Music: Dive Into the Hits of Dana International

Dana International, arguably one of the most iconic and progressive Eurovision winners of all time, has gone on to a have a long, successful career both within and outwith her native Israel. After storming to victory in 1998 at the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham with her track Diva– following the UK’s win with Katrina and the Waves in 1997 – Dana was thrust into the international spotlight.

Going on to release eight albums and a vast number of singles after her victory, both in Hebrew and English, many may wonder where to start with Dana International’s music – so we’ve attempted to craft this little guide evaluating some of her best tracks. Of course not all of Ms International’s tracks are included, so if we’ve missed your favourite let us know in the comments section.

“Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” (1993)

Album: Danna International (Offer Nissim Presents)
In a Sentence: Dana (going by Danna) at the time, would start a long working relationship with Israeli DJ and producer Offer Nissim with this 1993 album containing a camptastic cover of Baccara’s disco hit.

“Danna International” (1993)

Album: Danna International (Offer Nissim Presents)
In a Sentence: Debuting with a Middle Eastern sound for the clubs, Danna International is Hebrew eurodance at its most sexy and fun, whilst giving us a welcome introduction to our new favourite dance diva.

“The Show Must Go On” (1993)

Album: Danna International (Offer Nissim Presents)
In a Sentence: Dana’s vocal chops go under the spotlight with those soaring mixed Hebrew-English cover of Queen’s anthemic The Show Must Go On.

“Saida Sultana” (1993)

Album: Danna International (Offer Nissim Presents)
In a Sentence: This satirical riff on Whitney Houston’s “My Name is Not Susan” introduced Dana International to the world as her major debut single.

“Umpatampa” (1994)

Album: Umpatampa
In a Sentence: Edging from dance to slightly more nineties trance with her second album, Umpatampa shines through Nissim’s high-octane musical production and Dana’s hypnotic vocals.

“Layla Tov, Eropa” (1994)

Album: Umpatampa
In a Sentence: This was actually Dana’s first Eurovision attempt and was a glowing tribute to Europe which ultimately finished second in the Israeli selection scheme.

“Betula” (1995)

Album: Umpatampa
In a Sentence: This chilled club anthem translating as “Virgin” is a low-key sexy anthem from Dana with mellow, sultry production from Offer Nissim.

“Maganuna” (1996)

Album: Maganuna
In a Sentence: Translating as “Crazy”, Maganuna is a wild ride – a chaotic high BPM pop bop that lives up to its title.

“Let Kiss” (1996)

Album: Maganuna
In a Sentence: Almost verging on a cabaret song at points, Let Kiss turns into a jaunty Hebrew dance hit with an addictive sing-a-long chorus and playful lyrical delivery from Dana.

“Diva” (1998)

Album: Eurovision 1998 Entry
In a Sentence: One of the greatest Eurovision anthems of all time, a euphoric belter of a song and an up-temp nod to the powerful female figures from history that shaped Dana.

“Free” (1999)

Album: Free
In a Sentence: Featuring on Dana’s post Eurovision album – and in our personal opinion, her best – Free packs Middle Eastern influences into a romantic mid-tempo with a belting chorus backed by a fiery backing ensemble.

“Love Is All There Is” (1999)

Album: Free
In a Sentence: A brooding sultry romantic ballad with one of Dana’s best choruses (Sometimes it all works out, Sometimes it falls apart, But love’s the only chance, I’m taking with my heart) – one of her best.

“This Is the Night” (1999)

Album: Free
In a Sentence: High glamour nineties dance music is on the menu for This is the Night which is a Summery ethnic pop anthem.

“Glamorous” (1999)

Album: Free
In a Sentence: More sonically similar to Dana’s earlier nineties work, Glamorous is a big soaring dance anthem with a hypnotic echoing chorus and slick electronic production with a hot Israeli flair.

“Woman in Love” (1999)

Album: Free
In a Sentence: Ms Streisand gets Danified in this cover version featuring on Dana’s Free album – it’s an elegant dance update of a classic.

