Welcome to our Holiday Bonus Episode of Eurovision Song Context!
This festive special brings together Jody, Mies, Mike from The EuroWhat Podcast, Sheldon, and Russ for a joyful, chaotic, deeply unserious dive into Junior Eurovision 2024—complete with our annual white elephant gift exchange.
We break down standout JESC entries, talk about the unfolding drama in adult Eurovision, debate whether kids should be belting for three minutes straight, and unwrap some of the strangest “gifts” ever assembled: cattle-prod wearables, psychedelic Conchita dresses, velvet lions, Eurovision trading cards, milkshake gear, and more.
Cozy, nerdy, unhinged, and entirely festive.
🎶 Watch All Junior Eurovision 2024 Videos
All JESC songs and the JESC show on the big night can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/@junioreurovision/videos
🎁 White Elephant Gift Album (All Fake Gifts)
View every gift we exchanged during the episode here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jKv-wGWDHk4T2ZwX69YHu-wIZh0qoXRA?usp=sharing
🗣️ Guests & Where to Find Them
Mike (The EuroWhat Podcast)
Website: https://eurowhat.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/eurowhat
Sheldon
Music industry commentary & writing on Medium:
https://medium.com/@sheldon
Jody, Mies, and Russ
Eurovision superfans, returning guests, volunteers, and the backbone of our annual chaos.
🇿🇦 South African Music Awards (SAMAs)
Sheldon will be presenting at this year's South African Music Awards — South Africa’s equivalent of the Grammys.
Official SAMA website:
https://samusicawards.co.za
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the network airing the ceremony:
https://www.sabc.co.za
A streaming link will be added if/when it becomes available.
📌 Episode Highlights
Opening discussion: Eurovision countries withdrawing
What is Junior Eurovision supposed to be?
Which kids scream unnecessarily (a scientific inquiry)
Cultural representation & language politics in JESC
Predictions for winners, jury favorites & staging
National selections we’re excited for (Sanremo, Sweden, Serbia, Spain)
The annual White Elephant Gift Exchange — truly unhinged
🙏 Support the Pod
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating to help more ESC fans find us.
Open When: Songs for Life’s Hard Moments — Episode Shownotes
Sheldon’s Journey Articles
The Journey (I) – Dec 2022:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-decb793f390d
The Journey II – Dec 2023:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40cc
The Journey III – Jan 2025:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-iii-b52fd3ed2fbc
PLAYLIST — YouTube Links (Plain Text)
A. When It’s Hard to Be with Yourself
The Roop – “On Fire” (Lithuania 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAUxuuu1w8
Diodato – “Fai Rumore” (Italy 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3ksX7K-1A
Blanche – “City Lights” (Belgium 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZvz3j5AgE
KEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” (Norway 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs
B. When It’s Hard to Be with Other People
Maraaya – “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWBDm7bm0M
Konstrakta – “In corpore sano” (Serbia 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7E8zK5fF8
Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” (Belgium 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNxeraWCn8
Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” (Germany 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE2oS0NzVbg
C. When It’s Hard to Be with Your Feelings
Salvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois” (Portugal 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCM
The Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” (Netherlands 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYOC-wfE5pQ
S10 – “De Diepte” (Netherlands 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tRdbXVHVk
Zibbz – “Stones” (Switzerland 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI5T0io798
Aisel – “X My Heart” (Azerbaijan 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZtG6bUtiE8
Bonus Songs Discussed
Brotherhood of Man – “Kisses for Me” (United Kingdom 1976)
https://youtu.be/6OW1JJwqVRQ?si=9CuhjWPps1zOjmbX
Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” (Austria 2018)
https://youtu.be/a8Yvzo1puoE?si=qvBly9XqIkc_CcsG
my email: eurovisionsongcontext@gmail.com
Open When: Songs for Life’s Hard Moments — Episode Shownotes
Sheldon’s Journey Articles
The Journey (I) – Dec 2022:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-decb793f390d
The Journey II – Dec 2023:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40cc
The Journey III – Jan 2025:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-iii-b52fd3ed2fbc
PLAYLIST — YouTube Links (Plain Text)
A. When It’s Hard to Be with Yourself
The Roop – “On Fire” (Lithuania 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EAUxuuu1w8
Diodato – “Fai Rumore” (Italy 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3ksX7K-1A
Blanche – “City Lights” (Belgium 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZvz3j5AgE
KEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” (Norway 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs
B. When It’s Hard to Be with Other People
Maraaya – “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWBDm7bm0M
Konstrakta – “In corpore sano” (Serbia 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7E8zK5fF8
Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” (Belgium 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNxeraWCn8
Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” (Germany 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE2oS0NzVbg
C. When It’s Hard to Be with Your Feelings
Salvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois” (Portugal 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCM
The Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” (Netherlands 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYOC-wfE5pQ
S10 – “De Diepte” (Netherlands 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tRdbXVHVk
Zibbz – “Stones” (Switzerland 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI5T0io798
Aisel – “X My Heart” (Azerbaijan 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZtG6bUtiE8
Bonus Songs Discussed
Brotherhood of Man – “Kisses for Me” (United Kingdom 1976)
https://youtu.be/6OW1JJwqVRQ?si=9CuhjWPps1zOjmbX
Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” (Austria 2018)
https://youtu.be/a8Yvzo1puoE?si=qvBly9XqIkc_CcsG
my email: eurovisionsongcontext@gmail.com
Museums & Culture
Sigmund Freud Museum – https://www.freud-museum.at/en
Leopold Museum – https://www.leopoldmuseum.org/en
Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) – https://www.khm.at/en
Funeral Museum Vienna – https://www.bestattungsmuseum.at/en
Cafés & Coffee Culture
Café Landtmann – https://www.landtmann.at/en/
Café Bräunerhof – https://www.cafe-braeunerhof.at/
Café Sperl – https://www.cafesperl.at/
Café Balthasar – https://www.balthasar.at/
Café Ritter – https://www.cafe-ritter.at/
Food & Drink
Sachertorte – https://www.sacher.com/en/original-sacher-torte/
Wiener Schnitzel – https://www.austria.info/en/things-to-do/food-and-drink/recipes/wiener-schnitzel
Viennese Coffee Specialties – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/coffeehouses/coffee-339182
Events & Public Spaces
EuroPride Vienna – https://viennapride.at/en/
Life Ball – https://www.lifeball.org/
Danube Island Festival (Donauinselfest) – https://donauinselfest.at/
Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) – https://www.wien.info/en/sightseeing/sights/from-s-to-z/rathaus-352254
Vienna Experiences
Vienna Vineyards & Wine (Gemischter Satz) – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/viennese-wine-342014
Apple Strudel Show at Schönbrunn Palace – https://www.cafe-residenz.at/en/apple-strudel-show/
Viennese Waltz Lessons – https://www.viennawaltz.at/en/
Music Helena Mentioned
HVOB – https://www.hvob-music.com/
Camo & Krooked – https://www.camoandkrooked.com/
Voodoo Jürgens – https://voodoojuergens.com/
Wanda – https://wandamusik.com/
Eurovision Songs Discussed
Conchita Wurst – “Rise Like a Phoenix” (2014) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToqNa0rqUtY
Loreen – “Euphoria” (2012) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80
Udo Jürgens – “Merci, Chérie” (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQY-MmfzDY
Teya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” (2023) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmLeV47Au4
Dwight Carrier- Black Cat Zydeco:
https://blackcatzydecomusic.com/
Dwight Carrier, Hot Pants:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIZmnxp_xaE
Black Cat Zydeco Live from Turner Hall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vda7EuQcwZQ&list=PLw0XD9SeWaWxq2lqGdGFjt3jZNYAjrv6q
Release Me, Clifton Chenier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqHs_jed0ds
Clifton Chenier – Black Snake Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK1orO1hucg&list=PLOFsCPXqLYfoj6565byTj_1qw1p--iS4F
Zydeco Boogaloo • C.J. CHENIER & the RED HOT LOUISIANA BAND • NY State Blues Fest • 6/30/18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_No0B4UhnU
Buckwheat Zydeco, Beast of Burden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBSv4u-iulw
Dwight Carrier, Bye Bye Black Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcHN8WKzOb4
EUROVISION SONGS IN THIS EPISODE:
Verka Serduchka - Dancing Lasha Tumbai | Ukraine 🇺🇦 | Grand Final - Eurovision 2007
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfjHJneVonE
Zdob și Zdub și Orchestra Fraților Advahov — Trenulețul (holiday live version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYCm9lioiFs
Elaiza - Is It Right (LIVE) | Germany 🇩🇪 | Grand Final | Eurovision 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFuGH2Kp9dI
Mandinga - Zaleilah - Romania - Live - Grand Final - 2012 Eurovision Song Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ruy639kTQ
Watch Waltz into Space!
https://space.vienna.info/en-US
The hilarious promo video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zt8OtLS6Ks
See Interactive European Space Agency Highlights!
