France’s song for this year’s Eurovision is said to be “one of the most personal and emotional songs in the contest”French singer Louane representing France as she performs during the Semi Final Round Two of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Opening Ceremony at Messe Basel in Basel, Switzerland(Image: Getty Images)

The 69th Eurovision Song Contest’s Grand Final will see 26 acts perform as they hope to be crowned the winners of one of the world’s most extravagant singing competitions.

In 2024, Swiss singer Nemo proved to be the favourite with the public with their song, The Code, in in Malmö, Sweden. This year, the contest will take place at Basel in Switzerland. One that is hoping to take the crown is Louane with her song maman for France. As is often the case in Eurovision, France gets a golden ticket into the final as it is one of the “big five” nations.

France alongside the UK, Italy, Spain and Germany skip the semi-final part of the competition and get an automatic qualification for the final because they provide extra financial support to Eurovision.

Another country that gets a golden ticket this year is Switzerland as they are the host country.

In the semi-final this year, the first 10 qualifiers were Estonia, Albania, Sweden, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, San Marino, Portugal and Ukraine.

The second 10 qualifiers are Austria, Finland, Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta and Greece. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.

Here’s everything you need to know about France’s act and their song.

Who is Louane?

As mentioned on the Eurovision website, Louane is a big name in France – both for her singing and acting abilities.

She competed in the French version of The Voice when she was just 16 and won the César Award for the film La Famille Bélier, where she played the lead role of Paula, who is the only member of her family who can hear and speak.

The singer has enjoyed sold-out tours all over Europe and received prestigious awards such as NRJ Music Awards and Victoires de la Musique.

Her ballad maman has reached over six million streams on Spotify.

As some may know, ‘maman’ means ‘mother’ in French, and is said to be a tribute to Louane’s mother, who sadly passed away when the singer was 17.

According to Wiwibloggs, the song is “one of the most personal and emotional songs in the contest: an open letter to her late mother, whom she lost when she was just a teenager”.

Lyrics of Wasted Love

The English translation of this song according to Wiwibloggs:

There are no more one night standsThere are no more bedsIn the end, you seeI’ve built my lifeAnd the emptiness is vastThe questions tooHow are you?Do you see everything here?

I’ve changed a lotI’ve grown up a lotFrom you, I kept everythingThat makes me who I am

I’m better, I know where I’m goingI stopped counting the yearsAnd if I wanted to stop timeNow, it’s me she calls ‘Mum’

Mum…Mum…Mum…

I’ve found indelible loveYou know, the real one, alwaysEven when time fliesWhen he holds my handI’m no longer afraid of anythingAnd it feels like beforeWhen you used to hold my hand

I’m better, I know where I’m goingI stopped counting the yearsAnd if I wanted to stop timeNow, it’s me she calls “Mum”

Mum…Mum…Mum…Mum…Mum…Mum…

I’m better, I know where I’m goingI stopped counting the yearsAnd if I wanted to stop timeNow, it’s me she calls “Mum”Mum, mum, mum, mumMum…

If I wanted to stop timeNow, it’s me she calls“Mum”

The Eurovision Song Contest grand final will be available to watch on BBC and BBC iPlayer from 8pm on tonight, May 17.