Mysteries of the EuroVerse

S2 EP10: Live From Basel (Class of 2025 Part II)

Zoë Më, Voyage, Switzerland (11:47), Go-Jo, Milkshake Man, Australia (26:53), Ziferblat, Bird of Pray, Ukraine (35:21), Aurin Squire, The Good Fight, (49:59)
 
 
 
 
On this episode, we're reporting on Eurovision 2025 from Basel! First we give you updates on this year's contest directly from the press center, covering the changes to the semi-final broadcasts and Eurovision's controversial flag rule.
 
 
 
Then we interview three artists from this year's Eurovision -  Switzerland's Zoe Me (Voyage), Australia's Go-Jo (Milkshake Man) and Ukraine's Ziferblat (Bird of Pray).
 
 
 
 
Finally, we sit down with television and Broadway writer Aurin Squire for a game about songwriting at Eurovision 2025 that we're calling "It Takes Two to Tango, but Many More to EuroDance"
 
 
 
 
"It Takes Two to Tango, but Many More to EuroDance"
 
 
 
 
Marko Bosnjak, Poison Cake (Croatia) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOodVfY8hCs
 
 
 
 
Mamagama, Run With You (Azerbaijan) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upbiPJ9uA70
 
 
 
 
Mariam Shengelia, Freedom (Georgia) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3wu0dUNd4c
 
 
 
 
 
Louane, Maman (France) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj2DTSLcNnI
 
 
 
 
 
Gabry Ponte, Tutta L'italia (San Marino) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vkDhFhgNX0
 
 
 
 
 
Remember Monday, What The Hell Just Happened (UK) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hu6R3ZnOdY

S2 EP9: Global-vision?: Eurovision's Continuing Expansion

Rambo Amadeus (Montenegro, 2012) - 23:05, Nico Carney (Vulture, Comedian You Should Know) - 42:30
 
 
 
 
On this episode, we talk about how Eurovision can achieve its goal of expansion. First, we use the occasion of Montenegro returning to the contest to explore the ways that Eurovision can make it easier for even more countries to join. 
 
 
 
 
Then we talk to iconic Montenegrin artist, Rambo Amadeus, whose Euro Nero explores the complications of integrating into the larger European project. We talk to him about whether participating in European institutions makes sense for Montenegro - and explore why Europe is facing rising tides of nationalism and isolation.
 
 
 
 
Finally, we sit down with comedian Nico Carney to explore the difference between Yugoslavian entrants into Eurovision and the Montenegrin entrants that followed. It's a game we're calling "The Full Montenegro."
 
 
 
 
 
SONGS FROM THE FULL MONTENEGRO:
 
 
 
 
1. Tajči, Hajde da ludujemo (Yugoslavia, 1990) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksPXBLCwaL4
 
 
 
 
2. Rambo Amadeus, Euro Neuro (Montenegro, 2012) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHnqF5PLP2w
 
 
 
 
3. Sergej Cetkovic, Moj Svijet (Montenegro, 2014) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FJtzRSKHKg
 
 
 
4. Knez, Adio (Montenegro 2015) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4giAO-2aICo
 
 
 
 
5. Riva, Rock Me (Yugoslavia, 1989) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1glDWFMK_0
 
 
 
 
6. Who See, Igranka (Montenegro 2013) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR9rtB2ilZU
 
 
 
7. Novi Fosili, Ja sam za ples (Yugoslavia, 1987) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvOPsKnKNIQ
 
 
 
 
 
 

S2 EP8: And Then They Wrote A Song (Songwriting Part II)

Wouter Hardy (Arcade)- 3:36, NYLAN (The Code, Shhhh) - 23:46, Benji Alasu (The Code, Survivor) - 41:43
 
 
 
This week, we're talking to the songwriters behind two Eurovision winning hits. First we sit down with Wouter Hardy, who co-wrote Duncan Laurence's Arcade - the first Eurovision song in nearly a quarter century to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Then we turn to two writers, NYLAN and Benji Alasu who, along with Linda Dale and Nemo themselves, wrote last year's Eurovision winner, Nemo's The Code. These writers give us a window into their unique processes and help us further explore the diversity of ways in which Eurovision songs get written - and how that diversity in process affects the song you end up with in the end.
 
