Eurovision Song Context

Bradley Dalton-Oates
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We start with expertise and end up in Eurovision. It’s kind of our thing. Eurovision Song Context is a monthly podcast that looks at the Eurovision Song Contest through an unexpected lens: expert insight. Each episode, a guest from a different field — psychology, fashion, politics, design, linguistics, and more — talk about their work and how it helps us understand 2–3 Eurovision entries in a whole new light. Are these songs genuinely good? So bad they’re good? Or just weirdly unforgettable? Longform episodes come out on the 12th of every month (the "douzeth"). We're where brilliant minds meet bad key changes.

  1. FEB 12

    Episode 80: Tiny Vinyl & Big Eurovision with Jesse Mann and Ruben Planting

    🎶 Eurovision & Songs Sébastien Tellier – “Divine” (France, Eurovision 2008) • YouTube video of the performance at Eurovision 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZQjBCvFd9E • Wikipedia page for the song Divine (background, album, Eurovision facts): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_(S%C3%A9bastien_Tellier_song) Joost Klein – “Europapa” (Netherlands, Eurovision 2024) • Wikipedia page for Europapa (song info, Eurovision entry details): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europapa • EurovisionWorld entry page for Europapa info and entry details (archival/contest info): https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/joost-klein-from-the-netherlands-disqualified-from-eurovision-2024 💿 Tiny Vinyl & Format Tiny Vinyl (official site) • Tiny Vinyl 4-inch playable record format overview and info: https://www.tinyvinyl.com/ Tiny Vinyl articles & press • What Hi-Fi article on Tiny Vinyl collectible format: https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/vinyl/check-out-these-adorable-tiny-vinyl-4-inch-records • GearPatrol overview on Tiny Vinyl and how it works on normal turntables: https://www.gearpatrol.com/audio/tiny-vinyl/ • MusicRow announcement of Tiny Vinyl launch and retail rollout: https://musicrow.com/2025/08/tiny-vinyl-launches-nationwide-with-pocket-sized-records-from-top-artists/ 🎙 Other Contextual & Reference Links Joost Klein (artist page) • Wikipedia page for Joost Klein (career overview, discography including Europapa): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joost_Klein Tiny Vinyl at Target USA: https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=tiny+vinyl Sebastian Tellier Article: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jan/08/sebastien-tellier-interview-kiss-the-beast-electropop-eurovision

    49 min

  2. JAN 7

    Episode 79: (Part 2) Zero Stars, Nul Points: June Thomas on Failure, Cynicism, and Eurovision

    Links to June’s Newsletter! https://buttondown.com/WhereAre — June Thomas — Book A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas — Podcasts by June Thomas Working (Slate) https://slate.com/podcasts/working The Waves (Slate) https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast) https://slate.com/podcasts/outward Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum) https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest — Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003) Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025) Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021) Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4 Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021) Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024) Grand Final placement: 24th of 26 Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025) Placement: 19th of 26 Jury: 88 — Televote: 0 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE — Guardian Review Referenced Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible” The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible — Other Guardian context discussed Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature) https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate) https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews — Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse Slate — review of “American Canto” https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html — Optional background links for listeners Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024 — Show page & archive https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm —

    55 min

  3. JAN 7

    Episode 78: (Part 1) Zero Stars, Nul Points: June Thomas on Failure, Cynicism, and Eurovision

    Links to June’s Newsletter! https://buttondown.com/WhereAre — June Thomas — Book A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas — Podcasts by June Thomas Working (Slate) https://slate.com/podcasts/working The Waves (Slate) https://slate.com/podcasts/the-waves Outward (Slate LGBTQ podcast) https://slate.com/podcasts/outward Culture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum) https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest — Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003) Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 points YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjw Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025) Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualify YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrs Jendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021) Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 points YouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4 Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021) Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 points YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxk Olly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024) Grand Final placement: 24th of 26 Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlA Remember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025) Placement: 19th of 26 Jury: 88 — Televote: 0 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE — Guardian Review Referenced Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible” The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025 https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible — Other Guardian context discussed Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature) https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-are Commentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate) https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews — Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse Slate — review of “American Canto” https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html — Optional background links for listeners Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_Age Olly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024 — Show page & archive https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm —

    56 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Episode 77: [Bonus Content] The JESC Holiday Party Episode, Featuring Very Questionable Gifts

    Welcome to our Holiday Bonus Episode of Eurovision Song Context! This festive special brings together Jody, Mies, Mike from The EuroWhat Podcast, Sheldon, and Russ for a joyful, chaotic, deeply unserious dive into Junior Eurovision 2024—complete with our annual white elephant gift exchange. We break down standout JESC entries, talk about the unfolding drama in adult Eurovision, debate whether kids should be belting for three minutes straight, and unwrap some of the strangest “gifts” ever assembled: cattle-prod wearables, psychedelic Conchita dresses, velvet lions, Eurovision trading cards, milkshake gear, and more. Cozy, nerdy, unhinged, and entirely festive. 🎶 Watch All Junior Eurovision 2024 Videos All JESC songs and the JESC show on the big night can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@junioreurovision/videos 🎁 White Elephant Gift Album (All Fake Gifts) View every gift we exchanged during the episode here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jKv-wGWDHk4T2ZwX69YHu-wIZh0qoXRA?usp=sharing 🗣️ Guests & Where to Find Them Mike (The EuroWhat Podcast) Website: https://eurowhat.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/eurowhat Sheldon Music industry commentary & writing on Medium: https://medium.com/@sheldon Jody, Mies, and Russ Eurovision superfans, returning guests, volunteers, and the backbone of our annual chaos. 🇿🇦 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) Sheldon will be presenting at this year's South African Music Awards — South Africa’s equivalent of the Grammys. Official SAMA website: https://samusicawards.co.za South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the network airing the ceremony: https://www.sabc.co.za A streaming link will be added if/when it becomes available. 📌 Episode Highlights Opening discussion: Eurovision countries withdrawing What is Junior Eurovision supposed to be? Which kids scream unnecessarily (a scientific inquiry) Cultural representation & language politics in JESC Predictions for winners, jury favorites & staging National selections we’re excited for (Sanremo, Sweden, Serbia, Spain) The annual White Elephant Gift Exchange — truly unhinged 🙏 Support the Pod If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating to help more ESC fans find us.

    1h 27m

  5. 11/13/2025

    Episode 75: (Part 2) Eurovision: When Life Drops a Plot Twist

    Open When: Songs for Life’s Hard Moments — Episode Shownotes Sheldon’s Journey Articles The Journey (I) – Dec 2022: https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-decb793f390d The Journey II – Dec 2023: https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40cc The Journey III – Jan 2025: https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-iii-b52fd3ed2fbc PLAYLIST — YouTube Links (Plain Text) A. When It’s Hard to Be with Yourself The Roop – “On Fire” (Lithuania 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAUxuuu1w8 Diodato – “Fai Rumore” (Italy 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3ksX7K-1A Blanche – “City Lights” (Belgium 2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZvz3j5AgE KEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” (Norway 2019) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs B. When It’s Hard to Be with Other People Maraaya – “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWBDm7bm0M Konstrakta – “In corpore sano” (Serbia 2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7E8zK5fF8 Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” (Belgium 2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNxeraWCn8 Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” (Germany 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE2oS0NzVbg C. When It’s Hard to Be with Your Feelings Salvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois” (Portugal 2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCM The Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” (Netherlands 2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYOC-wfE5pQ S10 – “De Diepte” (Netherlands 2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tRdbXVHVk Zibbz – “Stones” (Switzerland 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI5T0io798 Aisel – “X My Heart” (Azerbaijan 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZtG6bUtiE8 Bonus Songs Discussed Brotherhood of Man – “Kisses for Me” (United Kingdom 1976) https://youtu.be/6OW1JJwqVRQ?si=9CuhjWPps1zOjmbX Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” (Austria 2018) https://youtu.be/a8Yvzo1puoE?si=qvBly9XqIkc_CcsG my email: eurovisionsongcontext@gmail.com

