| "Autostop" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single byAnna Vissi and the Epikouri | |
| Language | Greek |
| Released | 1980 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Composer | Jick Nacassian |
| Lyricist | Rony Sofu |
| Eurovision Song Contest 1980 entry | |
| Country | |
| Artist | |
| With | The Epikouri |
| Language | |
| Composer | Jick Nacassian |
| Lyricist | Rony Sofu |
| Finals performance | |
| Final result | 13th |
| Final points | 30 |
| Entry chronology | |
| ◄ "Sokrati" (1979) | |
| "Feggari kalokerino" (1981) ► | |
"Autostop" (Greek:Ωτοστόπ; "Hitch-Hiking") is a song recorded by Greek-Cypriot groupAnna Vissi and the Epikouri, with music composed by Jick Nacassian and Greek lyrics written by Rony Sofu. Itrepresented Greece in theEurovision Song Contest 1980 held inThe Hague.
With music by Jick Nacassian and lyrics by Rony Sofu, "Autostop" is an up-tempo number about the tradition ofhitch-hiking throughout Europe. The song suggests that it is the best way of seeing the world and sings that one can even go as far as China. The song is also memorable for the frequent repetition of the title, with the word being sung thirty-seven times.[1][2]
On 10 March 1980, "Autostop" performed byAnna Vissi competed in thenational final organised by theHellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) to select its song and performer for25th edition of theEurovision Song Contest. The song won the competition becoming theGreek entrant for Eurovision.[3] The Epikouri, who accompaniedKostas Tournas in the national final, would accompany Vissi in Eurovision.
On 19 April 1980, the Eurovision Song Contest was held at theNederlands Congresgebouw inThe Hague hosted byNederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), and broadcast live throughout the continent. Anna Vissi and the Epikouri performed "Autostop" third out of the nineteen entries on the evening and followedTurkey's "Pet'r Oil" byAjda Pekkan while precedingLuxembourg's "Papa Pingouin" bySophie & Magaly. Rony Sofu conducted the live orchestra in the performance of the Greek entry.[4]
At the close of voting, the performance had received 30 points, placing thirteenth in a field of nineteen.[5] It was succeeded as Greek representative at the1981 contest by "Feggari Kalokerino" byYiannis Dimitras. Vissi returned to the contest in1982, then representing her nativeCyprus with "Mono i agapi", and a third time in2006 with "Everything", again singing for Greece.
"Autostop" and "Mono i agapi", that were never officially released on any of Vissi's studio albums, were remastered and released in February 2006 for promotion in adouble A-side single titled "Autostop/Love Is a Lonely Weekend", prior to the release of Vissi's 2006 Eurovision entry.[6]
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