It's that time of year again! Time for the Eurovision Song Contest Finals for 2025! This year's Finals are being hosted in Switzerland, and 37 countries are being represented onstage with original songs ranging from dance club songs, pop songs, love ballads, and even some orchestral metal music.
Eurovision has been held every year since 1956, with the exception of 2020 (due to COVID restrictions). It was originally based on the Italian Sanremo Music Festival held in 1951. Close to 44 countries take part in the contest, but there are typically 37 carefully selected finalists. Whichever country wins this year will host the next year's Finals. As of this writing, Ireland and Sweden hold the record for the most Eurovision wins with 7 wins each. Notable winners and participants from previous years include ABBA, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, and Olivia Newton-John. There are also Interval/Local performers who entertain onstage (but are not a part of the Finals). Some of these Interval performers have included Aqua ("Barbie Girl"), the Finnish Metal cello group Apocalyptica, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, The Vienna Boys Choir, and Cirque Du Soleil!
Eurovision has gained in so much popularity worldwide that it even inspired the 2020 Netflix film "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga". This film is DEFINITELY one of my guilty pleasures. I tend to watch it each year, close to the Eurovision Finals.
And every year I choose my personal Top 5 Eurovision Song selections, which include some that are solid pop songs, dance club bangers, and ones that contribute to the silly side of Eurovision. And (special to this year) I've selected some corresponding books to match my Top 5 Eurovision Song selections!
My Top 5 Eurovision Song Choices 2025:
#1 "Bara Bada Bastu" by Kaj (Sweden): This song is a solid pop song with a bit of humor, and the lyrics are literally about sitting in a sauna.
Hot Tubs, Saunas, & Steam Baths
#2 "Espresso Macchiato" by Tommy Cash (Estonia). This song is a bit fun, a bit silly, and I love it. The lyrics are about sharing an espresso macchiato with a lover.
Starting & Running A Coffee Shop
#3 "Serving" by Mariana Conte (Malta). The song is very danceable, and does kind of give a Chappell Roan-like vibe. The lyrics are about dancing, and embracing the freedom to be who you are.
#4 "Hallucination" by Sissal (Denmark). This is a solid pop song with lyrics about someone being able to see you even if you cannot see within yourself.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
#5 "Strobe Lights" by Red Sebastian (Belgium). This is very much a dance club hit. It's the type of song that will get you on the dance floor. Naturally the lyrics are about letting it all go, and being free to celebrate and to dance.
My Top Song of All Time:
My top song ever for the Eurovision Contest (since I started watching it back in 2015) is Subwoolfer's "Give That Wolf a Banana", Norway's song selection from 2022. It's just too much fun, and very catchy.
That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted A Love Potion at A Werewolf
Final Thoughts:
- I am definitely cheering for Team Sweden this year. I can't stop listening to Kaj's "Bara Bada Bastu". And I am rather fond of saunas.
- In June I will be able to see one of my favorite bands Faun. They are a German Folk Metal band who will be performing up in San Francisco a few days after Midsummer. They were part of the selections offered in 2015. I've been listening to their music for almost 15 years now, and am so excited to be able to see them perform live here in the States.
- FYI: some of the songs are not available to be linked above, but I encourage you to give them a listen anyways, There's also an overview of all 37 finalists for 2025 available on YouTube.
Add a comment to: Eurovision 2025-My Top Selections