5 Things We Loved About the 2022 Eurovision Grand Final

As the kinetic sun sets on Turin, we have a lot to feel good about.
Email us as [e-mail] if you want to factcheck next year's scripts (mention what country you're from so we know how to use you).
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[@Winterbay]

A litle fun personal thing around Moldova is that my son (almost 7) currently keeps coming up to me and going "Hey ho" and following it up with "now you continue the song dad" and I sort of love it. I've definitely been badgered into singing worse songs 😊

[@handreaalexandru1446]

Pleaca trenul, unde esti? Chisinau-Bucuresti!

[@TheFirstSky]

On behalf of Moldovans, you are forgiven ;)

[@drwood728]

So cute. I watched some TikTok’s of kiddos singing hey hi let’s go! And then trying to mumble through the Moldovan. It was so endearing to me how well it was embraced across cultures. I love that about Eurovision. -a fellow fan from the USA

[@petru196]

@@drwood728 The language spoken in Moldova is Romanian. In the US you speak English, not American.

[@j0hnegan]

Spoiler: the Eurovision "press room" isn't so much a press room as a fangurl nerdfest with a sprinkle of actual journalists. Love your work.

[@martakeska5297]

The most important thing you said: Kalush Orchestra would gladly trade the victory for even one of the lives that had been lost. Everyone who's salty about their victory should remember it... And all of the participants who could have won know it and their support was honest and really meaningful.

[@el_naif]

I predicted that the public would support In corpore sano far more than the “expert jury”. I felt so validated at that moment.

[@drwood728]

It totally makes sense to me. Even if people didn’t understand the meaning of the Serbian, they didn’t need to because of the stage presentation with the compulsive hand washing. Beyond that it had what Moldova had, a great beat with a chant along chorus. Having that alongside with the topic everyone in the world relates to… compulsive focus and fear around health for the past 2 years. This speaks to literally everyone in the world. Even more if anyone gives them a bit of the lore. I’m a fan from the USA and have shown/talked about In copore sano to coworkers who know nothing about ESC and they are taken by the messages they see from it. I think it also really resonates for people without health insurance (or with crazy high unaffordable insurance) which is too common in the USA mixed with the pandemic and rampant mental health crisis it speaks to a little bit of everyone. Chefs kiss. This is the song I’ve been waiting for since the moment ESC was canceled in 2020. I thought we’d get it last year, but it may have been a bit too soon then. It’s even more fitting this year. I fully support Ukraines well deserved win. But I’m thrilled to call Serbia my favorite runner up (and that the public agreed ranking 4th!)

[@Runix1]

"Was this a weird Eurovision?" If the answer to that is ever "no", I'll turn off my TV. I'm here for the weird.

[@oxcaxx]

People LOVE using 'the war' to dismiss the merit and quality of Kalush Orchestra’s performance. People also conveniently forget voting for Kalush Orchestra wasn’t just due to pity or something. The war genuinely added extra feelings to that performance and made it more powerful and emotional overall. People who voted for that reason didn’t do it out of pity, they did it out of the feeling the song was able to convey.

[@Masaim6]

Let's get something straight! Most of it is that, but many people voted for it even if it was their 2nd or 3rd favorite, because of sympathy to Ukraine it wouldn't have gotten 98% of points otherwise.

[@nobodyimportant281]

Would have they won if this was a regular year and if war never happened?

[@Masaim6]

@@nobodyimportant281 Maybe not, but like Wiebel said the song got a new meaning when the war happened.

[@johannesmajamaki2626]

@@Masaim6 This. No song exists in a vacuum. What we hear is heavily influenced by the world around us.

[@oxcaxx]

@@Masaim6 Exactly. We cannot separate the art from its context but dismissing the value of the song because of the context is stupid. Especially since the context adds so much more value to it as well

[@DonChups]

My Eurovision Circle fans has an expression for the songs that don't win but remain years later. "Postwinners". Serbia is 2022 Eurovision postwinner.

[@LoudMinded]

Brilliant!

