# Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 1959

The Netherlands was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1959 with the song "Een beetje", composed by Dick Schallies, with lyrics by Willy van Hemert, and performed by Teddy Scholten. The Dutch participating Broadcaster, Nederlandse Televisie Stichting (NTS), selected its entry through a national final. The entry eventually won the Eurovision Song Contest, making the Netherlands the first country to achieve two victories in the contest.
At the Dutch national final, held on 17 February, song and performer were chosen independently of each other. The 1957 contest winner Corry Brokken failed in her bid to represent the Netherlands for a fourth consecutive year, while future Dutch representative Greetje Kauffeld was also among those taking part.

## Before Eurovision
### Nationaal Songfestival 1959

Nederlandse Televisie Stichting (NTS) held the national final at the AVRO Studios in Hilversum, hosted by Karin Kraaykamp. Eight songs and seven singers were involved, with all songs presented twice by different performers, once with a full orchestra and once in a more pared-down style.
The winning song was chosen by votes from regional juries, then an "expert" jury decided which of the two performers and versions of the winning song should go to Cannes. After "Een beetje" was announced the winner, the expert jury chose Scholten with the full orchestra version of the song.
Song selection – 17 February 1959 :
| Draw | Artist | Song | Points | Place |
| 1 | Corry Brokken & Bruce Low | "Mijn hart en ik" | 110 | 3 |
| 2 | Greetje Kauffeld & John de Mol | "Mijn hart en ik" | 110 | 3 |
| 3 | Greetje Kauffeld | "Als ik denk aan geluk" | 38 | 7 |
| 4 | Dick Doorn | "Als ik denk aan geluk" | 38 | 7 |
| 5 | Tonny van Hulst | "Kleine zilv'ren ster" | 35 | 8 |
| 6 | Corry Brokken | "Kleine zilv'ren ster" | 35 | 8 |
| 7 | John de Mol | "Op het plein" | 48 | 5 |
| 8 | Greetje Kauffeld | "Op het plein" | 48 | 5 |
| 9 | Corry Brokken | "Iedere dag met jou" | 43 | 6 |
| 10 | Bruce Low | "Iedere dag met jou" | 43 | 6 |
| 11 | Dick Doorn | "De regen" | 148 | 2 |
| 12 | Teddy Scholten | "De regen" | 148 | 2 |
| 13 | Bruce Low | "Angelina" | 53 | 4 |
| 14 | Tonny van Hulst | "Angelina" | 53 | 4 |
| 15 | Teddy Scholten | "Een beetje" | 235 | 1 |
| 16 | John de Mol | "Een beetje" | 235 | 1 |
Artist selection – 17 February 1959 :
| Artist | Result |
| Teddy Scholten | Selected |
| John de Mol | Eliminated |

## At Eurovision

On the evening of the final Scholten performed 5th in the running order, following Monaco and preceding Germany. At the close of voting "Een beetje" had received 21 points, winning the contest by a 5-point margin over runners-up the United Kingdom. The Netherlands thus became the first country to win Eurovision twice.
The Dutch conductor at the contest was Dolf van der Linden.
Rumours after the contest suggested that the Italian jury had awarded a very high 7 points to "Een beetje" in order to reduce the chances of a French or British win, but these were never substantiated.

### Voting

Every participating broadcaster assembled a jury panel of ten people. Every jury member could give one point to his or her favourite song.