Eurovision 2026: My Top 15 National Final Songs
I know, I’m very late for this. In fact, it won’t be long until the next national final season begins, which is why I’m very eager to post this and move on to what’s coming up. Nevertheless, I wanted to share these songs with those who may have missed them. I can’t imagine the idea of somebody going through their life without hearing Te un tagad or Lululai at least once!
If I’m being completely honest, I wasn’t as impressed with the national finals this year. They were great, don’t get me wrong, but there weren’t as many that made me go “wow!”. This did give other countries a greater chance to shine. Albania and Latvia are examples of that, but countries like Portugal were certainly a disappointment compared to last year.
That’s why I’m only doing my top 15 this time around, which is still quite a lot if you think about it. Deciding which ones weren’t going to make the cut was very tricky. Any that didn’t will appear as honourable mentions, which you can check out at the end of the article.
Similar to the last piece, I won’t be going into too much detail for each song. I will talk about what it is, what I liked about it, and go over my thoughts on the live performance. Where applicable, I go into the meaning of the song and how it relates to my overall thoughts on the track.
I will be linking videos to the studio and live versions, as well as delving into my predictions on how well I think these songs would’ve done had they gone to Eurovision. I am in no way a music expert, so please prepare yourself for my rather simplistic views on musical production.
With all that out of the way, let's begin.
15th. Emmy - Sykt Fin (Norway)
Starting off with what is almost certainly a guilty pleasure of mine, Sykt Fin is sung by Emmy, whose name might be familiar to not just diehard Eurofans, but even for the casual viewer. The reason for that is because she is the same Emmy responsible for Laika Party, Ireland’s entry in 2025, which failed to qualify to the final.
Whereas that song was quite a morbid entry presented as light-hearted fun, Sykt Fin feels a lot more authentic as a track. It is a standard love song, albeit a somewhat cheesy one lyrically, but there’s vibrancy in both the melody line and the instrumentation.
Emmy’s voice is fantastic, utilising a wide vocal range similar to Laika Party, but with a much more compelling soundscape to back it up. It does still have a whimsical feel to it, similar to her other songs, but it makes for a charming song overall. It never had a chance to compete in the Norwegian national final due to it being outvoted. Robbed.
NOTE: Up until the time of writing, I cannot find any videos online of her performing this song live.
14th. Fran Uccellini - Ako bolje bude sutra (Croatia)
I have a special place for this song because it has the kind of soundscape that strongly appeals to me and my music tastes. Yes, I like sad boy songs, it’s true. And this is a sad song, especially when you go into the extremely well-written lyrics.
The strongest aspect of this song for me is the vocal, and just how detailed it is. From start to finish, there is an echo effect that gradually becomes more prominent as it moves through the verses. It makes the track louder, but also more heartfelt. It’s a song about somebody in pain, and you really feel that.
I love the synths, and the way it all has a nostalgic feel to it. There’s an almost upbeat energy to it that contrasts to the mood of the song, yet it works. Unfortunately, Fran didn’t make it to the final. The vibe of the song didn’t quite translate into the live performance. Regardless, I hope he comes back for another attempt.
13th. Komiat - Lululai (Finland)
A guilty pleasure if ever there was one… actually no, this song is bloody fantastic. UMK is consistently brilliant every year, and the day when that isn’t the case is, without a doubt, confirmation that the world has gone to sh–
Anyway, about the song. The energy is infectious. Upbeat from the get-go and it never really stops. Its repetition is its greatest strength, because even though it’s all in Finnish, you don’t need to understand it to dance and sing along to it. In that sense, it would’ve been the perfect Eurovision song.
As for the live performance, it is literally just the music video. Replicated to an excellent degree, but with the added bonus of a massive crowd dancing along. It is the perfect representation of what UMK is about, and I’m going to stop talking about it before I start ranking it higher.
12th. LEGZDINA - Ribbon (Latvia)
This is one of the more subtle tracks on the list, making it a bit of an underdog, but its subtlety is its brightest charm. Similar to Fran’s song, Ribbon has a nostalgic feel to it, and it is very intimate in its soundscape.
Instrumentally, it feels very restricted but, as a result of that, it all feels warm and comfortable. It also has a unique sound to it that nothing I have listened to in this national final season bears a resemblance to.
Its minimalism is carried over into its live performance, with rather straightforward staging. Whether or not it works is debatable, but it is very colourful. As far as the studio track is concerned, it scratches a very particular itch for me. Maybe it’s those high notes; they are divine.
11th. Sheila - Zemra e Tokës (Albania)
Another one built on its soundscape, Zemra e Tokës is an unusual entry because it’s unlike anything you’re used to hearing when comparing it to other songs related to Eurovision. Its lyrics are minimal, so its hook stems from its vocal presentation.
The result is something I would describe as ‘ethereal’, and I mean that in every sense of the word. It makes you stop what you are doing and leaves you stunned for a few minutes. The amount of detail that goes into the vocal is staggering, with lots of layering and harmonies brought to life by a lot of vocal flexibility.
