Since the relaxation of the language rule in 1999, the number of English songs has increased as countries ditch their national tongue in the hope of broader appeal.
Only one fully non-English song has won in recent years, when Serbia's Marija Serifovic took victory with Molitva.
Though generally songs in English perform better, it is a shame native languages are not used more often as there have been some quality entries in the past decade.
This is a list of personal favourites, not influenced by success (or indeed lack of it) in the Contest.
10 - Twin Twin - Moustache (France 2014)
On first listen it's easy to dismiss Twin Twin's entry as a novelty. A song about a moustache, really? Listen closer though and there's a bigger message about the band's disdain for modern society's materialistic attitudes. Not to mention the ultra catchy backing track. With Bob Sinclar-esque guitar riffs, lots of synths and Justice-style looped backing vocals over the bridge this is a highly enjoyable track. The video's hilarious too. The guy playing the cheesy game show host has it spot on. The song has really grown on me and is one of my favourites from 2014.
9. Aliona Moon - O Mie (Moldova 2013)
An English version of this surfaced in the run up to last year's contest. A switch to English would've been disappointing and I'm pleased Aliona stuck with O Mie in this state. A powerful ballad which would've sounded even better with a live orchestra. Written by Moldova's entrant from the year before, Pasha Parfeny, you wonder why he gives songs like this to other singers and keeps the odd Lautar for himself. Aliona was only outdone by Farid Mammadov for spectacular staging with the elements flashing through her dress. The song and performance really picks up in the final minute and this song deserved better than 11th place.
8. Kristina - Horehronie (Slovakia 2010)
Slovakia failed to qualify in any of their four recent attempts at Eurovision and look unlikely to return in the near future having sat out both this year and last. Horehronie was one of my favourites of 2010 though, an interesting mix of traditional folk elements and a persistent driving beat giving the song more life. Having watched this performance again though Kristina's vocals were below par on the night which will have hindered her progress. Still, the studio version remains a good listen and is by far the best of Slovakia's recent Eurovision efforts.
7. Jessy Matador - Allez Ola Olé (France 2010)
France's second appearance on my list and it's another upbeat song. The internally selected Jessy only came twelfth with this mega catchy dancehall hit. It proved more popular across the continent on sales charts, reaching the top ten in Norway, Belgium and Finland as well as topping the charts in his home country. A song for the summer, this may have done better if the contest was held in baking heat with everyone in party mood. France rarely use other languages for their entry and it would be good if other countries did the same.
6. Adrian & Bledar - Identitet (Albania 2013)
A vastly underrated entry in my eyes who failed to qualify for last year's final. Rock entries either fly or die at Eurovision and unfortunately this did the latter. A strong sense of national identity in a song's lyrics normally set a song well at the Contest but clearly Europe didn't like Albania's mix of rock and orchestral music. I loved it. I would've preferred Adrian to sing on his own, he has much the better voice of the two, but it's still disappointing it performed so poorly. Especially after Suus' miraculous performance the year before, which was painful to listen to.
Coming up in part two, five songs from five countries yet to feature in the top ten. What's your favourite? Do you love or hate my picks? Let me know here or via Twitter.
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