Top 10 Standout Tracks from Eurovision 2025 and Their Potential to Claim Victory
Eurovision's 2025 Grand Finale: A Spectacle of Song, Spectacle, and Scandal
Amid the glitter and glitz of Basel, Switzerland, the 69th annual Eurovision Song Contest takes place this Saturday, May 17th. US viewers can catch all the action live on Peacock at 3 PM ET.
Eurovision isn't known for its subtlety, and this year's entries are no exception. Countries like Finland and Australia have sent songs brimming with double entendres, as if the contest's age (69) hasn't already set off a wave of lewd eyebrow-waggles across Europe.
Out of the 37 participating nations, only 26 will make it to the grand finale. The rest will be whittled down during semifinals that took place earlier in the week. Some countries qualify automatically, such as the previous year's winner – in this case, Switzerland – but most are decided by home viewers via the televote.
Viewers will have another chance to vote on Saturday, but their votes will only count for half of the final scores. The other half will come from national juries composed of music industry professionals from participating countries. Historically, the televoters celebrate Eurovision's excess – visual spectacle, dazzling choreography, big pyrotechnics, and wall-of-sound performances. On the other hand, juries tend to favor technical aspects like vocal precision, skilled songwriting, and a clean sound mix. They are less enamored with humor and dislike goofiness.
Here's what you can expect during the grand finale:
- Each performance must adhere to the following rules: a. Songs must be no more than three minutes long. b. Lead vocals must be performed live. c. No live instrumentation is allowed. d. Only six performers may be on stage at once.
As a reminder, the lead vocals are live, although instrumentation and backing vocals are pre-recorded. Don't let doubt creep in during Poland's entry, "Gaja," as 52-year-old Justyna Steczkowska hurls herself through choreography involving twirls, jumping jacks, and what seems like freaking burpees – all while holding a note! Instead, recognize that you're witnessing great breath control.
As for the instrumental performances, whenever a band starts wailing on their drums, guitars, or violins while scowling intently, remember you're watching them mime. It's adorable.
During the grand finale, all 26 countries will perform their songs. While the televotes are tallied, jury votes will be collected over a series of glorified Zoom calls to representatives in each country. Some of these representatives may waste precious time with their putatively hilarious catchphrases. The calls are often marked by video lags, audio dropouts, and long stretches of dead air as the Eurovision hosts stare down the camera dripping in perspiration.
The jury voting process is laborious, tedious – and freaking brilliant. Once the juries have voted, the televotes will begin, starting with the country that received the fewest jury votes. Drama ensues as countries that were snubbed by the juries surge up, while front-runners plummet to the sub-basement of 20th place or lower. This entire spectacle is accompanied by shots of the performing acts, seemingly incapable of hiding their wan, hopeful expressions as they plaintively wave their national flags.
After all the votes are tallied, the winner will be announced, handed a trophy, and will perform the winning song again. And with that, its off to [name of major city in winning country] for the next year's Eurovision.
Here are my favorite songs of Eurovision 2025. Let me preface this by saying I am extraordinarily biased in favor of Iceland and Poland.
10. Iceland: "Róa" by Væb
Væb (pronounced "vibe") is a pair of blond brothers in matching silver tracksuits and wraparound sunglasses who create electronic music for the masses. "Róa" is a relentlessly catchy sea shanty about rowing. It fits nicely with Sweden's ode to saunas, as both songs celebrate Nordic pastimes.
Between the TikTok-friendly moves and innovative staging, the televoters will eat these kids up, but they may clash with the juries' more conservative sensibilities.
9. Spain: "ESA DIVA" by Melody
Spain hasn't done spectacularly in recent years, but with "ESA DIVA," they're chasing the "SloMo" dragon once again. Melody brings big Diva Energy to this song, spinning around like a car-wash sign in the climax. It's a huge crowd-pleaser, but the juries may be less enamored with its electronic influences.
8. Germany: "Baller" by Abor & Tynna
Germany's Abor & Tynna will captivate the televoters with their track's heavy synths, reverb-heavy chorus, and a beat that punches you in the sternum. It might not resonate with the juries, though.
7. Netherlands: "C'est La Vie" by Claude
Claude's vocal prowess and cool choreography make this a standout entry. The song features a mix of French and English, reflecting the singer's personal history. Expect this entry to make it into the top 10, though pitchiness in the semifinal may affect the juries' judgement.
6. Albania: "Zjerm," by Shkodra Elektronike
"Zjerm" is adark Balkan ballad with a pulsating beat. It pits two vocalists, Beatriče Gjergji and Kolé Laca, against each other, with Gjergji's soaring, plaintive voice drawing you in before Laca's growling, sinister vocals take over and threaten disaster. The song eventually finds resolution, making it a perfect fit for the juries.
5. Poland: "Gaja" by Justyna Steczkowska
Justyna Steczkowska returns to Eurovision after a 30-year absence with this powerful song about Mother Earth avenging humanity's sins. Expect fierce vocal ranges and athletic choreography, not to mention the fetish gear. With its intense performances and provocative themes, this one could do very well.
4. Latvia: "Bur Man Laimi" by Tautumeitas
Latvia's entry "Bur Man Laimi" is an ethereal ethno-pop gem. Its gauzy nature may not appeal to all, but the six-part harmonies and captivating staging should win over the televoters.
3. Finland: "Ich Komme" by Erika Vikman
"Ich Komme" is an unstoppable force of a song, engineered to drive audiences to near-madness. It's in Finnish, but the lyrics are in German and unapologetically explicit. While the juries may sniff at its unsubtle dance beat, the televoters will lose their minds.
2. Malta: "Serving" by Miriana Conte
Malta's entry is a joyous, groove-laden anthem that stands out thanks to its sticky hook, impressive harmonies, and a chorus that ingeniously acknowledges its controversy. When performed live, the audience in the stadium will shout the Maltese word for "singing" as one, creating a memorable moment.
1. Sweden: "Bara Bada Bastu" by KAJ
Sweden is the Yankees of Eurovision, consistently dominating the competition. This year's entry, "Bara Bada Bastu," is a cleverly staged and infectious bop about the joys of saunas. With its catchy melody, memorable lyrics, and irresistible beat, it's a clear favorite to take it all.
In the grand finale of Eurovision 2025, music genres ranging from pop-culture to sci-fi-and-fantasy are expected to captivate viewers, as entries like Iceland's "Roá" by Væb and Poland's "Gaja" by Justyna Steczkowska showcase electronic beats and provocative themes. Entertainment, however, isn't just limited to these performances; the jury voting process, filled with Zoom calls and unexpected catchphrases, adds another layer of excitement to the competition, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening of song, spectacle, and potential scandal.
