Eurovision Song Contest 1981

Eurovision Song Contest 1981
Dates
Final	4 April 1981
Host
Venue	RDS Simmonscourt Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland
Presenter(s)	Doireann Ní Bhriain
Musical director	Noel Kelehan
Directed by	Ian McGarry
Executive supervisor	Frank Naef
Executive producer	Noel D Greene
Host broadcaster	Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ)
Website	eurovision.tv/event/dublin-1981
Participants
Number of entries	20
Debuting countries	Cyprus
Returning countries	Israel  Yugoslavia
Non-returning countries	Italy  Morocco
Participation map      Competing countries     Countries that participated in the past but not in 1981
Vote
Voting system	Each country awarded 12, 10, 8-1 point(s) to their 10 favourite songs
Winning song	United Kingdom "Making Your Mind Up"
1980 ← Eurovision Song Contest → 1982

The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Dublin, Ireland, following the country's victory at the 1980 contest with the song "What's Another Year" by Johnny Logan. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), the contest was held at the RDS Simmonscourt on 4 April 1981, and was hosted by Irish television journalist Doireann Ní Bhriain.

Twenty countries participated in the contest, equalling the record of the 1978 edition. Cyprus made their début this year, while Israel and Yugoslavia both returned to the competition, after their one-year and five-year absences, respectively. Morocco and Italy decided not to participate.

The winner was the United Kingdom with the song "Making Your Mind Up", performed by Bucks Fizz, written by Andy Hill and John Danter. Germany finished second for the second consecutive year, while France finished third. Norway again finished last, with its third nul points in the contest.

Bucks Fizz's win launched the group's hugely successful international career. Their performance on the Eurovision stage included a dance-routine where the two male members ripped the skirts off the two female members only to reveal mini-skirts, and today stands as one of the most defining moments in the contest's history.^[1]