100 Days, 100 Songs. The Big Countdown To Eurovision

Yesterday marked exactly 100 hundred days until Eurovision, it seems fitting to celebrate this by counting down 100 days with 100 songs. The last sixty three years has brought us nearly eighteen hundred fantastic, and unique Eurovision entries that some will love, whist others might not like so much. Each day we will bring you a song, and give you details on how it performed at the contest, but also information on the artist, and find out what happened next? Join us on this journey as we countdown from day 100 to 1 where we will have another 43 songs to add to this list.

Day 99 - Gina G - "Ooh Aah.... Just A Little Bit" For The United Kingdom

The year was 1996, and it was the year that the contest was held in Norway. It was a change of scenery for the delegations who had spent most of the nineties in Ireland. It wouldn't last long as the show would head back to the Emerald Aisle a year later. The contest would see 23 countries sing their heart out in a bid to be Europe's best. The show came live from the Oslo Spektrum on the 18th May. This was all thanks to Secret Garden winning a year before with the song, "Nocturne", which coincidentally also had an Irish feel to it. The presenters were Ingvild Bryn and Morten Harket. This was the first year that virtual reality was used in a contest. The show was becoming more modern. However, this was the only contest that didn't see Germany participate, as they were relegated in the pre-qualifying round. Ireland would win the contest for a record breaking seventh time with Eimar Quinn's, "The Voice".

It was a diverse show with a very eclectic mix of songs, and despite not winning. It would be Gina G who would steal the show. She made "Disco- Go big in the hall". 1996 would also mark the last year that a Eurovision entry would go to number one in the UK charts. The United Kingdom had sent a song that everyone seemed to have liked. She was young, talented, and Australian. Gina certainly made an impact. This song indeed was a pre-contest favourite. On the night Gina G received a rapturous applause after her performance. She came a respectable eighth, scoring 77 points. It was a favourite amongst Belgium, and Portugal who awarded her the maximum 12 points, and it scored points from 14 international juries. It didn't win, but it is still seen as an evergreen of the contest. Check out her entry below:

Who is Gina G?

Gina G is an Australian singer who was born Gina Mary Gardiner on the 3 August 1970. She is 48 years old, and heralds from Brisbane, Queensland. Before hitting the Eurovision stage she was known as a successful DJ in Australia, and was a singer in the dance music group Bass Culture. in 1995 she would move to the United Kingdom. It would be Eurovision that would catapult her to fame, as she won "Song For Europe" in 1996, and the rest they say is history. The song went to number one in the UK charts. It was popular over Europe, and even hit the number 12 spot in US Billboard top 100, which does not happen very often. She is married with two children, and currently resides in California.

What Happened After Eurovision?

Being famous after Eurovision, wasn't an easy ride for the talented singer. A few months after her number one smash, she did release "I Belong To You" which gave her a second top ten hit,. This was followed by her first album that charted at number 12 in the UK. In 1997 she would release a further four singles which did not chart so well. The singer would go quiet for several years. This was a difficult time following a law suit with her former manager.

Post 2000, she would be seen taking part in the reality programme, "Reborn in the USA". She was eliminated in the second round. In 2005 she would be back at Eurovision. She tried to represent the United Kingdom once again with the song, "Flashback", she would however fail this time to emulate her 1996 success, with Javine having the honour that year.

In August 2005 she would release her second album, "Get Up And Dance" through a digital platform, this would be followed up by two singles, "Tonight's The Night" and "Next To You" in 2011. She has released 3 albums, and 11 singles in her career. Gina G come back!!!!

Everyone knows of Gina G's, "Ooh Aah... Just a little bit". Do you remember and like this song? Do yuo think it should have won back in 1996. Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below.