The global hit Korean TV series “Squid Game” revives one of Eurovision’s most famous songs in a scene that left viewers stunned, blending nostalgia and irony in a dramatic moment.
In the third and final season of “Squid Game”, which premiered on Netflix on June 27th, 2025, one of Eurovision’s most iconic songs stole the spotlight: “Congratulations” by Cliff Richard, who represented the United Kingdom in 1968, is featured during a particularly dramatic moment in the second episode. The upbeat song, which only secured second place at the time, injects both irony and nostalgia into one of the series’ most suspenseful scenes.
Eurovision and Firearms: Cultural Clash or Surprising Connection?
The choice of this classic song as the musical backdrop for a violent game of hide-and-seek between armed contestants is no coincidence. Precisely where viewers expect tension, a lighthearted melody appears, amplifying the absurdity of the situation. This bold directorial move echoes recurring trends in cinema and television – using “cute” songs to intensify horror (as seen in films like “A Clockwork Orange”). The British song becomes a satirical musical commentary on the futility of the struggle for survival.
In the episode in question, the players are divided into two groups. The “Blue Team” receives keys and must secretly navigate between rooms, aiming to survive the countdown or reach the game’s exit. In contrast, the “Red Team” is armed and tasked with eliminating members of the Blue Team before they can escape. The moment a Blue Team player manages to open the exit door – securing their place in the next round – an unexpected melody suddenly plays: Cliff Richard’s beloved Eurovision hit.
The Song That Lost – And Became a Legend
“Congratulations”, written by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter, was first performed at Eurovision 1968 and lost by just one point to Spain’s winning song, “La La La” by Massiel. Yet, while Spain’s victory has faded from the memory of most younger audiences, Cliff Richard’s song became an international hit – topping the charts in the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Spain itself, and even entering the United States Billboard Hot 100. In 1968, it also reached fourth place on the Australian chart.
The fact that a song which didn’t win the competition is enjoying a renewed life in its sixth decade is not only a testament to the power of music, but also to the paradox at the heart of Eurovision itself: the winners are not always the ones most remembered.
Social Media Reactions: When Past Meets Present
Social media saw some surprising reactions. Some younger viewers had never heard the song but admitted the scene led them to search for it on Spotify afterwards. Others argued that the contrast between the violent aesthetics and the celebratory chorus highlighted the emptiness produced by modern competitive culture.
As someone who has watched Eurovision contests for over 13 years, I felt that the brilliant placement of an old song within a contemporary thriller creates a bridge between eras, styles, and audiences. It’s no coincidence that the choice fell on a song that came so close to victory but ultimately did not win – just as the protagonists of “Squid Game” repeatedly approach their goal, only to find the rules have changed.
Eurovision on Global Television: An Enduring Influence
The appearance of a Eurovision song in such a popular series is further evidence of the competition’s lasting cultural impact, even decades after its heyday. In recent years, we have seen more contemporary songs referenced in films, series, and commercials – but rarely is such an old song chosen, especially from a period when Eurovision was considered less relevant to younger audiences.
Adding to this are reports of the iconic British song’s return to streaming charts in recent days – suggesting we may be witnessing the start of a new wave of nostalgia, where Eurovision classics are once again spotlighted thanks to cross-continental cultural trends.
United Kingdom at Eurovision 2025
The song “What The Hell Just Happened?” was performed by the girl group Remember Monday, representing the United Kingdom at Eurovision. The group finished 19th in the Grand Final with 88 points – all from the juries. While the juries ranked the group 10th, the public gave the Unoted Kingdom zero points, placing the song last.
Despite the United Kingdom’s storied Eurovision history, in the past 25 years, it has managed to reach the Top 10 only three times – in 2002, 2009 and 2022.
Eurovision 2025: This was the 67th participation of the United Kingdom in Eurovision. The United Kingdom joined the competition in 1957 and has won it five times over the years. The United Kingdom’s last victory was in Eurovision 1997 with the song ‘Love Shine A Light’ performed by the band ‘Katrina and the Waves’.
