"Help You Fly" is one of those songs that, for me, had everything to get a TOP 10 result in Eurovision. Sadly it did not qualify but I think the performance was great and Ivan's voice is amazing, well suited for this song. It was powerful and very well staged in a year which I think was not a strong one quality wise. I still listen to it a lot - a great message how life can be better and great, you just need to make it happen.
If Love Was a Crime - Ilya M
My Eurovision guilty pleasure is Poli Genova’s If Love Was a Crime (Bulgaria 2016). The chorus is simple, the lyrics are nothing deep, but it grabs me right away. The “Oi dai mne lyubov ta” hook in Bulgarian sticks in my head long after it ends.
Poli came out in a mostly black leathery outfit with a cape, with neon lights running along her legs and glowing on the shoulder pads. It was sleek and striking without being too much. Then there was that little leg move she did, which could have looked awkward, but with the lights it became oddly memorable. Bulgaria hadn’t made much impact at Eurovision for years, and this performance finally put them back on the map with a top 5 finish.
It’s a guilty pleasure because it’s straightforward pop, a little flashy, the kind of entry people might roll their eyes at and then secretly add to their playlists. And yes, every time it comes on, I’m all in.
Solayoh - Monica R
I love the finals performance of Solayoh from Belarus in 2013! It's a beautiful mess with her hatching out of a disco call, singing off key, impractical choreo and nonsensical lyrics and I just enjoy the heck out of it every time.
Flying The Flag - Junki S
My guilty pleasure? Flying the Flag by Scooch—Eurovision at its most gloriously ridiculous. Picture it: a group of over-enthusiastic flight attendants thrusting safety cards, handing out imaginary cocktails, and serving sass at 30,000 feet. It’s less “musical performance” and more “budget airline fever dream,” and I love every second of it.
The lyrics are packed with innuendo so obvious they might as well come with a duty-free warning label. The choreography? Equal parts aerobics class and safety demonstration gone rogue. It’s the kind of performance that makes you laugh, cringe, and secretly cheer at the same time.
Why is it my guilty pleasure? Because it’s campy nonsense, and it knows it. Watching Scooch strut around the stage pretending to land a plane with jazz hands is pure escapism. It reminds me that music doesn’t always have to be deep or cool—it can just be silly, sparkly fun.
Sure, it didn’t exactly win Eurovision glory, but for me, it takes off every single time. And while I might never actually want these people flying my plane, I’ll happily let them fly the flag for guilty pleasures forever.
Donne-moi a chance - Ricardo A
We Eurofans have dozens of songs that can be considered guilty pleasures. Those songs we know aren't masterpieces, but that we can't stop enjoying and humming.
In my case, many of these songs come from countries like Sweden or Norway, and in many cases from Schlager. Very catchy songs, very repetitive and enjoyable.
But I'm going to go a little further and choose the song from Luxembourg in 1993.- Donne-moi a chance
Because with this song I feel three times the guilty pleasure.
First, because it's a song (and I don't understand why) that apparently no one likes. It's not well-regarded. It's not remembered by Eurofans, it wasn't well-voted by the jury back in 1993. Nobody claims its quality and it is always considered strange that a jury gave them 10 points in their year.
So, yes, it's my guilty pleasure because no one seems to like it, and I think it's a great song. I like the vocals, the way it's composed with different melodies, and how catchy it is at times.
The second guilty pleasure is when in a vote as close as that year's, between the UK and Ireland, Malta in the last vote of the night and with only the 10 and 12 left, gave its 10 to Luxembourg. Thats funny at least
And finally, what could be more pleasing for a Eurofan than having the winner decided by the final vote? And that was thanks to that 10 to Luxembourg
Serving - Alexandra P
I’ve got a secret you should know… and that secret is that “Serving” by Miriana Conte is my Eurovision guilty pleasure song. The very first time I heard it I absolutely fell in love with it, but what makes it my guilty pleasure is secretly singing the uncensored version of the song in my head whenever I hear it.
It’s also my favourite song to sing to my cat. Conversely, I think it’s my cat’s least favourite song to hear me sing. I’ve definitely also heard my sister singing the song under her breath when she thinks nobody else is listening!
