Sweden - Loreen - Tattoo

Grattis Loreen!

Congratulations Sweden!

Sweden is the winner of the Liverpool Eurovision Song Contest. Loreen won the jury vote but came second in her semi and the final televote.

But it was enough to fend off the competition (read: Finland) and by winning she's the second artist to win Eurovision twice. And she did it on Johnny Logan's birthday! (see more at end of this page)

Loreen's victory is Sweden's 7th and they now equal Ireland's long standing record.

1 - 583 pts   2 - 135 pts in semi 1

digital single

Loreen is the winner of Melodifestivalen 2023 with her song Tattoo written by Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt, Jimmy Jansson, Loreen, Cazzi Opeia, Peter Boström and Thomas G:son.

The song can be found on the 2023 Melodifestivalen 2CD and was released as a digital single on February 25.

The Acoustic version was released on May 5, although a video was there a week earlier.

A cdsingle is out on June 16.

At the moment it's orderable here, with a signed card for UK customers.

The cdsingle in cardsleeve includes the single version and the acoustic.

(Universal  5588238) Thanks Immo and Marcin.

The Topic remix was released as a digital track on August 4.

For other emixes see versions below.

Vinyl Picture Disc

A 7"inch picture discsingle is released in a limited edition on December 22.

It includes Tattoo and the follow up single Is It Love. 

It's pricey so I'll skip other Christmas presents. Shop around, some shops have a bonus signed card with the order, some others have a more reasonable price.

Here are links to sellers (through Loreen's website)

also at Platenzaak.nl for Netherlands.

Thanks Jan G.

AVOID: A cdsingle (they even call it promo) including some unofficial remixes is spotted but I'm sure it's not official. First it was even misspelled as Tatoo on the sleeve but a new variation with the correct spelling has also turned up.

It appears to come from the same source as the similar counterfeits of Norway, U.K. and Israel.

Loreen (Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui) needs no introduction and after the first press listening of the MF songs the buzz around her return to Eurovision took off.

But many Eurovision winners have tried for a second win and we all know only one succeeded. At the end of this page is a list of those who tried. We love lists.

Of course Loreen = Euphoria, one of the most succesful Eurovision winning songs of the century. You can read all about the chart success, releases, versions and remixes of that one here at the Baku Collection. 

WildFire 2026

Loreen finally releases her third album WildFire on March 27, 2026.

The album is released on CD and a variety of vinyls (LPs) and includes Tattoo and follow up single Is It Love.

Ride 2017

Heal & Ride

Loreen's Euphoria album Heal did reach various album charts in the world but her follow up album Ride (2017) flopped. This is a total injustice as it is a great album, probably overlooked for being too experimental, and dark, and missing a club-banger. (and they should have added Statements on it)

I love it and I recommend you give it a listen. 

The Songwriters

I'm always a bit baffled by how many songwriters you need to write a song for Eurovision. The six people (not even a record this year)* responsible for Tattoo have all wrote several to numerous Eurovision entries. And many pre-selection songs as well.

(Mellopedia is a great source to browse for the Swedish ones).

*The all time record is 11 people for Baila El Chiki Chiki by Rodolfo Chikilicuatre (Spain 2008).

Thomas G:Son has his name under 16 Eurovision entries for 8 countries (wiki) including Euphoria. He's also responsible for 99 pre-selection songs for 12 countries.

Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt has another song this year, the Cyprus entry.

He also co-wrote 2021 Eurovision finalists Adrenalina, Voices and El Diablo.

Jimmy Jansson, once a member of The Poets (MF 2002's What Difference Does It Make is a personal MF fave) co-wrote Yes for the 2020 Eurovision that never happened. He's also got his name under Cyprus 2023.

Peter Boström co-wrote Euphoria and also the #26 of the same year Stay by Tooji. So he came first and last in the Baku final, a feat I don't think will be achieved again soon.

MF 2011

Loreen's Melodifestivalen

2011 My Heart Is Refusing Me 

- stranded in the 2nd round (Andra Chansen) duels

2012 Euphoria 

- winner of Melodifestivalen and Eurovision

2017 Statements 

- lost out in the Andra Chansen duels

2023 Tattoo 

- winner of Melodifestivalen

Fun fact, Loreen is one of four returning artists this year. She met one before, way back in Baku 2012.

