The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2025. Next we review Sweden, who have chosen KAJ with “Bara Bada Bastu”.
Have we embraced the sauna fever? Read on to find out!
KAJ – “Bara Bada Bastu” (Sweden Eurovision 2025)
Review: KAJ – “Bara Bada Bastu”
Simon: Having followed KAJ all the way from their first rehearsal at the heat in Malmö, this has to be the biggest pleasant surprise of the year. While “Bara Bada Bastu” might be seen as a novelty act, this trio knows how to perform on stage. They have their craftmanship down to the point and they present a package that is both likeable and memorable. You know an entry works when it’s performed in a non-English language and it gets stuck in your head immediately, and this sauna hymn does just that. Finally, Sweden are getting loved by the public again, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we go to Stockholm in 2026.
Score: 10
William: Laugh at KAJ and the joke’s on you: This is a rightful contender to win it all in Basel. Sure, the feel-good song has the “joke factor” — the cabin, the woods, the viral dance moves, and the overly serious Axel mouthing “sauna” with the sensuousness of a siren. Yet it’s built on incredible musical foundations. It progresses continuously, has an anthemic, easy-to-remember chorus, and stealthily weaves in a dark interlude that ultimately erupts in a sauna-rave. Sweden’s entries are always polished, but this one is also fun and full of heart. Bravo!
Score: 8.5
Deban: Infectious with its composition and brimming with charm, “Bara Bada Bastu” is the feel-good song of 2025. This steamy sauna number works well in all temperatures, and its chart presence in much of Scandinavia is solid proof. Melodifestivalen’s formula often favours cookie-cutter pop tracks. This year, telemeters took an unusual turn when they voted a Finnish comedy trio to represent them at Eurovision. Not many acts can successfully fuse musicality with charisma and humour. Indeed, KAJ have won me over for being the triple-threat underdog with a heart.
Score: 7.5
Tom: Well, this is a surprise. Sweden have chosen a song in Swedish (and Finnish) and I couldn’t be happier! Easily the most fun song of Eurovision 2025. But not only that, it’s actually excellent. It feels utterly authentic. They didn’t make a song about love, heartbreak, peace, or any of the usual topics (these of course are all great before anyone jumps on me), and I appreciate that KAJ have a song which is unlike anything you will hear again — unless they win and people continue to sing songs about saunas. Fresh, funny and a fantastic choice. The juries might not take it as seriously but that’s fine. We are all proud of Sweden this year.
Score: 8.5
Sweden Eurovision 2025 ranking
In the Eurovision 2025 Wiwi Jury, we have 17 jurors but only have room for four reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Andreas: 10 Antranig: 9 Bernardo: 7.5 Burak: 8.5 Cinan: 7.5 Jonathan: 8.5 Jordi: 8.5 |
Lucy: 7 Pablo: 9 Ruxandra: 10 Scarlett: 6.5 Suzanne: 6.5 Tomas: 7.5 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a high of 10 and a low of 6.5.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 8.27/10
What do you think of Sweden’s Eurovision 2025 entry? Share your own score and review for KAJ’s “Bara Bada Bastu” below!
Bada Bada Bastu is a mediocre song with a terrible staging that would be immediately scorned by the fandom if it were released under any other banner than the Swedish one. That’s the truth.
“Bada Bada Bastu” is a well-written song by formula that uses an accordion as a familiar sound to bring people together to enjoy a sauna. The song does the following: Accordion is used to bring people together. Song starts in A melodic minor, and uses a bit of soft untuned rap to frame the melody later. It gives us a melodic hook of a fifth. (Ohh-eh-oh-eh-oh). It uses spoken word to frame “one, two, three” and “sauna”. It has a unison Chorus with a tune that everyone can sing. It repeats steps 1-5. It has a Bridge that repeats the… Read more »
O Alexander could return to perform “Steam Room” with tasteful choreography.
Where we’re all These Musical praises (justification of high Jury Scores, which we will also get at the Contest, its Sweden after all) for “FUN” Songs Like Trenuletul.
