Musicians' Olympics: Why You Should Watch Eurovision

Contents:

• What is Eurovision all about?
• The main hits of the competition
• Dispelling myths about the competition
• 4 reasons to watch Eurovision
• What to expect from Eurovision 2025

What is Eurovision?

After the devastating Second World War, Europe needed an idea that could unite disparate countries and restore peace. In 1956, Eurovision was born - an international song contest in which artists from various countries participate. This competition has become a symbol of cultural unity and cooperation in Europe, allowing countries to showcase their musical traditions and talents on the international stage. Eurovision not only promotes the spread of music, but also strengthens ties between peoples, creating an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding.

The idea of ​​​​creating the show belongs to the first director of the European Broadcasting Union, Marcel Besançon, and the Italian journalist Sergio Pugliese. They were inspired by the concept of the Italian Song Festival in San Remo, which had already been held for five years. The first contest, launched in 1956, attracted only seven countries, but its popularity soon began to grow rapidly, and the number of participants expanded beyond Europe. Over time, the show has become one of the most famous music competitions in the world, attracting millions of viewers and setting new standards in the music industry.

Over the years, the Eurovision Song Contest has developed a common approach to preparing participants. Each national broadcaster first selects the artist and song that will represent the country at the contest. In some countries, this process is closed: the channel's management independently selects the artist and song with which they will perform at Eurovision. In other countries, a national selection is organized, which is a separate competition where the participant is chosen through an open vote. This approach takes into account the preferences of viewers and creates a more transparent selection process.

In a number of countries, music competitions are as popular as Eurovision. In Sweden, the Melodifestivalen competition is held to select its representative, attracting large audiences. Finland is celebrated for its successful Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu event, which also serves as a platform for discovering talent. In Italy, the Sanremo Festival is a major draw, having become the primary means of selecting artists for international competition. These events not only contribute to the popularization of music, but also help strengthen cultural ties between countries.

From the beginning In the 1990s, the number of participating countries at the Eurovision Song Contest became too large for a single show, leading to the need to eliminate some participants before the final. Since 2008, two semi-finals have been introduced, in which all countries participate except the previous year's winner and the "Big Five." The "Big Five" include the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, which have the opportunity to perform in the final. As a result, 26 countries compete in the final: six automatic finalists and 20 finalists, ten participants from each semi-final. This change has improved the quality of the competition and made it more entertaining for viewers.

The winners of the Eurovision Song Contest are determined by voting. Over the years, the voting system has undergone many changes. Initially, the jury selected the best song, but with the development of technology, the organizers began to introduce televoting. Since 2009, the winner is determined based on the votes of the jury and the audience in equal proportions. In 2023, the semi-finals were decided to count only viewer votes, leaving the 50/50 system for the final. With the introduction of the "Rest of the World" category that same year, viewers received a slight advantage in voting. The Eurovision winner is awarded a Crystal Microphone trophy and attracts a wider audience, increasing their popularity on the international stage.

Russia has won the Eurovision Song Contest once: in 2008, Dima Bilan represented the country with the song "Believe." This was his second participation, as two years earlier he competed with "Never Let You Go," but lost to the Finnish performer. Russia has repeatedly won the Eurovision Song Contest, including second-place finishes for Alsou, the Buranovskiye Babushki, and Polina Gagarina. Third-place finishes have gone to the band Serebro, the duo t.A.T.u, and Sergey Lazarev. Currently, the last representative of Russia in the competition is singer Manizha, who performed the song Russian Woman in 2021.

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The Biggest Hits of the Contest

The Eurovision Song Contest has become a major event in the world of pop culture, presenting viewers with a multitude of memorable performances. From Finnish rockers Lordi to memes featuring Epic Sax Guy from Moldova, the contest has always surprised. Winning the Eurovision Song Contest opened the doors to the world of music for artists like the Swedish group ABBA and Canadian singer Celine Dion. In 2021, American rapper Flo Rida joined the contest, surprising viewers while representing the tiny state of San Marino. The history of the Eurovision Song Contest is full of hits, and this is only a small part of the musical legacy of the contest.

Domenico Modugno's song Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu (1958) became a symbol of musical success at Eurovision, although the song took third place at the contest itself. For this song, Modugno was awarded two Grammy statuettes in the categories Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The success of Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu extended far beyond Europe, making it the only Italian song to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song is rightfully considered a classic and continues to inspire countless artists around the world.

