Eurovision Song Contest 2018: A guide to songs in the final and the latest betting odds

Time for fans of glitter, camp and epic key changes to get excited: all 43 of the acts competing at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest have been confirmed, along with the final versions of each song. The entries span almost every conceivable kind of music, from heavy metal and country and western to pop, Balkan folk and highly questionable rap.

Many of the songs take inspiration from last year’s winner, Portugal’s Salvador Sobral, who sang his winning entry in Portuguese, and feature singing in each country’s native language, making for an unusually eclectic competition. But which song will triumph in the Grand Final in Lisbon on May 12?

Here’s what we think of every single contender, ranked from worst to best – as well as the latest bookies' odds.

43. Iceland – Ari Ólafsson: Our Choice 

Iceland has a real hit-and-miss record at Eurovision, and unfortunately, this year doesn’t look like a hit year for them. Ari Ólafsson has an endearing voice, but the song is a pedestrian ballad that never really goes anywhere, and has “a good moment to go and put the kettle on” written all over it.

Voted out during the first semi-final

42. San Marino – Jessika feat. Jenifer Brening: Who We Are

Fair warning: there’s a really terrible rap about Twitter in the middle of this song, and the music video features two robots, for no obvious reason. If you can get past that, the rest of it’s just about bearable. 

Voted out during the second semi-final

41. Croatia – Franka: Crazy

With laid-back syncopated vocals and a swaying beat, Crazy sounds like an outtake from soundtrack to the Fifty Shades of Grey. The most interesting bit is probably the part where singer Franka Batelić  breaks into a deadpan spoken-word interlude, à la All Saints’s classic Never Ever. 

Voted out during the first semi-final

40. Montenegro – Vanja Radovanović: Inje

Eurovision is probably Britain’s one chance every year to experience the delights of Montenegrin pop music, and that shouldn’t be underestimated. This is a Balkan ballad that will be familiar in style to any keen Eurovision fan, because Eurovision just wouldn’t be Eurovision without at least one song like this every year. However, this is formulaic and forgettable and never really gets going. Sorry, Montenegro.

Voted out during the second semi-final

39. Albania – Eugent Bushpepa: Mall (odds: 100/1)

There’s a rocky edge to Albania’s entry this year, which is sung in Albanian, but lacks freshness and originality.  Nonetheless, it managed to make it past the semi-final stage.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

38. Ukraine – Mélovin: Under the Ladder (odds: 100/1)

Mélovin looks as if he’s escaped Bram Stoker’s Dracula to start a pop career, and though he has an appealing gothic-pop look, and a distinctive voice, this insistent dance song feels hurried and unspectacular, and unlikely to do particularly well considering strong competition this year.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

37. Belarus – Alekseev: Forever

Belarus’s entry is a classic Eurovision number: distinctively Eastern European pop that builds steadily and has a soaring chorus. Against some of the more modern and unusual songs this year, though, it’s ended up getting lost in the background.

Voted out during the first semi-final

36. Malta – Christabelle: Taboo

Malta aren’t pushing any boundaries with this generic, midtempo dance song that feels very dated, almost like a Eurovision song from 15 years ago. That effect is only heightened when it’s performed live alongside some of the fresher, much more interesting offerings this year.

Voted out during the second semi-final

35. Russia – Julia Samoylova: I Won't Break

After not taking part in 2017 due to the complex political situation in Ukraine and Crimea (Ukraine were last year’s host), Russia are returning in 2018, with the same singer who would have competed last year. It’s almost irrelevant that this song is a bland if perfectly OK pop ballad. Russia's chances were down to whether they will be able to depend on votes from neighbouring countries, or whether the current political climate will prevent most countries from voting for them. As it happened, the song’s message of perseverance, and its resonance with Samoylova’s well-publicised struggles with her health, were not enough to transcend politics and win them enough votes to qualify for the final.

Voted out during the second semi-final

34. Serbia – Sanja Ilić & Balkanika: Nova deca (Нова деца) (odds: 200/1)

Serbia are bringing trad folk vibes to Eurovision this year, because someone always has to. It’s that classic Eurovision combination of factors: techno backing track, traditional folk musical instruments played by a characterful older figure, beautiful young woman with a gorgeous voice, and bearded man singing intensely in the verses. We should all be glad that nothing ever really changes at Eurovision when this sort of thing still has a place, but let’s face it, it’s unlikely to win.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

33. Armenia – Sevak Khanagyan: Qami (Քամի)

One of many songs this year sung in the country’s native language, Qami is a moody Armenian piece of pop-rock; inoffensive, but not strong enough to make it past the semi-final.

