The first Eurovision involved seven countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and West Germany. The original contest rules allowed the participants to enter a maximum of two songs each, now this has been reduced to one. Each country selects their choice at a national final involving the public, making the choices as popular as possible. There is no rule on the language that the songs can be sung in. Only three and a half minutes is allowed for each performance. Jurys are made up of two delegates from each participating country, judging the contest and awarding a mark for each song (from 1 to 10).

Little has changed over the many years of Eurovision. The audience numbers have grown, as have the number of participating countries but each year the hosts (the previous year's winners) put on lavish show and much smiling ensues!