The Eurovision entry for Iceland paints a dystopia: a horrific, fictional society. A society full of dismal elements that can best be described by using a word such as ‘sinister’. The lyrics for Hatrið mun sigra (‘Hatred shall prevail’) reads as the musical reincarnation of the science fiction novel Brave new world (published in 1932). And yet… the guys from Hatari haven’t just travelled to … »

He was responsible for perhaps the most talked-about Israeli Song Contest entry of all time: Sameyakh. A song with rather suggestive lyrics (‘I want to do it with him all day long’) and an act (flying the Syrian flag) that tormented many Israeli television viewers. Nineteen years later, he – Roy ‘Chicky’ Arad – is a celebrated author and successful … »