantasie eiland", which had finished second in the Dutch national final, was picked up by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
record producer Tim Friese-Greene
Tim Friese-Greene
Timothy Alan Friese-Greene is an English musician and producer. From 1983 to their breakup in 1992, he worked with the band Talk Talk. He currently releases solo albums under the name "Heligoland".-Producer:...
, recorded in English (as "Fantasy Island") by the group Tight Fit
Tight Fit
Tight Fit are a British pop group who had a number of hits in the early 1980s, including a UK No.1 with their cover version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in 1982...
, and became a top 5 hit in the UK and also a chart success in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
Final
The national final was held at the Circustheater in Scheveningen, hosted by the 1969 Eurovision winner Lenny KuhrLenny Kuhr
Lenny Kuhr is a Dutch singer-songwriter.In 1967 she started a singing career in the Netherlands, performing songs in the French chanson tradition. In 1969 she represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest with her own composition De Troubadour...
. It consisted of three acts and three songs, with each act performing each song, giving nine performances in total. Firstly, a professional jury of seven, including former Eurovision entrants Ben Cramer and Getty Kaspers (lead singer of Teach-In
Teach-In
Teach-In was a Dutch band, best known for winning Eurovision Song Contest 1975 with the song Ding-A-Dong. The band was founded in 1969 and parted in 1980. Throughout this time there were several changes in lineup.-History:...
), each chose their favourite song; then the choice of performer was made by 12 regional juries who each had 10 points to divide between the artists.
| Song | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|
| "Pierement" | 0 | 3 |
| "Jij en ik" | 4 | 1 |
| "Fantasie eiland" | 3 | 2 |
| Performer | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Bill van Dijk | 60 | 1 |
| Bonnie St. Claire | 35 | 2 |
| The Millionaires | 25 | 3 |
At Eurovision
On the night of the final van Dijk performed 16th in the running order, following IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and preceding Ireland. The performance is mainly remembered for two incongruities: a famously self-conscious and uncomfortable wink at the camera by the female drummer, and the diminutive van Dijk's routine with an extremely tall female backing singer towering over him. At the close of voting "Jij en ik" had received just 8 points (5 from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and 3 from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
), placing the Netherlands 16th of the 18 entries, ahead only of Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. The Dutch jury awarded its 12 points to 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...
.