Versions:

Tattoo - original single version

- digital 25-2, Melodifestivalen 2CD, cdsingle

Tattoo - Acoustic

- digital 5-5, cdsingle

Tattoo - Topic remix (3:31)

- digital 4-8

- also on DMC CD Dance Mixes 332

Tattoo - Topic remix radio (3:03)

- DMC DJ Promo 294

Tattoo - Topic remix extended (3:54)

- digital at Beatport & DJ Pool's ultimix promo pack

Tattoo* - Ray Isaac remix & extended (DJ only, listen here)

- DJ Pool Ray Isaac remix pack (27-5), also on Crateconnect (6-2)

- both remix packs also include mixes of My Heart Is Refusing Me.

Tattoo - Batiste & Mil remix

- digital 20-12, appears under Batiste & Mil

Tattoo - karaoke (mostly instrumental, some vocal/choral effects

- On the official karaoke album

* I know the DJ only stuff is a grey area but I include those available through (paid for) DJ services.

I don't include remixes that are only on Youtube or soundcloud.

Charts:

Tattoo already spent two weeks at #1 in Sweden before the MF final and also entered the Norwegian top 40, Finnish top 20 and a few other charts including the U.K. sales charts (34, 81). (all before the MF final).

Sweden top 100 (Topplistan): 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 2, 6, 10, 13, 7, 3, 6, 6, 8, 14, 20, 36, 29, 37, 35, 40, 47, 22, 27, 35, 35, 35, 47, 55, 62, 58, 56, 48, 55, 65, 65, 66, 88, -   re: 37, 80, 84, 94, -, 94 (1-44)

Norway (VG Lista): 26, 5, 5, 5, 7, 7, 19, 15, 14, 9, 2, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 18, 30, 21, 29, 31, 30, 29, 36, 36, -, 36, -, 40, - (2-31)

Finland top 20/50 (IFPI): 13, 6, 6, 10*, 16, 20, 24, 27, 20, 13, 3, 4, 12, 21, 24, 32, 35, 41, 47, -  (3-19)

*Finland changed from top 20 to top 50 in week 13

Ireland top 100 (IRMA): 59, 86, -  re: 45, 3, 3, 4, 5, 8, 7, 36, 36, 38, 49, 65, 77, 80, 84, 97, 99, - (3-19)

Netherlands top 100: 36, 34, 29, 29, 16, 16, 12, 5, 1, 1, 4, 4, 6, 6, 5, 6, 7, 6, 6, 9, 8, 9, 9, 12, 13, 16, 22, 26, 27, 27, 25, 26, 30, 52, 55, 69, 68, 73, 92, -, re: 71, 76, 84, 83, 91, 99 (1-45)

Netherlands top 40: 36, 25, 24, 23, 22, 19, 16, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 5, 7, 13, 21, 27, 34, - (1-25)

Belgium (Flanders) top 50: 19, 7, 18, 13, 10, 8, 12, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 12, 16, 12, 13, 14, 16, 22, 20, 19, 23, 30, 30, 34, 22, 33, -  re: 45, 35, 31, - (1-43)

Belgium (Wallonia): 38, 32, 5, 4, 2, 4, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 8, 4, 12, 16, 22, 22, 19, 30, 37, 34, 23, 49, 29, 33, 44, 47, 48, 44, 43, - (1-42)

Switzerland top 100: 100, -, re: 68, 1, 1, 3, 6, 6, 5, 6, 5, 6, 8, 7, 13, 5, 6, 10, 8, 11, 11, 11, 12, 10, 9, 8, 13, 13, 13, 17, 25, 36, 32, 35, 80, 21, 21, 26, 29, 26, 37, 51, 46, 46, 50, 46, 45, 53, 57, 58, 68, 55, 67, 62, 48, 58, 59, 68, 84, 76, 86, 94, 96, -, 99, - (1-64)

Portugal top 200: 147, 111, - re: 15, 26, 31, 48, 50, 60, 80, 84, 78, 81, 71, 88, 56, 42, 41, 43, 45, 46, 41, 45, 45, 45, 38, 40, 43, 31, 27, 23, 44, 67, 60, 62, 79, 55, 53, 57, 46, 52, 59, 81, 93, 90, 92, 98, 100, 120, 106, 109, 139, 150, 148, 109, 137, 169 162, 169, 154, 177, 167, 165, 177, 165, 180, 182, 180, 196  (1-69)

Italy top 100 (FIMI): 24, 36, 58, 76, 98, 98, - (24-6)

Germany top 100: 7, 12, 25, 28, 30, 28, 31, 35, 38, 50, 55, 51, 43, 53, 54, 56, 59, 64, 62, 58, 63, 54, 60, 63, 68, 75, 70, - (7-28)

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 2, 4, 10, 7, 11, 12, 16, 24, 20, 60, 75, 94, 69, 80, 79, - (2-15)

France top 200 (SNEP): 34, 36, 31, 28, 35, 21, 14, 25, 14, 12, 12, 7, 8, 7, 8, 9, 19, 16, 20, 15, 9, 12, 13, 13, 12, 13, 12, 18, 27, 30, 21, 34, 21, 24, 26, 44, 54, 59, 59, 79, 66, 76, 72, 67, 75, 94, 96, 85, 100, 98, 99, 90, 115, 97, 131, 146, 122, 121, 112, 107, 116, 124, 131, 122, 128, 136, 129, 131, 152, 167, 188, - (7-70)

Bulgaria top 40: 21, 20, 10, 5, 3, 8, 10, 8, 6, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 12, 14, 18, 18, 25, 26, 28, 35, - (3-22)

Austria top 75: 1, 3, 7, 8, 8, 7, 13, 20, 26, 36, 44, 41, 30, 33, 41, 44, 44, 44, 39, 38, 41, 41, 39, 42, 43, 48, 48, 66, -, re: 72, - (1-28)

Denmark top 40 (Tracklisten): 15, 13, 16, 24, 33, 35, 34, 31, 34, 36, 38, -, 34, 31, 35, 35, - (13-15)

Spain top 100: 22, 27, 40, 52, 53, 57, 89, 98, - (22-8)

Suriname top 40** ?, 4, 2, 2, 4, ?

** at the time only the top 5 was published

Certifications

Diamond in France (333.333 certified units)

3x Platinum in Poland

2x Platinum in Belgium, Portugal, Greece

Platinum in Spain, Italy

Gold in Switzerland, Denmark, U.K.

Melodifestivalen 2023

The 2023 Melodifestivalen 2CD is out since Februari 27. Next to many familiar MF names we have Loreen (Sweden 2012), Victor Crone (Estonia 2019) and Loulou Lamotte (2020's cancelled contest entry with the Mama's) 

Tracklist with some additional release info below.

(Universal 0602455141033)

I bought mine at Bengans

The Malmö Collection & The Stockholm Collection

Links and sources:

Loreen: Website (coming soon), FB, Insta

Melodifestivalen 2023 at ESC History

The Sweden post at the Tel Aviv Collection has all the chart trivia you need about the Melodifestivalen and Eurovision hits in the Swedish charts, Updated to 2023

Mellopedia is a treasure trove of Swedish pre-selection and Eurovision facts and figures. It has everything.

Melodifestivalen 2023 tracklist

CD1
Rhythm of my show – Tone Sekelius

- also released a "sped up" version (digital)
Inga sorger – Loulou LaMotte
Haunted – Rejhan

- also released an acoustic version (digital)
Raggen går – Elov och Beny
Diamonds – Victor Crone
Länge leve livet – Eva Rydberg och Ewa Roos
Where are you (Sávežan) – Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc north feat. Adam Woods

- Also released acoustic and remix (digital)

All my life (Where have you been) – Wiktoria
Comfortable – Eden
Grytan – Uje Brandelius
On my way – Panetoz
Now I know – Tennessee tears
Never give up – Maria Sur

- also released an acoustic version (digital)
Mer av dig – Theoz

- also released a "sped up" version (digital)

CD2
Royals – Paul Rey

- also released a "sped up" version (digital)
Så kommer känslorna tillbaka – Casanovas

- also released a remix (digital)
For the show – Melanie Wehbe
Släpp alla sorger – Nordman

- also released a remix (digital)
Sober – Laurell
Låt hela stan se på – Ida-Lova
Air – Marcus och Martinus
Where did you go – Kiana
Edelweiss – Signe och Hjördis

- also released a remix: EPA remix by Lia Larsson (digital), also as sped-up remix
Six feet under – Smash into pieces

- also released a remix
One day – Mariette

Mera mera mera – Emil Henrohn
Gorgeous – Axel Schylström

- also released a "sped up" version (digital)
Tattoo – Loreen  

Returning Eurovision winners

Loreen was the 15th Eurovision winner to try for a second victory. Only one of them succeeded before her, Johnny Logan. 

Lys Assia and Gigliola Cinquetti managed to add a 2nd place to their palmarès.

Here's a list of all who tried.
1956 Lys Assia, 8th in 1957, 2nd in 1958
1957 Corry Brokken*, 9th in 1958 (last)
1961 Jean-Claude Pascal, 11th in 1981
1962 Isabelle Aubret, 3rd in 1968
1964 Gigliola Cinquetti, 2nd in 1974
1973 Anne-Marie David**, 3rd in 1979
1978 Izhar Cohen, 5th in 1985
1980 Johnny Logan, 1st in 1987
1991 Carola*, 5th in 2006
1993 Niamh Kavanagh, 23rd in 2010
1998 Dana International, failed to get to the final 2011
1999 Charlotte Nilsson / Perrelli, 18th in 2008
2009 Alexander Rybak, 15th in 2018
2010 Lena, 10th in 2011
2012 Loreen, 1st in 2023
* Corry Brokken & Carola also entered the contest before their winning year.