“Tease Me” (1999)

Album: Free
In a Sentence: Again, Dana delights with another dance track on Free, Tease Me is a sexy piece of nineties dance now “Tease me, tease me, if you wanna please me.”

“Let Me Live” (2001)

Album: Yoter Ve Yoter (More and More)
In a Sentence: Moving back to Hebrew language for her Free follow-up Yoter Ve Yoter – production remains smooth and high quality on this album packed with early noughties dance tracks including the nu-disco cool of Let Me Live which has a little bit of Kylie about it.

“My DJ” (2001)

Album: Yoter Ve Yoter (More and More)
In a Sentence: Another dance hit favouring a high BPM, My DJ feels nostalgic in its electronic disco production which has hints of Giorgio Moroder about – particularly in its vocoder assisted chorus.

“1000 Days of Love” (2001)

Album: Yoter Ve Yoter (More and More)
In a Sentence: Elegant contemporary disco continues to be the mood on Yoter Ve Yoter, with 1000 Days of Love continuing this.

“Gotta Move On” (2002)

Album: HaHalom HaEfshari (The Possible Dream)
In a Sentence: With echoes of David Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes about it, Gotta Move On, is a fresh new sound for Dana at the time.

“Superman” (2002)

Album: HaHalom HaEfshari (The Possible Dream)
In a Sentence: The second English track from The Possible Dream album is a catchy number that feels like a quintessential piece of noughties eurodance.

“Darladirladada” (2002)

Album: HaHalom HaEfshari (The Possible Dream)
In a Sentence: Dalida’s catchy 1970 pop single gets a Dana Internationalised update stacked with whirring Middle Eastern influence and packing a real sing-a-long quality.

“Loveboy” (2007)

Album: Hakol Ze Letova (It’s All for The Best)
In a Sentence: A smash hit in its native Israel, blending disco-themed orchestral strings with electronic synthesizers to craft a breezy Summer bop.

“Hakol Ze Letova” (2007)

Album:  Hakol Ze Letova (It’s All for The Best)
In a Sentence: Translating as It’s All for the Best, this single from Dana’s most recent studio album to date starts as a mid-tempo showcase for Dana’s vocal skills before building the tempo, turning into a slinky electro number.

“I Need Your Love” (2009)

Album: Standalone single
In a Sentence: Collaborating with Russian pop duo NuAngels, I Need Your Love is a high camp club anthem elevated through Dana’s presence.

“Ding Dong” (2011)

Album: Eurovision 2011 Entry
In a Sentence: A massive pop injustice that Ding Dong never qualified for the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest with euphoric pop triumph. Revisit the Hebrew-English dance hit below.

“When Men Dance (feat. Yardena Arazi)” (2012)

Album: Standalone single
In a Sentence: Teaming up with Israel’s 1988 Eurovision star Yardena Arazi, Dana’s When Men Dance is an infectious slice of Hebrew pop.

“Down On Me” (2014)

Album: Standalone single
In a Sentence: This English language bop released through Dana’s label imprint Dana Music Ltd is a slinky electronic pop number with Dana’s vocal chanting nonsensically fun lines like “Everybody’s coming to my sexy nation, abomination on an invitation.”

“We Can Make It (feat. Offer Nissim)” (2016)

Album: Standalone single
In a Sentence: Reuniting with frequent collaborator Israeli DJ Offer Nissim for this anthemic call to arms packed with slick EDM production with scintillating Middle Eastern flair.

“La Costa” (2017)

Album: Standalone single
In a Sentence: This Whole Lotta Love sampling number shows another side to Dana’s skills as an artiste, delving into the world of rock with attitude and gusto.

“Diva to Diva (feat. Charlote Perrelli)” (2019)

Album: Standalone single
In a Sentence: Divas unite twenty years on from the year Dana passed the crown on to Sweden’s Charlotte Perrelli, with a future schlager classic about self-love and accepting yourself.

“Just the Way You Are” (2019)

Album: Standalone single
In a Sentence: Performed at the interval of the first semi-final, this Bruno Mars cover shows Dana’s versatility as an artist, stepping away from the high BPM dance, euro-trance sound for a lovely sentimental number.