On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, discover the Eurovision Song Contest favourites, the UK’s last win, iconic past champions, and the secrets to a winning Eurovision song as we preview the vibrant 2025 contest in Basel!
The Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s largest and most colorful music competition, is back for its 69th edition in 2025, taking place in Basel, Switzerland. Known for its vibrant performances, quirky entries, and global fanbase, Eurovision continues to captivate audiences with its blend of music, culture, and spectacle. As anticipation builds for the Grand Final on May 17, let’s dive into the favorites to win, reflect on the UK’s last victory, celebrate famous past winners, explore what makes a song successful at Eurovision, and preview what’s in store for 2025.
Favorites to Win Eurovision 2025
Bookmakers and fans are buzzing with predictions for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, with several countries emerging as frontrunners based on their entries, performances, and historical success. According to the latest betting odds, Sweden and Austria are leading the pack, with other nations like France, Israel, and the Netherlands also in contention.
Sweden: KAJ with “Bara Bada Bastu”
Sweden, a Eurovision powerhouse with seven wins (tied with Ireland for the most), is the odds-on favorite at 4/5 to 1/1 to claim a record-breaking eighth victory. The Finnish-Swedish comedy trio KAJ, consisting of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård, brings a quirky, accordion-led pop song celebrating Finnish sauna culture. Their nostalgic yet modern track, performed in the Vörå dialect, topped Sweden’s Melodifestivalen and Spotify’s global viral chart, showcasing its infectious appeal. The song’s folksy energy and theatrical performance have resonated with audiences, making Sweden a strong contender to make history in Basel.
Austria: JJ with “Wasted Love”
Hot on Sweden’s heels is Austria’s JJ, whose operatic ballad “Wasted Love” has a 21% chance of winning, with odds around 5/2. The song’s dramatic build, blending delicate piano with an explosive EDM climax, echoes the emotional depth of Austria’s 2014 winner, Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix.” JJ’s entry has seen a surge in support, with 12.1% of bets placed on it before the first semi-final, suggesting a potential upset. A win would mark Austria’s first victory since 2014 and only its third ever.
Other Contenders
France’s Louane, with her song “Maman,” sits in third place with 6% odds, offering an emotional, melodic entry at 14/1. Israel’s Yuval Raphael, despite controversy surrounding the country’s participation, is fifth with “New Day Will Rise,” a piano ballad at 5% odds. The Netherlands’ Claude, with a 6% chance, and Estonia’s Tommy Cash, with the controversial rap-dance track “Espresso Macchiato,” are also in the conversation, though farther back at 14/1 and 2% odds, respectively. Malta’s Miriana Conte, with her queer-inspired “Serving,” has generated buzz but sits at longer odds (111th place). The UK’s entry, Remember Monday, is a long shot at 66/1 to 100/1, predicted to finish around 11th to 18th.
While Sweden and Austria lead, Eurovision is notorious for surprises, as seen last year when Switzerland’s Nemo climbed from fourth to first to win with “The Code.” The unpredictable nature of televoting and jury scores keeps the competition wide open.
When Did the UK Last Win?
The United Kingdom, one of Eurovision’s “Big Five” countries (alongside France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, which automatically qualify for the final due to their financial contributions to the EBU), has a storied history in the contest.
The UK has won five times, with victories in 1967 (Sandie Shaw, “Puppet on a String”), 1969 (Lulu, “Boom Bang-a-Bang”), 1976 (Brotherhood of Man, “Save Your Kisses for Me”), 1981 (Bucks Fizz, “Making Your Mind Up”), and most recently in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves’ “Love Shine a Light.” This 1997 win, now 28 years ago, marked the UK’s last triumph, with the song earning 227 points in a dominant performance.
Since 1997, the UK has struggled to replicate its past success, despite a record 16 second-place finishes, including Sam Ryder’s strong showing in 2022 with “Space Man.” The country’s 2025 entry, the country-pop girl trio Remember Monday (Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele), brings “What the Hell Just Happened?”—a Queen-inspired, high-energy track with key changes and tempo shifts. While praised for its bold, chaotic style, the song faces an uphill battle, with odds suggesting a mid-table finish at best.
Famous Winners from Eurovision’s Past
Eurovision has launched numerous artists to global stardom, with several winners becoming household names. Here are some of the most iconic:
ABBA (Sweden, 1974): The Swedish quartet’s “Waterloo” revolutionized Eurovision, blending catchy pop with theatrical energy. The song’s explosive debut amidst a field of more traditional entries propelled ABBA to international fame, making them one of the best-selling music acts of all time. “Waterloo” was voted the most popular Eurovision song in a 2005 poll marking the contest’s 50th anniversary.
Céline Dion (Switzerland, 1988): Representing Switzerland, the then-unknown Canadian singer won with “Ne partez pas sans moi,” showcasing her vocal prowess. The victory launched her into global superstardom, cementing her as one of the world’s most successful vocalists.
Måneskin (Italy, 2021): The Italian rock band’s “Zitti e buoni” brought a raw, hard-rock edge to Eurovision, winning in 2021 and achieving worldwide popularity. Their victory marked Italy’s first win since 1990 and highlighted Eurovision’s ability to embrace diverse genres.
Conchita Wurst (Austria, 2014): The bearded drag queen’s “Rise Like a Phoenix” was a powerful ballad of self-empowerment, winning hearts with its emotional depth and groundbreaking representation of the LGBTQ+ community. It was the first winning act since 1970 to perform without backing singers or dancers.
