Now that the utterly chaotic 2025 National Final season is over, and we now have all the songs that will be competing at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel. Instead of taking a breather, it’s time to deep dive and being overly analytical about ever single song in That Eurovision Jury 2025.
While there’s no way to accurately predict what the juries or televotes will decide next month, we can say how we would vote if we were jurors, because boy do we have some strong opinions here at TES.
No Rules! (okay we do have to have some rules)
The 36 countries competing this year have been randomly sorted into 6 segments. Each segment will be voted on by 5 jurors. They have assessed based on six categories: Melodic Impact, Artist Presence, Individuality, Attention Drawing, Vocal Fit, and Lyrical Impact. Exact specifications of these criteria can be found below. Our five jurors have given a score of 1 to 5 on each of the six topics, allowing each juror to give a maximum of 30 points to each song. In total there are up to 150 points available to each song. Once every song and score has been presented a full breakdown with a ranking of all 36 of this year’s entries.
Additionally, all of our jurors were asked to give one positive, and one negative comment about each song in a constructive manner. In line with our current editorial policy Israel will not be reviewed as part of this jury. You can read more about our stance here.
These are our personal opinions based on the criteria outlined. This is in no way attempt to accurately predict what will be the outcome of live shows and should not be taken as such.
Countries And Jurors For Part Six
The six countries that make up the first segment being voted on are: Estonia, Georgia, San Marino, Cyprus, Belgium, and France.
The jurors voting in this segment are: Daniel, Jonathan, Euan, Angus, and Lewis.
Voting Criteria
Criteria 1: Melodic Impact
How lasting is the beat of the track. The more the beat stays, the higher the ranking.
Criteria 2: Artist’s Presence
If a national final is used, how their presence on stage affected the performance. If an internal selection was used, and no pre-party of other live footage is available then their presence is assessed based on their history.
Criteria 3: Individuality
How different is the song compared to the rest of the acts participating this year.
Criteria 4: Attention Drawing
How drawn in are you by the song. Are you waiting for it to finish, or completely engrossed.
Criteria 5: Vocal Fit
Assessing the vocal fit of the artist to the song rather than judging their technical ability in full. ie. X singer may have a wider range to Y singer, though singer Y may utilise the range better in their song and therefore should be ranked higher than X.
Criteria 6: Lyrical Impact
How lasting are the lyrics to you. Has listening to it left you singing the song.
The Results
Estonia 🇪🇪 Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1.5 | 4 | 11.5 |
| Artist’s Presence | 2.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 17.5 |
| Individuality | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 18 |
| Attention Drawing | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 4 | 13 |
| Vocal Fit | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| Lyrical Impact | 3.5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11.5 |
Total score: 82.5
Positives
Daniel: Nevermind what I think of the lyrics, the chorus specifically bound to stick in some heads.
Jonathan: It’s easy to listen to and fun, and really catchy
Euan:
Angus: Tommy Cash had a vision for this song and I think he executed that vision exactly how he wanted to
Lewis:
Negatives
Daniel: He’s trying to be like Käärijä and Joost but failing miserably. They both had fun engaging songs and energetic personas, whilst Cash doesn’t really have either.
Jonathan: It’s quite kitsch in a way that feels a touch passé, like it’s trying to be smart but without a clear purpose
Euan:
Angus: Considering how repetitive this song is, it sure is a shame that melodically and lyrically it is so forgettable
Lewis:
Georgia 🇬🇪 Mariam Shengelia – Freedom
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 | 6.5 |
| Artist’s Presence | 2.5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10.5 |
| Individuality | 3 | 1 | 1.5 | 3 | 1.5 | 10 |
| Attention Drawing | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 1 | 5.5 |
| Vocal Fit | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 16 |
| Lyrical Impact | 1 | 1 | 1.5 | 1 | 2 | 6.5 |
Total score: 55
Positives
Daniel: There are definitely some parts here that have quality to them if built on (I’m sorry if this isn’t positive enough but come on have you fucking heard it)
Jonathan: It’s a classic ballad sung well
Euan:
Angus: The song gives Mariam a fair bit of freedom to show off her vocal skills
Lewis: Everything about Tommy’s performance is memorable. For better or for worse, you will remember Tommy’s performance and I’d definitely argue is it better to be memorable than forgettable.
Negatives
Daniel: Without going and listening, tell me how this song goes. I can’t, you can’t, I don’t think anybody can. It’s a massive nothingburger that’s about as memorable as the banana I had for breakfast this morning, but at least the banana had some flavour to it.
Jonathan: This song feels quite generic and directionless, and fails to leave an impact
Euan:
Angus: Musically forgettable and the lyrics are an insult to the art of songwriting, and that is not even mentioning how this song is a propaganda tool from an oppressive regime
Lewis: The live vocal is not great in the slightest.
San Marino 🇸🇲 Gabry Ponte – Tutta L’Italia
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 19.5 |
| Artist’s Presence | 1 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 8.5 |
| Individuality | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 19 |
| Attention Drawing | 3.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 3 | 3 | 17 |
| Vocal Fit | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3.5 | 9.5 |
| Lyrical Impact | 3.5 | 2 | 3.5 | 2 | 4 | 15 |
Total score: 88.5
Positives
Daniel: The song is designed to be an earworm and achieves it well.