Alexander Rybak - Fairytale (2009). Even after all these years, the violin opening motif of this song continues to resonate in the memory. With Fairytale, Rybak triumphed at Eurovision 2009, securing Norway's third victory in the history of the contest. In the final, the song scored a record 387 points, and before the voting system was changed, no country managed to surpass this result.

Måns Zelmerlöw won the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Heroes", scoring an impressive 365 points. This triumph became the starting point for his active participation in the competition. Following the success of "Heroes", Måns began appearing regularly at Eurovision, which made him something of a meme among fans. In 2016, he served as the host, and in subsequent years, he took part in the interval acts. In 2023, Måns attempted to represent Sweden at Eurovision again, but his song "Revolution" took second place in the national selection Melodifestivalen.

Loïc Notté — Rhythm Inside (2015) became famous thanks to the iconic line "vi gonna rapapa tunait," which gained popularity online about ten years ago. This song took fourth place at the Eurovision Song Contest, but it left a lasting mark on the hearts of fans and viewers. Rhythm Inside stands out not only for its memorable hit, but also for its unique style that captivated the audience. Belgian artist Loïc Notté managed to create a musical track that is still remembered and discussed, which confirms its significance in the music world.

Duncan Laurence — Arcade (2019) became a landmark work, marking a new stage in the popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest. The song didn't immediately gain popularity: Duncan Laurence from the Netherlands won the contest with it in 2019, but true success only came in 2020, when the song went viral on TikTok. "Arcade" remains one of the most streamed Eurovision songs on Spotify. The song impresses with its melody and profound lyrics, making it special for listeners around the world.

Måneskin — Zitti E Buoni (2021). Winning Eurovision 2021 marked a major milestone in the career of the Italian rock band Måneskin. Although their best-known track is a cover of "Beggin'," it was the energetic "Zitti E Buoni" that quickly propelled the band to international fame. This hit highlighted Måneskin's unique style and drew attention to their work, opening new horizons for further career development.

Rosa Linn's song "Snap," released in 2022, failed to achieve a high ranking at Eurovision, finishing in 20th place. However, thanks to the popularity of TikTok, her composition gained immense popularity and even entered the American music charts. "Snap" currently has nearly one billion plays on Spotify, making it the second most successful track after "Arcade."

Jost Klein released "Europapa" in 2024, which became notable as the only Eurovision hit to fail to place at the competition. His disqualification on the day of the final was due to inappropriate behavior. The scandal brought further attention to Europapa, and the dance-pop song with gabber elements quickly gained popularity, becoming the most-streamed entry of Eurovision 2024.

Dispelling Myths About the Contest

Despite high ratings and popular songs, some viewers view Eurovision with disdain. For some, it is a political show where music plays no significant role, while for others, it is a gathering of talented but eccentric artists. Let's bust the myths and figure out where Eurovision critics are wrong. It is not just a song contest, but a platform for cultural exchange, where countries can showcase their musical traditions and creativity. Eurovision brings people together, creating an atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding, which makes it an important event in the world of music.

Politics plays a key role in the Eurovision Contest. This is inevitable, as the competition involves countries. Spectators and judges often give high scores to neighboring countries or support certain countries for political reasons. Furthermore, performers can embed political subtext into their songs through metaphors. For example, the song "Asteromata," representing Greece this year, is dedicated to the genocide of the Pontian Greeks, highlighting the connection between music and current historical themes. Thus, Eurovision is becoming not only a music competition, but also a platform for discussing important social and political issues.

There is no direct connection between the political agenda and the results of the competition. The final place of the participants is determined, first of all, by the quality of the song, vocals and production. The Eurovision organizers take steps to minimize the influence of politics by implementing reforms to the voting system and screening tracks for political overtones. However, attempts to eliminate politics from the competition sometimes lead to controversy. For example, in 2019, when the contest was held in Israel, the Icelandic band Hatari violated the organizers' ban and unfurled a Palestinian flag live on air, causing widespread controversy.

The Eurovision Song Contest often features unusual artists who attract attention with their eccentric style. Examples include performers like Bambie Thug, who dressed as a witch, or Finnish rapper Käärijä, who wore an acid-green bolero. Equally memorable is the Norwegian duo Subwoolfer, who perform in yellow wolf masks. Despite their striking imagery, many of these artists produce high-quality and memorable songs, but their appearance often becomes the target of ridicule and stereotypes. It's important to note that outrageous entries make up only a small percentage of all Eurovision contestants and tend to rank low in the final rankings, especially if their creative potential is limited to provocative imagery.

