Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 - Wikiwand

Sweden was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 with the song "Waterloo", composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, with lyrics by Stig Anderson, and performed by the group ABBA –comprising Andersson, Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Fältskog–. The Swedish participating broadcaster, Sveriges Radio (SR), selected its entry for the contest through Melodifestivalen 1974. The song, that was originally performed in Swedish in the national final, was translated into English for Eurovision, something the rules allowed between the years 1973 and 1976.

ABBA was one of the favourites to win the 1974 contest, held in Brighton, United Kingdom. They sang in slot No. 8. In the voting, they received high points from the first jury to vote (Finland), but it was a close race until the third last jury, Switzerland, gave Sweden enough points to secure victory. Sweden received a total of 24 points, compared to runner-up Italy's 18.^[1] This was the first victory for Sweden. In 2005, in the 50th anniversary show Congratulations, Waterloo was chosen the best Eurovision song ever.

"Waterloo" was one of fourteen Eurovision songs chosen by fans to compete in the Congratulations 50th anniversary special in 2005. The contest was broadcast on SVT with commentary by Pekka Heino. It was the only Swedish entry featured in the show, although several Swedish entrants were featured (including Swedish winners Carola and Richard Herrey of Herreys). "Waterloo" appeared seventh in the running order, following "Nel blu dipinto di blu" by Domenico Modugno and preceding "Fly on the Wings of Love" by the Olsen Brothers. At the end of the first round, it was announced that "Waterloo" had advanced to the second round along with four other songs. It was later revealed that "Waterloo" won the first round with 331 points. This included 18 sets of the maximum twelve points, including from Sweden (who, unlike in usual contests, were allowed to vote for their own entry). Coincidentally, the first proper competing Eurovision song to receive a record 18 top marks was a Swedish entry: "Euphoria" by Loreen, the winning song of the 2012 contest.

"Waterloo" went on to win the second round and the anniversary contest as a whole, scoring 329 points.