Songs:

Why Greece’s “Ferto” (Akylas) is a top contender
Mixed reactions to Australia’s Delta Goodrem and big ballads this year
Whether songs like Estonia, Norway, and Armenia have enough to qualify
The ongoing debate around lyrics vs performance vs staging
Why some entries feel “very Eurovision”… and others feel like they could come from anywhere
Which songs risk getting lost in the semi-finals—and which might sneak through

Plus: staging worries, jury vs televote dynamics, and early predictions for who could land top 5—or miss the final entirely.

🎵 Songs Covered in This Episode

Sarah Engels – “Fire”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sarah+Engels+Fire+Eurovision+2026
🇫🇷 France
Monroe – “Regarde !”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Monroe+Regarde+Eurovision+2026
🇨🇾 Cyprus
Antigoni – “Jalla”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Antigoni+Jalla+Eurovision+2026
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Dara – “Bangaranga”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dara+Bangaranga
🇫🇮 Finland
Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Liekinheitin+Eurovision+2026
🇺🇦 Ukraine
Leléka – “Ridnym”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Leleka+Ridnym
🇵🇹 Portugal
Bandidos do Cante – “Rosa”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bandidos+do+Cante+Rosa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, Zwei, Drei”
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Look+Mum+No+Computer+Eins+Zwei+Drei

NAPA ROSA
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Napa+Rosa+Festival+da+Cancao

DENISE MOTTA JURE
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Denise+Motta+Jure

SANDRINO DISPOSTO A TUDO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sandrino+Disposto+a+Tudo

JOAO RIBEIRO CANCAO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Joao+Ribeiro+Cancao

SILVANA PERES NAO TEM FIM
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Silvana+Peres+Nao+Tem+Fim

NUNCA MATES O MANDARIM FUMO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Nunca+Mates+o+Mandarim+Fumo

INES SOUZA UM FILME AO CONTRARIO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ines+Souza+Um+Filme+ao+Contrario

SAMAs / SOUTH AFRICA

KABZA DE SMALL IMITANDAZO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Kabza+De+Small+Imithandazo

ZAHARA LOLIWE
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Zahara+Loliwe

MAFIKIZOLO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mafikizolo

TYLA WATER
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tyla+Water

BEATENBERG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FavE84Mmc7s

Loved Sheldon on this episode?
Dive into his past appearances on Eurovision Song Context:

• Episode 64: Bonus: Eurovision 2025 Sanremo / Festival da Canção
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2
• Episode 65: (follow-up episode)
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2
• Episode 49: (Part 1) Milli Vanilli
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3
• Episode 50: (Part 2) Milli Vanilli
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3

SAL DA VINCI PER SEMPRE
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sal+Da+Vinci+Per+Sempre

FULMINACCI STUPIDA SFORTUNA
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fulminacci+Stupida+Sfortuna

ARISA MAGICA FAVOLA
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Arisa+Magica+Favola

FEDEZ MARCO MASINI MALE NECESSARIO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fedez+Marco+Masini+Male+Necessario

SERENA BRANCALE QUI CON ME
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Serena+Brancale+Qui+Con+Me

J AX ITALIA STARTER PACK
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=J+Ax+Italia+Starter+Pack

DITONELLAPIAGA CHE FASTIDIO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ditonellapiaga+Che+Fastidio

JONI MITCHELL BOTH SIDES NOW LIVE
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Joni+Mitchell+Both+Sides+Now+live

WE ARE THE WORLD DOCUMENTARY
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=We+Are+The+World+documentary

CELINE DION IF YOU ASKED ME TO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Celine+Dion+If+You+Asked+Me+To

WHITNEY HOUSTON I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Whitney+Houston+I+Will+Always+Love+You

DOLLY PARTON I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dolly+Parton+I+Will+Always+Love+You

Loved Sheldon on this episode?
Dive into his past appearances on Eurovision Song Context:

• Episode 64: Bonus: Eurovision 2025 Sanremo / Festival da Canção
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2
• Episode 65: (follow-up episode)
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2
• Episode 49: (Part 1) Milli Vanilli
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3
• Episode 50: (Part 2) Milli Vanilli
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3

—

June Thomas — Book

A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture

Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

—

Podcasts by June Thomas

Working (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/working

The Waves (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves

Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)
https://slate.com/podcasts/outward

Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)
https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest

—

Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode

Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)
Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw

Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)
Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs

Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)
Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points
YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)
Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk

Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)
Grand Final placement: 24th of 26
Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA

Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)
Placement: 19th of 26
Jury: 88 — Televote: 0
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE

—

Guardian Review Referenced

Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”
The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible

—

Other Guardian context discussed

Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are

Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews

—

Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse

Slate — review of “American Canto”
https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html

—

Optional background links for listeners

Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age

Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024

—

Show page & archive

https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm

—

—

June Thomas — Book

A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture

Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas

—

Podcasts by June Thomas

Working (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/working

The Waves (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves

Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)
https://slate.com/podcasts/outward

Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)
https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest

—

Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode

Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)
Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw

Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)
Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs

Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)
Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points
YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4

Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)
Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk

Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)
Grand Final placement: 24th of 26
Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA

Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)
Placement: 19th of 26
Jury: 88 — Televote: 0
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE

—

Guardian Review Referenced

Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”
The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible

—

Other Guardian context discussed

Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are

Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews

—

Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse

Slate — review of “American Canto”
https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html

—

Optional background links for listeners

Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age

Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024

—

Show page & archive

https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm

—

Sheldon’s Journey Articles
The Journey (I) – Dec 2022:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-decb793f390d

The Journey II – Dec 2023:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40cc

The Journey III – Jan 2025:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-iii-b52fd3ed2fbc

PLAYLIST — YouTube Links (Plain Text)

A. When It’s Hard to Be with Yourself

The Roop – “On Fire” (Lithuania 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAUxuuu1w8

Diodato – “Fai Rumore” (Italy 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3ksX7K-1A

Blanche – “City Lights” (Belgium 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZvz3j5AgE

KEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” (Norway 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs

B. When It’s Hard to Be with Other People

Maraaya – “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWBDm7bm0M

Konstrakta – “In corpore sano” (Serbia 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7E8zK5fF8

Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” (Belgium 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNxeraWCn8

Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” (Germany 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE2oS0NzVbg

C. When It’s Hard to Be with Your Feelings

Salvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois” (Portugal 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCM

The Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” (Netherlands 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYOC-wfE5pQ

S10 – “De Diepte” (Netherlands 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tRdbXVHVk

Zibbz – “Stones” (Switzerland 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI5T0io798

Aisel – “X My Heart” (Azerbaijan 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZtG6bUtiE8

Bonus Songs Discussed

Brotherhood of Man – “Kisses for Me” (United Kingdom 1976)
https://youtu.be/6OW1JJwqVRQ?si=9CuhjWPps1zOjmbX

Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” (Austria 2018)
https://youtu.be/a8Yvzo1puoE?si=qvBly9XqIkc_CcsG

my email: eurovisionsongcontext@gmail.com

Sheldon’s Journey Articles
The Journey (I) – Dec 2022:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-decb793f390d

The Journey II – Dec 2023:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40cc

The Journey III – Jan 2025:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-iii-b52fd3ed2fbc

PLAYLIST — YouTube Links (Plain Text)

A. When It’s Hard to Be with Yourself

The Roop – “On Fire” (Lithuania 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAUxuuu1w8

Diodato – “Fai Rumore” (Italy 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3ksX7K-1A

Blanche – “City Lights” (Belgium 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZvz3j5AgE

KEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” (Norway 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs

B. When It’s Hard to Be with Other People

Maraaya – “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWBDm7bm0M

Konstrakta – “In corpore sano” (Serbia 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7E8zK5fF8

Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” (Belgium 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNxeraWCn8

Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” (Germany 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE2oS0NzVbg

C. When It’s Hard to Be with Your Feelings

Salvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois” (Portugal 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCM

The Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” (Netherlands 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYOC-wfE5pQ

S10 – “De Diepte” (Netherlands 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tRdbXVHVk

Zibbz – “Stones” (Switzerland 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI5T0io798

Aisel – “X My Heart” (Azerbaijan 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZtG6bUtiE8

Bonus Songs Discussed

Brotherhood of Man – “Kisses for Me” (United Kingdom 1976)
https://youtu.be/6OW1JJwqVRQ?si=9CuhjWPps1zOjmbX

Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” (Austria 2018)
https://youtu.be/a8Yvzo1puoE?si=qvBly9XqIkc_CcsG

my email: eurovisionsongcontext@gmail.com