 
 
Featured Songs:
 
 
Duncan Laurence, Arcade - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eztx7Wr8PtE
 
 
Duncan Laurence, Stars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Zv_xZiaok
 
 
 
Gjons Tears, Tout L’Univers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpM6o6UiBIw
 
 
 
Nemo, The Code - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGDvM14Kwg
 
 
 
Theo Evans, Shh - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfQqWyqgJw
 
 
 
Elsie Bay, 100 Years - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UbFfO_Uy80
 
 
 
Parg, Survivor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfH5o3XtI2c
 
 
 
Milune, Torn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwBN-17HXGE
 
 
 
Remo Forrer, Not Okay - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXZM-DH5Zb4

S2 EP7: Eurovision Class of 2025 Part 1

Sissal (Hallucination, Denmark 2025) - 3:59, Shkodra Electronike (Zjerm, Albania 2025) - 22:19, Pixie Aventura (Hulu's Drag Me To Dinner) - 43:00
 
 
 
 
This is our first episode featuring interviews with Eurovision 2025 contestants! We've talked about Eurovision's dual identity as a place for both global pop and culturally specific numbers, and in this episode we talk to two acts who embody either side of that identity: Sissal, representing Denmark with an instant Scandipop classic, Hallucination, and Albania's Shkodra Elektronike, whose song Zjerm is infused with the traditional sounds drawn from the history of music from Shkoder.
 
 
 
 
We then sit down with EuroVerse favorite Pixie Aventura who brings her Eurovision expertise to a discussion of her favorites of this year, as well as to a game covering some of this year's non-English language entries called "It's All Greek (And Lithuanian and French and Icelandic and Montenegrin and Latvian) To Me!" Eurovision 2025 features the most non-English songs since the language rule was dropped. For more information on the language rule, check-out Season 1, Episode 4.
 
 
 
 
SONGS:
 
 
 
Sissal
 
 
Dino Jelusic, Ti Si Moja Prva Ljubav: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=RT8eDwbt_CQ
 
 
The Olsen Brothers, Fly on The Wings of Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF8fkHK0AWs
 
 
 
Sissal, Here Me Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZILZGDMyTI
 
 
 
Sissal, Far From Sober: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAEyRIvmdaw
 
 
 
 
Shkodra Electronike
 
 
 
Turtulleshë, Shkodra Elektronike - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHVz0GkB0HQ
 
 
 
"Turkish Kaval played by Nadishana" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PkWYNJAZqY
 
 
 
Saz, An Introduction, Filip Holm - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLZ0DBsa0v0
 
 
 
Sufi Music: Zikr, Celebrate Humanity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKyCXVuQ9Es
 
 
 
Cifteli popullore, Ciftelia TV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS6aIJ5WPpk
 
 
 
Pixie Aventura:
 
 
Esa Diva, Melody (Spain, 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvVxhbCW9rw
 
 
 
*Gorilla Song, Melody - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90avMgG5NAM
 
 
 
GAJA, Justyna Steczkowska (Poland 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXHHDjiclxA
 
 
 
The Tower, Luna (Poland 2024) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhvDkF9XZx0
 
 
 
C'est La Vie, Claude (The Netherlands 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEHwr5k9pd0
 
 
 
Volevo Essere Un Duro, Lucio Corsi (Italy 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfAf9-5Oevw
 
 
Espresso Macchiato, Tommy Cash (Eurovision 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK6CUNXip7Q
 
 
 
Bur Man Laimi, Tautumeitas (Latvia 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1_t79mQkm4
 
 
 
"It's All Greek (And Lithuanian and French and Icelandic and Montenegrin and Latvian) To Me!"
 
 
 
Asteromáta, Klavdia (Greece 2025)  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxzeTezgey4
 
 
 
Voyage, Zoe Me (Switzerland 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGX54zRExR8
 
 
 
RÓA, VÆB (Iceland 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZE1WzOwtQQ
 
 
 
Dobrodošli, Nina Žižić (Montenegro 2025) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zs0yq39aFA
 

S2 EP6: Eurovision 69: Too Hot for TV

Martin Green (Director of Eurovision) - 24:37, Santino Fontana (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Frozen, Tootsie) - 42:08
 
 
First we deep dive into the controversy around three of Eurovision’s most provocative acts: Australia’s Milkshake Man (Go Jo), Malta’s Serving (Miriana Conte), and Finland’s Ich Komme (Erika Vikman). We discuss broader trends that have led the contest once known exclusively as a “family show” to have to confront these boundary pushing acts - and talk about how Eurovision’s recently released Code of Conduct could be a road map for the future.
 
 
Then, in a very special interview, we talk to the new Director of Eurovision - Martin Green. We discuss the various controversies the contest has to face in these politically divided, fractious times - and get a sense of how he and the organization are thinking about navigating the current social moment.
 
 
Finally, we sit down with Tony Award-winning star of stage and screen Santino Fontana (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Hans in Disney’s Frozen, Tootsie) for a look at how right-wing politicians have tried to tame Eurovision acts in the past, in a game we're calling "Crazy Ex-Governments."
 