Voted out during the first semi-final

32. Ireland – Ryan O'Shaughnessy: Together (odds: 20/1)

Ireland have yet to recapture their glory years of yore when they seemed to win every Eurovision song contest that came along, and with their chilled-out entry this year from a crooning Ryan O'Shaughnessy, they’re unlikely to break their underwhelming recent track record. There’s some family experience, though: his uncle, Gary O'Shaughnessy, previously represented Ireland in 2001.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

31. Latvia – Laura Rizzotto: Funny Girl 

A sultry, bluesy song that sounds heavily inspired both by recent James Bond themes and the Fifty Shades soundtrack, Funny Girl sounds oddly safe and restrained by Eurovision standards, and felt exposed on the Eurovision stage.

Voted out during the second semi-final

30. Romania – The Humans: Goodbye 

Romania have sent a slow-burner of a ballad with richly textured instrumentation, but which doesn’t promise to set the stage alight. It sounds a bit like an album track from a middle-of-the-road rock band. 

Voted out during the second semi-final

29. Azerbaijan – Aisel: X My Heart

Aisel is a classically trained musician who specialises in jazz, but went for pure pop for her Eurovision effort. It's a high-octane number with power and glamour, but it lacked the X factor needed to see Azerbaijan win for the first time since 2011.

Voted out during the first semi-final

28. Hungary – AWS: Viszlát nyár (odds: 50/1)

Hungary is gunning hard for the “Eurovision-loving heavy metal fan” vote this year with their passionate Hungarian-language metal song, so we’ll have to see whether or not that proves to be a significant voter base. Either way, a solid heavy metal number is a brave choice for a Eurovision entry, and it has certainly lent some variety to the competition.

27. Spain – Amaia & Alfred: Tu canción (odds: 80/1)

Another of the entries that are competing in the native language of their country, thanks to the trend of last year’s winning song from Portugal, Amaia & Alfred give an understated and intimate performance of a piano ballad that could well stand out against the more bombastic Eurovision entries, even if it doesn’t seem particularly memorable on its own.

26. Slovenia – Lea Sirk: Hvala, ne! (odds: 200/1)

Lea Sirk brings some serious swagger to the stage with this song in Slovene, featuring rapping, energetic dancing, and a serious breakbeat. It’s totally unlike recent entries from Slovenia, and the punky attitude makes it memorable.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

25. Germany – Michael Schulte: You Let Me Walk Alone (odds: 16/1)

This very sweet piano ballad is a heartfelt and emotional tribute to the singer’s late father, delivered in a style strongly influenced by Ed Sheeran. On paper, that should be a formula for surefire Eurovision success, but something about the combination of singer and song hasn’t quite clicked in the videos and performances recorded so far. Germany hasn’t had a great run of Eurovision results in recent years, and this may not be the right song to catapult them back to the top of the scoreboard.

24. Poland – Gromee feat. Lukas Meijer: Light Me Up

Did One Direction really split up, or did they just change their names and move to Poland? The opening and verses of Light Me Up sound eerily like some of 1D’s later tracks, until the electropop breakdown kicks in.  Even though this song failed to make it through to the final, it's warm, modern and summery, and could still be a local hit in Poland.

Voted out during the second semi-final

23. Moldova – DoReDos: My Lucky Day (odds: 50/1)

My Lucky Day is a ray of Moldovan sunshine and silliness. While most other countries this year are sending classy songs with serious musical intentions, Moldova have just gone for full-scale, old-fashioned Eurovision cheese and camp. And good luck to them, frankly.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

22. Bulgaria – Equinox: Bones (odds: 40/1)

“Love is like a black hole”, according to the lyrics of this seductive, gothic-inflected slice of pop from Equinox, which will be made or broken by the staging decisions on the night. It’s dark and moody, and could be spectacular, but doesn’t have a stand-out showstopper moment.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

21. Australia – Jessica Mauboy: We Got Love (odds: 33/1)

Yes, Australia are in Eurovision now, and will keep on being invited forever, it seems. They keep sending respectable, enjoyable songs, too, so they’re more than welcome to join in the fun. This song is pure pop, with a drum-heavy breakdown in the middle eight, a feature that tends to translate well in front of cheering Eurovision audiences. It might be lacking that bit of stardust to push it over the finish line first, but it’s all good fun.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

20. Netherlands – Waylon: Outlaw in 'Em (odds: 100/1)

A splash of country rock from the Netherlands and Waylon, which is likely to stand out from the pop flavour of the rest of the competition, and Waylon does a good job of bringing a slightly edge, outlaw vibe to Eurovision, which hasn’t historically had much of an American West, cowboy aspect. It is gloriously different, though, and Waylon’s down ’n’ dirty live performance is infectious, so it could do well. Waylon is also one half of the duo The Common Linnets which came second for the Netherlands in 2014, so he has experience of the competition.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

