Seven songs to watch ahead of Eurovision, from Bambie Thug to the favourites to win

The Eurovision Song Contest kicks off on Tuesday evening with the first televised semi-final, featuring Ireland’s own Bambie Thug. Here are the songs that are big talking points in this year’s competition

Baby Lasagna of Croatia performs Rim Tim Tagi Dim during the dress rehearsal for the first semifinal at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden. Picture: AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Ireland: Doomsday Blue by Bambie Thug 

 

Bambie is looking to boost Ireland’s chances at Eurovision with their witchy rendition on Tuesday night. Not only is Ireland expected to qualify for the Grand Final for the first time since 2018, we could see our first top-10 finish since 2011 — or even the first top-five result since 1997.

First listen: Semi-final 1, Tuesday night 

Croatia: Rim Tim Tagi Dim by Baby Lasagna 

 

Baby Lasagna, aka singer-songwriter Marko Purišić, was best known as the guitarist of popular rock band Manntra, but has been flying solo for the past year. He wrote and composed the entry himself and says it is “about people leaving their country in search of a better life”. It is among the favourites to win the competition.

First listen: Semi-final 1, Tuesday night 

Switzerland: The Code by Nemo 

 

Switzerland’s entry details its singer’s experience coming to terms with their non-binary identity. According to singer Nemo, who is one of the song’s four writers, when accepting that they didn't "feel like a man or a woman... I had to break a few codes". This is another entry that is hotly tipped to win.

First listen: Semi-final 2, Thursday night 

Netherlands: Europapa by Joost Klein 

Dutch musician Joost Klein says Europapa is an ode to Europe and a "letter" to his late father, who taught him that the world has "no borders”. It s a fun, 90s-inspired tune and it broke the record for the most streamed song in a single day on Spotify in the Netherlands.

First listen: Semi-final 2, Thursday night 

Italy: La noia by Angelina Mango 

A fan favourite to win the contest, La noia translates to “the boredom”, which singer Mango said she tries to embrace in life. “Boredom is seen as a negative thing, but actually it is time that you dedicate to yourself, it allows you to discover yourself. Between a life of highs and lows and one of boredom, I will always choose one of highs and lows, but I will always leave myself time for boredom [as well]”. As a member of the "Big Five", Italy automatically qualifies for the final.

First listen: Grand Final, Saturday night 

Ukraine: Teresa & Maria by Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil 

Inspired by Saint Teresa and the Virgin Mary, Ukraine’s entry is described as a song about hope. “People in Ukraine wanted this,” Alyona told Rolling Stone. “So we decided to unite and remind European audiences how united they were in the beginning over the big invasion.” They will perform ahead of Ireland's Bambie Thug on Tuesday.

First listen: Semi-final 1, Tuesday night 

Israel: Hurricane by Eden Golan 

 

The cause of much controversy in this year’s contest, Isreal’s entry was originally titled 'October Rain' and viewed as a political message alluding to the Israel–Hamas war. The European Broadcasting Union requested a rewrite and after multiple submissions, the final revised version was approved on March 7. Both the song and Israel have faced numerous calls to be excluded from the contest due to the conflict in Gaza.

First listen: Semi-final 2, Thursday night