Eurovision Song Context

Bradley Dalton-Oates
  • 3.0 (1)
  • Arts
  • Updated Monthly

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. 12h ago

    Episode 90: Eurogulls, Capybaras & Eurovision Asia- feat Suzie & Russ

    Suzie and Russ from EuroRiffs join Bradley for an off-season wander through the stranger corners of the Eurovision universe. In this episode: Eurovision 2027 is going to Burgas: First reactions to Bulgaria's Black Sea host city and what a smaller, seaside Eurovision might look like. Eurogull vs. Kapi: Burgas hasn't even hosted yet and local institutions are already proposing unofficial mascots. We consider the merits of an enormous puppet seagull versus a remarkably chill capybara. Eurovision Asia is underway: The inaugural contest heads to Bangkok in November, national selections have begun, and we listen to what's emerging from the new competition. Where are Japan, China and India? Three of Asia's biggest music and entertainment markets are absent. We talk about why—and whether Eurovision Asia can export the Eurovision format without simply copying European Eurovision culture. The missing Eurovisions: The EBU is asking fans around the world for help locating complete recordings of the 1956 and 1964 contests. Queen Elizabeth, Dancing Queen: According to longtime aide Angela Kelly, Queen Elizabeth II loved ABBA's Dancing Queen—and would sing and dance along while listening to Terry Wogan in the morning. Plus: Eurovision merch, royal Eurovision tastes, giant British seagulls, Mongolian throat singing and quite a few tangents. Links from the Episode: Eurogull vs. Kapi the Capybara: The competing unofficial mascot proposals for Eurovision 2027 in Burgas https://lupa.bg/news/kapibara-stava-talisman-na-quotevroviziyaquot-2027_421466news.html Rhythm of Bhutan: Watch the songs from Bhutan's Eurovision Asia national selection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwyxG81Z5TU&list=PLXrGYJTh9QYk Eurovision Asia: Official site, selection schedule and updates https://www.eurovision.com/asia/**

  2. Jul 12

    Episode 89: Define, Then See: Journalist Tony Connolly on Europe's Stereotypes

    Tony's book, Don't Mention the Wars: A Journey Through European Stereotypes: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Mention-Wars-European-Stereotypes-ebook/dp/B01J1V6MA0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OZSBBZPEO9DP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ylJpxyYqI-6yeIhARMV5VQ.PQTfpkOPpFZdalf2bk-bd6Tg9khWRZ1fYIkeZXN15_g&dib_tag=se&keywords=don%27t+mention+the+wars+connelly&qid=1783960502&sprefix=don%27t+mention+the+wars+connel%2Caps%2C820&sr=8-1 Songs discussed: Dana – "All Kinds of Everything" (Ireland, 1970): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ8W9oOgjM4 Tommy Cash – "Espresso Macchiato" (Estonia, 2025): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3wsy8bywXQ Let 3 – "Mama ŠČ!" (Croatia, 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGuGfdEJ5Pw Bonus: Riverdance interval act (Ireland, 1994): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ920cN2HmA Also mentioned: Father Ted, "A Song for Europe" — the "My Lovely Horse" Eurosong performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-eXcazOhHk&t=50s Fawlty Towers, "The Germans" — the "Don't mention the war" scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyPj21jBl_0

  3. May 19

    Episode 88: Eurovision 2026 Recap: Serviceable Songs & Potato Salad

    See the 2026 Grand Final here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYEIv2qhYAI

  4. May 15

    Episode 87: Post Semifinal 2026 Chat: Bloodbath in the Semis

    Eurovision 2026 Semifinal 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy510SZZDw4 Eurovision 2026 Semifinal 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeLS4psFNqQ The Eurovision semi-final bloodbath has concluded and morale is low. In this emergency reaction episode, we immediately unpack the chaos of Semi-Final 2: the shock non-qualifiers, the songs we think Europe got catastrophically wrong, and whether this year’s Grand Final is shaping up to be iconic… or weirdly mid. Topics include: The entries we’re genuinely devastated to lose Why some performances connected instantly while others felt strangely airless Poland’s staging and vocals Whether Finland is now inevitable The “cargo shorts” epidemic Eurovision production, presenters, and the return of deeply questionable disco tailoring Moldova as chaos candidate The songs we think people will still remember in three years Why Eurovision fans may actually be masochists Featuring strong opinions on: Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Poland, Finland, Moldova, Ukraine, Greece, Australia, and several songs we’re still actively grieving. If your favourite got flattened in the semis: condolences. We’re suffering together.

