Eurovision Queens

In our 21st episode we go deep with S10 from the Netherlands, celebrate Slovenia’s groundbreaking drag queens Sestre, and get our episode title from Italy’s Francesca Michelin. We also go on a journey with Nicki French as she plays that song again, bemoan the fact that Halo didn’t make it through for Austria, and are certain that we don’t want Albania’s Fifi to Stop. So if you’ve got an hour to spare, let us play those songs again, reminding you of how it used to be. Playing those songs again, wishing it could be like before, oh yeah. Oh deejay (that’s us by the way) please do play those songs again… Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 21 Di Diepte by S10 (Netherlands 2022) No Degree of Separation by Francesca Michelin (Italy 2016) Samo ljubezen by Sestre (Slovenia 2002) Don't Play That Song Again by Nicki French (UK 2000) Halo by LUM!X feat Pia Maria (Austria 2022) Stop by Fifi (Albania 2023) Geef het op by Clouseau (Belgium 1991)

In our 20th regular episode we zig-zag across time and space TARDIS-style with songs from seven different countries and four different decades. First up is Ireland's Lesley Roy who ended up devoting 2 years of her life to Eurovision. Then we have one of Armenia's strongest performing entries which is all about a humble apricot stone, followed by the floaty dressed Christine Gulbrandsen from Norway who sings about an elf dance. Our UK entry is Pop Idol alumni Jessica Garlick, while the non-qualifying semi-finalists are the upbeat boy band Lighthouse X who, as Ryan suspected, broke up soon after the contest. We also have a Deuce award entry from the super strong Esti-Laul line-up of 2022, while the Randomiser takes us back to 1973 and a piercing ballad from Monaco's mononymous Marie. As the title suggests this episode offers dodgy backing singers aplenty. You have been warned! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 20 Story of my Life by Lesley Roy (Ireland 2020) Apricot Stone by Eva Rivas (Armenia 2010) Alvedansen by Christine Gulbrandsen (Norway 2006) Come Back by Jessica Garlick (UK 2002) Soldiers of Love by Lighthouse X (Denmark 2016) Waterfall by Evelin Samuel (Estonia 2022) Un train qui part by Marie (Monaco 1973)

Another 7 songs from Eurovision's past including: fourth-placed Luca Hanni from Switzerland who arguably could have put more effort into his dance routine; the mighty Carl Epsen from Norway whose building ballad blew Andy away back in 2014; and the much less impressive lingerie-clad Sanda who is admitting stuff all over the place. There's vintage Eurovision too thanks to Clodagh Rogers who actually received death threats when she participated in the 1971 contest in Dublin. We also have a semi-final non-qualifier from Malta from Olivia Lewis that offers a heady mix of visuals and musical stylings, while Anna Bergendahl from Sweden is celebrated in our Deuce Award slot. Finally, the Randomiser surprises Andy & Ryan by choosing a Danish song that the pair were planning to play soon anyway. All life is here, especially lots of bare chests and bangs. Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 19 She Got Me by Luca Hanni (Switzerland 2019) Silent Storm by Carl Espen (Norway 2014) I Admit by Sanda (Romania 2004) Jack in the Box by Clodagh Rogers (UK 1971) Vertigo by Olivia Lewis (Malta 2007) Kingdom Come by Anna Bergendahl (Sweden 2020) Higher Ground by Rasmussen (Denmark 2018)

Now that Eurovision 2023 is over we’re returning to our usual format: 7 different songs in 7 different categories from contests past. In this episode we feature Russian woman Manizha (who is opposed to the war with Ukraine); Finnish pocket rocket Sara Aalto; Cheryl Baker’s first Eurovision group, Co-Co; and no less than 2 winners, from Serbia and Portugal respectively. We also keep it a bit 2023 by celebrating Australia’s Voyager some more and select a Semi-Final non-qualifier from Croatia suggested by one of our listeners. It’s your Eurovision Queens back in the saddle! Enjoy x Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 18 Russian Woman by Manizha (Russia 2021) Monsters by Sara Aalto (Finland 2018) Molitva by Maria Serifovic (Serbia 2007) The Bad Old Days by Coco (UK 1978) Guilty Pleasure by Mia Dimsic (Croatia 2022) Dreamer by Voyager (Australia 2022) Amar pelos dois by Salvador Sobral (Portugal 2017)

In their final Eurovision 2023 episode, Andy & Ryan review all the performances at the grand final and the all important results. Along the way they discuss the hosts, the unfortunate non-qualifiers, the running order, the jury vs televote debate, and what they think about Loreen’s win. Next time: we return to our fortnightly episodes in which we play 7 Eurovision songs from 7 different periods of the contest’s history. We just want to thank each and every listener who has joined us on this amazing Eurovision 2023 journey - and a special shout out if you got this far in the show notes... we love you the most. Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP

Here it is… our last show before the Eurovision final! This time around we review the Big 5 and Ukraine. And what a group it is. We are both wowed by France’s La Zarra, captivated by the new flamenco sound of Spain’s Blanca Paloma, and incredibly proud of the ebullient UK entry Mae Muller - our best song in forever. We will be back with a review episode when it’s all over but at this point it’s only just getting started. It’s time to spend a small fortune on snacks, pour that punch, settle down in the best seat in your front room and let Eurovision 2023 begin!!! Next time: Reactions to the Finale! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP ESC 2023 Ukraine and the Big 5! Germany | Lord of the Lost - Blood and Glitter Spain | Blanca Paloma- Eaea France | La Zarra - Evidemment Italy | Marco Mengoni - Due Vite Ukraine | Tvorchi - Heart of Steel United Kingdom | I Wrote A Song - Mae Muller