D.G.T - Victoria B
My Eurovision guilty pleasure song is Romania 2023, “D.G.T.” by Theodor Andrei. I think that Theodor had one of the best voices of that year, I saw a graph showing his song had the most vocal range of any 2023 entry. I found it very catchy, I liked the rhythm, composition, and “rock” vibes it had. I also like that it blended both Romanian and English. The “guilty” part comes in with the lyrics, that can come off a bit “cringe”. Additionally, the staging unfortunately turned out to be a mess, with how Theodor later spoke of how the broadcaster totally changed and disrupted his vision for the performance. At Eurovision, his outfit, the LEDs, and adding in the acoustic intro all detracted greatly from the core part of the song itself. Nevertheless, when it comes up on Spotify I still enjoy it, and while unlikely, it would be great to see Theodor at Eurovision again some day as he already has great vocal and performance ability at a young age.
Give That Wolf A Banana - Jason B
With lyrics as profound as “yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum… banana”, an astronaut behind the decks, and two sharply dressed yellow wolves, Norway’s 2023 entry "Give that Wolf a Banana by Subwoolfer is certainly a guilty pleasure. It’s ridiculous, it’s over the top—and yet it’s impossible not to sing along or copy the choreography when it comes on. It’s also the kind of Eurovision entry that makes your non-Eurovision friends shoot you a quizzical look, forcing you to explain: yes, Eurovision really is like this sometimes… but no, not all the time. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Miracle - Jonathan P
t’s so magical, it’s so beautiful… It’s a miracle – Romania 2014
I don’t think it’s even fair to call this a guilty pleasure at this point, as the 2014 Romanian entry, Miracle by Paula Seling and Ovi, has become one of the true joys of my life. After a 3rd place finish in 2010, the duo is back – more iconic than ever - even without the clear pianos and pyrotechnic tricks.
As a song, Miracle is a competent, mid 2010s Eurodance song, but with lyrics so laughable it’s hard to believe it was written before AI was there to produce such nonsense. As a live act, it turns into a perfect mix of everything both being so awfully right and so perfectly wrong. How this was ever conceived or approved by a whole country’s team I will never understand. It truly is a miracle.
From the opening holographic trick shot, to the apparent zero chemistry between the two, to Paula’s hand choreography that somehow gets less and less vigorous with each pass until it’s just a defeated hand sweep, to the Ovi heartlessly and randomly banging on a nonsensical circular piano, to Paula’s high note as she sinks to her knees, to the money shot as they embrace at the peak of the chorus with a circle cam even though it is apparent they have zero chemistry – it’s a mess. But just like a dream come true, it’s so beautiful (no one will ever know), it’s a miracle.
La Fiesta Terminó - Luis B
Among many, but many guilty "Eurovision" pleasures, I choose the one which is my all time #5 Eurovision favourite songs - Paloma San Basilio - La Fiesta Terminó . For me Eurovision is all about the song, the lyrics and the melody, the great performances - singing - on stage. No matter how simple they are. Who cares if there are fireworks, thousands of LEDs effects and out of this World props on stage if the song does not capture your heart?
"La fiesta terminó" is a classic which has all the requirements for me to love it: a great voice and presence on stage. A wonderful melody and superb lyrics, so well written. A clever way of telling us about a love story - a sad one - which came to an end. But it has the strong, somehow hidden, message that life goes on. When a party is over, there will always be the next one. It is one of those Eurovision songs I can't help but playing it on repeat.
Butterflies - Dan D
After some deliberate thought (and some amount of scouring through my Eurovision CDs and DVDs), I have finally landed on "Butterflies" performed by 3+2 from Belarus in Eurovision 2010 for my Guilty Pleasure submission this month.
What makes it a “guilty pleasure” for me is that I absolutely adore its unapologetic earnestness and dreamy simplicity. The melody is a sweet, almost childlike composition, delivered with such heartfelt sincerity by the group that it's almost impossible not to be charmed. The lyrics, about embracing change and spreading your wings (which literally happens on stage), resonate with a universal message of hope.
