Road to Basel: Sweden
Road to Basel: Sweden. As the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Today, we focus on Sweden.
photo: SVT/Stina Stjernkvist
KAJ
KAJ is a music and comedy trio originating from the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland. The group comprises Axel Åhman, Jakob Norrgård, and Kevin Holmström. Known for their humorous and satirical songs, KAJ has gained popularity in both Finland and Sweden. Their unique blend of comedy and music has resonated with audiences, leading to a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim.
“Bara bada bastu” (What does AI say?)
Their Eurovision entry, “Bara bada bastu” (English: “Just Sauna”), is an epadunk song that pays homage to Finnish sauna culture. Performed in the Vörå dialect of Finland Swedish, with a few words in Finnish, the track combines traditional themes with modern musical elements. The song’s catchy melody and playful lyrics have made it a viral sensation, topping Spotify’s global Viral 50 chart and breaking records for the most-streamed Swedish-language song in a single day on the platform.
Melodifestivalen 2025
Sweden selected its Eurovision 2025 representative through the national competition Melodifestivalen 2025. The final took place on March 8, 2025, at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm. KAJ participated with “Bara bada bastu,” advancing directly to the final from their heat in Malmö. In the final, they secured victory with 164 points, receiving the highest number of votes in the history of the competition—over 4.3 million. This win grants them the honor of representing Sweden in Basel.
- Kaj, “Bara bada bastu“
- Måns Zelmerlöw, “Revolution“
- Greczula, “Believe Me“
- Klara Hammarström, “On and On and On“
- Dolly Style, “Yihaa“
- John Lundvik, “Voice of the Silent“
- Scarlet, “Sweet n’ Psycho“
- Annika Wickihalder, “Life Again“
- Erik Segerstedt, “Show Me What Love Is“
- Meira Omar, “Hush Hush“
- Maja Ivarsson, “Kamikaze Life“
- Saga Ludvigsson, “Hate You So Much“
Who is Arja Saijonmaa?
“Som tango me Arja Saijonmaa”, Kaj sings, but who is Arja Saijonmaa? Arja Saijonmaa, born December 1, 1944, in Mikkeli, Finland, is a renowned singer, political activist, and actress. She gained prominence in Sweden, notably interpreting Mikis Theodorakis’s songs. Her 1979 album “Jag vill tacka livet,” featuring Swedish versions of Violeta Parra’s songs, includes her hit “Jag vill tacka livet.” In 1987, her song “Högt över havet” secured second place in Melodifestivalen. Beyond music, Saijonmaa has been a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since 1987.
Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest
Sweden has a storied history in the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated since 1958. The country boasts seven victories: ABBA‘s “Waterloo” (1974), Herreys‘ “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley” (1984), Carola‘s “Fångad av en stormvind” (1991), Charlotte Nilsson‘s “Take Me to Your Heaven” (1999), Loreen‘s “Euphoria” (2012), Måns Zelmerlöw’s “Heroes” (2015), and Loreen’s “Tattoo” (2023). Known for its strong pop music tradition and high-quality entries, Sweden consistently ranks among the top contenders in the competition.
A Random Swedish Entry
Reflecting on Sweden’s Eurovision history, random.org looks way back, to 1963. Monica Zetterlund was the singer of “En gång I Stockholm”. Unfortunately, the song didn’t gain a single point. However, lyricist Beppe Wolgers grew to world fame. Not for the lyrics of the song but for his role as Ephraim Longstocking, Pippi’s father.
Betting Odds
As of now, KAJ’s “Bara bada bastu” is leading the odds. Austria is close on a 2nd place, but will it be true? Will Kaj bring Sweden the 8th victory? It is a serious possibility. Let’s wait and see!
We eagerly await the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel and look forward to witnessing KAJ’s performance on the grand stage.
