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Eurovision Song Context
Eurovision Song Context episodes
- Episode 81: [Bonus Content] SanRemo 2026: Old-Old vs Young-Old with Sheldon Rocha Leal
Podcast Show Notes - Links
SANREMO 2026https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sanremo+2026SAL DA VINCI PER SEMPRE
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sal+Da+Vinci+Per+SempreFULMINACCI STUPIDA SFORTUNA
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fulminacci+Stupida+SfortunaARISA MAGICA FAVOLA
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Arisa+Magica+FavolaFEDEZ MARCO MASINI MALE NECESSARIO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Fedez+Marco+Masini+Male+NecessarioSERENA BRANCALE QUI CON ME
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Serena+Brancale+Qui+Con+MeJ AX ITALIA STARTER PACK
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=J+Ax+Italia+Starter+PackDITONELLAPIAGA CHE FASTIDIO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ditonellapiaga+Che+FastidioJONI MITCHELL BOTH SIDES NOW LIVE
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Joni+Mitchell+Both+Sides+Now+liveWE ARE THE WORLD DOCUMENTARY
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=We+Are+The+World+documentaryCELINE DION IF YOU ASKED ME TO
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Celine+Dion+If+You+Asked+Me+ToWHITNEY HOUSTON I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Whitney+Houston+I+Will+Always+Love+YouDOLLY PARTON I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dolly+Parton+I+Will+Always+Love+YouLoved Sheldon on this episode?
Dive into his past appearances on Eurovision Song Context:• Episode 64: Bonus: Eurovision 2025 Sanremo / Festival da Canção
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2• Episode 65: (follow-up episode)https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=2• Episode 49: (Part 1) Milli Vanillihttps://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=3• Episode 50: (Part 2) Milli Vanillihttps://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm/?page=31 hr 27 min - Episode 80: Tiny Vinyl & Big Eurovision with Jesse Mann and Ruben Planting
🎶 Eurovision & Songs
Sébastien Tellier – “Divine” (France, Eurovision 2008)
• YouTube video of the performance at Eurovision 2008:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZQjBCvFd9E• Wikipedia page for the song Divine (background, album, Eurovision facts):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_(S%C3%A9bastien_Tellier_song)Joost Klein – “Europapa” (Netherlands, Eurovision 2024)
• Wikipedia page for Europapa (song info, Eurovision entry details):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europapa• EurovisionWorld entry page for Europapa info and entry details (archival/contest info):
https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/joost-klein-from-the-netherlands-disqualified-from-eurovision-2024💿 Tiny Vinyl & Format
Tiny Vinyl (official site)
• Tiny Vinyl 4-inch playable record format overview and info:https://www.tinyvinyl.com/Tiny Vinyl articles & press
• What Hi-Fi article on Tiny Vinyl collectible format:https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/vinyl/check-out-these-adorable-tiny-vinyl-4-inch-records• GearPatrol overview on Tiny Vinyl and how it works on normal turntables:
https://www.gearpatrol.com/audio/tiny-vinyl/• MusicRow announcement of Tiny Vinyl launch and retail rollout:
https://musicrow.com/2025/08/tiny-vinyl-launches-nationwide-with-pocket-sized-records-from-top-artists/🎙 Other Contextual & Reference Links
Joost Klein (artist page)
• Wikipedia page for Joost Klein (career overview, discography including Europapa):https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joost_KleinTiny Vinyl at Target USA:
https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=tiny+vinylSebastian Tellier Article:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jan/08/sebastien-tellier-interview-kiss-the-beast-electropop-eurovision49 min - Episode 79: (Part 2) Zero Stars, Nul Points: June Thomas on Failure, Cynicism, and Eurovision
Links to June’s Newsletter!
https://buttondown.com/WhereAre—
June Thomas — Book
A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture
Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+ThomasAmazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas—
Podcasts by June Thomas
Working (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/workingThe Waves (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/the-wavesOutward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)
https://slate.com/podcasts/outwardCulture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)
https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest—
Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode
Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)
Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 pointsYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjwGo-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)
Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualifyYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrsJendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)
Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 pointsYouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)
Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 pointsYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxkOlly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)
Grand Final placement: 24th of 26Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlARemember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)
Placement: 19th of 26Jury: 88 — Televote: 0YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE—
Guardian Review Referenced
Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”
The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible—
Other Guardian context discussed
Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-areCommentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews—
Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse
Slate — review of “American Canto”
https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html—
Optional background links for listeners
Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_AgeOlly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024—
Show page & archive
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm
—
56 min - Episode 78: [Bonus Content] (Part 1) Zero Stars, Nul Points: June Thomas on Failure, Cynicism, and Eurovision
Links to June’s Newsletter!
