For 67 years, Eurovision has been delighting – and horrifying – music fans across Europe – and also, somewhat unaccountably Australia.
The event has been running since 1956, and – bar a 2020 absence due to Covid – it has become synonymous with eccentricity, catchy pop tunes and ‘nil points’.
This year is no different – with Saturday seeing the nation gear up the final, which is being held in Liverpool on behalf of last year’s winner’s Ukraine.
Hosted by Alesha Dixon and Graham Norton, the event will see 26 countries compete for the prize, with Sweden being the bookies favourite.
A win would put them level with Ireland at the top of the all-time winners list with seven triumphs.
The competition will open with last year’s Ukrainian winners Kalush Orchestra and a powerful performance titled Voices of a New Generation.
In case you are late getting in on the act, Femail brings you the zaniest and wackiest entries that you need to know… as well as some of the most cringeworthy.
Croatia: Most eccentric act
Let 3 of Croatia performs during the semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool – in their pants
If you are going to watch out for one band this final, make it Croatia. With their pink dresses, military hats and fake moustaches, they are bound to entertain
There’s nothing Eurovision loves more than eccentric acts. This year, the band who takes the mantle has to be Croatia’s Let 3, a punk-rock band from Rijeka performing their anti-war anthem Mama ŠČ.
The band of five has been together since 1987 and are known for their original approach to music and obscene live performances.
This song mocks dictators and makes references to tractors – thought to reference the fact Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko gifted Putin a tractor for his 70th birthday.
The song also mentions crocodiles and psychopaths and goes from chanting to screaming, with the band members dressed in military garbs, fake moustaches, lipstick and tight trousers. Not one to be missed.
Austria: Most bizarre song lyrics
Teya & Salena of Austria perform at this year’s contest. Their lyrics are among the most surreal – mainly concerning one of the US’s literary greats
Most pop songs are typically about broken hearts or getting revenge. But one this year pays homage to a famous Victorian literary great Edgar Allen Poe.
Austria’s Who The Hell is Edgar? by female duo Salena and Teya is a nod to the American writer famed for his short stories and detective novels.
The writer’s name is repeated 140 times in three minutes. The bridge also stands out and there is definitely a horror theme to the song, something that is befitting of the title.
Finland: Strangest dance moves
Käärijä from Finland performs song Cha Cha Cha – his favourite dance move seems to be the tongue flick
Finland’s Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha is an upbeat rap that is also one of the bookie’s favourites. But it’s not just the song that’s memorable. The 29-year-old Helskini rapper wears tight black leather pants with spikes and bares his chest save for a florescent green shoulder pads.
He enjoys thrusting, erotic squats, a bit of pole dancing, riding astride his backing singers and his trademark tongue flicking. One your grandma might not approve of.
Serbia: Most relatable
Luke Black, representing Serbia, carries out much of his song from a strange alien pod. His song is about sleeping
Luke Black’s song Samo Mi Se Spava is about something we all want to do – sleep. The song repeats, ‘I just want to sleep forever, like it better when I dream’. The lyrics are about escaping the painful reality of a world of war, famine and monsters.
The song was inspired by Luke’s experience in the pandemic, where he immersed himself in his bed and video games. His stage routine also represents the theme – and sees backing dancers wear medical masks and him lying in what appears to be a giant alien pod.
Spain: Best quirky fact
Blanca Paloma of Spain performs during a dress rehearsal. Her song is steeped in Flamenco roots, but more interesting is the fact she once had a duck as a pet
Blanca Paloma of Spain is unlikely to win with her flamenco number EAEA, but she does have an interesting story. Growing up, she raised a pet duck, bathing him every night in the bath, drying his feathers with a hairdryer, and going for walks in the park.
Her song gives flamenco a modern twist and is full of syncopated beats. It is reportedly a celebration of female ancestors’ power and strength.
Italy: Best-looking performer
Marco Mengoni, representative for Italy, is huge in Italy after winning X Factor in 2009 – but some prefer him for his looks
Eurovision is of course about the music, but if there has to be a prize for eye-candy, it should surely go to Italy’s Marco Mengoni.
The thirty-four year old shot to fame in 2009 when he won the Italian version of The X Factor, winning a €300,000 recording contract and becoming a huge Italian star.
His song Due Vite is reportedly about the conscious and sub-conscious parts of our brain.
Germany: Best self-help entry
Lord of the Lost of Germany are a heavy metal band – but their lyrics for their Eurovision song are surprisingly tender
Fed up of your motivational self-help books? Then just listen to Germany’s Blood and Glitter by Lord of the Lost, a metal band from Hamburg. The performance is all fire, heavy metal vocals, rocking drums and loud electric guitar, but the lyrics are surprisingly comforting.
They include… what we are is but a choice and we are free to break and change, and ee do fall before we rise, with broken wings we learn to fly. Essentially, it’s Brené Brown in Metallica form.
Switzerland: Most boring lyrics (and song)
Remo Forrer – in the middle – is representing Switzerland with his anti-war ballad some say sounds like its from the Greatest Showman
Switzerland – unfortunately – already has a reputation for being boring, and it’s Eurovision entry won’t help.
Its song Watergun by Remo Forrer is another anti-war ballad about ‘about powerlessness in the face of conflicts in this world’.
Its lyrics include ‘I don’t want to be a soldier, I don’t have to play with real blood.’
There’s also some good ‘ooooh’s. Some say it sounds like a classic from The Greatest Showman.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk