Eurovision Song Context

A podcast where we bring in smart people. We talk about smart things, then veer into glitter, wind machines, and geopolitics. Experts. Insight. Eurovision chaos.

About the show

We start with expertise and end up in Eurovision. It’s kind of our thing.

Eurovision Song Context is a monthly podcast that looks at the Eurovision Song Contest through an unexpected lens: expert insight. Each episode, a guest from a different field — psychology, fashion, politics, design, linguistics, and more — talk about their work and how it helps us understand 2–3 Eurovision entries in a whole new light.

Are these songs genuinely good? So bad they’re good? Or just weirdly unforgettable?

Longform episodes come out on the 12th of every month (the "douzeth"). We're where brilliant minds meet bad key changes.

Eurovision Song Context on social media

Episodes

  • Episode 54: (Part 2) ESC "Would You Rather" with Suzie and Russ- unedited

    September 12th, 2024  |  59 mins 7 secs

  • Episode 53: (Part 1) ESC "Would You Rather" with Suzie and Russ- unedited

    September 12th, 2024  |  1 hr

  • Episode 52: (Part 2) When Cultures Collide with Michael Gates

    August 12th, 2024  |  49 mins 6 secs
    eurovision, when cultures collide

    Our guest is Michael Gates, he’s an expert in Cross Cultural Communications who regularly advises multi-cultural teams in improving understanding, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

    We’ll talk about Lewis Model of Cross-Cultural Communication, and the classic book When Cultures Collide.

    We’ll then talk about… what else… when Eurovision Cultures Collide, including The Netherlands and Sweden.

  •

    Episode 51: (Part 1) When Cultures Collide with Michael Gates

    August 12th, 2024  |  51 mins 13 secs
    eurovision, when cultures collide

    Our guest is Michael Gates, he’s an expert in Cross Cultural Communications who regularly advises multi-cultural teams in improving understanding, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

    We’ll talk about Lewis Model of Cross-Cultural Communication, and the classic book When Cultures Collide.

    We’ll then talk about… what else… when Eurovision Cultures Collide, including The Netherlands and Sweden.

  •

    Episode 50: (Part 2) Milli Vanilli with Sheldon Rocha Leal

    July 12th, 2024  |  57 mins 6 secs
    boney m, fab morvan, frank farian, ghengis khan, lara fabian, love city groove, milli vanilli, ralph siegel, rob pilatus, sheldon rocha leal, wind

    Our guest is Sheldon Rocha Leal, he’s a Musicologist, Musician and Songwriter. He’s also the author of a fantastic article called Moments That Changed Music III: Milli Vanilli. We’ll talk about how the Milli Vanilli scandal changed the music industry, living in a pre-hip hop world, modern interpretations about what actually happened, the connection between Milli Vanilli’s producer Frank Farian and Eurovision superproducer Ralph Siegel, and Milli Vanilli’s Rob Pilatus singing real backup vocals for Germany’s 1987 entry by a band called Wind, which placed 2nd in the contest.

  •

    Episode 49: (Part 1) Milli Vanilli with Sheldon Rocha Leal

    July 12th, 2024  |  57 mins 26 secs
    boney m, fab morvan, frank farian, ghengis khan, lara fabian, love city groove, milli vanilli, ralph siegel, rob pilatus, sheldon rocha leal, wind

    Our guest is Sheldon Rocha Leal, he’s a Musicologist, Musician and Songwriter. He’s also the author of a fantastic article called Moments That Changed Music III: Milli Vanilli. We’ll talk about how the Milli Vanilli scandal changed the music industry, living in a pre-hip hop world, modern interpretations about what actually happened, the connection between Milli Vanilli’s producer Frank Farian and Eurovision superproducer Ralph Siegel, and Milli Vanilli’s Rob Pilatus singing real backup vocals for Germany’s 1987 entry by a band called Wind, which placed 2nd in the contest.

  •

    Episode 48: (Part 2) Cabin Crew Eurovision: ESC at 30,000 Feet (with Dutch flair)

    June 13th, 2024  |  37 mins 49 secs
    cabin crew, eurovision, holland, joost klein, las ketchup, netherlands, scooch, verka

    You’ll want to switch on airplane mode and put your tray tables in the upright position, because we’re talking to Jeff, who works as cabin crew and is here to talk about flight-related Eurovision entries. Did I mention he’s also Dutch? We’ll compare his experiences at the last 4 Eurovisions, Easyjet’s sponsorship of ESC 2024. We’ll also cover Las Ketchup, Verka, and of course Scooch!

  • Episode 47: (Part 1) Cabin Crew Eurovision: ESC at 30,000 Feet (with Dutch flair)

    June 12th, 2024  |  31 mins 23 secs
    cabin crew, eurovision, holland, joost klein, las ketchup, netherlands, scooch, verka

    You’ll want to switch on airplane mode and put your tray tables in the upright position, because we’re talking to Jeff, who works as cabin crew and is here to talk about flight-related Eurovision entries. Did I mention he’s also Dutch? We’ll compare his experiences at the last 4 Eurovisions, Easyjet’s sponsorship of ESC 2024. We’ll also cover Las Ketchup, Verka, and of course Scooch!

  • Episode 46: (Part 3) EXTRA Post Eurovision Debrief 2024, Hopes for 2025

    May 15th, 2024  |  9 mins 11 secs
    eurovision, eurovision 2024, joost klein, malmo, nemo, osterdahl, sweden

  • Episode 45: (Part 2) EXTRA Post Eurovision Debrief 2024, Joost Klein, EBU, Osterdahl

    May 14th, 2024  |  1 hr 2 mins
    eurovision, eurovision 2024, joost klein, malmo, nemo, osterdahl, sweden

  • Episode 44: (Part 1) EXTRA Post EurovisionDebrief 2024, General Observations

    May 13th, 2024  |  54 mins 13 secs
    eurovision, eurovision 2024, joost klein, malmo, nemo, osterdahl, sweden

  • Episode 43: (Part 2) EXTRA Marghe and Bradley meltdown 14 hours before ESC 2024. Skip if this is old news, optional listen

    May 11th, 2024  |  19 mins 30 secs

    (Part 2) EXTRA Marghe and Bradley meltdown 14 hours before ESC 2024. Skip if this is old news, optional listen