🇫🇮 Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha REACTION (Finland UMK 2023)

Our reaction to Käärijä's viral song “Cha Cha Cha” - a finalist in Finland’s UMK 2023. Can he win Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu and compete at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool?
Featuring:
William - / williamleeadams
Deban - / deban_deban
Video Editor:
William - / willyleeadams
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#Eurovision #ESC2023 #UMK23
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[@earlenex]

Hands up who is here to make a trip down a memory lane?

[@esc.proudness]

This song is outstanding, I am a HUGE fan of it and I don't even like the genre a lot. Please Finland, vote for him and you will not regret it!!

[@Wiwibloggs]

Exciting options in Finland!!!

[@tonitakala]

What genre specific😜

[@leenarauramo8850]

We will try our best 😅

[@doxycanmake]

We did and he was the winner by a landline🎉🎉

[@anssia3123]

This is it. We can stop the national selection now, it's been a fantastic year but this simply can't be topped. Eurovision winner vibes. Gonna smash the televote for sure. Even the juries might find a little soft spot in their hearts for this amount of charisma and creativity. LOVE IT.

[@emilyx33x]

well done, you predicted no1 televote

[@seteliseppo8803]

Yeah but the juries ruined it in the end :(

[@Dreamfillah]

The message is one that resonates with Finnish social party culture. The phenomenon of reserved, grumpy and outwardly gruff masculine men having some pina coladas at the club eventually letting loose on the dance floor with full vibes, even if they risk looking ridiculous or even feminine. It's about the feeling of liberation and intoxication everyone feels while they're at the club. That's why it's angry at the start and upbeat pop at the end, the meaning of "Cha Cha Cha" is changed.

[@artofstormdancing3319]

Video also matches the lyrics, he is fighting at the first and in the latter part he is on the dance floor nejoying himself. Very nice theme.

[@rm_skis]

Except in reality so many straight Finnish men turn threatening and aggressive when they’re drunk enough, especially towards men who show those feminine qualities you mentioned.

[@mjm3091]

​@@rm_skis change a bar bestie.

[@Leena79]

I'd much rather have us send something that is "too much" than too little. This was supposed to be my least favourite UMK song, but then I heard it and saw the video, and the other songs seem bland. If this video transforms to a well-crafted live performance, Cha cha cha gets my vote, because it is brilliant.

[@markuskoivisto]

In Eurovision it’s always better to go hard, even if it means going home.

[@GospodinNelson]

There is reason why fans say it can win Eurovision. It just got that very catchy beat that you can't stay calm on, and the song is unique, but does not feel artificial. The whole theme of the song is also very interesting and the title is just iconic, Cha Cha Cha!

[@Wiwibloggs]

You're right! It feels really natural to the singer for sure.

[@mjm3091]

It's also a really generic and boring year. Like this is really between Finland, Sweden or some random lucky performance this year. And Sweden only because its Loreen.

[@bammer180and1]

I think Finland’s gonna win if they choose him, which they should

[@nilslog6623]

I legit freaked out the first time I heard the song when it premiered and I have listened to it non stop since 😂 this might be my favourite song of the year already

[@Eriiik]

Same here !!

[@geraldgiovanni6627]

SAMEEEEEEEE

[@rainbow3320]

I never follow national finals but this was song was flushed into my spotify playlist and I was like: WTF is this !! It punched me in the gut and quite honestly blew me away. The only song I can recall blowing me similarly away was Go_A but it evoked completely different feelings. This is great. I'll be so annoyed if they vote for Robin (I like Robin but not his song).

[@suvijii841]

"cha cha cha is liberation" True that!!! I usually don't listen to music like this (I listen to Finnish rap tho), but this is FRESH. William clearly gets the vibe; it's totally out of the box, and I'M HERE FOR IT

[@Wiwibloggs]

Käärijä is going ALL IN!

[@07012969]

Nailing those vocals live is gonna be tough but hope he can. Then this is real contender 💁‍♀️

[@valmettirakkori2563]

he sounds just same live, talented

[@jodieturnerx]

They have to send this, grows on me with every listen and could win the whole of Eurovision tbh

[@olhahorobets4914]

With the massive wow effect this song has on people, it could really win the whole thing ...and the whole BIG thing too

[@riikaasaa]

Happy Cha Cha Cha anniversary! Unforgettable. 🎉❤

[@jaket1923]

I can’t wait to see their faces on first ”Cha Cha Cha” 😂 This act is diamond class and possibly the best Finnish entry since Lordi! Nokia Arena Tampere 2024?