The cherry on top that pushes it to top "guilty pleasure" status for me is how they delivered “Butterflies” with iconic and wonderfully literal staging in Oslo. The moment when the female performers’ sparkly outfits transform instantly, revealing magnificent, glowing butterfly wings, is a visual metamorphosis that's both brilliantly imaginative and, oh-so-delightfully camp. It's the kind of Eurovision moment that might raise an eyebrow, but secretly, you're utterly enchanted. (I recall upon first seeing the wings pop out, I literally laughed out loud). But this blend of genuine emotion and fantastical Broadwayesque theatricality makes "Butterflies" an enduring, heartwarming, and utterly lovable “guilty pleasure” for me.
Yodel It - Matthew E
y guilty pleasure? “Yodel It!” by Ilinca and Alex Florea.
Prior to 2023, I would go into Semis blind and let the fabulous wash over me. I was the typical “big fan, but not obsessive” viewer. In other words, I’m the exact person that the participants wanted to hook at the Semis and gain my vote.
Granted, I couldn’t vote yet, but “Yodel It!” hit me right in my camp-loving soul: It was unique, the song grew masterfully over the three minutes, and they performed the hell out of it. When it finished, I had anime heart eyes and hoped that it would qualify for Saturday… which it did.
Let’s be honest: Most songs don’t stand a chance of winning. They just want to make the Finals and perform. “Yodel It!” earned that spot with ease.
The Finals performance… didn’t feel the same, even though I hyped it up to my friends. It’s the perfect Eurovision “listen to it once or twice and move on” song. Each time I hear it, I like it a little less.
But also, I love it. I know what it did to me on that Thursday, and I can’t fault it for that. Not every song I like must be a masterpiece. It’s wonderful instant nostalgia that will live with me for a long time.
Black Smoke - Kirk H
Firstly, a disclaimer that I don’t subscribe to the whole “guilty pleasure” thing in general as if I like a particular song and the majority of people don’t – or even make fun of it – I don’t really care as I like it :). But in order to find one I took my Top 10 for each year since I started watching Eurovision religiously (2011) to select one which I love but did terribly and was just not well received by the public. And landed on…Black Smoke by Ann Sophie (German entry in 2015).
The song already had a bit of a bad rap even entering the contest since they were the German final runner-up, but the winner backed out of going to Eurovision as he was being announced as the winner. Strike 1. And the entry is from Germany in Eurovision…Strike 2. But I love this song – a great pop/jazz fusion song speaking of the death of a relationship that let’s face it most of us have experienced. It is a super stylized song and so was her performance - she was always spot on with her vocals. I cannot listen to this song without strutting and striking a pose or two and feeling the “cool” vibe. It did NOT deserve zero points and last place.
Woki Mit Deim Popo - Therese W
My guilty pleasure is Woki Mit Deim Popo.. It grabs me from the first beat, it’s a full-on party anthem. It’s bold, it’s fun, catchy and so so trashy. It's an absolute banger that still makes me smile and dance years later.
Maman - Eileen T
Maman by Loane is my Guilty Pleasure for a special reason, even though it may be held in high regard by many more than just me. It speaks to my heart. Like the singer, I was fortunate to have found love “indélébile,” at only 19, without the “lovers, the beds” and heartache her lyrics describe. The years “flew by” with him, “holding hands” a lot. I too had the joy of being “maman” to two wonderful children. Holding toddler hands is a memory I cherish, and, as Loane sings, I would have loved “to stop time.” The first verse of Maman hints at a problematic relationship between the singer and her mother. I too “kept everything that makes me who I am” from my mother even though I now see she played a huge role in making me who I am. While she lived to be 102, and we had many happy moments together, we were never close in the way I dreamed of as a child and later found with my husband, just as the song recounts. My Guilty Pleasure is imagining that I’m playing this song for my mother, telling her its title and how much it means to me. Not knowing French, she loves hearing the joy and sense of security her holding my hand brought me as a child. Meanwhile, I secretly delight in knowing this song encapsulates so beautifully so much of my life, including the negatives in our relationship.
