Personally, Eurovision holds a special place in my heart as a cherished tradition that brings people together in celebration, laughter, and pure enjoyment. Since the mid-90s, I’ve been an avid enthusiast, eagerly awaiting each year’s spectacle of unforgettable performances and glamour – perfect colour splash of spring after a long, dark, and generally exhausting Finnish winter.
The biggest music competition of the world brings together cultures, languages, and traditions in a celebration of unity and diversity. There’s something uniquely comforting about the concept; all the glitz and glam, the cheesy ballads, the diva costumes, and, of course, the iconic wind machines. It’s a joyful escape, a guilty pleasure from the busyness of everyday life, inviting you to dive in and indulge in its absurd humor, embracing the joy of pure entertainment.
Context of the “Worst Eurovision Country”
Can you name a country where eccentric competitions like the Wife Carrying Competition, Mobile Phone Throwing, and Air Guitar Championship are a regular occurrence?
In this same country, spending the weekend with a concept like “Kalsarikännit” – drinking at home alone, in your underwear – is perfectly normal.
And here’s an untranslatable word from this fascinating country: “vahingonilo,” which roughly translates to finding joy in someone else’s misfortune.
That’s right – we’re talking about Finland!
When it comes to stereotypes, Finland is sometimes seen as a nation with comfort being silence, seriousness, slowness to make make friends and low self-esteem, leading to a tendency to seek validation from others. Take UMK ( Contest for New Music, an annual music contest organised by the Finnish public broadcaster Yle) for instance, with 25% of points given by the international juries.
Situated in the northern reaches of Europe (distinct from Scandinavia, a common misconception), Finland’s geographical location fosters a sense of isolation. This feeling is explained by a history marked by periods of foreign rule and a relatively small population size.
Today with Finnish and Swedish serving as the two main official languages, constituting approximately 86% and 5% of speakers respectively. Notably, Finnish stands out as one of the world’s most challenging languages to learn. This language complexity adds depth to Finland’s culture.
In Finland, humor often takes a dry, sarcastic tone, with a tendency to mock the pronunciation of English, known humorously as “rally English.” The focus isn’t necessarily on perfecting English in pronunciation, but rather on ensuring the message gets across (even if it means hilariously mangling the language along the way).
In contrast, Sweden, although facing similar geographical challenges, has built up a stronger cultural identity and confidence over time. Sweden’s status as a kingdom, contrasting with Finland’s republic, has played a role in shaping its culture with a sense of continuity and stability. Additionally, Sweden’s policy of neutrality, having not participated in any war for two centuries, has contributed to a perception of security. These factors have allowed Sweden to proceed a more confident image on the international stage, influencing its approach to events like the Eurovision Song Contest.
For many Finns, the Eurovision Song Contest used to be synonymous with disappointment, as growing up, many believed that our country was among the worst performers at the Eurovision Song Contest. And in many years it was. With limited success and a feeling of being among the weakest contenders, disappointment surrounding the competition was not new to us.
Holding the drinks with both hands like
Cha, cha, cha, cha, cha, cha, cha, no
However, everything changed in 2006 when the rock band Lordi took the stage and secured Finland’s first Eurovision victory. Despite this landmark win, some still believe that Finland’s victory required the novelty of “monsters” to break the curse of the “Worst Eurovision Country” narrative.
Singing in Finnish at Eurovision, particularly with a song like Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha, holds significant cultural and symbolic meaning. In the context of the Finnish cultural landscape, choosing to perform in Finnish represent it showcases Finland’s unique identity and heritage. The lyrics of liberty within the song further emphasize this sentiment, highlighting themes of freedom and self-expression in a language that holds deep significance for the Finnish people. By presenting Finland through the lens of its native language, Käärijä’s performance becomes a powerful statement of cultural representation and solidarity on the Eurovision stage.
Eurovision’s Voting System: When Public Votes Don’t Matter
The controversy surrounding the Eurovision voting system, particularly the influence of professional juries last year, as seen in the Käärijä – Loreen controversy , was precisely the reason why I delayed writing this post.
Being a fan seeing this voting scandal made me question the fairness of the competition – and my loyalty.
Finishing 57 points behind Loreen, coming fourth with the jury – as Sweden emerged as the winner solely based on the votes of the professional jury, despite Finland receiving a significantly higher number of points from the public.
The protest against what the fans saw as injustice, they have initiated a campaign on Change.org, advocating for the complete elimination of the professional jury from future competitions.
The citizens’ initiative aims to emphasize the urgent need for a revised Eurovision voting system that ensures the final outcome truly reflects the audience’s genuine opinion. The petition asserts that public votes should be of paramount importance in determining the winner of this beloved event. In addition to transparency and fairness in the competition, the initiative calls for a thorough investigation by expert authorities into the discrepancies in the Eurovision voting system and immediate measures to rectify the situation.
According to Wiwiblogs there were no changes made to the jury system.
In summary, I personally believe that Finland’s struggle in the Eurovision Song Contest reflects broader cultural dynamics and challenges, highlighting the importance of fairness and transparency in competitions, such as Eurovision.
