Who is Sweden's Eurovision 2025 act KAJ and what are the lyrics to their song
Who is Sweden's Eurovision 2025 act KAJ and what are the lyrics to their song
The track Bara Bada Bastu is Sweden's entry in Eurovision 2025 and KAJ are favourites to win the show
Sweden are favourites to win
(Image: Getty Images )
Sweden's 2025 Eurovision entry KAJ are one of the favourites to win this year's contest, thanks to their quirky and infectious song Bara Bada Bastu. KAJ are the first ever Finnish act to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest, while Bara Bada Bastu is the first Swedish-language song the country has submitted since 1998.
Bara Bada Bastu is inspired by the Finnish sauna culture and the band, who are also a comedy trio, explained why they used this as inspiration for the song.
They said: "We saw it as a funny way to play with stereotypes and bring the sauna to Sweden.
"Our first thought with the song and the staging was that we really wanted to do more of an Eurovision-vibe entry directly in Melodifestivalen, to do our own thing and not try to copy what they usually do. And as it turns out, that was a great idea."
KAJ will perform Bara Bada Bastu at the live final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, May 17.
Who are KAJ?
The Vörå-formed trio comprises comedians and musicians Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård, who have released seven albums and also written and performed two musicals at the Wasa Theatre in their native Finland.
Article continues below
They have been a band for 15 years and friends for even longer. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter .
They said: "First we got into comedy and quickly afterwards music. The combination of the two turned out to be the perfect fit for us. We have a passion for writing witty and catchy songs."
Their song is all about saunas
(Image: Getty Images )
Lyrics of Bara Bada Bastu
[Intro: Jakob Norrgård] Well then [Verse 1: Jakob Norrgård] The clock strikes, now is the time All worries will soon disappear The best cure for body and soul Four wood-paneled walls [Pre-Chorus: KAJ, Jakob Norrgård, Axel Åhman] (Oh, eh-oh, eh-oh) This firewood of ours heats just as well (Oh, eh-oh, eh-oh) As tango with Arja Saijonmaa One, two, three, sauna [Chorus: KAJ] We're gonna have a sauna, sauna, steam up and release all stress today Sauna brothers, we're the ones who glow, hundred degrees, well then Just having a sauna, sauna, throw on so that the sweat just whirls around Oh, sauna bathing, yeah We're gonna have a sauna, sauna, steam up and let go of all stress today Sauna brothers, we're the ones who glow, hundred degrees, well then Just having a sauna, sauna, throw on so that the sweat just whirls around Oh, sauna bathing, yeah [Post-Chorus: Axel Åhman & Kevin Holmström] Sauna Sauna (Yeah, exactly)
[Verse 2: Kevin Holmström] Pour water and get more steam now Tick-tick-tock, how long can you hold out? Ninety degrees, we're almost there Damn, it's getting hot in here [Pre-Chorus: KAJ, Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman] (Oh, eh-oh, eh-oh) The sweat's dripping, yeah, yeah(Oh, eh-oh, eh-oh) One, two, three, sauna [Chorus: KAJ] We're gonna have a sauna, sauna, steam up and release all stress today Sauna brothers, we're the ones who glow, hundred degrees, well then Just having a sauna, sauna, throw on so that the sweat just whirls around Oh, sauna bathing, yeah [Post-Chorus: Axel Åhman] Sauna [Bridge: KAJ, Axel Åhman] Just having a sauna, just having a sauna Just having, just having, just having a sauna Just having a sauna, just having a sauna Just having, just having, just having a sauna (Do not cover) Just having a sauna, just having a sauna Just having, just having, just having a sauna Just having a sauna, just having a sauna Just having, just having, just having a sauna
[Chorus: KAJ, Axel Åhman] We're gonna have a sauna, sauna, steam up and release all stress today Sauna brothers, we're the ones who glow, hundred degrees, well then Just having a sauna, sauna, throw on so that the sweat just whirls around Oh, sauna bathing, yeah (Sauna) [Outro: KAJ, Axel Åhman] Just having a sauna, just having a sauna Just having, just having, just having a sauna Just having a sauna, just having a sauna Just having, just having, just having a saunaSauna
Article continues below
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Will Ferrell ‘excited' to bring Eurovision musical to Broadway
