Eurovision 2025: Did Iceland's Entry Copy Israeli Hit?
When Israeli wedding guests were dancing to "Wedding of the Year" in 2017, they probably never imagined it would spark an international Eurovision controversy. Yet here we are...
What happens when a beloved Israeli wedding banger meets an Icelandic Eurovision hopeful? According to songwriter Ofir Cohen, it's less a match made in heaven and more a case of musical déjà vu.
VÆB, Iceland's folk-pop darlings currently competing in their national Eurovision selection have found themselves in hot water over their song "Róa." The track, which poetically describes life as a rowing journey through challenges, has caught the attention of Cohen - and not in a good way.
"Anyone with ears and common sense understands this is a blatant copy," Cohen told N12, suggesting his 2017 hit "Wedding of the Year" ("Chatunat Hashana") got an unauthorized remix. And he's not alone - music industry professionals and Eurovision songwriters are apparently sliding into his DMs telling him what he already suspects - The Irish entry is just a remake of his hot.
A Tale of Two Tunes
On one side, we have VÆB, known for their youthful energy and folk-influenced bops, insisting their song is as original as Iceland's volcanic landscapes. Their track "Róa" aims to represent Iceland on the glittering Eurovision stage, complete with metaphors about perseverance that would make any motivational speaker proud.
Meanwhile, Cohen's "Wedding of the Year" has been the soundtrack to countless Israeli celebrations since 2017, probably responsible for more first dances than a dance instructor's entire career. Cohen, who also penned the ironically relevant hit "Getting Out of Depression," isn't about to let this musical matrimony go unchallenged.
The Legal Remix
The music industry is watching this unfold like it's the season finale of their favorite drama series. Cohen's legal team is considering actions that could make or break Iceland's Eurovision dreams. VÆB maintains their innocence, though they've been very quiet about the specific allegations they may be facing.
Eurovision's Greatest Hits (and Misses)
This isn't Eurovision's first rodeo with copyright drama - the contest has seen enough similar cases to fill a playlist. While the organizers don't play judge and jury in these situations, they keep a very close watch.
What's Next?
As the story develops, both tracks are under more scrutiny than a teenager's social media by their parents. The outcome could affect not just VÆB's Eurovision journey but also set precedents for future cases of musical "coincidences."
Will this be resolved before Eurovision season hits its peak? Will VÆB's journey to Eurovision face a plot twist?
The Eurovision community watches on, proving once again that in the world of international song contests, there's never a dull moment - just varying degrees of spectacular chaos.
Channel 12 contributed to this article.