Humor adds a unique flavour to Eurovision, offering a delightful break from the seriousness of everyday life. If everyone sounds and looks the same, there’s no edge or thrill to the contest. It’s essential to maintain the integrity of the competition by ensuring that all participants, regardless of where they’re from or what language they sing in, have an equal opportunity to showcase their talents. This diversity not only enriches the Eurovision experience for viewers but also promotes appreciation of different cultures worldwide.
My personal ranking of Eurovision songs, with a mini-analysis:
My personal Eurovision song ranking is here! Dive into the musical journey with me as I share my top picks and a one or two quick takeouts of each song.
17. Moskau / Dschinghis Khan (1979)
“Moskau” by German disco band Dschinghis Khan, the iconic Eurovision entry of 1979, captured the spirit of the era with its energy and catchy melody.
16. Lose Control / Waldo’s People (2009)
Waldo’s People brought high-energy vibes to Eurovision in 2009 with “Lose Control,” delivering a great dancefloor song.
15. Give that Wolf Banana / Subwoolfer (2022)
Subwoolfer’s funny entry in 2022, “Give that Wolf Banana,” added a whimsical touch to the contest with its playful lyrics and catchy melody.
14. Hold Me Now / Johnny Logan (1987)
“Hold Me Now” by Johnny Logan is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its debut in 1987. The song’s heartfelt lyrics, soulful melody, and Johnny’s emotive performance earned it widespread acclaim and secured Ireland its third Eurovision victory.
13. Golden Boy / Nadav Guedj (2015)
Nadav Guedj brought infectious energy to Eurovision in 2015 with “Golden Boy,” delivering a lively performance that charmed audiences and earned Israel a respectable placement.
12. Euphoria / Loreen (2012)
Loreen’s mesmerizing song, “Euphoria,” captivated audiences in 2012 with its powerful vocals, making ultimately of its status as a Eurovision classic.
11. Waterloo / Abba (1974)
Speaking of classics ABBA’s iconic hit, “Waterloo,” became an instant Eurovision favourite in 1974, making the Swedish band to international fame and securing their place in music history.
10. Måneskin / Zitti E Buoni (2021)
The Italian rock band, Måneskin, brought a edgy vibe to the stage, blending glam rock and punk elements seamlessly. With their cool and raw energy and powerful vocals, the band delivered a great performance.
9. No Rules / Windows95Man (2024)
“Windows95Man” is bringing a fresh approach to Eurovision with “No Rules” in 2024. The song’s blend of electronic beats and bold production pushed the boundaries of the contest, showcasing Eurovision’s evolving musical landscape and its embrace of cutting-edge sounds – and to humour.
8. Diggi-Loo Diggi-ley/ Herreys (1984)
In the vibrant era of the 80s, Swedish boyband Herreys stole the spotlight with their feel-good song, “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley.”
7. Fångad av En Stormvind / Carola (1991)
Carola wowed audiences in 1991 with “Fångad av En Stormvind,” delivering a powerful performance that showcased Carola’s great vocal by earning Sweden another Eurovision victory.
6. Allez Ola Olé / Jesse Matador (2010)
Jesse Matador brought energy to Eurovision in 2010 with “Allez Ola Olé,” delivering a vibrant performance that had audiences dancing along. This is among the songs people don’t generally know when namedropping songs.
5. Wild Dances / Ruslana (2004)
Ruslana’s “Wild Dances” took Eurovision by storm in 2004 with its intensive blend of folk, pop, and dance music. The year was generally great – I turned 18 – beginning of adulthood, filled with unforgettable memories and experiences.
4. Dancing Lasha Tumbai / Verka Serduchka (2007)
Verka Serduchka’s glittery performance of “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” in 2007 is memorable. When I think Eurovision, this song usually pops in my mind. And always make a smile to my face.
3. Diva / Dana (1995)
The song’s empowering message of self-expression and acceptance. One of the first performances I remember watching live – I was 9. And damn I loved it. “Diva,” performed by Dana International in 1998, made history as the first Eurovision victory for Israel.
2. Hard Rock Hallelujah / Lordi (2006)
In 2006, Finland made Eurovision history with Lordi’s “monstrous” performance of “Hard Rock Hallelujah.” The song’s blend of heavy metal and theatricality earned Finland its first Eurovision victory. “Hard Rock Hallelujah” remains a standout moment in Eurovision lore, showcasing the contest’s ability to embrace diverse musical genres.
1. Cha Cha Cha / Käärijä (2023)
“Cha Cha Cha” by Käärijä came to the stage as storm in 2023, attracting audiences with its modern twist on Finnish pop, humour and bold lyrics of liberty.
Celebrating Eurovision’s Rich Musical Legacy
The songs highlighted in this article represent just a glimpse of the rich music of Eurovision, each one contributing to the contest’s enduring legacy. Whether it’s the rock anthems of Lordi, the pop beats of Loreen, or the campy humor of Verka Serduchka, each song adds its own unique spark to the colorful canvas of Eurovision history.
I hope that Eurovision continues inspire everyone around the world, proving that the show (and music) truly knows no boundaries. I have been struggling whether I should or shouldn’t mention controversies that are creating a shadow today, and decided not. My perspective of the article is to focus on the positive aspects that make Eurovision such a beloved tradition – and namedrop few catchy songs.
What aspects of this article resonated with you the most? What do you think makes Eurovision such a beloved tradition? Share your thoughts below!
Jackinna of all Trades 