{"id":4787,"date":"2025-05-12T11:38:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T10:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/?p=4787"},"modified":"2025-05-12T11:38:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T10:38:33","slug":"finns-can-only-get-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/2025\/05\/12\/finns-can-only-get-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Finns can only get better&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-df0e6797de0a1ce5d52576a20f2e7a9a\"><strong>Preview of the first semi-final<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39dcb13845bb4170f4e51ae46dfc09c3\">HAPPY EUROVISION WEEK!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cd4f7375b746a42020a276a8c70db5a5\">It\u2019s finally here! Long anticipated by many, we\u2019re one day away from the first semi-final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-75bc7ee481efebde4bb999c2a4c4926e\">Rehearsals began in Basel on what was our bank holiday weekend in the UK. In the first week there were technical rehearsals of the staging, lighting etc., with the use of stand-ins in place of the performers \u2013 who knew! Following that it was the turn of all the semi-finalists to do their rehearsals on stage in person over recent days. All culminating before the welcome ceremony on Sunday afternoon, on the turquoise carpet no less. If you missed the action, you can catch up via the link below\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Turquoise Carpet - live from Basel | Eurovision Song Contest 2025 | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8P3kiqOHVzQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fda49bc79c6f03b1bed345cd71aaccdf\">From today it\u2019s dress rehearsals and then we\u2019re into the live action on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f12927c7059d8805aa622b4687a2b5b7\">This year the rehearsals have been held in private. For many years the eyes and the ears of fans (and others) were all over this stage of the preparations. Some comments were helpful and insightful, some bitchy and snipey. So, in a move to contain the coverage at this sensitive time for the performers, initially the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) released a review of each rehearsal, accompanied by three pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5bcdcc1fc41786c6303128daf37f4568\">What was hilarious is that some of the fan websites were critiquing the performances based on three photographs and a write up! Oh, the desperation to have something to say! I will have plenty to say once I\u2019ve seen the semi-final on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-014a13f499bae7e4534d1ced22a9cedc\">That said, if you would like to preview all the performances the EBU have now posted lots of content and rehearsal footage via the ESC socials, webpage and YouTube. When I do my recaps on Wednesday and Friday I will have the full semi-final performances in my round-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c247c1bc8f671afe708ed28a7a787cd5\">With that in mind, here are my thoughts on the first crop of songs \u2013 what I think based on what I\u2019m hearing and feeling (remember, I\u2019ve not seen any performance footage yet). As always, there\u2019s a smorgasbord of musical styles, tilting to styles of music we are already familiar with, and some, not so much.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8a1c3317c5e4e58d3dbd9d2f5180c29b\">As I have said to you in the past, a Eurovision winner is a song you have never heard before that you already know\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66b305e54fceec2e60d0bac63259b494\">We start this semi-final with two up-tempo songs\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ed63ccfb65f0990f1e74acf22352c558\"><strong>01<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Iceland<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>R\u00f3a<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; V\u00e6b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-afb1b26ebdf8fbf8fb8787051dab3cde\">A bit of a bop to get us started. Brothers H\u00e1lfd\u00e1n and Matth\u00edas Matth\u00edasson are serving youthful energy and galactic silver style. Sung with gusto, interspersed with Celtic fiddles as well as chants of \u201cHey\u201d to get us involved \u2013 and a key change. Even though it\u2019s sung in Icelandic, there\u2019s enough of a hook in terms of melody and rhythm. Good start\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"V\u00c6B - R\u00d3A | Iceland ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/s9P83Nl6D1M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6cc3f7daa7ab3eaae1828b9eba0a2b25\"><strong>02<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Poland<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Gaya<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Justyna Steczkowska<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c5ea9c91213b4466fafe58092c023852\">More fiddling with the Polish song. Confident vocals with a thumping tempo and some nice harmonies. Maintains the vibe in the opening of this semi-final. I like it (btw, I like a lot of the songs this year!)\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Justyna Steczkowska - GAJA | Poland ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YXHHDjiclxA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ed5ee1c234dd611d2dc731648c478346\"><strong>03<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Slovenia<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>How Much Time Do We Have Left<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Klemen Slakonja<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2ea0be2f305e4763f56b42401108428d\">Oh gosh, early doors introspection from Slovenia! There are a few song titles this year asking the more philosophical questions of life (we\u2019ll get to the UK later), and this is one of them.