Turkey's Colorful Journey Through Eurovision: A Retrospective
From its debut in 1975 to its most recent participation, Turkey has had a remarkable journey through the Eurovision Song Contest, bringing unique sounds, styles, and unforgettable performances to the international stage. This article explores Turkey's fascinating Eurovision history, highlighting key moments, notable entries, and the nation's evolving musical identity.
Turkey's Memorable Eurovision Performances and First Victory

Throughout their Eurovision journey, Turkey has presented numerous unique performances that stood out from the competition.
Turkey's first Eurovision victory came in 2003 with the song 'Everyway That I Can' performed by Sertab Erener. This victory marked the first time Turkey won the Eurovision Song Contest since their debut in 1975.
One of the best performance of Turkey in EurovisionSong Contest is Athena's 'For Real' (2004), which blended ska-punk and alternative rock, finishing fourth.
Another standout performance was Kenan Doğulu's 'Shake It Up Şekerim' (2007), which captivated audiences with its infectious energy and finished in fourth place.
'We Could Be The Same' by the Turkish rock band Manga was another notable performance that left a lasting impression on Eurovision fans. The band's theatrical stage presence, combined with the song's powerful rock sound and thought-provoking lyrics, helped secure Turkey's second-place finish in the 2010 contest.
Another notable performance was Can Bonomo's 'Love Me Back' in 2012, which combined traditional Turkish music with modern pop elements, earning Turkey a respectable seventh place finish. The song's catchy chorus, Can Bonomo's energetic stage presence, and the creative use of the Turkish flag in the performance made it a memorable entry.
Turkey's Eurovision Withdrawal: Voting System Discontent, "Big Five" Controversy, and the Growing Desire for a Comeback

Turkey's decision to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest after the 2012 edition came as a surprise to many fans and observers. The primary reason cited for their withdrawal was dissatisfaction with the voting system, specifically the introduction of a 50-50 split between jury and televoting, which Turkish officials felt undermined the voice of the public.
Additionally, Turkey expressed concerns over the automatic qualification of the 'Big Five' countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) to the final, arguing that it created an uneven playing field. Turkey's absence from the Eurovision stage has felt by many, and Turkey's eventual return is eagerly anticipated.
Exploring Turkey's Vibrant Eurovision History: A Comprehensive List of All Turkish Entries

As we count down the days to Eurovision 2023, we take a trip down memory lane to explore Turkey's rich musical legacy in the contest. From their debut in 1975 to their most recent entry, Turkey has brought a diverse array of songs and performances to the Eurovision stage. Here is a complete list of all Turkish entries in the Eurovision Song Contest.
1. 1975 - Semiha Yankı - "Seninle Bir Dakika"
The song that started Turkey's Eurovision journey, 'Seninle Bir Dakika' was an emotional ballad that unfortunately finished in last place.
2. 1978 - Nilüfer & Nazar - "Sevince"
This upbeat pop number marked Turkey's second entry and finished in 18th place.
3. 1980 - Ajda Pekkan - "Aman Petrol"
Turkey's third Eurovision entry was a catchy disco-pop tune that came in 15th place.
4. 1981 - Modern Folk Trio & Ayşegül - "Dönme Dolap
Incorporating traditional elements, this entry finished 18th in the contest.
5. 1982 - Neco - "Hani?"
This emotional ballad placed 15th in the Eurovision Song Contest.
6. 1983 - Çetin Alp & The Short Waves - "Opera"
7. 1984 - Beş Yıl Önce, On Yıl Sonra - "Halay"
This energetic folk-pop entry placed 12th, marking a significant improvement in Turkey's Eurovision performance.
8. 1986 - Klips ve Onlar - "Halley"
Inspired by Halley's Comet, this pop-rock entry came in 9th place.
9. 1987 - Seyyal Taner & Grup Lokomotif - "Şarkım Sevgi Üstüne"
This upbeat pop-rock song finished in 22nd place.
10. 1988 - MFÖ - "Sufi"
A catchy pop-rock tune that secured 15th place for Turkey.
11. 1989 - Pan - "Bana Bana"
This playful pop entry finished in 21st place.
12. 1990- Kayahan- Gözlerinin Hapsindeyim
13. 1991 - Can Uğurluer, Izel Çeliköz & Reyhan Karaca - Iki Dakika
14. 1992- Aylin Vatankoş - "Yaz Bitti"
This summer-themed pop song placed 19th in the Eurovision Song Contest.
15. 1993 - Burak Aydos - "Esmer Yarim"
An emotional ballad that secured 21st place for Turkey.
16. 1995 - Arzu Ece - "Sev"
A heartfelt ballad that finished 16th in the contest.
17. 1996 - Şebnem Paker - "Beşinci Mevsim"
This pop entry marked Şebnem Paker's first appearance, finishing 12th.
18. 1997 - Şebnem Paker & Grup Etnik - "Dinle"
This unique fusion of traditional Turkish music and modern pop secured Turkey's first top-three finish, placing 3rd.
19. 1998 - Tüzmen - "Unutamazsın"
A dramatic ballad that came in 14th place.
20. 1999 - Tuğba Önal & Grup Mistik - "Dön Artık"
This upbeat pop song finished 19th in the contest.
21. 2000 - Pınar Ayhan & The SOS - "Yorgunum Anla"
This energetic pop entry placed 10th, marking the beginning of a successful period for Turkey in Eurovision.
22. 2001 - Sedat Yüce - "Sevgiliye Son"
This emotional ballad finished in 11th place.
23. 2002 - Buket Bengisu & Group Safir - "Leylaklar Soldu Kalbinde"
A captivating pop song that placed 16th in the Eurovision Song Contest.
24. 2003 - Sertab Erener - "Everyway That I Can"
A groundbreaking fusion of pop and ethnic elements, this song brought Turkey its first and only Eurovision victory.
25. 2004 - Athena - "For Real"
This ska-punk and alternative rock entry finished 4th, making a strong impression on the Eurovision stage.
26. 2005 - Gülseren - "Rimi Rimi Ley"
A lively song with traditional influences that placed 13th in the contest.
27. 2006 - Sibel Tüzün - "Süperstar"
An energetic pop-rock song that secured 11th place for Turkey.
28. 2007 - Kenan Doğulu - "Shake It Up Şekerim"
This infectious pop entry captivated audiences, finishing 4th in the contest.
29. 2008 - Mor ve Ötesi - "Deli"
A rock entry that showcased Turkey's musical diversity, placing 7th in Eurovision.
30. 2009 - Hadise - "Düm Tek Tek"
A catchy pop song with a memorable performance, finishing 4th in the contest.
31. 2010 - maNga - "We Could Be the Same"
This alternative rock entry secured a 2nd place finish for Turkey, showcasing the country's musical versatility.
32. 2011 - Yüksek Sadakat - "Live It Up"
A rock entry that placed 13th in the Eurovision Song Contest.
33. 2012 - Can Bonomo - "Love Me Back"
An eccentric pop-rock song that finished 7th in the contest, marking Turkey's last entry before the withdrawal.
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