
All the participants • First Semi-Final • Second Semi-Final • Grand Final
1.🇮🇸 Iceland • 2.🇵🇱 Poland • 3.🇸🇮 Slovenia • 4.🇪🇪 Estonia • 5.🇺🇦 Ukraine • 6.🇸🇪 Sweden • 7.🇵🇹 Portugal • 8.🇳🇴 Norway • 9.🇧🇪 Belgium • 10.🇦🇿 Azerbaijan • 11.🇸🇲 San Marino • 12.🇦🇱 Albania • 13.🇳🇱 Netherlands • 14.🇭🇷 Croatia • 15.🇨🇾 Cyprus

Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Estonia made their debut in 1994, having waited an extra year because they weren’t one of the successful countries in the 1993 pre-Contest qualification round ‘Kvalifikacija za Millstreet’ (‘Qualification for Millstreet’).
Silvi Vrait was the first Estonian singer to represent her country, though the song Nagu Merelaine (‘Like A Seawave’) failed to make a splash with juries, finishing 24th in a field of 25.
In 2001, Estonia became the first former Eastern Bloc country to win the Eurovision Song Contest thanks to Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, 2XL and their party anthem Everybody.
Aruban-born Dave Benton also made history as the first Black participant to win the Contest.
- Participations: 31
- Victories: 2001 (Tanel Padar, Dave Benton & 2XL)
- Contests Hosted: Tallinn 2002
🇪🇪 Estonia: Tommy Cash – “Espresso Macchiato” (Johannes Naukkarinen / Tomas Tammemets – Johannes Naukkarinen / Tomas Tammemets). Photos Tommy Cash | Estonia
Tommy Cash. Estonian artist Tommy Cash is known for both his bold visuals and sounds.
Not only a musician, he is an accomplished visual artist, consuming and repackaging global trends through his own gaze and sense of humour.
After rising to the top of the Estonian entertainment scene, Tommy Cash’s success has quickly spread internationally, too. He has toured the US & Europe and performed at some of the biggest festivals, such as Glastonbury, Sziget and Roskilde.
Tommy’s artistic endeavors have been well received in some major publications of fashion, music and film: Dazed has praised his bold manner of bringing attention to today’s sensitive topics; Vogue has characterised his sense of style as both rebellious and weirdly funny; while VICE has remarked upon “an extreme uniqueness through his art as a multi-talented, fearless and creative young Eastern European lad”.
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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• Selected entrant: Tomas Tammemets (born 18 November 1991), known professionally as Tommy Cash (stylised as TOMM¥ €A$H) is a rapper, singer, dancer, co-producer, and visual artist from Tallinn, Estonia. He usually performs in English with a distinct non-native accent, and is known for sexually explicit lyrical themes and provocative music videos.
He is set to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Espresso Macchiato”.
Early life and education. Tomas Tammemets was born and raised in Estonia, in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, in Kopli, a subdistrict of Tallinn.
In interviews, Tammemets has mentioned his mixed immigrant “Ukrainian-Kazakh-Russian-Estonian” ancestry. He has described in detail his mixed roots from his grandparents: Estonian, Ukrainian, Russian and Kazakh. Tammemets went to Estonian school and he speaks Estonian as one of his mother language. In one of his early interviews, he said that “not many even know I can speak Russian” and that his parents talked to each other in Russian at home, and he is coming from the Kopli ghetto”.
In childhood, Tammemets has recounted running away from the police many times, and (his parents) then having to pay a fine for painting illegal graffiti. He has said that his drug use led him to be “ejected” from schooling. Although his family spoke only Russian at home, he also learned the Estonian language early on in the local preschool, primary school and basic school. He never graduated from upper secondary school, despite sitting final exams, and later took up painting and dancing instead of formal education.
Music career.
2012–2015: First releases. In 2012, Tammemets released his first songs on SoundCloud including “Dusk”, “Oldkool” and “Toxic”. Using the stylised pseudonym TOMM¥ €A$H, his first live performance took place at Cafe Peterson in Tallinn, on 7 December 2012.
In 2013, he released the soundtracks “Deep Purp” and “Oldkool” (which was used in video advertisements shown at the ERKI Fashion Show) and TOMM¥ €A$H performed at the Patarei Kultuuritolm festival in Tallinn. The weekly Eesti Ekspress remarked, “with his nasal voice and androgynous quacking he looked more like a cartoon character than a serious self-assertive macho rapper we are used to see”.
In 2013, Tommy Cash also released his first music video, “Guez Whoz Bak”, directed by Janar Aronija. “Guez Whoz Bak” later received the Hit of the Year 2013 (R2 Aastahitt 2013) award from Estonian radio station Raadio 2.
Two of his collaborations with Justicious and Ba., “MTWAH” and “Kongo Jungle”, were released as part of the Baltic Trail Compilation (on vinyl). In December 2013, he performed at the Żubroffka Short Film Festival in Poland.
In 2014, Tommy Cash released the single “Alien Tears”. It was soon followed by C.R.E.A.M. EP, an extended play (EP) release including “Alien Tears”, “No Afterparty Without You” and other previously released tracks.
In September 2014, he released the music video for “Euroz Dollaz Yeniz”, the first single from his upcoming studio album. On 1 November 2014, his first studio album, Euroz Dollaz Yeniz (2014), was released digitally. In January 2015, having lost annual awards in two categories (he had been nominated for Music Video of the Year and Hip Hop/Rap Album of the Year), Tommy Cash posted on Instagram: “Suck my balls Estonian Music Awards”.
Cash was featured on the single “Flipperi” on Mäkki’s studio album Habiturientti, released in January 2015. In 2015, he also released “Prorapsuperstar” and “Leave Me Alone” music videos.
In September 2015, Tommy Cash collaborated with Ilya “Ilich” Prusikin and Alina Pyazok to produce a video for “Give Me Your Money”, a song by the Russian punk-rave group Little Big. The video became part of the American Russians six-episode web series released on Youtube in September-October 2015. He was featured in the song and video “Volkswagen Passat” produced by Sergey Mezhentsev (DJ Oguretz) for the album Power, released in Moscow in October 2015.
2016–2017: Breakthrough with Winaloto. In July 2016, Tommy Cash uploaded a new trap-pop single, titled “Winaloto”, to SoundCloud. An accompanying music video was directed by Tommy Cash himself, produced by Ivan Nezhentsev (a.k.a. stereoRYZE) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and premiered two weeks later on 19 July 2016.
“Winaloto” has received over 16 million views on YouTube (as of February 2025).
Maxim noted, “it’s a flesh-filled orgy not for the faint of heart, but if you’re game to get a little weird, definitely watch it”. Dazed reported, “the video […] pairs intricate choreography with deliberate gross-out moments”.
In October 2016, a ColorsxStudios show premiered Tommy Cash’s performance of “Winaloto”. Tommy Cash won the Estonian Music Award for Music Video of the Year (2016) for “Winaloto”.
In 2016, Tommy Cash performed as a special guest at the official residence of the then President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
In October 2016, he uploaded two new songs, “Orange Soda” and “Escalade” to SoundCloud. In January 2017, Tommy Cash performed in the Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen, the Netherlands. On 16 March 2017, Tommy released the music video for “Surf”, produced by Anna-Lisa Himma and directed by Tommy Cash.Tommy Cash performed on the Õllesummer (2017) pop music festival in Tallinn. In July 2017, he made a cameo appearance on Charli XCX’s “Boys” music video.
His new single, “Rawr”, was first released in September 2017, and soon followed by the official remix featuring Joji. In October, Tommy Cash collaborated with Russian electronic music duo IC3PEAK on their song “Cry”. In December 2017, Tommy Cash featured on Charli XCX’s “Delicious” (Pop 2 mixtape), and on a remix of her “Out of My Head”.
2018–2020: “Pussy Money Weed”, “Little Molly”, and ¥€$. On 25 January 2018, at the 20th Estonian Music Awards, “Surf” won the award for Music Video of the Year.
In the beginning 2018, Tommy Cash released a single titled “Pussy Money Weed”, alongside the music video. “A hymn to diversity”, noted Giulia Pacciardi of Collater.Al Italy.
On 2 April, at the 2018 EFTA Awards, Tommy Cash performed his new song “Little Molly”. On 30 May 2018, he released “Little Molly” as a new single, alongside the music video, directed by Anna-Lisa Himma and himself. As of July 2024, “Pussy Money Weed”, and “Little Molly” music videos have received over 15, and 17 million views on YouTube, respectively.
In October 2018, Tommy Cash collaborated with Little Big to release “Follow Me” for Little Big’s fourth studio album Antipositive, Pt. 2. It marked the second collaboration between him and the Russian punk-rave group following their 2015 single “Give Me Your Money”.
In November 2018, Tommy Cash released a song and video, “X-Ray”, and it was then set as the lead single of his second studio album ¥€$ (2018). The album features vocal performances from MC Bin Laden, Charli XCX, Rick Owens and Caroline Polachek; it was co-produced by Danny L Harle, A. G. Cook, Amnesia Scanner, and Boys Noize.
The concert tour to support the ¥€$ album was announced in December 2018. The tour was to encompass 33 shows and 17 countries. Charli XCX joined Tommy Cash to perform “Cool 3D World” and “Delicious”, during his concert in Tallinn, in December 2018.
At the 2019 Tomorrowland (festival) Tommy Cash was joined by Bosnian-Swedish DJ Salvatore Ganacci to perform “Heartbass” and “X-Ray”. Also in 2019, he toured as a special guest at Oliver Tree’s concerts on the Goodbye, Farewell Tour, in over 20 shows in the US and Canada. In December 2019, he released the “Sdubid” music video.
On 30 January 2020, Tommy Cash unveiled his first official tour in the United States, starting on 22 March. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tour was rescheduled for 2022. In 2020, Tommy cash also appeared in the music video for “S*ck My D*ck 2020” by the Russian rave band Little Big.
2021–2024: Moneysutra. In April 2021, Tommy Cash released the single “Zuccenberg”, in collaboration with Suicideboys and Diplo. A five-song Moneysutra EP was released on 9 April 2021, with guest appearances from Suicideboys, Diplo, Riff Raff, Bones and Alexey Uzenyuk (a.k.a. Eldzhey).
In the summer of 2021, Tommy Cash released a song and video “Benz-Dealer” in collaboration with Quebonafide. He was also featured on Boys Noize’s track “Nude”.[62] In September 2021, Tommy collaborated with Oliver Tree and Little Big on the track and video “Turn It Up”, from their collaborative Welcome to the Internet EP, which was released on the same month. The following month, he was the featured part in Umru’s “Check1”, the lead single from the Estonian-American producer’s first studio album, Comfort Noise (2022), along with a music video.
In December 2021, new tour dates with additional venues in North America and Europe were announced. The Biggest and Strongest World Tour (2022), began on 10 February 2022, in San Francisco, and was originally to have 19 shows in North America and 28 shows in Europe, ending on 6 May 2022, in Tallinn. In April 2022, the three Australian dates were confirmed. The show in Perth was added later.
March 2022 saw the release of Cash’s collaboration with Kazakhstani record producer Imanbek, a bass-heavy trap track “Baby Shock”. In August 2022, via his Facebook account, Tommy Cash announced the “Autobahn Tour (2022)”, with ten gigs in Germany and Poland. His “The Amerika 2 Tour (2022)”, which was to have consisted of ten shows in the US and Canada, was postponed as his team were denied entry visas.
During Käärijä’s 19 August 2023 concert in Helsinki, Tommy Cash joined him on stage to perform “It’s Crazy It’s Party”. Later in 2023, Tommy Cash joined Oliver Tree’s world tour.
In January 2024, Tommy Cash released the single “Tango”, featuring Canadian rapper bbno$. He was featured in a music video by Salvatore Ganacci titled “Ass & Titties”, released in July 2024. The third EP released by Tommy Cash, High Fashion (2024), contains production from A. G. Cook, IC3PEAK, and Umru.
2024–present: Eurovision Song Contest, controversies. On 6 November 2024, Tommy Cash was announced as one of the participants in Eesti Laul 2025, Estonia’s selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, with the song “Espresso Macchiato“. The song was released on 7 December 2024.
“Espresso Macchiato” went on to win Eesti Laul and thus became the Estonian entry for the Eurovision contest in Basel. His Eurovision participation has sparked controversy, both with “Espresso Macchiato” receiving backlash by some Italian media outlets and politicians for stereotyping Italian people and culture, as well as his own history of performing in Russia and collaborating with Russian artists.
Artistry. Tammemets has described himself as a “post-Soviet rapper” with an “Eastern European soul” and a “Scandinavian CV”. He has described in detail his mixed roots from his grandparents: Estonian, Ukrainian, Russian, Kazakh, and how he feels about it, and how these difficult feelings has been manifested in his art. In many interviews, Tammemets has described how going to Estonian art school, how Russian language at home, Western music, and his direct environment has influenced his art and his music. He has previously called himself “Kanye East” and used the name Toomas Sularaha, a literal translation of his stage name.
Tommy Cash draws significantly upon aspects of white trash culture, in his case the Russian gopnik style. In the dance scene, he is a freestyle dancer with a distinct style, using elements of popping, krumping, and breakdancing.
Other ventures.
Modelling, fashion week stunts. Tommy Cash made his runway modelling debut at the Rick Owens Menswear Spring 2019 show at Paris Fashion Week. He walked the runway at Marine Serre’s Fall/Winter 2022/23 show in Paris, and at Jordanluca’s Spring/Summer 2024 show in Milan, Italy.
Tommy Cash hit the front rows of the show during fashion weeks in Paris and Milan with his performance art in 2022. His first performance was at the Rick Owens’ fashion show on 23 June 2022, during Paris Fashion Week Men’s 2022. There Tommy Cash wore a nude thong, an overgrown wig and fake toenails. Later, he exercised in the middle of an Amiri catwalk, and became a baby, complete with a person pushing his stroller at the Marine Serre’s show. In Fall 2022, Tommy was seen knitting at the Loewe Spring/Summer 2023 fashion show, carried a human backpack during the Rick Owens’ parade, and cosplayed a paparazzi at the Balenciaga runway show in Milan.
“For me and my team these performances are like anti-fashion, you know? We are not embracing being dressed like brand pros. It’s like a Dali approach.” —Tommy Cash during his interview with Berliner Zeitung, in December 2022.
At the Diesel Fall/Winter 2023/24 show in Milan, Tommy Cash dressed as a cleaning lady with a mop and bucket.
During Paris Fashion Week 2023, Tommy Cash dressed as Anna Wintour at the special event by Isamaya Lips. For the Paco Rabanne fashion show, he filled his face with piercings. Next day, rapper wore a prosthetic vagina and claded in tight “Sue Me” tanktop at Rick Owens’ fashion show. On 7 March 2023, he arrived half-asleep, wearing a pristine bedspread and several pillows on his back, at the Y/Project fashion show and, in slippers and blue pajamas, took his front row seat.
In June 2023, Tommy Cash dressed as a contemporary version of French mime artist Marcel Marceau, promoting the new collaboration “Crocs x MSCHF”, during the Rick Owens’ runway show in Paris. At Marine Serre’s Spring 2024 show, Tommy appeared wearing a Cousin Itt-style head-to-toe blonde hair suit. He then attended the Jean Paul GaultierxJulien Dossena haute couture show in a nude muscular suit. He also went to the Doublet show dressed as a dining table replete with sea food, glasses and candles.
In the autumn of 2023, at Diesel’s Spring/Summer 2024 show in Milan, Tommy Cash arrived to the event dressed as a homeless person. Elliot Hoste of Dazed, opined: “Cash’s homeless cosplay wasn’t clever, it was dumb and offensive”. According to Tommy Cash himself, he did not wear the outfit to cause a stir, as he had wanted to raise awareness instead.
Tommy Cash appeared carrying a sky-high stack of designer boxes and shopping bags at the Maison Margiela Artisanal Couture Spring 2024 show. As part of Paris Fashion Week 2024, at the Vetements Womenswear show, he dressed in an inflatable latex outfit.
Artwork. Tommy Cash works in different mediums, including music, video, photo installation, sculpture, painting, ready-made and merchandise.
In 2019, Tommy Cash and Rick Owens held a joint exhibition, titled “The Pure and the Damned”, at Kumu art museum in Tallinn. Tommy Cash exhibited his own sperm, self-portrait with a pregnant womb, and self-designed bread-based slippers among other artworks. In September 2020, Cash’s artworks were presented at the Cosmoscow international fair in Moscow, Russia.
In 2022, Tommy Cash presented a solo show with Temnikova & Kasela gallery at Paris Internationale, France. The booth was set up as a tribute to a Russian cartoon, Cheburashka, that had nuclear clouds billowing out from its ears, titled “Nukerashka”. In May 2024, his project “Nukerashka” was presented at “Rayon Jouets” exhibition at Hangar Y in Meudon, France.
Design. Early in his career, Tommy Cash made clear his interest in fashion and desire to work in the clothing design industry. In 2018, he released a clothing line that subversively imitates American styles with European elements and in-jokes. Rick Owens teamed up with Tommy Cash for a limited-edition hoodie collaboration in late 2019.
In 2021, Tommy Cash put out feelers for a collaboration with IKEA, presenting the bread-shaped sofa paired with a carpet designed by Gab Bois, called “Loafa”. Later, IKEA representatives confirmed that there has been no official collaboration with the rapper, and they also did not see the “Loafa” project as feasible.
In 2021, Tommy Cash teamed up with sportswear brand Adidas to create the world’s longest sneakers. The metre-long shoes — one white, one black — are a one-off model designed at the request of the artist. “When I said to adidas that I want to make the longest shoe in the world as our collab, they were like, Wtf, Tommy. But five months later here we are,” the rapper wrote on Instagram. Daniel Rogers of Dazed opined: “Now, if we’re talking COVID restrictions, these sneakers have surely got every social distancing regulation covered. Unfortunately though, us peasants will have to continue to rub up against each other as this gargantuan pair is a one-off, made solely for Cash”. Although the extra-long Superstars are a bespoke piece, the rapper’s collaboration with Adidas also spawned a more wearable pair of mismatched trainers – one black, one white and both normally sized. A limited number of this pared-back version, which features Tommy’s signature laser-engraved on the heel and a yin and yang print on the insole, was made available to the public via a raffle.
In March 2021, he released a capsule collection in collaboration with the fashion house Maison Margiela. А co-branded merchandise line consists bread-based slippers, a parcel of vacuum-packed noodles with the “Tommy Cash x Maison Margiela” logo stamped on it. There was more conventional items in the drop, like a co-branded black hoodie, a striped sweater, a t-shirt. He also released[ a track to accompany the drop “Mute (by Maison Margiela)”, which is three and half minutes of pure silence.
In November 2022, Tommy Cash announced his first fashion venture with Italian sportswear brand Kappa. The capsule collection, co-designed by Tommy Cash, consisted of 10 pieces across knitwear, tailoring and outerwear, along with shoes, including an oversized suit, double layered tops, branded loafers, and a leather mask.
Appearances in advertisements. In 2018, Tommy Cash featured in the LHV Bank commercial. In 2020, Tommy was the face of Adidas for “Superstar – change is a team sport” campaign, also co-starring Russian influencers, musicians and athletes. In April 2023, Tommy Cash had become a part of Marine Serre’s campaign for its underwear collection, Borderline. Later on, Tommy Cash appeared in advertisements for Diesel, was photographed by Marili Andre. Also he appeared in campaign video for American brand Brigade, promoted the Big Sock sleeping bag. The same year Estonian rapper appeared in “Join The Flip Side with Tommy Cash” campaign for the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G, along with a pop-up concert in Tallinn, on 13 September 2023. In 2023, Tommy appeared in the PTV Group and Deutsche Bahn’s “Mobility is a Human Ride” video campaign.
Discography.
Studio albums.
| Title | Details | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EST | |||
| Euroz Dollaz Yeniz |
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* | |
| ¥€$ |
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1 | |
| “*” denotes that the chart did not exist at that time. | |||
Extended plays.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| C.R.E.A.M. |
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| Moneysutra |
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| High Fashion |
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Singles.
As lead artist.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album or EP | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EST Dom. |
EST Air. |
ITA | LAT | LTU | LTU Air. |
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| “Guez Whoz Bak” | 2013 | * | * | — | * | * | * | C.R.E.A.M. |
| “Alien Tears” | 2014 | — | Non-album singles | |||||
| “Winaloto” | 2016 | 25 | — | |||||
| “Surf” | 2017 | * | — | |||||
| “Rawr” | — | |||||||
| “Pussy Money Weed” | 2018 | 3 | — | — | ||||
| “Little Molly” | 6 | — | — | |||||
| “X-ray” | 4 | — | — | — | ¥€$ | |||
| “Sdubid” | 2019 | 3 | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| “Mute (by Maison Margiela)” | 2021 | * | — | — | — | |||
| “Zuccenberg” (featuring $uicideboy$ and Diplo) | — | — | — | Moneysutra | ||||
| “Benz-Dealer” (featuring Quebonafide) | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||||
| “Ferrari” (with Riff Raff and Salvatore Ganacci) | 2023 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Tango” (featuring bbno$) | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Untz Untz” | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| “Espresso Macchiato” | 1 | 69 | 18 | 35 | 7 | |||
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. “*” denotes that the chart did not exist at that time. |
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As featured artist.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album or EP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEL (FL) |
FIN | POL Stream. |
POL Billb. |
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| “Give Me Your Money” (Little Big featuring Tommy Cash) | 2016 | — | — | * | Funeral Rave | |
| “Apel” (Kinder Malo and Pimp Flaco featuring Tommy Cash) | — | — | Non-album singles | |||
| “Cry” (Ic3peak featuring Tommy Cash) | 2017 | — | — | |||
| “Piece by Piece” (Audio Opera featuring Project Pat, Antwon, Tommy Cash, and Rich Boy) | — | — | Isolation Room | |||
| “Who” (Modeselektor featuring Tommy Cash) | 2019 | —[A] | — | Who Else | ||
| “Forever in My Debt” (Borgore featuring Tommy Cash) | — | — | The Art of Glory | |||
| “Nude” (Boys Noize featuring Tommy Cash) | 2021 | — | — | Nude / Xpress Yourself and +/- |
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| “Turn It Up” (Oliver Tree and Little Big featuring Tommy Cash) | — | — | Welcome to the Internet | |||
| “Check1” (Umru featuring Tommy Cash and 645AR) | 2022 | — | — | * | — | Comfort Noise |
| “It’s Crazy, It’s Party” (Käärijä featuring Tommy Cash) | 2024 | — | 4 | — | — | People’s Champion |
| “Ca$h Ready” (Mata featuring Tommy Cash and Jeleel) | — | — | 24 | 22 | CBW Mixtape 2 | |
| “Ass & Titties” (Salvatore Ganacci featuring Tommy Cash) | — | — | — | — | Sometimes I Cry When I’m Alone |
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| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. “*” denotes that the chart did not exist at that time. |
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Other charted songs.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|---|
| EST Dom. | |||
| “Mona Lisa” | 2018 | 11 | ¥€$ |
| “Brazil” | 15 | ||
| “Vegetarian” | 16 | ||
| “Horse B4 Porsche” | 10 | ||
| “Dostoyevsky“ | 16 | ||
| “Black Jeans, White Shirt” | 14 | ||
| “Cool 3D World” | 12 | ||
| “Not Care” | 18 |
Other collaborations.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album or EP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA | |||||||
| “Exodus” (Yeezuz2020 featuring Tommy Cash) | 2015 | — | Exodus | ||||
| “Volkswagen Passat” (DJ Oguretz featuring Tommy Cash) | — | Power | |||||
| “Delicious” (Charli XCX featuring Tommy Cash) | 2017 | — | Pop 2 | ||||
| “Follow Me” (Little Big featuring Tommy Cash) | 2018 | — | Antipositive, Pt. 2 | ||||
| “Impec” (Lorenzo featuring Tommy Cash and Vladimir Cauchemar [fr]) | 2019 | 48 | Sex in the City | ||||
| “Click” (Charli XCX featuring Kim Petras and Tommy Cash) | — | Charli | |||||
| “Heartbass” (Salvatore Ganacci featuring Tommy Cash) | 2020 | — | Boycycle | ||||
| “xXXi_wud_nvrstøp_ÜXXx (Remix)” (100 gecs featuring Tommy Cash and Hannah Diamond) | — | 1000 gecs and the Tree of Clues | |||||
| “Alright” (A. G. Cook featuring Tommy Cash) | — | 7G | |||||
| “Whisk It Up” (Yung Gravy and Dillon Francis featuring Tommy Cash) | 2022 | — | Cake and Cognac | ||||
| “United by Music” (with Joost Klein) | 2025 | — | Unity | ||||
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
Videography.
Music videos.
As lead artist.
| Title | Performer(s) | Director(s) | Album | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Guez Whoz Bak” | — | Janar Aronija | C.R.E.A.M. EP | 2013 | |
| “Euroz Dollaz Yeniz” | Euroz Dollaz Yeniz | 2014 | |||
| Sander Joon, Mikk Mägi |
2015 | ||||
| “Leave Me Alone” | — | Tommy Cash, Anna Himma |
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| Non-album single | 2016 | ||||
| “Surf” | Anna Himma, Tommy Cash |
2017 | |||
| “Pussy Money Weed” | 2018 | ||||
| “Little Molly” | |||||
| ¥€$ | |||||
| “Sdubid” | Non-album single | 2019 | |||
| “Racked” | Anna Himma | Moneysutra EP | 2021 | ||
| “Benz Dealer” | Quebonafide | Sebastian Panczyk | Non-album single | ||
| “Tango” | bbno$ | Tommy Cash | 2024 |
As featured artist.
| Title | Performer(s) | Director(s) | Album | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Flipperi” | Adi L Hasla Aito Mäkki |
MVP74 | Habiturientti | 2015 | |
| “Give Me Your Money” | Little Big | Ilya Prusikin, Alina Pasok, Tommy Cash |
Funeral Rave | ||
| “Apel” | Kinder Malo Pimp Flaco |
Leon Santana | Non-album single | 2016 | |
| Modeselektor | Chehad Abdallah | Who Else | 2019 | ||
| Boys Noize | Sus Boy | Nude / Xpress Yourself EP,+/- | 2021 | ||
| Oliver Tree Little Big |
Alina Pasok, Ilya Prusikin, Oliver Tree |
Welcome To The Internet EP | |||
| umru 645AR |
Sam Rolfes | Comfort Noise | |||
| “It’s Crazy, It’s Party” | Käärijä | Karim Sahebin (kaverikarim) | Non-album single | 2023 | |
| “Ass & Titties” | Salvatore Ganacci | Mistre Tesfaye Joel Nkímyá |
2024 |
Guest appearances.
| Title | Performer(s) | Director(s) | Album | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Boys” | Charli XCX | Charli XCX, Sarah McColgan |
Non-album single | 2017 | |
| “S*ck My D*ck 2020” | Little Big | Alina Pasok, Ilya Prusikin |
2020 |
Notes.
- A^ “Who” did not enter the official Belgian Ultratop 100 charts, but appeared on the Flanders Ultratip Bubbling Under 50 chart.
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“Espresso Macchiato” |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi” (2024) • “Espresso macchiato” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Espresso Macchiato” is a song by Estonian rapper and singer Tommy Cash (Tomas Tammemets). It was written by Tammemets and Finnish songwriter Johannes Naukkarinen, with production handled by Naukkarinen. The single was released on 7 December 2024 and will represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Background and composition. “Espresso Macchiato” is a dance pop song characterized by a typical rap flow and electro swing elements. The lyrics, in a Macaronic mixture of broken English, Spanglish, and the broccolino dialect of American Italian, were written by Tommy Cash together with Johannes Naukkarinen. In an interview with Kroonika, Tommy Cash stated that the idea for the song was born “naturally”, without the intention of writing it specifically to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. Naukkarinen was notably one of the songwriters of “Cha Cha Cha” by Finnish rapper Käärijä, which represented Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
Music video. An accompanying visualizer, released in conjunction with the song through Tommy Cash’s YouTube channel, portrays him sitting in front of a table while preparing and sipping the macchiato coffee, which gives the song its title. The minimalist setting and repetitive gesture recall a clip of American artist Andy Warhol eating a hamburger from Danish film director Jørgen Leth’s documentary 66 Scenes from America (1982).
In February 2025, the filming of the official music video took place in Barcelona, which was released the following March 16 via the Eurovision’s YouTube channel. During the same, the rapper dances with one of his counterparts. Later, the two Cashes are literally sucked into a paper cup and “”merge” into one individual. During the second part of the short, the singer dances with some choreographers. Toward the end of the video, he flies into the sky holding balloons.
Reception and controversy. “Espresso Macchiato” features lyrics about spaghetti, mafia figures and other stereotypes associated with Italian culture, which has made it a subject of notable controversy in the Italian press. Following its Eesti Laul win, RAI dedicated reports to it, and the Italian consumers’ association Codacons requested the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to disqualify the song from the contest for its “offensive” content on stereotypes aimed at Italy and Italians, reporting to the organization the “clear” violation of the rules of the event that prohibit the participation of discriminatory songs or songs that offend other people. Political exponents of Lega Nord, including the vice-president of the Senate of the Republic Gian Marco Centinaio, also called for the song to be disqualified, maintaining that “whoever insults Italy must stay out of Eurovision”.
In an article written for LaC News24, Luca Arnaù defined “Espresso Macchiato” as “not a song”, but rather “an experience. An experiment. An ode to the Italian caricature, seasoned with a text that seems to have come out of a Google Translate on acid”.
Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Eesti Laul 2025. Eesti Laul 2025 was the 17th edition of the national selection Eesti Laul, organised by ERR to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The competition consisted of a 16-song final, held at Unibet Arena in Tallinn on 15 February 2025. The winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury (50%) and public televote (50%) determined the top three entries to proceed to the superfinal, during which the winner was selected entirely by a public televote.
On 6 November 2024, Tomas Tammemets (Tommy Cash) was announced as one of the participants in Eesti Laul 2025, Estonia’s selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, with the song “Espresso Macchiato”. The song won the contest in the final, earning him the right to represent Estonia in the upcoming Eurovision 2025.
Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May, and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Estonia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.
Charts.
Weekly charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peakposition |
|---|---|
| Estonia Airplay (TopHit) | 1 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 69 |
| Latvia (LaIPA) | 18 |
| Lithuania (AGATA) | 35 |
| Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) | 7 |
Monthly charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Estonia Airplay (TopHit) | 1 |
| Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) | 30 |
Lyrics of Espresso Macchiato (Italian / English Ι English)
Mi amore
Mi amore
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Por favore
Por favore
Espresso macchiato corneo
Mi amore
Mi amore
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Por favore
Por favore
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato
Ciao bella I’m Tomaso
Addicted to tobacco
I like my coffee very
Importante
No time to talk miscusi
My days are very busy
Cos i own this little
Ristorante
Life may give you lemons
When dancing with the demons
No stresso no stresso
No need to be depresso
Mi amore
Mi amore
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Por favore
Por favore
Espresso macchiato corneo
Mi amore
Mi amore
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Por favore
Por favore
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato
Mi like to fly privati
With 24 carati
Also mi casa very
Grandioso
Mi money numeroso
I work around the clocko
It keeps me sweating
Like a mafioso
Life is like spaghetti
It’s hard until you make it
No stresso no stresso
It’s gonna be espresso
Mi amore
Mi amore
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Por favore
Por favore
Espresso macchiato corneo
Mi amore
Mi amore
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Por favore
Por favore
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato
Lalalala
Lalalala
Lalalalalalala..
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato
– – –
My love
My love
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Please
Please
Espresso macchiato very hot
My love
My love
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Please
Please
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato
Ciao bella I’m Tomaso
Addicted to tobacco
I like my coffee very
Importante
No time to talk miscusi
My days are very busy
Cos i own this little
Ristorante
Life may give you lemons
When dancing with the demons
No stresso no stresso
No need to be depresso
My love
My love
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Please
Please
Espresso macchiato very hot
My love
My love
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Please
Please
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato
Mi like to fly privati
With 24 carati
Also mi casa very
Grandioso
Mi money numeroso
I work around the clocko
It keeps me sweating
Like a mafioso
Life is like spaghetti
It’s hard until you make it
No stresso no stresso
It’s gonna be espresso
My love
My love
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Please
Please
Espresso macchiato very hot
My love
My love
Espresso macchiato,
Macchiato, macchiato
Please
Please
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato
Lalalala
Lalalala
Lalalalalalala..
Espresso macchiato
Espresso macchiato

Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Iceland debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986 when the appropriately named trio ICY took to the stage in Bergen with ‘Gleðibankinn’ (‘Bank of Fun’).
The country’s best results to date are two second places, courtesy of Selma and the bop All Out of Luck (1999) and Yohanna and her ballad Is It True? (2009).
Daði og Gagnamagnið were expected to do well at Rotterdam 2020 with their viral hit Think About Things before the Contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When they returned in 2021 with 10 Years, a pre-recorded rehearsal take replaced their live performances during the shows as the band were isolating in a hotel room having tested positive for coronavirus.
In 2023, Gagnamagnið frontman Daði Freyr (and his partner and band member Árný) would finally perform live in a Grand Final, delivering a memorable version of Atomic Kitten’s Whole Again as part of the ‘Liverpool Songbook’ interval act.
- Participations: 38
- Victories: None
- Contests Hosted: Yet to host the Eurovision Song Contest
🇮🇸 Iceland: VÆB – “RÓA” (Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson / Ingi Þór Garðarsson / Matthías Davíð Matthíasson – Gunnar Björn Gunnarsson / Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson / Ingi Þór Garðarsson / Matthías Davíð Matthíasson). Photos VÆB | Iceland 2025
VÆB. VÆB (pronounced ‘vibe’) are a duo made up of brothers Matthías Davíð Matthíasson and Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson.
The pair have been involved in music since they were young, having come from a very musical family. Their father, Matthías, is an organist, saxophone teacher and choir director. Their mother, Áslaug, is a singer and singing teacher.
The siblings started learning musical instruments at an early age; Hálfdán on drums and Matthías playing the trumpet. The brothers have sung a lot since childhood, and in 2015, aged 12, Hálfdán won the popular Icelandic television singing competition, The Christmas Star.
In 2022, the brothers formed the duo VÆB after posting a comedy song on TikTok. It attracted so much attention on social media, they decided to release it on streaming platforms and have been putting out music ever since.
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VÆB |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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◄ Hera Björk (2024) • VÆB (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Væb (stylised in all caps) are an Icelandic electronic music duo made up of brothers Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson (born 4 June 2003) and Matthías Davíð Matthíasson (born 7 December 2004). They are set to represent Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Róa”.
History. Væb made their debut in the recording industry with the studio album Væb tékk, released in September 2022 and preceded by the singles “Aron Can (Borðar kál)” (a tribute to the eponymous artist) and “Þetta kallar á drykk”. With the remix of Ofboðslega frægur (2023), a collaboration with Ingi Bauer, they achieved their first commercial numbers, debuting inside the top 20 of the Tónlistinn. Tölur tala also entered the national hit parade, finishing at 21st position.
In February 2024, Væb participated in Söngvakeppnin, the national selection method for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Bíómynd”; after passing the semi-finals, they reached the final, where they finished in 4th place. Nevertheless, Bíómynd was the most popular song among those in the competition, resulting in the first and only one to enter the Icelandic top 10.
The following year, Væb were selected again to compete in Söngvakeppnin. At the competition, where they competed with the song Róa, they managed to pass the semi-finals and reach the final. Róa was later declared the winning song of the event, after being the favourite of the jury and the public; thus, Væb earned the right to represent the Icelandic nation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. Furthermore, Róa marked their best placement in the Tónlistinn, climbing up to 4th place.
Discography.
Studio albums.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Væb tékk |
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Extended plays.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Væbauer (with Ingi Bauer) |
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Singles.
As lead artist.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICE |
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| “Aron Can (Borðar kál)“ | 2022 | — | Væb tékk |
| “Þetta kallar á drykk“ | — | ||
| “Ríðum ríðum” (with Háski and Rokkkór Íslands) | — | Non-album singles | |
| “Alveg dagsatt” (with Villi Neto, Reynir, and Barnakór Lindakirkju) | — | ||
| “Ofboðslega frægur (Remix)” (with Ingi Bauer) | 2023 | 17 | |
| “Tölur tala” (featuring Herra Hnetusmjör) | 21 | ||
| “Sömmer Baby” (with Lil Curly) | — | ||
| “Ég er á leiðinni (Remix)” | — | ||
| “Bíómynd“ | 2024 | 10 | Söngvakeppnin 2024 |
| “Movie Scene” | — | ||
| “Til hamingju“ | — | Non-album single | |
| “Róa“ | 2025 | 1 | Söngvakeppnin 2025 |
| “Jaja Ding Dong (Remix)” (with Ingi Bauer) | — | Non-album single | |
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
As featured artist.
| Title | Year | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|
| “Macarena gella” (Rjóminn featuring Væb) | 2023 | Non-album singles |
| “Fullur” (Blackout Bois featuring Væb) | 2024 |
Other collaborations.
| Title | Year | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|
| “Kóngur í einn dag” (with Villi Neto) | 2024 | Portú Galinn |
| “Sem kóngur ríkti hann” (with Villi Neto) |
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“RÓA” (ROW) |
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◄ “Scared of Heights” (2024) • “RÓA” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Róa” (stylised as “RÓA”; transl. ”Row”) is a song by Icelandic electronic music duo Væb. The song was released on 17 January 2025 and was written by Gunnar Björn Gunnarsson, Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson, Ingi Þór Garðarsson, and Matthías Davíð Matthíasson. It will represent Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. It reached number one in their home country.
Reception. Prior to Söngvakeppnin 2025, Icelandic online newspaper DV reported that “Róa” was accused of resembling the song “Hatunat HaShana” by Israeli singers Itay Levi and Eyal Golan. A video was then posted on the online platform TikTok comparing the two songs. The duo denied the allegations, and the Söngvakeppnin board of directors sought advice from the Composers Rights Society of Iceland (STEF) to determine the similarity of the two songs. Following its Söngvakeppnin win, Ofir Cohen, who wrote “Hatunat HaShana“, sent a letter requesting the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to disqualify “Róa” from the contest; the EBU responded by redirecting Cohen to resolve the matter with RÚV. RÚV later concluded that the song in question did not exhibit sufficient substantive similarity to constitute plagiarism.
Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Söngvakeppnin 2025. Söngvakeppnin 2025 was the national final organised by RÚV in order to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. It consisted of two semi-finals on 8 and 15 February 2025 and a final on 22 February at RVK Studios located in northern Reykjavík. The semi-final qualifiers were determined by televoting, while a combination of seven international juries and public votes were used to determine the results of the final. There was no superfinal round in the final for the first time since 2013.
“Róa” was officially announced to compete in the competition on 17 January 2025 in the programme Lögin í Söngvakeppninni. At the competition, it was placed into the second semi-final, and was drawn to perform fifth; they managed to pass the semi-finals and reach the final. Róa was later declared the winning song of the event, after being the favourite of the jury and the public; thus, Væb earned the right to represent the Icelandic nation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Iceland was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show. Iceland was then scheduled by the producers of the contest to open the first semi-final, performing first.
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Iceland (Tónlistinn) | 1 |
Lyrics of RÓA (Icelandic Ι English)
Róandi hér, róandi þar
Róa í gegnum öldurnar
Það getur ekkert stoppað mig af
Róandi hér, róandi þar
Róa í gegnum öldurnar
Það getur ekkert stoppað mig af
Ég set spýtu ofan á spýtu
Og kalla það bát
Ef ég sekk í dag
Er það ekkert mál
Með árar úr stáli
Sem duga í ár
Stefni á Færeyjar
Já, eg er klár
Ég er með vesti fyrir belti og vatnshelda skó
því að veðrið það er erfitt ég er kominn með nóg
Er sjórinn opnast koma öldurnar
Ég er einn á bát að leita af betri stað
Ég er ekki ennþá búin að missa allt
En við setjum seglin upp og höldum aftur af stað
Róandi hér, róandi þar
Róa í gegnum öldurnar
Það getur ekkert stoppað mig af
Róandi hér, róandi þar
Róa í gegnum öldurnar
Það getur ekkert stoppað mig af
Ég er ennþá á bát
Sjáðu þetta vá
Stoppa í Grænlandi?
Já ég er down
Stýri á sjó ég er kapteinn
Kallaðu mig Gísli Marteinn
Margir mánuðir síðan ég sá síðast sól
Vil eyða restinni af lífinu hér út á sjó
Er sjórinn opnast koma öldurnar
Ég er enn á bát að leita af betri stað
Ég er ekki ennþá búin að missa allt
En við setjum seglin upp og höldum aftur af stað
Róandi hér, róandi þar
Róa í gegnum öldurnar
Það getur ekkert stoppað mig af
—
Rowing today, rowing tonight
Rowing to where the stars are bright
And nothing’s ever stopping me now
Rowing today, rowing tonight
Rowing to where the stars are bright
And nothing’s ever stopping me now
I cut up a tree
And made me a boat
And when I get wet
Well I’ll still be afloat
For hours and hours
I pull at the oars
I’m heading for heaven
I’ll make it of course
I’m strapped in this craft
In my waterproof boots
Through the sleet and the snow
In my silver wetsuit
The tide is high, the sea is pouring in
I’ll sail alone to where I’ve never been
Cos I’m feeling lucky and I’m gonna win
(So) I’ll just adjust the rudder and be sailing again
Rowing today, rowing tonight
Rowing to where the stars are bright
And nothing’s ever stopping me now
Rowing today, rowing tonight
Rowing to where the stars are bright
And nothing’s ever stopping me now
It didn’t tip up
I’m still in the boat
Heading for Greenland
And somewhere remote (God damn!)
Steering out at sea, I’m the captain!
Call me Gísli Marteinn.
Week after week under stormy grey sky
Gonna stay on the sea til the day that I die
The tide is high, the sea is pouring in
I’ll sail alone to where I’ve never been
Cos I’m feeling lucky and I’m gonna win
(So) I’ll just adjust the rudder and be sailing again
Rowing today, rowing tonight
Rowing to where the stars are bright
And nothing’s ever stopping me now

Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Poland made an impressive debut at the Eurovision Song Contest, taking second place in 1994.
Edyta Górniak’s To Nie Ja! (‘It Wasn’t Me!’) is still the country’s most successful entry, despite having contributed many memorable and popular performances since that first outing.
In 2016 Michał Szpak enjoyed a spectacular ascent of the scoreboard when, after receiving just 7 points from the juries, a massive televote of 222 points catapulted Color of Your Life up from last place to 8th position overall.
Though Poland has yet to win the Eurovision Song Contest, they have enjoyed back-to-back victories at Junior Eurovision courtesy of Roksana Węgiel (Anyone I Want to Be 2018) and Viki Gabor (Superhero 2019). They’ve also triumphed at Eurovision Young Musicians (in 1992, 2000 and 2016) and Eurovision Young Dancers (in 2001 and 2017).
- Participations: 28
- Victories: None
- Contests Hosted: Yet to host the Eurovision Song Contest
🇵🇱 Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – “GAJA” (Emilian Waluchowski / Justyna Steczkowska / Patryk Kumór – Domionic Buczkowski-Wojtaszek / Emilian Waluchowski / Justyna Steczkowska / Patryk Kumór). Photos Justyna Steczkowska | Poland 2025
Justyna Steczkowska. Hailed as “the shaman of the Polish music scene”, Justyna Steczkowska is an artist who has made a name for herself as a vocalist, violinist, composer, songwriter, actress and photographer.
The multi-talented Justyna has released 19 studio albums, recorded over 200 songs and performed more than 3,000 concerts. In recent years, she has been sitting in the judges chair on The Voice of Poland, where she has earned the nickname ‘Mrs. Professor’!
The artist has won numerous accolades and music awards, including as many as 6 Fryderyk Awards, 2 Wiktor Awards, Gala’s Roses (Róże Gali) and the Amber Nightingale Award (Bursztynowy Słowik), to name a few.
Basel 2025 won’t be Justyna’s first time competing for her country. 30 years ago at the Eurovision Song Contest 1995, Justyna Steczkowska represented Poland with the song Sama.
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• Selected entrant: Justyna Maria Steczkowska (born 2 August 1972) is a Polish singer, songwriter, photographer, and actress. She represented Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 with the song “Sama”, finishing in 18th place, and is set to represent the country again in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Gaja”.
Biography. She was born in Rzeszów, in the Subcarpathian region of southeastern Poland. She is the fourth of nine children of Danuta and Stanisław Steczkowski, a music teacher and conductor.
When she was five years old, she moved with her family to Stalowa Wola, where she attended the Ignacy Jan Paderewski State Music School. In 1991, she graduated from a music high school belonging to the Music School Complex No. 1 in Rzeszów. She played violin in a family band and was a singer in rock and jazz bands before embarking on a solo career.
Steczkowska came to prominence in 1994 when she won the television talent show A Chance for Success with her performance of Maanam’s song “Buenos Aires”. The same year, she received the “Karolinka” award at the 31st National Festival of Polish Song in Opole. In 1995, she won the final of the Baltic Countries Song Festival and represented Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1995 with the song “Sama” (“Alone”), finishing in 18th place.
As of 2025, she has released 18 studio albums, including 15 solo albums: Dziewczyna Szamana (1996), Naga (1997), Dzień i Noc (2000), Alkimja (2002), Femme Fatale (2004), Daj mi chwilę (2007), Puchowe kołysanki (2008), To mój czas (2009), XV (2012), Puchowe kołysanki 2 (2013), Anima (2014), Maria Magdalena. All Is One (2019), Szamanka (2022), Steczkowska Demarczyk (2023) and Witch Tarohoro (2024) as well as three collaborative albums: Mów do mnie jeszcze (2001) with Paweł Deląg, Mezalianse (2011) with Maciej Maleńczuk and I na co mi to było? (2015) with Boban Marković. She also composed and recorded the soundtrack for the film Na koniec świata (1999). Her biggest hits include “Dziewczyna Szamana“, “Grawitacja“, “Oko za oko, słowo za słowo“, and “Za karę“.
In 2024, she finished second in Poland’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song “Witch Tarohoro”. The following year, she won the national final of Poland’s national preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 and is set to represent Poland again after three decades with the song “Gaja”. Steczkowska’s gap of 30 years between her two participations breaks the previous record of 24 years set by Anna Vissi between her entries for Cyprus in 1982 and Greece in 2006.
Steczkowska is regarded for her four-octave vocal range. She has won numerous music awards, including six Fryderyk awards, two Wiktor awards, a Superjedynka and a Bursztynowy Słowik. She has also been honored with the Bronze Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture, and has been ranked among Forbes Poland‘s most valuable stars of Polish show business numerous times.
Apart from her music endeavours, she has starred in the films Billboard and Na koniec świata (“To the End of the World”). She was also a runner-up in season six of the Polish version of Dancing with the Stars in 2007, co-hosted the Polish version of Dancing on Ice in 2008, was a coach on The Voice of Poland in seasons 2, 4–5, and 12–14, with two of her contestants winning the competition, and has served as a judge on the Polish version of Your Face Sounds Familiar since 2024. She has appeared in several advertising campaigns, and designed her own clothing collection for girls. She is actively involved in charity work.
Discography.
Solo albums.
1990s.
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL |
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| Dziewczyna Szamana |
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28 | ZPAV: Platinum |
| Naga |
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— | ZPAV: Gold |
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
2000s.
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL |
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| Dzień i Noc |
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— | |
| Alkimja |
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11 | ZPAV: Gold |
| Femme Fatale |
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34 | |
| Daj mi chwilę |
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3 | ZPAV: Gold |
| To mój czas |
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11 | |
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
2010s.
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| POL |
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| XV |
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20 |
| Anima |
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24 |
| Maria Magdalena. All Is One |
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31 |
2020s.
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| POL | ||
| Szamanka |
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23 |
| Steczkowska Demarczyk |
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— |
| Witch Tarohoro |
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31 |
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||
Children dedicated albums.
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| POL | ||
| Puchowe kołysanki |
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10 |
| Puchowe kołysanki 2 |
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17 |
Collaborative albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| POL | ||
| Mów do mnie jeszcze (with Paweł Deląg) |
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— |
| Mezalianse (with Maciej Maleńczuk) |
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12 |
| I na co mi to było? (with Boban Marković) |
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38 |
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||
Singles.
1990s.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL Music & Media |
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| “Moja intymność“ | 1995 | — | Non-album singles |
| “Sama“ | 4 | ||
| “Dziewczyna Szamana“ | — | Dziewczyna Szamana | |
| “Grawitacja“ | 1996 | 7 | |
| “Oko za oko, słowo za słowo“ | 13 | ||
| “Niekochani“ | — | ||
| “Tatuuj mnie“ | 1997 | — | |
| “Za dużo wiesz“ | 2 | Naga | |
| “Za karę“ | 1998 | 1 | |
| “Kici kici maj“ | — | ||
| “Kryminalna miłość“ | 1 | ||
| “Na koniec świata“ | 1999 | 19 | Na koniec świata |
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||
2000s.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL Music & Media |
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| “Kosmiczna rewolucja“ | 2000 | — | Dzień i Noc |
| “Świat jest niewierny“ | 19 | ||
| “Podróżując“ | 19 | ||
| “To koniec!“ | — | ||
| “Śpiewaj “Yidl mitn fidl”“ | 2002 | — | Alkimja |
| “Świt! Świt!“ | — | ||
| “Wszyscy braćmi być powinni“ | 2003 | — | |
| “Zadzwoń do mnie“ | 2004 | * | Femme Fatale |
| “Sex appeal” | 2005 | ||
| “Samotni“ | |||
| “Tłum“ | |||
| “Świąteczna piosenka o miłości“ | 2006 | Non-album single | |
| “To tylko złudzenie (To nie miłość)“ | 2007 | Daj mi chwilę | |
| “Tu i tu“ | |||
| “Daj mi chwilę“ | |||
| “Wracam do domu“ | 2008 | ||
| “Choć wieje, pada, grzmi” (featuring Borys Szyc) | |||
| “Tajemnicze uczuć“ | |||
| “To mój czas“ | 2009 | To mój czas | |
| “Tango“ | |||
| “Proszę cię – skłam“ | |||
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. “*” denotes the chart did not exist at that time. |
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2010s.
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| “Kim tu jestem“ | 2010 | To mój czas |
| “Tylko ty znasz te zaklęcia“ | ||
| “Utwierdź mnie” (with Maciej Maleńczuk) | 2011 | Mezalianse |
| “Sanktuarium“ | XV | |
| “Terra“ | 2014 | Anima |
| “Kochankowie syreny“ | ||
| “High Heels” (featuring Pati Yang) | 2015 | |
| “Kto wciska mi kit” (with Boban Marković) | I na co mi to było? | |
| “Ave (No control)” | 2019 | Maria Magdalena. All Is One |
2020s.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POL Stream. |
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| “Miej odwagę“ | 2020 | * | Szamanka | ||
| “Nie poddawaj się” (featuring Maciej Maleńczuk) | 2021 | ||||
| “Dziewczyna Szamana” featuring Leszek Możdżer) | |||||
| “Uciekinierzy“(featuring Arek Kłusowski) | 2022 | ||||
| “Ra Ma Da Sa” | |||||
| “Nie mój sen” (featuring Luna) | |||||
| “Szamanka“ | |||||
| “Między nami” (featuring Beata Kozidrak) | |||||
| “Now” (with Mike & Laurent) | Non-album singles | ||||
| “D.N.A” | |||||
| “Poza ramą“ | |||||
| “Carpe Diem“ | 2023 | — | |||
| “Witch Tarohoro” | — |
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Witch Tarohoro | ||
| “Nasz wspólny świat“ | 2024 | — | |||
| “Ty lustrem świata“ | — | ||||
| “Slavic” | — | ||||
| “Gaja“ | 65 | ||||
| “Każda fala znajdzie brzeg” | 2025 | — | |||
| “—” denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart. “*” denotes the chart did not exist at that time. |
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“GAJA” (GAIA) |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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• Selected song: “Gaja” (transl. Gaia) is a song by Polish singer and songwriter Justyna Steczkowska. It was written by Steczkowska and released on 28 November 2024 as the fifth single from her nineteenth studio album Witch Tarohoro. The song will represent Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Background and composition. The song was written and composed by Justyna Steczkowska, Patryk Kumór, Emilian Waluchowski and Dominic Buczkowski-Wojtaszek, with production handled by Waluchowski alongside Hotel Torino and Jan Bielecki. The song is named after Gaia, the personification of Earth in Greek mythology.
Eurovision Song Contest.
Wielki finał polskich kwalifikacji. Wielki finał polskich kwalifikacji was the national final format developed by Telewizja Polska (TVP) to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. On 14 January 2025, TVP published the list of participants of the Wielki finał polskich kwalifikacji, including “Gaja. Steczkowska had previously represented Poland in 1995.
The competition took place on 14 February 2025 at the TVP Headquarters in Warsaw. “Gaja” won the competition with 39.32%, becoming the Polish Eurovision entry for the 2025 contest.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Poland was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.
Track listing.
Digital download
- “Gaja” – 2:26
Digital download – Eurovision Edit.
- “Gaja” (Eurovision Edit) – 3:00
Streaming. “Gaja” quickly became viral, gathering more than 10 million total views on YouTube and over 2 million streams on Spotify. The National Final Performance is currently the most viewed performance of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest 2025 on the official Eurovision Youtube Channel.
Charts.
Weekly charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) | 65 |
Lyrics of GAJA (Polish / English Ι English)
They call me Gaia
Ranisz moje serce Ty
Który moją miłość masz za nic
Naznaczyłeś sobą mnie
Obudziłeś samotności krzyk
Moje imię Gaja
Jestem Bogiem
Siłą
Moją matką miłość
Kiedy płaczę
To we łzach tonie świat
Tulę w swych ramionach zaginiony czas
GAJA
JA GAJA
CZAS
JA GAJA
Jestem stwórcą twego Ja
Duszy zgubą
Twoim ocaleniem
W krwioobiegu płynie czas
Święta woda zmywa przeznaczenie
They call me Gaia
I’m the love
I’m the life of all imagined
The world drowns as it watches me cry
I’ll be holding it close in my arms
Moje imię Gaja
TIME
CZAS
Zargo
Raga
Urra
Gara
Jarga
Jarun
Era
Czarodoro
Czas
MOJE IMIĘ GAJA
—
They call me Gaia
You, who’s been hurting me
And who has had my love for nothing
You marked me with your sins
And woke up the scream of loneliness
Within me
They call me Gaia
I’m the Goddess
I’m the strength
Love is my mother
The world is drowning in my tears
When I cry
Nestling in my arms the missing time
GAIA
I’M GAIA
TIME
I’M GAIA
I’m the creator of your DNA
Your soul’s destruction and your salvation
The time is flowing in your bloodstream
The Holy Water is cleansing your fate
They call me Gaia
I’m the love
I’m the life of all imagined
The world drowns as it watches me cry
I’ll be holding it close in my arms
They call me Gaia
TIME
TIME
Zargo
Raga
Urra
Gara
Jarga
Jarun
Era
Czarodoro
Time
THEY CALL ME GAIA

Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest. Portugal joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 when António Calvário performed his ballad ‘Oração’ (‘Prayer’) which finished in last place in Copenhagen.
This maritime nation held the record for the most Contest appearances without a victory (over 53 years) until Salvador Sobral lifted the trophy in 2017.
Amar Pelos Dois (‘To Love For The Both of Us’) won in spectacular style, topping both the jury and televote, and scoring a record-breaking 758 points in the process.
When Lisbon hosted the following year, broadcaster RTP went all out on showcasing their seafaring history, from the Contest’s slogan ‘All Aboard!’ to using twelve supplemental marine theme motifs including plankton and seaweed.
- Participations: 57
- Victories: 2017 (Salvador Sobral)
- Contests Hosted: Lisbon 2018
🇵🇹 Portugal: NAPA – “Deslocado” (João Guilherme Gomes – André Santos / Diogo Góis / Francisco Sousa / João Guilherme Gomes / João Lourenço Gomes / João Rodrigues). Photos NAPA | Portugal 2025
NAPA. A basement on the island of Madeira was where a group of friends decided to combine their love of music and form NAPA.
The foundations of the band were based on the energy they derived from the Arctic Monkeys and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, the melodies of the Beatles and the sensibility of Caetano Veloso and Tom Jobim.
In 2019, the band recorded their first album Senso Comum, which introduced audiences to their infectious melodies and melancholic spirit. 2023’s Logo Se Vê was their second LP, this time showcasing a more mature sound. After completing their first national tour in 2024, NAPA are set to release their third album in late 2025.
The band is made up of Guilherme Gomes, Lourenço Gomes, Francisco Sousa, Diogo Góis and João Rodrigues.
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NAPA |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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Finals performance |
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Artist chronology |
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◄ Iolanda (2024) • NAPA (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Napa (stylised in all caps) is a Portuguese indie band from Madeira consisting of Diogo Góis, Francisco Sousa, João Guilherme Gomes, João Lourenço Gomes, and João Rodrigues. They are set to represent Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Deslocado”.
Career. Formed in 2013 on the island of Madeira, Napa started under the name Men On The Couch. Citing Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Beatles as their influences, they began their compositions in English and recorded their songs in one of the band members’ grandmother’s basement. In 2019, they released their first album, Senso comum, recorded at BlackSheep Studios in Sintra. The project was financed through a crowdfunding campaign, which raised around €3,500 without support from publishers.
In 2023, the band released their second album, Logo se vê. It was then that the band changed their name to Napa. In 2024, the band performed their first national tour. They later released the concert film entitled O Mundo Continua a Girar, recorded over two sold-out nights at the Maria Matos Theatre.
On 5 November 2024, it was announced that the band are one of the songwriters for Festival da Canção 2025, the Portuguese national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. It was later revealed that the band will be competing in the contest. They went on to win the competition, earning the right to represent Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.
Discography.
Studio albums.
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| POR |
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| Senso comum |
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49 |
| Logo se vê |
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181 |
Singles.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album or EP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POR |
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| “Se eu morresse amanhã“ | 2019 | — | Senso comum | ||||
| “Assim, sem fim“ (with Silly) |
2023 | — | Logo se vê | ||||
| “Luz do túnel“ | — | ||||||
| “Deslocado“ | 2025 | 1 | Festival da Canção 2025 | ||||
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
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“Deslocado” (Displaced) |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “Grito” (2024) • “Deslocado” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Deslocado” (transl. ”Displaced”) is a song by Portuguese indie band Napa. An ode to the band’s origins in Madeira living displaced in mainland Portugal, the song was written by André Santos, Diogo Góis, Francisco Sousa, João Guilherme Gomes, João Lourenço Gomes, and João Rodrigues, and was released on 23 January 2025 through Sony Music Portugal as part of the Festival da Canção 2025 compilation album. It was later released as a single on 10 March 2025 through Universal Music Portugal. The song will represent Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
“Deslocado” peaked at number one on the Portuguese singles charts, being the first Portuguese Eurovision entry to do so since 2017.
Background and composition. “Deslocado” was written by João Guilherme Gomes, composed by Napa and André Santos, and produced by the latter and Luís “Twins” Pereira. The song was described as a nod to the band origins, them being composed of Madeirans living “displaced” in mainland Portugal. “This is one of the most important songs we’ve ever done,” highlights the band itself. They further added, “we always wanted to portray that feeling of being displaced, of being an ocean away from home”.
The song also speaks of the longing of Madeiran students who leave the island to go study abroad. João Rodrigues, the band’s drummer, also said that the song is dedicated to all Portuguese emigrants who “had to leave the country to have a better life, instead of just surviving in Portugal”.
The lyrics of the song was partly inspired by a comedy show by Azorean Miguel Neves, in which he spoke of the feeling of coming from an island to the mainland, a place where you do not have “the sea as a horizon almost anywhere”. The band also regarded João Borsch, who talked about the “island identity”, and the interview with Lourdes Castro, who uttered that she only felt that it was good to have grown up in Madeira when she left, as inspirations for the song.
Artwork. The song’s cover art features one of the earliest known photographic records of the island of Madeira, captured between 1863 and 1885. The image, which is currently housed in the Madeira Photography Museum – Atelier Vicente, depicts two boys from Porto da Cruz gazing at the horizon, a view that has been described as “a constant presence throughout their lives”. In a Facebook post, the band said: “At a time when life showed them few paths and isolation was very punishing, these boys would have to come to terms with the reality of living on the island their entire lives, without knowing the rest of the world. 150 years later, we are fortunate that life has given us a world to discover. And after we see the world, we can really understand where home is.”
Promotion. To promote “Deslocado” before the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Napa announced their intent to participate in various Eurovision pre-parties. It was first announced that they will be performing at Eurovision in Concert 2025 to be held at AFAS Live Arena in Amsterdam on 5 April 2025. The band also confirmed to be participating at PrePartyES 2025 on 19 April 2025 to be held at Sala La Riviera in Madrid.
Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Festival da Canção 2025. Festival da Canção 2025 was the national final format organised by Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) to select the Portuguese representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. For 2025, the competition saw 20 entries competing across two semi-finals, held between 22 February and 1 March 2025, and a final on 8 March 2025. Each semi-final featured 10 competing entries from which six advanced from each show to complete the 12-song lineup in the final. Results during the semi-finals were determined by the votes from a jury panel and public televoting; the first five qualifiers were based on the 50/50 combination of jury and public voting, while the sixth qualifier was determined by a second round of public televoting from the remaining entries. Results during the final were determined by the 50/50 combination of votes from seven regional juries and public televoting. Both the public televote and the juries assigned points from 1–8, 10, and 12 based on the ranking developed by both streams of voting.
Napa was officially announced to compete in Festival da Canção 2025 on 23 January 2025. “Deslocado” was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, and was later announced as one of the six qualifiers, winning the semi-final with 20 points. The song performed seventh at the final on 8 March 2025, winning the final with 17 points, scoring the 7 points from the expert jury and 10 points from the public televote.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Portugal was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peakm position |
|---|---|
| Portugal (AFP) | 1 |
Release history.
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | |
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| Various | 23 January 2025 |
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Compilation track | Sony Music | |
| 10 March 2025 | Original | Universal |
Lyrics of Deslocado (Portuguese Ι English)
Conto os dias para mim
Com a mala arrumada
Já quase não cabia a saudade acumulada
Do azul vejo o jardim
Mesmo por trás da asa
Mãe olha à janela que eu tou a chegar a casa
Que eu tou a chegar a casa
Que eu tou a chegar a casa
Que eu tou a chegar a casa
Por mais que possa parecer
Eu nunca vou pertencer àquela cidade
O mar de gente, o sol diferente
O monte de betão não me provoca nada
Não me convoca casa
Porque eu
Vim de longe
Eu vim do meio do mar, no coração
Do oceano eu tenho a vida inteira
O meu caminho eu faço a pensar em regressar
À minha casa, ilha, paz, Madeira
Se eu te explicar palavra a palavra
Nunca vais entender a dor que me cala
A solidão que assombra a hora da partida
Carrego o sossego de poder voltar
Mãe olha à janela que eu tou a chegar
Por mais que possa parecer
Eu nunca vou pertencer àquela cidade
O mar de gente, o sol diferente
O monte de betão não me provoca nada
Não me convoooooo
O mar de gente, o sol diferente
O monte de betão não me provoca nada
Não me convoca casa
—
I’m counting down the days to myself
With my suitcase packed
The accumulated ‘saudade’ almost didn’t fit
I can see the garden from the blue
Just behind the wing
Mom, look out the window, I’m coming home
I’m coming home
I’m coming home
I’m coming home
No matter how it may seem
I’ll never belong to that city
The sea of people, the different sun
The pile of concrete doesn’t provoke me
It doesn’t feel like home
Because I
I came from far away
I came from the middle of the sea
In the heart of the ocean I have my whole life
I make my way thinking of returning
To my home, island, peace, Madeira
If I explain it to you word by word
You’ll never understand the pain that silences me
The loneliness that haunts the moment of departure
I carry the peace of being able to return
Mom, look out the window, I’m coming
No matter how it may seem
I’ll never belong to that city
The sea of people, the different sun
The pile of concrete doesn’t provoke me
It doesn’t feel like hoooooo
The sea of people, the different sun
The pile of concrete doesn’t provoke me
It doesn’t feel like home

Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Slovenia debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 represented by 1x Band and their song ‘Tih Deževen Dan’ (‘Quiet Rainy Day’).
Their joint best result is 7th, achieved by Darja Švajger in 1995 and Nuša Derenda in 2001.
Though they’ve yet to host a Eurovision Song Contest, broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO) was tasked with organising the 1993 pre-Contest qualification competition Kvalifikacija za Millstreet (‘Qualification for Millstreet’), which saw qualification success for Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia, and disappointment for Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary and Romania.
Slovenia is also the most successful country when it comes to Eurovision Choir, having won the inaugural competition in 2017, before finishing third in 2019.
- Participations: 31
- Victories: None
- Contests Hosted: Yet to host the Eurovision Song Contest
🇸🇮 Slovenia: Klemen– “How Much Time Do We Have Left?“ (Klemen Slakonja – Klemen Slakonja). Photos Klemen Ι Slovenia 2025
Klemen. Klemen Slakonja is a Slovenian actor, singer, songwriter and TV host.
The quadruple threat started his TV career in 2007 on the popular show Hri-bar, through a series of musical impersonations of Slovenian singers. Today, he’s still famous for his impersonations, which draw huge viewing figures on his YouTube channel.
Over the years, he has hosted numerous TV shows, including 4 editions of Slovenia’s Eurovision pre-selection EMA, which he entered as an artist for the first time in 2025 and won.
In recent times, Klemen has dedicated himself to advancing his knowledge of music production, with a focus on songwriting. His first solo album, recorded in London, will be released in 2025.
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Klemen |
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◄ Raiven (2024) • Klemen (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Klemen Slakonja (born 3 June 1985) is a Slovenian actor, singer, comedian, television host, and musician. He was employed at the Ljubljana Slovene National Theatre Drama and acting between 2010 to 2018. He is set to represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “How Much Time Do We Have Left”.
He studied at the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television. Slakonja is known in Slovenia for his comedy sketches often made in the form of music videos as well as for anchoring various TV shows such as the Eurovision Song Contest in his home country. He has made numerous impersonations of Slovenian musicians, Slovene philosopher Slavoj Žižek, Pope Francis, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Angela Merkel and others.
Career. He was born in a Slovenian border town Brežice. His early impersonations started around second year of high school. He started his career at local Radio Energy near his home in the town of Krško, which is the most known for having the only nuclear powerplant in Slovenia. He was the radio anchor and he was hosting many different kind of local events.
2007: Breakthrough after Radio Ga Ga show. In late summer of 2007, he hosted the home reception for Slovenian world class hammer throw champion Primož Kozmus in Brežice, to celebrate his silver medal from 2007 World Championships in Athletics in Osaka. To honour Primož Kozmus he translated the Slovenian Christmas song “Bela snežinka” to “Sivo kladivo” (Grey Hammer) and impersonated it with voices of various Slovenian popular musicians. That’s when radio host Edi Štraus noticed him and recommended him to Sašo Hribar, satirical TV and radio host.
On 5 October 2007, Sašo Hribar invited Slakonja to make his first public performance on the national level to his satirical radio show called Radio Ga Ga where they are mocking mostly of out of Slovenian politicians and which is broadcast weekly on first channel of Slovenian National Radio. He imitated Slovenian ballad singer Rok Kosmač which was the breaking point of his career and after this performance suddenly became known to a wide Slovenian audience.
Just a month later in November 2007, he made the first public television appearance at satirical television show Hri-bar hosted by Sašo Hribar which was mocking animated characters, mostly Slovenian politicians. Show was broadcast on RTV Slovenia national television. Show hosted regular and also musical guests where Slakonja performed mocking Slovenian musicians with perfect voice and disguise impersonation.
2008: Host on national TV. On 17 February 2008 he became a national television host taking over popular Sunday afternoon family show called “NLP” on RTV Slovenia. He became a co-host with Tjaša Železnik who previously run this show alone for about two years.
2011: First time hosting EMA Festival. On 27 February 2011 he first time hosted EMA music festival competition, a Slovenian entry for Eurovision Song Contest 2011 and the winner was Maja Keuc. To honour this festival he wrote music and presented “16 let skomin”, a mix song of all sixteen EMA festival winners; he also was spokesperson for Slovenia in the ESC Grand final. So far he was hosting this festival for three more times, in 2012, 2016 and 2020. In 2016 he presented “Putin, Putout” in the EMA show.
2013: Zadetek v petek & Je bella cesta. On 15 February 2013 he hosted his first own comedy show “Zadetek v petek” (Full on Friday) which was broadcast on commercial TV3 Medias. The whole thing was shot in Belgrade, however the show was canceled only few months later after only one season. Shortly after he started hosting his second own comedy show “Je bella cesta” (Damn) which lasted for two seasons from October 2013 to May 2014.
2015: Zadžuskaj hit song in commercial. He wrote “Zadžuskaj” (Juice it) song was released in 2014. He shot a music video in which he plays DeciDeci Klemzy, an awkward nerd character. Its jingle was used in a two commercials for health insurance company and became summer hit of the year 2015.
2016: Putin, Putout and international fame. His comedy sketch “Putin, Putout” gained international popularity. This was the first video he shot as part of his TheMockingbirdMan project. The video parodies Russian president Vladimir Putin. Shortly after airing on Slovene television, the comedy sketch was uploaded to Slakonja’s personal YouTube channel where it went viral.
His second TheMockingbirdMan project video entitled “Golden Dump (The Trump Hump)” impersonating Donald Trump has premiered on 17 July 2016 at Siti Teater BTC Ljubljana. Two days later it was uploaded to Slakonja’s personal YouTube channal.The third project was an imitation of Angela Merkel, the former German chancellor. The title of the song is “Ruf mich Angela”.
2025: Winner of Ema 2025.
Work.
Radio.
| Year | Role | |
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| 2007 | “Radio Energy” (Radio Krško) | host |
| “Radio Ga Ga” (Radio Slovenia 1) | satire |
Television.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | “Hri-bar” | satirical late show |
| “Osa” | short film | |
| “Vučko” | short film | |
| 2008 | “Nekega lepega popoldne” (NLP) | family show host |
| 2009 | “Palčica” | short film |
| 2011 | “EMA 2011” | Eurovision entry selection host |
| 2012 | “EMA 2012” | Eurovision entry selection host |
| 2013 | “Zadetek v petek” | comedy show host |
| “Je bella cesta” | comedy show host | |
| 2014 | “Cipercoper” | animation voice |
| “Zadžuskaj s Klemzyem” | commercial | |
| 2016 | “EMA 2016” | Eurovision entry selection host |
| 2019 | “Zadnji večer s Klemnom Slakonjo” | comedy show host |
| 2020 | “EMA 2020” | Eurovision entry selection host |
| 2024 | “Kdo si ti? Zvezde pod masko” | comedy show host |
Film.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | “Osebna prtljaga” | Vid |
Web series.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | “Dan ljubezni” | YouTube series (protective brother) |
List of parodies.
TheMockingbirdMan project. A project where he is impersonating and making fun of world leaders.
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“How Much Time Do We Have Left?” |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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◄ “Veronika” (2024) • “How Much Time Do We Have Left?” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “How Much Time Do We Have Left” is a song by Slovenian actor, comedian, television host, and musician Klemen. It was written by Klemen and produced by Maja Slatinšek and Ryan Small. It was released on 25 January 2025 as part of the album for the EMA 2025, which it later won, and will represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Background and composition. “How Much Time Do We Have Left” was written and composed entirely by Klemen Slakonja and produced with the help of Maja Slatinšek and Ryan Small. The song deals with the period in which his wife, actress Mojca Fatur, was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare form of cancer from which she later managed to recover. Through his words, Klemen celebrates the strength of his beloved in facing the disease, highlighting the importance of shared time and the fragility of human life.
Eurovision Song Contest.
EMA 2025. EMA 2025 was the twenty-fifth edition of EMA, the format used by RTVSLO to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. In the first round, five thematic jury panels, each composed of five members, each distributed their points following the same pattern used in the Eurovision Song Contest, i.e. 1–8, 10 and 12 points and selected two entries to proceed to the second round; these panels consisted of music performers, songwriters and producers, radio and television personalities, members of OGAE Slovenia, and international Eurovision influencers and journalists. In the superfinal, televoting exclusively determined the winner.
On 13 December 2024, Klemen were confirmed as one of the 12 participants in EMA 2025 with the song “How Much Time Do We Have Left”. The song won EMA 2025 on 1 February 2025 by two rounds of voting, thus qualifying the song to represent Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Slovenia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.
Release history.
| Country | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | |
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| Various | 1 February 2025 |
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Single | Universal Music Slovenia |
Lyrics of How Much Time Do We Have Left (English)
You read a diagnosis
It said that you’d be dying soon
It was a sunny day
Through the window, there were people going on their ways
Our little child had the biggest smile
While we couldn’t do nothing but cry
How much time do we have left together
We never know
All I know is I don’t want to be here
Without your love
How much time do we have left together
We never know
We never know
Wish we could take it slow
A man in white, with a room full of diplomas, trying to get it right
Could put you under hypnosis
By saying to give up the fight
But you were always determined to try
How much time do we have left together
We never know
All I know is I don’t want to be here
Without your love
How much time do we have left together
We never know
We never know
But we keep standing strong
I admire your power
I admire your will
You made me question the world
Made me question what’s real
I admire your power
I admire your will
Your ability to heal
Oh, I admire your power
I admire your will
The way you never gave up
Until you grew wings
And you learned how to fly
Made a loop in the sky
You landed right into my arms
How much time do we have left together
We never know
All I know is I don’t want to be here
Without your love
How much time do we have left together
We never know
We never know
Wish we could take it slow

Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest. Sweden made its Eurovision Song Contest debut in 1958, and is widely regarded to have produced one of the most successful winners of all time: ABBA with their entry ‘Waterloo’ in 1974.
Sverige has won the Contest 7 times and is tied with Ireland for the most number of victories.
The most recent Swedish success was in Liverpool 2023, when Loreen took the trophy thanks to a mesmerising performance of her song Tattoo. She became the first woman to win the competition twice, having previously triumphed in Baku 2012 with Euphoria.
Swedish broadcasters have run the show on all seven occasions following a victory, with the cities of Stockholm (1975, 2000 and 2016), Gothenburg (1985) and Malmö (1992, 2013 and 2024) all hosting memorable Contests.
- Participations: 65
- Victories: 2023 (Loreen), 2015 (Måns Zelmerlöw), 2012 (Loreen), 1999 (Charlotte Nilsson), 1991 (Carola), 1984 (Herrey’s), 1974 (ABBA)
- Contests Hosted: Malmö 2024, Stockholm 2016, Malmö 2013, Stockholm 2000, Malmö 1992, Gothenburg 1985, Stockholm 1975
🇸🇪 Sweden: KAJ – “Bara bada bastu” (Anderz Wrethov / Axel Åhman / Jakob Norrgård / Kevin Holmström / Kristoffer Strandberg / Robert Skowronski – Anderz Wrethov / Axel Åhman / Jakob Norrgård / Kevin Holmström / Kristoffer Strandberg / Robert Skowronski). Photos KAJ Ι Sweden 2025
KAJ. KAJ were formed in Vörå, Finland, in 2009 and have been making comedy and music together ever since.
The trio quickly earned a reputation for their witty, nostalgic songs celebrating Finnish and Swedish culture; infused with Nordic folk melodies, modern pop and theatrical performances.
The group is made up of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman and Jakob Norrgård. They have released 7 albums, written and performed two musicals at Wasa Theatre in Finland, and even got to put on a huge arena show for their 10th anniversary celebration.
KAJ are the first Finnish act to represent Sweden at the Eurovision, and Bara Bada Bastu is the first Swedish-language song that Sweden has sent to the Contest since 1998.
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KAJ |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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Finals performance |
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◄ Marcus & Martinus (2024) • Bara Bada Bastu (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: KAJ are a music and comedy group from Vörå in Ostrobothnia, Finland. The group is part of the Finland-Swedish cultural sphere and primarily performs in Swedish with lyrics in the Vörå dialect. The group consists of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård, whose first name initials form the band’s name (in itself a common first name in Swedish).
KAJ’s music spans multiple genres, including pop (K-pop, latin), rock, rap, opera, disco, and schlager, often incorporating humor and satire. The group also has a satirical rockabilly alter ego called Vörjeans, which parodies raggare subcultures.
They are set to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Bara bada bastu”.
Background. Axel Åhman and Jakob Norrgård first met through football in Vörå, where they became close friends. Later, Kevin Holmström got to know Axel when they met at a motocross track in Röukas, Vörå, where they helped push Axel’s stalled Suzuki out of the woods. Kevin and Jakob met at a school disco in Maxmo, as they both had Axel as a mutual friend.
The trio later attended the same school, strengthening their friendship, and eventually formed KAJ in 2009.
Musicals and awards. KAJ has produced two musicals at Wasa Theatre: Gambämark (2018) and Botnia Paradise (2021).
In 2013, KAJ were the recipients of the inaugural Leif Sjöström prize awarded by Harry Schaumans stiftelse. That same year, their song “Heimani i skick” won the award for Best Amateur Production in Film/TV/Video at the Finland-Swedish Nöjesgalan. In 2014, KAJ were awarded the Svenska Natten medal for their promotion of Finland Swedish dialects. In 2015, the group was awarded the title of Honorable Ostrobothnians of the Year. In 2021, KAJ won the Ostrobothnian distinction for Rural Face of the Year, awarded by Aktion Österbotten and Österbottens förbund. Following their Melodifestivalen win, KAJ were named the 2025 Sauna Promoter of the Year (Swedish: Årets bastufrämjare) by Svenska Bastuakademien, which is set to be awarded on 14 June.
Chart performance. On 16 March 2025, KAJ’s song “Bara bada bastu” reached number one on the Swedish radio chart Svensktoppen with 192 points, marking the group’s first time topping the chart. The song also topped Digilistan on 22 March 2025, after three weeks on the chart, climbing from second place the previous week.
Melodifestivalen and Eurovision 2025. In 2025, KAJ participated in Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2025 with the song “Bara bada bastu”, qualifying directly to the final. They eventually won the final with 164 points, and are scheduled to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. The entry will be the first entry sung in Swedish sent by Sweden since 1998. The song reached extreme success globally, topping Spotify’s global viral 50 chart. The last time an entry was sung in Swedish at the Eurovision Song Contest was in 2012, with Finland-Swedish singer Pernilla Karlsson representing Finland with När jag blundar.KAJ is said to have to change some of its lyrics according to Eurovision rules, because using the Finnish expletive perkele is prohibited.
Band members. The members of KAJ were born in three different municipalities which have since merged to form Vörå.
Kevin Holmström (born 12 December 1993) – vocals. From Komossa in the former municipality of Oravais. Studied sound production and design for film and TV at Arcada University of Applied Sciences. Lives in the Kallio district of Helsinki with his wife. His cousins are cross-country skier Matias Strandvall and former professional footballer Sebastian Strandvall.
Axel Åhman (born 6 February 1993) – vocals and accordion. From Palvis in the former municipality of Old Vörå. Is also a writer of short stories, children’s books, and novels, having published four works since 2020. Placed third in the 2017 Arvid Mörne competition for Finland-Swedish authors organised by Svenska folkskolans vänner. Studied journalism at the University of Helsinki’s Swedish School of Social Science and worked as a journalist for Vasabladet. Lives in Vaasa with his wife after previously living in Helsinki.
Jakob Norrgård (born 22 March 1993) – vocals. From the former municipality of Maxmo. Studied photography and editing for film and TV at Arcada University of Applied Sciences. Was a radio presenter for Yle X3M in 2017. Lives in Helsinki with his fiancée.
Discography.
Studio albums.
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIN |
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| Professionella pjasalappar |
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— | |||||
| Lokalproducerat pjas |
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— | |||||
| Kom ti byin |
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— | |||||
| Gambämark |
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— | |||||
| Born to Börn (as Vörjeans) |
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— | |||||
| Botnia Paradise |
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— | |||||
| Karar i arbeit |
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32 | |||||
| “—” denotes an album that did not chart or was not released in that territory | |||||||
Live albums.
| Title | Album details |
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| KAJ 10 (Live) |
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Singles.
| Title | Year | Peak positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIN | EST Air. |
ICE | NOR | SWE | |||
| “Heimani i skick” | 2013 | — | * | — | — | — | Lokalproducerat pjas |
| “Jåo nåo e ja jåo YOLO ja nåo” | 2014 | —[A] | — | — | — | ||
| “Pa to ta na kako?” | 2015 | — | — | — | — | Kom ti byin | |
| “Taco hej (me gusta)” | — | — | — | — | |||
| “Paavos Barkbrö” (live) | 2017 | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| “Volvoräägör” (as Vörjeans) | 2019 | — | — | — | — | Born to Börn | |
| “Text-TV” | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| “Vems pojk e do?” | — | — | — | — | |||
| “Rejpelts Miss Valborg” (as Vörjeans) | 2022 | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Håo Håo Vööbåo” (as Vörjeans) | — | — | — | — | |||
| “Firmans man” | 2024 | — | — | — | — | —[B] | Karar i arbeit |
| “Dansgolv” | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Bara bada bastu” | 2025 | 1 | 69 | 35 | 26 | 1 | Non-album single |
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. “*” denotes that the chart did not exist at that time. |
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Notes.
- A^ “Jåo nåo e ja jåo YOLO ja nåo” did not enter the Official Finnish Charts, but peaked at No. 25 on the Official Finnish Download Chart.
- B^ “Firmans man” did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number three on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart.
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“Bara bada bastu” ([Let’s] just sauna / Only Take a Sauna) |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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◄ “Unforgettable” (2024) • “Bara bada bastu” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Bara bada bastu” ([Let’s] just sauna [b][c]) is a song by KAJ, a music and comedy group from the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland, released as a single on 21 February 2025 through Warner Music Sweden. The song was written by the group along with Anderz Wrethov, Kristofer Strandberg, and Robert Skowronski. It will represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 after winning Melodifestivalen 2025.
An epadunk song that pays homage to Finnish sauna culture, its lyrics are in the Vörå dialect of Finland Swedish, with a few words in Finnish. It will be the first song to be sung in Swedish to represent the country since 1998 (“Kärleken är” performed by Jill Johnson). The last time a Eurovision Song Contest entry was performed in Swedish was in 2012 with Finland-Swedish Pernilla Karlsson’s “När jag blundar”, competing for Finland.
Background and composition. In preparation for the 2025 competition, Melodifestivalen producer and artistic director Karin Gunnarsson contacted KAJ in 2024 to see if they would participate after reading about the comedy group in Dagens Nyheter; at the time, the trio had just released an album, which meant they had to write a new song to compete. “Bara bada bastu” was written by KAJ members Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman and Jakob Norrgård, alongside Anderz Wrethov, Kristofer Strandberg and Robert Skowronski. Members of the songwriting team worked on the song remotely and all met in-person for the first time at Melodifestivalen. According to competition rules, at least one of the songwriters must be Swedish, so KAJ decided to work with Wrethov since they were fans of “Guld och gröna skogar“. Norrgård, who provides lead vocals, said the group wanted to write a song showcasing Finnish culture and that they were inspired by the “weirdness aura” of previous Finnish Eurovision entries, referring to Käärijä and Windows95man. Strandberg explained that the idea behind “Bara bada bastu” was to make fun of how Swedes view Finns and aspects of their culture.
The lyrics of “Bara bada bastu” are in the Vörå dialect, an Ostrobothnian variety of Finland Swedish, and also contains some words in Finnish, including the expletive perkele. KAJ sent an “exaggerated” version of the song to Wrethov so that he could adapt it for a Swedish audience. The song mentions Finnish singer Arja Saijonmaa, who reacted positively to being included. KAJ expressed a desire for Saijonmaa to be featured in their performance for the Melodifestivalen final, and she ultimately appeared in a pre-recorded segment alongside competition hosts Edvin Törnblom and Keyyo.
Skowronski and Strandberg revealed that an early demo of “Bara bada bastu” contained a line about “dropping the soap”, which was ultimately cut. KAJ contacted Bo Lund to play the accordion on the song, which was recorded in a two-hour session in October 2024; Lund had previously been the accordionist for KAJ’s “Taco hej“.
Promotion. Following their Melodifestivalen win, KAJ started selling T-shirts featuring the song title on their website, which were later removed for breaching competition rules. KAJ are scheduled to perform “Bara bada bastu” at the London Eurovision Party 2025 on 13 April, as well as PrePartyES 2025 on 19 April.
Critical reception.
Swedish and Finnish media.
| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Barometern | |
| Dagens Nyheter | 5/5 |
| Expressen | |
| KULT Magasin | 10/10 |
| QX | |
| Yle | 5/5 |
The song has received positive reviews from Swedish publications. Jan Andersson of Göteborgs-Posten and Johan Hammerby of Hallandsposten both complimented the catchiness and comedic nature of “Bara bada bastu“, in a break from Sweden’s usual “serious” pop numbers it usually sends to Eurovision. Ronny Larsson of QX called the song “wonderful Eurovision pop”. Reviewing the songs in the Melodifestivalen final, Christian Gustafsson of Barometern said it was not the best song but that it had charm, something he felt the others were missing. Maria Brander of Expressen enjoyed the song’s “total madness” and memorable nature. “Bara bada bastu” was also praised by Finnish media. Eva Frantz of Yle rated the song 5/5, praising KAJ’s silliness and charm. Ilkka Mattila of Helsingin Sanomat complimented the song for appealing to people of all ages, especially children.
Betting odds. Based on betting odds, Sweden was tipped to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 before its contestant was chosen. Following KAJ’s Melodifestivalen win, Sweden remained the bookmakers’ favourite to win Eurovision, with their chances increasing by a few percentage points.
Commercial performance. Following its release, “Bara bada bastu” debuted at number one on the Swedish singles chart. In Finland, the song topped the singles chart in its second week. Going into the Melodifestivalen final, the song had the most Spotify streams of all the entries, with twice the streams of the next most-streamed song, “Revolution” by Måns Zelmerlöw. However, “Revolution” had the highest audience impressions on Swedish radio whereas “Bara bada bastu” was eighth among the twelve songs in the final, based on airplay data from Radiomonitor.
The day after KAJ’s Melodifestivalen win, the song reached the top of Spotify’s global Viral 50 chart and was among the top 150 most-streamed songs that day. On the same day, the song broke the record for the most-streamed Swedish-language song in a single day on Spotify, with 1,390,344streams. [d]
Eurovision Song Contest.
Melodifestivalen 2025. Sveriges Television (SVT), the Swedish broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, organised Melodifestivalen 2025, a competition to select the country’s entrant for the 2025 contest. A total of 30 entries competed, with KAJ performing during the fourth heat in Malmö on 22 February 2025. KAJ came in second place in their heat, qualifying directly for the final, which took place in Stockholm on 8 March. In the final, they came in second place with the international juries and first in televoting, ultimately winning the competition with 164 points. KAJ received 4,305,774 votes, the most votes in the history of the competition, surpassing the previous record of 3,783,148 votes received by Loreen’s “Tattoo” from Melodifestivalen 2023.
For their Melodifestivalen performance during their heat, the members of KAJ are surrounded by real spruce trees and sing the song in front of a woodshed, which is later converted to a sauna. In addition, a real falukorv is grilled on stage, and dancers wearing flannel shirts chop wood and later change into towels and dance with sauna whisks. Lotta Furebäck was the creative director for the number, while Keisha von Arnold, Zain Odelstål, Jennie Widegren and Sacha Jean-Baptiste served as choreographers. The sets reportedly cost a total of SEK 166,000 to build. For the Melodifestivalen final, lasers and smoke machines were added to the performance.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is scheduled to take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, with two semi-finals on 13 and 15May and the final on 17May. Sweden was drawn to compete in the first half of the first semi-final, with KAJ later scheduled to perform fifth in the semi-final. “Bara bada bastu” is the first Swedish-language Eurovision entry for Sweden in 27 years,[e] and KAJ do not plan on changing the song’s language for the competition.[f] For Eurovision, perkele may need to be replaced or removed from the lyrics, as the European Broadcasting Union forbids profanity in the competing songs. In an interview with Finnish broadcaster Yle, KAJ revealed they have considered the minced variant perhana as an alternative, or another variant in the Vörå dialect. Furthermore, the group plan on incorporating more lights and smoke effects for their Eurovision performance, in addition to having one less dancer in order to abide by competition rules that limit the number of people on stage to six.
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Estonia Airplay (TopHit) | 69 |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 1 |
| Iceland (Tónlistinn) | 35 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 26 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) | 1 |
Notes.
- a^ The song also contains a few words in Finnish.
- b^ In the English-language translation of the song’s lyrics published on the Eurovision website, “Bara bada bastu” is translated as “Just sauna”.
- c^ KAJ have sung an English-language version of the song as “Only Take a Sauna”.
- d^ The record was previously held by “Din låt” by Victor Leksell and Einár.
- e^ At the Eurovision Song Contest 1998, Sweden participated with “Kärleken är” by Jill Johnson.
- f^ Carola won Melodifestivalen 2006 with “Evighet” and Lena Philipsson won Melodifestivalen 2004 with “Det gör ont“. Both artists went on to compete in Eurovision with their songs translated into English.
Lyrics of Bara Bada Bastu (Swedish Ι English)
Nåjaa!
Klockon slår, nu ere dags
All bekymber försvinder strax
Bästa båoti för kropp och själ
Fyra väggar i träpanel
Ooooh oooh
Vedin vår värmer lika bra
Ooooh oooh
Som tango me Arja Saijonmaa
Yksi kaksi kolme sauna
Vi ska bada bastu bastu ångon åpp och släpp all stress idag
Bastubröder e je vi som glöder 100 grader nåjaa
Bara bada bastu bastu heittää på så sveittin bara yr
Ohhhhh bada bastu jåå
Vi ska bada bastu bastu ångon åpp och släpp all stress idag
Bastubröder e je vi som glöder 100 grader nåjaa
Bara bada bastu bastu heittää på så sveittin bara yr
Ohhhhh bada bastu jåå
SAUNA! SAUNA!
Ja jyst ja!
Häll på vattn och meir ångo nu
Tick tick tack hur läng orkar du
90 grader vi e nästan där
Perkele, e va på värman jär
Ooooh oooh
Sveittin lackar, ja ja
Ooooh oooh
Yksi kaksi kolme sauna
Vi ska bada bastu bastu ångon åpp och släpp all stress idag
Bastubröder e je vi som glöder 100 grader nåjaa
Bara bada bastu bastu heittää på så sveittin bara yr
Ohhhhh bada bastu jåå
SAUNA!
Bara bada bastu, bara bada bastu
Bara bada, bara bada, bara bada bastu
Bara bada bastu, bara bada bastu
Bara bada, bara bada, bara bada bastu
Ei saa peittää
Bara bada bastu, bara bada bastu
Bara bada, bara bada, bara bada bastu
Bara bada bastu, bara bada bastu
Bara bada, bara bada, bara bada bastu
Vi ska bada bastu bastu ångon åpp och släpp all stress idag
Bastubröder e je vi som glöder 100 grader nåjaa
Bara bada bastu bastu heittää på så sveittin bara yr
Ohhhhh bada bastu jåå
SAUNA!
Bara bada bastu,
Bara bada bastu
Bara bada bara bada bara bada bastu
Bara bada bastu,
Bara bada bastu
Bara bada bara bada bara bada bastu
SAUNA!
—
Oh well!
The clock is ticking, now it’s time
All worries will soon be gone
Best remedy for body and soul
Four walls in wooden panels
Oh eh-oh eh-oh
Our wood warms just as well
Oh eh-oh eh-oh
Like tango with Arja Saijonmaa
One two three
Sauna
We’re gonna sauna, sauna
Steam it up and let go of all stress today
Sauna brothers, we’re the ones who glow
100 degrees, oh yes
Just sauna, sauna
Steam it up, till the sweat just sprays
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Sauna, yeah
We’re gonna sauna, sauna
Steam it up and let go of all stress today
Sauna brothers, we’re the ones who glow
100 degrees, oh yes
Just sauna, sauna
Throw it on, till the sweat just sprays
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Sauna, yeah
Sauna! Sauna!
Yeah, that’s right
Pour some water, let’s get more steam
Tick tick tock, how long can you last?
90 degrees, we’re almost there
Damn it, turn up the heat!
Oh eh-oh eh-oh
Sweat is dripping, yeah yeah
Oh eh-oh eh-oh
One two three
Sauna
We’re gonna sauna, sauna
Steam it up and let go of all stress today
Sauna brothers, we’re the ones who glow
100 degrees, oh yes
Just sauna, sauna
Throw it on, till the sweat just sprays
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Sauna, yeah
Sauna!
Just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna, just sauna
(Do not cover it)
Just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna, just sauna
We’re gonna sauna, sauna
Steam it up and let go of all stress today
Sauna brothers, we’re the ones who glow
100 degrees, oh yes
Just sauna, sauna
Throw it on, till the sweat just sprays
Oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Sauna, yeah
Sauna!
Just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna
Just sauna, just sauna, just sauna
Sauna!

Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest. Ukraine debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 and took no time at all to establish themselves as one of the most successful countries in the show’s more recent history.
They won on their second participation when Ruslana’s Wild Dances stormed to the top of the scoreboard and took the Contest to Kyiv for the 50th edition.
Ukraine would be declared champions again in 2016 thanks to Jamala’s emotional ballad 1944, which also won a Marcel Bezençon Award for artistry in the process.
The third and most recent Ukrainian victory came courtesy of Kalush Orchestra and their entry Stefania, which became the first rap song to win the Eurovision Song Contest.
- Participations: 21
- Victories: 2022 (Kalush Orchestra), 2016 (Jamala), 2004 (Ruslana)
- Contests Hosted: Kyiv 2017, Kyiv 2005
🇺🇦 Ukraine: Ziferblat – “Bird of Pray” (Valentyn Leshchynskyi – Daniel Leshchynskyi / Fedir Khodakov / Valentyn Leshchynskyi). Photos Ziferblat | Ukraine 2025
Ziferblat. Made up of Daniel Leshchynskyi, Valentyn Leshchynskyi and Fedir Khodakov, Ziferblat are a band that have been said to represent a new generation of Ukrainian music.
With their sound, the trio have set out to blend the deep musical heritage of each member, along with a rich production and heartfelt lyrics.
Formed in 2015, Ziferblat rose to prominence a few years later, when they took part in X-Factor Ukraine. On the 2019 edition of the show, they were mentored by Andriy Danylko – otherwise known to Eurovision fans as Verka Serduchka!
In recent years, the band has won numerous Ukrainian music awards. Further recognition for Ziferblat’s music arrived when 9 of their tracks were chosen for the soundtrack to the popular video game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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◄ alyona alyona and Jerry Heil (2024) • Ziferblat (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Ziferblat (Циферблат, Tsyferblat) is a Ukrainian music band consisting of vocalist Danyil Leshchynskyi, guitarist Valentyn Leshchynskyi, and drummer Fedir Khodakov. They will represent Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Bird of Pray”.
Career. The band was founded in 2015. Their first EP, Kinoseans was released in December 2017. In 2019, the band released the single “Vnochi” and participated in the TV show “X-Factor,” where they performed the aforementioned single.
In 2022, Ziferblat presented a music video for the song “Zemlya”. In October of the same year, it was announced that the band made it to the long list of the Vidbir 2023, Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 but did not make it to the shortlist. In November, they released the single “Dlya choho ty pryyshla”, the second from the upcoming album Peretvorennya. In February 2023, they released their third and final single from the album, “Dysko-Fanko Terapiya”. The album itself was released on April 7, 2023, and was presented at a solo concert on April 22. The album consists of 13 songs, mostly written in the period from 2019 to 2020. In September of the same year, Ziferblat won the “Muzvar Awards” in the category of “Best New Names in Alternative Music”.
In 2024, the band reached the final of the Vidbir 2024, Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision 2024 with the song “Place I Call Home”. Ziferblat took 2nd place in the overall ranking, receiving 11 points from the jury and 8 points from the audience.
On 8 February 2025, the band won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 to be held in Basel, Switzerland, and will represent Ukraine with the song “Bird of Pray”.
Discography.
Albums
- 2023 – Peretvorennya (Transformation)
EPs.
- 2017 – Kinoseans (Cinematic Session)
Singles.
- 2019 – “Vnochi” (At Night)
- 2022 – “Zemlya” (Earth)
- 2022 – “Dlya choho ty pryyshla” (Why Did You Come?)
- 2023 – “Dysko-Fanko Terapiya” (Disco-Funk Therapy)
- 2023 – “Place I Call Home”
- 2024 – “Litaky” (Airplanes)
- 2024 – “Druh” (Friend)
- 2024 – “Doteper i nazavzhdy” (Now and forever; feat. Tember Blanche)
Charted singles.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UKR Air. |
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| “Bird of Pray” | 2025 | 16 | Non-album single |
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“Bird of Pray” (Птах молитви) |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “Teresa & Maria” (2024) • “Bird of Pray” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Bird of Pray” is a song by Ukrainian alternative rock band Ziferblat. It was written by Valentyn Leshchynskyi, Daniil Leshchynskyi and Fedir Khodakov, with production handled by Ziferblat. The song was released on 24 January 2025 and will represent Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Vidbir 2025. Vidbir 2025 was the ninth edition of Vidbir which selected the Ukrainian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The competition consisted of a final 8 February 2025 and took place in Kyiv. The selection of the competing entries for the national final and ultimately the Ukrainian Eurovision entry took place over three stages. In the first stage, artists and songwriters had the opportunity to apply for the competition either through an online submission form. Twenty acts were longlisted and announced on 11 December 2024. The second stage involved the longlisted artists attending a scheduled audition. Up to nine acts were selected, while an additional act was selected from an online selection. The third stage was the televised final, which took place in February 2025 and featured the acts vying to represent Ukraine in Basel. The winner was selected via the combination of votes from a public vote and an expert jury, the latter of which its members will be selected by the public.
After passing the initial selection phase, on 20 December 2024 Ziferblat were confirmed among the 10 finalists of the competition with the song “Bird of Pray”. Bird of Pray was performed at the competition on 8 February 2025, and the combined vote of the public and jury crowned it the winner and national representative on the Eurovision stage in Basel.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Ukraine was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ukraine Airplay (FDR Media Ukraine Top 20) | 16 |
Lyrics of Bird of Pray (Ukrainian / English Ι English)
Зайде-зайдеш і до мене
Моя Пташка
Крилами пісня злітає важка
Серденько серце кохане
Не турбуйся
Доля довірила світ останнім із нас
Я світла шукаю, гори зверну
And I call you
Fly
Bird
I’m begging you
Begging you please just
Live
Share
My heart with someone who
Cares
Of
Me and my little bird of pray
Вертай-вертайся додому
Рідна стежка
Спів перелітних пташок народить весну
I call you
Fly
Bird
I’m begging you
Begging you just
Care
Of
Me and my little bird
Fly
Like a Bird
Where do you go
I’m begging you please just
Live
Share
My heart with someone who
Flies
Bird
I’m begging you
Begging you please just
Live
Share
My heart with someone who
Cares
Of
Me and my little bird of pray
–
You will… you’ll visit me too
My little birdy
A burdened tune takes flight on your wings
Dearest heart, my beloved
Don’t you worry
Fate entrusted the world to the last of us
I seek the light, I’ll move mountains
And I call you
Fly
Bird
I’m begging you
Begging you please just
Live
Share
My heart with someone who
Cares
Of
Me and my little bird of pray
Return and lead us back home
The familiar path
The song of migrating birds will awaken the spring
I call you
Fly
Bird
I’m begging you
Begging you just
Care
Of
Me and my little bird
Fly
Like a Bird
Where do you go
I’m begging you please just
Live
Share
My heart with someone who
Flies
Bird
I’m begging you
Begging you please just
Live
Share
My heart with someone who
Cares
Of
Me and my little bird of pray

Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest. Albania joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 with Anjeza Shahini performing ‘The Image of You’ in Istanbul.
She, and every Albanian participant since, has been found using broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar’s (RTSH) long-running and prestigious Festivali i Këngës (FiK) – an annual music competition established in Tirana in 1962.
As FiK is usually one of the first televised national selections of the season and takes place around December, fans sometimes refer to the occasion as ‘FiKmas’.
As of 2024, Albania’s most successful entry is the folklore-inspired ballad Suus (2012) which Rona Nishliu took to fifth place in Baku.
- Participations: 22
- Victories: None
- Contests Hosted: Yet to host the Eurovision Song Contest
🇦🇱 Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – “Zjerm” (Beatrice Gjergji / Lek Gjeloshi – Beatrice Gjergji / Kole Laca). Photos Shkodra Elektronike Ι Albania 2025
Shkodra Elektronike. Shkodra Elektronike was formed by two Albanian musicians who emigrated to Italy after leaving their native city of Shkodër.
The duo is made up of songwriter and producer Kolë Laca and singer and songwriter Beatriçe Gjergji. At the heart of the project is the pair’s passion for re-interpreting the traditional songs of Shkodër in a contemporary electronic style.
Over the years, Shkodra Elektronike have performed at some major festivals around Europe, including Paléo Festival (Geneva), EXIT Festival (Novi Sad), MOST Festival (Veszprém), Pin Music Conference (Sofia), and SoAlive (Vienna).
The duo are currently producing their debut album, which is going to include some prestigious features. Already signed up to appear on it are the Albanian Iso-Polyphonic Choir (a UNESCO cultural heritage), Redi Hasa and Roy Paci.
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Shkodra Elektronike |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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| ◄ BESA (2024) • Shkodra Elektronike (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Shkodra Elektronike is an Albanian folktronica duo formed in 2019 in Shkodër and consists of members Kolë Laca and Beatriçe Gjergji. They will represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025 with the song “Zjerm”.
History. The duo are originally from Shkodër in northern Albania as immigrants who grew up in Italy. They gained popularity in Albania through the release of successful singles such as “Ku e Gjeta Vedin” and “Synin si Qershia” in 2020. They began performing at various international festivals.
Shkodra Elektronike also composed “E jemja nuse” which was performed by Rezarta Smaja in Festivali i Këngës 60, finishing in third place.
In 2022, they released their debut EP, Live @ Uzina, with the featured single “Turtulleshë”.
In 2024, Shkodra Elektronike was selected to compete in Festivali i Këngës 63 with the song “Zjerm”. On 21 December 2024, they secured their place in the final, ultimately winning the festival and going on to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Musical style and artistry. The music of Shkodra Elektronike is characterized by a fusion of genres such as electronic, pop, and traditional Albanian music. It is structured around catchy melodies, engaging rhythms, and lyrics that often address themes like love or everyday life. The core of the project is the duo’s passion for re-interpreting traditional songs of Shkodër in a contemporary electronic style.
Discography.
Extended plays.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Live @ Uzina |
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Singles.
| Title | Year | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|
| “Ku e gjeta vedin“ | 2020 | Non-album singles |
| “Synin si qershia“ | ||
| “Turtulleshë“ | 2022 | Live @ Uzina |
| “Vaj si kenka ba dynjaja” (featuring Fanfara Tirana) | 2023 | Non-album singles |
| “Zjerm” | 2024 |
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“Zjerm” (Fire) |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “TiTAN” (2024) • “Zjerm” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Zjerm” (Fire) is a song performed by the Albanian duo Shkodra Elektronike. It was written by Beatriçe Gjergji, Kole Laca, and Lekë Gjeloshi, with production handled by Laca. The song will represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Background and composition. “Zjerm” was written by Beatriçe Gjergji and Lekë Gjeloshi, composed by Beatriçe Gjergji and arranged by Kolë Laca. Gjergji described the song as a “personal work with lyrics exploring human compassion”, also calling it “an Albanian song with a modern touch”.
The central motif of the song is Fire, Zjerm, symbolizing power, purification, and renewal. It is described as falling on tribal dances, as a link between tradition and change.
The song evokes a mixture of pain, resilience, and hope, with imagery that emphasizes the importance of inner peace and a longing for a world that is free from violence, suffering, and environmental harm. It calls for spiritual and social healing, and a recognition of the dignity of all people, even those who may be forgotten or marginalized.
Eurovision Song Contest.
Festivali i Këngës 63. Albania’s broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) officially announced their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 on 30 September 2024, using its longtime method for choosing the participant, Festivali i Këngës. The edition was the 63rd iteration of the national final. The 30-entry competition was organized into two semi-finals that culminated into one grand final.[4] The jury selected 15 finalists, with the final result determined by a combination of votes from a professional jury, votes from abroad cast through an online platform (entitled the “diaspora’s votes”) and SMS voting in Albania and Kosovo.
“Zjerm” was officially announced to compete in Festivali i Këngës 63 on 7 October 2024. The song competed in the first semi-final on 19 December, qualifying for the final, winning both the jury and televote on the final held on 22 December 2024, and gaining the right to represent Albania at Eurovision.
At Eurovision.
Release history.
| Region | Date | Format | Label | . |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 10 December 2024 |
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Self-released |
Lyrics of Zjerm (Albanian Ι English)
Në këtë minutë,
Në këtë çast,
No paranoia.
Pas shiut,
E ylbertë duket bota.
Nëpër rrugë,
Asnjë ambulance.
Kurrkush s’të flet
Me arrogance.
Edhe sot na thane,
Që s’prishet koha.
Përfundova nën ujë
Kurrë s’mu tha goja.
Imagjino një minutë
Pa ushtarë,
Pa jetimë.
Asnjë shishe në oqean.
Naftës i vjen era jargavan.
lirinë e fjalës
T’a mëson shkolla
Krijo në mua një zemër t’pastër.
Në natën time, të dërgoj dritën.
Aman miserere.
Aman miserere.
Në zemrën time.
Në zemrën time.
Ky minutë do të vazhdojë.
Njerëzit e mirë.
Njerëzit e mirë
Kërcejnë valle në shpirt.
Jarna ne ti toka ime,
Ku kam lindë s’do të harroj.
Jarna ne ti bota ime,
Vazhdo më shndrit,
Shndrit,
Shndrit,
Shndrit,
Shndrit.
Zjerm!
Bjer mbi vallet tona tribale,
Që ushtojnë sa orteku kur bjen n’male.
Zjerm!
Njerëzit pa emën e njerëzit e dlirtë,
Njësoj këputen e bijnë.
Si 7 thika që t’ngulen n’shpirt.
Zjerm!
Këtu flen deti, rana e hana.
E yjet s’i shohim se yjet na i shkel Kamba.
Kur ecim n’jerm.
Zjerm!
Jena t’untë për flakë e dritë,
E t’kërkojmë…
N’kyt terr që s’pranë tuej shndritë
Krijo në mua jë zemër t’pastër
Në natën time, të dërgoj dritën
Aman miserere
Aman miserere
Krijo në mua jë zemër t’pastër
Në natën time, të dërgoj dritën
Aman miserere
Aman miserere
Në zemrën time
Në zemrën time
Ky minutë do të vazhdojë.
Njerëzit e mire.
Njerëzit e mire.
Kërcejnë valle në shpirt.
Jarna ne ti toka ime.
Ku kam lindë s’do të harroj.
Jarna ne ti bota ime,
vazhdo më shndrit
Shndrit,
Shndrit.
–
At this minute,
At this moment,
No more paranoia.
After the rain
The world seems like a rainbow.
No ambulances
Roaming the streets,
No one arrogantly speaks.
Forecast for today, true:
The skies still will be blue.
Ending under the water,
My mouth never dried up.
Imagine a minute, try,
Without soldiers,
With no orphans crying.
No bottles in the ocean,
Diesel smelling like lilac.
The freedom of speech
Taught in a school class.
Carve in me a clean heart,
I’ll send the light,
In my darkness, night.
Aman, miserere!
Aman, miserere!
In my heart,
In this heart of mine,
This minute eternally lasts,
Good people blast.
Decent people,
Dance in their soul
Hey, hop my soil!
I’ll never forget the cradle I was born
Oh, hey, my world
Keep shining on me!
Enlighten!
Shine!
Splendidly shine!
Shine on!
Fire!
Fall upon our tribal wild dances,
As avalanche echoes
On mountains, rolls down.
Fire!
The nameless and pure people,
Fall and roll down the same
As seven knives the soul straightly pierce.
Fire!
Here the sea, the sand and the moon sleep,
And the stars we do not see
Trampled under the feet,
Sleepwalking to be free.
Fire!
For flames and light starving,
For you endlessly searching,
In this shining darkness thirsting for brightness.
Carve in me a clean heart
In the darkness, I’ll send you the light
Aman, miserere!
Aman, miserere!
In my pulsating heart,
In my beating heart!
This minute will keep on keeping on,
Decent beings,
Good people,
Dance around in their soul.
Hey, hop my soil!
I’ll never forget the cradle I was born
Oh, hey, my beloved world,
Keep shining on me!
Shine!
Shine on!

Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest. The ‘Land of Fire’ made its debut at Belgrade 2008 with the rock ballad Day After Day performed by lnur & Samir.
Azerbaijan then went on an impressive run of consecutive top five finishes from 2009 till 2013, including winning the Contest in Düsseldorf thanks to Ell & Nikki’s memorable duet Running Scared.
Their victory meant that the following show was organised by İctimai Television (İTV) and broadcast live from Baku, which is the furthest east the Eurovision Song Contest has traveled.
To date, Azerbaijan is the proud recipient of two Marcel Bezençon Awards; Sabina Babayeva won the Press Award in 2012 for When The Music Dies, and Farid Mammadov took the Commentator Award in 2013 for Hold Me.
- Participations: 18
- Victories: 2011 (Ell & Nikki)
- Contests Hosted: Baku 2012
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Mamagama – “Run with U” (Asef Mishiyev – Asef Mishiyev / Hasan Heydar / Roman Zee). Photos Mamagama Ι Azerbaijan 2025
Mamagama. Formed in 2021, the trio Mamagama has by now cemented itself as one of the most innovative bands in Azerbaijan’s music scene.
Ahead of their Eurovision journey, the band have prior experience of captivating audiences at international music competitions, including an acclaimed performance at Albania’s Kënga Magjike Music Festival in 2022.
Mamagama’s distinct sound blends modern influences with the deep-rooted musical heritage of Azerbaijan, creating an unforgettable experience for listeners worldwide.
The band is made up of three best friends: Asef on vocals, Hasan on guitar and Arif on drums.
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Mamagama |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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◄ Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov (2024) • Mamagama (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Mamagama is an Azerbaijani musical band formed in 2021 in Baku. The lineup of the band consists of vocalist Asaf Mishiyev, guitarist Hasan Heydar and drummer Arif Imanov. The band is known for its unique fusion of rock, pop, and traditional Azerbaijani music and their energetic stage presence and deep, emotional lyrics.
Mamagama will represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with single, Run with U.
Career. Formed in 2021 in Baku, Mamagama consists of members with prior experience in various musical ensembles. The group quickly gained recognition by performing at several international festivals.
The vocalist of the band, Asaf Mishiyev, participated in the 2020 season of the project “The Voice.” He reached the knockout round in Polina Gagarina’s team.
In 2022, Mamagama participated in Kënga Magjike, one of Albania’s premier music festivals, alongside Festivali i Këngës. Their performance of the single “Dreamer” earned them the first prize in the “International Artists” category. Later that year, they applied to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Although they were selected as one of the five final candidates, İctimai Television (İTV) ended up choosing the duo TuralTuranX to represent the country in Liverpool.
On February 4, 2025, İTV announced that Mamagama had been internally chosen to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. Their song, “Run with U”, was presented on 19 February 2025.
Musical style. Mamagama’s music blends traditional musical elements with contemporary styles, incorporating influences from indie pop and alternative rock to create a unique and dynamic sound.
This fusion is further enriched by the cultural background of the band’s lead singer, Asaf Mishiyev, who is of Mountain Jewish heritage. Drawing from the influence of Jewish artists like Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse, alongside the rich musical heritage of Azerbaijan, Mishiyev infuses the band’s music with profound depth and emotional resonance.
Members.
Current. Asaf Mishiyev (Asəf Mişiyev) – vocalist, Hasan Heydar (Həsən Heydər) – guitarist, Arif Imanov (Arif İmanov) – drummer
Former. Roman Zilyanev – guitarist, Klim Gudin – drummer
Discography. Mamagama’s catalogue consists of six singles.
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| “My Medicine” | 2022 |
| “Sleep” | |
| “Dreamer” | |
| “River” | 2023 |
| “This Is for You” | |
| “Run With U” | 2025 |
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“Run With U” |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “Özünlə apar” (2024) • “Run with U” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Run with U” is a song by Azerbaijani rock band Mamagama. The song was released on 19 February 2025 and was written by Hasan “KHVS” Heydar, Roman Zee, and Safael Mishiyev. It will represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The song contains a homage to Daft Punk (Get Lucky).
Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Internal selection. Azerbaijan’s broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, İctimai Televiziya (İTV), officially announced their intentions to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 on 3 August 2024. On 4 August 2024, İTV announced that both the artist and song that would represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 would be selected internally. Their announcement called for interested artists and songwriters were called upon to submit their applications and entries by 15 September 2024. Songwriters could be of any nationality. On 4 February 2025, İTV announced that the band Mamagama would represent Azerbaijan. The selection of Mamagama as the Azerbaijani Eurovision contestant was based on the decision of a jury panel consisting of national and international music industry experts. Mamagama’s competing song, “Run with U”, was released on 19 February 2025.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Azerbaijan was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.
Lyrics of Run With U (English)
Rhythm pulls me out
Don’t know where to start
You electrify
Never felt so high
Every glance you’re giving
Every move, I’m feeling
I can not resist
Pure in every twist
Shall we dim the lights
Leave our fears behind?
Play wrong till it’s right
Give it all tonight
Heartbeat takes control
Moves my body and soul
Just one look at me
And I can’t stand the heat
Shadows in the neon light
The night is young, the beat is tight
Something in the air that makes me fall for you the way I do aha
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
No matter what you do tonight
I wanna run with U
I wanna run with U
No matter what you do tonight
I wanna run with U
I wanna run with U
(Running)
(With me)
(Running)
(Let’s go)
Shooting to the stars
Can’t get enough, so far
You make me feel brand new
Never felt this true
Every laugh you’re giving
Every touch I’m living
And I can’t pull away
Caught up in the play
Shall we dim the lights
Leave our fears behind?
Play wrong till it’s right
Give it all tonight
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
Way I do aha
No matter what you do tonight
I wanna run with U
I wanna run with U
No matter what you do tonight
I wanna run with U
I wanna run with U

Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest. Belgium is one of the founding countries of the Eurovision Song Contest, participating in the very first competition in 1956.
As the country is divided into two major linguistic regions, two public broadcasters alternate the responsibility for their country’s presence in the Contest; French-language RTBF organises participation in even years, while Flemish-language VRT takes over in odd years.
It was RTBF that gave Belgium their first and (so far) only victory, when they sent 13-year-old Sandra Kim to perform at Bergen 1986 with the song J’aime La Vie.
The teen from Montegnée will probably remain the youngest champion as the rules were changed shortly after her victory to ensure that all performers are at least 16-years-old by the time they take to the stage.
- Participations: 68
- Victories: 1986 (Sandra Kim)
- Contests Hosted: Brussels 1987
🇧🇪 Belgium: Red Sebastian – “Strobe Lights” (Ameerah A. Roelants / Billie Bentein / Seppe Herreman / Willem Vanderstichele – Ameerah A. Roelants / Billie Bentein / Seppe Herreman / Willem Vanderstichele). Photos Red Sebastian Ι Belgium 2025
Red Sebastian. It was over a decade ago, at the age of 14, that Seppe Herreman first rose to fame as a finalist in ‘Belgium’s Got Talent’.
That experience under the spotlight further fuelled the artist’s passion for music, which had begun at the age of 7. He continued his studies at the Conservatory of Ghent, where he received singing lessons from none other than Gustaph (Belgium’s artist at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023)!
At the Conservatory, Seppe developed his alter ego: Red Sebastian. The rouge-tinted pop star was a finalist in the 2024 TV talent show Sing Again, during which he stood out for both his fantastic vocal range and a remarkable array of outfits.
Red Sebastian is also an accomplished piano player, having been inspired by Lady Gaga at an early age.
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Red Sebastian |
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◄ Mustii (2024) • Red Sebastian (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Seppe Guido Yvonne Herreman (born 13 May 1999), known professionally as Red Sebastian, is a Belgian singer-songwriter. He is set to represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Strobe Lights”.
Career. Seppe Herreman was born on 13 May 1999 in the coastal city Ostend of Belgium. In 2013 he participated at the age of fourteen in the second season of the television show Belgium’s Got Talent on the Flemish TV channel VTM. With the song “Ain’t No Other Man” from the American singer Christina Aguilera he made it to the final. After high school Herreman studied singing at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KASK) in Ghent. There he was taught by Flemish singer Gustaph, among others. Herreman also plays the piano since he was nine.
In 2019 he continued his career using the name Red Sebastian, inspired by the red Jamaican-accented singing crab Sebastian from the 1989 Disney movie The Little Mermaid. Herreman was a big fan of the movie when he was little. He released his debut album called “You” in 2021, with “Embrace Me” being the lead single. In 2024, he participated in the VTM talent TV show Sing Again, where he made it to the final.
In 2025, after having signed a contract with the record label CNR Records, Red Sebastian was one of the eight finalists of the television contest Eurosong 2025, hosted on the Flemish TV channel VRT 1, with his song “Strobe Lights”. It’s his tribute to the Belgian rave culture. He became the final winner with a total of 423 points, thus earning the right to represent Belgium at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. He’s scheduled to compete in the 1st semifinal, which will be held on May 13th, his 26th birthday.
Personal life. Red Sebastian lives in the city of Ghent.
Discography.
Albums.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| You |
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EPs.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Bedroom Secrets |
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Singles.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEL (FL) |
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| “Embrace Me” | 2021 | — | You |
| “Fading Away” | — | ||
| “Keep Going Back to You” | — | Non-album single | |
| “Some Kinda Way” | — | You | |
| “You” | — | ||
| “Letting Go” | 2023 | — | Non-album single |
| “Soft Suede” | — | Bedroom Secrets | |
| “Appetite” | — | ||
| “In Your Eyes” | 2024 | — | Non-album single |
| “Strobe Lights” | 2025 | 9 | TBA |
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“Strobe Lights” |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “Before the Party’s Over” (2024) • “Strobe Lights” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Strobe Lights” is a song performed by Belgian singer Red Sebastian. It was written by Sebastian, Astrid Roelants, Billie Bentein and Willem Vanderstichele (Hush), with production handled by Hush. The song will represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. It reached number nine on the Belgian Singles Chart.
Background and composition. Strobe Lights was written by Sebastian, Astrid Roelants, Billie Bentein and Willem Vanderstichele (Hush), the last in whom produced the song. In an interview with the online testimonial L’Eurovision Au Quotidien, Sebastian described the song as a fun and flashing night out.
Eurovision Song Contest.
Eurosong 2025. Eurosong 2025 was the national final used to select Belgium’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The competition consisted of two pre-recorded showcase shows that were broadcast on 18 and 25 January 2025, followed by a live final on 1 February 2025 where the winning song and artist was selected.
On 13 January 2025, VRT announced that it had selected “Strobe Lights” performed by Sebastian as one of the songs to compete in Eurosong 2025, the national final that it would organise to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The song won Eurosong 2025 on 1 February 2025, where it came in first place overall by the jury, as well as the audience votes with 432 points, thus qualifying the song to represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Belgium was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 9 |
Release history.
| Region | Date | Format | Version | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 25 January 2025 |
|
Original | CNR |
Lyrics of Strobe Lights (English)
Strobe lights
Gettin’ lost in your eyes
Cotton candy haze
We’re floating round in space
Fallin’ where up is down
Screamin’, but won’t make a sound
Alice, show me your hand
Take it to Wonderland
Step into the mirror to bright new dimensions
Where no words are needed to feel the connection
Where clocks never tick and where love is the ending
Come down through the looking glass
Strobe lights
Gettin’ lost in your eyes
Cotton candy haze
We’re floating round in space
Skin tight
Never felt so alive
Caught up in this maze
It’s where I wanna staaaaaaaay
Flyin’ deep underground
Silence never felt so loud
Step into the mirror to bright new dimensions
Where no words are needed to feel the connection
Where clocks never tick and where love is the ending
Come down through the looking glass
Strobe lights
Gettin’ lost in your eyes
Cotton candy haze
We’re floating round in space
Skin tight
Ooh I feel so alive
Caught up in this maze
It’s where I wanna stay
That’s where I wanna staaaaaaaay
That’s where I wanna stay

Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Alongside Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 via ‘Kvalifikacija za Millstreet’ (‘Qualification for Millstreet’) – a one-off pre-selection show used to narrow down the field of newly independent European countries wanting to compete.
During the 1990s, the delegation enjoyed a number of top 5 finishes thanks to Maja Blagdan (Sveta Ljubav, 1996), Danijela (Neka Mi Ne Svane, 1998), and Doris (Marija Magdalena, 1999) – after which it took a further 25 years to match those successes.
However, the wait was worth it when in 2024 singer Baby Lasagna delivered Croatia’s best result so far with Rim Tim Tagi Dim finishing 2nd in Malmö and winning the televote and a Marcel Bezençon award in the process.
Though Croatia has yet to win as an independent nation, the capital city of Zagreb did host the Contest in 1990 prior to Yugoslavia’s dissolution.
- Participations: 31
- Victories: None
- Contests Hosted: Yet to host the Eurovision Song Contest
🇭🇷 Croatia: Marko Bošnjak – “Poison Cake” (Ben Pyne / Emma Gale – Bas Wissink / Ben Pyne / Emma Gale / Marko Bošnjak). Photos Marko Bošnjak | Croatia 2025
Marko Bošnjak. The singer Marko Bošnjak is regarded as one of the leaders of a new generation of musicians who are making their mark and setting trends on the Croatian music scene.
Despite his young age, he can already lay claim to numerous awards and recognitions bestowed upon him. The Porin award for Best New Artist is one in particular that Marko holds dear.
The artist won the hearts of the Croatian audience when he was just 11 years old, performing in the popular TV show Pink’s Stars.
Marko has recently commenced a new creative era, which so far includes the singles Pusti Me, Asfalt and Takav Dan. The release of his debut album is also incoming, on which the musical chameleon aims to defy genres and stereotypes.
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Marko Bošnjak |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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| ◄ Baby Lasagna (2024) • Marko Bošnjak (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Marko Bošnjak (born 11 January 2004) is a Bosnian Croat singer-songwriter. He rose to fame as the winner of the second season of the Serbian talent show Pinkove Zvezdice. He is set to represent Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Poison Cake”.
Music career. Starting on 4 September 2015, Bošnjak appeared as a contestant on the second season of the Serbian talent show Pinkove Zvezdice (Pink’s Little Stars). On the first show, Bošnjak sang Jennifer Hudson’s song “One Night Only”. All five judges, Milan Stanković, Jelena Tomašević, Goca Tržan, Hari Varešanović and Leontina Vukomanović, turned their chairs up and voted him directly into the next round. At his second appearance he sang Zdravko Čolić’s “Kao moja mati” (Like My Mother) and advanced into the next round. On 6 January 2016, Bošnjak sang a rendition of Jadranka Stojaković’s “Što te nema” (Why Are You Not Here). During the next episode, on 8 April 2016, Bošnjak performed Adele’s “Don’t You Remember”. In the final, Bošnjak re-sang “Što te nema” and won the competition.
On 17 December 2021, Bošnjak was announced as one of the fourteen participants in Dora 2022, the national contest for Croatia’s Eurovision Song Contest 2022 entry, with the song “Moli za nas” (Pray For Us). At the close of voting, the song had received 179 points, placing second in a field of 14. “Moli za nas” was officially released on 10 February 2022 as Bošnjak’s debut single. On 27 April 2022, it was announced that Bošnjak would compete in the 62nd edition of the Split Festival with the song “Pjesma za kraj” (Ending Song). A year later, in early 2023, Bošnjak released his third single “Spokojan” (Calm). On 14 April 2023, Bošnjak released his fourth stand-alone single “Nema” (There Is No).
In June 2024, Bošnjak performed at that year’s Zagreb Pride. In September 2024, Bošnjak performed at a charity show for Gaza at Zagreb’s Klub Močvara, the proceeds of which were donated to the UNRWA.
On 5 December 2024, Bošnjak was announced as one of 24 participants in Dora 2025, the Croatian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, with the song “Poison Cake”. On 24 February 2025, Bošnjak was announced to compete on the ninth season of the singing reality television series Tvoje lice zvuči poznato, the Croatian edition of Your Face Sounds Familiar. On 2 March 2025, Bošnjak won Dora, and is set to represent Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. Following his Dora victory, on 18 March, it was announced that Bošnjak would no longer participate in Tvoje lice zvuči poznato from the eighth episode onwards; at that point, only two episodes had been aired.
Personal life. Marko Bošnjak performed at both Zagreb and Sarajevo Pride events and came out as gay in media in 2024, which created media discussions in social media and most of his public interviews after he won Croatian competition in for the Eurosong contest. In the Nedeljom u 2 TV interview extensivly discussed his upbringing in small town, growing up as singer and queer, as well as envoronment and his strong personality traits that made him stronger and more focused on his work (drawing inspiration from artists like Lady Gaga).
Discography.
Singles.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRO Dom. Air. |
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| “Moli za nas” | 2022 | 29 | Non-album singles | ||||||||||||||||||
| “Pjesma za kraj” | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| “Spokojan” | 2023 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
| “Nema” | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| “Pusti me” | 2024 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| “Asfalt” (with Iva Lorens) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| “Takav dan” | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| “Zdravo budi mladi kralju” | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| “Poison Cake” | 2025 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| “—” denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Awards and nominations.
| Year | Association | Category | Nominee / work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Cesarica | Song of the Year | “Moli za nas” | Nominated | |
| 2024 | “Spokojan” | Nominated |
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“Poison Cake” |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” (2024) • “Poison Cake” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Poison Cake” is a song by Bosnian Croat singer-songwriter Marko Bošnjak. Described as story of revenge and standing up for oneself, the song was released on 10 January 2025 through Aquarius. It was written by Bošnjak, together with Bas Wissink, Ben Pyne, Emma Gale, and Filip Majdak. The song will represent Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Background and composition. “Poison Cake” was composed and written by Marko Bošnjak, Bas Wissink, Ben Pyne, Emma Gale, and Filip Majdak, with Wissink producing the song. Inspired by fairytales like “Snow White” and “Hansel and Gretel”, as well as the film The Help, the song is described as a story of revenge and standing up for yourself. It is further described as a track of “vengeful emotions, anger, and a desire for justice, told through a powerful metaphor of depriving those who have abused their position.”
Bošnjak, in addition, said that “Poison Cake” is something completely new to him. He added, “the song is energetic and it’s about something totally unexpected from me, as a musician. I think the song is of multidimensional meaning and that everyone can recognize it and experience it in their own way.” Wiwibloggs described the song as “[mixing] pop, garage, opera and some very dark industrial beats”.
Critical reception. During an interview in the Croatian television show IN magazin, Croatian singer and actress Maja Šuput gave a positive remark on the song. She commented that “Poison Cake” was marginal for her, describing the song as “both sweet and a little demonic”, and ended up supporting Bošnjak. Moreover, in an interview with Croatian online newspaper Index.hr, Serbian singer Milica Pavlović commented that she liked the song, its stage performance in Dora 2025, and “the way it goes through multiple roles”. On the other hand, Josip Bošnjak, writing for the same publication, commented that the song “tries too much, and none of it quite succeeds”. He further wrote, “imagine copying ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by lifting the structure, but inserting uninspired melodies and lyrics inside”.
Promotion. To promote “Poison Cake” before the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Bošnjak announced his intent to participate in various Eurovision pre-parties. It was first announced that he will be performing at Eurovision in Concert 2025 to be held at AFAS Live Arena in Amsterdam on 5 April 2025. He also confirmed to be participating at the London Eurovision Party 2025 on 13 April 2025 to be held at Here at Outernet. Further, he confirmed to be performing at PrePartyES 2025 on 19 April 2025 to be held at Sala La Riviera in Madrid.
Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Dora 2025. Dora 2025 was the national final format organised by Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) to select the Croatian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. For 2025, the competition saw 24 entries competing across two semi-finals, held between 27 and 28 February 2025, and a final on 2 March 2025. The qualifiers for the final from each phase were determined exclusively by a public televote, with the top eight entries from each semi-final qualifying for the final.[14] The winner of the final was then selected by a 50/50 combination of votes from a professional jury and the Croatian public via televoting.
Bošnjak was officially announced to compete in Dora 2025 on 5 December 2024. “Poison Cake” was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, and was announced as one of the eight qualifiers in the semi-final. In the final, the song performed 13th in the running order, and scored 83 points from the jury and 47 points from televoting for a combined total of 130 points, ultimately winning the contest and the Croatian spot for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Croatia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Croatia Domestic Airplay (HR Top 100) | 1 |
Release history.
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 10 January 2025 |
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Original | Aquarius |
Lyrics of Poison Cake (English)
It’s cool now in the kitchen
That happens when you’re bitten
I’m stirring and stirring
Deliciously pouring
And I know you’re gonna love this
A better kind of justice
I don’t want it burning
One last thing, a sprinkle of my sweet revenge
One last thing, a sprinkle of my sweet revenge
Made you something that I know you’ll like
Chocolate-covered sugar and spice
Tasty, tasty, yum, yum, tasty
Candy colours, oh so nice
Take a bite of my poison cake, yum!
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
Take a bite of my poison cake
Been cooking in my cauldron late
You’re never ever gonna stay awake
You’re going down, down, down
You thought I was a servant slave
But I am just a serpent snake
You better genuflect and pray
You better genuflect and pray
Tingles of poison are hitting your veins
What have you done?
Your words are slurring as you fall down
One last thing, a sprinkle of my sweet revenge
One last thing, a sprinkle of my sweet revenge
Made you something that I know you’ll like
Chocolate-covered sugar and spice
Tasty, tasty, yum, yum, tasty
Candy colours, oh so nice
Take a bite of my poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
It’s not my fault, I got carried away
I lost control when I started to bake
A dash of death is bitter to swallow
Don’t be scared, you’ll be buried tomorrow
Poison
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake
Poison cake

Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest. Cyprus joined the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in Dublin 1981 when they sent pop group Island with the uptempo ballad ‘Monika’.
During their first two decades of participation, the Cypriots finished in the top 10 on seven different occasions, cementing the island nation’s love of the competition.
Their most successful artist so far has been Eleni Foureira who took her fiery dance floor anthem Fuego to the dizzying heights of second place at Lisbon 2018 and has appeared as a special guest at the Contests in 2019 and 2024.
While Cyprus has yet to win the Eurovision Song Contest broadcaster CyBC did host a memorable Junior Eurovision in Lemesos in 2008.
- Participations: 42
- Victories: None
- Contests Hosted: Yet to host the Eurovision Song Contest
🇨🇾 Cyprus: Theo Evan – “Shh” (Dimitris Kontopoulos / Elke Tiel / Elsie Bay / Lasse Nymann / Linda Dale – Dimitris Kontopoulos / Elke Tiel / Elsie Bay / Lasse Nymann / Linda Dale). Photos Theo Evan Ι Cyprus 2025
Theo Evan. A singer and dancer since the age of 7, and a songwriter since his teens, Theo Evan’s Eurovision Song Contest journey is the latest chapter in this artist’s story.
Born in Nicosia, his early days were spent in dance lessons, singing in his school choir and performing in a variety of theatre productions and talent shows across Cyprus. After graduating from school, Theo moved to the US to study music and performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
Theo released his first single The Wall in 2021, building up a strong catalogue of singles since then; inspired by everything from Stromae to Michael Jackson to reggaeton.
Eagle-eyed viewers might have spotted Theo in HBO’s hit TV series Euphoria, where he’s appeared as an extra!
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Theo Evan |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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Finals performance |
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Artist chronology |
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◄ Silia Kapsis (2024) • Theo Evan (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Evangelos Theodorou (Ευάγγελος Θεοδώρου), known professionally as Theo Evan, is a Greek Cypriot singer-songwriter, dancer, and actor. He is set to represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Shh”.
Career. Born in Nicosia to a Greek-Cypriot family, he spent his youth in dance sessions and singing in his school choir. He has been a singer and dancer since the age of seven, and he began songwriting in his teens. Evan also performed in a wide variety of theatre productions and talent shows across Cyprus like all the kids in his age, often earning awards and distinctions for his efforts.
After graduating from The English School in Nicosia, Evan moved to the United States to study music and performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, which he later graduated with honors. Since then, he has been invited back as an honorary guest at the university’s graduation ceremony on three occasions, alongside other artists such as Missy Elliot, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, and Justin Timberlake. In 2021, he released his debut single “The Wall”. Evan also made an appearance as an extra in the seventh episode of the second season of the American television series Euphoria. After a short stay in Los Angeles, he returned to his hometown to continue his music career.
On 2 September 2024, it was announced that he would represent Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. This will be the first time since 2017 that Cyprus is represented by a Cypriot-born artist.
Artistry. Evan’s artistry is described as “inspired by everything from Stromae to Michael Jackson to reggaeton”. His music style is further described as a “mainstream blend of Mediterranean pop, infused with dark and gritty tones, complemented by a fresh, contemporary pop fusion”.
Discography.
| Title | Year | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|
| “The Wall” | 2021 | Non-album singles |
| “So Cold” | 2022 | |
| “Burn Us Down” | ||
| “Save Me from Myself” | 2023 | |
| “Dark Side” | ||
| “The Cost of Losing You” | 2024 | |
| “Fading Dreams” | ||
| “Fuego” | 2025 | |
| “Shh” |
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“Shh” |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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| Entry chronology |
| ◄ “Liar” (2024) • “Shh” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Shh” is a song by Cypriot singer Theo Evan, written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, Elke Tiel, Elsie Bay, Lasse Nymann, and Linda Dale. It was released on 11 March 2025 and will represent Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Background and composition. “Shh” was written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, Elke Tiel, Elsie Bay, Lasse Nymann, and Linda Dale.
Eurovision Song Contest.
Internal selection. In July 2024, it was reported that the search for the Cypriot representative for the 2025 contest was underway, and that CyBC intended to select an entrant who – unlike the country’s representatives in 2023 (Andrew Lambrou) and 2024 (Silia Kapsis) – was based in Cyprus. The selection was carried out by a focus group composed of music professionals and Eurovision experts. By late August 2024, the artist and song had reportedly been selected, with the entrant, Theo Evan, announced on 2 September. The song “Shh” was released on 11 March.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Cyprus was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.
Lyrics of Shh (English)
I’ve got golden locks and eyes so captivating,
I am famous for my beauty, who am I?
I’ve been told I am a little overconfident,
And this will be my downfall, who am I?
I fell in deep
I lost my heartbeat
Stuck in between
The heaven and hell in me
I fell in deep
I lost my heartbeat
Follow the bloodstream
Hush hush
If you know my name then please don’t repeat it
Hush hush
If you know my name then keep it a secret
My desire and my love got me in trouble,
I’m decay and I’m revival, who am I?
Robbed by jealousy and cheated by my enemy,
From tears and blood to flowers, who am I?
I fell in deep
I lost my heartbeat
Stuck in between
The heaven and hell in me
I fell in deep
I lost my heartbeat
Follow the bloodstream
Hush hush
If you know my name then please don’t repeat it
Hush hush
If you know my name then keep it a secret
In the ground, in the sky, in the afterlife
In the dark, in the light, in the sweet divine
Hush hush hush hush hush

Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Netherlands took part in the very first Eurovision Song Contest back in 1956, and have won on five occasions.
Corry Brokken delivered their first victory in 1957 with Net Als Toen (‘Just Like Then’) before Teddy Scholten’s Een Beetje (‘A Little Bit’) topped the scoreboard in 1959.
Their third triumph arrived in 1969 when Lenny Kuhr’s De Troubadour tied for first place with three other entries from France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, in the Contest’s only shared win.
A fourth win came courtesy of Teach-In’s Ding-A-Dong in 1975, but it was Duncan Laurence who took Dutch success to new heights when in 2019 his song Arcade won the Contest, topped charts globally, and became the first Eurovision entry to reach one billion streams on Spotify
- Participations: 67
- Victories: 2019 (Duncan Laurence), 1975 (Teach-In), 1969 (Lenny Kuhr), 1959 (Teddy Scholten), 1957 (Corry Brokken)
- Contests Hosted: Rotterdam 2021, Rotterdam 2020, The Hague 1980, The Hague 1976, Amsterdam 1970, Hilversum 1958
🇳🇱 Netherlands: Claude – “C’est la vie” (Arno Krabman / Claude Kiambe / Joren van der Voort / Leon Paul Palmen – Arno Krabman / Claude Kiambe / Joren van der Voort / Leon Paul Palmen). Photos Claude | Netherlands 2025
Claude. Despite his young age, the singer-songwriter Claude comes to the Eurovision Song Contest with over a hundred million streams and countless sold-out shows to his name.
Claude’s breakthrough came in 2022 with the release of his debut single Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot). He won the 3FM Award for ‘Best Newcomer’, was named ‘3FM Talent’, and Qmusic crowned him as ‘Best Artist of the Year’.
Claude released his debut album Parler Français in 2024, on which he co-wrote all the songs himself. With it, he’s been able to tour the Netherlands and Belgium with his band. An international career was launched via the release of an English-French version of Ladada, which has now charted in over 15 countries.
As well as singing for the Netherlands at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, 2025 will also see Claude performing at the legendary Pinkpop festival, set to take place in June.
| Claude |
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Finals performance |
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Artist chronology |
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◄ Joost Klein (2024) • Claude (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Claude Kiambe (born 16 September 2003), known mononymously as Claude,[A] is a Congolese-born Dutch singer-songwriter. His debut single “Ladada (Mon dernier mot)” topped the Dutch Singles Chart in 2022, followed by a further four charting singles. His debut album, Parler français, was released in 2024. He is set to represent the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “C’est la vie”.
Career. In 2019, Kiambe took part in the eighth season of The Voice Kids, where he was eliminated in the battle stage. The following year, he won the casting show Are You Next?, signing a contract with the record label Cloud 9. Kiambe released his first single “Ladada (Mon dernier mot)” in 2022, which topped the Dutch Top 40. The song earned him multiple awards, such as 3FM Award for Best Newcomer or the Qmusic Artist of the Year award. He has cited Stromae and Lewis Capaldi as inspirations for his music. He was scheduled to open Stromae’s 2023 concerts at the Ziggo Dome before they were cancelled due to Stromae’s health problems.
On 19 December 2024, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced that Kiambe would be representing the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. His entry, “C’est la vie“, was released on 27 February 2025.
Personal life. Kiambe was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His mother fled to the Netherlands with him and his siblings when he was nine years old, first living in an asylum center in Alkmaar. The family later moved to Enkhuizen, where he achieved his HAVO high school diploma. He later studied hotel management, but discontinued the studies. He speaks Dutch, French and English.
Discography.
Studio albums.
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| NLD |
||
| Parler français |
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6 |
Extended plays.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Beste Zangers 2024 (Claude) |
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Singles.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album or EP | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLD | BLR Air |
BEL (Fl) |
CIS Air |
KAZ Air |
LAT Air |
ROM Air |
RUS Air |
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| “Ladada (Mon dernier mot)” | 2022 | 1 | 14 | — | 23 | 5 | 72 | 31 | 16 | NVPI: Diamond | Parler français |
| “Layla (Take Me on Your Way)” | 2023 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | NVPI: Platinum | |
| “Vas-y (Ga maar)” (with Suzan & Freek) | 8 | — | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | NVPI: Platinum | ||
| “Écoutez-moi” | 2024 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Parler français“ | —[B] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| “La pression“ | —[C] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| “Je t’aime“ (with Zoë Tauran) |
35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| “C’est la vie“ | 2025 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
Awards and nominations.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3FM Awards | Best Newcomer | Himself | Won | |
| 2024 | Best Artist | Nominated | |||
| Best Song | “Layla (Take Me on Your Way)” | Won | |||
| Best Collaboration | “Vas-y (Ga maar)” (with Suzan & Freek) |
Won | |||
| Qmusic Top 40 Awards | Best National Artist | Himself | Won | ||
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Dutch Act | Nominated | |||
| 2025 | 3FM Awards | Best Artist | Nominated | ||
| Best Album | Parler français | Won |
Notes.
- a^ The singer originally pronounced his name as [klodə] but when he came to the Netherlands he was bullied as his name sounded like kloot and so he started to introduce himself as /klaʊd/.
- b^ “Parler français” did not enter the Dutch Single Top 100, but peaked at No. 27 on the Single Tip chart.
- c^ “La pression” did not enter the Dutch Single Top 100, but peaked at No. 1 on the Single Tip chart.
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“C’est la vie” (That’s life) |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “Europapa” (2024) • “C’est la vie” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “C’est la vie” (That’s life) is a song by Congolese-born Dutch singer-songwriter Claude. Described as a tribute to one’s parents, the song was released on 27 February 2025 through Cloud 9. It was written by Claude, together with Arno Krabman, Joren van der Voort, and Léon Paul Palmen. The song will represent the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. It reached number two on the Dutch Singles Charts.
Background and composition. “C’est la vie” was written and composed by Claude, Arno Krabman, Joren van der Voort, and Léon Paul Palmen, with the latter two producing the song. Claude described the song as a tribute to a parent, specifically his mother. He explained, “From my childhood through my youth, she taught me to find the positive in life’s experiences, even during setbacks.” Reflecting on the song’s message, he added, “Even when things seem dark, it’s important to focus on the brighter side. This is the message I aim to convey—life isn’t always easy; it has its ups, downs, and twists, but ‘C’est la vie’!”.
Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Internal selection. The Netherlands’ broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest, AVROTROS, announced its intention to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 on 23 October 2024, confirming an internal selection after the 2024 Dutch representative Joost Klein declined its offer to represent the Netherlands for a second consecutive time.
On 19 December 2024, AVROTROS announced that it had selected Claude to represent the Netherlands at the 2025 contest. The selection of Claude as the Dutch representative was carried out by a committee consisting of singers Jacqueline Govaert and Jaap Reesema, radio DJs Carolien Borgers, Hila Noorzai and Sander Lantinga, and television host and author Cornald Maas, following a final audition round featuring a shortlist of six acts, including singers Judith van Hirtum and Paul Morris, that took place on 9 December 2024.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, the Netherlands was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.
For its Eurovision performance, the staging is being led by the creative director Pim Brassien and lighting designer Henk-Jan van Beek. Emma Evelein was also appointed as the choreographer.
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 2 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 2 |
Release history.
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 27 February 2025 |
|
Cloud 9 | |
| Italy | 7 March 2025 | Radio airplay | Warner Music Italy |
Lyrics of C’est La Vie (French / English Ι English)
C’est la vie
She sang to me
Je me rappelle
J’était petit
Oh I was just a little boy but I remember
La melodie, la melodie
C’est comme ci, c’est comme ça
C’est en haute et en bas
It goes up, it goes down
And around and around
Que sera, oui sera
Me voici, me voilà
Chantez un, deux, trois
C’est la lalalalala vie
C’est lalalalala vie
Oui c’est lalalalala, lalalala, lalalala vie
C’est la vie
Et quelle miracle
Sometimes in love, sometimes miserable
And I still hear my mama’s voice inside of me
La melodie, la melodie
C’est comme ci, c’est comme ça
C’est en haute et en bas
It goes up, it goes down
And around and around
Que sera, oui sera
Me voici, me voilà
Chantez un, deux, trois
C’est la lalalalala vie
C’est lalalalala vie
Oui c’est lalalalala, lalalala, lalalala vie
Oui c’est lalalalala vie
Oui c’est lalalalala vie
C’est lalalalala, lalalala, lalalala vie
Oh c’est la vie
La vie en rose
La vie en noir
Oh, this rollercoaster
And I will sing, until it’s over
It goes lalalalala
C’est comme ci, c’est comme ça
C’est en haute et en bas
It goes up, it goes down
And around and around
Que sera, oui sera
Écoutes-moi, oh maman
Chantez un, deux, trois
C’est la vie
–
That’s life
She sang to me
I remember
I was little
Oh I was just a little boy but I remember
The melody, the melody
It’s like this, it’s like that
It’s up and it’s down
It goes up, it goes down
And around and around
What will be, yes, will be
Here I am, here I go
Sing one, two, three
It’s la lalalalalalalalalala life
We say lalalalalaa life
Yes, it’s lalalalalaa life
Oh yes, it’s lalalalalalalalalala life
That’s life
And what a miracle
Sometimes in love, sometimes miserable
And I still hear my mama’s voice inside of me
The melody, the melody
It’s like this, it’s like that
It’s up and it’s down
It goes up, it goes down
And around and around
What will be, yes, will be
Here I am, here I go
Sing one, two, three
It’s la lalalalalalalalalala life
We say lalalalalaa life
Yes, it’s lalalalalaa life
Oh yes, it’s lalalalalalalalalala life
It’s la lalalalalalalalalala life
We say lalalalalaa life
Yes, it’s lalalalalaa life
Oh yes, it’s lalalalalalalalalala life
Oh, that’s life
Life in pink
Life in black
Oh, this rollercoaster
And I will sing until it’s over
It goes lalalala
It’s like this, it’s like that
It’s up and it’s down
It goes up, it goes down
And around and around
What will be, yes, will be
Listen to me, oh mama
Sing one, two, three
That’s life

Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest. Norway made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960 thanks to Nora Brockstedt and her pop ditty ‘Voi-Voi’.
Success would prove elusive until 1985 when duo Bobbysocks! triumphed with their schlager anthem La Det Swinge (‘Let It Swing’) at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg.
A second victory arrived in 1995 when another twosome, Secret Garden, entranced the audience in Dublin’s Point Theatre with their mostly instrumental dream-pop track Nocturne.
Alexander Rybak delivered a record-breaking tally of points in 2009, as the violinist romped to a third Norwegian victory at the Contest in Moscow with his anthemic folk-inspired ballad Fairytale.
- Participations: 64
- Victories: 2009 (Alexander Rybak), 1995 (Secret Garden), 1985 (Bobbysocks)
- Contests Hosted: Oslo 2010, Oslo 1996, Bergen 1986
🇳🇴 Norway: Kyle Alessandro – “Lighter” (Adam Christopher Allskog / Helgesen Villalobos / Kyle Alessandro – Adam Christopher Allskog / Helgesen Villalobos / Kyle Alessandro). Photos Kyle Alessandro | Norway 2025
Kyle Alessandro. Kyle Alessandro is an artist and music producer from Steinkjer in Trøndelag and has been involved in music since he was a child.
As young as 10 years old, he impressed viewers and judges on the TV show Norway’s Got Talent, earning a ‘golden buzzer’ on his first audition and going straight to the final.
Kyle, who is half Spanish and speaks four languages, is known for drawing inspiration from a wide range of musical genres and cultures – from South America and Japan to Nordic folk music. His Eurovision entry Lighter is a pop song with a unique sound that mixes baroque and medieval elements with Norwegian folk.
A self-confessed “music geek”, Kyle is also a dancer and was a member of the boyband Umami Tsunami, who competed in Norway’s Eurovision pre-selection Melodi Grand Prix in 2023, reaching the final of the competition with Geronimo.
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Kyle Alessandro |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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Finals performance |
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Artist chronology |
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◄ Gåte (2024) • Kyle Alessandro (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Kyle Alessandro Helgesen Villalobos (born 10 March 2006) is a Norwegian singer and songwriter. He is set to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Lighter”.
Early life. Alessandro was born on 10 March 2006 in Levanger and raised in Steinkjer and Trondheim. He was born to a Spanish father and a Norwegian mother.
Career. Alessandro took part in the casting show Norske Talenter, the Norwegian version of Got Talent, broadcast on TV 2 in 2017 at the age of ten. This was followed by appearances on TV shows such as Allsang på Grensen and he released several singles and the debut studio album Første kapittel.
At Melodi Grand Prix 2023, the Norwegian preliminary round for Eurovision Song Contest 2023, Kyle Alessandro performed together with Kristian Haugstøyl and Magnus Winjum as part of the collective project Umami Tsunami. The group qualified for the final with the song “Geronimo”, in which they finished in last place. Two years later, he returned to Melodi Grand Prix 2025 as a solo artist with the song “Lighter”, which was written with Swedish producer Adam Woods. He won the competition, earning him the right to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland in May.
Discography.
Studio albums.
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Første kapittel |
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| Evig & alltid |
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Singles.
As lead artist.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album or EP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR |
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| “Din sang“ | 2017 | — | Første kapittel | ||||
| “Boomerang” | — | ||||||
| “Som du e“ | 2018 | — | |||||
| “Dødskul“ | — | ||||||
| “Señorita“ | — | ||||||
| “Hoodie” | — | ||||||
| “Fly med meg“ | 2019 | — | |||||
| “Hun er forelska i lærer’n“ | — | Non-album singles | |||||
| “Mi corazón“ | — | ||||||
| “Solo” | 2022 | — | |||||
| “Geronimo” (Umami Tsunami with Kristian Haux and Magnus Winjum) | 2023 | — | Geronimo – EP | ||||
| “Rodeo” | 2024 | — | Non-album singles | ||||
| “Loyal” (Umami Tsunami with Kristian Haux) |
— | ||||||
| “Pulse” | — | ||||||
| “Kommer du?“ (with Hilmer) |
—[A] | ||||||
| “Lighter” | 2025 | 11 | |||||
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
As featured artist.
| Title | Year | Album or EP |
|---|---|---|
| “N.E.B.U.D.” (Umami Tsunami, Kristian Haux, and Magnus Winjum featuring Kyle Alessandro) | 2023 | Non-album singles |
| “Tårer i paradis” (Kate Gulbrandsen featuring Kyle Alessandro) |
Notes.
- a^ “Kommer du?” did not enter the official Topplista Top 40 Singles Chart, but peaked at No. 21 on the Topplista Top 40 Radio Airplay chart.
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“Lighter” |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “Ulveham” (2024) • “Lighter” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Lighter” is a song by Norwegian singer and songwriter Kyle Alessandro. It was written and produced by Alessandro himself alongside Adam Woods. The song was released on 24 January 2025 and will represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. It reached number eleven on the Norwegian Singles Chart.
Background and composition. Lighter was written and produced by Kyle Alessandro and Adam Woods. Alessandro states that the song was inspired by his mother, who told him after her cancer diagnosis that he should never lose his light. The song is about fighting back after a setback and finding hope even in difficult times. In the chorus he repeats the statement that he is his own lighter. An acoustic version of “Lighter” was released on 28 March 2025.
Reception. Critic Tor Martin Bøe awarded the live performance three out of six points in the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang. He described the song as “Game of Thrones pop” and criticized the fact that the drop did not quite manage to be memorable. He previously awarded the song itself two out of six possible points. Bøe criticized, among other things, the metaphor contained in the chorus that one is now fireproof because one is now one’s own lighter. At Dagbladet, Alessandro received five out of six possible points for his performance at the Melodi Grand Prix. The reviewer Ralf Lofstad described the chorus as catchy.
Eurovision Song Contest.
Melodi Grand Prix 2025. Melodi Grand Prix 2025 was the 63rd edition of Melodi Grand Prix (MGP), the format used by NRK to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. The competition took place on 15 February 2025 at the Oslo Spektrum in Oslo.
On 16 January 2025, Alessandro was announced as one of the contestants of the Melodi Grand Prix 2025 with the song “Lighter”. The song won the competition, earning the right to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland in May.
At Eurovision. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Norway was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.
Track listing.
Digital download/streaming.
- “Lighter” – 2:55
Digital download/streaming – Acoustic version.
- “Lighter (Acoustic Version)” – 2:55
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Norway (VG-lista) | 11 |
Release history.
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 23 January 2025 |
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Original | Warner | |
| 28 March 2025 | Acoustic |
Lyrics of Lighter (English)
Golden girl dressed in ice
A heart as dark as night
You got me to dim my light
No more, (no more)
I really think I bought your lies
Did anything to keep you mine
You kept me hooked on your line
No more, (no more)
Somewhere along the way I lost my mind
I had to walk a hundred thousand miles
I’m not afraid to set it all on fire
I won’t fall again, I’ll be my own lighter
(Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh)
Nothing can burn me now
(Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh)
I’ll be my own lighter
I feel a spark inside me
I don’t need saving
(No way, no way)
‘Cause I’m my own, I’m my own lighter
I’m tired of a million tries
To fight, the signs
And when everybody tried to tell me
I should’ve known that it was time to break free
Your reigns that kept me at your mercy
I’ll burn them to the ground
No more, no more
Ignite the fire
Somewhere along the way I lost my mind
I had to walk a hundred thousand miles
I’m not afraid to set it all on fire
I won’t fall again, I’ll be my own lighter
(Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh)
Nothing can burn me now
(Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh)
I’ll be my own lighter
I feel a spark inside me
I don’t need saving
(No way, no way)
‘Cause I’m my own, I’m my own lighter
Silence fills the room
And I’ve taken off my jewels
I wish none of this was true
But there’s a fire growing too
Yeah!
(Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh)
Nothing can burn me now
(Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh)
I’ll be my own lighter
I feel a spark inside me
I don’t need saving
(No way, no way)
‘Cause I’m my own, I’m my own lighter
(Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh)
Nothing can burn me down
(Eh-Eh-Eh-Eh)
I’m my own, I’m my own lighter

San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest. Belgrade would stage San Marino’s debut entry when they joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008.
Their first attempt at glory came courtesy of alt-rock group Miodi and their song Complice (‘Accomplice’) – it finished last in its Semi-Final, picking up two points from fellow minnows Andorra.
The Samarinese wouldn’t qualify for a Grand Final until 2014 when Valentina Monetta (on her third consecutive participation) took ballad Maybe to the Saturday evening spectacular where it placed 24th in a field of 26.
Despite superstar rapper Flo Rida appearing as a guest performer on the country’s 2021 entry (Senhit’s Adrenalina), it was Turkish singer-songwriter Serhat who delivered the Most Serene Republic’s best ever result when his track Say Na Na Na finished 19th in 2019.
- Participations: 16
- Victories: None
- Contests Hosted: Yet to host the Eurovision Song Contest
🇸🇲 San Marino: Gabry Ponte (feat. Andrea Bonomo & Edwyn Roberts) – “Tutta l’Italia” (Andrea Bonomo / Edwyn Roberts / Gabriele Ponte – Andrea Bonomo / Edwyn Roberts / Gabriele Ponte). Photos Gabry Ponte | San Marino 2025
Gabry Ponte. With a career spanning over 25 years, Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum DJ and producer Gabry Ponte is one of dance music’s leading figureheads.
The Italian talent is perhaps best known for producing the hit single Blue (Da Ba Dee) with his band Eiffel 65, which sold over 8 million copies and topped the charts worldwide.
As a solo artist, the DJ boasts hundreds of live sets performed around Europe. In 2023 alone, Gabry played 90 times in 11 countries, getting over 700,000 people dancing. On streaming, he is one of the Top Three most-streamed Italian artists globally, alongside Meduza and Eurovision Song Contest 2021 winners Måneskin.
Gabry also has a prior Eurovision connection to his name! In 2022, when the Contest came to us from Turin in Italy, Gabry was a songwriter on the Austrian entry Halo by LUM!X feat. Pia Maria.
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Gabry Ponte[a] |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 artist |
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| Artist chronology |
| ◄ Megara (2024) • Gabry Ponte[a] (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected entrant: Gabriele “Gabry” Ponte (born 20 April 1973) is an Italian musician, DJ and producer, best known as a member of Eiffel 65. He is set to represent San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with his song “Tutta l’Italia”.
Career.
1998–2003. In 1998 he produced Blue (Da Ba Dee), the debut single with his band Eiffel 65, which topped the worldwide charts and sold over 8 million copies; their first album Europop sold another 4 million copies. In the year 2000, they won the European Music Award as the “Best Italian Artist In The World”.
He later went on to produce the 2001 Italian hit single “Geordie” (a cover of Fabrizio De André’s song by the same name, sung by Italian vocalist Stefania Piovesan), which was rewarded with gold record for selling over 25,000 copies, as well as the 2001 hit “Got to Get”, the 2002 hit “Time to Rock”, and the 2003 hit “La Danza delle Streghe” (English: “The Dance of the Witches”). Also to his credit are a number of remixes of popular songs such as the 2003 singles for Gianni Togni’s “Giulia” and O-Zone’s “Dragostea Din Tei”, among others.
2005–2009. In 2005, Ponte announced he would be separating from Eiffel 65 to pursue solo work. In 2006 he founded and still manages record label Dance and Love, nowadays one of the most important Italian dance independent labels. He would release a song called “Vivi Nell’Aria” featuring Miani to Zooland Records. The song samples “The Moon” by ItaloBrothers.
2012–2014. In 2012, Ponte released his single “Beat on My Drum” featuring Pitbull and Sophia del Carmen, which peaked at No. 11 on the US Hot Dance Club Songs. In January 2012, he also produced the international hit “Tacata’” by dance music trio Tacabro.
Meanwhile, Ponte starts his solo projects and his first singles and remixes storm the European charts. In 2014, his single “Buonanotte Giorno” became a summer hit in Italy, reaching the top 10. In the same year, he entered the Top 100 DJs chart from DJ Mag at No. 61, also as the highest-ranked Italian.
2021–present. His most successful collaborations include the 2021 singles “Thunder” with LUM!X and Prezioso and “Can’t Get Over You” with Aloe Blacc. The 2022 singles “Call Me” with Timmy Trumpet and R3HAB, “The Finger” with Georgia Ku, and the summer hit “We Could Be Together” together with LUM!X and Daddy DJ, already GOLD record in Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium and France.
In 2022, he represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 as a co-writer and producer of the song “Halo”, performed by Lumix and Pia Maria. Among the last club releases were collaborations with artists such a Blasterjaxx, Justus, DJs From Mars, Vini Vici and official remixes for Sigala, Sam Feldt and David Guetta with his global hit “I’m Good”.
On the 6th of December Ponte released a dedicated to Spotify Wrapped 2023: “Losing You – Spotify Singles”, celebrating the Police track “Every Breath You Take” 40 years since its release. From a live perspective, in 2023, Ponte performed 90 shows in 11 countries, in front of over 700,000 people dancing.
In 2025, he will represent San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Tutta l’Italia”; the song had previously been composed as the theme for that year’s Sanremo Music Festival.
Discography.
Albums.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| ITA |
||
| Gabry Ponte | 2002 | 16 |
| Dr. Jekyll and Mr. DJ | 2004 | 17 |
| Gabry2o | 2008 | 34 |
Other albums.
- Modern Tech Noises According to Gabry Ponte (2007)
- Love Songs in the Digital Age According to Gabry Ponte (2007)
- Tunes from Planet Earth According to Gabry Ponte (2007)
- Gabry Ponte – Gabry2o Vol. 2 (2009)
- Dance & Love albums series:
- Gabry Ponte pres. Dance & Love Selection Vol. 1 (2010)
- Gabry Ponte pres. Dance & Love Selection Vol. 2 (2010)
- Gabry Ponte pres. Dance & Love Selection Vol. 3 (2010)
- Gabry Ponte pres. Dance & Love Selection Vol. 4 (2011)
Extended plays.
- 2006: Modern Tech Noises According to Gabry Ponte
- 2007: Love Songs in the Digital Age according to Gabry Ponte Containing: “Now & Forever” / “The Point of No Return” / “The Point of No Return (Bufalo & D-Deck Remix)” / “La Libertà” (Hard Love Remix) / “Geordie” (Eurotrance Remix)
- 2007: Tunes from Planet Earth According to Gabry Ponte
- 2018: Dance Lab
Singles.
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITA | AUT | BEL (Wa) |
FRA | GER | NLD | NOR | SWE | SW | |||
| “Time to Rock” | 2002 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Gabry Ponte |
| “Geordie” | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “De musica tonante” | 2003 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| “Music” (with Fargetta) | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “The Man in the Moon” | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Giulia” (with DJ Lhasa) | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| “La danza delle streghe” | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Dr. Jekyll & Mister DJ | |
| “Figli di Pitagora” (featuring Little Tony) | 2004 | 13 | — | — | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| “Sin pararse” (with Ye Man) | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| “Depends on You” | 2005 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Dr. Jekyll & Mister DJ |
| “Sono già solo (Remix)” | 2010 | 51 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Dance and Love – The Selection Vol. 3 |
| “Beat on My Drum” (featuring Pitbull and Sophia Del Carmen) | 2012 | 85 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles |
| “La fine del mondo” (featuring Two Fingerz) | 2014 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| “Buonanotte giorno” | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Che ne sanno i 2000” (featuring Danti) | 2016 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| “Tu sei” (featuring Danti) | 2017 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| “Monster” (with Lum!x) | 2019 | — | 52 | 37 | 41 | 20 | — | — | —[A] | 55 | |
| “The Passenger (LaLaLa)” (with Lum!x and Mokaby and D.T.E) | 2020 | — | 47 | — | 128 | 58 | — | — | — | — | |
| “Lonely” (with Jerome) | — | — | — | — | 77 | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Golden” (with Blasterjaxx featuring Riell) |
2021 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| “Oh La La” (with Moti featuring Mougleta) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Going Down” (with Lucky Luke and Kevin Palms) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Thunder” (with Lum!x and Prezioso) | 42 | 36 | 5 | 18 | 79 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 20 | ||
| “The Portrait (Ooh La La)” (with R3hab) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Superman” (with Roberto Molinaro) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “The Feeling” (with Henri PFR) |
— | — | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Can’t Get Over You” (featuring Aloe Blacc) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “Call Me” (with R3hab and Timmy Trumpet) | 2022 | — | — | — | — | — | 80 | — | — | — | |
| “Hasta La Vista” (with Blasterjaxx) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “We Could Be Together” (with Lum!x and Daddy DJ) | 93 | — | — | 96 | — | 34 | — | — | — | ||
| “Rely on Me”(with Sigala and Alex Gaudino) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Every Cloud – Silver Linings | |
| “Dance Dance” (with Alessandra) |
2023 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles |
| “Let You Down” (with Dvbbs featuring Sofiloud) | 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| “Born to Love Ya” (with Sean Paul and Natti Natasha) |
— | — | — | — | — | 76 | — | — | — | ||
| “Tutta l’Italia” | 2025 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| “Exotica” | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| “—” denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released. | |||||||||||
Other releases.
- 2009: “U.N.D.E.R.G.R.O.U.N.D.”
- 2009: “Electro Muzik is Back”
- 2010: “Sexy DJ (In da Club)” (featuring Maya Days)
- 2020: “Opera” (with La Diva)
- 2020: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (Gabry Ponte edit) (by Harris & Ford)
In 2022 Ponte released “Friendships (Lost My Love) ft. Leony”, a remix of “Friendships (Lost My Love) ft. Leony” from Pascal Letoublon, itself a remix of Letoublon’s 2017 instrumental release “Friendships”.
Notes.
- a^ “Monster” did not enter the Swedish Singellista Chart, but peaked at number nine on the Swedish Heatseeker Chart.
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“Tutta l’Italia” (All of Italy) |
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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry |
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Finals performance |
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Entry chronology |
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◄ “11:11” (2024) • “Tutta l’Italia” (2025) • “” (2026) ► |
• Selected song: “Tutta l’Italia” (All of Italy‘) is a 2025 song by Italian DJ and producer Gabry Ponte, with uncredited vocals performed by Andrea Bonomo. It was released through Gekai and Warner on 31 January 2025, and was used as the official theme song for the Sanremo Music Festival 2025. It later won the San Marino Song Contest and will represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
The song combines electronic and dance beats with elements of Italian song and tradition, such as the accordion, tarantella, and references to Italian pop culture. It reached number fifteen on the Italian singles chart.
Music video. The music video for “Tutta l’Italia”, directed by Attilio Cusani, was released on 15 February 2025 via Ponte’s YouTube channel. The same year on 13 March, it was also released on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.
Charts.
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Italy (FIMI) | 14 |
| Italy Airplay (EarOne) | 23 |
| Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) | 25 |
Lyrics of Tutta L’Italia (Italian Ι English)
Mamma stasera non ritorno
Ma sicuro finisco in qualche letto poi dormo
Siamo tutti dei bravi ragazzi, a posto
Spaghetti vino e padre nostro
E la Gioconda ride, va bene ma lei sta a Parigi
I baci vietati nelle stradine nere
Occhi tristi ma felici, quanti amici degli amici
E canti, ti sento tra le grida
Le luci ci passano le dita
Fa niente se non l’hai mai sentita
Ma con sta roba ci salta
Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia
Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia
Lasciateci ballare con un bicchiere in mano
Domani poi ci pentiamo, a dirci ti amo
Che qui ci sente
Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia
Il calcio lo prendono a calci
La moda che fa degli stracci
Cucina stellata di avanzi beato santissimo Craxi
E quante monetine, ma i desideri son degli altri
Con le collanine d’oro sulle canottiere
L’auto blu coi lampeggianti
Avanti popolo avanti
E canti, ti sento tra le grida
Le luci ci passano le dita
Fa niente baby così è la vita
E con sta roba ci salta
Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia
Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia
Lasciateci ballare con un bicchiere in mano
Domani poi ci pentiamo, a dirci ti amo
Che qui ci sente
Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia, Tutta l’Italia
–
Mom tonight I’m not coming back
But I’m sure I’ll end up in some bed, then I’ll sleep
We’re all good guys, alright
Spaghetti, wine, Our Father
And the Mona Lisa laughs, it’s fine but she’s in Paris
The forbidden kisses in the dark streets
Sad eyes but happy, so many friends of friends
And you sing, I hear you through the shouting
The lights pass through the fingers
It doesn’t matter if you have never heard it
But with this thing it jumps
All of Italy, all of Italy, all of Italy
All Italy, all of Italy, all of Italy,
Let us dance with a glass in our hands
Then tomorrow we’ll regret saying I love you
Who here hears us
All of Italy, all of Italy, all of Italy
The football gets kicked
The fashion makes rags
Starred kitchen of leftovers blessed holy Craxi
And so many coins, but the desires are of others
With the gold necklaces on the tank tops
The blue car with flashing lights
Forward people, forward
And you sing, I hear you through the shouting
The lights pass through the fingers
It doesn’t matter if you have never heard it
But with this thing it jumps
All of Italy, all of Italy, all of Italy
All Italy, all of Italy, all of Italy,
Let us dance with a glass in our hands
Then tomorrow we’ll regret saying I love you
Who here hears us
All of Italy, all of Italy, all of Italy





























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