The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Dublin, Ireland, following Johnny Logan's win at the 1980 contest in The Hague, Netherlands with the song "What's Another Year". This was the second time the contest had taken place in Ireland, after 1971. The contest was held at the RDS Simmonscourt on Saturday 4 April 1981, and was hosted by Irish television journalist Doireann Ní Bhriain.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in The Hague, Netherlands and was organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), who agreed to stage the event after Israel, having won in both 1978 and 1979 editions, declined to host it for a second successive year. The contest was held at the Nederlands Congresgebouw on Saturday 19 April 1980 and was hosted by Dutch actress Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the participating nation.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1982 was the 27th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, following the country's victory at the 1981 contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up" by Bucks Fizz. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the contest was held at the Harrogate International Centre on Saturday 24 April 1982 and was hosted by English TV presenter and newsreader Jan Leeming.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1978 was the 23rd edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Paris, France, following the country's victory at the 1977 contest with the song "L'oiseau et l'enfant" by Marie Myriam. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Télévision Française 1 (TF1), the contest was held at the Palais des Congrès on Saturday 22 April 1978 and was hosted by French television presenters Denise Fabre and Léon Zitrone. This was the first time that more than one presenter had hosted the contest and the first to have a male presenter since 1956. In addition to hosting, the two presenters also served as commentators for France.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1977 was the 22nd edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in London, United Kingdom, following the country's victory at the 1976 contest with the song "Save Your Kisses for Me" by Brotherhood of Man. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the contest was held at the Wembley Conference Centre on Saturday 7 May 1977, marking the first time the event took place in the month of May since the first contest in 1956. The live show was hosted by English journalist Angela Rippon.
Sweden chose their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 in the national selection Melodifestivalen 1981. After a tight race, the winner was a song called "Fångad i en dröm", which was performed by Björn Skifs. Björn was also the Swedish representative in the 1978 contest, and had written the song together with Bengt Palmers.
Dawn Martin represented Ireland in the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Is Always Over Now?".
Thanks to Johnny Logan's win in Brussels in 1987, the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest was to be held in Dublin. The song "Take Him Home", written and composed by Peter Eades and performed by Jump The Gun was chosen to represent Ireland after winning the national final selection.
Ireland was represented by the female trio Sheeba in the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 with the song "Horoscopes", written by Joe Kelly and Jim Burkett.
Belgium was represented by Emly Starr, with the song "Samson", at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Dublin on 4 April.
The Netherlands was represented by Linda Williams, with the song "Het is een wonder", at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Dublin on 4 April. "Het is een wonder" was the winner of the Dutch national final for the contest, held on 11 March. Previous Dutch entrant Ben Cramer (1973) and future representative Maribelle (1984) were among the acts taking part.
Germany was represented by Lena Valaitis, with the song "Johnny Blue", at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 4 April in Dublin. "Johnny Blue" was the winner of the German national final, held on 28 February. Valaitis had previously taken part in the German final in 1976.
Norway was represented by Finn Kalvik, with the song "Aldri i livet", at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 4 April in Dublin. "Aldri i livet" was chosen as the Norwegian entry at the Melodi Grand Prix on 7 March.
France was represented by Marie Myriam, with the song "L'oiseau et l'enfant", at the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 7 May in London. "L'oiseau et l'enfant" went on to bring France a fifth Eurovision victory, a record at the time.
France was represented by Guy Bonnet, with the song "Vivre", at the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 23 April in Munich. Bonnet had previously represented France in the 1970 contest in Amsterdam.
Switzerland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Swiss entry was selected through Die grosse Entscheidungs Show, a national final organised by the Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR. Sinplus represented Switzerland with the song "Unbreakable", which failed to qualify from the first semi-final, achieving 11th place with 45 points.
Finland was represented by Riki Sorsa and the song "Reggae OK" at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 4 April in Dublin. Sorsa won the rights to represent Finland on the 21 February.
Switzerland was represented by Peter, Sue and Marc with the song "Io senza te" at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 4 April. The group were the winners of the Swiss national final for the 1981 contest, held on 21 February.
Yugoslavia was present at the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, held in Dublin, Ireland, after opting out of the Eurovision Song Contest 1976 contest in The Hague, Netherlands.
Israel returned at the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 held in Dublin, Ireland, after withdrawing from the 1980 contest because of National Day of Remembrance.
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