Eurovision Song Contest 2025

Fun fact: Eurovision has never had 38 competing countries in a single year. Post-2004, it's had 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43, but never 38.

In 2006 and now 2025, there were 38 countries signed up, but a withdrawal in both years reduced the number of participants to 37.

Can't sleep, and I've done the worst thing possible by scrolling on my phone. Anyway, looks like the Independent has posted a story too early (note the 6am time.) Confirms that Samantha Mumba is in the lineup for Eurosong.

Without hearing her song, selecting someone who last had a hit in 2002 would be huge step-back for us, but I'm sure RTÉ and the usual Louis Walsh-linked faces will push her all they can.

The ADGY song is a bit so-so for me, wouldn’t stick in the memory by the end of the night.

And ‘Run Into The Night’ is nowhere near as good as ‘Running With The Night’ by Lionel Richie, which is how I measure all Eurosong entries.

I remember mentioning Samantha Mumba to my niece a while back and her comment was "who are they, are they a band?" She is 21 so yeah.

The Samantha Mumba song is very very poor, a mess with a load of build up to nothing....but she will be getting the media and panel push as you say. Not sure that will be enough they did the same with that dreadful Louis Walsh boyband last time.

From songs so far I would say Bobbi Arlo would be our best bet if it's good live. It doesn't sound dated.

ADGY song is decent but he couldn't sing his song live the last time I can't see that changing.

Reylta is a little dull but solid enough to possibly make the final.

EMMY song is a pretty basic slightly dated euro pop song, not sure how I feel about someone from Norway who has competed at junior Eurovision and failed to make it to Eurovision via national comp trying to compete for us.

Of course - the act linked to Louis Walsh seems to usually get the fast-track place.

Seeing a lot of "OMG, I loved Samantha when I was younger!! I'll definitely vote for her!"-type comments online.

Seriously, Ireland, if you vote for the worst song in the lineup because you had the singer's poster on your wall 25 years ago,…well, then it's easy to see why Ireland spent so long in the Eurovision doldrums.

The comments on the song from "neutral" sites (i.e., non-Irish) Euro fansites are similar to what you said- "it goes nowhere" is a common one.

I'm worried now this will win…thanks to voters who won't even hear the song but who fancied Samantha when they were 13.

It's got to be Bobbi Arlo surely. It's the standout song and our best chance of qualifying. I really hope she can deliver it live.

Niyl is the next best for me, but might be more of a grower than one that has an immediate impact.

Reylta's song is decent but the chorus is very weak.

Samantha Mumba's song is a total mess, which is a real shame.

Can't stand the Emmy song personally. I want us to build on the momentum from Bambie and keep sending interesting, authentic artists. A copy and paste from Norway's MGP doesn't cut it.

I expect Adgy to come last, the song is so dull.

Bobbi for the win!

Yes, you'd have to think momentum is with Bobbi Arlo. She seems the natural successor to Bambie and her song is the most impactful. My Way is a bit of a mess in structure and the response online has been rather underwhelming.

I could see Emmy get a top 3 finish : Laika is an insanely catchy entry.

To echo posters on here already, it is a two-horse race for me between EMMY and Bobbi Arlo (EMMY by a nose).

That said, Adgy’s song has become a bit of an earworm after a few listens.

I remember Adgys song a few years back and it was decent well the recorded version...but live...vocals poor and felt dated.