In the fourth of our special Eurovision 2023 episodes we review the songs and artists competing in the second half of Semi-Final 2 in Liverpool. Along the way they talk ‘Beybah’ as they explore the Blanka controversy, look back through all the years to broken dreams disguising fear with Lithuania’s Monika, and call Universal cause Teya and Salena are about to be stars. Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe… Next time: Ukraine and the Big 5! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP ESC 2023 Semi-Final Two, Part 02 Poland | Blanka - Solo Slovenia | Joker Out - Carpe Diem Georgia | Iru - Echo San Marino | Piqued Jacks - Like An Animal Austria | Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar? Albania | Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje Lithuania | Monika Linkytė - Stay Australia | Voyager - Promise

As we reach the third of several special weekly episodes leading up to the grand final, Andy declares it to be #Gadvent - gay advent (let’s get that trending people). Elsewhere in this episode, your Queens review the songs and artists competing in the first half of Semi-Final 2 in Liverpool. This means they’re not scared to love Denmark’s Reiley but they’re scared of breaking their hearts; that they spend 3 minutes making impossible plans and 7 minutes having unnecessary panic attacks over Armenia’s Brunette; and that they don’t care ‘what they say’ because Victor Vernicos has the strongest Greek entry in years. Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP ESC 2023 Semi-Final Two, Part 01 Denmark | Reiley - Breaking My Heart Armenia | Brunette - Future Lover Romania | Theodor Andrei - D.G.T. (Off and On) Estonia | Alika - Bridges Belgium | Gustaph - Because Of You Cyprus | Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart Iceland | Diljá - Power Greece | Victor Vernicos - What They Say

In the second of several special weekly episodes leading up to the grand final, Andy & Ryan review the songs and artists competing in Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. This time they focus on the second half of Semi-Final 1. As well as re-living the glory of seeing Loreen win Melodifestivalen, Andy thanks Pasha Parfeny, while Ryan has the power of a unicorn (don't you ever learn?) Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP ESC 2023 Semi-Final One, Part 02 Israel | Noa Kirel - Unicorn Moldova | Pasha Parfeni - Soarele şi Luna Sweden | Loreen - Tattoo Azerbaijan | TuralTuranX - Tell Me More Czechia | Vesna - My Sister's Crown Netherlands | Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper - Burning Daylight Finland | Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha

In the first of several special weekly episodes leading up to the grand final, Andy & Ryan review the songs and artists competing in Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. This time they focus on the first half of Semi-Final 1 and while Ryan is traumatised by the Croatian entry, Andy wonders why is everyone sleeping on Malta… Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP ESC 2023 Semi-Final One, Part 01 Norway | Alessandra - Queen of Kings Malta | The Busker - Dance (Our Own Party) Serbia | Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava Latvia | Sudden Lights - Aijā Portugal | Mimicat - Ai Coração Ireland | Wild Youth - We Are One Croatia | Let 3 - Mama ŠČ! Switzerland | Remo Forrer - Watergun

Its time for another bonus episode of Eurovision Queens. This time we are joined by a very special guest who is not only a massive fellow Eurovision fan, but the current reigning Mr Gay Great Britain – David Allwood. David takes us through his top 5 Eurovision songs, taking us on a queer journey through music and time, and we talk about some big issues along the way, including everything David has been working on within the LGBTQ+ community. Charities / Causes talked mentioned in the episode: - Ask for Clive: https://askforclive.com/ - Pride Radio: https://prideradio.co.uk/ - The Charlie & Carter Foundation: https://thecharlieandcarterfoundation.co.uk/ - Homoparody: https://www.tiktok.com/@homoparody - London Friend: https://londonfriend.org.uk/ - Terrence Higgins Trust: https://www.tht.org.uk/ You can find David at: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_allwood/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidallwood_ - Homoparody: https://linktr.ee/homoparody Eurovision Queens Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Bonus 06 Episode: Gina G - (Ooh Aah) Just A Little Bit Måneskin - Zitti E Buoni Katrina & the Waves - Love shine a light Dana International – Diva Conchita Wurst - Rise Like a Phoenix