  5. May 10

    Episode 86: ESC 2026 Turquoise Carpet: Alternative Commentary Track

    Eurovision Song Context presents our annual Turquoise Carpet commentary experiment. Here’s how this works: Open the official Eurovision 2026 Turquoise Carpet video. Start this episode. When we say “GO,” press play on the video and mute the official commentary. Watch the visuals while listening to us instead. The official Eurovision Turquoise Carpet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hPqh_Ezg3k&t=3538s This year’s turquoise carpet comes from Vienna, and compared to Basel 2025, the entire production feels dramatically more optimized for television: tighter camera work, stronger crowd energy, better pacing, more spectacle, more fashion, more drama. So Bradley, Susie Russ, and Russ watch the entire thing live and provide an alternative commentary track covering: fashion staging camera choices crowd energy Eurovision absurdity orchestral grandeur random cultural tangents and whether various outfits belong at the Met Gala, the CMAs, or Hobby Lobby No official audio is included because of copyright, so this episode is designed to be played alongside the official stream. When instructed: Cut the sound. Watch the images. Let Vienna wash over you. Eurovision #ESC2026 #Vienna2026 #TurquoiseCarpet

  6. May 4

    Episode 85: Eurovision 2026 w Suzie: The Good, The Bad, and the Absolute Hell Not

    This week’s episode is a late-night Eurovision catch-up with Suzie from Euro Riffs, as we go through this year’s entries with zero structure and very strong opinions. We cover the songs we love, the ones that might grow on us, and the ones that absolutely should not be anywhere near the final. Along the way: Switzerland’s “too good for Eurovision” moment, Moldova doing what Moldova always does, staging worries, guilty pleasures, and one entry that sparks a full-on rant. If you’ve been listening to the 2026 lineup and trying to figure out what actually works, this is the unfiltered version. 🎵 Songs Covered Switzerland – “Alice” by Veronica Fusaro Armenia – “Paloma Rumba” by Simón Lithuania – “Sólo quiero más” by Lion Ceccah Moldova – “Viva, Moldova!” by Satoshi Belgium – “Dancing on the Ice” by Essyla Austria – “Tanzschein” by Cosmó Estonia – “Too Epic to Be True” by Vanilla Ninja Germany – “Fire” by Sarah Engels Sweden – “My System” by Felicia Eriksson San Marino – “Superstar” by Senhit (feat. Boy George) United Kingdom – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” by Sam Battle Malta – “Bella” by Aidan Cassar Greece – “Ferto” by Akylas Mytilinaios Denmark – “Før vi går hjem” by Søren Torpegaard Lund Finland – “Liekinheitin” by Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen France – “Regarde !” by Monroe

  7. Apr 30

    Episode 84: Eurovision 2026: This Feels Off- with Mark Bowden

    Episode References United Kingdom – Look Mum No Computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niMKvJ-Itq8 San Marino – Senhit (Adrenalina, Live 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOQe-fQSFxg San Marino – Senhit ‘Superstar’ (National Performance 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOQe-fQSFxg Boy George – ‘Miss Me Blind’ (see approx. 1:07:12): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkDWe3xS718 France – Monroe ‘Regarde !’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujoCYrvvTYQ Finland – Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen ‘Liekinheitin’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bfwNIYb96Q Eurovision Odds: https://eurovisionworld.com/odds/eurovision Episode 66, Mark talks ESC 2025: https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2 Episodes 38/19, Mark talks ESC 2024: https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=4 Boy George Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EgT39WsFf0&t=13s Mark Bowden Official site: https://truthplane.com/ Mark's Truth and Lies: What People Are Really Thinking https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Lies-People-Really-Thinking-ebook/dp/B072L52J3D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3W19IBJF1NRZK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gg3FDkL8MMtgU7OW_-lBvDDi4pT47WY8dCZwgx1HxlIb5pGIsIFV6tA1NDyswSQia-F94q14CLEsOAH839MdIPI9eRDgDHanfTYk6oaLjTM.Ziln-trJvfT61cPzwGZwpGvG5g-3iAzjXHn8W6v3CsI&dib_tag=se&keywords=mark+bowden+book%2C+truth+and+lies&qid=1776132760&sprefix=mark+bowden+book%2C+truth+and+lie%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1

  8. Apr 10

    Episode 83: Love It or Side Eye: Eurovision 2026 Breakdown with Russ

    Bradley is joined by Russ from EuroRiffs to break down the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 lineup. No fluff, no over-editing, just real reactions. Songs: Why Greece’s “Ferto” (Akylas) is a top contender Mixed reactions to Australia’s Delta Goodrem and big ballads this year Whether songs like Estonia, Norway, and Armenia have enough to qualify The ongoing debate around lyrics vs performance vs staging Why some entries feel “very Eurovision”… and others feel like they could come from anywhere Which songs risk getting lost in the semi-finals—and which might sneak through Plus: staging worries, jury vs televote dynamics, and early predictions for who could land top 5—or miss the final entirely. 🎵 Songs Covered in This Episode Sarah Engels – “Fire” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sarah+Engels+Fire+Eurovision+2026 🇫🇷 France Monroe – “Regarde !” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Monroe+Regarde+Eurovision+2026 🇨🇾 Cyprus Antigoni – “Jalla” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Antigoni+Jalla+Eurovision+2026 🇧🇬 Bulgaria Dara – “Bangaranga” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dara+Bangaranga 🇫🇮 Finland Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – “Liekinheitin” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Liekinheitin+Eurovision+2026 🇺🇦 Ukraine Leléka – “Ridnym” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Leleka+Ridnym 🇵🇹 Portugal Bandidos do Cante – “Rosa” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bandidos+do+Cante+Rosa 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, Zwei, Drei” https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Look+Mum+No+Computer+Eins+Zwei+Drei

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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
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Eurovision Song Context
  • Show Website
    Eurovision Song Context