Eurovision 2026 Features Song Accused of Glamorising Sexual Strangulation

[DreamyHedgehog]

The Guardian: Romania’s Eurovision Song Criticised for Glamorising Sexual Strangulation”

Romania’s Eurovision song “Choke Me” has been accused of glamorising sexual strangulation. The singer/songwriter claims the lyrics are a metaphor for feeling suffocated by pressure as a young artist and denies any connection to sexual strangulation.

The song will be presented as part of the second semi final for the Eurovision song contest 2026. The live broadcast is scheduled for May 14th at 8pm on BBC 1.

The full song lyrics are:
Phantom
You feel like a phantom
Why do you wanna tame me?
It's hard to breathe in
Do you feel me?
Do what I say
And don't you ever betray me
You are here to obey me
Are you not?
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, choke me, choke me
Born for you to control
I want you to choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Love me, make my lungs explode
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Choke me
Choke me
Choke me
Save me
Inside I'm blazin'
I want you to calm me, calm me, calm me
Calm, my body is begging
Do what I say
And don't you ever betray me
You are here to obey me
Are you not?
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, choke me, choke me
Born for you to control
I want you to choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Love me, make my lungs explode
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
All I need is your love
I want it to choke me, choke me, choke me
Born for you to control
I want you to choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Love me, make my lungs explode
All I need iѕ your love
I wаnt it to choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me
Ch- ch- ch- choke me

What do you think? So far the BBC appears to have approved the song to be broadcast before the 9pm watershed.

According to German media, the Eurovision Song Contest itself is deferring all press requests about the song to TVR (the Romanian broadcaster) - who are denying that the song is anything other than a metaphor.

Artistic expression all the way. I fail to see how this glamourises or could possibly influence anything.

I think it would be fine if it was just a song that existed in the world. There is worse out there.

But I watch Eurovision with my DC and I don’t want them to think its normal or cool for girls to want to be choked. So unless it is changed we won’t watch.

Would you not just have a conversation with them about it and talk about why you think it's problematic?

Normalisation of something that hurts women should not be aired.

Because they are still in primary school, and I’d rather not have to explain to them that some boys like to strangle girls for fun because it’s a trend in porn now.

Also explaining that it’s not okay despite it being on the telly and people cheering for it and singing along is likely to confuse them.

Have you never met a kid? 🤣

Please sign and share our petition against this song: https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-bbc-airing-eurovision-content-that-normalises-violence-against-women