19. Norway – Alexander Rybak: That's How You Write a Song (odds: 25/1)

Rybak is back. Is he the once and future king of Eurovision? Alexander Rybak has already won Eurovision for Norway, in 2009, with his song Fairytale and his aggressive on-stage fake violin playing (actual live instruments are banned on stage at Eurovision). But he just can’t keep away, so he’s competing for his country again. You can’t put a price on experience, and he might do very well indeed, but it’s possible that Europe will feel he’s already had his time in the sun. Also, the song just isn’t as good as Fairytale was.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

18. Cyprus – Eleni Foureira: Fuego (odds: 6/5)

Eleni Foureira is a diva through-and-through, and she looks as if she has modelled her style on Beyoncé, which is only a good thing. And the song is a contender, too: a sassy pop banger that will definitely bring the Saturday night party vibes to Lisbon.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

17. Belgium – Sennek: A Matter of Time

Over the last few years at Eurovision, we’ve been able to rely on Belgium sending something moody, sexy, and often performed by someone intimidatingly cool. This year’s no exception. Sennek, real name Laura Groeseneken, works in Ikea by day, but moonlights as a super-cool singer and vocal coach.

Voted out during the first semi-final

16. Georgia – Iriao: For You

Joining the countries celebrating their native languages this year is Georgia, with a slow, pretty song that uses traditional polyphonic singing to atmospheric and almost choral effect. The unconventional style was a big risk that failed to pay off.

Voted out during the second semi-final

15. Denmark – Rasmussen: Higher Ground (odds: 50/1)

Reminding everyone of their misspent youth as a teenage goth (just me?), Rasmussen is performing a song that’s half pirate shanty, half emo classic, and the whole atmosphere certainly stands out from the rest of the Eurovision pop fare on offer this year. The song is dark yet camp, it has a great key change moment, and it would be glorious if it won, even though, realistically, that’s not particularly likely.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

14. FYR Macedonia – Eye Cue: Lost and Found

Macedonia's song has a pop-reggae swagger and a contemporary vocal performance that generated considerable buzz  in the lead-up to the contest. The song has varied influences, with switches in tone between verse and chorus, but is engaging all the way through, only improving with every listen. 

Voted out during the first semi-final

13. Greece – Yianna Terzi: Oniro mou (Όνειρό μου)

Two of the acts in Greece’s national final selection show for this year’s Eurovision were disqualified for “not sounding Greek enough”, according to new criteria from the Greek jury, so rest assured that whatever you think of their Yianna Terzi’s entry, it is plenty Greek. It’s sung in the Greek language, for a start, and also uses recognisably Greek melodic and rhythmic patterns. 

Voted out during the first semi-final

11. Italy – Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro: Non mi avete fatto niente (odds: 20/1)

Italy’s entry this year is sharply contemporary and has relevance across Europe, having originally been composed in response to the Manchester Arena terrorist bombing, and its lyrics – sung in Italian – directly reference that attack as well as recent attacks in Paris, London, Barcelona and Nice. The central message of the song is that ongoing conflict affects us all, but that love, togetherness and perseverance are how we will overcome violence. A powerful and worthy message, but will the delivery of the live performance live up to the complex lyrics?

10. France – Madame Monsieur: Mercy (odds: 11/1)

Everyone loves France’s attitude to Eurovision, which is to insist that everyone reads the scores out in French, and most years to send an uncompromising French-language song and act like they don’t care at all if they win or not. This year, however, they might stand a better chance than usual: Mercy is sleek, modern electropop and has a beautifully beguiling quality, as well as a catchy chorus, but much more important is the poignant story behind the song. It’s about a girl born to Nigerian refugees on a boat in the midst of the Mediterranean migrant crisis. The staging of the performance will determine its success, but it could well be an unmissable moment in the live final.

9. Finland – Saara Aalto: Monsters (odds: 40/1)

Saara Aalto is a bit of a Finnish national hero, and not just because she has four As in her name, which is impressive by anyone’s standards. She has narrowly missed out on representing Finland at Eurovision twice before, and is a pop superstar in the country, having released five albums. She even voices the character of Anna in the Finnish-language dub of the film Frozen. So all eyes are on her as a performer of significant pop experience with an army of fans already behind her – including in the UK, after becoming a finalist in the 2016 series of The X Factor – and she’s singing a solid Eurovision belter of a pop song. Should place highly.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

8. Sweden – Benjamin Ingrosso: Dance You Off (odds: 1/1)

The Eurovision kings, Sweden, take the competition more seriously than any other country, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on their entry. It’ll be a cold day in hell before they send a bad act or a rubbish song to take part. This year’s effort by Benjamin Ingrosso has something uncannily like Justin Bieber about it, as well as sounding as if it might have been imported directly from the Nineties. Both positives at Eurovision, so this is definitely a contender.