Will Ferrell 'excited' to bring Eurovision musical to Broadway The American actor, 57, is basing the project on his Netflix movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, which he starred in opposite Canadian actress Rachel McAdams and British actor Dan Stevens (Image: Netflix ) Will Ferrell has said he is "excited" to bring a musical version of the Eurovision Song Contest to Broadway. The American actor, 57, is basing the project on his Netflix movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, which he starred in opposite Canadian actress Rachel McAdams and British actor Dan Stevens. "We are more than excited to bring Eurovision to Broadway," said Ferrell. "The stage musical is a perfect place to continue our celebration of all the things we love about this amazing and unifying song competition." The production will feature a book by Ferrell, Harper Steele, who both co-wrote the original film and were in the documentary Will & Harper together, and Anthony King, a TV and Broadway writer. Music will come from Savan Kotecha, who was behind the songs for the Netflix movie, and will be directed by Alex Timbers. Article continues below "Will Ferrell and Harper Steele are my comedy heroes," Timbers, a Tony award-winning director, said. "And when I first saw their joyful movie Eurovision during the pandemic, it buoyed spirits during a very dark time. "With this stage adaptation, I can't wait to bring that same mix of heart, spectacle, irreverence, and awe to audiences across the world." In the 2020 movie, The Notebook actress McAdams, an Oscar nominee, and Elf star Ferrell play Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdottir who are competing at Eurovision. It was nominated for a best original song Academy Award for Husavik (My Hometown) written by Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus, and Rickard Goransson. Eurovision director Martin Green, from the organising group, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said: "This is a stellar team for what I am sure will be an equally stellar adaption of a film the world loved. "Our aim always is to bring the joy of the Eurovision Song Contest to more people globally – especially as we approach our 70th edition in 2026." Last month, the 2025 winner of Eurovision was crowned as 24-year-old opera singer JJ from Austria, who entered with the dramatic Wasted Love. The UK came 19th in May after Remember Monday earned 88 points from the national juries for their song What The Hell Just Happened? and no points from the audience. Article continues below Netflix has previously turned its popular science fiction show Stranger Things into a play in the West End called Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which serves as a prequel to the series.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Woman shows off £10 Primark sandals she bagged for £1 – but trolls say they look like something their ‘gran would wear'
Plus, seven summer must-haves to bag from Primark right now NAN'S CLOSET Woman shows off £10 Primark sandals she bagged for £1 – but trolls say they look like something their 'gran would wear' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN who thought she hit the jackpot with her £1 sandals has been trolled for the ''state of them''. The money-saving fashion fan shared her bargain find on Facebook, but not everyone was impressed. 3 One Primark shopper was brutally mocked over her brand new sandals Credit: Getty Images - Getty 3 Mean trolls reckoned the woven footwear belonged in a 'gran's' wardrobe Credit: Getty 3 The thrifty shopper paid just a quid for the summery slip-ons Credit: Facebook/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK All cuffed with the find, Vinka shared a snap of the new footwear on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Group. The pair of black, woven slip-ons were picked up for a mere quid down from a tenner in Primark. ''Primark Worcester today reduced from £10 to £1.00,'' thrifty Vinka wrote in the caption of the post. The bargain hunter had snapped up the summery sandals in UK size 4 and social media users could still see the original price on the reduced sticker. The black footwear, ideal for the beach or a sunny holiday abroad, is just one of the many picks Primark shoppers can get their hands on this season. The woven slip-ons feature soft cushioning for comfort, as well as the on-trend cross detailing in the middle. But whilst she may have loved the find, people on social media reckoned the cash-savvy shopper had wasted her money. Brutal online trolls were quick to point out that the style was outdated in their eyes - or that the sandals belonged in an OAP's wardrobe. One fashion critic said: ''Looks like what my gran would wear.'' Another brutal person commented: ''Another brutal person commented: ''State of them though.'' Fashion fans are racing to Primark for 'gorgeous' new £16 skirt that's 'perfect' for holidays and will hide your mum tum Luckily, it seems Vinka wasn't too bothered by the rude comments slamming her fashion sense. Hitting back to the haters, she said: ''Who cares what you think?'' The popular discount retailer