Eurovision success is as easy as (3m + 3NCh) + SF + CC = W

Abba had the recipe for success in 1974 when they the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo. Credit: PRESSENS PRESSENS BILD/PRESSENS/Press Association Images

The London College of Music has come up with a formula for success at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The month long study analysed all of the winning entries from the past 10 years to find out what made them stand out from the sequined crowd.

The researchers found that the winning Eurovision songs:

  • Usually lasts three minutes

  • Often have a three note hook on the chorus

  • Create a sense of familiarity

  • Have a "cheeky charm"

Finnish entry Lordi won in 2006 with Hard Rock Hallelujah - an unusually non-sequined entry. Credit: Joerg Carstensen/DPA/Press Association Images

They produced the formula (3m + 3NCh) + SF + CC = W, which translates as (3 minutes long or less + 3 Note Chorus) + Sounds Familiar + Cheeky Charm = Win.

Senior lecturer Sam Sutton, who led the study, said:

And how does this year's UK entry Molly Smitten-Downes fair with her entry Children Of The Universe?

The UK's Eurovision hopeful for this year's competition is Molly with Children of the Universe. Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Molly "does this brilliantly," according to Mr Sutton. "The vocal melody has that familiar quality and only requires one listen before it's firmly rooted on repeat in your brain. "

"It is also three minutes long on the nose, which firmly puts her in the running," he added.

She will perform her self-penned song at the contest in Copenhagen on Saturday with a potential TV audience of 120 million.