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

We break down standout JESC entries, talk about the unfolding drama in adult Eurovision, debate whether kids should be belting for three minutes straight, and unwrap some of the strangest “gifts” ever assembled: cattle-prod wearables, psychedelic Conchita dresses, velvet lions, Eurovision trading cards, milkshake gear, and more.

Cozy, nerdy, unhinged, and entirely festive.

🎶 Watch All Junior Eurovision 2024 Videos

All JESC songs and the JESC show on the big night can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/@junioreurovision/videos

🎁 White Elephant Gift Album (All Fake Gifts)

View every gift we exchanged during the episode here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jKv-wGWDHk4T2ZwX69YHu-wIZh0qoXRA?usp=sharing

🗣️ Guests & Where to Find Them

Mike (The EuroWhat Podcast)
Website: https://eurowhat.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/eurowhat

Sheldon
Music industry commentary & writing on Medium:
https://medium.com/@sheldon

Jody, Mies, and Russ
Eurovision superfans, returning guests, volunteers, and the backbone of our annual chaos.

🇿🇦 South African Music Awards (SAMAs)

Sheldon will be presenting at this year's South African Music Awards — South Africa’s equivalent of the Grammys.

Official SAMA website:
https://samusicawards.co.za

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the network airing the ceremony:
https://www.sabc.co.za

A streaming link will be added if/when it becomes available.

📌 Episode Highlights

Opening discussion: Eurovision countries withdrawing

What is Junior Eurovision supposed to be?

Which kids scream unnecessarily (a scientific inquiry)

Cultural representation & language politics in JESC

Predictions for winners, jury favorites & staging

National selections we’re excited for (Sanremo, Sweden, Serbia, Spain)

The annual White Elephant Gift Exchange — truly unhinged

🙏 Support the Pod

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating to help more ESC fans find us.

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

Cafés & Coffee Culture
Café Landtmann – https://www.landtmann.at/en/
Café Bräunerhof – https://www.cafe-braeunerhof.at/
Café Sperl – https://www.cafesperl.at/
Café Balthasar – https://www.balthasar.at/
Café Ritter – https://www.cafe-ritter.at/

Food & Drink
Sachertorte – https://www.sacher.com/en/original-sacher-torte/
Wiener Schnitzel – https://www.austria.info/en/things-to-do/food-and-drink/recipes/wiener-schnitzel
Viennese Coffee Specialties – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/coffeehouses/coffee-339182

Events & Public Spaces
EuroPride Vienna – https://viennapride.at/en/
Life Ball – https://www.lifeball.org/
Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest) – https://donauinselfest.at/
Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) – https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/sights/from-s-to-z/rathaus-352254

Vienna Experiences
Vienna Vineyards & Wine (Gemischter Satz) – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/viennese-wine-342014
Apple Strudel Show at Schönbrunn Palace – https://www.cafe-residenz.at/en/apple-strudel-show/
Viennese Waltz Lessons – https://www.viennawaltz.at/en/

Music Helena Mentioned
HVOB – https://www.hvob-music.com/
Camo & Krooked – https://www.camoandkrooked.com/
Voodoo Jürgens – https://voodoojuergens.com/
Wanda – https://wandamusik.com/

Eurovision Songs Discussed
Conchita Wurst – “Rise Like a Phoenix” (2014) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToqNa0rqUtY
Loreen – “Euphoria” (2012) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80
Udo Jürgens – “Merci, Chérie” (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQY-MmfzDY
Teya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” (2023) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmLeV47Au4