** Anne-Marie David won for Luxembourg and came 3rd for France 6 years later.
 
Here’s a little extra list of winners who won with their second or third participation but didn’t return after that.
1966 Udo Jürgens, 1964, 1965
1972 Vicky Leandros, 1967
1992 Linda Martin, 1984
2008 Dima Bilan, 2006

To be complete: 
Helena Paparizou won in 2005 for Greece, she had already entered in 2001 with duo Antique (ending 3rd)
And then there’s Elisabeth Andreassen and Hanne Krogh. They won as duo Bobbysocks! In 1985. Their La Det Swinge was written by Rolf Løvland who won with his own band Secret Garden in 1995 (Nocturne)
Andreassen sang with Chips in 1982 (8th), Duetted with Jan Werner Danielsen in 1994 (6th) and sang solo in 1996 (2nd). Hanne Krogh entered solo as a 15 year old in 1971 (17th) and with Just4Fun in 1991 (also 17th).

 
Johnny Logan, Udo Jürgens and Duncan Laurence also returned as songwriters. Logan even winning in 1992.
Did I miss any?, let me know in the comments.

(but I didn't include returning songwriters, backing singers, conductors or make up artists)

Finland - Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha

2 - 526 pts / 1 - 177 pts in semi 1

Finland chose Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä to represent the country in Liverpool. Käärijä (Finnish word for Wrapper) won the 7-song UMK with a huge margin. (UMK = Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, New Music Competition)

Cha Cha Cha won the (televote only) semi and the televote in the final so it's safe to say the public loved Käärijä.

Cha Cha Cha, a song in Finnish, was written by 

Jere Pöyhönen (Käärijä), 

Johannes Naukkarinen, 

Aleksi Nurmi and 

Jukka Sorsa.

Cha Cha Cha was released as a digital single on January 17. All songs from the UMK contest were released through your favorite digital sources.

It is released on a CD EP titled Cha Cha Cha Mixtape on the 5th of May. I ordered it here at Recordshop X. Thanks for the tip Immo!

It contains 6 tracks, mostly previously released singles.:
1 Cha Cha Cha
2 Klo23
3 Viulunkieli
4 Välikuolema
5 Morgan bonus track
6 Kovis bonus track

(Warner/Monsp 5054197641107)

A Vinyl green 12" inch version will be released on August 11. It has the same tracks.

Strictly Limited to 1000 (upped to) 2000 copies and 200 copies come signed with a poster. (update the signed/poster edition is sold out already)

pre-orderable here at recordshopx.

Thanks again Immo! 

Cha Cha Cha (regular version) can also be found on Käärijä's 2024 album People's Champion (LP and CD) Out on Warner.

pre-release image

A remix by Faustix was released on April 14.

The YES YES remix was released on May 5.

The Reggae mix, released as a digital track on May 9, was released as a video performance on April 14.

On May 19 another remix was released, the Future Bounce remix by Mr. Silker but I'm not sure if this is official as it is not released by Warner (and all the other versions are).

The Alan Walker remix was released on June 9.

An odd spatial mix called 8D Suomi or something like that appeared on official sources on 22-4 but it is unofficial and has been removed. (except from Youtube)

Battle Mashup
A mix of Cha Cha Cha and 2024 Croatian entry Rim Tim Tagi Dim was performed in the 2025 Eurovision final.
The mashup was released as a digital single on June 6, 

Lord Of The Lost of Blood & Glitter fame have released their tribute to Käärijä, a coverversion of Cha Cha Cha, on May 5.
It can also be found on LOTL's 2CD Weapons Of Mass Seduction out on December 29, 2023. 

Note: only on the 2CD & Napalm exclusive 3CD edition, NOT on the 1CD, LP or cassette editions.

Another great coverversion is released by Stuðlabandið, read more about that (and their other Eurovision covers) here at Eurocovers

Versions:
Cha Cha Cha - original single version
- digital 17-1, Cha Cha Cha mixtape CD
Cha Cha Cha - Faustix remix
- digital 14-4
Cha Cha Cha - YES YES remix
- digital 5-5
Cha Cha Cha - Reggae mix
- digital 9-5
Cha Cha Cha - Future Bounce remix by Mr Silker
- digital 19-5

Cha Cha Cha - Alan Walker remix

- digital 9-6
Cha Cha Cha - karaoke (=instrumental)
- on the official karaoke album (digital)


Charts:

Cha Cha Cha entered the Finnish top 20 straight after release, as did four other UMK 2023 songs. It went to #1 after the UMK victory. Kuuma's Ylivoimainen spent two weeks at #1 before the UMK final. Their song is also released on their CD Hyvikset Ja Pahikset (Vinyl in June).

