Everybody (Tanel Padar and Dave Benton song)



"Everybody" was the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2001, performed in English by Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL, representing Estonia. The song was performed twentieth on the night, following Germany's Michelle with "Wer Liebe lebt" and preceding Malta's Fabrizio Faniello with "Another Summer Night". At the close of voting, it had received 198 points, with the win coming at the head of a 23-song field.

Estonia were the first from the former Soviet Union countries to win the Contest, with the second and third following shortly thereafter. Tanel had previously provided backing vocals for Estonia's 2000 entry, sung by Eda-Ines Etti, his then-girlfriend.

Tanel and Dave got supported by a backing group of 4, 2XL, Lauri Pihlap, Kaido Põldma, Sergei Morgun and Indrek Soom.

The song was succeeded as Estonian representative at the 2002 contest, held in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, by Sahlene with "Runaway".

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Lyrically, the song is simply an invitation to party, with the duo singing that "every night's a Friday night". The song is famous for two major reasons. The first of these is that Benton is the oldest contestant to win the grand prize. The second is that he is the first black contestant to do so. Maarja-Liis Ilus has recorded a cover version.