Im kinda salty sweden can get away with Everything and every entry they send is viewed differently Always from the This Is what Sweden send perspectice (If that makes Sense i understandable)
I love that they’re finally sending a Swedish language song and that they sent something different for once. No generic pop song with the same formula as they have been doing for ages (even though it almost always works). Wasn’t so sure about it at first, but now it’s my number 2. I just love the vibes tbh
This song, although nice, seems like a less exciting version of Samir & Viktor’s “Bada nakna på Sergels torg” (MF 2016), and the show, although also nice, a repeat of the sauna interval act last year (minus the moomin trolls). I’m sorry but I simply cannot understand why so many put this ahead of so many of the other entries this year.
The kind of funny song that gets hyped but I’m never able to enjoy. Yeah, might be entertaining but I can’t take this seriosly as a real option to win. Average at best for me. Might be alone in this this time. Good thing it is in Swedish though. My final top: 1. Lithuania (7.75) 2. Austria (7.75) 3. Cyprus (7.5) 4. Azerbaijan (7.5) 5. Germany (7.5) 6. Belgium (7.25) 7. Finland (7.25) 8. Albania (7.25) 9. Armenia (6.75) 10. Czech Republic (6.75) 11. Spain (6.75) 12. Latvia (6.75) 13. Italy (6.75) 14. Malta (6.75) 15. Australia (6.75) 16. France (6.75) 17. Portugal (6.75) 18. Switzerland (6.75) 19. The Netherlands (6.75) 20. Greece (6.5) 21. Norway (6.5) 22. San Marino (6.5) 23. Poland… Read more »
If this song was sent by another small country like Moldova etc., No one was overhyping it in such a way 🙁
The most overrated song of Eurovision 2025.
And why is that so? I remember Moldova getting 2nd place in televoting quite recently (2022), do you think it would be 1st if Sweden sent it? No, it wouldn’t, it still would lose to Ukraine.
It the televoting results showed us something in recent years, is that everyone can be a contender for the top finish. Baby Lasagna didn’t win the televoting because Croatia is a Eurovision powerhouse, or because “iT’s CrOaTiA sO pEoPlE wIlL oBvIoUsLy VoTe FoR tHeM”, but because many people loved the song.
And if it was by Moldova it would have won the televoting by a landslide
I completly agree.
No hate for the Song. The Song will get an very very high Jury Score at the Contest. Other countries that also send FUN Songs didnt. And its only because its Sweden.
Hi folks!
I am so happy we were able to send these amazing guys and fab song!
I’ve wished for so long that we could send one our mello/Esc intervals and this now really feels like one and more.
I do want these guys all success and to win, but for myself I am just happy that they are there ,spreading their warmth, fun and happiness ???
I like this song. If they were representing any other country, I would foresee a top 5. Being Sweden, I predict a victory.
Nevertheless, I like that Sweden took risks and went out of the commercial pop path.
Also, that they sing in Swedish. I remember a couple of years ago, I did a comment in this website, asking when Sweden would finally sing in Swedish. And some angry fans replied to me that we don’t understand that some languages do just not sound good for singing. See? Those people were absolutely wrong about that.
I generally like the song and I was very happy when they won over Mans, but this has gone far too away. I don’t think this song should be the contender for the win. If they didn’t win in 2023 I think I would be more interested in it.
I’m honestly shocked they gave this more than 8. It doesn’t seem like their thing.
Now that we have the wiwi score for all 37 songs, I think this top 13 of yours is fire: Finland, Albania, Sweden, Malta, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Denmark, Australia and Spain. The only country I would definitely remove from top 10 is Germany but it’s only my taste.
Thank you Wiwibloggs for giving credit to songs and artists that are massively overlooked by the fans! Belgium, Australia and Denmark all are top 10 materials.
Great, funny and very entertaining tune. Everything is executed perfectly, with precision. Altho not my fav, I would not be mad (for once!) if Sweden won. I expect them to, in all honesty.