Finland top 20/50 (IFPI): 2, 2, 4, 5, 4, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, / 3, 3, 4, 5, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1* 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 3, 7, 11, 15, 17, 25, 21, 23, 26, 27, 36, 40, 42, 42, 35, 20, 28, 38, - re: 11, 41, 38, 40, 48, -, 33, 36, 37, 45, - re (ESC 2024): 37, -, re: ESC 2025: 35 (1-59)

*Due to a technical error the charts of week 24 were changed a few days after publishing so Käärijä is not at #1 but at #2 that week. 

Cha Cha Cha The Alan Walker remix  charted seperately: 12, 24, 44, -
Sweden top 100 (Topplistan): 82, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 14, 15, 19, 16, 26, 29, 38, 45, 62, 71, 69, 88, 99, -, re: ESC 2025: 57, 69 (1-21)

Ireland top 100 (IRMA): 7, 12, 34, 55, 78, -
Italy top 100 (FIMI): 85, -
Germany top 100: 18, 40, -
Netherlands Top 100: 13, 34, 78, -
U.K. top 100 (OCC): 6, 15, 47, 78, -
Norway top 40 (VG Lista): 3, 3, 5, 10, 15, 22, 26, 31, 38, -

Switzerland top 100 (Hitparade.ch): 8, 26, -

Belgium (Ultratop Flemish): 17, 9, 24, 35, 43, -

Portugal top 200: 43, 107, - 

Bulgaria top 40: 35, -

Austria top 75: 7, 14, 45, -

Denmark top 40 (Tracklisten): 32, -

Spain top 100: 46, 85, -


Links and sources:
Käärijä: at Warner Website, Insta, his FB doesn't seem to be updated much.
UMK: Website in Finnish, English
UMK 2023 at ESC History
Remember The Rasmus, Blind Channel, Krista Siegfrids
Or have a flashback to the Finweeks at Eurocovers (2007)

Moldova - Pasha Parfeni - Soarele Și Luna

18 - 96 pts / 5 - 109 pts in semi 1

digital single image

The Moldovan Finala Națională ESC 2023 saw some familiar faces and one of them, Pasha Parfeny, took the trophy. He has grown out his hair but he's the one that made us dance to his trumpet in Lăutar in 2012.

This time his song is Soarele Și Luna (The sun and the moon) written by Pasha himself (real name Pavel Parfeni) with 

Andrei Vulpe and 

Iuliana Parfeni. (Pasha is Iuliana's husband since 2017)

Sometimes his name is spelled Parfeny but it's actually Parfeni. I think.

There is a small difference between the version on the Liverpool album and the single version. Best noticed in the intro at 00:03 a voice singing soemthing like "mwah" on the ESC album version and at 2:12 and 2:20.
Roy spotted that, Thanks Roy!

Remix stuff

At Pasha's website is a link (top right) where you can download a few files that will help you make your own remix.

- Backing vocals acapella

- Lead acapella

- Main Caval = just the flute

Now go and add some beats and things.

We all know Lăutar from the Baku Eurovision which ended 11th in the final. All about that and his National Final tunes here at the Baku Collection.

He also wrote Aliona Moon's O Mie for Malmö 2013 which also ended 11th.

In the meantime he had time to grow a manbun.

Sunstroke & Aliona Moon, coincidence? They were #2 and #3 in this year's Moldovan selection Finala Națională ESC.

Parfeni spent some time in the Sunstroke Project but left before their first Eurovision entry in 2010.

Parfeni tried a few times in the Moldovan selection both as artist and as songwriter, here’s a list. 
2007 - Steaua Mea (as Pavel Parfeny) didn’t get to the final
2009 - No Crime - Sunstroke Project (as songwriter and member) 3^rd place
2010 - You Should Like (as Pasha) 3^rd place
2011 - Dorule 3^rd place 
2012 - Lăutar 11^th in the Baku Eurovision final (Aliona Moon was a backing vocalist)
2013 - as songwriter and on-stage pianist: O Mie by Aliona Moon - 11^th in the Eurovision final. In the national final it was performed in English as A Million but in Malmö it was sung in Romanian.
2015 - as songwriter: Maricica by DoReDos, 6^th place in Moldovan NF
2020 - My Wine 2^nd place in Moldovan NF

Important trivia: Pasha is one of four returning artists this year. He met one before, way back in Baku 2012.

