100 Days. 100 Songs. Countdown To Eurovision 2019 'Eläköön elämä'

The 7th of February 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 88 - Sonja Lumme - "Eläköön elämä" for Finland 1985

The year was 1985, and the contest was celebrating its 30th birthday. Sweden had won the right to host this year after the Herreys had won with their infectious song, "Diggi-loo Diggi-ley" a year earlier. The show would come live from the Scandinavium in Gothenburg on the 4th May 1985, and would be hosted by Lill Lindfors, who certainly made her name for herself that evening. She famously walked on to the stage before the voting, catching her dress on something, which ripped off her skirt to reveal her knickers. Moments later she would comically pull down the straps of her frock to make a new one. This would amuse many except for the head of the EBU's wife, who found it distasteful. No less than thirteen of the acts had entered the Eurovision before, including the winners who had entered as solo artists. It was a very interesting year that saw Norway's Bobbysocks win the competition, bringing Norway it's first ever victory. 19 songs would be present this year, that would see Greece, and Israel return to the competition, whilst the Netherlands, and Yugoslavia would withdraw. It looked like a clear cut win for Germany for most of the evening, with Norway being fifth after the first half of the voting. However, Eurovision always throws up a few surprises. During the second half the lead was to change several times, that would see Norway clinch their first ever victory.

This year would see Sonja Lumme represent Finland with the song "Eläköön elämä". A contemporary upbeat number that saw Finland score reasonably well. They finished the evening in 9th place, scoring 58 points. It scored points from ten national juries with both Sweden, and Greece giving the song a 10 points. Check out the song below:

Who Is Sonja Lumme?

Sonja Lumme was born on the 6th October in n Kristinestad, Finland. The singer first rose to prominence in the late seventies when her debut album was released. It had mixed reviews, however it would be the 80's that would see this singers career blossom. In this decade she would be signed up to the music company JP Music who would be responsible for her first commercially successful album, "Let It Be Free", her follow up album, "Day and Night" would be released a year later in 1984. A year later would see her represent Finland with "Eläköön elämä", which would finish 9th. This would be followed by an English album called, "Easy Life". She is married to actor, singer Arne Nylander. The couple have no children.

What Happened After Eurovision?

After the contest, the singers musical career would slow down quite a lot. It would be over five years before she would release her next album, "Finnlevy". Her career would see her release around 9 albums. In more recent years she has turned her attention to broadcasting and television. Where she has presented her own garden programme, "Wonderful Yard" since 2008. This has also been converted into a Radio programme on Radio Nova. The talented singer, also continues to sing.

Do you like this Finnish entry from 1985? What is your favourite Finnish entry? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below.