The 2023 Eurovision song contest is just around the corner, with the first semi-final taking place in Liverpool tomorrow night.
Sweden are the favourites to win it this year, which would see them match Ireland's record of seven victories. As for the Irish entry, you wouldn't hold out much hope that it is going to perform well.
As is the case every year, this edition of Eurovision will see some rather strange songs be performed on stage over the course of the week.
Here are five of the stranger ones.
Strangest 2023 Eurovision entries
Finland
Let's start with one of the favourites for this year's competition.
Sweden are the most likely nation to win the 2023 Eurovision, but Finland are just behind them in the betting as things stand. The song is a bit mental, although it's quite catchy.
29-year old Helsinki rapper Käärijä is certainly one of the more unique artists to feature in Liverpool.
Serbia
This song in itself is not all that strange, although it does not necessarily fall into the type of pop category you would normally expect at Eurovision.
What tips it over the edge is the staging, which features dancers in medical masks and jumpsuit, tied to what looks like a massive oyster in the middle of the stage. They also move like zombies, so there's that.
The song does take a somewhat odd turn towards the end when artist Luke Black uses something reminiscent of Mongolian throat singing.
Austria
This is an interesting one.
The verse of this effort is normal by Eurovision standards, but the chorus definitely stands out. The title Who The Hell
Is Edgar? is a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, with the chorus just repeatedly 'Poe'.
The bridge also stands out and there is definitely a horror theme to the song, something that is befitting of the title. It is catchy to be fair.
Germany
When a song is called Blood & Glitter, you know you're going to be in for a treat.
Germany's entry for 2023 is certainly a feast for the senses, with both staging and the song itself likely to stand out on the night of the final. We don't necessarily mean that as a compliment.
Lord and Lost are a strange mix between heavy metal and some sort of cheap synth-pop, with the song being a mash-up of the two.
If you were ever wondering what a mix between Lordi and WWE wrestler Goldust would look like, wonder no more.
Croatia
We have saved the best for last.
Mama ŠČ, which google translate reliably informs us means 'mama, ssh' in English, is a downright bizarre song. Not only does it repeat strange lyrics like 'mama bought a tractor' and 'mama kissed a moron', but it also undergoes a strange change of pace from chanting to screaming. There are also mentions of crocodiles and psychopaths later in the song.
The band Let 3, who have been around since the late 1980s, are known for their strange lyrics and song titles.
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