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Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What to look out for from the music of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest
I'm in Basel, Switzerland – host city of this year's Eurovision Song Contest – to present research about treatment of songwriters in the contest. While I'm here, I'll be conducting field research and attending one of the shows. Here's what I'll be looking out for during this year's competition. One of the joys of Eurovision is hearing songs in different languages and different musical styles. Of the 37 entries in this year's contest, 23 songs include languages other than English (13% more than in 2024), and 17 of those are entirely sung in languages other than English (14% more than in 2024). With more than half of the entries now featuring languages other than English, the chances of a non-English song winning have increased. Among these entries, there are some particularly interesting language choices. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. One of the biggest controversies regarding language this year has been the Maltese entry Serving, performed by Miriana Conte. The song was originally titled Serving Kant. Kant is the Maltese word for singing but is pronounced in the same way as the English swear word 'cunt'. It is a knowing reference to the phrase 'serving cunt'. Drawn from black queer ballroom culture, popularised through shows like Rupaul's Drag Race, it means to do something in a powerfully feminine manner. Read more: Despite therefore provocatively sounding as though it includes a word many viewers will find offensive, the Maltese broadcaster PBS has robustly defended Conte's right to sing in her native Maltese. This was deemed within the rules, but then the BBC complained that it couldn't broadcast the song. Subsequently the European Broadcasting Union have made Malta change the lyrics – although don't be surprised if you hear fans in audience fill in the missing word. The controversy around the song has provided it with priceless PR and firmly placed it in contention for the win. I rather suspect this may have been the plan all along. Another interesting linguistic choice has been this year's entry from The Netherlands. C'est La Vie, sung by Claude Kiambe, is in the French language, not Dutch, as a tribute to his Congolese roots. In an interview for the official Eurovision website Kiambe explained: 'C'est La Vie is a tribute to a parent and for me that's my mother. As a little boy and throughout my youth, she taught me to see the positive in the things you experience in life, even when you experience setbacks.' French allows Kiambe to authentically express his identity and personal story. This song is significant as it becomes the first from The Netherlands to be sung in French. It wouldn't be Eurovision without songs that cover unusual subject matters. The current favourite to win the contest is the Swedish entry Bara Bada Bastu, or Let's Just Sauna, by the group KAJ. KAJ are from Finland where sauna is a core fundamental of culture. Ireland's entry Laika Party, meanwhile, takes the unusual approach of creative lyrical speculative fiction. The song ponders what would happen if Laika, the first dog in space, was still alive and partying above Earth. Another unusual offering is Tommy Cash's Espresso Macchiato, representing Estonia. Some viewers have interpreted the song as mocking Italian culture. It has attracted criticism from Italian politicians including senator Gian Marco Sentinaio who produced a flyer in response with the message: 'Whoever insults Italy must stay out of Eurovision.' Quite often in Eurovision, songwriters are overlooked for their role in the contest. As you read this article, many writers are already locked away at songwriting camps working away on entries for next year. In fact the Norwegian songwriting camp has already taken place for next year's Eurovision. This year 134 songwriters are behind the 37 songs performed across the contest. In popular music songwriting it is now quite commonplace for writers to work in large groups, with each team member making contributions to creating the melody, harmony or the production of the track. This year the Armenian song Survivor, performed by Parg, has the most writers. Ten people were involved in its creation, including Parg himself. The UK comes a close second with seven writers contributing to the entry What the Hell Just Happened?, performed by Remember Monday. Another notable statistic this year is that in 30 out of 37 songs, the singer has a songwriting credit. This makes it very likely that we will see a songwriter lift the Eurovision trophy. This year many artists share personal stories in their songs, including France's Louane who pays tribute to her mother with Maman and Italy's Luca Corsi, who reflects on his childhood in Volevo Essere un Duro. Many of this year's songwriters have competed in the contest before. Swedish songwriters Peter Boström and Thomas G:Son, who are no strangers to Eurovision having won the contest twice writing Loreen's entries Euphoria (2012) and Tattoo (2023), are back once again, this time co-writing Survivor for Armenia. Another winning Swedish songwriter returning is Linnea Deb. She wrote Sweden's winning song Heroes in 2015. This time she has co-written Hallucination for Denmark. Alongside the returning Swedes are fellow serial contest writers Dimitris Kontopoulos and Darko Dimitrov, who between them have over 20 contest entries under their belt but are yet to have a victory. There will also be a return to the contest for Teodora Špirić, better known a Teya, who alongside Salena, performed Who the Hell is Edgar? for Austria in 2023. This year she is the songwriter for Austrian entry Wasted Love performed by JJ. It's currently the bookies favourite. There are also many new British writers in the contest to keep an eye on, including Emma Gale who has co-written the Croatian entry Poison Cake. This year's contest brings a diversity of languages, subject matter and songwriters together to present 37 unique offerings from which the juries and voters of Europe will choose a winner. While the bookies and fans may have favourites, at this stage a clear winner is not a given – all can change when the songs are performed live. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Samuel Murray is affiliated with the Musicians' Union and a writer member of PRS for Music.