As this episode goes out Andy & Ryan are recovering from three frenetic weekends in Stockholm. After 2 Melfest specials, this is a return to our regular episode format with 7 songs in 7 different categories. First up is Portugal’s sublime Saudade Saudade (a sad state of intense longing for someone or something that is absent) which is essentially group therapy in song form, for which the lead singer, MARO, is in a purple judo outfit. Then we have the irrepressible Krista Siegfrids singing the joyful and queer Marry Me back in 2013 which was in many ways ahead of its time with its drag kings, lesbian kiss and intention to represent sexual equality. Our ‘over 15 years ago’ slot takes us back to 1998 and Netherlands legend Edsilia Rombley and her 4th place song Hemel & Aarde with its Mike and the Mechanics ‘bounce’. This episode’s UK entry is Still in Love with You. Not exactly a favourite of Eurovision fans, but we consider it to be fun and feelgood even if the performance was a little lacking on the night. This is followed by the uber-controversial Icelandic mega-star Silvia Night - with her hotline to God - who almost everyone misunderstood back in 2006, so much so that the crowd booed her during the semi-final. We discuss how Silvia was a character rather than a real person and how she perhaps suffered more for her art because of her gender rather than what she said and did. Our Deuce award category is filled by the gravity-defying and ever-youthful Stig Rasta whose infectious pop song Interstellar (co-written with Melfest’s Victor Crone) was a contender in the Estonian national final back in 2022. Finally, the Randomiser generously (?) gifts us the Swiss entry from 1980, Paola’s Cinema, at a time in Eurovision history when every other song title was a place or an art form e.g. Colorado, Theatre, Amsterdam. Elsewhere in the episode, we rip into Johnny Logan and Andy has his Eurovision expert card revoked when he completely forgets about the existence of Duncan Lawrence! So… congratulations, we have arrived. We’re Andy and Ryan and we’re shining so bright. Eurovision nations, your dreams coming true. You’ve been waiting forever for a pod to save you. Wham, bam, boom! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 17 Saudade saudade by MARO (Portugal 2022) Marry Me by Krista Siegfrids (Finland 2013) Hemel & Aarde by Edsilia Rombley (Netherlands 1998) Still In Love with You by Electro Velvet (UK 2015) Congratulations by Silvia Night (Iceland 2006) Interstellar by Stig Rasta (Estonia 2022) Cinéma by Paola (Switzerland 1980)

In which your Eurovision Queens review all things Melfest… Andy & Ryan have had quite a week here in Stockholm and decided to release another bonus episode as aresult. They share their experiences of the Melfest Weekend parties with guests like 2023 entrants Alessandre, Reiley, Blanka, and past year favourites such as Senhit, Anna Bergendahl and Klara Hammaström. They also cover their unforgettable experience of the final in the Friends Area, in which they bagged seats right next to the Green Room and even managed to say personal congratulations to Loreen herself. All life is here - and a heck of a lot of Eurovision. Enjoy, because they certainly did! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP

Ahead of this year’s final of Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s national final, Andy & Ryan give their take on this year’s finalists. They’re paying extra special attention as this year they’re actually going to be in the audience in Stockholm cheering and whooping from the tenth row. Until Heat 4 it was perhaps fair to say that this year’s Melfest might not be as strong as the last 2 years, but the long-awaited return of Loreen seems to have turned everything around. Either that or it’s just the fact that we can finally listen to them all on Spotify and play them continuously. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, let’s explain the format of the episode… We’re going to play and score 10 songs in total. The eight finalists and two semi-finalists. As we write the semi-final has yet to happen, but when this episode goes out, you will know which 4 acts progressed to the final. We only chose two - one each - as we hadn’t realised four acts would make it through from the semi-final, but, no matter, we’re confident that we chose the best ones anyway. If we’d known though we would have also reviewed Kiana and Nordman. We wonder if we picked the right four? Onto the songs. We start with Tone Sekelius who walked the Heat 1 voting and reminded us why we fell in love with her when she sang My Way last year. Then there’s perennial performer, Swedish-Sámi singer and jojkare, Jon Henrik Fjällgren with Arc North feat. Adam Woods with Where You Are which won Heat 1. Country duo Tennessee Tears won Andys’ heart in Heat 2 and are his pick of the semi-finalists, while Theoz’s pop sunshine track Mer av dig is Ryan’s favourite to progress from the semis. Football chant On My Way from Panetoz is next, followed by Ukrainian Maria Sur who blew everyone away with her confident performance a few weeks ago. Then we have Paul Rey with Royals, the lyrics of which Andy has probably looked into a little too deeply, and Norwegian duo Marcus & Martinus, winner of Heat 3, whom the Swedes seem to have really taken to despite their ill-fitting trousers. Linkin Park-meets-Evanesence band Smash Into Pieces rocked their way into the final, but were ultimately no match for the stupendous Loreen whose vocals and stage presence made her performance everyone’s highlight of Melfest 2023. Could she even be a contender for the Eurovision crown?! If you want to find out Andy & Ryans’s personal favourites from this year’s Meloldifestivalen and what scores they give them out of the traditional 12 points then tune in to this special episode of Eurovision Queens. Tack så mycket! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Songs & Artists Tone Sekelius - Rhythm of my Show Jon Henrik Fjällgren with Arc North feat. Adam Woods - Where You Are Tennessee Tears - Now I Know Theoz - Mer av dig Paul Rey - Royals Panetoz - On My Way Maria Sur - Never Give Up Marcus & Martinus - Air Smash Into Pieces - Six Feet Under Loreen - Tattoo

