Spain was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1966 with the song "", written by Manuel Alejandro, and performed by Raphael. The Spanish participating broadcaster, (TVE), internally selected its entry for the contest. The song, performed in position 11, placed seventh –tying with the song from – out of eighteen competing entries with 9 points.
Before Eurovision (TVE) addressed the (SGAE) requesting original songs from which it could select for the Eurovision Song Contest 1966, naming nine possible composers as an example, but leaving the SGAE freedom of choice. Since the SGAE did not consider appropriate to choose among its associates, TVE agreed to take into consideration all the works sent to them by SGAE's associated composers. Finally, TVE accepted twenty songs from seven composers, among which "" sent by Manuel Alejandro and sung by Raphael was internally selected. The public presentation of the song, songwriter, and performer selected was done without prior notice on a special TVE broadcast on 14 January 1966, for which they had to ask permission from the head of the military garrison where Raphael was doing his compulsory military service, so that he could travel to Prado del Rey for the announcement and performance. Following a protest from Carmelo Larrea, one of the songwriters in the selection, who claimed that Raphael had been previously selected and that he had imposed the song, the broadcaster had to issue a statement denying the accusations.
At Eurovision On 5 March 1966, the Eurovision Song Contest was held at Villa Louvigny in Luxembourg hosted by the (CLT), and broadcast live throughout the continent. Manuel Fraga himself, the Minister of Information and Tourism, on whom TVE depended at that time, had to obtain special permission so that Raphael could leave the garrison for a few days to travel to Luxembourg. He performed "" 11th in the evening, following and preceding the . Rafael Ibarbia made the orchestral arrangement of the Spanish entry and conducted the event's orchestra in its performance. At the close of voting "" had received 9 points, placing 7th in a field of 18, in a tie with the song from .Eurovision Song Contest 1966
TVE broadcast the contest in Spain on its television service with commentary by . Before the event, TVE aired a talk show hosted by introducing the Spanish jury from Prado del Rey, which continued after the contest commenting on the results.
Voting TVE assembled a jury panel with ten members. The following members comprised the Spanish jury: – copla singer – opera singer Matías Escribano – journalist Adolfo Marsillach – actor Joaquín Araujo Jaime de Armiñán – screenwriter – television camera director Raúl Matas – journalist Mariano Méndez
+ Points awarded to Spain Score Country 5 points 3 points 1 point
+ Points awarded by Spain Score Country 5 points 3 points 1 point
References