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Bara Bada Bastu by KAJ
Nåjaa!
So this is unexpected. I spent most of February giving out to everyone who’d listen (and quite a few who wished they hadn’t) about how piss-poor Melodifestivalen has become. By the third heat in I only had one song I even vaguely liked, but as the show is still better than its parts, and better watched with friends, off I went to the Swedish Church in London for their screening of the much-anticipated heat 4. Top of the bill, Eurovision’s 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw, who most people were already accepting was the all-but certain Swedish entry once again.
As the heat progressed, we got our first hint that something might be afoot. Swedish-speaking Finns KAJ delivered their ode to the sauna, a playful pastiche of national stereotypes and the Swedish view of their neighbours. It got a massive cheer from the Church crowd, one which far eclipsed that which was to come in another two songs’ time for Måns. The seeds were sown for KAJ’s impressive rise to victory against all odds.
I watched the final in Bangkok, the time difference meaning the votes were only coming in at 4am local time. I fully expected it to be Måns, but when KAJ were left just two points behind him after the jury vote it felt like the unthinkable really could happen. Sure enough, KAJ pulled off one of the most remarkable Melfest victories I’ve ever seen. Just when this show feels like it’s run out of steam this joyful, unpredictable moment crowned the 2025 edition perfectly.
Some may dismiss this as a novelty song, and it’s true KAJ are a comedy group with a quirky number, but Bara Bada Bastu feels like much more than a throwaway quip. The song, and its delivery, feel likes it has so much heart. It’s no surprise this has been so widely embraced nor that it’s way up there in the polls and betting predictions. With Måns many Swedes may have felt they had a genuine chance to record that 8th Eurovision win and overtake Ireland, but perhaps the infectiousness of this simple pleasure makes that even more likely? Keep an eye on how well the juries warm to it; if it’s even still in touching distance it could have a whopping televote to come.
As good as this is there’s an inescapable ennui among most hardcore fans at returning to Sweden yet again. But just think – wouldn’t it be lovely if they handed the honour to Finland?
My marks: 10 points
Photo: Erik Åhman/EBU