Went through to the final competition in the second semi-final

7. United Kingdom – SuRie: Storm (odds: 100/1)

The lyrics to the UK’s 2018 Eurovision entry might be quite cringe-worthy in places (“I still believe in chasing rainbows…”), but it’s got solid Eurovision chops and a catchy pop chorus, so it’ll be no hardship for British fans to fly the flag for SuRie this year. She’s an accomplished singer, too: having performed backing vocals at Eurovisions past, SuRie has all-important experience of the contest, and is dependable for a good live performance. The song has optimistic themes of inclusion and hope, which often go down well with voters, and it’s a powerful song that’s easy to dance to. It doesn’t necessarily scream “winner”, not at this stage anyway, but we can certainly hold our heads high at the final.

6. Austria – Cesár Sampson: Nobody but You (odds: 66/1)

Cesár Sampson has an unusual, velvety voice and this is a modern, chart-friendly ballad with a storming chorus that’s set to make Lisbon feel like a luxurious, grown-up nightclub. Eurovision showed a turn towards class when Portugal won last year with a sensitive, intimate and melodic song, and Sampson would be a worthy follow-up – but with a few added handclaps and danceable party atmosphere.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

5. Portugal – Cláudia Pascoal: O jardim (odds: 125/1)

Last year’s winning nation, which set the tone for so many countries to be competing in their native languages rather than in English this year, continues the trend with another Portuguese entry. Pink-haired Cláudia Pascoal gives a heartfelt performance of this electropo-tinged indie ballad, gorgeously intimate and contemporary too. Just lovely. Could Portugal win twice in a row?

4. Lithuania – Ieva Zasimauskaitė: When We're Old (odds: 20/1)

Lithuania’s entry this year is moment of calm, a quiet and intimate love song performed with real beauty thanks to Ieva Zasimauskaitė’s spine-tingling voice. Lithuania’s selection process for Eurovision involved a gruelling competition spanning nine TV shows, so Zasimauskaitė has already proved she has the stamina to perform and to wow audiences. One of the most chic songs this year, it’s likely to be a high finisher.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

3. Estonia – Elina Nechayeva: La forza (odds: 33/1)

This one is all about Nechayeva’s voice. She gives an opera-pop crossover performance with a belting voice, while wearing an enormous dress. The song is a bit slow-going in the verses but in the chorus it all kicks off, and if she nails her high notes on the night with the power that she’s given in live performances so far, she might just blow all of the competition out of the water. And she’s singing in Italian, as befits her operatic style, which may well ensure her an enthusiastic score from Italy if nobody else.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

2. Czech Republic – Mikolas Josef: Lie to Me (odds: 40/1)

Last year’s surprise high-finisher was Moldova, partly thanks to their lusty sax solo, and this year’s healthy helping of upbeat jazzy funk comes courtesy of the Czech Republic. Mikolas Josef has a little bit of Justin Timberlake, a little bit of Mark Ronson, and maybe even a little bit of Snoop Dogg to his style, and he’s a lot cooler than most of your average Eurovision competitors as well as having a song that’s irresistibly danceable. Should set the party atmosphere well and truly in motion. It’s the only song that stayed stuck in my head after just one listen, which might be significant. Or might not.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

1. Israel – Netta: Toy (odds: 3/1)

At the time of writing, this song was the bookies’ favourite to win the whole competition, which isn’t necessarily a good thing; songs can be in danger of peaking too soon in popularity. The song has already had over 12 million views on YouTube, far more than any other entry. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most fun, interesting and exciting songs in Eurovision memory, with a vibrant sense of humour and quirkiness to it. Netta herself is a characterful performer, a bit like a cross between Jack Black and Meghan Trainor, and she intersperses no-holds-barred sassiness with a sort of fabulous chicken impression (it’s hard to describe). Toy could easily win it for Israel.

Went through to the final competition in the first semi-final

When is Eurovision 2018 on TV?

The Grand Final takes place on Saturday May 12 at 8:00pm on BBC1. 

Every year, six countries go through to the final automatically. This includes the so-called 'Big Five' – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and the host country, which this year is Portugal.

The remaining countries take part in the semi-finals, with the top ten of each proceeding to Saturday's show, bringing the total number of acts competing in the final to 26.

All odds via William Hill; last updated Friday May 11