[@musikkritisk]

And classics we love to hear always.

[@iyawakarehen]

thank you for acknowledging the robbery of fulenn. hopefully this doesn't mean we're abandoning out of the oui oui baguette tour eiffel cliché box music and/or regional languages for the next decade but i'm honestly quite afraid of it and will be until the new class of c'est vous qui décidez is revealed 😔 (i honestly kinda want us to send some troll act but the few i can think of that could be that would just be producing troll songs, the acts themselves are people i genuinely love lol) thanks for this season and congrats on your engagement 🎉

[@begemotowa]

France was charming, I thought it would get more points.

[@TashaKoenig]

this but louder

[@juliethompson5301]

Can I tell you i thought twin twin and mustache were amazing .I've always loved it and thought they deserved so much more.

[@overthinkingit]

@@juliethompson5301 "Moustache" is objectively great, history will eventually acknowledge this.

[@juliethompson5301]

@@overthinkingit I think I spelt it the French way...I'm hoping ..😂 anyway my cat Pablo has a "mustache" and goatee and he's Fab-U-Lous Great channel I've subbed 😁

[@ethanamazing]

Stefania was legit one of the best songs this year, regardless of what is going on in Ukraine. The rapping is performed perfectly every time, and the vocals in the chorus were on point as well. With rap being able to pack in much more lyrical content than other styles, they brought the best lyrics to ESC 2022 as well. IMO they deserved it, without Russia's invasion.

[@LoudMinded]

Yup, much more colourful than the UK entry.

[@sacotafiruta2348]

Ciao from Florence! Glad to see americans so deep accurately interested in Eurovision! ❤️ 🤗 Moldova was insane party for all but in the same time Zdob and Zdub are Eurovision legend being present for the third time in 3 decades. If I remember 2005 at the Moldova debut, 2011 and now in 2022.

[@najrenchelf2751]

Moldova is always SO MUCH FUN - to the point where my gf and I are seriously considering going to the national final in person next year, if there is one... 😂😂

[@midnightfairycase2145]

And did you go?

[@hippopotamusbosch]

🎊 Congratulations Matt and Christina 🎊

[@LuzPanorama16]

I think it was actually deliberate to mistranslate the few lines in Konstrakta's performance. The first line translated to English is "what could be the secret of Meghan Markle's hair?" The translated lyrics say "what is the secret to a healthy body?" I think they meant to do this, as it plays along with the songs other lyrics about the line between health and beauty being erased.

[@imageez]

There also the possibility of the lyrics seeming too 'pointy'. The I have no health insurance line might be mistranslated either because of EU guidelines or not wanting the song that represents your country sassing your own country. Also, I randomly googled the 'What's the secret of Meghan Markle's healthy hair' and got some articles of the Daily Mails with comments that totally misses the point of the song, so putting the literal lyric on the screen might even made a much more mess when it's just the hook for the premise.

[@el_naif]

I also think they made so to add more layers of stimuli for anyone that could understand spoken Serbian. Otherwise it'd be merely subtitled, yawn.

[@Hitezaruki]

I'm not European, but I remember the moment I watched some videos about it, I love the idea and the possibilities of bringing so many artist together!! And also, I've found interesting the cultural and political context that is part of the festival. It was last year that I finally started to stream it live -the after parties, interviews, the semis and of course, the final. As you say, what I like the most about it, is the eclectic mix to discover new artists, new music, etc. From flashy pop dance music, ballads, folk, rock, electronic, etc. and other unusual, weird things. This year I think it was great - at least for me, I'm so happy to discover so different yet so amazing artists like Cornelia Jakobs, Konstrakta, ZsZ, Monika Liu, Sam Ryder, Kalush, etc. I love a lot of songs this year! And also it's very inspiring to see the artist enjoying themselves, getting along with each other and giving everything in their performances. :) This year I really enjoy the Eurovision season and I found your channel making it better with your analysis. Now I just have to watch every video in your channel :D So yeah, It would be great to have music theory next year, it's gonna be exciting to see the new things for 2023. Thanks for your great work!!!