A fun, catchy novelty song which I do enjoy listening to. However, part of me feels like this song was created by AI to be the most eurovisionary sounding song ever.
The contest has moved on. Whist we do need some fun songs, it cannot hanker back to the days of cheesy pop songs other wise the whole contest will become a joke again.
I’d be ok if this was top 10 but for the sake of the contest, I would be mortified if this wins.
God forbid people have fun and are entertained and using the contest for escapism
This song cannot be created by AI. It’s full of genuine Nordic anecdotes and tongue-in-cheek humour. The song you’re referring to is Revolution.
The cover art of Revolution was actually created by AI. Someone made a list of the original paintings that had been used in it and there are some deformed butterflies.
I’m honestly boycotting ESC, but this is the only song I’ve listened to. It’s freaking hilarious.
I like this song very much
That fact that everyone likes it who doesn’t even speak Swedish gives it Winner Vibes. And the performance definitely is one of the best Eurovision Performances in many years. Fantastic Staging and choreography all rolled into being upbeat and feel good.
Let’s be honest
If this song was from another country, it would be NQ.
It’s really nothing special. Nothing.
Even the music is generic. But at this point, if Sweden sends a cat, will be in top 3.
Nowadays, people vote ror the country -only-
Imagine this was from the UK, the hate would be massive
SWEDEN – Even if Swedish ESC entries are usually quality and highly competitive, they often tend to be safe and predictable. Thankfully, they finally threw that formula out of the window and brought their most entertaining and most charming package in a long time. Bara Bada Bastu is a very simple song in its concept: It’s a fun and incredibly catchy song about bathing in a sauna. The band being Swedish-Finnish and using words from both languages adds to the authenticity and relatability they ooze. KAJ are simply adorable, yet very professional, and always well-coordinated on stage. The song is… Read more »
So it turns out all Sweden needs to do for success is to go off-brand (and over to Finland) while using another formula song from Melfest. Re-package and send = success and 10/10. It’s too easy for them. I admire the song’s perfection and the concept, but where is the artistry?
Food for thought: Will this song turn out to be the “ESC winner for philistines”? Because, even people who can’t stand music will be singing this song. 😀
Musically, it really is nothing special. It’s essentially a Schlager with a sauna theme. What I love is that Sweden is sending a song in Swedish because nobody thought that could ever happen again and Jacob is so charming that you simply can’t feel negative towards this entry. It is hilarious how this clearly wasn’t meant to win the NF and now Sweden are yet again to tipped to win Eurovision altogether with that. Funny how things can turn out.
When I first heard this song during the Melodifestivalen heats, I never for a moment thought it could represent Sweden. It was too reminiscent of other entries like Samir and Viktor – fun, lovable, but the producers never intended it to win. It was there for the sake of variety.Filler in the “fun” slot.Not because of lack of quality, just because there have been many previous entries along the same lines that never made to the Eurovision final. What makes this one different? I’ve grown to love it, mostly because of KAJ themselves. Despite being “Sweden”, they have a certain… Read more »
I like this song but I have the feeling that if It wins the Contest in 2 years It Will be only “the song which won Eurovisión 2 years ago”.
So like most winners then?
Well, let’s be honest: this year is not great. Any song will be “the song that won two years ago”.
So like almost every ESC winner then?
Sweden – Perkele! I adore this song! I’ve waited years for Sweden to send a Silly Song(tm) and they finally did it. Massive fun all around, the lads are really funny and charming, and I will ALWAYS dance around the house to it. If Sweden gets their record 8th win with this one, then so be it. 9.5/10
If this song had been sent by somewhere like San Marino or Montenegro, it would have scored 4.3, and be laughed off stage.
True, unfortunately
Isn’t this repeated every year under Sweden’s wiwi jury?