https://buttondown.com/WhereAre—
June Thomas — Book
A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women’s Culture
Amazon US
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+ThomasAmazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Place+of+Our+Own+June+Thomas—
Podcasts by June Thomas
Working (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/workingThe Waves (Slate)
https://slate.com/podcasts/the-wavesOutward (Slate LGBTQ podcast)
https://slate.com/podcasts/outwardCulture Gabfest (June as contributor / alum)
https://slate.com/podcasts/culture-gabfest—
Eurovision Songs Discussed in This Episode
Jemini – “Cry Baby” (United Kingdom, 2003)
Placement: 26th of 26 — 0 pointsYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTV8GUwzRjwGo-Jo – “Milkshake Man” (Australia, 2025)
Placement: 11th of 16 in Semi-Final 2 — televote only — did not qualifyYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSsijRZmrsJendrik – “I Don’t Feel Hate” (Germany, 2021)
Placement: 25th of 26 — 3 pointsYouTube (music video — song begins ~1:00):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgxZnHFLi4Jeangu Macrooy – “Birth of a New Age” (Netherlands, 2021)
Placement: 23rd of 26 — 11 pointsYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Fag4yajxkOlly Alexander – “Dizzy” (United Kingdom, 2024)
Grand Final placement: 24th of 26Points: 46 (Jury 46 / Televote 0)YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lu8pVGHlARemember Monday – “What the Hell Just Happened?” (United Kingdom, 2025)
Placement: 19th of 26Jury: 88 — Televote: 0YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfeSxNubBQE—
Guardian Review Referenced
Lucy Mangan — All’s Fair review — “Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama is fascinatingly, existentially terrible”
The Guardian — 4 Nov 2025https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/04/alls-fair-review-kim-kardashian-divorce-drama-is-fascinatingly-existentially-terrible—
Other Guardian context discussed
Zero-star review roundup reference (Guardian feature)
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/05/the-guardian-has-only-ever-published-15-zero-star-reviews-here-they-all-areCommentary on star-rating / zero-star precedent (related debate)
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/06/one-to-zero-star-reviews—
Article June Mentioned — Olivia Nuzzi memoir discourse
Slate — review of “American Canto”
https://slate.com/culture/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-rfk-donald-trump-ryan-lizza-book.html—
Optional background links for listeners
Jeangu Macrooy — Birth of a New Age (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_of_a_New_AgeOlly Alexander — Eurovision 2024 entry overview
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest_2024—
Show page & archive
https://eurovisionsongcontext.fireside.fm
—
57 min - Episode 77: [Bonus Content] The JESC Holiday Party Episode, Featuring Very Questionable Gifts
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.comPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/eurowhatSheldon
Music industry commentary & writing on Medium:https://medium.com/@sheldonJody, 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.zaSouth African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the network airing the ceremony:
https://www.sabc.co.zaA 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.
1 hr 27 min - Episode 75: [Bonus Content] (Part 2) Eurovision: When Life Drops a Plot Twist
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-decb793f390dThe Journey II – Dec 2023:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40ccThe Journey III – Jan 2025:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-iii-b52fd3ed2fbcPLAYLIST — 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=1EAUxuuu1w8Diodato – “Fai Rumore” (Italy 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3ksX7K-1ABlanche – “City Lights” (Belgium 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZvz3j5AgEKEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” (Norway 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLsB. When It’s Hard to Be with Other People
Maraaya – “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWBDm7bm0MKonstrakta – “In corpore sano” (Serbia 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7E8zK5fF8Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” (Belgium 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNxeraWCn8Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” (Germany 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE2oS0NzVbgC. When It’s Hard to Be with Your Feelings
Salvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois” (Portugal 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCMThe Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” (Netherlands 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYOC-wfE5pQS10 – “De Diepte” (Netherlands 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tRdbXVHVkZibbz – “Stones” (Switzerland 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI5T0io798Aisel – “X My Heart” (Azerbaijan 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZtG6bUtiE8Bonus Songs Discussed
Brotherhood of Man – “Kisses for Me” (United Kingdom 1976)
https://youtu.be/6OW1JJwqVRQ?si=9CuhjWPps1zOjmbXCesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” (Austria 2018)
https://youtu.be/a8Yvzo1puoE?si=qvBly9XqIkc_CcsGmy email: [email protected]
