Road to Basel: The Netherlands
Road to Basel: The Netherlands! As the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Today, we focus on the Netherlands.
photo: Avrotros/Tim Buiting
Claude
Claude Kiambe, known mononymously as Claude, is a Dutch singer-songwriter born on September 16, 2003, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the age of nine, he moved to the Netherlands with his family, settling in Enkhuizen. Claude’s musical journey began with his participation in the eighth season of “The Voice Kids” in 2019, where he reached the battle rounds. In 2020, he won the casting show “Are You Next?”, leading to a contract with the record label Cloud 9. His debut single, “Ladada (Mon dernier mot),” released in 2022, topped the Dutch Top 40 and garnered international attention. Claude has cited artists like Stromae and Lewis Capaldi as significant influences on his music.
“C’est La Vie” (What does AI say?)
His Eurovision entry, “C’est La Vie,” is a bilingual song featuring lyrics in French and English. Co-written by Claude, Arno Krabman, Joren van der Voort, and Léon Paul Palmen, the track serves as a tribute to his mother, reflecting on life’s ups and downs and the lessons learned through adversity. Claude describes the song as conveying that “life isn’t always easy; it has its ups, downs, and twists, but ‘C’est la vie’!” The song blends dance-pop elements with heartfelt lyrics, showcasing Claude’s emotive vocal delivery. Upon its release on February 27, 2025, “C’est La Vie” received positive feedback for its catchy melody and relatable message.
Internal Selection Process
The Netherlands selected its Eurovision 2025 representative through an internal selection process conducted by the national broadcaster, AVROTROS. Following the disqualification of the 2024 Dutch representative, Joost Klein, and his subsequent decision to decline participation in 2025, AVROTROS initiated a search for a new artist. Among others Anouk and Douwe Bob submitted songs. On December 19, 2024, Claude was announced as the chosen representative. The selection committee praised Claude’s unique sound and stage presence, expressing confidence in his ability to represent the Netherlands effectively on the Eurovision stage.
The Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
The Netherlands has a rich history in the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated since its inception in 1956. The country has secured five victories: in 1957 with Corry Brokken‘s “Net als toen,” in 1959 with Teddy Scholten‘s “Een beetje,” in 1969 with Lenny Kuhr‘s “De troubadour,” in 1975 with Teach-In‘s “Ding-a-dong,” and most recently in 2019 with Duncan Laurence‘s “Arcade.” Despite some periods of lower rankings, the Netherlands has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to showcasing diverse musical talents on the Eurovision stage.
A Random Dutch Entry
Reflecting on the Netherlands’ Eurovision history, random.org selected the 1963 entry: Annie Palmen sang “Een Speeldoos”. Unfortunately the song didn’t get any points. However, in her hometown Beverwijk, there is a Annie Palmenlaan, a street named after her.
Betting Odds
As of now, Claude’s “C’est La Vie” is gaining attention among Eurovision enthusiasts. Currently, Claude has a 5th place in the odds in order to win the Eurovision Song Contest. It would be the 6th Dutch victory. In the odds to win semifinal 1, the Netherlands are 2nd.
We eagerly await the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel and look forward to witnessing Claude’s performance on the grand stage.
