As Eurovision 2025 sweeps over Europe ahead of the Grand Finale in Switzerland this year, is there certain formulas or a 'recipe' for a winning song in the contest?
We take a look at some of the most important aspects of a Eurovision song, including what worked for previous winners and what sadly could lead to 'nul points'
We take a look at some of the most important aspects of a Eurovision song, including what worked for previous winners and what sadly could lead to 'nul points'
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00:00So just what is the secret sauce, the magic formula, the recipe for Eurovision glory?
00:06Every year nations across Europe and beyond pour their hearts and souls into crafting
00:12the perfect three-minute pop concoction, or rock concoction in the case of Lordy,
00:17hoping to capture the continent's imagination and, most importantly, its votes.
00:23But what are the essential ingredients for a truly great Eurovision song?
00:28First up, the bedrock, the melody, the pizza base, as it were, we're going to be using food metaphors going forwards.
00:36Think of it as the airworm that just won't quit, or the onion that repeated itself after eating that pizza.
00:42In the high-stakes arena of Eurovision, where you have mere seconds to make an impression,
00:48a truly memorable melody is, well, a non-negotiable thing.
00:52It needs to be instantly accessible, something that lodges itself inside your brain after just one.
01:00Listen, take Sweden's Lorene in 2012, for example, with Euphoria, or as my screen babble colleague Kelly said,
01:08the person that could probably sing a phone book and make it sound memorable.
01:11That ethereal, yet undeniable catchy melody building to that anthemic crescendo was pure gold,
01:19and who can forget the iconic dum-dum-dum-dum-dum?
01:23It's instantly recognizable.
01:25But it's not all about big bombastic sounds.
01:29Portugal's Salvador Sobral proved in 2017 that understated beauty can also be a triumph.
01:36His simple folk-inspired melody in Amar Pella's voice resonated deeply with its sincerity,
01:44and more recently, Cornelia Jacobs from Sweden Yet Again in 2012 with Hold Me Closer
01:50showcased a raw and emotionally charged melody that connected with so many viewers.
01:57Melody, after all, is incredibly important.
02:00Tempo also plays a part.
02:03While upbeat, danceable tracks often get the crowd going,
02:07powerful ballads have certainly had their share of victories.
02:10Ultimately, though, a truly distinctive and well-crafted melody will shine,
02:15no matter the speed.
02:16After all, what's the point of a catchy beat if the song itself is, well, a bit forgettable?
02:23The lyrics.
02:24Eurovision lyrics can be a wild ride,
02:27ranging from the deeply meaningful to the delightfully abstract.
02:33Probably the best word for it.
02:35But often, the most successful entries tap into universal emotions
02:39or present a clear, even if simple, message.
02:43I mean, let's think back to Abba's Waterloo in 1974.
02:46While historically monumental,
02:49the lyrics about surrendering to love were straightforward
02:52and easily relatable across language barriers.
02:55And then you have Jamala's powerful 1944 for Ukraine in 2016,
03:01which carried a specific and impactful narrative,
03:05proving that storytelling can deeply resonate.
03:08And Duncan Lawrence's arcade for the Netherlands in 2019,
03:11with its melancholic yet relatable lyrics about lost love,
03:15connected with a huge audience on an emotional level.
03:19Now, while English has become common for the winners,
03:21the feeling and clarity of the lyrics often matter more than the complex vocabulary.
03:27And let's be honest,
03:28a catchy tune and a good beat can sometimes even help you overlook lyrics
03:31that might be a little lost in translation,
03:35or even just gloriously nonsensical.
03:38Rhyme and repetition can definitely help with memorability,
03:41even if the deeper meaning remains a delightful mystery.
03:44I mean, who could forget the classic someone get that wolf a banana?
03:49Nonsensical?
03:50Yeah.
03:51A lot of fun?
03:53Oh, definitely.
03:55But Eurovision isn't just a singing contest,
03:57it's the visual spectacle as well,
04:00which I think some people sometimes forget.
04:03The live performance can elevate a good song into a great song,
04:07in Sam Ryder's case,
04:09a legendary Eurovision performance and song,
04:12or unfortunately a poor performance sinks its chances.
04:17A captivating presentation brings the melody and the lyrics to life,
04:21and we go back to 2006 for a great case in point,
04:25Finland's Lordi.
04:27Now, their win was as much about that catchy hard rock anthem
04:30as it was about those incredible monster costumes
04:33and the entire theatrical performance.
04:36The visual was absolutely integral.
04:39Austria's Conchita Wurst in 2014 combined a powerful vocal
04:45with a striking image,
04:46creating a moment of empowerment that resonated deeply.
04:51And yeah, I mean, let's just go back to Sam Ryder in 2022,
04:54because we're all proud.
04:55We're absolutely all proud.
04:57Spaceman showed his incredible vocals
05:00and a genuinely engaging stage presence
05:03that finally turned the tide for the United Kingdom.
05:05The staging, the camera work,
05:08the artist's connection with the audience,
05:10it all matters,
05:11much like it would at a rock concert,
05:14or a pop concert,
05:15or any tour that comes around your neck of the woods.
05:19A performance that exudes confidence,
05:21authenticity, and energy
05:22can leave a lasting impression on a million voting viewers.
05:27And a poor performance?
05:29Yeah.
05:30Yeah.
05:31Neil Poir is definitely, definitely a lasting impression
05:34somebody wouldn't want to have.
05:36So, as the Eurovision season unfolds,
05:39keep these ingredients in mind
05:40ahead of the semifinals on the 13th and 15th of May.
05:44The unforgettable melody,
05:46resonant lyrics,
05:48captivating live performance.
05:50Will the next winner follow this recipe for success,
05:52or will they surprise us all
05:54and cook up something completely new?
05:55Let's go.
05:56Let's go.
05:58My best grandma's death.
05:59Yo.
05:59Yo.