Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 1957

Germany held a national final to select the song that would represent Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest 1957. The winner was Margot Hielscher with the song "Telefon, Telefon".

Zwei auf einem Pferd
The German national final was held as part of the show Zwei auf einem Pferd. Zwei auf einem Pferd was a regular game show starting in autumn 1956. The selection of the German entry took place at the Großer Sendesaal des Hessischen Rundfunks in Frankfurt – the same venue as for the Eurovision Song Contest 1957 – on 17 February 1957 at 20:15 CET (19:15 UTC). The final was broadcast on Deutsches Fernsehen, and abroad on ORF and NTS. It was hosted by Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff and directed by Ekkehard Böhmer. It was organised and produced by Hessischer Rundfunk (HR), Hans-Otto Grünefeldt oversaw the production.

Four songs competed in the national final. The artists were accompanied by the Tanzorchester des Hessischen Rundfunks under the musical direction of Willy Berking. A jury consisting of the directors of entertainment programs from different German broadcasters decided the winner. Each juror distributed ten points among his favourite songs. "Telefon, Telefon", composed by Friedrich Meyer, and with lyrics by Ralph Maria Siegel, won the national final with a large margin and was selected as the German entry.

At Eurovision
Germany was the host country of the Eurovision Song Contest 1957, held in Frankfurt, when there was still no format in place for the previous year's winning country to host the following year, and following Switzerland hosting and winning in 1956. "Telefon, Telefon" was conducted by Willy Berking and Hielscher performed seventh, following the and preceding. The song received eight points, placing fourth in a field of ten. The song's lyrics gave rise to what is generally considered the first "gimmick performance" in the contest history, with Hielscher in fact picking up a real telephone receiver during her performance. At the end of the song, she picks it up again and explains "on the telephone" that she can't talk anymore because her song is ending. It was succeeded as German representative at the 1958 contest by Hielscher again, with "Für zwei Groschen Musik".

Eurovision Song Contest 1957 was broadcast on Deutsches Fernsehen and on HR's radio station Zweites Programm. Excerpts from the show were also broadcast on WDR FM radio on 29 April 1957 at 21:15 CET.

Voting
Every country had a jury of ten people. Every jury member could give one point to his or her favourite song.