It’s honestly a difficult song to describe. You just have to listen to it to get it. I don’t think it works quite as well in the live performance, but that’s mainly due to the microphone issues, which, for this song in particular, is a significant detriment.
10th. Ananda - DORA (Croatia)
You know a song has left an impact on you when you remember the first time you listened to it. DORA is one of those songs for me, and it’s all thanks to the chorus. Its impact is enough to give you goosebumps.
It’s a song full of drama. From the grand opening, to the intense strings that give it tension, to the jumpy structure of it all, and the upbeat, high-energy conclusion. It doesn’t have the smoothest transitions in the world, but regardless, it certainly takes you on a ride.
The live performance is fine. Despite having a pretty good selection of songs, Croatia’s national final had plenty of technical hiccups, as usual, which hampered DORA a bit. Vocally, it’s nowhere near as impactful, since the studio track has a heavily altered vocal, but the choreo and stage presence were excellent.
9th. Evengalia - Paréa (Greece)
Paréa does something that no other track on this list does: it plays with timing. This song is about building tension, and while doing so, it constantly teases the listener, all the way until the end when it concludes with one big explosion of sound.
It is the definition of a crowd pleaser, one that practically invites the audience to take part in it without needing to send an invitation. Evengalia is effortlessly cool in the way she handles her performance, mixing classical orchestral style with the iconic Greek sound. It’s a feast for the ears at times.
Despite the somewhat restrictive stage at Greece’s national final, she does her best to leave an impact. She keeps a strong vocal performance on top of all the dancing. One can only imagine how new and improved it would’ve looked on the Eurovision stage.
8th. HVNDS - DOR (Romania)
This has been a huge grower for me and I continue to be floored by it. I am a huge fan of Choke Me, and I am glad it went to Eurovision, but I also would’ve been very happy if DOR went. They are both excellent rock songs, but this goes all in with the heaviness of the sound.
It starts off compelling, but as soon as the chorus hits, it’s like being hit by a truck (in a cool way). High intensity rock that has such a rich sound to it that gave me goosebumps when I first heard it. The chanting that begins afterwards is the chef’s kiss.
The whole song feels like a journey, and it translates excellently on the stage. The energy is there, the lighting is dramatic, the outfits are great. Romania delivered their all this year, and I really hope HVNDS tries again and goes to Eurovision. I’ll be keeping a close eye on this band.
7th. Ermal Meta - Stella Stellina (Italy)
Perhaps one of the most significant songs on this list, Stella Stellina is a heartfelt lullaby dedicated to children whose lives were cut short due to the circumstances they lived in. More specifically, its creation was inspired by the conflict in Gaza, and is committed to the children murdered by Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.
It was by far my favourite in Sanremo this year, both from a lyrical standpoint and in its arrangement. It features flamenco mixed with contemporary elements that create a sombre, yet compelling drive to the song.
I love the way the choruses descend in note, while the verses go in the opposite direction. It’s bouncy in a way that works, catchy in a way that doesn’t detract from its message. This would’ve been a major addition to Italy’s track record in Eurovision. I won’t go into what they went with instead.
NOTE: The video above is not the Sanremo performance, as Sanremo likes to shorten their videos a few weeks after the show concludes.
6th. KIKI - Rakkaudenkipee (Finland)
My second favourite UMK entry this year, (behind Liekinheitin). Rakkaudenkipee is a song about pain caused by a desperation for love so extreme it can make you feel crazy. It’s a song that I think deserves more love because of how striking it is. Quite literally.
It has one of the most memorable choruses on this list because of how piercing those chords are. It’s such an addictive sound that becomes more tense as the song progresses. The final part of the song feels like a barrage on the ears. I’m making it sound unpleasant, but it’s actually very satisfying to listen to, I promise!
I couldn’t believe this came last in UMK. The staging isn’t as interesting as the music video, sure, but the performance was nonetheless impressive. Alas, Finland continues to produce excellent artists, and KIKI is no exception to that.
5th. Myrkur - Touch My Love And Die (Denmark)
A song that is both unnerving and beautiful at the same time, Touch My Love And Die is hard to define genre-wise. It is a cinematic ballad that blends heavy metal with Nordic elements to create something of a ritualistic experience. Funnily enough, Christopher Juul was involved in the making of this track. For those unfamiliar with that name, he is one of the main members of Heilung.
If this was going to Eurovision, it would be one of a kind. There’s constant tension in the backing track with the electric guitars, but the vocal is gentle, creating a distinct contrast that, while pleasant to listen to, keeps you on edge. The incorporation of the nyckelharpa is the star of the show for me. It has such a fantastic sound, and it’s responsible for all the drama in the track.
This is one of the few songs on this list where I would say the live version is even better than the studio cut. Mykur’s stage presence is unmatched, and her vocals are absolutely flawless. The nyckelharpa makes an appearance (I’m a nerd for this sort of thing), and the high notes at the end are sung with a technique known as kulning, which is an ancient form of singing used throughout Nordic history. I love this song.