[@beandrag9019]

Agree with your pov on the win. People that are really mad about Ukraine’s win are so privileged and cringey

[@mental_order]

You're so professional it's insane. You should have your own TV show. Congratulations ❤

[@colombosmarco]

In case you might do an opposite video with 5 things we did not like about this year ESC, the postcards must be n1. I'm Italian and of course I like the idea to promote and show my country and beautiful locations that are not well known by the tourists (both italian and foreigners). However, postcards should present each artist and their culture or their flag. I still remember past years postcards like the door one in 2018 , the tiny house in 2021 or the flag making in 2014. We could have done them way better than a crappy projection (or 2d cheap hologram) of each artist. Anyway, great content and congrats!

[@Ofley_Adventures]

Glad that you’re feeling better friend. Just discovered your marvelous channel, and your insights are always great to hear. Have a magnificent day everyone, and thank you for the vid.

[@mattadelamarq]

guys really love your channel's taste :) and cannot skip to say that :) in my opinion the winner of the year is Serbia because it was complete package with authenticity ... and to be writing this comment from Belgrade is not related with my opinion :)

[@Krystaliine]

Oh my gosh, the part about your partner was so great! I hope you guys have a wonderful wedding! Also, more music theory next year? Please, yes.

[@luisahedler8662]

Did you say music theory? Oh yes, please! There's no oerthinking like musical theory overthinking! Great job this season, and I can't wait for the next one :)

[@pedjabrepedja]

Omg the love letter at the end of the video! ❤😭💎

[@MatthewWrather]

Awww, thanks!

[@kaitlins2934]

I’m so glad you’ve gotten into doing these videos again! You people are my favourite Eurovision-related content makers ❤️ I’m gutted Georgia didn’t get through though, my favourite song this year

[@angelaburrow8114]

So am I. There aren't many of us that love the song though, unfortunatey. It was my number 4 or 5 depending on my mood at the time of listening, alternating with Spain. I'm gutted about France too, 1of the 3 I wanted to win (the others were UK & Ukraine).

[@muddyfeet69]

I can't live anymore without "overthinking it" - so damn good and deep in the Eurovision theme. Thank you guys for your hard work. We fans of Eurovision will support you.

[@jenblack98]

Here are my 2 cents on Ukraine (My credentials are that i wrote my dissertation on Post soviet nations in Eurovision with a particular focus on Ukraine). I love the song but the performance was a let down. Watching the music video I felt moved to tears but the Eurovision performance didn't inspire that. You could tell that they hadn't been able to rehearse and that they where hurt with the issues surrounding the sun. I think this makes the win all that more powerful because the performance was purely a cultural one. They weren't trying to make you feel sad for them they where just showing how cool there culture is which is incredibly important given that Ukrainian culture is directly under threat. So yes they did win because of the war but why is that a bad thing? Eurovision was invented to heal a post war Europe arguably you can't get more Eurovision than a Folk/Rap song from a wartorn country winning.

[@cynzix]

Idk, in my opinion they were the coolest and most chill guys in stage

[@AliceFlynn]

Personally it was my favorite staging behind Serbia, they really made that godawful stage work

[@jenblack98]

@@cynzix That's kind of what i mean. People are saying that they won out of pity but that performance didn't make me feel sorry for them.

[@emmamemma4162]

Any chance of getting to read said dissertation? Pretty please?

[@jenblack98]

I am actually in the process of updating it with the hopes of being able to actually publish it.

[@Hope00Love]

Congrats on your engagement! Thanks to all of you for another year of great Eurovision content. Putting off studying for exams is much more fun because of your videos!

[@michelasdissapointmentanda8513]

I still cannot wrap my head around why France and especially Czechia flopped so bad.

[@TashaKoenig]

France Deserved Way More Points Also I'm thankful you enlightened me on how many more languages were in this years top compared to 2018! Das cool! Let's keep that up! Keep up the non-English song winnings too!

[@TashaKoenig]

Despite all the drama and getting sick of everyone yearning for Sweden to come save the day or the poor behavior of Chanel fans, and having to correct people that ESC is in fact very political....I for one LOVED this year. I still find it so bizarre seeing many saying this would be their last year watching. Couldn't be me.

[@Casutama]

Yeah, there have been crazy many non-English songs winning recently. 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022... that's two thirds!

[@kosmonaut5]

Can’t wait for more!!!

[@Masaim6]

Would love more theories next year!

[@PPfilmemacher]

See you next year, I'm looking forward to your Eurovision 2023 videos

[@adas9848]

Thanks 😊 I really enjoyed this season, I hope to see you back for 2023!

[@overthinkingit]

That's the plan!

[@BenCG]

Thanks guys. Would be nice to see more videos from you next year! I enjoy your analyses of the songs themselves but all of this wider Eurovision theory makes for great content too.

[@lperovskaya]

What an awesome video series, thank you! It was a joy to find your channel while randomly watching all the "in corpore sano" reactions I could find. Any thoughts about overafterthinking 2021?

[@livinglegendlanadelrey]

OLEH PSIUK IS BEAUTIFUL & I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ANYMORE HATE TOWARDS HIM! HE IS KIND, HUMBLE AND GENUINE! HARDWORKING AND CARING! TALENTED & BRAVE!

[@stefanstorm4864]

Great points, great video, and great to see you back alive and healthy, Matt! Yes, music is feelings, Eurovision is political, and Ukraine is an ESC superpower.

[@colinafobe2152]

won twice on political sympathy

[@Nutelko8]

@@colinafobe2152 yup. Ruslana is the only legit win.

[@colinafobe2152]

@@Nutelko8 i think there was another time Ukr won. and actually i ladore Jamala's song but we all know it was political song

[@windmachineproductions]

Thank you so much for this season’s videos. They’ve been amazing as always. Looking forward to 2023!

[@robertdegroot8302]

Indeed, these videos are amazing productions. Thank you so much for all your effort, guys!

[@bongbuenaventura7735]

Thanks and all the best!

[@VascoTeixeira354]

Thank you guys! Amazing work! Always so happy to see your videos about Eurovision!

[@mutalimoskeu3524]

Thank you for your content, love it so much

[@SonneOlga]

I really like the UK's song of last year.

[@colefetherston1431]

Music theory!!! Would love to see that next year

[@andyandreou]

I love this channel.

[@whereIstood0705]

I'm going to miss your Eurovision coverage so much :(

[@maltodextrin1000]

great story at the end, worth a like and a sub !

[@TheSongwritingCat]

Glad to see you doing well after your bout with covid

[@domkoz]

Just discovered your channel. The quickest Subscribe i clicked on! 😉 Can't wait for your Eurovision videos next year!

[@maxwouters8641]

Thanks so much for these videos Matt and the team! Such a great value add during the season! Emailed you guys for any Dutch fact checks next season Also Mazel Tov, congrats!

[@AleCaptain]

..we love you, Matt Wrather

[@lucillerenard9019]

Awww the thank you to your fiancé at the end was really wholesome

[@LittleOph]

Congratulations Matt and Christina! I'm slowly adjusting to the fact that one of my favourite channels about Eurovision Song Contest is run by Americans. And currently pondering whether to apply for fact checking and French language expertise 😄 To put it in a nutshell: keep overthinking ESC, you do it sooo well!

[@Mloofylicious]

I'm from Europe ;) and your analyses of Eurovision are awesome, dix points! ;)

[@heyy13]

Congratulations!

[@mateusmorgado]

Yeah, more music videos 😊

[@yupitsanne767]

Keep on seeing the videos from this channel on my recommended. Expected this to be cringe but wow you guys did a great job on this. Each statement is spot on. Will definitely watch more of your videos. :))

[@adas9848]

Congratulations on your engagement 🎉

[@HenriZwols]

See you next year!