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_Publications/ESA_Highlights
Sanremo Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9-QnEVcYR4&list=PL9hQqJZ-ycwVpGU7RWwXNWoFgwyYP8V9M
Watch Waltz into Space!
https://space.vienna.info/en-US
The hilarious promo video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zt8OtLS6Ks
See Interactive European Space Agency Highlights!
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_Publications/ESA_Highlights
Sanremo Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9-QnEVcYR4&list=PL9hQqJZ-ycwVpGU7RWwXNWoFgwyYP8V9M
Watch Waltz into Space!
https://space.vienna.info/en-US
The hilarious promo video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zt8OtLS6Ks
See Interactive European Space Agency Highlights!
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESA_Publications/ESA_Highlights
Sanremo Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9-QnEVcYR4&list=PL9hQqJZ-ycwVpGU7RWwXNWoFgwyYP8V9M
Turquoise Carpet Link (skip to minute 27:55 in this video, that's where our commentary comes in):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P3kiqOHVzQ&t=1909s
Suzie on Rylan at 2:21:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002bqxv
In this episode, Bradley is joined by body language expert and author Mark Bowden (The Behavior Panel) to break down performances from Sweden, Estonia, Georgia, Austria, and the United Kingdom. They also take a closer look at Martin Österdahl’s body language — and his choice of Rolex.
Links:
Martin gets booed at Eurovision 2024 while delivering his tag line “we’re good to go” (30 seconds):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMd0BAyu8wk
Martin Osterdahl's Watch:
https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/martin-%C3%B6sterdahl-eurovision-toppchefen-%C3%A4r-nybliven-debutf%C3%B6rfattare-med-8500433cf
Artist: Johannes Pietsch "JJ", Austria
Song: Wasted Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ieSTNpxvio
Artist: KAJ, Sweden
Song: Bara bada bastu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIvtyzCYJDg
Tommy Cash, Estonia
Song: Espresso Macchiato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHt5f8hUei4
Remember Monday, United Kingdom
Song: What the Hell Just Happened
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hu6R3ZnOdY&list=RD-hu6R3ZnOdY&start_radio=1
Mariam Shengelia, Georgia
Song: Freedom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3wu0dUNd4c
Book, USA: Truth and Lies: What People Are Really Thinking
https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Lies-People-Really-Thinking/dp/1443452092
Book, UK: Truth and Lies: What People Are Really Thinking
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Truth-Lies-People-Really-Thinking-ebook/dp/B072L52J3D
The Behavior Panel on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TheBehaviorPanel/videos
TEDx Mark Bowden, The Importance of Being Inauthentic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zpf8H_Dd40
The King Who Never Was, Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/title/81495974
Bradley reviews Azerbaijan, Estonia, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, & Switzerland on the EuroWhat Podcast:
https://www.eurowhat.com/262
The Musical Remix of Bradley's Espresso Macchiato rant from the EuroWhat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLQVq95PIwI
Eurovision 2025 Playlist (Romance Language Edition)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9hQqJZ-ycwUisUC6JIKBsNBCw66_YAjU&si=3Fgx3b_cd0tNkIMn
Sheldon Rocha Leal's article on his trip to the Iberian Peninsula:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40cc
Eurovision 2025 Playlist (Romance Language Edition)
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9hQqJZ-ycwUisUC6JIKBsNBCw66_YAjU&si=3Fgx3b_cd0tNkIMn
Sheldon Rocha Leal's article on his trip to the Iberian Peninsula:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40cc
Russ and Suzie from Euroriffs join me for an emergency recording to discuss whether two-thirds of the anglosphere won't make it to the Eurovision Grand Final. Also: possible hygiene issues on ice cream trucks.