[@florenna]

Correction: the best Finnish entry since Dark Side ;) That one can't easily be topped in my mind.

[@JiajunYuPiano]

Nokia Arena indeed because Helsinki Halli (formerly Hartwall Arena) is sanctioned due to Russian ownership.

[@lisalehto8168]

See you in Finland 2024🎉

[@mjm3091]

​@@florenna Dark Side was genuinely bad though. Lyrics wise it was really dreadful.

[@davefairbairn1809]

Winner. Winner. Winner. This is phenomenal. Of the 16 entries so far nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close. He’s giving me vibes of AB Soto (Cha Cha Bitch) visually. But this song is another level.

[@freyaschenberg1225]

i just cannot see another song representing finland this year omg, it has everything, both in terms of genre and vibes!

[@purplesonny4571]

This song just has it all. It manages to be so incredibly finnish, and yet have international appeal. It's fully in finnish, but has a part anyone can easily sing along to. It's a fun song with a good message. It bangs harder than any banger, but gets almost serene right when your ear starts to get tired. This is not my favourite song in the selection, but if the live is good, will definitely be voting for this in UMK. Definitely a possible televote winner, who even cares about the jury!

[@jackydelarea853]

12 points from Israel 🤙

[@leenarauramo8850]

Turns out that Käärijä is also the sweetest, most sympathetic guy. I'm in love ❤️❤️

[@MerryFrancis]

Absolute banger, this is it - Käärijä needs to go to Liverpool!

[@hannahbarley97]

I’ve been listening to this song on repeat all day i hope it wins

[@jonathsnparrish4040]

This is brilliant. The finnish final is one of the strongest finals this year, in my opinion

[@mardzipan]

Oh my gosh what a BOP! I can imagine the entire crowd at Liverpool just screaming “CHA CHA CHA”. This gets my vote and I really hope this elevates Finland to become a contender for this years competition.

[@Finnishkebab]

We will vote this in 25th of february and send Käärijä to Liverpool and get best place for finnish language song ever!

[@janikarkkainen8409]

All my votes go to the Käärijä! this is not just a song, this is ART!🤩

[@olvr2271]

The song is insane and I genuinely think that with good staging it could win the televote at Eurovision.

[@TheManInBlueFlames]

If he can perform this well live...HE WILL WIN IT!!! Really wanna see this at Eurovision rn!

[@jerry84884]

Live performing is one of his strongest suits

[@pietasofia5756]

@@jerry84884 Yes!

[@harold7775]

elä hupata paskaa

[@hannahm6497]

Yea but juries at Eurovision will kill it

[@ComeonmyIcelandicface]

OK but did he really have to SLAY so much by wearing this fabulous top and absolutely slaying this song vocally and visually?

[@caglayaman1175]

HUGE winner vibes, doesn’t matter Loreen entered the list, Käärijä still is the biggest contestant to win imo.

[@Elle_Riley]

within a millisecond of this song starting, hearing the opening hatari-type electronic and seeing his rammstein-related tattoo, i knew i was about to *LOOOOVEEE THIS* AND I DOOOOOOOOOOO 😍😍😍😍😍 personally i'd love it even more if, contrary to william, it was like its first half all the way through, but i fully understand why he did the transition and it is still well done and enjoyable, so i'm not mad at that by any means! especially since it does make it appeal to even more people, which is what esc is about!

[@FizzPunk]

Great review guys!! For me this is the best and rememorable song wich has come out untill now in all the national selections all around.

[@Paulxl]

I simply love this song. The first half and the second half work for me perfectly. It's amazing. Love it. That guy is very good.

[@Alexandru88898]

THE BEST SONG FINLAND PLEASEEEEE 9999999999999999999999999 POINTS FROM ROMANIA HIT

[@Lisa9274]

I'm living for this! Please Finland send Käärijä, it will be such a hit in ESC for sure.

[@projectocarla]

I'm in love with this! CHA CHA CHA version of the Incredible Hulk! A shot of energy! Love from Portugal ❤

[@milla1280]

This is IT. 🔥🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍

[@esc_germany]

The Mix of Pop, dance and Metal fits so well, Love it 😍😍

[@polmarin06]

MY WINNER FROM SPAIN 😍🏆🇫🇮

[@leenarauramo8850]

Gracias de Finlandia ❤️

[@slofreeman1704]

I have no idea who will represent Finland and what will generally happen in Liverpool but at this point I'm ready to vote 20 times for this guy in the grand final. I loved Finnish selection last year too. Good luck to Finland from Serbia

[@ComeonmyIcelandicface]

Yes, he is the Konstrakta of 2023. First WTF then total addiction

[@Snowpiercer2]