\u00a0<em>How Much Time Do We Have Left<\/em>\u00a0is a nice change of pace from the first two songs. I like the timbre of the vocals and the melody. The song feels like a little hug. I hope it doesn\u2019t get forgotten in the running order, but it might. The lyrics are heartbreaking, and the storytelling of the song resonates if you\u00a0<em>listen<\/em>\u00a0to the song. It makes me want to have a little euro-weep. Scratch that, it makes me want to have what Oprah Winfrey calls the &#8216;ugly cry&#8217;. If the professional juries were voting I\u2019d be more confident of it getting through, but they only contribute to the Grand Final. Fingers crossed, but it might be a bit of a buzz kill\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Klemen - How Much Time Do We Have Left | Slovenia ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GT1YhfRpq3Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1e472fcc48b84dfde7b11eb020e0129e\"><strong>04<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Estonia<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Espresso Macchiato &#8211;&nbsp;<\/em>Tommy Cash<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68a94d22cec7fce0f3c355cb1e6a9516\">One of the early faves in the betting odds. It has drifted recently, but for me this is one of the first songs that hooked me in this year, and one of the best. There a quite a few songs this year that flip between major and minor keys, or changes of tempo and language. This is one of them. I love it. It\u2019s a bonkers earworm. Clearly riding on Sabrina Carpenter\u2019s fabulous\u00a0<em>Espresso<\/em>\u00a0from last year. Tommy sees that, and raises it to\u00a0<em>Macchiato<\/em> level. I would say this is sailing through to the Grand Final. Hopefully Tommy\u2019s signature style and luscious locks won\u2019t be a hindrance\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tommy Cash - Espresso Macchiato | Estonia ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5MS_Fczs_98?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f89657ec6ca5f2835cffea7b8d080c73\">**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9226d71152ab3c5a94fefededb18ae5c\">As with last year, all of the automatic qualifiers (the \u2018Big 6\u2019) perform in the semi-finals. First up is\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8da51b60b29f6bb8d4c7dbb4653865a2\"><strong>Spain<\/strong>&nbsp;Esa&nbsp;<em>Diva<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Melody<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ef222e78048619c2752861b8e212bb53\">Pretty much in the oeuvre of Spain when they go all hi-energy dance vibes on us. Singer Melody is serving us sass, with a catchy song including familiar flamenco flourishes. You can also hear a bit of Loreen\u2019s\u00a0<em>Tattoo<\/em>\u00a0on Melody\u2019s vocal stylings (Melody\u2019s melody, if you like!). I am sure that she will be styled in some kind of gem stoned body suit with a bevvy of male backing dancers? If I was a betting man\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Melody - ESA DIVA | Spain ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BvVxhbCW9rw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f89657ec6ca5f2835cffea7b8d080c73\">**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a6a8968016bb3bb074d11e27db8323f7\"><strong>05<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Ukraine<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Bird of Pray<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Ziferblat<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-75599adb9133a0c07c5e36d9975df3ac\">A delightful groovy song (baby). Shades of&nbsp;<em>Sweet Dreams My LA Ex<\/em>&nbsp;in the guitar riffs. And for some reason I\u2019m getting&nbsp;<em>Jesus Christ Superstar<\/em>&nbsp;in the backing vocals. The groove is a departure from what Ukraine would ordinarily send. It will do well, for reasons we would rather not have to take account of in the Eurovision bubble, but also because it\u2019s a good pop song\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ziferblat - Bird of Pray | Ukraine ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OJ1x2aiL7ks?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b76742c5084b27024ec586e3476cffba\"><strong>06<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Sweden<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>Bara Bada Bastu<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; KAJ<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5e33c1633feeefb9968407fa92203cc4\">Now then. Is this the ESC2025 winner in waiting? Well, it\u2019s been number one in Sweden for the past 11 weeks, since it won the Swedish selection process,\u00a0<em>Melodifestivalen<\/em>. It&#8217;s been favourite in the bookies betting odds since before it won\u00a0<em>Melodifestivalen<\/em>\u00a0(remembering that odds are based on where punters are putting their money).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ea61f1d3683353842c71730f5d92cf52\">Interesting to note that this is the first time since 1998 that Sweden will be singing in Swedish and not English. As of 1999 participating countries could sing in any language, prior to that it was only in their domestic tongue. Singing in Swedish doesn\u2019t seem to have diminished the songs popularity. Why? Because it\u2019s joyous, fun, a bit giddy and an earworm of a song &#8211; something we can all sing along with even though we don\u2019t understand Swedish (us non-Swedes!