Cha Cha Cha in a nutshell

Record artwork copyright belongs to Warner Music Finland

"Finland's entry is about how great it is to drink a lot of alcohol." I've seen quite a few comments like this already and I suppose it's not entirely wrong. But it's also a really shallow reading of the lyrics.

In case you don't know the story, this is the setup: a typical Finnish man walks into a bar after a long, heavy, stressful week. He is really rather aggressive and just wants to drink and forget. The dance floor is calling out for him but he stays on his chair, drinking heavily.

And then suddenly something snaps. All the rage melts away, he feels liberated and happy, showering himself in champagne he storms the floor and brings the ugliest moves possible, no longer afraid of the world.

"On a regular day this is not who I am. But today I am that man and I'm going dancing."

Traditionally, Finnish culture has not really allowed a space for men to show emotion or do things like dancing. A real man is strong and quiet and aggressive.

"Cha Cha Cha" is less about drinking yourself to oblivion and more a critique of a society that makes us feel angry and aggressive and forces us to drink before we can express who we really are. A song about toxic masculinity and repressive stereotypical expectations.

Honestly, this guy's true colours shine through at once. Piña colada is hardly the drink of choice of the manliest of men, is it?

Just like some people just refused to believe there was a deeper meaning behind Verka Serduchka back in 2007, there is a similar feeling here. That you couldn't enjoy Käärijä fully if there was more to it than a fun party vibe.

Of course it is a fun party vibe, too. Above all it is a really fun and extraordinary song. Having a deeper meaning just elevates it further.

At the same time in Finland, everyone is going bananas over Käärija, Cha Cha Cha and Eurovision. Regardless of the result on Saturday, we have already won. This is a week the Finnish audience will never forget.