With just days to go until the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, everyone is wondering how the UK will do this time around – but new research suggests we won’t do to well
The Eurovision Song Contest isn’t just about the politics and friendly voting, new research has suggested.
Every year, UK fans wait nervously to find out what side of the leaderboard we will end up on. It doesn’t look like we have any chance this year, with Sweden the favourites to take the trophy yet again.
But language experts at Babbel have revealed there’s more to getting the glory than just voting for a country close to your own. And if we want any chance of winning, linguistic and cultural expert Noël Wolf reckons the UK needs to embrace the diverse languages around the country.
Noël said songs with meaning are destined to do well – songs that capture hearts and bring on emotions. Songs like 2024 winner The Code – “a soaring anthem of self-discovery by non-binary artist Nemo” and 2022 winner Stefania, with Ukraine showing “a global symbol of resilience amidst war”.
According to Noël: “Both won because they meant something – personally, politically and universally.”
Nemo’s song The Code used a lot of “I” and “we”, which creates a sense of connection. “It taps into wider conversation about gender identity that are happening in society right now, giving listeners a chance to reflect and connect.”
Similarly, Stefania, from Kalush Orchestra, “became more than just a song, turning a powerful anthem into a symbol of defiance”.
Noël said: “We’ve seen this before with songs like John Lennon’s Imagine or Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, as music that gave people hope and strength during chaotic times.”
But what does that mean for the UK’s entry, What The Hell Just Happened? from Remember Monday?
Noël said the song is “undeniably fun”, but added it “may feel out of sync with the global hunger for meaningful connection”.
“It’s a wild pop song about a carefree night out,” she added. “In an era where many are yearning for songs with deep emotional weight, it could be perceived as shallow or lacking in substance.”
However, she noted that could actually work to our advantage, as “in a world overwhelmed by crises, there’s still a significant portion of the audience that craves escapism”.
Away from the lyrics, the words themselves, as well as the melody, can be the key to success.
Noël said: “In Eurovision, it’s often melodic clarity and linguistic accessibility that give songs their international appeal. Sweden’s Loreen demonstrated this masterfully with her 2023 hit Tattoo, weaving together fluid, vowel-rich melodies and easily articulated consonants to create a hook that transcended language barriers.
“The result was a song that felt instantly familiar and singable, regardless of the listener’s native tongue.”
ABBA’s 1974 entry Waterloo also leaned into simple sounds and memorable parts of the song.
But Remember Monday’s song goes against this formula, with rapid key changes, a mix of pop and rock, and tempo change.
“What dazzles in English risks becoming impenetrable to international audiences, where nuance can be lost in translation or masked by sonic overload,” Noël said. “In a contest where songs must connect within moments, linguistic accessibility often proves more powerful than technical virtuosity.”
The key to success for the UK could be to tap into the rich languages across the country. There are 14 indigenous languages, including Welsh, Cornish, Scots Gaelic and Ulster Scots, each with very different qualities.
Noël said: “Infusing entries with raw cultural and linguistic essence could help cut through the predominantly English-language noise. Incorporating Welsh sounds, Scots Gaelic’s rich vowels or Cornish’s rhythmic cadence could create a sound that captures a bolder move – embracing diversity in language and helping ensure the UK’s entry is not just heard, but deeply felt across not only the UK but Europe.
“Linguistically distinctive performances catch the ear and stand out on a crowded stage. They signal authenticity, pride and risk-taking – all qualities that Eurovision voters reward. Incorporating the lyrical softness of Welsh, the sonorous vowels of Gaelic or the rhythmic flow of Cornish could bring a new sonic identity to the UK’s entries – one that sets it apart from the sea of English pop.”
She remembered Italy’s winning performance in 2021, with Måneskin’s Zitti e buoni, saying: “The fact that they sang entirely in Italian – unapologetically and powerfully – was a reminder of something Eurovision audiences have long appreciated: authenticity. Especially when expressed through language, it has an impact.
“According to Babbel, 71% of UK survey respondents describe foreign languages as ‘irresistibly alluring’. Language, in Eurovision, is not a barrier, it’s a bridge.”
Fans will get to see Remember Monday’s first proper performance at the second semi-final on Thursday (15 May).
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
