C'est la vie! How The Netherlands' Claude uses the circle of fourths at Eurovision 2025
Claude Kiambe will sing for The Netherlands at Eurovision 2025. Born in the Congo before fleeing to Europe aged 9, Claude is recognised for his merging of languages in much of his music. But does his song C'est La Vie have what it takes to rouse audiences all over Europe? In this episode of What Really Happened at Eurovision? Professor Joe Bennett, musicologist from the Berklee College of Music, tells us about C'est La Vie and the circle of fourths - and how musical greats have been use the chord progression to capture audiences.
Presenters:
Freddy: http://instagram.com/freddyt234
William: http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
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18:12
Laura Thorn (Luxembourg Eurovision 2025) | Interview @ House of Helvetia in Basel
Luxembourg’s Eurovision 2025 singer Laura Thorn tells us all about her song “La poupée monte le son.” She explains how the lyrics demonstrate a woman’s growth — from being treated like a puppet or a doll to standing on her own and taking up space for herself. She also discusses the Ukrainian creative team behind her staging and doll hours; what it’s like working with her dancers; and how Eurovision 2009 singer and vocal coach Susanne Georgi has helped her stay strong.
Interviewer: William: http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
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23:57
Shkodra Elektronike (Albania Eurovision 2025) | Interview @ House of Helvetia in Basel
"Zjerm" singers Shkodra Elektronike — that's Kolë Laca and Beatriçe Gjergji — gave us a very entertaining interview at the House of Helvetia in Basel. Among other things, they discuss the legend of Rozafa, the unique culture of their home region Shkodër, Kolë's recent virality (for not following the typical chord progressions in songs), and how they wrote their Eurovision entry. Beatriçe also gives us a dance tutorial.
Interviewer: William: http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
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24:23
Justyna Steczkowska (Gaja) on Eurovision, spirituality and learning to love herself | Eurovision
Justyna Steczkowska — one of Poland's most loved singers — has returned to the Eurovision Song Contest thirty years after her first appearance. She tells our William Lee Adams about how she has grown and evolved musically and spiritually since finishing 18th. Some of this growth was prompted by personal traumas, including the loss of her parents and her husband's illness. She also recounts how her song "Gaja" — a reference to Mother Earth — explores the idea of our relationship to our planet and the ways we've harmed the source of our existence.
Interviewer: William http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
Translator: Bartek http://instagram.com/bartekfetyz
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20:02
NAPA (Portugal Eurovision 2025) | Interview @ House of Helvetia in Basel
NAPA’s band members — Diogo Góis, Francisco Sousa, João Guilherme Gomes, João Lourenço Gomes, and João Rodrigues — join us on stage at the House of Helvetia. The band, formerly known as Men on the Couch, explain how their song “Deslocado” speaks of dislocation and the experience of so many people from their home island of Madeira. We also discuss the creation of their song, how they were rejected from Festival da Canção 2024, and how they share hateful and shady comments from social media in a private WhatsApp group for laughs.
Interviewer: William: http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
Eurovision news with attitude! Conversations inspired by the song contest — though not always limited to it. Catch up on all our Eurovision 2022 interviews, reviews and discussions. Coming to you from London, but riffing on the world of music and pop culture at large. From the team behind Wiwibloggs.com.
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