Leader Live
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Eurovision organisers still hope Celine Dion might take to the stage
Switzerland, where the competition began in Lugano in 1956, will host Tuesday's first semi-final in Basel. It will see the Netherlands return to the stage after their act was kicked out of the competition shortly before the final last year. Dion, 57, won in Dublin 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, and there has been speculation that since there has been no Swiss entry triumph until Nemo clinched victory with The Code last year at Malmo, she would return to the stage. The Canadian singer has stepped away from touring in recent years, because of increasing health issues while living with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), but made an emotional come back at the 2024 Paris Olympics singing Edith Piaf's classic Hymne A L'Amour while in the Eiffel Tower. It was reported that Dion sent in a video message for the first semi-final rehearsals wishing the contestants luck, appearing to rule out her return, but this appeared to be dismissed by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR. An SRG SSR spokesman said: 'All elements of the first semi-final show were played through and rehearsed intensively. 'There are currently no changes regarding Celine Dion – we are still in close contact with her.' The Dutch have placed their hopes on Claude Kiambe, 21, whose entry C'est La Vie reflects on his early musical aspirations and his mother's support. He will compete against Sweden representatives and contest favourites KAJ with the upbeat comical Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna), inspired by the Nordic sauna culture, and Ukrainian group Ziferblat's dramatic track Bird Of Pray. Basel-born Zoe Me will perform French language song Voyage for the Swiss but is already through to the final, because Nemo won in Malmo 2024 with The Code, along with some of the big financial contributors – Italy with glam rocker Lucio Corsi's Volevo Essere Un Duro (I Wanted To Be A Tough Guy) and Spain with Melody Gutierrez's Esa Diva (That Diva). Kiambe is seen as among those in contention for the top prize on Saturday, and is already a star of the Dutch charts, with the release of his 2022 debut single Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot), which has had more than 60 million listens on Spotify and which prompted him to leave his restaurant job. Kiambe told the PA news agency that he hopes to see Joost Klein, who was disqualified by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over alleged verbal threats to a female production worker, 'doing great and doing the best', after his song Europapa went viral. Dutch broadcaster Avrotros called the disqualification 'unnecessary and disproportionate', while the singer denied any wrongdoing, and Swedish prosecutors dropped the case against him. Avrotros also warned that it might not return to the competition, but after a meeting with the EBU to discuss the disqualification and backstage issues, it appears they have returned to the fold. The EBU conducted a review and pledged that a new code of conduct and a raft of new measures, would help 'protect' the wellbeing of artists. Kiambe feels this means they have 'listened to everything what happened'. However, Avrotros did reportedly ask the EBU to rethink its policy on an on-stage LGBT+ flag ban for contestants, although fans are allowed to bring in these symbols along with pro-Palestinian flags, after controversy last year on what could be brought into the arena. Also in the line-up for the first semi-final is Slovenia's Klemen with How Much Time Do We Have Left, electronic musician brothers Matthias Davio Matthiasson and Halfdan Helgi Matthiasson who formed Vaeb and are entering with the futuristic Roa, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with the absurd Espresso Macchiato. Others who are thought likely to make strong showing on Tuesday are San Marino's Gabry Ponte with the catchy beat heavy Tutta L'Italia, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska with her dramatic Gaja, Norway's Kyle Alessandro with the fiery Lighter, Cyprus' Theo Evan's blend of singing and spoken word in Shh and Albania's folksy Shkodra Elektronike with Zjerm. After the public voting, the top 10 countries going through to the final will be announced. They will join the 'big five' and Switzerland on Saturday. On Thursday the UK's girl group Remember Monday, Ireland's Emmy Kristiansen and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks, will take to the stage in the second semi-final. There are expected to be protests throughout the week, and a pro-Palestinian group is planning a large gathering for Saturday amid the war in Gaza. More than 1,000 police officers are on duty in Basel this week, and there has been an increase in security during Eurovision. Eurovision's semi-finals will air on Tuesday and Thursday on the BBC from 8pm UK time, and the final at the same time on Saturday.