Versions:
Soarele Si Luna - ESC album version
- On the Liverpool album
Soarele Și Luna - single version
- digital 19-2
Soarele Și Luna - karaoke
- on the official karaoke album

Charts
Finland top 50 (IFPI): 40

Bun free 2012

Links and sources:
Pasha Parfeny: Website, FB, Insta

Finala Națională ESC Moldova 2023 at ESC History.

Eurovision.md has all 30 songs in the competition
Remember Zdob si Zdub?, I do. 

The other returning Eurovision artists in this years selection were Aliona Moon and Sunstroke Project (2010, 2017) 

Dutch 2023 singer Mia Nicolaï also wrote a song (with Mike Connaris) that reached the Moldovan final this year and ended 7th. When Love's Real by Corina Ivanov.

Iceland - Diljá - Power

single release image

11 - 44 pts in semi 2

The Icelandic Söngvakeppnin final om March 4 was won by Diljá with her song Power.

Diljá Pétursdóttir wrote the song herself with Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson.

We know Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson as one of the writers of the 2015 Icelandic entry.

In the Söngvakeppnin semi final all songs were performed in Icelandic and the Icelandic version of Power is titled Lifandi Inni Í Mér (Alive inside me).

In the Icelandic final the songs were performed in the language the artists have chosen to represent the country in Eurovision, in Diljá's case English.

Power was also released as a digital single track on March 4.

Update: There is a small difference between the Söngvakeppnin version and the single version that also is on the Liverpool album best noticed at the end where the Liverpool album version has an extra beat the Söngvakeppnin version, which was used at the contest, does not have.

Thanks Roy!

An acoustic version was released on April 7. A week later there was a remix by Ásgeir Orri Ásgeirsson.

On April 21 the palmi.remix was released.

See versions below for the full list.

Diljá is not the only Diljá in Icelandic music. In case you wondered, the one with the pink hair is not our Diljá. 

All songs from the Söngvakeppnin selection are released on the digital album Söngvakeppnin 2023. 10 songs in Icelandic and 9 also in English.

palmi.remix

Versions:

Power - English Söngvakeppnin version used at ESC.

- digital single 4-3

Lifandi Inni Í Mér - Icelandic

- both on the digital Söngvakeppnin 2023 album. (28-1)

Power - ESC album version

- on the Liverpool album

Power - Acoustic

- digital 7-4

Power - asgeirorri remix

- digital 14-4

Power - palmi.remix

- digital 21-4

Power - karaoke

- On the official karaoke album (digital)

Acoustic image

Links and sources:

Diljá Insta, FB, She also sings with Midnight Librarian

Söngvakeppni 2023 at ESC History
RÚV Söngvakeppnin pages

Some interesting Icelandic posts at Eurocovers

Daði Freyr and his Gagnamagnið ended 4th while sitting in their hotel room and had the biggest Eurovision hit in the year with no Eurovision, now there's two Eurovision firsts we don't want to see again. An Hatari also happened.

Slovenia - Joker Out - Carpe Diem

21 - 78 pts / 5 - 103 pts in semi 2

Slovenian version image

Shagadelic Rock'n'Roll band Joker Out will represent Slovenia in the 2023 contest. 

Their song is titled Carpe Diem (latin for Seize the day) and is sung in Slovenian. 

The song was presented and released on February 4. 

They penned the song themselves.

Here's the presentation clip from the RTVSLO show Misija Liverpool.

English version image

The English version, also titled Carpe Diem (duh), was released on March 31. But at Eurovision the song will remain in Slovenian.

A live version can be found on the digital album Live From Arena Stožice released on December 22.

An limited edition LP version is released on May 6, 2024. Available at Joker Out gigs and "at their website if there are any left"

Joker Out are Bojan Cvjetićanin, Kris Guštin, Jan Peteh, Nace Jordan and Jure Maček.

2024: Bojan is the co-writer of the 2024 Slovenian entry.

Souvenir Pop

On November 15, 2024 Joker Out released their 3rd album Souvenir Pop. It includes the original Carpe Diem. Available on CD here

Their debut album Demoni (2022) includes a song named Katrina which is also their previous single.

Versions

Carpe Diem - single version

- digital 4-2

Carpe Diem - English

- digital 31-1

Carpe Diem - karaoke of Slovenian single version

- On the official karaoke album (digital)

Carpe Diem - Live

- digital album Live From Arena Stožice

Charts:

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 12, 13, 42

2022 album Demoni

Links and sources:
Joker Out Website, Shop,  FB

Official video of Carpe Diem

RTVSLO EMA and Eurovision pages

Remember the lovely Sebi?

