The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 - I am Rating All Songs

It’s May again – and that means it is Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) Time. In the late evening of 16th May 2026, one artist will be the musical star of all Europe (and Australia) again, being celebrated by the crowds in Vienna as well as many, many people following the contest on the screens. I had a listen to all the songs, who might potentially make it and share my thoughts about it.

I don’t give you my winner’s guess directly, but use the good, old zero to twelve point system of the competition. However, I can assign 0 to 12 points freely to any of the songs (so there might be multiple 12 points ones in this post). Hope you like this kind of format. My comments will be hard and straight. If you don’t want to click through all the videos, here is an 18 minute sumup by the EBU on YouTube:

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – The Songs and My Views

A total of 30 countries compete in two semifinals. From each of these shows, ten countries qualify for the final – or, vice versa, only five of them are eliminated. I just give my personal ratings, no guesses about who will make it to the Saturday show. I rather take a public vote position. In my opinion, people vote for one song and this song has three minutes time to stay in the heart in the audience.

First Semifinal

The first semifinal is held on Tuesday, 12th May 2026. I give the countries in starting order. Whenever I did find so, I shared the national final performance and not the official music video – I simply felt it is closer to what you will finally see during the Vienna shows.

1. Moldova: Satosha – Viva Moldova!

My rating:

Moldova greets the world with a lot of energy right at the beginning of the first semifinal. The song and the stage performance will stay in the people’s minds. Likely lot a song which will crush to the top of the ranking finally, but it’s crazy enough to make it to the final.

2. Sweden: Feicia – My System

My rating:

Eurodance, some house vibes and an impressing show at the Melodifestivalen – is that enough? Sweden is always a friend of the betters before an ESC. I feel that this song must have been much better in the arena than on stage. I struggle with it.

3. Croatia: Lelek – Andromeda

My rating:

I love the stage performance of the five Croatian ladies. The harmonic vocals with a Gregorian touch is special as well. A special song, indeed. But will they persuade Europe? Not on the top of my list, but this one has a nice touch. Unfortunately, it feels a bit lengthy to me, despite the three minute duration.

4. Greece: Akylas – Ferto

My rating:

The video gaming and gaming-alike performance by Akylas made me smile while watching the national final performance. The song is trying to put quite a lot of elements into three minutes. Too much? Maybe. At least it is weird.

5. Portugal: Bandidos do Cante – Rosa

My rating:

Portugal is quite a contrast after the Greek weirdo. Five guys with a harmonic folk-alike song. One of these tracks where you would love to understand the lyrics. Eurovision Song Contest fans will love songs like this one. They should make the semifinals easily. But I struggle to believe they strike in the final set of 25 contestants.

6. Georgia: Bzikebi – On Replay

My rating:

Georgia sends a typical Eurodance song with a modern touch and a lot of drama. The lyrics don’t feel to win a Nobel Price for Literature. It will be interesting how they bring the versatile dance moves of the music video on Vienna stages. The song gives you a nice time while listening, but I don’t feel you really keep it in mind until you grab your phone for the televoting.

7. Finland: Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen – Liekiheitin

My rating:

Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen are under pressure – they represent Finland 20 years after the big victory of Lordi. An energetic song, an enthusiastic violin performance and a lot of emotions and the song stays in mind. I like it.

8. Montenegro: Tamara Zivkovic – Nova Zora

My rating:

A modern song with a typical Eurovision touch. The stage performance is dramatic, the backing choir adds a nice touch. As a Balkan region song, they will likely have an easy Tuesday. But I also feel that Tamara Zivkovic deserves the step into the final.

9. Estonia: Vanilla Ninja – Too Epic To Be True

My rating:

Vanilla Ninja is something like the joker band for Estonia. They have been huge in Europe, Too Epic To Be True is their 10th (!) song in the Estonian finals (as a group or individual performances) and the second time they represent their country at the ESC, 21 years after Cool Vibes. Even though I somehow still have their performances two decades ago in mind, I still like these ladies. The song is a pop–rocker without too much character, but they will be easy to keep in mind.

10. Israel: Noam Bettan – Michelle

My rating:

I guess the public vote on Israel will be highly political. Too many boycots this year because the country was allowed to perform at all. Noam Bettan sings in French, Hebrew, and English, the song starts like a ballad, but then develops towards a rhythmic pop track. Not bad, but I would have rather seen Iceland and other countries in Vienna.

11. Belgium: Essyla – Dancing on the Ice

My rating:

I don’t get into the Belgian song. It feels like a song recorded a few decades ago – and wouldn’t have been a good one in that era as well. It is loud, but not present. The chorus is not strong enough to create catching elements. Can Essyla compensate that with a catching stage performance? Vienna will tell.

12. Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – Solo Quiero Mas

My rating:

Leion Ceccah showed an interesting performance with this song at the Lithuanian finals. Unfortunately, this feels to be the only reason to me to vote for it until the middle of the song, when the song adds some interesting elements. The vocals are impressing and might boost the audience in the Vienna Stadthalle D more than the audience on TV.

13. San Marino: Senhit feat. Boy George – Superstar

My rating:

Boy George? The superstar was just a sample and a video projection in the music The song is not too bad, Boy George may add some sympathy. But overall, I just don’t like the performance. Let’s see if the Vienna performance proofs me wrong.

14. Poland: Alicja – Pray

My rating:

Alicja definitely delivers one of the most interesting vocal performances of the first semifinal. At least at the beginning of the song. Why is the song turning into such a thin pop song with some hip hop thereafter. The main theme of Pray feels so powerful. The song is an up and down to me.

15. Serbia: Lavina – Kraj Mene

My rating:

Serbia will close Tuesday with some darker vibes. The song takes a bit too long to create its full atmosphere, but I am sure there will be fans of this one. I feel it could be even better. The dramatic finale adds some voting points from my side.

My Top Songs of the First Semifinal

Here is a brief sum-up of countries, based on points, of the first semifinal.

12 points	none
10 points	none
8 points	Finland

In average, I gave 4.07 points to the songs of the first semifinal.

Second Semifinal

The second semifinal is two days later, on Thursday 14th May 2026. Again, the contestants are given in running order. Overall, I feel that the second semifinal is significantly stronger than the first one.

1. Bulgaria: Dara – Bangaranga

My rating:

Fine pop vocals in Kylie Minogue style, which suddenly turn into modern sounds, world beat vibes and… There is so much in this song, but it just feels like a wild potpourri to me. And it is lacking a message, character, fun… Or anything why I would enjoy listening to this one. Why?

2. Azerbaijan : Jiva – Just Go

My rating:

After the chaotic beginning of Thursday’s semifinal, I appreciate the harmony spread by Jiva from Azerbaijan. A ballad, which is adding more and more energy. With a suitable performance, this could be a good one in Vienna. I am sure we will listen to this song on Saturday as well.

3. Romania: Alexandra Capitanescu – Choke Me

My rating:

Alexandra Capitanescu looks like Lavina from Serbia, the song could rather be a Vanilla Ninja one. Pop, rock, synth elements and the fascination of darkness. The vocal and stage performance in the video feels a bit too thin to get a higher rating – but it is not that bad.

4. Luxembourg: Eva Marija – Mother Nature

My rating:

Mother Nature will definitely not send an earthquake or heavy Thunderstorm over Vienna when Eva Marija is performing. A dramatic pop-rock song with typical ESC vibes – also in the performance. Can Luxembourg stay in mind of the voters? I feel the song would deserve a second time in the finals.

5. Czechia: Daniel Zizka – Crossroads

My rating:

Czechia is sending a well-presented, dramatic piano ballad this year. If Daniel Zizka can do a strong vocal performance, as the video is suggesting, he might warm the heart of many Europeans. I like this one.

6. Armenia: Simon – Paloma Rumba

My rating:

I loved Guildo Horn in Birmingham, Lordi was my highlight moment of the competition – I like a bit of weirdness on ESC stages. Simon’s Paloma Rumba is delivering that. And his song has a lot of power. The jury voting might kill him, but Armenia makes me smile this year.

7. Switzerland: Veronica Fusaro – Alice

My rating:

Unfortunately, the music video does not suggest at all how Veronica Fusaro will perform this rock song with a strong character. The Swiss song impresses me this year, but the stage will decide whether this kind of song can also catch the voters.

8. Cyprus: Antigoni – Jalla

My rating:

That’s a pop song with a strong Cypriot heart. It creates happy vibes – and especially on the long Saturday show, we just need some time to relax and dance, don’t we? I dance with Jalla and keep my fingers crossed.

9. Latvia: Atvara – Ena

My rating:

That’s the kind of song which might be breathtaking in the arena. Ena comes with a lot of spirit and a good vocal performance. It might struggle against more weird, energetic or present songs, but I really like the Latvian song.

10. Denmark: Soren Torpegaard Lund – For Vi Gar Hjem

My rating:

Unfortunately, I feel that the Danish song rather strikes with the stage performance than with song itself. Apart from that: if you see the video without sound, would you expect a song like this? The second semifinal is a tough one. Denmark might struggle to survive this first challenge.

11. Australia: Delta Goodrem – Eclipse

My rating:

Even if Australia is winning the contest, the ESC 2027 would not be held in Down Under. Especially the beginning of Eclipse is impressing. The song has a lot of ESC vibes. I love the very energetic performance by Delta Goodrem.

12. Ukraine: Leleka – Ridnym

My rating:

What’s Israel on the first semifinal side, is the Ukraine in the second one. The voting might be influenced by political thoughts – while I expect a negative impact on Israel, Ukraine might get some additional support. The song is a nice dramatic song with good vocals and good stage performance. However, I feel that other countries do better this year. Nonetheless, a good one.

13. Albania: Alis – Nan

My rating:

Albania is doing a similar style song. However, I really like the stage performance by Alis. I guess, he will not be able to bring all the musicians on stage in Vienna (music is playback anyway…). The song has a big potential and can become bigger than my voting, if it is supported by the corresponding stage performance.

14. Malta: Aidan – Bella

My rating:

Bella is not a bad song. It feels a bit too familiar to me – and I struggle with the touch in Aidan’s vocals. On the other hand, that’s maybe the kind of touch which makes people remember the song from Malta. Unfortunately, it is a bit monotonous here and there.

15. Norway: Jonas Lovv – Ya Ya Ya

My rating:

Norway rocks at the end of the second semifinal. There are not too many songs like that in this show, which should open the door for Jonas Lovy for a second appearance on Saturday. This guy knows how to use the stage and play with the cameras and people – which is definitely an asset in the ESC. Some sort of rock partying at the end of Thursday, even though the song has such is not that deep.

My Top Songs of the Second Semifinal

Here is a brief sum-up of countries, based on points, of the second semifinal.

12 points	Australia
10 points	Azerbaijan
8 points	Switzerland

In average, I gave 5.8 points to the songs of the second semifinal.

“Big Four” & Austria

The “big nations” (Spain is out this year, as said) are automatically qualified for the final on 16th May 2026. However, the exact starting order for the big evening is determined after the semifinals. The only position known is the one of host Austria, who will close the performances.

France: Monroe – Regarde!

My rating:

A typical French chanson with a modern twist and a charismatic artist – that’s what this song is alike. It will be interesting how France will put the partially very bombastic Regarde! on stage. The song does have potential for some major votes, also from the jury side.

Germany: Sarah Engels – Fire

My rating:

Should I vote on my own country as well? Of course! I like Sarah Engels and her Fire. There are not too many song like this one in the lineup of songs. Sarah is experienced enough to boost her powerful performance at the German finals. I don’t believe that Germany is a potential host for 2027 (i.e. they win 2026), but they should at least play a Top 10 role.

Italy: Sal Da Vinci – Per sempre si

My rating:

The Italo flavor of Per Sempre Si turns the Italian song into a special listen. I really like Sal Da Vinci’s performance in the national finals. And, in general, I have a crush for Italian music. The song is rather on the traditional ESC side, but as the ESC is a traditional competition, I would love to see Sal smile on Saturday evening.

United Kingdom: Look Mum No Computer – Eins, Zwei, Drei

My rating:

I sometimes feel that the United Kingdom shares a faith with Germany at the ESC. They just don’t share the right song. Regardless that the title is in my native language, Eins, zwei, drei cannot persuade me. At least, the song has quite some energy and a good sense of British humor.

25. Austria: Cosmo – Tanzschein

My rating:

I have to admit: when I heard Tanzschein the first time, I wondered why Austria went for this song. The more I listen to the host’s contestant, the more I feel a certain touch in this one. In my point of view, it is still not enough for a better placement.