15 April 2026

Congratulations to the Eurovision Song Contest for reaching its 70th edition! After JJ won for Austria with Wasted Love last year, that makes it twice in a row that Vienna will host a major anniversary edition. Remember, in 2015, they hosted the 60th anniversary. Gracing the stage will be 35 countries. That’s down by two compared to 2025 after five countries (Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain) boycotted over the Gaza War. That’s despite ceasefire already in existence and it remains so. To counter that, we get Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania returning. The boycotting five won’t be missed.

A tweak to the format of this post this year where previously I grouped songs according to a star rating (one to five). This worked well in the first year because the prime goal was to recognise a “Fab Five”. That served the purpose well for the years following. During this time, when previewing songs, I would actually score them between 1 to 10. I would listen to all entries at least twice with family and friends and we all scored them similarly. From this year, rather than convert them into star groups, I figured to just show my personal score! The total score of all those that watched with me comprise the Mr Eurovision Jury that I add to the preview just prior to the start of Eurovision.

The playlist of my Top 35 here

Overall, the theme of this year’s songs can be summed up with one word: repetitive. You will read that a lot through this list. As I also say every year, the ranking doesn’t mean some songs are clearly, or greatly, superior to others. Often these are close decisions, and that’s especially so for the middle pack that scored 6 and 7.

Top 35

35 Norway – Jonas Lovv – Ya Ya Ya (2)
34 Malta – Aidan – Bella (4)
33 Armenia – Simon – Paloma Rumba (4)
32 Greece – Akylas – Ferto (4)
31 Moldova – Satoshi – Viva Moldova (4)

Nah, nah, nah. Norway is just horrible. Beyond Jonas’ flamboyant dancing and vocals lies a completely nauseating song. Malta starts OK, then becomes nauseating as well. Armenia, Greece and Moldova seem to be in a competition for the most mindless and repetitive nonsense. Armenia wins in that case with Moldova the least worst. If Greece did more singing, as heard during the bridge, it would rank much better.

Top 30

30 Portugal – Bandidos do Cante – Rosa (5)
29 Poland – Alicja – Pray (5)
28 Georgia – Bzikebi – On Replay (5)
27 Cyprus – Antigoni – Jalla (5)
26 United Kingdom – Look Mom No Computer – Eins Zwei Drei (5)
25 Czechia – Daniel Zizka – Crossroads (5)
24 Azerbaijan – Jiva – Just Go (5)
23 Serbia – Lavina – Kraj Mene (6)
22 Italy – Sal Da Vinci – Per Sempre Si (6)
21 Lithuania – Lion Ceccah – Solo Quiero Mas (6)

The usual nice song from Portugal that no one will rate as a grand final chance, only to see it there. Poland’s Alicja is the first artist to win her place at Eurovision after the 2020 edition was cancelled due to Covid-19 and not return in 2021. Great to hear her voice again. A shame that the song is a bit of an ambling mess. Bzikebi from Georgia won Junior ESC in 2008 with that annoying bzz bzz bee song (their name actually means Wasps). I hate it so much. You hear a bit of it here too, which is probably triggering me more than it should. Cyprus is fun to listen (and watch) for a little, and then runs out of steam. The United Kingdom is the epitome of repetitive with the “Eins Zwei Drei”. Can he learn to at least count to higher numbers? Otherwise, it’s quite fun and frivolous enough.

I’ve heard Czechia a few times and simply can’t recall anything specific about it. It lays at the crossroads of fine and nondescript. Nice voice and song from Azerbaijan. A shame that it sounds so cliche. I could swear Swedes wrote it. They didn’t. With more singing and less screaming towards the end, Serbia would rate so much higher. Italy grooves along nicely and is distinct enough. Lithuania, again, a pleasant song that doesn’t offer too much that’s memorable.