The Herald Scotland
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Eurovision organisers still hope Celine Dion might take to the stage
Dion, 57, won in Dublin 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, and there has been speculation that since there has been no Swiss entry triumph until Nemo clinched victory with The Code last year at Malmo, she would return to the stage. The Canadian singer has stepped away from touring in recent years, because of increasing health issues while living with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), but made an emotional come back at the 2024 Paris Olympics singing Edith Piaf's classic Hymne A L'Amour while in the Eiffel Tower. It was reported that Dion sent in a video message for the first semi-final rehearsals wishing the contestants luck, appearing to rule out her return, but this appeared to be dismissed by Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR. An SRG SSR spokesman said: 'All elements of the first semi-final show were played through and rehearsed intensively. 'There are currently no changes regarding Celine Dion – we are still in close contact with her.' The Dutch have placed their hopes on Claude Kiambe, 21, whose entry C'est La Vie reflects on his early musical aspirations and his mother's support. He will compete against Sweden representatives and contest favourites KAJ with the upbeat comical Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna), inspired by the Nordic sauna culture, and Ukrainian group Ziferblat's dramatic track Bird Of Pray. Basel-born Zoe Me will perform French language song Voyage for the Swiss but is already through to the final, because Nemo won in Malmo 2024 with The Code, along with some of the big financial contributors – Italy with glam rocker Lucio Corsi's Volevo Essere Un Duro (I Wanted To Be A Tough Guy) and Spain with Melody Gutierrez's Esa Diva (That Diva). Claude Kiambe said he hopes that the organisers have 'listened', after his country's disqualification in 2024 (Tim Buiting/AVROTROS/PA) Kiambe is seen as among those in contention for the top prize on Saturday, and is already a star of the Dutch charts, with the release of his 2022 debut single Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot), which has had more than 60 million listens on Spotify and which prompted him to leave his restaurant job. Kiambe told the PA news agency that he hopes to see Joost Klein, who was disqualified by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over alleged verbal threats to a female production worker, 'doing great and doing the best', after his song Europapa went viral. Dutch broadcaster Avrotros called the disqualification 'unnecessary and disproportionate', while the singer denied any wrongdoing, and Swedish prosecutors dropped the case against him. Avrotros also warned that it might not return to the competition, but after a meeting with the EBU to discuss the disqualification and backstage issues, it appears they have returned to the fold. The EBU conducted a review and pledged that a new code of conduct and a raft of new measures, would help 'protect' the wellbeing of artists. Kiambe feels this means they have 'listened to everything what happened'. However, Avrotros did reportedly ask the EBU to rethink its policy on an on-stage LGBT+ flag ban for contestants, although fans are allowed to bring in these symbols along with pro-Palestinian flags, after controversy last year on what could be brought into the arena. Also in the line-up for the first semi-final is Slovenia's Klemen with How Much Time Do We Have Left, electronic musician brothers Matthias Davio Matthiasson and Halfdan Helgi Matthiasson who formed Vaeb and are entering with the futuristic Roa, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with the absurd Espresso Macchiato. Others who are thought likely to make strong showing on Tuesday are San Marino's Gabry Ponte with the catchy beat heavy Tutta L'Italia, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska with her dramatic Gaja, Norway's Kyle Alessandro with the fiery Lighter, Cyprus' Theo Evan's blend of singing and spoken word in Shh and Albania's folksy Shkodra Elektronike with Zjerm. Shkodra Elektronike from Albania performs Zjerm during the dress rehearsal for the first semi-final (Martin Meissner/AP) After the public voting, the top 10 countries going through to the final will be announced. They will join the 'big five' and Switzerland on Saturday. On Thursday the UK's girl group Remember Monday, Ireland's Emmy Kristiansen and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks, will take to the stage in the second semi-final. There are expected to be protests throughout the week, and a pro-Palestinian group is planning a large gathering for Saturday amid the war in Gaza. More than 1,000 police officers are on duty in Basel this week, and there has been an increase in security during Eurovision. Eurovision's semi-finals will air on Tuesday and Thursday on the BBC from 8pm UK time, and the final at the same time on Saturday.
