Ireland's Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry reimagines tragic historic dog story

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is all set to witness Ireland's Emmy tug at heartstrings with a tragically poignant song.

Get ready for the iconic spectacle, as 26 nations prepare to dazzle on stage at St Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, come Saturday, May 17.

Ireland will be represented by Norwegian singer Emmy will be performing a song with a tragic backstory but with an upbeat rhythm.

Her track Laika Party pays homage to Laika, the Soviet space dog and the first living being to orbit Earth in 1957.

Despite the tragic end to Laika's mission, where she perished from overheating and stress after 10 days, Emmy and her co-writers reframe the narrative to celebrate the canine's bravery and contribution to space exploration.

The lyrics poignantly capture the story: "She got sent away, but she wasn't afraid. Though she was alone in the dark big space.

"Left the cheering crowd, went above the clouds. Rocket goin' high, then they said goodbye.

"She still wonders why, but she loves to fly."

In the song, Emmy delivers hope that "Laika never died" and imagines her joyously dancing "among the stars", culminating in the feel-good refrain "Laika party in the sky".

Speaking with the BBC, Emmy shared: "I've heard her story since I was a little kid, but it came to me again as an adult and I thought about how extremely sad her story really is.

"I wanted to create a scenario where she gets to be happy and alive instead."

Despite facing an initial setback when Norway passed her over for Eurovision, singer Emmy was presented with a fresh opportunity to perform on the international stage, this time representing Ireland.

The twist in Emmy's Eurovision tale came after she connected with Irish songwriter Larissa Tormey at a music camp, who penned Laika Party, the very track Emmy would go on to perform.

She elaborated: "It felt natural to submit the song for Ireland."

"[Larissa] said she thought this song would fit Ireland, because of their love for animals... we decided to submit it and I'm so glad we did."

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 grand final airs on Saturday, May 17, from 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.