Top 20

20 Austria – Cosmo – Tanzschein (6)
19 Germany – Sarah Engels – Fire (6)
18 Israel – Noam Bettan – Michelle (6)
17 Montenegro – Tamara Zivkovic – Nova Zora (6)
16 Denmark – Søren Torpegaard Lund – Før Vi Går Hjem (7)
15 Belgium – Essyla – Dancing On The Ice (7)
14 Bulgaria – Dar – Bangaranga (7)
13 Albania – Alis – Nân (7)
11 Romania – Alexandra Căpitănescu – Choke Me (7)
10 San Marino – Senhit – Superstar (7)

Austria is another that gets repetitive. It’s actually quite good for the host nation, and should return a better result than the last time they hosted in 2015 (last place). Whenever I see Germany pop up from my play list, I struggle to identify them. The instinct is to think Spain. While a pleasant and energetic song, it’s very generic. This is the first year Israel hasn’t sent a female singer since the war in Gaza following the 7 October 2023 terrorists attacks, nor is the song’s theme referencing or linked to those attacks. Instead, Noam Bettan sings about giving up a girl called Michelle who is “the queen of problems”. Pleasant voice and a nice mix of Hebrew, French and English. Mind you, it gets repetitive by the end. Yes, this interesting infusion of ethnic and dance music from Montenegro does get a bit repetitive as well. Still enjoyable. The hype for Denmark is a bit of a mystery to me. Yes, decent voice. Yes, good song. Yes, a solid performer. One of the main chances to win? I just don’t see it.

Curiously, Essyla from Belgium is a huge fan of Delta Goodrem, so meeting her and watching her perform up close at an ESC pre-party was a dream come true! Belgium was one of the first entries revealed, and has managed not to slip on the ice for all this time. I always liked this intoxicating dance song, and I still do. It progresses well and doesn’t get repititive! Speaking of repetitive, Bangaranga! Bulgaria’s entry is a strong return after their recent absense. Yes, repetitive. Also, strangely hynotic. Bangaranga! The video gives great insight into Albana’s dramatic song, even if it didn’t include subtitles. A homage to mothers, who even after the pain of their children leaving home, will always be there for them. A slightly controversial song from Romania with it supposedly glorifying choking during intimacy. “Choke me” proves more a metaphor for love, and with Alexandra’s accent, often sounds like “show me”. Regardless, an excellent song and a powerful voice. The question with San Marino is will Boy George show for his small section of the song? By the rules, he must. Ignoring that fact, a very catchy entry from Senhit for, now, her third appearance on the Eurovision stage and fourth entry overall if you include the cancelled 2020 edition.

Top 10

10 Sweden – Felicia – My System (7)

Very tricky to place Sweden this year because so much of My System is a dance and light show than a song. Still, it’s very alluring and even mysterious due to Felicia’s delightful voice and overall style coming from behind a mask. I’m so fascinated to know if she’ll ever toss it away so we can see all of her. Free the face!

09 Ukraine – Leleka – Ridnym (7)

This one took a few listens to really feel encapsulated by it. Quite the dramatic song and a lovely, soft voice. Leleka’s national final performance made for a wonderful showcase of it too.

08 Croatia – Lelek – Andromeda (7)

We’re seeing a bit of this ethno-pop at Eurovision after some reasonably successful entries in recent years. This would be my favourite of the lot with the strong voices and a dramatic conclusion.

07 Switzerland – Veronica Fusaro – Alice (7)

One of the more unusal entries for 2026 with a solo, female artist performing a blend of soul and rock. It works too! Well constructed and a great voice. The music video is a bit of a distraction, so I’m looking forward to seeing this on the Eurovision stage.

06 France – Monroe – Regarde (8)

Just 17 years old, Monroe stuns with a glorious operatic voice. I’ve huge regard for the song too! The song title actually means “look at me” and is about how love strikes like lightning. Overall, a beautiful entry.

05 Latvia – Atvara – Ena (8)

Another stunning entry, and no doubt the rating this high is due to Atvara’s equally stunning national final performance. Her vocals were par excellence, and while the song is in Latvian, you didn’t need any understanding of the lyrics to appreciate the message.

04 Finland – Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – Liekinheitin (8)

“Flamethrower” is the meaning of the title and the core message of the song is can you die from lust? Personally, that would be a waste of emotional investment. At least fulfil that lust! Anyway, this combines so much with its artistry, drama, energy, and the completely contrasting styles between the two artists.