[@lisalehto8168]

congrats to your love 💕

[@Rafaelinux]

Congratulations! You're too sweet

[@aekelly]

So glad you're feeling better, Matt. Wonderful last Eurovision video of the season. Even if that is a bit of an oxymoron to me - lol! Will Overthinking It ever be on Spotify? THanks for adding to the fun of Eurovision this year and I will follow the podcast on your website, unless and until you're on Spotify. :-)

[@livinglegendlanadelrey]

WOOOOOO🥳🥳🥳

[@lillia5333]

It's really stupid to believe that nobody likes England. It's a great country that I like to visit. Bring great songs and lots of Sam Ryder and you'll be at the top always. I loved the swimmer song though, My last breath in 2020? I voted for Star man because it is a good song. I'm sure it's a lot of politics going on, but I don't think the televoters care. Bring it on, Great Britain! Give us your best:) love from Norway.

[@LadyNikitaShark]

I'm from Portugal and, imo, if our entry had been fully in Portuguese, we would have gotten way more point from the public. There are Portuguese communities all over Europe that would had vote for us if the song was sung only in Portuguese. We also have huge Ukrainian and Moldovan commuiving in Portugal that, of course, voted for their countries.

[@joelfernandes6865]

Maybe some people think like that but are a minority. I don't think that would change anything to Portuguese points from the public if the song were all in portuguese.

[@halbtonschritt3702]

Yes, more music theory!

[@patopaolo]

why not consider dedicating the next few months to following the careers of this year's winners? since in the last couple of years eurovision has launched the winners to international triumphs, it would be interesting.

[@livinglegendlanadelrey]

Yes spill bestie! Kalush slayed period. Kalush outsold ms mango & Uk Jesus with ease😘 My fav song by far, I voted for them! I have voted for Ukraine so many times over the years because they always send good songs💯💯💯 btw Ochman robbed king 👑😒❤️❤️

[@lolopiner8619]

I'm thanking ASC that made me discover your channel (which is weird since "nobody" watched it compared to ESC). I hope we get to meet future wifey (if she wants internet exposition of course)

[@GJWielinga]

Yay, Christina! Lucky both of you

[@musikkritisk]

Eurovision 2022 was the Eurovision Marcel Bezençon dreamt of, the place where Europe is united in peace, but at the same time, supportive with the one in need (Televoting -Europe and Australia - answered to that)

[@juliethompson5301]

Fullen was amazing and deserved so so much more.im from Liverpool UK and im very happy with Sam's success.it was important Ukraine won and I'm happy for them .peace for Ukraine 🙏 your dog is super cute by the way

[@anderst2314]

Excellent points about Ukraine and the UK. The whining is overwhelmingly tiresome.

[@willewiking98]

Auschehadh yeah France, they deserved so much better, but it sure as hell was a tough lineup to beat. But I hope this doesn't scare them off from sending more entries not in French, it was a hell of a good song and I now am a big fan of Alvan

[@dodola9955]

Your comments are very interesting. Say something about San Marino's Achillle Lauro.

[@BlastedRodent]

Hope this year made the brits realize we don’t hate them, we just don’t like bad songs

[@hesrobinson]

Late to the comments but yes please on music theory videos next year. I know at least one musicologist has analysed eurovision songs' success by tempo and key. Would love to see in depth analysis of specific songs.

[@annekielland8266]

❤ Cannot wait to hear those wedding vows. Ps. At our wedding, guests were handed lyrics to Eurovision songs and required to sing. Just a tip.

[@qilorar]

aww, such sweet ending

[@user-pb9ur1rn6p]

MORE! MUSIC! THEORY! YES!

[@elizabeth184]

7:59 yeah and he also had a top 4 hit in the UK with Orville, I wish I could fly .....😏

[@joebloggs396]

I don't think Konstrukta did well because of the lyrics, people found the performance interesting. Moldova was ideally placed in the running order after a load of ballads. And Subwoolfer had a very good dance song.

[@EurovisionESC]

12:10 Congratulations !!!

[@MomLAU]

@8:42 looks like so much fun!