Every participating country strives to win Eurovision, eager to attract viewers' attention and the coveted title of winner. However, not all artists are aiming for first place. For indie musicians, participation in the competition is a unique opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience, and the final placing is not decisive for them. Opinions also differ among broadcasters. For some, organizing the competition is too expensive, and they don't attach importance to the quality of the music, sending, for example, a humorous song, as France did in 2014. Other countries view Eurovision as a music festival, where the main thing is the celebration of music, and not necessarily the victory.

Concerns about bias arise at the Eurovision Song Contest when certain countries receive low scores or fail to advance to the final. This often leads viewers to suspect unfair judging. For example, the United Kingdom, which has received no points from viewers twice in the last six years, attributes its failures to the consequences of Brexit. However, it can be argued that there are no favorite countries in the contest. In 2022, despite the political climate, the United Kingdom placed fifth in viewer votes and second overall. This confirms that success at Eurovision depends on the quality of the performance, and not on political factors.

The Eurovision jury focuses on the vocal abilities of the participants. Experts value not only a well-trained voice but also a unique timbre. However, the history of the competition shows that talented vocalists do not always become the jury's favorites. The final result depends on many factors, including the quality and message of the song, the originality of the production, and other elements. For example, in 2009, Swedish singer Malena Ernman, despite an excellent performance, took only 22nd place in the jury vote. It is believed that many opera singers, with the exception of the 2024 winner Nemo, usually finish low in the competition. Therefore, a successful performance at Eurovision requires not only vocal mastery but also a successful combination of all aspects of the performance.

Songs at Eurovision are often perceived by viewers and artists as requiring adherence to a certain format. There's a common misconception that winning requires a pop song with a clear musical progression, a memorable climax, and a sustained high note at the end. There's also a stereotype that a song must be performed exclusively in English to ensure the lyrics are understood. A striking example of this misconception is Moldova's 2016 entry, which, despite following this formula, failed to reach the final. However, to dispel the myth of a strict "Eurovision format," it's enough to look at the winners of recent years. In 2017, an old-fashioned Portuguese ballad won the contest, and later, Italian rockers Måneskin triumphed, confirming that diversity of styles and languages ​​matters. Thus, for a successful performance at Eurovision, not only formal requirements are important, but also originality, emotional presentation and the uniqueness of each artist.

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Stages of Music Production: From Idea to Finished Track

Music production is a complex and multi-layered process that includes several key stages. Each of them plays a significant role in creating a high-quality piece of music.

The first stage is idea generation. Here, the composer or lyricist formulates the basic concept of the song, determining its mood and genre. It is important to capture all the thoughts, melodies, and rhymes that may subsequently develop into a full-fledged track.

The next step is songwriting. At this stage, the composition is structured: verses, choruses, and bridges are created. Developing lyrics and melody requires careful thought to ensure each part is harmonious and logical.

Once the song is written, recording begins. This process can take place at home or in a professional studio. It is important to choose high-quality equipment and the right tools to ensure high-quality sound.

The next stage is mixing. At this stage, the audio tracks are combined, volume levels are adjusted, effects are added, and the overall atmosphere of the composition is created. Mixing requires a professional approach to ensure all elements sound harmonious and balanced.

The final step is mastering. This is the process of preparing a track for distribution, which includes final audio processing to ensure optimal playback quality on various devices. Mastering helps achieve the desired volume level and sound consistency.

Thus, the path from idea to finished track includes many stages, each of which requires attention and professionalism. Understanding these processes will help musicians and producers create high-quality music.

4 Reasons to Watch Eurovision

Learning about the musical traditions of different countries is an important part of the Eurovision Song Contest. Songs performed at this event often reflect the culture of the participating countries. Performers integrate elements of folk singing, use ethnic instruments in their arrangements, and add references to local folklore in their lyrics. In recent years, there has been a trend for artists to perform songs in their native languages ​​or dialects, which is becoming increasingly popular. For example, over the past three years, about half of the songs performed were not in English. Furthermore, Eurovision performers like to experiment, combining different musical styles and genres. A striking example of this is the duo from Romania, who in 2017 combined rap and yodel in one song. This approach not only highlights the diversity of musical forms but also promotes the exchange of cultural traditions among the contestants.

Expand your playlist with captivating tracks. At the contest, you can hear unique songs that you won't find on the radio. This could be the Armenian folk of Jako, the electropop with church chants of In Corpore Sano, or the Icelandic industrial track Hatrið mun sigra. Eurovision is a unique platform where completely different musical styles and genres are performed on one stage.