The first half especially is absolute master class. The latter half is great too. This is what music is all about. 12/10

[@MerryMoss]

6:35 _"He's not in a box. -- He's jumped on the box. He boxed with the box."_ Funny how that is pretty much the beginning of the live performance 😜

[@lunaireticb4162]

Some of us are still hating the juries after they killed Igranka (the most ahead-of-its-time Eurovision song EVER) in 2013, and 10 years later finally appears the PERFECT heir of that incredible song, and it's finally the right time for this kind of music to win the whole thing. I'm so SO into it. Love you forever, Finland, if you send this song. 🙏🏻♥️ This will be my winner no matter what happens, and I know (as the odds show) I'm not the only one feeling it. It has the vibe; if he delivers live (and he does, as I could check on Twitter) it's a REAL contender! Maybe the second mic will be yours, Finland! SO HAPPY!

[@Vhmvd]

you know it is a great selection when your least favorite still in your head even after one listen.

[@anttirytkonen11]

While 🇫🇮 I’m more sort of a symphonic metal fan and I don’t really listen to rap that much (I voted for 🇺🇦 Kalush Orchestra because of their song last year though), I truly like this one. And I don’t even drink alcohol. Bonkers! 🤪I don’t know. It kind of reminds me of 🇫🇮 Saara Aalto, Lordi, Teflon Brothers, 🇪🇸 Chanel, 🇩🇪 Rammstein and 🇮🇸 Hatari in one go.

[@ratyjoona]

*Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha Interpretation* I think this could somehow be interpreted multiple ways. I see character development under alcohol. When the person drinks alcohol, he can forget the sad stuff and stress, but also to feel himself! Alcohol tends to erase social pressure and etiquette! And in Finland, we have/had a some kinda stereotype where men are not supposed to show emotions. This could be seen as a critique against societal and cultural norms! To say one should be able to feel comfortable to let themselves out fully, without fear. Also, it was mentioned that he doesn't fear the World anymore, when he got drunk. This just enforces the interpretation. I can see young man who is anxious and maybe afraid of the world. Possibly lonely, but having an inner rebel. In a bit shy, reserved society like Finland there's a stereotype that we don't talk till we are drunk or smth like that. In the end, he is drunk and the other side of him, careless and free sode of him takes the control. And in the end, it wins. Controlled self is no more. And yes, could be pinpointing Finland's alcohol culture too.

[@Jtsar77]

Winner ! Finland as always Fun Fun Fun .

[@escrijad4183]

This is a phenomenal song! On the first listen it just felt like an instant winner for me! Still love Benjamin, Keira, and Lxandra, sooo it will really depend on the live performances!

[@MegaJK97]

I would say this is a mix between Electric Callboy and Basshunter. DAMN I love it!

[@sacramento7935]

This can win the whole thing

[@JadedKate]

For me it's between this banger and KUUMAA which also has a song that gets in your head and you hum along to it and if either of these 2 get the vote I will be a happy belgian 🇧🇪😊

[@fashionpeople123]

my winner 🎉love from Armenia❤

[@Andromeda.0]

I think this will win Eurovision 2023!!! Wow!!!

[@jasminejou1273]

when i first heard this i wasn't so sure i liked it, not something i'd really listen to myself, BUT then i fell in love after listening again and i now listen to this ON REPEAT!! so freaking good, i REALLY hope käärijä will represent finland this year 😍😍🔥

[@TheDannyLolly]

Cha cha cha is this year’s Uno and I’m here for it

[@hypnostick2228]

we have winner

[@KaiMarcad]

2:19 WTF = Welcome to Finland.

[@saripirttikangas4206]

I watch this over and over again, go W&D❤🇫🇮

[@anukasmunakas]

this is absolutely my favourite of the umk songs!!!! seen a lot of finnish people are into this, cant wait for this years umk, is gonna be so much fun

[@katri88888]

Winner!

[@liisahaavisto4801]

William! Käärijä has said that Till Lindeman is his biggest role model🔥🔥

[@casperix3741]

Deban always says the most random things, and i love him for it 😄

[@parlamedia]

Solid songs in the UMK, but this is the only one I went and listened to again.

[@tonia3146]

I am really living for the day this banger will win the whole thing!