[@michelasdisappointmentanda2304]

I appreciate the meme potential of this year

[@shawnverbonac5971]

Yes it's not just a song contest, but I has never been this blatantly political

[@SuperFanatic22731]

cool

[@Cadexa]

I liked slovenia song

[@livinglegendlanadelrey]

Me 2

[@sirprintalot]

Let's be honest, 99% of fans have actually been pretty adult about Ukraine winning. Infact there are only really 2 countries that have a few fans that are salty about Ukraine winning. One is Russia obvs, and the other has Pain in their name, a few of their fans have let everyone down which kinda sucks. Also, only the UK right-wing media blamed politics on the UK losing in the past. UK Eurofans knew we'd sent terrible songs for years, but our media only helped to propagate that falsehood amongst our locals.

[@rageguy311]

I would totally watch a murder mystery about big boss "E" But I more likely would buy something from your wedding registry in October!!

[@charlesvilain1512]

Not the cry cry baby slander 😭 (all jokes aside, great video 🙏)

[@TheTinKunt]

Lol the opening got me

[@teacheronthego291]

70% of the public televote in Spain isn’t exactly just the Galicians. It’s the entire country hoodwinked into thinking the Spanish finals was going to be between a Catalan and 3 Galician women but woops, the trophy was given to a random Cuban-Spanish. España estaba entre tetas y panderetas pero al final, la Cubana salió.

[@lillia5333]

And she did a hell of a job! What a performer Chanel is. Spain should be forever grateful.

[@teacheronthego291]

​​@@lillia5333 She got into Eurovision by cheating. We don't care that she was third. In fact, the viewership of Benidorm Fest 2023 went down. We simply aren't as invested anymore.

[@janmamu8721]

MORE ON Å ( ð æ and ø could also work)

[@velgirtas]

Hello there, I would love it, if you made a video about the Lithuanian song. First of all the song is the first song sung in ESC in Lithuanian language since 1999. There was also a strange case of ex-Yugoslavia countries giving it the most votes of all countries - it's a mystery to me, why they loved that song the most - how did that happen? Last, but not least, the song has some deep lyrics like "He swims (gets washed out) in a black seafoam", which in Lithuanian fairy tales means that the person is no longer alive.

[@gavindoyle692]

Great video as always. Bravo. But seriously, you need to learn how to pronounce “points” in French. It’s sounds a bit like “pwa”. In these days of Google Translate and Duo Lingo, it’s easy to learn how.

[@SVUfannyc]

YES PLEASE DO MUSIC THEORY, IT'S FUN! 🤠🎵 Spaaaa!aaaace-MAAAAHAAN🌠

[@emperoruniversalis9773]

3:23 i actually liked James newman...

[@stekra3159]

Eurovision Europes song battel royal.

[@ljupkadobrosavljevic8267]

Unfortunately, it was always political. My father told me when I was little, which country votes for which. My country was banned from Eurovision for around 10 long years and it is never fair to ban a country. Glad that UK and Spain finally realised that when they send a good song, they will get votes. From which block is Italy, when they get good results? Glad you know nothing, Jon Snow :). You are right about wrong translation. Moldova's song was my favorite, with their beat.

[@vincentstef5708]

what country are you from?

[@ljupkadobrosavljevic8267]

@@vincentstef5708 I was born in Yugoslavia, we were banned as it and Serbia and Montenegro. We got to compete again as Serbia and Montenegro. Now we are only Serbia.

[@vincentstef5708]

@@ljupkadobrosavljevic8267 You are now two separate countries though, why do you still think you can compete together as a country that doesn't exist?

[@ljupkadobrosavljevic8267]

@@vincentstef5708 From which line I made you are making such conclusion?

[@vincentstef5708]

@Ljupka Dobrosavljevic You were never banned, the country just didn't exist anymore so you couldn't compete together

[@sleppehdaze7739]

Wasn't Soldi in two languages? Italian and...I think Arabic?

[@leflyxdvd]

i could help with dutch.