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Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
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
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Meet the favourites to win Eurovision 2025
KAJ, a Finnish comedy music trio, is representing Sweden in Eurovision 2025 with their song "Bara Bada Bastu." This is the first Swedish-language song Sweden has entered since 1998, and KAJ is the first Finnish act to represent the country. The trio, comprised of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård, has released seven albums and performed two musicals. "Bara Bada Bastu" is inspired by Finnish sauna culture and is considered a quirky, infectious entry. KAJ is considered a favourite to win, which would bring Eurovision 2026 back to Sweden after Loreen's 2024 victory.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meet Sweden's Eurovision 2025 entry KAJ and get to know their song Bara Bada Bastu
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. 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. Should they win, the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest contest would return to the country just two years after it was held in Malmö, following Loreen's triumph. KAJ first need to get through the first semi-final, which is being held on Tuesday 13 May and will be broadcast on BBC One, iPlayer, Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 8pm. They are competing against fellow favourites including Estonia's Tommy Cash and The Netherland's Claude. Italy's Lucio Corsi, Spain's Melody and Switzerland's Zoë Më are also performing – they automatically qualify for the Grand Final on Saturday 17 May. We are KAJ, a comedy trio from Vörå, Ostrobothnia. We have been a band for 15 years and friends even longer. 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. We got an email from Melodifestivalen. Somehow they had found us and wanted us to try and write a song for the competition. That is an offer we couldn't refuse and to our great joy we were selected to participate in the competition! Since we are a part of a Swedish-speaking minority and have always followed Melodifestivalen closely, it was a great honour and opportunity for us. 'Bara Bada Bastu' is inspired by the Finnish sauna culture. 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. Everything has been so fun but also overwhelming. We didn't expect this to happen, and to be one of the favourites for the whole competition? Surreal, but so much fun. It is a great year for Eurovision, many strong entries and lots of fantastic people. We would celebrate with the people of Sweden – and Finland. It would truly be a beautiful way to honour the bond our countries share. And of course, when our duties are done for the day. The sauna calls upon us. The Eurovision semi-finals take place on Tuesday 13 May and Thursday 15 May; the Grand Final is on Saturday 17 May.
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Eurovision 2025 betting tips: Latest odds and predictions for 69th Eurovision Song Contest
THE 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 promises to be one of the most exciting musical events of the year. Countries from across Europe, along with a few special guests, will gather in Basel to compete in a celebration of cultural diversity through live music. Betting odds for the event are heating up. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the big show in Switzerland. 📅 When Is Eurovision 2025? The Eurovision Song Contest consists of two semi-finals , featuring different countries (with the exception of the Big Five—Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom—plus the host country, Switzerland, who automatically qualify for the Grand Final). Only the top 10 from each semi-final will earn a spot in the highly anticipated Grand Final. First Semi-final: Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 20:00 IST Second Semi-final: Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 20:00 IST Grand Final: Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 20:00 IST The Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Basel , Switzerland . The venue is St. Jakobshalle , a multifunctional arena with a capacity of 12,400 spectators. Since first opening in 1976, and following its renovation in 2018, it has hosted numerous major sports events and concerts throughout its history. 🎵 Participants and songs of Eurovision 2025 Eurovision 2025 will feature a total of 37 participating countries , each presenting their artists and songs to compete on the European stage. Of these, only 26 will qualify for the Grand Final after passing through the two semi-finals. The Big Five countries and the host country Switzerland are automatically entered into the final. Two countries currently lead the betting odds by a significant margin: Sweden and Austria , with France ranked third among the countries most likely to win. Here are our tips and odds for the 2025 Eurovision, provided by some of the 🎶 Sweden The trio KAJ won over local voters at Sweden's Melodifestivalen 2025 to earn the right to represent the Nordic country with their catchy song " Bara Bada Bastu ." The group is made up of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård—their initials forming the name KAJ. Interestingly, KAJ is a Finnish-Swedish group with a 15-year history and seven albums to their name. Their techno-style song is performed in Swedish and is expected to be one of the most popular entries in the contest. In fact, they are the runaway favourites to win Eurovision 2025 , with bookmakers and fans alike placing them at the top of their lists. However, because they are so heavily fancied, the odds for their victory aren't particularly high. 