[@sneakyssidechick]

This song has so deep meaning in people in many ways😮

[@birkinater1139]

Absolutely mental and I love it haha 🤣🥊🍾🥂🤼‍♂️💚🖤🤍🕺💗

[@martinphillips3432]

Amazing on all counts! I see the final bout on May 13th between Käärijä and Loreen with Käärijä giving the knock out punch. The journey from malevolence to outright fun is nothing like we have experienced before, and I am sure ballroom dancers have never had so much fun in their lives! It's stunning and will get massive points from every country! (I have never seen Human Centipede, but the thought came to mind when I saw it!). I love the fact that the ballroom dancers have to move the furniture too!

[@patu8010]

The first time I heard the song I was kinda shocked and put off, but I'm appreciating it more now

[@JustSaying001]

Best Finnish entry since 2006! 🇫🇮💚

[@JustSaying001]

And I was right! 🎉❤

[@user-rp5yg1gr8s]

It's a banger .It will win Eurovision.Remember

[@mrprovokator1073]

has some crazyiness from littel big and i LIKE IT 🤩🤩

[@fortymillioncoins9066]

Great song!

[@AI-Msc]

Käärijä is out of the box and not really too famous. He is now coming to public basically. He has amazing music!

[@t.t.v.6217]

Even so he himself does rap-music, his greatest and most favorite influencer is the Rammstein. 🤘 That's from where he got ideas and inspiration to this song. Told this in Finnish newspaper.

[@hennahallikainen711]

Käärijä is really big Rammstein fan, with Rammstein tattoos… great song! Also Benjamin is good. Have to vote here in Finland after live show on 25th February! We have too many good songs this year😅

[@larpsyoesinut]

Glorious

[@EnriqueArellanoM]

Here is the winner, folks. UMK, and maybe ESC...

[@ThatNerdyKidd]

Finnish people: omg vibe Anyone who doesn't speak Finnish: Idk what he's saying but dam this is good!

[@rainbow3320]

CHA CHA CHA CHA CHA CHA!

[@eetu_benjamin780]

As a Finn it was hilarious when 90% people were like oh my god, I'm so glad that there's no rock and metal (etc.) this year and now we are in this situation. For me, I didn't like this song at the first time because i was one of those who was happy for so much pop but when this song turned into pop this left my jawline open. At the moment UMK is so viral in Finland that four songs in Spotify top 9 ares competiting at UMK. I'm looking forward to final because there are so many good songs overall. Btw, im pretty sure this song increased Finland's at odds from 20th to 10th. That was last position when I checked. But after all, I'm very very happy that UMK has become such a big event in Finland compared to 2010s UMK. Nowadays UMK is more like way to become popular singer at least in Finland. For example, BESS was mentioned in Times Square in NYC, and UMK is very big reason why she did it.

[@evilynnigirlie]

It's now rank 4, after Ukraine, UK and Italy. So that should tell everyone something, bookmakers think this is a real contender

[@Connie3827]

Sounds like a winner

[@jasminaf6398]

Hello! Finn here. I m glad you are reacting this :)

[@hennaripatti6011]

In love with this song and Käärijä!!!!

[@anttiruonala2041]

Deban may be setting up a character/song growth story arc here. See you banging it in the next round of cha cha cha!

[@xstarsystemsx]

I'm Finnish but this is the first time i saw and heard this song and it's wild and weird and it's probably my favourite now.

[@simplevideos840]

Omg I can’t wait

[@lifewriter7455]

Finland is all about hot guys and cha cha cha! Lovely... 🖤😎👍

[@shalonen8259]

I just loove this channel, I just fcking loooove cha cha cha! It has to win, im gonna vote so much on umk

[@SJaaranen]

This song is 🔥🔥🔥

[@veera3664]

This is my favorite

[@craigeemac797]

The Incredible Hulk has arrived for Eurovision 2023 🙂 Go Finland

[@cubicrock]

I like the little audio cues in the background, well done editing

[@qtastically5747]

Tho I like Benjamin's too, this one my favourite. It's enough out there to be interesting from the start, and catchy enough to stay in your head. Out of the ones we have I think this one would do the best at eurovision. Assuming the live performance lives up to the music video ofc

[@mehtimies]

Chachaa in liverpool

[@toriakinakh923]

MY WINNER! 💚🇺🇦🇫🇮💖

[@SirJonilot]

"This is not a party anthem....this is a party on crack anthem"

[@ratyjoona]

*Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha tulkintaa* Tässä on kohtuu selkeästi nähtävissä kaksi olotilaa. Elämässä ahdistunut ja sitten vapaa olotila. Tässä näkee ainoaksi ratkaisuksi alkoholin, tiettyä epätoivoa havaittavissa. "Jäinen ulkokuori" voidaan taas nähdä kulttuurillisena ongelmana. Lopussa "maailmanpelko" on kadonnut. Tässä voi kohtuu nähdä kans vaikka ahdistuneen nuoren. Myös identiteettikysymys voidaan nähdä tulevan esiin. Mitä uskaltaa, jos ei ole humalatilassa? Onko kulttuurimme salliva vai sulkeva? Näkyykö tässä stereotypia miesten tunteiden ulospäin näyttämisen vähyydestä? Onko kyseessä yhteiskuntakriittinen kannanotto "kevyen vitsin" muotoon paketoituna?