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2a235672322ddac94185980fa88e33aa\">It goes off script from what Swedeen would usually send \u2013 perfectly crated mainstream pop. This is perfectly crafted, but with the musical stylings of dansband in the mix it feels fresh and fun. And the song is one that, once you\u2019ve got the hook, it\u2019s easy to sing along with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8f0d72ed7d01e0d0f291b154a6aea1f8\">Oh, and \u2013 what\u2019s that you say? Why is this blog post titled&nbsp;<em>Finns can only get better<\/em>? Well, that\u2019s because the group KAJ are Finnish, so the Finns are doubling-up this year. KAJ seem on for the win and deffo top three in the Grand Final. It\u2019ll be interesting to see what the professional juries make of it. See what you think\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"KAJ - Bara Bada Bastu | Sweden ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WK3HOMhAeQY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13766691709be5e1a69d216368d103fa\"><strong>07<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;Portugal&nbsp;<em>Deslocado<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; NAPA<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65a212e4f295ff7982ed60feba61a50e\">Mid-tempo guitar vibes from Portugal. Nice melody, with shades of The Beatles and Elton John to my ear. If it gets to the Grand Final, I am sure it will be popular with the professional juries. The first Portuguese song to catch my ear in quite a few years\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NAPA - Deslocado | Portugal ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-s1Cc2uEj3U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23d6299a9d39937700f14edcaf0b58ac\"><strong>08<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Norway<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Lighter<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Kyle Alessandro<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2d371df40b37ac5d511b686ecfe3ae76\">An up-tempo pop song that you have heard before. It breaks down the tempo over the bridge. It\u2019s OK, if a bit generic. Performance will be key. I hope they tweak the national final staging, I\u2019m guessing they won\u2019t. Maybe one to refill the snacks and beverage to\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kyle Alessandro - Lighter | Norway ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pUjWzQ671MQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43f0b06eaa90c9bc34fb9e3a565ce730\"><strong>09<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Belgium<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Strobe Lights<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Red Sebastian<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f691c9d086ce5fa61c93947278864d01\">He\u2019s not just any Sebastian, he\u2019s Red Sebastian. \ud83d\ude00&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3974e1aa06a9578c3f79e88f29564d1b\">This is a europop banger. Over the recent past, Belgium has a habit of sending heavily inspired retro sounding songs (think Gustaph in Liverpool in 2023 with the 90s-tastic\u00a0<em>Because of You<\/em>). Red Seb is giving us techno vibes on a plate, allowing those of us of a certain age to enter the Eurovision Tardis. File this under\u00a0<em>\u201cthis sounds a bit like 2Unlimited\u2019s \u2018No Limits\u2019\u201d<\/em>. We have at least one of these songs every year. Consistently in the top ten betting odds, sure to make the final&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Red Sebastian - Strobe Lights | Belgium ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ScupiVTosHU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f89657ec6ca5f2835cffea7b8d080c73\">**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30df939efcb34313ca97d2b39a0aaea1\">And so to the second of the \u2019Big 6\u2019\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63bb16cb1753d96f0a8d64ea0b1349ae\"><strong>Italy<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Volevo essere un d<\/em>uro &#8211; Lucio Corsi<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lucio Corsi - Volevo Essere Un Duro | Italy ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-Alz9MnqyZI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2a3c96234cfc3cbcd0c99f5a92307fe2\">Aah, another song that is a hug in the form of a song. Very much in the oeuvre of what Italy send to the ESC, and a style with which they consistently do well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8ff69e7fd887f2c931c62b90a64c1da3\">BTW, songs representing Italy @ ESC ordinarily have a route though the San Remo Music Festival. Each year the winner is invited to represent Italy. As with other countries over the years, some performers decline the opportunity to represent their country (which happened in Germany a few years back). And so it was this year that the winner of San Remo, singer Olli, declined to take the invitation. Unsurprisingly, when offered to runner-up, Lucio Corsi, the invitation was accepted &#8211; like you would!