 
 
CRAZY EX-GOVERNMENTS:
 
SPAIN
 
Barei, Say Yay! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0I37W3RN_U
 
Blanco Paloma, Eaea - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxuO0qZITko
 
 
POLAND
Gromee feat Lukas Meijer, Light Me Up - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfUJ2eDm6ng
 
Luna, The Tower - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhvDkF9XZx0
 
Donatan and Cleo, We Are Slavic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ920cN2HmA
 
 
UK
 
James Newman, Embers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMDGTsa_Qq0
 
Olly Alexander, Dizzy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLNUj7kvn2w
 
 
HUNGARY
 
Joci Papai, Origo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LflrKXL022U
 
Zoli Ádok, Dance With Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXjY3Y9RMZI
 
 
ISRAEL
 
Harel Skaat, Milim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj0qaNnLk9M
 
Noa and Mira Awad, There Must Be Another Way - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBTQFOkFZw8
 

S2 EP5: That's How You Write A Song!

Julien Salvia and Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal (Writers, Luxembourg 2025) - 18:23, Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Addams Family, Wild Party) - 34:45
 
 
 
 
This week we're talking about songwriting! In our first segment, we discuss how culture and technology have changed the collaborative model for songwriting over the years - and discuss how and why all collaborative models, even some older ones, are still relevant at Eurovision today.
 
 
 
 
Then, we talk to Julien Salvia and Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal- the songwriters behind Luxembourg's 2025 entry, "La poupée monte le son." They give us a window into their songwriting process and how it's developed over years writing for theater, and now Eurovision.
 
 
 
 
Finally, we sit down with preeminent Broadway composer, Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Addams Family, Wild Party) for a game that explores the differences between Eurovision and the charts. Andrew brings his songwriting expertise to bear on a number of Eurovision songs over the years- some of which were hits at the contest, while others stood out on the charts.
 
 
 
MAYBE THEY LIKE IT THIS WAY:
 
 
2017
 
Blanche, City Lights (Belgium): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbomdE81_mA
 
 
Salvador Sobral, Amar pelos dois (Portugal): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6DqfHPkKUc
 
 
 
2016
 
Jamala, 1944 (Ukraine): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCG2rw4ZXTY
 
 
Frans, If I Were Sorry (Sweden): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTdelXRlA4
 
 
 
2022
 
Rosa Linn, Snap (Armenia): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVqGKkm7xBE 
 
Kalush Orchestra, Stefania (Ukraine): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiEGVYOruLk
 
 
 
1996:
 
Eimear Quinn, The Voice (Ireland): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KiE1byYXtA
 
 
Gina G Ooh Ah Just A Little Bit (UK): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgN-pI1rA0E
 
 
 
2002
 
Ira Losco, 7th Wonder (Malta): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4fHMmPqC80
 
 
 Marie N, I Wanna (Latvia): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M-w89U8TEU

S2 EP4: Let's Talk About Celine Dion (Part 2)

Emilija Kokić, Riva, Rock Me, WINNER Yugoslavia 1989 (27:23), Jackie Cox (47:08)
 
 
 
This is the second episode in our two part series about Celine Dion! We pick up right after Celine's Eurovision victory, tracing her rise to global pop stardom, her experience of critical backlash, her health struggles and her recent comeback. As we do so, we discuss the parallels between Celine's ebb and flow of cultural relevance, and that of the contest that launched her. 
 
 
 
 
Then we speak to Emilija Kokić, who won Eurovision the year after Celine for Yugoslavia, as the front woman of Riva, with the song Rock Me. We discuss that incredible moment in the late '80s when it felt like the world was opening up, and the difficult aftermath as Emilija launched her solo career against the back drop of war, genocide and the break-up of Yugoslavia.
 
 
 
 
Finally, we sit down with Jackie Cox (RuPaul's Drag Race Season 12), and explore Canadian acts at Eurovision, in a game of Tops and Bottoms that we're calling the "Not Like Us" edition. We cover everything from the code switching Canadians are often forced to do on the international stage, to the threat the country now faces from Donald Trump.
 