03 Luxembourg – Eva Marija – Mother Nature (8)

No Slovenia at this year’s Eurovision doesn’t mean no Slovenian influence! Eva is born to Slovenian parents and brings the classiest song of this year’s contest. In this remarkable feat of artistic storytelling, the most impressive aspect is that she does it all herself. Just Eva on stage and weaving her way through all the elements of the song. Bravo.

02 Australia – Delta Goodrem – Eclipse (8)

Bias alert! Delta Goodrem is my all time favourite Australian artist. Rumoured to be the participant in 2016 and strongly pushed by her fans, including myself, and a name often requested ever since, the stars finally aligned in 2026 for Delta to grace the Eurovision stage. She’s making a powerful attempt at it too, with a song that’s clearly been written to shine and showcase her talents. The energy and drama, mixed with subtly, key changes and big notes, it’s all there. Without the bias, I’d probably rank Delta below Latvia. She’s released plenty of superior songs to Eclipse, albeit none that could do as well at Eurovision. Of course, excelling at Eurovision is the entire point. Due to Delta’s participation, there’s a soft end to my boycott of Australia at Eurovision.

01 Estonia – Vanilla Ninja – Too Epic To Be True (9)

Bias alert! Vanilla Ninja is my all time favourite band and musical artist ever. Talk about Too Epic To Be True to get both them and Delta Goodrem at Eurovision in the same year. Of course, my journey with Vanilla Ninja began all the way back in 2005 when they appeared at Eurovision with Cool Vibes, and subsequently saw me go on a crazy journey that involved visiting Estonia numerous times, particularly to see them live in 2008, see Lenna Kuurmaa (the lead singer) solo in 2017, and for VN’s big comeback concert in 2022. While they represented and finished eighth for Switzerland in 2005, this year it’s with their native Estonia after winning Eesti Laul in a tight super final. TETBT is a fun, rapid and instantly engaging song that leans more to their very early days than the more familiar pop/rock of the Cool Vibes era. In that sense it can sound one paced by the end and detractors lament it as “dated”. Of course, that it sounds that way is entirely the point. VN’s hallmark sound is from the early to mid 2000s, so they would always stay authentic to themselves than pander to a bunch of Euro snobs. Most awesome of all, it’s simply great to see VN at Eurovision again – and this time for Estonia. It feels like a major life circle is now complete for both them and myself. They will also bring huge pride to Estonia and to all those that matter.

Comparing to previous years, and if we regard songs that scored at least 8 points as 5-star songs, we had six such songs in 2026. That’s one down on last year, which was a high year. In 2024 (which was an even year like 2025) there were six, while the stronger 2023 only had four songs with 5 stars. I would call 2026 a rather even year with only one truly bad song that I would give one star (Norway) and 23 songs scoring at least 6. By my measure, that means good. Historically, that would mean 4 stars, which compares better to last year of 20 songs with at least 4 stars, 17 in 2024, and 16 of 2023. Although, if the cut off is a score of 7, we are at only 16 songs worth 4 stars in 2026. Looking at the list for an arbitrary break, I probably would make the cut at 19 with Germany. These are the pitfalls of changing a system!

It should be noted that very rarely to I score anything a 10. From memory, Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs with Hold Me Closer in 2022 was probably the last. Even scores of 9 are rare.

National Final Injustices – How Would They Rank?

Except for Norway, which would be easily top 15 if Alexander Rybak won, not much changes.

The others…

Finland – Kiki – Rakkaudenkipee. Likely still fourth
Sweden – A-Teens – Iconic. Tenth just like Felicia
Denmark – Sissal – Infinity. Still 16th. Denmark were always at the cusp of scoring 6 or 7, and nothing changes with Sissal.

That’s a rare year that no National Final Injustice would have been my number one song. Of course, in a year with Vanilla Ninja participating in Eurovision, there was practically no chance of that happening!

Estonia: Too Epic To Be True as Vanilla Ninja win Eesti Laul 2026

The Vanilla Ninja Concert at Telliskivi Kvartal – Tallinn – Estonia

Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen win UMK 2026 with Liekinheitin

Sweden: Felicia wins Melodifestivalen 2026 with My System

Is my boycott of Australia at Eurovision over now that Delta Goodrem is the participant for 2026?