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-738f660c5af74b94bb60bf4849bfbdf2\">For me it\u2019s adjacent to the vibe of Portugal, but I like that too. I\u2019m sure the professional juries will lap it up. And be sure to not judge a book by its cover, right&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f3fc21d1de80d90225be420a2629d70b\"><strong>**<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-422c8dd8fda6120cbbcaab088243b26e\"><strong>10<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Azerbaijan<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Run With U<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Mamagama<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6fb2af0d92bd9afb2358e7eb825c85be\">Ooh yeah. We\u2019re back in the groove again. Love it. Deffo vibes from Daft Punk\u2019s\u00a0<em>Get Lucky<\/em>, and playing with falsetto on the vocal is effective. A few years back Azerbaijan hit the ground running when they debuted at ESC2008. A run of good results &#8211; and winning ESC2011 \u2013 has tailed off in recent years. Let\u2019s see if they can reach their first Grand Final since 2022\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mamagama - Run With U | Azerbaijan ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/upbiPJ9uA70?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dd4aa394f86c35920194249701a88027\"><strong>11<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>San Marino<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Tutta L&#8217;Italia<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Gabry Ponte<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6d1d2c6c741fe125998b96c12ba537f8\">Keeping the good vibes coming, this song is adjacent to Sweden\u2019s&nbsp;<em>Bara Bada Bastu<\/em>, in that there\u2019s more chanting for us to get involved with, and more \u2018speaking-singing\u2019. Accordions in the mix on this one? It\u2019s catchy, and I\u2019d like to see it get though. It might get cancelled out by Sweden. Good job San Marino, it\u2019s been hit and miss in the past. More of a hit for me this year\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gabry Ponte - Tutta L&#039;Italia | San Marino ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Le3WpaLYRvE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81ce5ab9a14005f44c04b3ac67041423\"><strong>12<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Albania<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Zjerm<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Shkodra Elektronike<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26d851774adafe796d8009559f9ec715\">I often like the musical stylings of Albania, so it\u2019s no surprise that I like this song. Very much staying in their lane. I love the orchestration and the lyrical hook of&nbsp;<em>\u2018Aman, miserere, Aman, miserere\u2019<\/em>, and the interplay of the female and male vocalists. It\u2019s another song overlapping with another song &#8211; Poland this time. Looking at the ESC history books, Albania get through every other year, so if that\u2019s the case, they should get though this year\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shkodra Elektronike - Zjerm | Albania ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Sfvb761EEcM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94f50c2a82a292e0aca5c2dce4aeecca\"><strong>13<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>The Netherlands<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>C&#8217;est La Vie<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Claude<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9ebc6c8ebf3101015e9fda659af30bf8\">Don\u2019t be fooled by the balladeering at the start of the song. Forty-four seconds in it\u2019s * boom * &#8211; a pop banger! This is so going through and a possible top five finish in the Grand Final. Deffo top ten. A brilliant year for The Netherlands, for sure\u2026&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Claude - C&#039;est La Vie | Netherlands ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hEHwr5k9pd0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a90daf34b67ebe3e2c6680f284f5e94c\"><strong>14<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Croatia<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Poison Cake<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Marko Bo\u0161njak<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13c4477470e515715aa79fb38515ee0f\">There are often highs @ ESC, followed by lows. In other words, success or relative failure. The UK had it between 2022 and 2023, for example. Sam Ryder finished in second place in 2022, followed by Mae Muller in 25<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;place in 2023. France finished in second place in 2021, and then 24<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;in 2022. Etc, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24249169f35409c14de1811db71d2ee7\">Last year Croatia were runners-up with the rather shouty (and K\u00e4\u00e4rij\u00e4 adjacent)&nbsp;<em>Rim Tim Tagi Dim<\/em>. Good result, almost won. This year they offer us&nbsp;<em>Poison Cake.