Dearest wonderful listeners, from this episode we're changing things up a bit, not to mess with your minds but simply because we wanted to play more songs from recent Eurovision history. We hope you don't mind too much and we promise we'll still play some golden oldies. In this, our sixteenth episode, we debut our 'Last 5 years' category with the brilliant Mata Hari by Efendi, one of the songs that formed our soundtrack to living in Stockholm in 2021. We follow this with our previous 10 years category (Yep that's 2008 to 2107 - keep up at the back!) and that headphone-obsessed Slovenian duo Maraaya from 2015. There's a lot of excitement about this years' Czechia entry by Vesna, but back in 2002 it was Croatia's Vesna who was causing a fuss as she writhed around to Everything I Want on the stage in Tallinn. Vesna is the first in our new and ridiculously mammoth 1956-2007 slot! Or the Eurovision Archive as we are rather rudely calling it. Next up we have everyone's favourite scouser, the diminutive Sona who represented the UK in 1993 at Millstreet, Ireland, and only missed out on winning thanks to a truly bizarre set of points from Malta. We might forgive them one day, but it's unlikely. The Semi-Final exit slot brings us the joy that is the irrepressible Donna and Joe McCaul, a little-known (and little in size) Irish duo that Andy adores. He has a similar passion for what is the most current Deuce award we've ever included: Ulrikke Brandstorp who came second to Queen of Kings in the recent Melodi Grand Prix final in Norway with the wondrous power ballad Honestly. Finally, the Randomiser lives up to its name and offers up Liora singing Amen for Israel, in Ireland once again, who secured a top 10 finish in 1995. "But what is the theme of the episode?' I hear you cry? Well, Ryan thought he was on to winner when he noted that several of the artists have their own businesses, Efendi owns a sweet shop for instance, and Liora is a yoga teacher. Aside from this we realised after we recorded that there's a lot of performances in Ireland and of course there's pocket-sized Donna and Joe, so, yep, 'Entrepreneurs and, er, Leprechauns' it is. Apologies! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 16 Mata Hari by Efendi (Azerbaijan 2021) Here for You by Maraaya (Slovenia 2015) Everything I Want by Vesna Pisarović (Croatia 2002) Better the Devil You Know by Sonia (1993) Love? by Donna and Joe (Ireland 2005) Honestly by Ulrikke Brandstorp (Norway 2023) Amen by Liora (Israel 1995)

Every now and then a national final comes along that ticks all the boxes, offering multiple songs that you just know are going to end up as some of your most played on Spotify. We quickly realised that this year’s Melodi Grand Prix was going to be just such an event, with its wonderfully diverse range of talent bidding to win the right to represent Norway at this year’s Eurovision. We had the modern pop sensibility of underdog Eline Thorp, the quirky beauty of Elsie Bay, the cheeky camp of drag queen Skrellex, the youthful bravado of Umami Tusunami, the strident and unforgettable Alessandra and the pure class of the soaring Ulrikke Brandstorp, to name, well almost all of them! While we enjoyed the final very much, we both knew we wanted to shake up the scoreboard a little, and for this reason, in this bonus episode of the podcast, we have chosen to give our own scores after each performance for the 9 finalists. Who were Andy’s and Ryan’s favourites? Who would they have sent to Liverpool? Join us as we take a celebratory song-filled look back at Melodi Grand Prix 2023! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Bonus 03 Episode: Umami Tsunami - Geronimo Swing'it - Prohibition Skrellex - Love Again Eline Thorp - Not Meant to Be Jone - Ekko inni meg Elsie Bay - Love You in a Dream Atle Pettersen - Masterpiece Ulrikke Brandstorp - Honestly Alessandra - Queen of Kings

In this episode, Andy and Ryan curate a typically eclectic collection of Eurovision classics, many of which, despite their brilliance, only made the middle of the results table. There’s country-inspired Stefan from Estonia with a guitar slung on his back, the UK’s own Samantha Janus who has a sincere message to your heart despite singing in her underwear, and the wondrous Zoë who takes us far away from here with uplifting flower-filled entry for Austria. Elsewhere Ryan seeks retribution for the 11th place Albina with Tick Tock another song that should have made the final; the Deuce Award celebrates the hypnotically silly Belgian entry She’s After My Piano; while Swedish household name Lena Phillipson proves she knows how to cavort with a mic stand and, oooh, it hurts. In the deepest dive of the episode Andy explains the complicated history of Baccara, that Spanish duo who represented Luxembourg back in 1978. Only Bucks Fizz can match them for the behind-the-scenes backstabbing, line-up changes and legal shenanigans that went on. Yes sir, they could boogie, but they couldn’t get along. All this and a few bonus tracks including Flight of the Conchords seminal Foux da fa fa. Il pleu dans le jardin avec la chat et le chien sur le table en l’hotel de le plage. Parlez vous Francais? We are obviously fluent. Au revoir nos beaux petits amis de l'Eurovision ! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 15 Hope by Stefan (Estonia 2022) It Hurts by Lena Phillipson (Sweden 2004) Parlez vous Francais by Baccara (Luxembourg 1978) A Message to Your Heart By Samantha Janus (UK 1991) TickTock by Albina (Croatia 2021) She's After My Piano by 2 Fabiola feat Loredana (Belgium 2014) Loin d'ici by ZOË (Austria 2016)