DeLuz Art:
https://deluzart.com/
Tony DeLuz is represented at Blue Rain Gallery:
https://blueraingallery.com/artists
Atlas Obscura: The Abandoned Lisa Frank Factory
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lisa-frank-factory
Whatever Happened to Lisa Frank
https://www.thelist.com/40696/whatever-happened-lisa-frank/
Inside the Rainbow Gulag
https://www.jezebel.com/inside-the-rainbow-gulag-the-technicolor-rise-and-fall-1179495705
Glitter and Greed, Amazon Prime, USA
https://www.amazon.com/Glitter-Greed-Frank-Story-Season/dp/B0DJH953HR
Glitter and Greed, Amazon Prime, UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glitter-Greed-Frank-Story-Season/dp/B0DJHB56D8
Silvia Night - Congratulations (Iceland) 2006 Semi-Final
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkydPOGTJKk
Natalia Gordienko - SUGAR - Moldova 🇲🇩 - Official Music Video - Eurovision 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zvnsvxA3to
Eurovision 2022 - That's Rich - Brooke - Ireland - Semi Final 2 - 4K50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e0pYGoB-Tk
Blanka - Solo | Jury Show | Eurovision Song Contest 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7bKtkaAP3o
DeLuz Art:
https://deluzart.com/
Tony DeLuz is represented at Blue Rain Gallery:
https://blueraingallery.com/artists
Atlas Obscura: The Abandoned Lisa Frank Factory
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lisa-frank-factory
Whatever Happened to Lisa Frank
https://www.thelist.com/40696/whatever-happened-lisa-frank/
Inside the Rainbow Gulag
https://www.jezebel.com/inside-the-rainbow-gulag-the-technicolor-rise-and-fall-1179495705
Glitter and Greed, Amazon Prime, USA
https://www.amazon.com/Glitter-Greed-Frank-Story-Season/dp/B0DJH953HR
Glitter and Greed, Amazon Prime, UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glitter-Greed-Frank-Story-Season/dp/B0DJHB56D8
Silvia Night - Congratulations (Iceland) 2006 Semi-Final
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkydPOGTJKk
Natalia Gordienko - SUGAR - Moldova 🇲🇩 - Official Music Video - Eurovision 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zvnsvxA3to
Eurovision 2022 - That's Rich - Brooke - Ireland - Semi Final 2 - 4K50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e0pYGoB-Tk
Blanka - Solo | Jury Show | Eurovision Song Contest 2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7bKtkaAP3o
Ethan Hein's Blog; Happy Chords:
https://www.ethanhein.com/wp/2017/the-happiest-chord-progression-ever/
Ethan Hein's Blog; Sad Chords:
https://www.ethanhein.com/wp/2023/the-saddest-chord-progression-ever-revisited/
From Poland: DER GASN NIGN / THE STREET SONG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swve55Y6LgU
Club Recommendation, XCX:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJW-VvmRKsE&list=RDEMqB6GN03U2YuNBEN7d9EqVw&start_radio=1
Groove Pizza, the aQWERTYion and other amazing digital products YOU can use!
https://musedlab.org/
"Happy/Sad" ESC:
Euphoria – Loreen (Sweden, 2012)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80
Elina Nechayeva - La Forza - Estonia - Eurovision 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76KOUIfDry8
"Fairytale" – Alexander Rybak (Norway, 2009)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXwgZL4zx9o
"Only Teardrops" by Emmelie de Forest (Denmark, 2013)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59E7T0H-Us
"Satellite" by Lena (Germany, 2010)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pL9vdpSvnY
De La Soul:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFnI1nwMOzY
The Reflex, Copacabana:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U907umxfo5w
Settings for the aQWERTYion, Eurovision:
Euphoria - A major
Fairytale - D natural minor
Space Man - B major
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU5cJfaX3DI
Discoteque - F natural minor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNweec5olYw
Holiday Slideshow!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15AiVP8S_3qemlVzgwEWS40NEZfYCLcEm?usp=sharing
Notes/slideshow will be fully updated by Dec 15
Holiday Slideshow!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15AiVP8S_3qemlVzgwEWS40NEZfYCLcEm?usp=sharing
Notes/slideshow will be fully updated by Dec 15