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Dutch hope to make Eurovision final after last year's disqualification
The Netherlands returns to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest after their act was kicked out of the competition shortly before the final last year. They have placed their hopes for Tuesday's first semi-final in Basel, Switzerland, on Claude Kiambe, 21, whose entry C'est La Vie reflects on his early musical aspirations and his mother's support. He will compete against Sweden representatives and contest favourites KAJ with the upbeat comical Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna), inspired by the Nordic sauna culture, and Ukrainian group Ziferblat's dramatic track Bird Of Pray. Basel-born Zoe Me will perform French language song Voyage for the Swiss but is already through to the final, because Nemo won in Malmo 2024 with The Code, along with some of the big financial contributors – Italy with glam rocker Lucio Corsi's Volevo Essere Un Duro (I Wanted To Be A Tough Guy) and Spain with Melody Gutierrez's Esa Diva (That Diva). Kiambe is seen as among those in contention for the top prize on Saturday, and is already a star of the Dutch charts, with the release of his 2022 debut single Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot), which has had more than 60 million listens on Spotify and which prompted him to leave his restaurant job. Claude Kiambe said he hopes that the organisers have 'listened', after his country's disqualification in 2024 (Tim Buiting/AVROTROS/PA) Kiambe told the PA news agency that he hopes to see Joost Klein, who was disqualified by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over alleged verbal threats to a female production worker, 'doing great and doing the best', after his song Europapa went viral. Dutch broadcaster Avrotros called the disqualification 'unnecessary and disproportionate', while the singer denied any wrongdoing, and Swedish prosecutors dropped the case against him. Avrotros also warned that it might not return to the competition, but after a meeting with the EBU to discuss the disqualification and backstage issues, it appears they have returned to the fold. The EBU conducted a review and pledged that a new code of conduct and a raft of new measures, would help 'protect' the wellbeing of artists. Kiambe feels this means they have 'listened to everything what happened'. However, Avrotros did reportedly ask the EBU to rethink its policy on an on-stage LGBT+ flag ban for contestants, although fans are allowed to bring in these symbols along with pro-Palestinian flags – after controversy last year on what could be brought into the arena. Also in the line-up for the first semi-final is Slovenia's Klemen with How Much Time Do We Have Left, electronic musician brothers Matthias Davio Matthiasson and Halfdan Helgi Matthiasson who formed Vaeb and are entering with the futuristic Roa, and Estonia's Tommy Cash with the absurd Espresso Macchiato. Others who are thought likely to make strong showing on Tuesday are San Marino's Gabry Ponte with the catchy beat heavy Tutta L'Italia, Poland's Justyna Steczkowska with her dramatic Gaja, Norway's Kyle Alessandro with the fiery Lighter, Cyprus' Theo Evan's blend of singing and spoken word in Shh and Albania's folksy Shkodra Elektronike with Zjerm. Shkodra Elektronike from Albania performs Zjerm during the dress rehearsal for the first semi-final (Martin Meissner/AP) After the public voting, the top 10 countries going through to the final will be announced. They will join the 'big five' and Switzerland on Saturday. On Thursday Ireland's Emmy Kristiansen, the UK's girl group Remember Monday, and Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks, will take to the stage in the second semi-final. There are expected to be protests throughout the week, and a pro-Palestinian group is planning a large gathering for Saturday amid the war in Gaza. More than 1,000 police officers are on duty in Basel this week, and there has been an increase in security during Eurovision. Eurovision's semi-finals will air on Tuesday and Thursday on RTÉ from 8pm Irish time, and the final at the same time on Saturday.
Evening Standard
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Eurovision organisers still hope Celine Dion might take to the stage
Kiambe is seen as among those in contention for the top prize on Saturday, and is already a star of the Dutch charts, with the release of his 2022 debut single Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot), which has had more than 60 million listens on Spotify and which prompted him to leave his restaurant job.