    1h 14m

  6. 11/12/2025

    Episode 76: (Part 1) Eurovision: When Life Drops a Plot Twist

    Open When: Songs for Life’s Hard Moments — Episode Shownotes Sheldon’s Journey Articles The Journey (I) – Dec 2022: https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-decb793f390d The Journey II – Dec 2023: https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40cc The Journey III – Jan 2025: https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-iii-b52fd3ed2fbc PLAYLIST — YouTube Links (Plain Text) A. When It’s Hard to Be with Yourself The Roop – “On Fire” (Lithuania 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAUxuuu1w8 Diodato – “Fai Rumore” (Italy 2020) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3ksX7K-1A Blanche – “City Lights” (Belgium 2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZvz3j5AgE KEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” (Norway 2019) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs B. When It’s Hard to Be with Other People Maraaya – “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWBDm7bm0M Konstrakta – “In corpore sano” (Serbia 2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7E8zK5fF8 Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” (Belgium 2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNxeraWCn8 Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” (Germany 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE2oS0NzVbg C. When It’s Hard to Be with Your Feelings Salvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois” (Portugal 2017) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCM The Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” (Netherlands 2014) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYOC-wfE5pQ S10 – “De Diepte” (Netherlands 2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tRdbXVHVk Zibbz – “Stones” (Switzerland 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI5T0io798 Aisel – “X My Heart” (Azerbaijan 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZtG6bUtiE8 Bonus Songs Discussed Brotherhood of Man – “Kisses for Me” (United Kingdom 1976) https://youtu.be/6OW1JJwqVRQ?si=9CuhjWPps1zOjmbX Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” (Austria 2018) https://youtu.be/a8Yvzo1puoE?si=qvBly9XqIkc_CcsG my email: eurovisionsongcontext@gmail.com

    1h 27m

  7. 10/16/2025

    Episode 74: Personal Note

    Eurovision Song Context

    1 min

  8. 09/12/2025

    Episode 73: Vienna 2026! Helena Steinhart on Vienna in Culture, Inclusivity & ESC

    Museums & Culture Sigmund Freud Museum – https://www.freud-museum.at/en Leopold Museum – https://www.leopoldmuseum.org/en Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) – https://www.khm.at/en Funeral Museum Vienna – https://www.bestattungsmuseum.at/en Cafés & Coffee Culture Café Landtmann – https://www.landtmann.at/en/ Café Bräunerhof – https://www.cafe-braeunerhof.at/ Café Sperl – https://www.cafesperl.at/ Café Balthasar – https://www.balthasar.at/ Café Ritter – https://www.cafe-ritter.at/ Food & Drink Sachertorte – https://www.sacher.com/en/original-sacher-torte/ Wiener Schnitzel – https://www.austria.info/en/things-to-do/food-and-drink/recipes/wiener-schnitzel Viennese Coffee Specialties – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/coffeehouses/coffee-339182 Events & Public Spaces EuroPride Vienna – https://viennapride.at/en/ Life Ball – https://www.lifeball.org/ Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest) – https://donauinselfest.at/ Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) – https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/sights/from-s-to-z/rathaus-352254 Vienna Experiences Vienna Vineyards & Wine (Gemischter Satz) – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/viennese-wine-342014 Apple Strudel Show at Schönbrunn Palace – https://www.cafe-residenz.at/en/apple-strudel-show/ Viennese Waltz Lessons – https://www.viennawaltz.at/en/ Music Helena Mentioned HVOB – https://www.hvob-music.com/ Camo & Krooked – https://www.camoandkrooked.com/ Voodoo Jürgens – https://voodoojuergens.com/ Wanda – https://wandamusik.com/ Eurovision Songs Discussed Conchita Wurst – “Rise Like a Phoenix” (2014) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToqNa0rqUtY Loreen – “Euphoria” (2012) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80 Udo Jürgens – “Merci, Chérie” (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQY-MmfzDY Teya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” (2023) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmLeV47Au4

    1h 12m
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About

We start with expertise and end up in Eurovision. It’s kind of our thing. Eurovision Song Context is a monthly podcast that looks at the Eurovision Song Contest through an unexpected lens: expert insight. Each episode, a guest from a different field — psychology, fashion, politics, design, linguistics, and more — talk about their work and how it helps us understand 2–3 Eurovision entries in a whole new light. Are these songs genuinely good? So bad they’re good? Or just weirdly unforgettable? Longform episodes come out on the 12th of every month (the "douzeth"). We're where brilliant minds meet bad key changes.

Information

  • Creator
    Bradley Dalton-Oates
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Eurovision Song Context
  • Show Website
    Eurovision Song Context