There is a huge decision facing Europe. And it isn’t the Brexit referendum or what to do about Greece. No, the continent faces its toughest choice this Saturday as Sweden hosts the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest!

And whilst the topic is strictly taboo (if always undeniably present) this year’s competition is set to be a bit more overt in its politics, with dance sequence representing Europe’s refugee crisis and a tense face-off between 2016’s favourites for the crown.

1. Russia – 7/5
Runners-up last year Russia are aiming for the gold in 2016 and they may well manage to do so, Sergey Lazarev’s ‘You Are the Only One’ the favourite heading into the weekend. That status, however, may well be more due to the country’s political pull in Eastern Europe than the song, which is a fairly generic slice of euro-pop, the kind that is Eurovision’s bread and butter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7hRZS-nLhY

2. Ukraine – 4/1
Russia’s bland entry sits in stark contrast to the contest’s second favourite, Ukraine. The country’s entry, ‘1944’ by Jamala, has already caused a stir, and with opening lyrics of ‘when strangers are coming/ they come to your house/ they kill you all/ and say/ we’re not guilty’ it isn’t hard to see why. Whilst the song is ostensibly about the deportation of the Crimean Tatars by Joseph Stalin during the 1940s the modern parallels are impossible to ignore. The song has been accused by Russian politicians and Crimean authorities of trying to capitalise on tragedy, though the European Broadcasting Agency has stated the song doesn’t contain ‘political speech’ so is eligible for the competition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxS6eKEOdLQ

3. France – 13/2
Stepping away from the political realm somewhat, France’s ‘J’ai cherché’ by Amir, in both French and English, is third favourite, though the catchy song might be overshadowed by the power of Ukraine’s entry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boYQovCybYQ

4. Sweden – 10/1
Hosts, and looking to equal Ireland’s record 7 wins with a third victory in 5 years, Sweden have an outside chance with their entry ‘If I Were Sorry’ by Frans. Two things stand in the Sweden’s way, however. First, a country hasn’t won back to back competitions since Ireland took three titles in a row between 1992 and 1994. Secondly, the song is a bit insipid, though that might be compensated by the fresh-faced nature of the 17 year old Frans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTdelXRlA4

5. Australia – 14/1
Rounding out the top 5 is the dubiously eligible entry from Australia, who first appeared at the competition last year. The country is represented by Dami Im, whose ‘Sound of Silence’ isn’t a cover of the Simon & Garfunkel classic but instead a ballady belter befitting an (Aussie) X Factor winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GTdelXRlA4

And what of the UK’s entry? Well, does the prospect of not one, but two, ‘The Voice’ non-winners fill you with excitement? Because if it doesn’t look away now, as Joe & Jake reassure you that ‘You’re Not Alone’ at a generous 50/1. Nul points indeed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5VvsLEd1TI

Recent Posts: