Monty’s Eurovision Countdown 2025 Part 26 – Netherlands

C’est la Vie by Claude

A new crop of Eurovision songs each year brings the opportunity to discover hitherto unknown artists and explore their wider output. Claude’s album Parler Français has already made it to several rotations on my playlist. I love his style, and the shifting language hinted at in the title. I’d already listened to it before his Eurovision song was released. I’m unsurprised to see he was due to open for Stromae’s Amsterdam shows in 2023 until they were cancelled due to the headliner’s ill health. I hear a similarity in their sound.

This has an instant and easy melody to engage with, and the lyrics swap between English and French in a style which Claude uses widely, also changing into Dutch on his other work. The technique is one which you’ll either love or find infuriating.

This isn’t going to win an award for best lyrics. In fact, both the French and the English are extremely simplistic, almost trite, which is a shame compared to Claude’s other music. This could serve him well, as it’s very easy to understand, but it does also become a bit repetitive at a time when Eurovision has become considerably more original.

But Claude has a couple of things to his advantage: a great running order, late in the first semi-final, which helps this stand out – perhaps thanks also to its simplicity. He’s also extremely easy on the eye, and for me (call me shallow, see if I care) easily the best-looking man in the Contest this year. I didn’t get the chance to grab a selfie with him as he didn’t come to the London preview party. Do you think it’s too late to change my plans and go to Basel…?

My marks: 10 points

Photo: Tim Buiting/EBU