What's Another Year was the Irish entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 written by Shay Healy and performed by Johnny Logan. The ballad told the story of a man who has been waiting for the girl of his dreams to fall in love with him, in real life Shay wrote it as he watched his father come to terms with the death of his wife.
It was performed 17th on the night following France and preceding Spain. At the close of voting, it was declared the winner with 143 points, giving Ireland its second Eurovision win.
The song was a huge hit across the continent, and was named one of the 14 greatest Eurovision songs of all time at the Congratulations gala in 2005. A re-recorded sampling of the chorus can be heard on Belgian rapper Kaye Styles' 2006 summer hit "I Like To Party".
In 2020, it was performed during the Europe Shine a Light special following the cancellation of the 2020 contest. Johnny sang the song live from a studio in Dublin, backed by the special's presenters from their studio in Hilversum and a chorus of Eurovision fans from around the world. During the instrumental bridge prior to the final chorus, a video montage of Logan's Eurovision victories was shown.
Lyrics[]
I've been waiting such a long time
Looking out for you, but you're not here
What's another year?
I've been waking such a long time
Reaching out for you, but you aren't near
What's another year?
What's another year
For someone who's lost everything that he owns?
What's another year
For someone who's getting used to being alone?
I've been praying such a long time
It's the only way to hide the fear
What's another year?
What's another year
For someone who's lost everything that he owns?
What's another year
For someone who's getting used to being alone?
I've been crying such a long time
With such a lot of pain in every tear
What's another year
(For someone who is getting used to being alone?)
What's another year
(For someone who is getting used to being alone?)
What's another year
(For someone who is getting used to being alone?)
| Eurovision Song Contest 1980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Participants | |||
 Blue Danube •  Adja Pekkan •  Anna Vissi & The Epikouri •  Sophie & Magaly •  Samira Bensaïd •  Alan Sorrenti •  Bamses Venner •  Tomas Ledin •  Paola del Medico •  Vesa-Matti Loiri •  Sverre & Mattis •  Katja Ebstein •  Prima Donna •  José Cid •  Maggie MacNeal •  Profil •  Johnny Logan •  Trigo Limpio •  Télex
| |||
| Songs | |||
| Du bist Musik • Petr'Oil • Autostop • Papa Pingouin • Bitaqat Hob • Non so che darei • Tænker altid på dig • Just nu! • Cinéma • Huilumies • Sámiid Ædnan • Theater • Love Enough For Two • Um grande, grande amor • Amsterdam • Hé, hé M'sieurs, dames • What's Another Year • Quédate esta noche • Eurovision
| |||
Trivia[]
- The studio version was produced by Bill Whelan, who would later go on to compose the music for the 1994 interval act Riverdance.
Videos[]
Johnny Logan - What's Another Year (including choir of Eurovision fans) - Europe Shine A Light
Eurovision 1980 Johnny Logan What's another year