🎤 🎶 Austria Johannes Pietsch, performing under the stage name JJ , will represent Austria at Eurovision 2025. He was internally selected by Austrian broadcaster ORF from seven candidates. One of Johannes' main strengths is his magnificent voice, showcased in his Eurovision song " Wasted Love ." A countertenor, Johannes describes his entry as opera-pop. At just 23 years old, he will be one of the youngest and most promising contestants of the festival. Austria is currently the second favourite in the betting markets , just behind Sweden, meaning that while they are strong contenders, the odds offer better value for those backing a surprise win 🎤 🎶 Ireland Ireland's prospects at Eurovision 2025 are shifting as excitement builds and a new favourite takes centre stage. Representing Ireland this year is the talented EMMY , who will perform the energetic and uplifting track " Laika Party ." A team of seasoned songwriters crafted the song: Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen, Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen, Henrik Østlund, Larissa Tormey, and Truls Marius Aarra. It's hoped it will bring out Emmy's vibrant style and strong vocal presence. The Irish entry was selected through Eurosong 2025 , the national final organised by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), ensuring that the public played a key role in choosing the act that will fly the flag for Ireland in Basel. However, Ireland's odds are still quite long. 🎤 🌍 Countries and songs in the First Semi-final: Sweden - KAJ with "Bara Bada Bastu" - Ukraine - Ziferblat with "Bird of Pray" - Slovenia - Klemen with "How Much Time Do We Have Left" - Iceland - VAEB with "Roa" - Estonia - Tommy Cash with "Espresso Macchiato" - Poland - Justyna Steczkowska with "GAJA" - Portugal - NAPA with "Deslocado" - Netherlands - Claude Kmb with "C'est la vie"- Azerbaijan - Mamagama with "Run With U" - Albania - Shkodra Elektronike with "Zjerm" - San Marino - Gabry Ponte with "Tutta L'Italia" - Belgium - Red Sebastian with "Strobe Lights" - Cyprus - The Evan with "Shh" - Croatia - Marko Bosnjak with "Poison Cake" - Norway - Kyle Alessandre with "Lighter" - Also performing during the First Semi-final: Switzerland - Zoë Alina Kressler with "Voyage" - Spain - Melody with "Esa Diva" - Italy - Lucio Corsi with "Volevo essere un duro" - * Odds with 🌍 Countries and songs in the Second Semi-final: Austria - JJ with "Wasted Love" - Lithuania - Katarsis with "Tavo Akys" - Armenia - PARG with "Survivor" - Montenegro - Nina Zizic with "Dobrodosli" - Greece - Klavdia with "Asteromata" - Ireland - EMMY with "Laika Party" - Australia - Go-Jo with "Milkshake Man" - Latvia - Tautumeitas with "Bur man laimi" - Czechia - Adonxs with "Kiss Kiss Goodbye" - Israel - Yuval Raphael with "New Day Will Rise" - Malta - Miriana Conte with "Serving" - Finland - Erika Vikman with "Ich Komme" - Denmark - Sissal with "Hallucination" - Luxembourg - Laura Thorn with "La Poupée Monte Le Son" - Georgia - Mariam Shengelia with "Freedom" - Serbia - Princ with "Mila" - Also performing during the Second Semi-final: Germany - Abor & Tynna with "Baller" - France - Louane with "Maman" - United Kingdom - Remember Monday with "What The Hell Just Happened?" - * Odds provided by 🔎 How does the show work? Eurovision 2025 keeps its traditional format of two semi-finals and one Grand Final . In both semi-finals, qualification will be decided exclusively by public vote. Each participating country awards 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 points to their ten favourite songs. Additionally, the Rest of the World acts as an extra "country" casting votes in the same way. The 10 countries with the highest scores in each semi-final move on to the Grand Final. In the Grand Final, both the professional jury and the public have a 50/50 weight in the final result. Each national jury awards points using the same structure, while the public votes similarly. The Rest of the World will also contribute its votes. The combined totals will determine the contest's winner. 🌟 Who makes up the Eurovision 2025 jury? The Eurovision 2025 jury is made up of five members from each participating country , selected by their respective national broadcasters. These members are usually music industry professionals (singers, composers, producers, or music journalists). Their job is to assess performances based on vocal quality , composition , and originality . The jury's points represent 50% of each country's final result, with the other 50% coming from public voting. This year, Spanish singer Chanel will serve as the Spanish jury spokesperson. 📺 When and where to watch Eurovision 2025? The Grand Final of Eurovision 2025 will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 20:00 IST . In Ireland, you can watch the Eurovision Song Contest on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player . Eurovision's official YouTube channel will stream the entire event live. About the author Craig Mahood Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Sun in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Sun, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Sun. Responsible gambling A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry, or depressed Problem gambling – Gamble Aware – Help with gambling addiction If you have a problem with gambling, or you know someone who does, help is out there. Extern Problem Gambling is the leading provider of information, treatment, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harms across Ireland. Most read in Betting
