Introduction

• Participant(s): Michael Schulte
• Song: "You Let Me Walk Alone"
  
• Writer(s): Michael Schulte, Thomas Stengaard, Katharina Müller, Nisse Ingwersen
  
• Composer(s): Michael Schulte, Thomas Stengaard, Katharina Müller, Nisse Ingwersen
• Broadcaster: NDR
  
• Social media:    
• Team review: 

Germany is struggling in the last years when it comes to good placings in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately, the German entries ended up last for two times in a row second last in Kiev 2017. This situation as urged the German broadcaster NDR to set up a new format in the national final. For the first time Germany has used an international jury plus an expert panel of 100 music interested people, which had a third weight in the voting, and of course the German public via televoting. Despite of the strong competition it was clear that Michael Schulte would make the race. 

The 28-years-old singer was born in Eckernförde, Germany in 1990. Due to the close location to Denmark, Michael speaks fluently Danish. He started making music with singing and a guitar, uploaded the videos on YouTube. Michael mostly sang cover versions of his idols Ben Howard, London Grammar, Woodkid, Alt-J und Eny. Then he was spotted by music writer Rea Garvey, who brought him on stage at the “Kieler Woche” (Yacht Race). Michael went on tour through Germany and played on several festivals such as “Reeperbahn Festival” and accompanied the British band Blue (UK representative 2011 “I Can”). In 2012 he took part in “The Voice Germany” and made the 3rd place. Now his YouTube channel has more than 50 million views, Michael has released seven albums and EP’s and he is going to represent Germany in Lisbon. 

The song “You Let Me Walk Alone” is a deeply emotional entry, which is about the feeling, losing his father, when Michael was only 14 years old. This calm entry will definitely stand out in this year’s race in Lisbon. With his unpretentious behaviour, red curly hair and smooth voice and a great song with strong lyrics he definitely won’t be last.

History

• Debut: 1956
• Participations: 63
• Victories: 2
• Finals: 62
• Top 10: 36
• Chances for Top 10: 57% 

Germany is participating for the 63rd time in the Eurovision Song Contest hence Germany took part every year since 1956, beside of one forced break in 1996 as there has been an international pre-selection and Leon’s “Planet Of Blue” has failed. Germany is one of the founding members of the ESC. In 1956 there were two entries per country allowed, Germany had “Im Wartesaal Zum Grossen Glück” by Walter Andreas Schwarz (2nd) and “So Geht Das Jede Nacht” by Freddy Quinn (also 2nd). In that year there was only one winner and all other participants came 2nd. 

Germany was often very close to victory, with six second places it was very successful even though. But in 1982 a young girl named Nicole could capture the European hearts with a little song of peace in rough political times called “Ein bisschen Frieden”. For a long time this was the only German winning entry, until another young cheeky girl named Lena could win with her unpretentious “Satellite” almost all high votes all over Europe. This song went number one in many European countries after ESC. A great success after many attempts of German composers and songwriters – and particular Ralph Siegel - to bring the trophy back to Germany. Both singers are still successful in the music industry. 

Germany belongs to the Big 5 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom) – the biggest financiers of the EBU – so therefore these countries get a granted place in the Grand Finals and they don’t have to qualify anymore like the other countries.

One of the most successful German composers is Ralph Siegel. This guy has written a great amount of the German entries. He also wrote songs for Luxembourg, Montenegro and San Marino.

The general interest in the contest changes from year to year, especially after Guildo Horn’s “Guildo hat Euch lieb” (7th ) in 1998 the Eurovision-fever has overwhelmed the entire country. Thanks to the popular German TV celebrity Stefan Raab, who even took part himself with “Wadde Hadde Dudde Da” in Stockholm 2000, and came 5th. 

In 2011, Germany could show the rest of the world the latest stage technology and especially how the Germans can celebrate at the 56th ESC in Düsseldorf. The contest was a big success for the city of Düsseldorf for the ESC and last but not least - the positive image of Germany as a Eurovision-enthusiastic-country. In the past years the German songs did not shape up very well. Especially since 2013, Germany could only be found at the bottom of the scoreboard, two times last place and last year second last. This also happened in 1964 and 1965.

Biggest successes

2x 1st place

• Nicole | Ein Bißchen Frieden (1982)
• Lena | Satellite (2010)

6x 2nd place

• Walter Andreas Schwarz | Im Wartesaal Zum Großen Glück (1956)
• Freddy Quinn | So Geht Das Jede Nacht (1956)
• Katja Ebstein | Theater (1980)
• Lena Valaitis | Johnny Blue (1981)
• Wind | Für Alle (1985)
• Wind | Laß Die Sonne In Dein Herz (1987)

5x 3rd place

• Katja Ebstein | Wunder Gibt Es Immer Wieder (1970)
• Katja Ebstein | Diese Welt (1971)
• Mary Roos | Nur Die Liebe Läßt Uns Leben (1972)
• MeKaDo | Wir Geben 'ne Party (1994)
• Sürpriz | Reise Nach Jerusalem - Kudüs'e Seyahat (1999)

Video Nostalgia

• “Ein Lied Kann Eine Brücke Sein” | Joy Fleming, Rank 17, Stockholm 1975
• “Aufrecht Geh’n” | Mary Roos, Rank 13, Luxembourg 1984
• “Can’t Wait Until Tonight” | Max Mutzke, Rank 8, Istanbul 2004