&nbsp;<\/em>Feel good vibes all around, erm!? I feel they may well feel the lows rather than the highs this year. It\u2019s not a terrible song &#8211; I like the nursery rhyme vocal interludes \u2013 but it\u2019s not as catchy as Marko was last year\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Marko Bo\u0161njak - Poison Cake | Croatia ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ie_v6qGCc5w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f3fc21d1de80d90225be420a2629d70b\"><strong>**<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14fe6a75cb194343cc5942993f6053aa\">Back with the \u2018Big 6\u2019, it\u2019s the turn of our hosts\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6f914b8fcaddf4f634263b9e25c738ef\"><strong>Switzerland<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Voyage<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Zo\u00eb M\u00eb<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Zo\u00eb M\u00eb - Voyage | Switzerland ?? | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dGX54zRExR8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4a2ab6fe9a94b7016466b79102701c9e\">Another song in the form of a hug. Ethereal melodies and breathless vocals give the song a certain coquettish-ness. It\u2019s a lovely break from a run of uptempo bangers. Let\u2019s see where it sits in the Grand Final. Well done, Switzerland \u2013 the host country has done good.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f89657ec6ca5f2835cffea7b8d080c73\">**<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d5f9492eaab37b099c24bf99821d90eb\"><strong>15<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Cyprus<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>Shh<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Theo Eva<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d94147b23fad8571b84bab5eae5ca691\">The last song of this semi-final, and all talk is that this performance &#8211; like Bambi Thug last year &#8211; has had a bit of a \u2018glow up\u2019 since the national final (thanks Brian!). Ooh, the intrigue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52c469ffc6d40f6afca1f0bb0147db25\">We\u2019ve heard this song in previous contests, and in other songs. This time we are absolutely channelling the brilliant&nbsp;<em>Insomnia&nbsp;<\/em>by Faithless. Love it just for that. On the one hand this is generic recycled pop, but by this stage in the semi, we will all be warmed-up (possibly imbibed!) and ready to rave it up 2005 stylee. Yes, it really is twenty years ago since&nbsp;<em>Insomnia&nbsp;<\/em>was released \u2013 strewth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9467f69cdac1769499d5850a6f565158\">Going though for sure\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Theo Evan - Shh | Cyprus ?? - Eurovision Song Contest 2025  #Eurovision2025\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rbfQqWyqgJw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f3fc21d1de80d90225be420a2629d70b\"><strong>**<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5617c62c878ae1fc9600b2846ac46b7c\">So, that\u2019s my take on the first semi-final songs. It\u2019s a good year, right? Even if there\u2019s something familiar, there\u2019s always something new. I don\u2019t do predictions anymore, but as I type, my favourite songs \u2013 nothing to do with the competitive aspect &#8211; are\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4421bd17bb01095bb9ca996e3f6c7427\">Azerbaijan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fda1e34c9e8525d0a0d7ba70abb052f7\">Estonia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41ddf0ffbcf58f9813c20279bec755f1\">Sweden<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-937efb548fe448efec0b5e992ed8c1e3\">The Netherlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-199bf5907f3665d2ecfcd93d9d4a17db\">San Remo<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c725649f9aaff5b90c952f74aa1a8f40\">Let&#8217;s see how they all translate when they take to the stage on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a58b6115af7bd403651655b40cb0d633\">How about you? Is your favourite song in this semi? Have we heard the winner yet?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8ea416eaa3af082b05a8a4dce4a37a15\">As I said earlier in this post, there is plenty of official coverage over the eurovision.tv socials and webpage to keep you updated on what\u2019s occurring in Basel (pronounced Baa-zel, btw).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e5cf11dd20212b80212d8967fd800179\">I will be back on Tuesday to assist with snack and beverage selection. Click back then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b070f091edfcfaeca5f3a1fb8215c34b\">Ci vediamo allora!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-677d9b42eee5525b0d54fed8be6158c9\">\ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5adad159f838ce04c0330874e52c93aa\">xx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Preview of the first semi-final HAPPY EUROVISION WEEK! It\u2019s finally here! Long anticipated by many, we\u2019re one day away from the first semi-final. Rehearsals began in Basel on what was our bank holiday weekend in the UK. In the first week there were technical rehearsals of the staging, lighting etc., with the use of stand-ins [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":367,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[134596],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-eurovision-2025"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Finns can only get better... - Phil Jackson&#039;s Eurovision Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.edgehill.ac.uk\/eurovision\/2025\/05\/12\/finns-can-only-get-better\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Finns can only get better... - Phil Jackson&#039;s Eurovision Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Preview of the first semi-final HAPPY EUROVISION WEEK! 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It\u2019s finally here! Long anticipated by many, we\u2019re one day away from the first semi-final. Rehearsals began in Basel on what was our bank holiday weekend in the UK. 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