8th place: Sweden: Just when people where getting tired of Sweden winning utilizing the same formula, they startwd following the formula that produced two televoting winners in a row in 2023 and 2024: and if you ask me they created a song with more chances to win again that the equally fun and great Cha cha cha and Rim tim tagi dim. The song is fun and clever, the staging is slick and the guys are great performers. I wouldn’t mind this song winning ESC and will definitely be a moment during both the semi and the Grand Final!
And to think vibe on Mello this year was “we want to do well, but not TOO well”
Sweden wanted to look for copper, but they found ambergris-covered, diamond-encrusted gold.
Every time this song comes up, happiness abounds. Entertaining, fun,but still a killer track on its own, with great vocals too.
The bookies, the charts, and the overall support can’t be wrong: this is ESC’s winner of 2025!
Sweden 10,5/12 !
Only Poland deserves the trophy tbh, Kaj is 7/10
It’s ok but Poland should win this year
I will vote for Justyna #gopoland
The song is interesting, funny and just nice but with Justyna in the contest, they shouldnt win. She has the vocal, the power, the show!
Them winning in Sweden was so good for Melodifeativalen. I was rooting for them. However, I am not sure them winning Eurovision ia the best thing for the contest. I don’t want to get back to the funny, over the top, joke entries. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t consider them as a joke entry, its so polished and very good produced, but I can very well see a delegation next year seeing this winning and going with a joke entry. Even if they win, I wouldn’t be sad, I love it. I am just worried for the effect it… Read more »
Not only winners have an effect of influence with the upcoming entries tho. or how delegations will move.
At some point, something fun and feel-good will again Eurovision. And there’s nothing wrong about it imo. Or for the contest’s future.
May I ask which entry winning would do good for the contest? (Apart from Albania which is the obvious answer and rightfully so)
Not only winners have an effect of influence with the upcoming entries tho. or how delegations will move.
At some point, something fun and feel-good will again Eurovision. And there’s nothing wrong about it imo. Or for the contest’s future.
May I ask which entry winning would do good for the contest? (Apart from Al ba nia which is the obvious answer and rightfully so)
Not only winners have an effect of influence with the upcoming entries tho. or how delegations will move.
At some point, something fun and feel-good will again Eurovision. And there’s nothing wrong about it imo. Or for the contest’s future.
May I ask which entry winning would do good for the contest? (Apart from Alban/a which is the obvious answer and rightfully so)
Not only winners have an effect of influence with the upcoming entries tho. or how delegations will move.
At some point, something fun and feel-good will again Eurovision. And there’s nothing wrong about it imo. Or for the contest’s future.
May I ask which entry winning would do good for the contest?
Times change. At some point a fun comedy song will win. I mean just look at the world around. People want to laugh. You seem to confuse humor with joke acts. A joke act will never win because they are not serious. But a good humor act like this can win because it is professionals doing it. They are serious about their comedy. Same with Baby Lasagna last year. It was a contender cause it actually had substance. Like KAJ
No thx. Next
I like it but PLEASE dont win.
I can say with 100% certainty that this won’t win
You can say it, but that doesn’t mean you are right
It’ll win the televote. Only jury will stop them with Austria or France.
One of those three will combine to win
It’s so weird how people complain about Sweden, and they complain about comedy/novelty songs – and yet this seems universally well liked!
Maybe that’s the power of sauna!
16. Sweden – Bara Bada Bastu – 7/10 – this is an acceptable toe-tapper and the chorus has a pleasant, folksy element. The song is let down by the gimmicky sauna theme, which I find grating and as an overall offering I prefer other tracks in this folksy genre that didn’t make it to the finals. I still can’t escape the gnawing thought that there is something artificial about Bara Bada Bastu. But the entry is overall ok. I do find the overwhelming support for it to be perplexing.
What do you mean the gimmicky sauna theme?
gimmick: a trick intended to attract attention, publicity, or trade.
But the song is about sauna culture and the staging reflects that. It’s a tribute to a important part of their culture It’s not gimmick. A gimmick is like that Windows guy from last year
It’s literally an ode to their culture.
Most Finnish and Swedish people do not spend time in saunas.
Not all the time no. But it’s still a part of the culture