The Eurovision Song Contest is well underway in Liverpool as ten countries from the first semi-final are through to Saturday's Grand Final.
So far, Liverpool has hosted The Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade, the EuroVillage has opened its gates, the Eurovision 2023 Welcome Party has been thrown and the city has transformed for the occasion. Last night, the first live show aired from Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena, with the public, outside the UK, being given the chance to vote for their favourite.
After 15 acts performed, only ten secured a spot in the final - including Käärijä with Finland's entry Cha Cha Cha. Käärijä, whose real name is Jere Pöyhönen, hails from Helsinki and has been making music since 2014.
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Instantly recognisable for his neon green bolero jacket, many superfans have been channelling his look whilst celebrating Eurovision in the city. But the Finnish rapper also boasts being potentially the biggest cult favourite since Verka Seduchka's Dancing Lasha Tumbai in 2007, with fans around Europe becoming rightly obsessed with the catchy song and striking acid-green visuals.
One of the favourites to win the competition, the party track is about enjoying a drink on a night out without a care in the world. According to an English translation, the song begins: "This exhausting week and the many long days are behind. There's only bar and piña colada on my mind.
"There is some time for a few, the night is still youngish. This icy shell is something I have to demolish."
Celebrating happy times, the chorus continues: "Holding on the drinks with both hands tied on them like a Cha cha cha cha cha cha cha. There's no tomorrow when I grab a pint tightly like a Cha cha cha cha cha cha cha.
"Wanna mess my head up and to free my mind of fear like a Cha cha cha cha cha cha cha. And I stay on this seat until I have to climb off it like a couple piña coladas I have devoured.
"Yet the expression I have on my face is sour. There is some time for a few, the night is still youngish.
"This icy shell is something I have to demolish. The floor is calling me when I'm no longer so frozen. Like a cha cha cha I am approachin'."
After the chorus, the song continues: "I head towards dance floor like a cha cha cha. And this world ain't making me scared no more. Like a cha cha cha when champagne all over myself I pour.
"Cha cha cha one eye keeps turning crossed too far. And talking is so hard when this different side of me does its part. Cha cha cha I don't usually go and drop my guard, not me. But now I am that guy, now I am that guy.
"I head towards dance floor like a cha cha cha. And this world ain't making me scared no more. Like a cha cha cha when champagne all over myself I pour."
The UK, along with Ukraine, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, are automatically through to the grand final on Saturday night. Ten more finalists from Thursday's second semi final will go through to Saturday's show.
The second semi-final takes place on Thursday May 11 at 8pm and will feature the same broadcasting line up from the BBC.
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