1971: Marianne Mendt Sings about “Musik”

Austria did not take part in the 1969 Gran Premio de la Canción Eurovisión in fascist Spain. This decision was explained by a supposed lack of suitable artists or songs. After the contest in Madrid ended in scoring chaos with four singers tied for first place, Austria opted out again in 1970, and was not alone in doing so—only 12 countries sent songs to Amsterdam. 

The Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) returned to the Song Contest in 1971 with Marianne Mendt. The lyrics, sung in Viennese dialect, are about the social significance of music: it is sold as something it is not and could be so much more—namely, the language of imagination and freedom. More overt criticism of the music industry—sung in English and standard German—was expressed by the band Schmetterlinge in 1977 (Boom Boom Boomerang).

The song Musik introduced the genre later known as “Austropop” to an international audience for the first time at the ESC in Dublin. The song came 16th out of a total of 18 entries. French singer Séverine won for Monaco with Un banc, un arbre, une rue (A Bench, A Tree, A Street).