Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1966 with the song "Un peu de poivre, un peu de sel", composed by Paul Quintens, with lyrics by Phil van Cauwenbergh, and performed by Tonia. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Walloon Radio-Télévision Belge (RTB), selected its entry through a national final, after having previously selected the performer internally.
Avant-première Eurovision was the national final format developed by RTB in order to select the Belgian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1966. The competition was held on 25 January 1966 and was broadcast on RTB.[2]
Competing entries
Following announcement of Tonia as Belgian representative, song submission period was opened where composers were able to submit their songs. A professional jury along with Tonia shortlisted eight songs from 163 received songs, which were then whittled down to four for the contest.[1]
Final
The final was held on 25 January 1966 from 20:40 to 21:10 CET, hosted by Jean-Claude Mennessier. Four songs competed in the contest with the winner being decided upon by public postcard voting.[2][3]
Final – 25 January 1966
Draw
Song
Songwriter(s)
Votes
Place
1
"Un peu de poivre, un peu de sel"
Phil van Cauwenbergh, Paul Quintens
3,765
1
2
"Petite fleur de Chine"
Johnny Hot
2,498
4
3
"Tu pourrais m'emmener danser"
Hector Delfosse, Charlie Runbel
2,501
3
4
"Un petit rien"
Roland Thyssen, Francis Etienne
2,757
2
At Eurovision
On the evening of the final Tonia performed 3rd in the running order, following Denmark and preceding Luxembourg. Each national jury awarded 5-3-1 point(s) to their top three songs, and at the close of the voting "Un peu de poivre, un peu de sel" had received 14 points (5 from Germany and the Netherlands, 3 from Portugal, and 1 from Sweden), placing Belgium joint 4th (with Ireland) of the 18 competing entries. This was Belgium's highest Eurovision finish to date, and would remain so until Jean Vallée's second place in 1978. The Belgian jury awarded its 5 points to contest winners Austria.[4]