recently sent fans into a frenzy after adding new T-shirts that cinch you in at the waist - and cost less than £10. Chris regularly shares looks at Primark's new in products, and took to TikTok to post a video showing off the new £8 tee. Top Primark summer buys IF you're looking for more Primark summer buys, then you've come to the right place. Shoppers have recently been raving about the new Miffy PJs from Primark. Others were desperate to nab the new leopard print nightwear. If animal print is your thing, you'll want to check out the new maxi skirts. The haltnerneck tops are perfect for summer. If you're on a budget, these trousers are identical to a pair from Zara, but without the hefty price tag. There's brilliant travel essentials for less than £10. And if you plan on heading to the beach, you won't want to miss these crochet bags. While the front looked plain and pretty similar to the "traditional" T-shirt, the cut of it means it goes in at the waist a tiny bit, before flaring back out. This then helps highlight your figure, rather than hiding it. The top also has another detail which stands it apart from the rest - a cute keyhole detail and a tie up round the neck at the back. It also has a slightly longer sleeve, and retails for just £8. "How nice are these cinch waist new T-shirts?" he wrote over the top of his TikTok video. The clip showed two of the tops - one in baby pink and one in a gorgeous chocolate brown colour.
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Whispers in the Glen by Sue Lawrence review: 'an unusual novel'
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This is an engaging and agreeable novel, an unusual one, too, with a strong narrative and for the most part pleasant and credible characters. It is set mostly in Glen Clova in Angus, though some chapters are set in France. It has a double time-frame, the story being set partly in the First World War, partly in the Second. What is unusual is that we move between these two periods from the beginning, and it is not immediately clear why the author has chosen this arrangement. It soon makes sense, however, and proves very effective. Glen Clova | Getty Images In the first chapter the two main protagonists are middle-aged, neither married. Effie - Euphemia - is the village schoolmistress while Nell is serving as the wartime postie, also helping in the bar at the local hotel. Effie, though a kind and understanding teacher, is grumpy at home. You soon suspect that something has gone wrong in her life. Nell seems much more at ease, much happier. Their mother is long, somewhat mysteriously dead. Their father, the local dominie, is shown in the First World War passages to have been harsh and disagreeable. Is there something mysterious about his wife's death? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Somewhat surprisingly, both Effie and Nell are fluent French-speakers. In the First World War passages this is soon explained: Nell is working as a nurse in a field hospital in France, the work and conditions being well described. One officer, himself from Angus, is disagreeable, but put in his place by a crippled French chef. Meanwhile, back in Glen Clova, Effie spends part of the First World War working on an aunt's form. She has a harsh experience which colours or rather discolours her life. Then, in the Second World War, there is a plane crash at the top of the Glen, an event which comes with consequences. However, the author eschews most violent drama; this is a very sane novel. Lawrence has evident sympathy and affection for her characters, and the evocation of rural Scotland a hundred years ago is engaging, pleasing with its echoes of JM Barrie's Thrums, though there is none of the sentimentality for so long associated with the Kailyard. Sensibly, Lawrence has chosen not to attempt to try to reproduce the language of rural Scots a hundred years ago, and to write in Standard English. Nevertheless, her feeling for the life of the Angus Glens rings agreeably true. This is a quiet novel, agreeably persuasive, and this makes its occasional violent, even vicious, moments all the more telling. It is, I suppose, a feminist book, though not stridently so. There are two deplorable men, the girls' father and a Kirriemuir man, the officer first met by Nell in France who has more than a touch of the villain about him. He is necessary to the plot, and, though unpleasant, not exaggeratedly so. In general the novel is suffused by a sense of decency and kindness, rare in fiction today, and it brings this off without a trace of sentimentality. In short, Lawrence has written an admirable novel with persuasive characters, the treatment of the two sisters being as convincing as it is agreeable. If the ending proves a bit on the sentimental side, its generosity is convincing.