Bara Badu Bastu - Weston T
My guilty pleasure will always be Bara Bada Bastu. It is loosey goosey, over the top, and it makes almost no sense, probably even less if you do not speak Swedish like me, but that is the main reason I love it so much. From the very first beat, it feels like you have walked into the strangest sauna party anyone could imagine, with silly and fun loud shouts, and a rhythm that gets stuck in your head. It is not the type of song that aims for first, and I would never call it the best written song of the contest, but it has a great vibe that cannot be copied. I have played it more times than I would want to count , and every single time I laugh, smile, and feel my mood change for the better. Eurovision is not only about deep songs or perfect voices, it is also about joy, having a good time, and songs that invite everyone to have fun, and Bara Bara Bastu does that perfectly. What I like most is that it never hides what it is, it is silly, noisy, and a little bit messy, but it never apologizes for that, and the result is something that makes the whole show brighter. For years my guilty pleasure was fairytale, a song that still makes me feel good when I hear it, but now Bara Bara Bastu has taken over, and I think it suits me better!
All Out Of Luck - Chris Z
Everyone’s got a “go to” Eurovision song, right? You know, the one that either lifts your mood or has that trick of taking you to a special time or place.
For me, it’s the brilliant bop that is “All Out Of Luck” (Iceland, 1999) by the gorgeous Selma Bjӧrnsdóttir. From the songs stupidly catchy chorus to the “off the time” trench-coat wearing backing dancers (step ball kick) to Selma sporting little rave-knots it’s crazy to think this song almost snared Iceland it’s first ever victory. And it’s a song that I’d slept on until I was reacquainted with it during a performance at Euroclub in Tel Aviv back in 2019 where Selma graced the stage as a guest performer. And, within our Euroclique, it spawned the saying “having a Selma” meaning, having forgotten something that was jolly good camp fun.
It's now a staple on my Eurovision Spotify playlist(s), I’ve watched the weird music video way-to-many times on YouTube and it led to one of those weird “rabbit hole” searches of “what happened to Selma?” She’s fine by-the-way and super successful. Enjoy the chaos of it all here.
Storm - Patrick V
As my love and knowledge of Eurovision grew over the last decade there has been one issue I can't quite understand: the perception of the UK in the contest this century. Everyone has a theory about why they don't do well. Or about why they shouldn't do well... why I should expect them to get zero points... why they deserve to fail. Where does this attitude come from?! Is it because they were such a powerhouse pre-2000 and now we're in a grand decades-long backlash? Is it Brexit (which obviously doesn't explain more than a few recent years)? Does their national too-cool-for-school attitude about ESC jinx them or actually cause them to send bad songs? With one very exceptional year in 2022, it typically feels so lame to like the UK entry. Or so I'm told. Add to that my own love for unabashedly optimistic & sincere (even corny) songs, and I find I'm so alone in my affection for SuRie's "STORM." Sigh. Sadly she'll only be remembered for weathering a stage jumper. But girl, you held your head up high through that storm, oh, oh. She was fantastic and I still love it.
Loin d'Ici - Eden J
Let’s face it: the moment Zoë steps onto that stage in her Disney-princess-pink gown, I am helpless. It’s like being hypnotised by a pastel marshmallow that sings in French, even though Austria has roughly as much French heritage as a schnitzel has ballet training. But do I care? Absolutely not. I am transported — not to Paris, but to a delirious Alpine meadow where yodellers and unicorns dance together under disco balls.
The song Loin d’Ici itself is a sugar rush that never crashes. It’s not complex; it’s basically the musical equivalent of cotton candy on a stick — dissolving instantly, leaving me with nothing but sticky fingers and a grin. Yet every “loin d’ici, loin d’ici” sends me spinning through the air like Julie Andrews on an espresso high. My rational brain screams: “This is nonsense!” But my heart? It’s galloping through fields of linguistic chaos, thrilled that the French lyrics mean almost nothing, yet sound like poetry read by a poodle.
And then there’s Zoë herself — a vision of sincerity so unbreakable it could melt granite. She sells every note as if she’s singing for world peace, world cake, and world glitter all at once. Do I hide my love for it? Sometimes. But when no one’s watching, I blast it at full volume, twirl dramatically in the kitchen, and pretend Austria has singlehandedly reinvented French chanson, and honestly, I regret nothing.
Serving - Helen P
“Serving” by Miriana Conte from this year is my guilty pleasure song! I have a bad habit of muttering song lyrics under my breath at work, and yes, that includes the original explicit lyrics to this song. I’ve caught a few side eye glances from colleagues, but fortunately they haven’t ever asked me to speak up (yet).