Let's get physical

This year's physicals

Singles (CDsingles and vinyl)

Sweden - cdsingle on June 16, Picture disc vinyl on December 22

Lithuania: is it a single or a minialbum?, 12"inch vinyl for Monika L.

Croatia: cdsingle out now

Netherlands: Vinyl single on May 12

Belgium: Vinyl single, cdsingle and hat!

Finland: is it a single or a minialbum?, the Cha Cha Cha Mixtape CD EP is out on 5-5, Strictly limited Vinyl in August

U.K.'s cdsingle is out on May 12

Australia has 7"inch singles out in May

Promos are spotted: Serbia, Poland, La Grande France, Italy

AVOID: Counterfeit/bootleg cds of Norway, Sweden, U.K. and Israel.

The Official album

The 2CD is out on April 28

A 3LP version is released on May 12, postponed to May 26 (so out now).

The DVD is out on the 26th of June. (3 disc set)

Not physical: The official album is out now (14-4) through some digital sellers (not the streaming services), the karaoke album is also available (also on the streamers)

National Finals on record

Italy's Sanremo songs are released on 2CD, 2LP and coloured vinyl 2LP, Out now

Sweden's Melodifestivalen CD out 27-2

Portugal's Festival da Canção CD is out on February 24

Croatia let'3 us down this year, you have to make your own CD

The Artists albums

Germany's Lord Of The Lost have their album already out in various formats including an ESC edition.

Romania's Theodor Andrei's album Fragil. has an early version of D.G.T., Out now.

U.K. Mae has an album on the way, expected on September 15.

Australia - Album out July 14. , Album on CD, re-issue vinyl also includes Promise now

Italy - Marco Mengoni's Materials

Czechia - Vesna's CD out on November 21

Estonia - Alika LP and CD out on 24-11

Slovenia - Joker Out Live LP in 2024 and CD album with original ESC song

Serbia - Chainsaws in Paradise CD

Portugal - Mimicat's Peito on CD

Latvia's Sudden Light have a Live LP available

Belgium - Look At Gustaph Now

Now That's What I Call Eurovision Song Contest

It's only logical, with Eurovision in Liverpool and the Now That's What I Call factory working at full capacity: A new edition of the album which we first saw in 2021 (here) will be released. A 4CD, 5LP and 2LP edition will be available on April 28.

Full tracklists of each edition here at SuperDeluxeEdition. 

The 4CD set and clear vinyl 5LP both have 84 songs.

The 2LP on coloured vinyl has 36.

It obviously has a lot of winners but also some interesting choices not on the previous edition like Sound Of Silence, Rhythm Inside, Fuego and Vivre by Guy Bonnet (Now That's What I Call Unexpected)

Voilá, El Diablo, Discoteque, Space Man and superhit Snap are included from recent contests, as are the winners from Rotterdam and Turin.

At first glance it seems that Dadi Freyr, James Newman, John Lundvik, James Fox, Paola, Scooch, Lindsey DePaul & Mike Moran, Nicki French (How very dare they!) and Lindsay Dracass, who were on the first edition, were dropped in favour of other classics. But it still has Bad Old Days!. 

So that's at least 23 "new" tracks on this issue.

Of course die-hard fans have everything already but it's nice and shiny and tempting. 

The Now Music people have a website. The releases are pre-orderable at U.K. (online) stores but I'm sure they'll pop up elsewhere soon.

pre-release image of the 5LP box

tracks on the 4CD, click to enlarge

Collectable Vinyl Compilation of Winners

Not the real product yet

Eurovision Collected - Winners Only is a blue vinyl 2LP released on April 14 2023. Only 2000 copies are made and they are numbered.

The set includes winners only, including the most recent ones.

You have all the songs already but who doesn't want two slices of blue vinyl filled with Eurovision's greatest.

(Music On Vinyl / Universal) 

Available here (DE/AT + INT), here (NL), here (CY/GR), here (UK/INT from UK), here (NL), here (UK). Please note, I don't have experience with all these shops, just browsed a bit so you don't have to.