Andy & Ryan are back with another heady mix of Eurovision goodness in which pianos duel and it all gets a bit angst-ridden up in here. We start with Romanian-Norwegian Ovi who managed to reach the contest twice with Paula Seling. Their pop duet 'Playing with Fire' features a giant perspex double piano, a leather catsuit, and, naturally, lots of flames. It's a certified banger which ultimately placed third. Elsewhere Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran also have a 'piano-off' with the catchy 'Rock Bottom' which represented the UK during the bleak strike-ridden days of 1977. The strikes meant no broadcast of A Song for Europe that year and a 5-week delay of Eurovision itself as the UK struggled to honour their duty to hold the contest. Apparently there were sighs of relief all round at the BBC when Rock Bottom missed out on the top spot. Andy goes back to his happy place - 2003 - for that glorious Turkish winner 'Everyway That I Can' which saw feisty Sertab Erener 'ha' and bellydance her way into the Eurovision history books determined to get her lover back. Similarly desperate for her relationship is Iceland's Selma who will even shoot arrows and wear pedal-pushers to ensnare her man. Sadly, with this awesome song 'If I Had Your Love' (which just maybe Andy's favourite Euro track of all time!) she fails to better her 2nd place in '99 and doesn't even advance beyond the semi-finals. Ryan muses that it was simply ahead of its time and he may just be right about that. Elsewhere we have Birthe Kjaer painting the town red while simultaneously giving the Danish musical-loving audience a title for a highly successful Eurovision-based theatre production and Vanessa Amorosi surviving a nasty car accident on stage in her bid to represent Australia back in 2020. It's not hard to see why absolutely everybody loved her attempt. The chaos monkey that is the Randomiser is also in an angsty mood, selecting Victoria from Bulgaria who complains that 'Growing Up is Getting Old' in some style back in 2021. At this rate we're going to end up trusting this crazy song-choosing machine. Until next time Euro-chums! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 14 Playing with Fire by Paula Seling & Ovi (Romania 2010) Every Way That I Can by Sertab Erener (Turkey 2003) Vi Maler Byen Rød by Birthe Kjaer (Denmark 1989) Rock Bottom by Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran (UK 1977) If I Had Your Love by Selma (Iceland 2005) Lessons of Love by Vanessa Amorosi (Australia 2020) Growing Up Is Getting Old by Victoria (Bulgaria 2021)

It’s a new regular episode of Eurovision Queens featuring 7 more classic songs from contests past with your ESC-obsessed hosts Andy & Ryan. This time we unveil a brand new category as we ditch 2nd placed songs (we’ve done all the good ones!) for semi-final entries that didn’t make it through to the final. It’s a rich vein and we start strong with Kate Ryan’s seminal Je t’adore from 2006. Two of the songs are performed by ‘fun aunties’: Maltese powerhouse Claudette Pace with Desire (which should have won everything back in 2000) and the unstoppable Joy Fleming whose 1975 performance is as memorable as it is terrifying. We also hear from McBusted-esque Lake Malawi with Friend of a Friend and finally get around to celebrating the wondrous Gina G. There’s even a mini-quiz in her honour. We return to Melfest for the supremely talented songwriter Cazzi Opeia with the catchy I Can’t Get Enough. And then there’s the Randomiser… oh dear. He’s from Iceland. He’s called Daniel. He looks like a creepy Bible salesman. His song is terrible. It secured zero points. You have been warned. So there we have it - another eclectic Eurovision fever dream and we loved every minute of it. Well almost every minute. Until next time. Kisses, A & R xxx Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 13 Friend of a Friend by Lake Malawi (Czech Republic 2019) Desire by Claudette Pace (Malta 2000) Ein Lied Kann Eine Brücke Sein by Joy Fleming (Germany 1975) Ooh Ahh Just A Little Bit by Gina G (UK 1996) Je t'adore by Kate Ryan (Belgium 2006) I Can't Get Enough by Cazzi Opeia (Sweden 2022) Það sem enginn sér by Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson (Iceland 1989)

How about a bonus festive episode of Eurovision Queens? In a slight break from regular programming, we have gathered together 7 festive tracks from some of our favourite Eurovision artists that have featured on the podcast so far - get ready to discover some new christmassy tunes. A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Bonus 02 Episode: A Christmas Night to Remember - The Mamas Hallelujah - Ben & Tan Christmas Around Me - The Common Linnets Every Moment is Christmas - Daði Freyr Dagen Ar Kommen - Charlotte Perrelli A Winter’s Night - KEiiNO Last Christmas - SuRie

Andy & Ryan are in New Zealand and take the opportunity to interview podcaster (and Andy's sister) Alex Harper about her Eurovision memories. She chooses 7 songs that mean something to her and somehow manages to select entries not previously covered on the show. Strap in for some Eurovision classics from Malta, Norway, Romania and Israel... A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Bonus 01 Episode: Dana International - Diva (Israel 1998) Mandinga - Zaleilah (Romania 2012) Michela - Chameleon (Malta 2019) Destiny - Je Me Casse (Malta 2021) Daði Freyr - 10 Years (Iceland 2021) KEiiNO - Spirit in the Sky (Norway 2019) Ruslana - Wild Dances (Ukraine 2004)