 
 
 
TOPS AND BOTTOMS: NOT LIKE US EDITION
 
 
 
Sherisse Laurence, L’amour de ma vie (Luxembourg, 1986): 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTyzJSnLv3Q
 
 
 
Celine Dion, Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi (Switzerland 1988): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXLWfXmlXPc
 
 
 
Annie Cotton, Moi, tout simplement, (Switzerland, 1993): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QG-kvD7GHo
 
 
 
Natasha St-Pier, Je N'ai Que Mon Âme, (France, 2001): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCfqvkCEyy4
 
 
 
Rykka, The Last of Our Kind, (Switzerland, 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96ENe3EYBE0
 
 
 
La Zarra, Evidement, (France, 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWfbEFH9NvQ

S2 EP3: Let's Talk About Celine Dion (Part 1)

Marie Louise Werth, Furbaz, 1989 (21:29), Gianmarco Soresi, Comedian, (36:00)
 
 
 
This episode is part one of a two part series about Eurovision icon Celine Dion. We start by deep diving into some broad themes of Celine's early career and life, and discuss how she as an artist faces a lot of the same challenges and biases as the contest that made her famous. Then we talk to Marie Louise Werth who, as the lead singer of Furbaz competed for Switzerland the year after Celine Dion, and competed against Celine Dion in the Swiss National Final. Furbaz is the only band ever to sing Romansh on the Eurovision stage. We then sit down with comedian Gianmarco Soresi and play a game about Switzerland's unique history at Eurovision that we're calling "Chaotic Neutral."
 
 
 
CHAOTIC NEUTRAL:
 
 
Jean Philippe, The Return, 1962 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCNL5rtwabo
 
 
Nemo, The Code, 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGDvM14Kwg
 
 
Vanilla Ninja, Cool Vibes, 2005 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJX8RWJg7y4
 
 
Luca Hanni, She Got Me, 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PxoMWtAC7M

S2 EP2: Eurovision Comebacks!

Scooch, UK 2007 (24:11), Cady Huffman (43:35)
 
 
 
Scooch, Flying the Flag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6yOIC6ihI
 
 
 
On this episode, we're talking about Eurovision comebacks! First we explore the history of UK artists using the Eurovision stage to relaunch their careers. Then we talk to Eurovision comeback icons Scooch, whose "Flying the Flag (For You)" remains a classic to this day. Finally, we sit down with Broadway star Cady Huffman (Tony winner for her turn as Ulla in the Producers), and play her a series of Eurovision songs that either made or broke the careers of the artists who performed them. Cady tries to tell the difference between the rising stars and the ones who didn't carry on, in a game we're calling "Remember When Ulla Danced? Will Ulla Ever Dance Again!?"
 
 
 
Remember When Ulla Danced? Will Ulla Ever Dance Again!?
 
 
 
Teenage Life, Daz Sampson (UK, 2006): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYgE7O0OLyw
 
 
Long Live Love, Olivia Newton John (UK, 1974): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBi_BDvQ2ag
 
 
I See A Star, Mouth and MacNeal (The Netherlands, 1974): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YeKTR7OFWs
 
 
Cry Baby, Jemini (UK,  2003): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAJ62IG3gBo
 
 
Gwendolyne, Julio Iglesias (Spain, 1970): https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ChvTMWYplAk
 
 
 
Calm After The Storm, The Common Linnets (Netherlands, 2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWe8PRsW4T0

S2 EP1: Eurovision and the Avant-Garde

Konstrakta - Serbia 2022 (22:33), Charles Busch - Tale of the Allergist's Wife (43:42)
 
 
In our Season 2 premiere we're tackling Eurovision and the Avant-Garde! First, we deep dive into the history of avant-garde Eurovision acts and discuss the tension between Eurovision's desire to appeal to the broadest possible audience and its elevation of some of the most aesthetically and politically innovative pop acts of the last half century.
 
 
Then, we talk to Eurovision avant-garde darling Konstrakta, who took Turin by storm in 2022 with In Corpore Sano. Konstrakta walks us through her decades long career, where she has explored a modernity shaped by listlessness, spiritual consumerism and consternation about how it is that Megan Markle actually does get her healthy hair.
 
Finally, we sit down with queer theater pioneer Charles Busch, whose play, Tale of the Allergist's Wife, is the longest running Broadway comedy in the last quarter century. We get his thoughts on Eurovision's most boundary pushing acts, as well as a wild story about an alluring, antique thieving count.
 
 
 
 
"VAMPIRE LESBIANS OF EUROVISION" CLIPS
 
 
 
Konstrakta, In Corpore Sano (Serbia, 2022) -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odFhYxoXiuo
 
 
 
 Rodolfo Chikilicuatre, Baila el Chiki-Chiki (Spain, 2008) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfeCIvOxXBo
 
 
 
Guildo Horn, Guildo Hat Euch Lieb (Germany, 1998) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo_DyXn-9Bc
 
 
 
Les Fatals Picards, L'amour à la française (France, 2008) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjo3PIABpVQ
 
 
 
Let 3, Mamma SC (Croatia, 2023) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isZ_4AnCTnA&t=1s
 
 
 
Verka Serduchka, Dancing Lasha Tumbai (Ukraine, 2007) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfjHJneVonE&t=1s