1 hr 14 min - Episode 76: [Bonus Content] (Part 1) Eurovision: When Life Drops a Plot Twist
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-decb793f390dThe Journey II – Dec 2023:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-ii-b9c5a37b40ccThe Journey III – Jan 2025:
https://shelrochaleal.medium.com/the-journey-iii-b52fd3ed2fbcPLAYLIST — 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=1EAUxuuu1w8Diodato – “Fai Rumore” (Italy 2020)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3ksX7K-1ABlanche – “City Lights” (Belgium 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVZvz3j5AgEKEiiNO – “Spirit in the Sky” (Norway 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLsB. When It’s Hard to Be with Other People
Maraaya – “Here for You” (Slovenia 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lWBDm7bm0MKonstrakta – “In corpore sano” (Serbia 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7E8zK5fF8Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” (Belgium 2015)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JNxeraWCn8Michael Schulte – “You Let Me Walk Alone” (Germany 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE2oS0NzVbgC. When It’s Hard to Be with Your Feelings
Salvador Sobral – “Amar pelos dois” (Portugal 2017)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qotooj7ODCMThe Common Linnets – “Calm After the Storm” (Netherlands 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYOC-wfE5pQS10 – “De Diepte” (Netherlands 2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0tRdbXVHVkZibbz – “Stones” (Switzerland 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaI5T0io798Aisel – “X My Heart” (Azerbaijan 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZtG6bUtiE8Bonus Songs Discussed
Brotherhood of Man – “Kisses for Me” (United Kingdom 1976)
https://youtu.be/6OW1JJwqVRQ?si=9CuhjWPps1zOjmbXCesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” (Austria 2018)
https://youtu.be/a8Yvzo1puoE?si=qvBly9XqIkc_CcsGmy email: [email protected]
1 hr 27 min - 1 min
- Episode 73: Vienna 2026! Helena Steinhart on Vienna in Culture, Inclusivity & ESC
Museums & Culture
Sigmund Freud Museum – https://www.freud-museum.at/enLeopold Museum – https://www.leopoldmuseum.org/enKunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History) – https://www.khm.at/enFuneral Museum Vienna – https://www.bestattungsmuseum.at/enCafés & 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-schnitzelViennese Coffee Specialties – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/coffeehouses/coffee-339182Events & 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-352254Vienna Experiences
Vienna Vineyards & Wine (Gemischter Satz) – https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/viennese-wine-342014Apple 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=ToqNa0rqUtYLoreen – “Euphoria” (2012) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80Udo Jürgens – “Merci, Chérie” (1966) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQY-MmfzDYTeya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” (2023) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmLeV47Au41 hr 12 min - Episode 72: Accordions in Eurovision with Zydeco Accordionist Dwight Carrier
Dwight Carrier- Black Cat Zydeco:
https://blackcatzydecomusic.com/Dwight Carrier, Hot Pants:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIZmnxp_xaEBlack Cat Zydeco Live from Turner Hall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vda7EuQcwZQ&list=PLw0XD9SeWaWxq2lqGdGFjt3jZNYAjrv6qRelease Me, Clifton Chenier
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqHs_jed0dsClifton Chenier – Black Snake Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK1orO1hucg&list=PLOFsCPXqLYfoj6565byTj_1qw1p--iS4FZydeco Boogaloo • C.J. CHENIER & the RED HOT LOUISIANA BAND • NY State Blues Fest • 6/30/18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_No0B4UhnUBuckwheat Zydeco, Beast of Burden:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBSv4u-iulwDwight Carrier, Bye Bye Black Girl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcHN8WKzOb4EUROVISION SONGS IN THIS EPISODE:
Verka Serduchka - Dancing Lasha Tumbai | Ukraine 🇺🇦 | Grand Final - Eurovision 2007
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfjHJneVonEZdob și Zdub și Orchestra Fraților Advahov — Trenulețul (holiday live version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYCm9lioiFsElaiza - Is It Right (LIVE) | Germany 🇩🇪 | Grand Final | Eurovision 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFuGH2Kp9dIMandinga - Zaleilah - Romania - Live - Grand Final - 2012 Eurovision Song Contest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ruy639kTQ45 min
About Eurovision Song Context
From the publisher's feed
We start with expertise and end up in Eurovision. It’s kind of our thing. Eurovision Song Context is a monthly podcast that looks at the Eurovision Song Contest through an unexpected lens: expert…
insight. Each episode, a guest from a different field — psychology, fashion, politics, design, linguistics, and more — talk about their work and how it helps us understand 2–3 Eurovision entries in a whole new light. Are these songs genuinely good? So bad they’re good? Or just weirdly unforgettable? Longform episodes come out on the 12th of every month (the "douzeth"). We're where brilliant minds meet bad key changes.
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