Germany’s Eurovision Ambitions: Raab’s Quest for Redemption
In a bid to revive Germany’s Eurovision fortunes, Stefan Raab has commenced the selection process for the country’s next representative at the prestigious song contest. After sifting through a pool of 24 hopefuls, the legendary host and music producer has shortlisted 14 candidates to advance to the semi-finals of "Chefsache ESC 2025" (RTL, ARD), a reality television format dedicated to the Eurovision Song Contest.
The task of selecting Germany’s entrant falls heavily on Raab’s shoulders, as the nation has endured a string of disappointing results in recent years. Since 2015, Germany has consistently placed among the bottom or near the bottom of the Eurovision scoreboard, tarnishing its once-proud legacy.
A Diverse Array of Contenders
The candidates vying for Eurovision glory represent a wide range of musical genres, reflecting the diversity of Germany’s music scene. Among the early standouts is Moss Kena, a Berlin-based British singer-songwriter. Raab was particularly impressed by Kena’s striking appearance and powerful rendition of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ "Die with a Smile."
The Great Leslie, a British-German indie-rock band featuring German musician Malte, also earned a semi-final berth. Raab praised the band’s unique sound, describing it as "totally British."
Other semi-finalists include From Fall To Spring, a rock band from Saarland; Cloudy June, a Berlin singer; JALN, a Cologne singer; and LYZA, a Berlin singer-songwriter who has amassed a substantial following on TikTok.
Funk, Soul, and High Hopes
LEONORA, a musician from Wuppertal, impressed with her infectious funk song "Good Day," which prompted juror Yvonne Catterfeld to boldly declare that Germany would not "embarrass itself" if she represented the nation at Eurovision.
Raab’s approach to the selection process is markedly more bullish than Catterfeld’s. "The goal can only be first place, otherwise we shouldn’t bother participating," he asserted. For Raab, Germany’s Eurovision ambitions are deeply intertwined with his own legacy, having orchestrated the nation’s victory in 2010 with Lena Meyer-Landrut’s "Satellite."
Raab Takes Center Stage
The "Chefsache ESC 2025" format is tailored to showcase Raab’s Eurovision expertise and serves as a tribute to his enduring influence. The opening episode featured a montage of Raab’s past ESC triumphs, from his composition "Guildo hat euch lieb" for Guildo Horn in 1998 to Lena’s historic victory in 2010.
Raab’s presence dominated the selection process, with the host frequently taking the lead in assessing the performances and even interrupting other jurors at times. As moderator Barbara Schöneberger remarked, "You’re the boss, you can do anything."
From Medieval Metal to Eurovision Ambitions
The semi-finalists also include Feuerschwanz, a medieval-rock band known for their outlandish performances. The band delivered a rousing rendition of "Dragostea din tei," a Romanian pop hit from 2004. Raab commended their audacity for "taking such a crappy song."
Another semi-finalist is Jonathan Henrich, a pianist who is reportedly the son of German comedy star Olli Dittrich, who represented Germany at Eurovision in 2006 as part of the band Texas Lightning.
Rounding out the semi-final lineup are JULIKA, a Düsseldorf singer who performed barefoot, as is Eurovision tradition; Cage, a Cologne musician; COSBY, a Munich band; Abor & Tynna, a sibling duo from Vienna; and Benjamin Braatz, a singer from Hagen.
The Road to Basel
In the semi-finals, scheduled for February 22, the candidates will unveil the original songs they intend to perform at Eurovision. The ESC finale will take place in Basel, Switzerland on May 17.
With Raab at the helm, Germany’s Eurovision journey promises to be an exciting and unpredictable one. Will the nation reclaim its former glory or will the search for a "new Lena" continue? Only time will tell whether Raab’s ambitious quest will bear fruit and restore Germany’s Eurovision standing.