Loreen (Sweden, 2012 and 2023): One of only two performers to win Eurovision twice (alongside Ireland’s Johnny Logan), Loreen’s “Euphoria” (2012) and “Tattoo” (2023) are modern classics, blending euphoric dance-pop with emotional resonance. Her 2023 win tied Sweden with Ireland for the most victories (seven).
Other notable winners include Johnny Logan (Ireland, 1980 and 1987), Dana International (Israel, 1998, the first transgender winner), and Duncan Laurence (Netherlands, 2019), whose “Arcade” became a streaming juggernaut. These artists highlight Eurovision’s role as a springboard for talent and a platform for cultural milestones.
What Makes a Successful Eurovision Song?
Crafting a winning Eurovision song is an art form, blending musicality, performance, and emotional connection. Experts and past winners highlight several key elements:
- Catchy Melodies and Hooks: Eurovision thrives on memorable melodies. Songs like Sweden’s 1984 winner “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley” leaned heavily on melodic hooks, even if the lyrics were whimsical. Strong, singable choruses are critical to capturing audience votes.
- Emotional Depth and Lyrical Themes: Songs often fall into six thematic categories: love, unity, self-assertion, partying, history, or music itself. Self-empowerment anthems, like Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix” or Serbia’s 2007 winner “Molitva,” resonate deeply, especially in minor keys, which dominated 85% of 2023 finalists for their emotional weight.
- Surprise Twists: Catchy songs with unexpected elements—like key changes, tempo shifts, or staging surprises—stand out. Bucks Fizz’s 1981 win with “Making Your Mind Up” paired a key change with a memorable skirt-ripping costume reveal, creating a lasting impression. However, key changes have waned in impact, with no winner since 2007 using a final chorus key change.
- Simple, Memorable Staging: Over-the-top staging can overwhelm, but simple, iconic visuals stick. Denmark’s 2013 winner “Only Teardrops” used minimal staging—a barefoot singer, drummers, and a flutist—that was easy to recall. Conchita Wurst’s 2014 solo performance also relied on vocal power over elaborate props.
- Cultural or Quirky Appeal: Eurovision fans embrace quirky, unique entries that reflect cultural identity or push boundaries, like KAJ’s sauna-themed song or Malta’s “Serving.” Acts that celebrate diversity, like Conchita Wurst or Dana International, often connect with voters.
- Vocal “Money Moments”: Standout vocal performances, or “money moments,” as vocal coach Carrie Grant calls them, can clinch votes. These are powerful, emotive peaks that showcase an artist’s range and captivate audiences.
The balance of repetition and surprise, paired with strong vocals and culturally resonant themes, often separates winners from the pack. However, the unpredictable blend of jury and televoting means even a perfect formula can be upended by audience sentiment.
What’s Coming in Eurovision 2025?
The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, hosted in Basel’s St. Jakobshalle (a 12,400-seat arena), promises a vibrant celebration of music and unity. Switzerland, hosting for the third time after Nemo’s 2024 win with “The Code,” has chosen the theme “Unity Shapes Love,” symbolized by colorful miniatures of the Eurovision heart in a halftone pixelation effect. The event features two semi-finals (May 13 and 15) and the Grand Final (May 17), broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, with presenters Hazel Brugger, Sandra Studer, and Michelle Hunziker (for the final).
Thirty-seven countries are participating, including Montenegro’s return after a two-year absence, though Moldova withdrew due to economic constraints. The “Big Five” (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain) and host Switzerland automatically qualify for the final, joined by 10 qualifiers from each semi-final.
Notable entries include Estonia’s Tommy Cash with “Espresso Macchiato,” a rap-dance ode to Italian clichés, and Australia’s Go-Jo with the cheeky “Milkshake Man.” Ireland’s Emmy, singing about a reimagined fate for Soviet space dog Laika, failed to qualify, while Israel’s Yuval Raphael and Malta’s Miriana Conte advanced amid controversy.
The event will feature guest performances by 2024 winner Nemo, Finland’s 2023 runner-up Käärijä, and Croatia’s 2024 standout Baby Lasagna. The Eurovision Village at Basel’s Messe and Congress Center will host performances and screenings, while the EuroClub offers after-parties. A “Turquoise Carpet” event on May 11 kicked off the festivities, and St. Jakob-Park will screen the final with additional performances.
Controversy persists, particularly around Israel’s participation due to the ongoing war in Gaza, with protests expected and heightened security involving 1,300 Swiss police officers. New EBU rules, spurred by the 2024 disqualification of the Netherlands’ Joost Klein, ban unauthorized behind-the-scenes filming and enforce stricter conduct guidelines.
Conclusion
Eurovision 2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling mix of musical innovation, cultural celebration, and high-stakes competition. Sweden and Austria lead the betting odds, but Eurovision’s history of surprises means any of the 26 Grand Finalists could claim the glass microphone trophy. The UK, despite its rich legacy and five wins, faces long odds to end its 28-year drought since Katrina and the Waves’ 1997 victory. Iconic past winners like ABBA, Céline Dion, and Måneskin highlight Eurovision’s global impact, while the formula for success—catchy melodies, emotional depth, and memorable staging—remains key. With Basel’s stage set for glitter, drama, and unity, Eurovision 2025 promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter in the contest’s storied history. Tune in on May 17 to see who will shine brightest.
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