Turkey is the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2003

Eurovision Song Contest 2003 ends with a surprise win of Turkish singer. With 167 points and only 2 points ahead of next best grossing country Belgium, the Turkish singer Sertab Erener won the contest.

Approximately 6000 viewers at the venue followed the show, with more than 100 million people in 42 countries watching the contest in live broadcast from the Skonto Hall at their homes. The concert started exactly at 11:00 PM local time, and there were no free seats in the hall, as the tickets for the final concert were sold out weeks before. Practically every nation participating at the contest was represented in the hall. The activity of the audience was obvious from the very first minutes of the concert, and virtually each participant was given big applause. However, Turkish singer Sertab Erener, who, in breaking news, won this year's Eurovision Song Contest, received the most enthusiastic response.

While results kept coming in, there was a fierce competition among Belgian, Turkish and Russian entries. Slovenia was the last to award its 10 points to Turkey thus making the Turkish entry the winner of the competition and host of the next Eurovision Song Contest!

The song Everyway That I Can was performed in English. It started a contraversy in Turkey when some view it slipping away from Turkish culture while others argue that winning the contest and bringing it home next year is more beneficial to Turkey. You can share your thoughts about the song in our Forum area. Before you do, take another look at Sertab's video clip for Everyway That I Can.

Everyway That I Can

      I feel you're moving on a different cause
      Makin' a way for a distant course
      You say you love me and you roll your eyes
      Turn to stare at the empty skies
      
      I thought it was over and we passed all that
      All we've done is to pass back to frame number one
      
      C'mon now now
      
      I wanna show you all again what it would be like
      Just let go and let me love you
      
      Everyway that I can
      I'll try to make you love me again
      Everyway that I can
      I'll give you all my love and then
      Everyway that I can
      I'll cry ; I'll die and make you mine again
      
      Hold me closer oh so good
      You make me feel just like I should
      I know whatcha thinkin' uh-hu good
      Now, the rest of the world is overruled
      
      Tell me whatcha see in other girls all around
      Come on closer and tell me whatcha don't find here
      Come on now now
      
      I wanna give you everything you've been missin' out
      Just let go and let me love you
      
      Everyway that I can
      I'll try to make you love me again
      Everyway that I can
      I'll give you all my love and then
      Everyway that I can
      I'll cry ; I'll die and make you mine again
      
      I'm in love with you
      I'll do all you want me to
      Make me wanna huh-huh
      Make me wanna huh-huh
      
      Nothing in the world
      That could stop me no sir
      No no no
      
      Everyway that I can
      I'll try to make you love me again
      Everyway that I can
      I'll give you all my love and then
      Everyway that I can
      I'll cry ; I'll die and make you mine again

Sertap Erener

Sertab Erener was born in Istanbul, Turkey and is one of the country's most popular female vocalists, with recording sales numbering four million. Her first album was released in 1992, followed by "Lal" in 1994 and "Sertab Gibi" in 1996.

Her duet with Jose Carreras demonstrated her versatility as a singer of different genres of music, while her duet with Ricky Martin called "Private Emotion" on the Turkish and Middle Eastern versions of Martin's 99 English language album moved her stardom up another notch. Her 1994 recording of "Lal" was selected by Sony Music as one of the biggest hits of the century and was included in the "Soundtrack For A Century" collection.

In April 1999 she released her fourth album, "Sertab" and less than a year later, in February 2000, she released a European album. Sertab has given numerous concerts, including some at major festival such as Dranouter, Sfinks, the Amsterdam Roots Festival and Live for Life.

Her latest album "Turuncu" was released in 2001. "Turuncu" is the word for the colour orange, signifying happiness and all things positive. Sertab is currently recording her next album, due for release this summer.