Episode 12 - Numbers, Perms and Silver Men by Eurovision Queens

All Eurovision fans know that these days singing early in the show has a detrimental effect on your final placing and in this episode we celebrate some of those ‘early doors’ contestants. Cheeky Teo of Belarus kicks things off with the quirky Cheesecake, singing in the accursed second spot back in 2014. We are pleased to report that his spaghetti legs are still a marvel to behold. We concur that the next artist Birgitta Haukdal, who sang first in 2003, should have employed more gimmicks during the upbeat pop rock stylings of Open Your Heart but Andy still loves it and can’t help but join in. Our third song is a Eurovision standard, Katja Ebstein’s Theater, which nearly robbed Johnny Logan of his first win in 1980. While Ryan struggles with the mime artists, Andy revels in the translation of the lyrics. Next up, Javine’s performance of Touch My Fire (again singing second, poor flower) is surprisingly good, but the Girls Aloud-related revelation it inspires Andy to share with Ryan makes the latter rethink their entire relationship! After enduring fake language entry Sanomi from Urban Trad, Ryan is on surer ground with Danny Saucedo who is this episode’s Deuce award nominee despite only placing 7th at 2021’s Melfest with Dandi Dansa. In a remarkable turn of events, closing out the show as ever, the Randomiser finally stops trolling us by choosing the super-important gay representation song Together by Ryan O’Shaughnessy who represented Ireland in 2018. And that’s it. But what have we learned? Sing later in the contest if you want a higher placing and don’t sing along to songs during a podcast recording session as it might just get played in! You have been warned. A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 11 Cheesecake by Teo (Belarus 2014) Open Your Heart by Birgitta Haukdal (Iceland 2003) Theater by Katja Ebstein (Germany 1980) Touch My Fire by Javine (UK 2005) Sanomi by Urban Trad (Belgium 2003) Dandi Dansa by Danny Saucedo (Sweden 2021) Together by Ryan O’Shaughnessy (Ireland 2018)

What?!? Another episode almost entirely filled with female soloists belting out power ballads and pop hits. Who could ever have predicted that? First up we have the barnstorming Hera Bjork from Iceland who should have done so much better with the soaring Je Ne Sais Quoi back in 2010. Skamp’s You Got Style is effectively another solo effort fronted by Irish-Lithuanian Erica Jennings, with cool Deee-Lite vibes, but, like everything else in 2001, feels lost on that giant stadium stage in Copenhagen. One of Eurovision’s biggest hits is next up, like Volare and Eres Tu, L’Amour Est Bleu would become a worldwide hit despite not winning the contest in 1967, while its performer, Vicky Leandros, would of course go on to win the contest in 1972. In our UK slot, Lucie Jones grimaces and grabs her way through 2017’s Never Give Up on You thereby snatching defeat from the jaws of a much higher placing for what is a very decent ballad, before Maltese legend Chiara shows Lucie how it should really be done with her sweeping second place song Angel. This episode’s Deuce award song is the little-known entry Ga Door by Petra, a hypnotically catchy track sung in Dutch that only finished tenth at the 1993 Belgian national selection, the year when poor Barbara Dex went instead and inspired a very different award. Suddenly everything is coming up Belgium, as finally we have Bob Benny with a big band number that seems to the Randomiser’s happy place, before it’s over to equally Belgian Telex to play us out as usual. You’re welcome! A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist: shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 10 Je Ne Sais Quoi by Hera Bjork (Iceland 2010) You Got Style by Skamp (Lithuania 2001) L'Amour Est Bleu by Vicky Leandros (France 1967) Never Give Up On You by Lucie Jones (UK 2017) Angel by Chiara (Malta 2005) Ga Door by Petra (Belgium 1993) Hou Toch Van Mij by Bob Benny (Belgium 1959)

Poor unsuspecting Ryan. He’s already tired because it’s a late recording session and then Andy subjects him to a range of Eurovision songs that are not exactly his bag. Understatement. To be fair things start off well with Ben and Tan singing Yes in emphatic style for Denmark in Eurovision’s lost year and Andy reveals the song’s special heart-warming significance, but then - Wham! - its Andy track after Andy track. First there’s Celtic overload from Ireland’s Dervish whose lead singer Mary performed pretty abysmally on the night back in 2008, then we have Finnish Fredi who wants to Pump Pump, especially with his enthusiastic (and newly christened) friends Sue and Cheryl. There is no respite for Ryan from the next two acts. Blue-tighted, seashell necklace-wearing Vikki who side stepped her way through the song Love Is but failed to ignite the interest of the British record-buying public at the time, despite placing a respectable 4thin the contest. Željko Joksimović’s beautiful Lane Moje is also right up Andy’s strasse with its soaring Serbian instrumentals, but Ryan is still out in the cold. This episode’s Deuce award nomination, Maltese singer Nicole Azzapardi, warms his pop heart a little with Into the Fire, but it’s up to the Randomiser and its 2021 choice - The Roop’s Discotheque - to revive him fully. So how will you fare dear listener? Maybe you too are more Ryan than Andy or maybe you are more Andy than Ryan? Either way, we hope you enjoy this episode regardless. A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 9 Yes by Ben and Tan (Denmark 2020) They Can't Stop the Spring by Dervish (Ireland 2007) Pump Pump by Fredi and the Friends (Finland 1976) Love is by Vikki (UK 1985) Lane Moje by Željko Joksimović (Serbia 2004) Into the Fire by Nicole Azzapardi (Malta 2022) Discotheque by The Roop (Lithuania 2021)

