5 Eurovision entries that were so weird they were good.

Fans of cheesy music across Europe (and ever increasingly across the globe) can celebrate once again this month after enduring over a year without their Euro-pop fix. Some may say that the comeback of a mass event like Eurovision is a sign that life is slowly returning to normal. However, in this case “normal” may not be the most appropriate word to describe a competition that has seen heavy rock playing monsters, a man in a giant hamster wheel and a Turkey puppet take to the stage throughout the years (and sometimes even win).

Eurovision can be a platform for super talented acts to share their music, like Mahmood in 2019 or Loreen in 2012, but it is often the weirder acts that steal the spotlight. Some acts are, let’s face it, pretty terrible or forgettable, but sometimes you get those entries that are so weird that you find yourself singing along and can’t get the image of a middle-aged man dressed in head-to-toe metallic silver drag out of your head for years to come.

So, let’s take a look at those guilty pleasure entries that were so strange they made us love them.
 

Table of contents:

1) Verka Serduchka

2) Scooch

3) Lordi

4) Buranovskiye Babushki

5) Cezar

Verka Serduchka
 

A true embodiment of the spirit of Eurovision, back in 2007 Verka Serduchka hit audiences with a rollercoaster of emotions beginning with confusion and ending in awe. A combination of blindingly sparkly outfits, extremely theatrical backing dancers and lyrics which are partly made-up gobbledygook words all came together to create a strangely catchy song and Eurovision icon. 

Scooch
 

Whilst Verka’s 2007 entry for Ukraine was quite obviously a comedic performance, it’s difficult to judge whether Scooch, the United Kingdom’s entry from the same year, were tongue-in-cheek or just plain terrible. Judging by the fact that the UK hasn’t exactly set this competition alight in recent years (lest we forget Jemini’s notorious 0-point haul in 2003), we’re inclined to think the latter.

During the performance there is a break from the “singing” where for some unknown reason one of the band members gives a safety demonstration packed with innuendos and sexual thrusting. It’s quite uncomfortable viewing, but that doesn’t stop people singing along to the catchy chorus decades later (just remember to look away when one of the singers asks, “Would you like something to suck on Sir?” while winking straight at the camera).

Lordi
 

In 2006 a group of Finnish Monsters took to the Eurovision stage and won with a heavy metal song called “Hard Rock Hallelujah” which turned the cheese up to 11!

Whether that genre of music is your cup of tea or not, the uniqueness and charisma that comes through those latex masks makes you love it. The lead singer even reveals his leather bat wings near the end of the performance because why not? 

Buranovskiye Babushki
 

Next, we have Buranovskiye Babushki (lovingly nicknamed as the Russian Grannies) who were Russia’s entry in 2012. We all love fresh baking, as well as cute old women, and if you are watching Eurovision, chances are you love pop music. However, a combination of all three isn’t something anyone saw coming. The Russian grannies captured the hearts of thousands, and we would never have the heart to say their song was anything less than spectacular… 

Cezar
 

Cezar’s performance of ‘It’s My Life’ in 2013 left audiences stunned as he appeared on stage in a bejewelled vampire style outfit with interpretive dancers appearing from under the red fabric flowing out from his Dracula cape. Reflecting his remarkably high voice he then begins to rise up from the stage to a techno beat. It is a lot to take in but if you push the madness aside, Cezar’s voice (although surprising in a dubstep song) is incredible.