Enjoy a high-quality show at Eurovision. Even if you've never heard a single song, you won't be deterred from enjoying it. The contest offers world-class production with carefully thought-out concepts for performances, complex sets, and cutting-edge filming technologies. Spectators can expect breathtaking special effects, pole performers, giant dresses, and unique floats, creating a unique atmosphere. In terms of sheer spectacle, Eurovision easily surpasses many music awards and concerts featuring world-renowned stars, making it a must-see for music and entertainment lovers.

The announcement of the Eurovision results is one of the most tense and exciting parts of the competition. The jury's points are announced slowly, country by country, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and intrigue. Viewers watch with interest as the leaders shift and the underdogs are revealed. Even after all the jury members' scores have been announced, the tension continues, as the viewers' votes remain ahead. These votes are announced as a total for each country, and they are distributed not in ascending order, but strictly in the order established by the jury's votes. This creates the potential for unexpected twists: songs underestimated by the experts can suddenly surge to first place, while favorites can receive significantly fewer points than expected. Thus, the tension and emotions at Eurovision remain until the very end, and this makes the competition a truly unforgettable event.

What to expect from Eurovision 2025

After the victory of the Swiss performer Nemo with the song The Code, Eurovision 2025 will be held in Basel. In May, artists from 37 countries will perform at the Saint Jakobshalle arena: Montenegro returned to the competition, while Moldova withdrew from participation at the last minute. The semi-finals will be held on May 13 and 15, and the final will be held on May 17. This event promises to be a bright musical spectacle, bringing together the best performers from all over the world.

Among the main contenders for victory, according to bookmakers, the Swedish group KAJ stands out with the song Bara Bada Bastu, dedicated to the sauna. This is quite natural, given the artists' Finnish roots. KAJ were initially considered outsiders in the national selection, but unexpectedly won the final and are now firmly in the lead. Their main rival is Austrian artist JJ with the dark pop opera "Wasted Love." Rounding out the top three is French singer Louane with her touching ballad "Maman."

These performers attract the attention of viewers and judges thanks to their unique style and emotional presentation, which makes them favorites in the music competition.

This year, it's worth highlighting a few songs that deserve your attention. Among them, there are both hits and lesser-known tracks that can surprise you with their depth and originality. Musical styles range from pop to indie and rock music, which allows everyone to find something to suit their taste. Pay attention to new releases that have already won the hearts of listeners and are actively discussed in music circles. These songs can not only become favorites, but also set the tone for your entire musical year.

Erika Wickman presents her new composition "Ich Komme". This nostalgic eurodance song stands out with a powerful climax and clear erotic undertones, which makes it especially memorable. Performed by Erika, "Ich Komme" becomes an anthem of sexuality and self-expression, reflecting the artist's desire for freedom and individuality. Fans have long dreamed of seeing her on the Eurovision stage. Previously, Erika almost won the national selection, and last year she recorded a duet with Käärijä, who took second place at Eurovision 2023. Erika Wickman is undoubtedly one of the brightest figures in the modern music world, and her new work continues to attract the attention and admiration of fans.

Miriana Conteh has released a new song called "Serving". It is an inspiring composition with a catchy pre-chorus and an energetic bridge. Unlike the original title "Kant", which in Maltese translates as "singing", the new name was chosen to avoid associations with an English curse word. «Serving» reflects the artist's creative approach and her ability to provoke the listener through music.

Gabry Ponte - Tutta l’Italia. In this composition, the DJ and one of the authors of the famous hit Blue (Da Ba Dee) ironically plays on key symbols and stereotypes of Italy. Before becoming a hit, this track was chosen as the official jingle of the Sanremo Festival 2025. Perhaps the secret of its success lies in the catchy chant Tutta l’Italia and a captivating ethnic motif that attracts the attention of listeners.

Abor & Tynna present the song «Baller». For the first time since 2001, Germany has chosen a song in its native language for the contest. Of all the tracks this year, «Baller» Stands out for its freshness: it's a modern pop composition with a captivating dance tune, vocal effects, and a noticeable hip-hop influence. The song attracts attention with its dynamism and contemporary sound, making it one of the competition's standout entries.

In 2024, Eurovision will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Despite its considerable age, the contest remains relevant as an entertainment show and a celebration of contemporary music. Despite criticism, Eurovision provides artists with a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity and represent the culture of their country. For viewers, this is a chance to get acquainted with music that goes beyond traditional radio broadcasts and playlists, opening up new horizons of musical diversity.

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