It’s all happening in Episode 8: a cosmic princess on a bendy stilt, men wearing grandpa knickers, and incredibly well-rehearsed barstool choreography. What more could you want? Kate Miller-Heidke starts things off in style with a perfect mix of pop, opera and madness, before Armenia’s Sirusho delivers a dance-floor filler. We are also enchanted by the folky vibes of groundbreaking Åsa Kleveland performing in Eurovision’s first ever trouser-suit and fondly discuss the legendary Carrie Grant, judge on the brilliant Fame Academy, who represented the UK back in 1986 as part of pop trio Sweet Dreams. The iconic Go_A’s Shum is a worthy entrant in the bridesmaid slot and we particularly celebrate the song’s ding moment, while we consider Cyndi to be a better choice than Scooch to go to Eurovision in 2007 even if she does strike us as a serial plagiarist! Thanks to JonWatt867 for this recommendation. Finally, the Randomiser is chaotically on brand taking us back to 2005 for an obscure Croatian entry about wolves dying alone. All life is here, including lots of mullets and acrobats. You have been warned! A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 8 Zero Gravity by Kate Miller-Heidke (Australia 2019) Qele Qele by Sirusho (Armenia 2008) Intet er Nytt Under Solen by Åsa Kleveland (Norway 1966) Never Giving Up by Sweet Dreams (UK 1983) Shum by Go_A (Ukraine 2021) I'll Leave My Heart by Cyndi (UK 2007)

In our latest episode we have a typically eclectic mix of Eurovision songs and no less than three of the artists featured have performed at Eurovision several times including one of the most successful of all time: the irrepressible Carola from Sweden. Here we focus on her very first contest and the song Framling as well as the album of the same name which is still the best-selling Swedish album of all time. We also enjoy Helena Paparizou's debut performance as part of the Greek-Swedish group Antique and another third-place song, Die For You, which was successful enough to spawn a milk advert in Greece! We are grateful to Martin on Twitter for this episode's Deuce Award: the wondrous Don't Wake Me Up by Tuuli Okkonen who should have swept the board at the 2016 Finnish national selection (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu) and remember when the UK was determined to win Eurovision again in the Nineties with musical theatre stars like Frances Ruffelle. And as if all that wasnt enough we also get down and dirty to that Eurovision classic: Eleni Foureira's barnstorming Fuego! Strap in. A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 7 Hunter of Stars by Sebalter (Switzerland 2014) (I Would) Die For You by Antique (Greece 2001) Framling by Carola (Sweden 1983)(and bonus track: Säg Mig Var Du Står) We Will Be Free (Lonely Symphony) by Frances Ruffelle (UK 1994) Fuego by Eleni Foureira (Cyprus 2018) Don't Wake Me Up by Tuuli Okkonen (Finland 2016) When Spirits Are Calling My Name by Roger Pontare (Sweden 2000)

Episode 6 is very educational. It's all about learning new things. Like the fact that Estonia's Sahlene actually tied third place with Jessica Garlick back in 2002, that Lena's Taken by a Stranger performance was much less sexy than we remembered, and, most surprisingly of all, the discovery that Polina Gagarina is a terrible Putin-supporting nightmare person. Eep! Elsewhere we enjoy Lindsay Dracass hitting that final note back in 2001 and Teach Inn's classic winner from 1975, while the Randomiser throws up some nonsense about learning to play the banjo from 1977. The Deuce Award pays homage to the wondrous performance of Klara Hammarström at Melodifestivalen earlier this year. Although we loved Cornelia's song which ended up representing Sweden, we much preferred Run to the Hills, Ryan especially, as you will hear. A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 6 Tens to Present Day: Taken by a Stranger- Lena (Germany 2011) Nineties to Noughties: Runaway - Sahlene (Estonia 2002) 1956 - Eighties: Ding-a-dong- Teach Inn (The Netherlands 1975) UK Entries: No Dream Impossible - Lindsay Dracass (UK 2001) The Bridesmaid Award: A Million Voices - Polina Gagarina (Russia 2015) The Deuce Award: Run to the Hills - Klara Hammarström (Sweden 2022) The Randomiser: Enséñame a cantar - Micky (Spain 1977)

It's already episode 5 and this time around the theme is confidence as every single performer here presents their song with complete confidence. A lot of them are achingly cool too but not all of them (!) so we just stuck with confidence in the end. Obvious highlights include the catchy 1985 winner, the seminal Calm After the Storm that charted all over the world, and the last UK song to place second in the contest before Sam Ryder restored us to glory this year. We also have the nicest Swede you could possibly meet, Frans Jeppsson Wall, who represented his country in 2016, while the Randomiser is a messy bitch choosing Irish crooner Dickie Rock which leads Andy to share a terrifying anecdote about Dickie's female fans back in the day. Most importantly though, the Deuce Award once again seeks to right a wrong by celebrating the fantastic performance of Michelle Gayle who absolutely should have represented the UK in 2008 with Woo (U Make Me). If anyone has a studio recording of this classic we'd like to hear from you. A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 5 Tens to Present Day: If I Were Sorry - Frans (Sweden 2016) Nineties to Noughties: Song #1 - Serebro (Russia 2007) 1956 - Eighties: Le det Swinge - Bobbysocks! (Norway 1985) UK Entries: Where Are You? - Imaani (UK 1998) The Bridesmaid Award: Calm After the Storm - The Common Linnets (The Netherlands 2014) The Deuce Award: Woo (U Make Me) - Michelle Gayle (UK 2008) The Randomiser: Come Back to Stay - Dickie Rock (Ireland 1966)