[@miafyra5149]

Minä löydän tästä protestanttisen opiskelu- ja työmoraalin, kilvoittelun (jopa uskonnollisen kilvoittelun), omien henkilökohtaisten vaikeuksien ja elämän takaiskujen aiheuttaman varautuneisuuden ja suomalaisen vanhan ajan rillumarei-kulttuurin välisen janan toisen ääripään välissä seilaamisen. Ihminen taistelee itseään ja maailmaa vastaan. Jos hyvin käy niin pääsee tai uskaltaa tanssilattialle saakka. Tanssilattialle voi jopa käsittää jonkinlaisena taivaan/paratiisin/nirvanan/you name it… vertauskuvana. Joka tapauksessa sinne mukavammalle tanssilattialle on jokainen tervetullut. Kukapa meistä olisi virheetön? Ensimmäisen kerran suomalaisen musiikin historiassa lauletaan käsittääkseni karsastavasta silmästä ja sammaltavasta puheestakin eli tässä on harpattu kehopositiivisuudesta ominaispiirrepositiivisuuteen. Mitä väliä sillä on, vaikka silmä karsastaa tai puhe lespaa kunhan uskaltaa elää? Lyhyesti: elä ja anna muidenkin elää. Mitään alkoholismin ihannointia en tästä löydä. En tunne yhtään julkialkoholistia. Vanhemmista ikäluokista tiedän kyllä, että osa on alkoholisoitunut varmaan kun ovat ajatelleet että on pakko juoda aina kun saa jostain alkoholia käsiinsä. Nuoremmat sukupolvet eivät vain ymmärrä sitä, että kuinka paljon tekstiviesti jo muutti suomalaisten maailmaa. Jopa itsemurhat vähenivät tekstiviestin keksimisen jälkeen Suomessa. Nykyään jokin juomaan pakottaminen tai juomattomuuden siunailu on junttiutta puhtaimmillaan.

[@ratyjoona]

@@miafyra5149 En väittänyt, että tässä suoranaisesti ihannoidaan alkoholia. Sen voi nähdä jopa päinvastoin. Mutta siis hyvää, out of the box tulkintaa. Kiitos lisäksi tosta tekstiviesteihin liittyvästä tiedosta. Nykyään some tosin myös etäännyttää ihmisiä toisistaan.

[@ratyjoona]

@Kass Paksu Ei täällä mitää sellast. Ihan vaa kappaleen tulkintaa kukin haluamallaan tavalla :).

[@miafyra5149]

@@ratyjoona Minä olen tämän lyriikoita pohtiessani löytänyt yhteyksiä ihan suomalaisten virsien rakenteeseen. Aivan yhtä lailla tässä kappaleessa siirrytään sieltä kovasta ja kavalasta maailmasta taivaan puolelle kun on saatu (liki) uskonnolliset rituaalit suoritettua. Itse olen enemmän sellainen menijä ja tekijä eikä minulla varsinaisesti ole maailmanpelkoa. Sen sijaan sellainen vanhan ajan termi kuin maailmantuska voisi sopia hyvin monen suomalaisenkin mielenmaisemaan, etenkin koronavuosista kärsineiden lasten ja nuorten. Osa lapsista ei muista kunnolla elämää ilman jotain kriisiä ja se on todella surullista. Siinäpä sitten aikuisena yrittää selittää miksi naapurimaamme päättäjät ovat käynnistäneet kansanmurhan, jossa murhautetaan myös omia vähemmistöjä ja vankejakin pois kuluttamassa vankeinhoidon kassaa.

[@jlugoholt]

We kinda need this in Liverpool like for yesterday! UMK is outstanding this year and I love mostly the Finnish language ones! For me is Käärijä, Benjamin or Portion Boys.

[@kiirakoivunen918]

William you totally got the point of the song!

[@riinak7212]

This is Waldo’s People combined with Electric Callboy. Give that boxer a banana! Also you and Deban are so in sync lol!

[@riittalaine8250]

THIS IS DYNAMITE AND COMEDY IN ONE. BEST UMK SONG EVER ❤

[@KutsalKurt]

It sounds like a Tekken Intro! Love it! ❤