After six weeks of competition, Sweden has chosen its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The Finland-Swedish comedy group KAJ has won Melodifestivalen 2025, securing their place in Basel, Switzerland, with their song “Bara Bada Bastu”. Their unexpected victory marks a break from Sweden’s traditional Eurovision entries and has sparked excitement across the Nordic music scene.
A thrilling finale in Stockholm
The Melodifestivalen 2025 final, held at Strawberry Arena in Solna, north of Stockholm, on March 8, featured 12 finalists battling for the trophy. The winner was determined through a 50/50 voting system, combining the results of an international jury and the Swedish public vote.
KAJ secured victory with 164 points, narrowly defeating Måns Zelmerlöw, who scored 157 points with his song Revolution. Greczula finished third with Believe Me (103 points).
This outcome was a surprise, as Zelmerlöw, the Eurovision 2015 winner, was widely considered the favorite. However, strong public support for KAJ and 12-point scores from Greece, Norway, Ireland, and Italy helped the group secure the title.
Who are KAJ?
Formed in Vörå, Finland, in 2009, KAJ is a trio consisting of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård. They have built a devoted following in Swedish-speaking Finland, blending music and humor in their performances.
Over the years, KAJ has built an impressive artistic portfolio. They have released seven albums, each reflecting their unique blend of humor and music. Their creativity extended to the theater, where they wrote and performed two musicals at Wasa Teater, showcasing their storytelling abilities. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, they staged a large-scale arena concert, drawing in thousands of enthusiastic fans.
Now, their distinctive Ostrobothnian humor and music will reach the Eurovision stage, bringing a unique Nordic cultural touch to the competition.
The song: Bara Bada Bastu
KAJ’s entry, Bara Bada Bastu (translated as “Just Bath in the Sauna”), is a playful tribute to Finnish sauna culture. The song, written by KAJ, Robert Skowronski, Kristofer Strandberg, and Anderz Wrethov, is performed in both Swedish and Finnish, a rare combination for a Swedish Eurovision entry.
Asked whether they would translate the lyrics for Eurovision, Axel Åhman responded:
“We’d rather not. It’s time to bring original languages to Eurovision, and we’re happy to do it.”
Fellow bandmate Jakob Norrgård added humorously:
“We might try writing an English version, but we’ll probably ditch it in the end.”
A shift in Sweden’s Eurovision tradition
KAJ’s victory represents a break from Sweden’s traditional approach to Eurovision. Over the past decades, Sweden has been known for sending highly polished, pop-focused entries that consistently perform well in the contest.
According to Swedish music critic Moa Lindstedt, this shift could be a refreshing change:
“For the first time in years, Sweden dares to have fun at Eurovision. Maybe a cross-border happiness pill is exactly what we need in these turbulent times.”
Sweden’s Eurovision legacy
Sweden is one of Eurovision’s most successful countries, having won the contest seven times, tying with Ireland for the most victories. The country has produced some of the contest’s most iconic winners, including:
- ABBA (1974) with Waterloo
- Carola (1991) with Fångad av en stormvind
- Loreen (2012, 2023) with Euphoria and Tattoo, making her the first woman to win Eurovision twice
Following Malmö’s hosting of Eurovision 2024, Sweden will now hand over the stage to Switzerland, where KAJ will perform in the first half of the First Semi-Final on May 13.
What’s next for KAJ?
As they prepare for Basel, KAJ is set to bring their humor, energy, and Nordic sauna culture to a wider European audience. Their entry is already one of the most talked-about songs of the season, and it remains to be seen how the Eurovision audience will respond to their unique comedic style.
One thing is certain: the bastu (sauna) is heading to Basel, and Europe is about to experience the full force of KAJ’s humor and music.
