IF you want a job doing properly... ask someone from Cork!
For years now, Ireland has been coming up short at the Eurovision Song Contest, as a succession of performers from not-Cork flopped.
We have reached the final just once since 2013; a truly dismal record for a nation that once won the competition as a matter of routine and still holds a joint record seven wins.
Here’s a fact to make you feel old: anyone who remembers Ireland winning Eurovision is at least in their thirties now. Ouch!
However, this year I predict our woeful recent record is about to change. And it’s all because RTÉ and the public have finally chosen someone from the Rebel County to represent us in the annual music jamboree.
Bambie Thug, of Macroom, is only the second Corkonian to get the Eurovision gig - after Cathal Dunne in 1979 - and I reckon their song Doomsday Blue, is nailed on to get out of the first Eurovision semi-final in Malmö, Sweden, on Tuesday.
Yes, that means we will hopefully all have good reason to crack open the beer and canapés next Saturday night and watch a Eurovision final where Ireland is proudly flying the flag.
Not only that, but I predict Bambie has a great chance of breaking into the top ten in the final, though it will be a tough ask for the 16-1 shot to win the contest, with so many talented contenders around.
Switzerland are the current hot favourites to win with the bookies, but my own tip is Croatia, with their irresistibly catchy and fun song Rim Tim Tagi Dim (yes, it is as daft as it sounds!)
But getting to the final, and hoovering up plenty of votes from both judges and the public, would be a fine result for our Bambie, after years in the wilderness for Ireland.
I’ve been driven to despair by some of the poor songs we have been sending to Eurovision in recent years.
Since semi-finals were introduced in 2004, we have failed to reach the final 11 times, and twice finished last when we did qualify.
So, what is Bambie Thug bringing to the party that will change that?
Well, the 30-year-old, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them/their pronouns, recognises that Eurovision is not just about the song; it’s about visual imagery, stagecraft, and performance art. It’s about standing out from the crowd and entertaining audiences.
Bambie’s persona is as a self-proclaimed witch and their song, Doomsday Blue, includes references to medieval magic circles. Bambie believes this “ouija pop” will “shake up” Eurovision - and there is plenty of evidence that young people across Europe have fallen under the spell.
Yes, all it needed to break our Eurovision curse was a witch from Cork!
Let me be clear - I’m not big on the song myself; it’s a little discordant and jarring to the ear of a man of my middle-aged years, who cringes at the lyrics of the rap music my eldest son loves to play in the car.
Then again, I’m not the target audience here, and Bambie, who has lived in London for a decade, had amassed more than 60 million streams of their music online even before the Eurovision journey began.
Oh - and another bonus for our chances: Bambie’s father is Swedish, the location of this year’s event, 50 years on from Abba’s famous win in the contest with Waterloo.
All the stars are aligning, and I fully expect Bambie to put on a great show on Tuesday, performing at No.4 of the 15 acts - ten of whom will make it to the final.
I’ve never been one for all the conspiracy theories blaming Ireland’s recent failures at Eurovision on partisan voting - our songs have simply not been up to scratch. However, if Ireland misses out on qualification on Tuesday, I might have to revisit that stance, so confident am I in our chances.
Sure, neighbouring countries might vote for each other in blocs like Scandinavia and eastern Europe, but that all tends to balance out, and a good act and performance will always rise to the top.
Besides, the UK will be getting to vote in Ireland’s semi-final, which is a lucky break, as they always mark us high.
So, what of the competition for Bambie?
Well, Croatian band Baby Lasagna (yes, really) are singing at No.7 on Tuesday, with the aforementioned Rim Tim Tagi Dim. It’s an absolute ear-worm that shouted ‘winner’ to me the instant I heard it.
The song is about the hot topic of emigration, and a young man leaving behind his family and, er, cat.
Sample lyric:
Bye mom, bye dad
Meow, cat, please, meow back
Don’t cry, just dance
Rim-tim-tagi-digi, dim-tim-tim
You’ve gotta love Eurovision!
The strong backing for the Swiss entry, The Code, by Nemo, is a little baffling. It’s a decent effort, and combines opera and rap, but I don’t see it stealing the show.
The Dutch entry, Europapa, by Joost Klein, also among the favourites, is hilarious. Very catchy, very silly, and possibly a future anthem for the European Union!
However the UK, having pulled off a coup by enlisting the hip Olly Alexander to perform, has come up with a dog of a song, Dizzy. Lucky for them they are among five countries that get a bye to the finals.
There has been much controversy over Israel’s participation this year, who have entered with the big power ballad of 2024.
The calls for viewers to boycott the show will only grow if they progress from Thursday’s semi-final, as expected.
The organisers really should have told Israel to sit this one out, given the appalling events in Gaza, but having said that, there has been unfair pressure placed on Bambie Thug to boycott the show.
The singer, while stressing their support for Palestinians, has resisted the calls and is right to do so.
Any decision on whether to boycott or protest about something should only come from the individual. The pile-ons on social media and the petitions to force Bambie into a corner are unfair and misplaced.
Ah... let’s end on a high note. A Cork act is going to take Eurovision by storm next week, and will hopefully give us a night next Saturday to remember. Let’s get the party started!
Even if Ireland fare badly, the contest is great fun. Where else could you get a lyric like this...
Welcome
My name is Windows, Windows95man
And I only live by one rule
And the rule is no rules
Thank-you, Finland.
Eurovision, never change!
Read More
I’m with you all the way, Cork Eurovision legend tells Bambie More in this section
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Tarik Cyril Amar
Rami G Khouri
Dr Ramzy Baroud
Mort Laitner
visit website