LP1 
1. Kalush - Stefania (Kalush Orchestra)
2. Måneskin - Zitti E Buoni
3. Duncan Laurence - Arcade
4. Netta - Toy
5. Salvador Sobral - Amar Pelos Dois
6. Loreen - Euphoria
7. Lena - Satellite
8. Lordi - Hard Rock Hallelujah
9. Helena Paparizou - My Number One
10. Charlotte Nilsson - Take Me To Your Heaven
11. Katrina & the Waves - Love Shine a Light
12. Eimear Quinn - the Voice
13. Secret Garden - Nocturne
14. Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan - Rock 'N Roll Kids
 
LP2
1. Linda Martin - Why Me?
2. Johnny Logan - Hold Me Now
3. Sandra Kim - J'aime La Vie
4. Bobbysocks - Let It Swing
5. Nicole - Ein Bisschen Frieden
6. Bucks Fizz - Making Your Mind Up
7. Milk and Honey - Hallelujah
8. Brotherhood of Man - Save Your Kisses For Me
9. Teach-In - Ding-A-Dong
10. Vicky Leandros - Après Toi
11. Lenny Kuhr - De Troubadour
12. Sandie Shaw - Puppet On a String
13. France Gall - Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son

Belgium - Gustaph - Because Of You

7 - 182 pts / 8 - 90 pts in semi 2

Belgium is represented by Gustaph with his song Because Of You.
Gustaph (Stef Caers) won the 7 song Belgian final organised by the Flemish Broadcaster VRT.

digital single

Because Of You written by Gustaph and Jaouad Alloul was released on January 13. His other song in the race was The Nail, released on the same day.

The song contains a famous sample: Yeah, Woo, which has been used in many hip hop and house tracks over the years. Bobby Bird says Yeah and James Brown says Woo. From the 1972 classic Think (About it) by Lyn Collins. (I didn't realise until Gustaph's karaoke appeared)

Fun fact: Gustaph ended 8th in his semi but in the final he beat all that were above him. His 7th place was the highest finish for a semi 2 entry.

The final top 3 were the top 3 of semi 1 but in a slightly different order.

Physical releases

The Gustaph Shop has a vinyl single, cdsingle, hat and bundle for sale.

Bothe the 7"inch and the cdsingle have the Eurovision version and a DJ edit. The cdsingle also has a karaoke with backing vocals, different from the instrumental from the official karaoke album. (see comments, thanks Earl). 

Out now.

Go here and shop!, Thank you Alexandre!

Catalogue numbers: 

Vinyl: N.E.W.S. 5411045

cdsingle: N.E.W.S. 5411045CDS

On May 19 a remix by Captain E. was released. The Captain E's Gluten - Free Dub mix is a dub mix, in the sense that there is no full vocal line but some vocal samples and effects. But you can party to it like it's 1993. or 1988 even. 

A vocal mix/edit of this was released on June 16.

Initially the 7 artists from the Belgian selection each had two songs and selected one in the week ahead of the final. The artists  showcased both their songs on TV to their competition and listened to some advice but in the end chose the final songs themselves.

Among the artists was duo the Starlings with Tom Dice, known from Me And My Guitar, 6th in the 2010 Oslo Song Contest. 

13 out of the 14 songs have been released as digital tracks.

Gustaph provided (off stage) backing vocals for the Belgian entries of 2018 and 2021.

He had his first hit Gonna Lose You (as Steffen) in Belgium in 2000 and sang (and wrote) with Hercules & Love Affair for six years, most notably on their album Omnion (2017)

His babysitter used to play him ABBA songs and that's when it all started. (proof at Gustaph's FB).

Look At Us Now

March 28 2025 sees the release of Gustaphs debut album Look At Us Now (A line from Because Of You)

It will be out on CD and LP, both can be ordered here.

It includes the single version of Because Of You and all his recent singles.

Versions:

Because Of You - single version

- digital 13-1, Vinyl single / cdsingle, CD/LP Look At Us Now

Because Of You - DJ edit

- Vinyl single / cdsingle 

Because Of You - Captain E Gluten-free dub

- digital 19-5

Because Of You - Captain E Gluten-free vocal mix

- digital 16-6

Because Of You - karaoke (with backing vocals)

- cdsingle

Because Of You - karaoke (= instrumental except the sample)

- On the official karaoke album (digital), vinyl single, cdsingle

Charts:

Belgium top 50 (Flemish): 3, 8, 9, 6, 20, 14, 21, 17, 6, 11, 14, 20, 8, 11, 4, 8, 6, 2, 2, 5, 6, 13, 16, 14, 27, 32, 34, 35, 46, 44, 47, - (2-31)

Belgium top 50 (Wallonian), only charting after ESC: 34, -, 46, -, 43, 49, -

Because Of You reached platinum status in Belgium on June 9.

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan) 82, -

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 63, -

Links and sources:

Stef Gustaph FB, Shop

The Belgian pre-selection 2023 at ESC History