The Netherlands was one of seven countries competing in the inaugural contest. NTS presented the Nationaal Songfestival to select Dutch entries to the contest. Corry Brokken and Jetty Paerl finished top two and qualified to Lugano. After a year, success came fast as "Net als toen" from Brokken won the 1957 contest in Frankfurt. This song is a ballad asking the husband about early days as a couple. This song received points from every single country. Sem Nijveen provided the violin solo. NTS hosted the 1958 in Hilversum. Brokken's Heel de wereld received the first point from the first voting country, Switzerland, but it turned out to be the only point for her and finished tied ninth and last. Hosting and finishing last would not be repeated until Portugal in 2018. Austria in 2015 scored zero points but from tie-breaker finished second last. In 1959 in Cannes, the Netherlands was represented by Teddy Scholten after Brokken failed to qualify. 'n Beetje is about concentrating about being unfaithful in a relationship. the UK led before Italy sent seven points to the Dutch and France sent four more for another Dutch victory.