4th. SHWR - Contact! (Lithuania)
Some of my favourite songwriting on this list can be found in Contact! This was my favourite in the Lithuanian selection. It’s one of the songs that has been stuck in my head the most this national final season, and that’s because it’s so damn catchy.
The verses are addictive to listen to. The way the beat bounces back and forth, with the vocal delivery matching it point for point. I find the production of it all to be really clever. The long notes are the star of the show for me. The last part of the song, in particular, has given me goosebumps multiple times.
They came second in their national final, the second time that has occurred for them now, which is brutal. I can’t guarantee how well they would’ve done at Eurovision, but their live performance was excellent, making brilliant use of the background LEDs. I hope they get their chance again soon.
3rd. Elpo - Blakus (Latvia)
Now is probably a good time to say that Latvia has a brilliant indie music scene. I highly recommend going through Latvian national finals because there are loads of gems to be found there. One such gem is Blakus, a song about losing someone and realising how much you took their presence in your life for granted.
Everything about Blakus is heartfelt, from its production to its delivery. Its focus is building an intimate atmosphere that feels cosy, yet sombre. The underlying emotions become more intense as the song progresses, with each chorus hitting harder than the last.
All that translates beautifully on stage. It’s a subdued performance, but it doesn’t need to be any more than that. The lyrics for the chorus are on the screen, the vocals are perfect and sung with such delicateness. It’s hard not to be slightly emotional when listening to it, especially for those who can relate to its message.
2nd. Kautkaili - Te un tagad (Latvia)
These next two have been fighting for first place ever since I started writing this. Just pretend both of these are my favourite. Te un tagad is a masterpiece. It feels timeless to listen to, and even without looking into the lyrics, you can almost feel what it is about. For music to transcend languages is always special, and Te un tagad does it effortlessly.
It’s also just an incredibly confident track. It radiates charisma. The lead singer brings a warm presence, and the instrumental carries it even further. There’s a lot going on in the background. Every time I listen to it, I hear new details in the music. It all works beautifully, with nothing feeling out of place.
Kautkaili brought the best staging on this list for their live performance thanks to the way they play with perspective. Its surrealism doesn’t take away from the meaning of the song. Instead, it’s just really clever, and it highlights the band’s charm. I still can’t wrap my head around how they did it, and I haven’t quite seen anything like it in Eurovision.
1st. LANA X Đorđe- Temperatura (Montenegro)
One of the first songs I listened to this national final season, and probably one of the songs I have listened to the most this year. Temperatura has a lot of ideas, thus making it quite a frenetic song. Against all odds, it hits the nail on the head with all of them.
It doesn’t follow a typical structure that a lot of other songs do, and it constantly changes itself before it gets a chance to settle down. There are a lot of dramatic moments that, despite their variable pace, never take away from the anthemic nature of the song. It’s completely unpredictable, and yet easy to sing along to.
I just wish they stuck the landing with the live performance. What’s there is fine, but they should’ve gone much harder with the presentation. It felt stiff and lacked energy. It’s a shame because if it did present itself better, I could’ve foreseen a really high result for Montenegro. Ah well, what could’ve been. It doesn’t take away from what is an absolutely fantastic piece of music.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. My top 15 favourite national final songs of Eurovision 2026. I suppose the next big question after all this is, if they had gone to Eurovision, how well would they have done? Well, I’m terrible at predictions, but alas, I’ll give it a go.
I’m going to be very brutal and say that most of these probably wouldn’t have done very well. If we were to take the live performances as they are, I could see a few making the cut. Stella Stellina would have been an automatic qualifier, and given Italy’s track record, a top 10 result is a guarantee.
With upgraded stagings, Paréa and DOR would do rather well, as they’re both crowd pleasers and would look very dramatic on camera. Lululai and Rakkaudenkipee would qualify, but I doubt either one could garner a high score. The same goes for Contact!
Touch My Love and Die and Te un tagad would be reliant on their presentation. Te un tagad wouldn’t need to change their staging much to be noticed, I think. I could also see a scenario where Touch My Love and Die would be a borderline qualifier.
I couldn’t see any of the others on this list qualifying as they are, which is a shame because even the ones that did great in their live performances would likely struggle to stand out on the Eurovision stage. Like I said with Temperatura, if their stage presence was better, I could easily see a top 10 result.
Those are just my thoughts, though. I would love to read your opinions on all of this. Make sure to share some of your favourites in the comments below. I wasn’t able to listen to every single national final song, so I’m sure I’ve missed a few gems!
Honourable Mentions
Atikin - Deganti Zemele (Lithuania)
Basically all of UMK, again (Finland)
Denise - Trophy (Malta)
Dolce Hera - Casanova 91 (Montenegro)
Rigersa Loka - Albanian Heart (Albania)
Sander Silva, Victorjus - Fritt Fall (Norway)
Sara Kapo - Te dua shume (Albania)
Zevin - My Mind (Croatia)
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