Jonathan: This song is fun and catchy and will get crowds going. It’s memorable in the right way
Euan:
Angus: The chorus is worryingly catchy, you’ll be chanting along already during a first listen and won’t stop until a fair bit later
Lewis: Mariam has a very impressive vocal!
Negatives
Daniel: I get it’s his whole thing, but being behind a DJ table just doesn’t work for me in the context of Eurovision. Also why are the vocalists just stood there???
Jonathan: Part of what makes this song so engaging is the story around it. Casual viewers, who may not be aware of this may find it too cheesy and odd
Euan:
Angus: It’s difficult to make a DJ at this table look cool and the show wasn’t quite there yet during the San Marino Song Contest
Lewis: The layering of the production is incredibly messy. At the start I was intrigued but as the song continued, more elements kept getting added which made it a hard listen.
Cyprus 🇨🇾 Theo Evan – Shh
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3.5 | 10.5 |
| Artist’s Presence | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| Individuality | 1.5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10.5 |
| Attention Drawing | 3 | 3.5 | 1 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 11.5 |
| Vocal Fit | 1.5 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 4 | 4 | 14.5 |
| Lyrical Impact | 1.5 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 | 3 | 9 |
Total score: 70
Positives
Daniel: I can see the BPM enjoyers really getting behind this
Jonathan: This is a strong pop song in the mold of Eurovision dance classics. It actually stands out as a result this year, and that may work in its favour
Euan:
Angus: The song is vocally a good fit for Theo Evan, and he does well singing it too
Lewis: This song is incredibly catchy, with a chorus that is very easy to sink your teeth into!
Negatives
Daniel: From what I’ve seen his vocals aren’t the best normally so, when he’s probably doing elaborate choreo? Oh No.
Jonathan: audiences may find this song too derivative and be more excited by the more diverse songs on show
Euan:
Angus: Truly forgettable, I am sure Theo Evan and the songwriters put in a lot of effort but this song feels devoid of anything memorable. Throwing a stuffed olive at a wall would leave more impact than this song
Lewis: The national final performance was a bit vanilla. The singers didn’t move, the dancers did nothing to be wowed by. In Basel, I hope we get more of a show.
Belgium 🇧🇪 Red Sebastian – Strobe Lights
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 3 | 4 | 4.5 | 3 | 2.5 | 17 |
| Artist’s Presence | 2.5 | 4.5 | 5 | 2 | 2.5 | 16.5 |
| Individuality | 3 | 2.5 | 2 | 2 | 2.5 | 12 |
| Attention Drawing | 3 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 3 | 2.5 | 16.5 |
| Vocal Fit | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2.5 | 2 | 16.5 |
| Lyrical Impact | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 2 | 1 | 10.5 |
Total score: 89
Positives
Daniel: I really like how this was staged in EurosongBE and think it can translate well to the Eurovision stage
Jonathan: Another well produced song sung very well, which is 70% of it. The singer has a lot of character, and if they can pull off staging I think this will really shine
Euan:
Angus: The way this song slows down before building up during the chorus is a lovely and memorable musical moment
Lewis: The production on this pretty good! I usually get underwhelmed by EDM tracks in general but I didn’t mind what’s going on in the background here.
Negatives
Daniel: Red Seb needs to inject more energy into his stage performance
Jonathan: It is another song with a structure, or at least an energy staging, that’s reminiscent of last year’s winner, and there’s no guarantee that it will work twice in a row
Euan:
Angus: While Red Sebastian is able to sing the wide range of vocals this song demands of him, at times it ends up sounding a bit awkward
Lewis: The head voice during the national final performance made me wince a lot more times than it didn’t. And the lyrics are nothing astounding unfortunately.
France 🇫🇷 Louane – maman
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 4 | 3.5 | 5 | 3 | 3.5 | 19 |
| Artist’s Presence | 3.5 | 3.5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | 20.5 |
| Individuality | 4.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | 20 |
| Attention Drawing | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3.5 | 4 | 20.5 |
| Vocal Fit | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 | 22 |
| Lyrical Impact | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | 3.5 | 4 | 21 |
Total score: 123
Positives
Daniel: Just about everything about it really. Vocals, lyrics and melody are all on point.
Jonathan: She sings very well and the song is one of the stronger ballads from this year. It’s the sort of song France is meant to be good at, so they should know how to put it onstage and let Louane fill the stage with her presence
Euan: What can you say about this song that won’t be yassed a thousand times by those lauding the sheet emotional complexity in Louane’s vocals
Angus: This song brings a degree of cinematic drama that this Eurovision was missing, and Louane has amazing on-camera charisma
Lewis: Louane’s vocal is incredible, especially live.
Negatives
Daniel: I’ve seen people make comments about the child voice “maman” at the very end, so it may be an idea to better communicate in the staging why it’s there.
Jonathan: This is a song that relies a lot on Louane’s presence on stage, and maybe as a composition doesn’t make as much of an impact as other sings this year.
Euan:
Angus: I end up thinking more about what I felt listening to this song than about the song itself, both lyrically and musically it does well but it doesn’t fully stick around
Lewis: Our only live performance of this song felt incredibly over the top, and if that’s being brought to Basel I feel like it takes away from what is a beautiful song. I hope it’s staged a lot simpler.
You can find the part two, three, four, five, and six, and the full results linked respectively.
What do you think of our scores? Are there any countries you’d score differently? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we cover the rehearsals of Eurovision 2024!
Information Source: That Eurovision Site
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