The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition Europeans love to watch and millions tune in. Recent champions such as Loreen and Nemo continue to raise eyebrows, adding to the event’s long and storied history of winners. The event blends music and performance into an unparalleled, high-energy spectacle that showcases a consistent underlying theme of self-empowerment and earworm-inducing songs. Professionals suggest that competitors really explore the depths of song storylines, musical modalities, and choices in performance aesthetic. Getting each of these right can significantly increase their likelihood of success.
In the past, songs that celebrate love, togetherness, self-assertion, revelry and the creative process itself have all prospered. It’s these themes which connect deeply with listeners that help propel their success. As Bennett notes, these six wide lyrical themes are at the heart of almost every winning entry. Self-empowerment anthems Conchita Wurst’s “Rise Like a Phoenix” is an excellent example of a self-empowering anthem. It speaks incredibly powerfully to the public—and to judges on the jury.
The musical structure of Eurovision entries has changed dramatically over time. Perhaps the most dramatic trend is the prevalence of minor-key songs — 85% of all 2023 finalists have sung in those keys. In stark contrast, major-key songs have become increasingly rare. Only two have triumphed in the last two decades: “Running Scared” in 2011 and “Amar Pelos Dois” in 2017. This change could indicate an increasing appetite and acceptance of more dark, emotive music in the Eurovision bubble.
Eurovision’s constant, ever-present demand for those earworm-worthy hooks is hard to over-exaggerate. Imagine a consultant who said, “Eurovision absolutely demands huge, giant, melodic hooks. You need to have everybody in Europe humming that tune.” Above all, the value of a catchy hook is still paramount for the hopefuls aiming to break through. Repetition plays a significant role as well. Memorable tunes are built on the principle of repetition. Beyond this, they add unexpected twists that leave the audience hanging on their every word.
Key changes have long been a way to add surprise to Eurovision entries. It’s worth emphasizing that no song featuring a final chorus key change has won in almost 20 years. The most recent winner to accomplish this feat was “Molitva.” This becoming statistic begs the question whether these techniques, musical or otherwise, are even effective in today’s evermore competitive landscape.
As far as performance goes, aesthetics and stage presence have molded up-and-coming artists into equally important leaders of the pack. Carrie Grant underscored a key message beautifully. She explained that there’s nothing lovelier than an artist with a 5-star stage who boos the audience because he belted this across the world. This makes it all the more important for contestants to complement stunning visual staging with breathtaking performances that fully connect with audiences.
Weird stuff Quirky stuff is not just a major part of Eurovision, it’s largely what makes it so enjoyable. The event has a loving long tradition of eccentricity that’s really showcased in acts that have eagerly received the embrace of the LGBT community. Our favourite example, Bucks Fizz’s legendary skirt-ripping routine, was instrumental in their victory back in 1981. These indelible theatrical spectacles have become central to Eurovision’s DNA and its ability to connect with a wide-ranging audience.
The contest’s evolution has been a contentious process. Previous recipients were sometimes mocked for having been awarded for their gibberish verses. As Bennett noted, songs based on themes of self-assertion or lyrical self-empowerment are doing really well on the charts right now.
The competition is fierce, leading many artists and songwriters to wonder how they can stand out among a sea of talent. “How do you stand out in a contest where everyone wants to stand out?” one songwriter remarked, encapsulating the pressure contestants feel to differentiate themselves.
Experts assert that a successful Eurovision entry must balance various elements: strong lyrical themes, engaging melodies, and captivating performances. According to Professor Elizabeth Hellmuth Margulis, the key ingredient for songs is that they need to be catchy. They do this not just by sheer repetition, but by incorporating shocks along the way.
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