We've titled our fourth episode '7 Wonders' as it offers a typically broad selection of wonderful Eurovision songs including, of course, Ira Losco's 2nd place song 7th Wonder. We also have two golden oldies from the 1970s, a toe-tapper from the early 2000s, and the modern day is represented by everyone's favourite backpack guy Mikolas Josef. Elsewhere the Randomiser dials up a Croatian pop princess, while for the Deuce Award we choose a bona fide queen from Australia playing into our love of Ru Paul's Drag Race as well as Eurovision. There's a barrel organ, flossing, glitter and lots of red leather. What more do you need?!? A message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and makes us happy. Thank you! Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 4 Tens to Present Day: Lie to Me - Mikolas Josef (Czech Republic 2018) Nineties to Noughties: Don't Break My Heart - Nicola (Romania 2003) 1956 - Eighties: I See a Star - Mouth & MacNeal (The Netherlands 1974) UK Entries: Beg, Steal or Borrow - The New Seekers (UK 1972) The Bridesmaid Award: 7th Wonder - Ira Losco (Malta 2002) The Deuce Award: Fight for Love - Courtney Act (Australia 2019) The Randomiser: Više Nisam Tvoja - Claudia Beni (Croatia 2003)

Our third episode is an eclectic mix of everything that makes Eurovision that joyful cocktail we love so much. There’s a Finnish diva in a tablecloth, a short Turkish man bursting out of a golden cocoon, and a group of Moldovan men with the most memorable leg action in the history of the contest. Although this episode has no specific theme Andy and Ryan agree that most of these songs sound better as recorded tracks than they did live. Also, many of them, with the obvious exception of the one that came second in the final, didn’t fare as well in the contest as they should have done including Tik-Tok famous Getter Jaani and UK darlings Bardo who very nearly topped the UK charts back in ’82. Also, let it be known that Keiino superfan Ryan has waited until episode 3 before playing any music by his favourite group. Such admirable restraint! A Message from Andy & Ryan: Please review us on Apple Podcasts and like and share our content wherever you can - it will help others find us and warms our little hearts! Xx Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 3 Tens to Present Day: Rockefeller Street - Getter Jaani (Estonia 2011) Nineties to Noughties: Shake It Up Shekerim - Kenan Doğulu (Turkey 2007) 1956 - Eighties: Lapponia - Monica Aspelund (Finland, 1977) UK Entries: One Step Further - Bardo (UK 1982) The Bridesmaid Award: Hey Mamma - Sunstroke Project (Moldova 2017) The Deuce Award: Monument - Keiino (Norway 2021) The Randomiser: Que Me Quiten Lo Bailao - Lucía Pérez (Spain 2011)

In their second episode, the 'Eurovision Queens' - Andy & Ryan - celebrate some of the women of Eurovision, selecting an array of powerful vocalists and trendy (for the time) girl groups. As usual, the pair choose songs from different ages of the contest, a UK entry, a song that came second, and another that should have made it through national selection. And then there’s the Randomiser which this week manages to stop the show from being an all-female sweep! Among this episode’s performers are the legendary Charlotte Perrelli, UK girl group Precious whose 1999 album is a must listen, and the wonderful Mamas from Sweden who were strong contenders in the Eurovision year that never was. A Message from Andy & Ryan: As we're still just getting started, we would be hugely grateful if you could rate the podcast on iTunes, and like and share our content on Twitter and Instagram. If you'd like to suggest a song for a future episode (any category bar 'The Randomiser') then tweet us or send us an email. Thank you! Xx Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP Season 1: Episode 2 Tens to Present Day: Move - The Mamas (Sweden 2020) Nineties to Noughties: Show Me Your Love - Tina Karol (Ukraine 2006) 1956 - Eighties: Alles Heeft Een Ritme - Frizzle Sizzle (The Netherlands 1986) UK Entries: Say It Again - Precious (1999) The Bridesmaid Award: Sound of Silence - Dani Im (Australia 2016) The Deuce Award: Still Young - Charlotte Perrelli The Randomiser: Reise nach Jerusalem – Kudüs’e Seyahat - Sürpriz (Germany 1999)

In this augural episode the 'Eurovision Queens' - Andy & Ryan - take you on a deep dive into Eurovision history. They share their love for the contest, its music and performers, the fashions, and the politics. They are passionate about this annual TV spectacular that is effectively the Gay Olympics, and want you to join them on their musical journey every 2 weeks. Every episode they will select 7 songs based on 7 categories: Ten to Present Day; Nineties to Noughties; 1956 to Eighties; UK Entries; The Bridesmaid Award (2nd place in an ESC final); 'The Deuce Award' for songs that should have won their national selection; and, bravely, 'The Randomiser' a song chosen entirely at random from any contest and any year - in the hands of the Eurovision Gods! A Message from Andy & Ryan: As we're just getting started, we would be hugely grateful if you could rate the podcast on iTunes, and like and share our content on Twitter and Instagram. If you'd like to suggest a song for a future episode (any category bar 'The Randomiser') then tweet us or send us an email. Thank you! Xx Socials: Twitter: @EuroQueensPod Instagram: EurovisionQueens Email: [email protected] Season 1: Episode 1 Tens to Present Day: Golden Boy - Nadav Guedj (Israel 2015) (and bonus track: Sto Theo Me Paei - Eleni Foureira) Nineties to Noughties: Give Me Your Love - Fame (Sweden 2003) 1956 - Eighties: Poupée de cire, Poupée de son - France Gall (Luxembourg 1965) UK Entries: Storm - SuRie (UK 2016) The Bridesmaid Award: Never Let You Go - Rollo & King (Denmark 2001) The Deuce Award: I Need You - Deuce (1995) The Randomiser: Ton Nom - Fud Leclerc (Belgium 1962) Spotify playlist; shorturl.at/egvEP