Poison Cake
| "Poison Cake" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Marko Bošnjak | ||||
| Released | 10 January 2025 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:58 | |||
| Label | Aquarius | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Bas Wissink | |||
| Marko Bošnjak singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Poison Cake" on YouTube | ||||
| Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry | ||||
| Country | ||||
| Artist(s) | ||||
| Language | English | |||
| Composer(s) |
| |||
| Lyricist(s) |
| |||
| Entry chronology | ||||
| ◄ "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" (2024) | ||||
"Poison Cake" is a song by Bosnian Croat singer-songwriter Marko Bošnjak. Described as story of revenge and standing up for oneself, the song was released on 10 January 2025 through Aquarius. It was written by Bošnjak, together with Bas Wissink, Ben Pyne, Emma Gale, and Filip Majdak. The song will represent Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.
Background
[edit]Bošnjak received a "rough demo" version of "Poison Cake" from Emma Gale, Ben Pyne and Bas Wissink, stating that they "would really like [Bošnjak] to submit [the song] to Dora". The lyrics were written by the UK-based Gale and Ireland-based Pyne, while the production was handled by the Netherlands-based Wissink.[2][3] Bošnjak stated that, "in contrast to other material [he is] sent to submit to Dora, this one really clicked" with him. He completed the song with the Dugave-based Croatian producer Filip Majdak. The duo made the track sound "cathartic and wild and not really linear". Bošnjak credited Majdak for the influences of industrial metal on the song, and revealed that he even wanted Majdak to scream on the track.[4]
Bošnjak stated that making this song had been "revolutionary for him personally. It had transformed him both as an artist and as a person, and had released him from the shackles of expectations that he has to make only emotional Balkan ballads." He dubbed it his "Hannah Montana went Miley Cyrus" moment.[4]
Composition
[edit]Inspired by fairytales like "Snow White" and "Hansel and Gretel", as well as the film The Help (2011), the song is described as a story of revenge and standing up for yourself. It is further described as a track of "vengeful emotions, anger, and a desire for justice, told through a powerful metaphor of depriving those who have abused their position."[5][6]
Bošnjak, in addition, said that "Poison Cake" is something completely new to him. He added, "the song is energetic and it's about something totally unexpected from me, as a musician. I think the song is of multidimensional meaning and that everyone can recognize it and experience it in their own way."[7] Wiwibloggs described the song as "[mixing] pop, garage, opera and some very dark industrial beats".[5]
Release
[edit]On 5 December 2024, the list of Dora 2025 contestants was revealed, confirming Bošnjak's participation with "Poison Cake".[8][9] He had previously taken part in Dora 2022 with "Moli za nas", finishing second behind Mia Dimšić with "Guilty Pleasure".[10] Vocal about his desire to win Dora as an Eurovision fan,[11] he soon became one of the favourites for victory.[12][13] On 10 January 2025, all the Dora entries were released, including "Poison Cake".[14] On 31 March 2025, Bošnjak released the acoustic version of the song.[15]
Critical reception
[edit]During an interview in the Croatian television show IN magazin, Croatian singer and actress Maja Šuput gave a positive remark on the song. She commented that "Poison Cake" was marginal for her, describing the song as "both sweet and a little demonic", and ended up supporting Bošnjak.[16] Moreover, in an interview with Croatian online newspaper Index.hr, Serbian singer Milica Pavlović commented that she liked the song, its stage performance in Dora 2025, and "the way it goes through multiple roles".[17] On the other hand, Josip Bošnjak, writing for the same publication, commented that the song "tries too much, and none of it quite succeeds". He further wrote, "imagine copying 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by lifting the structure, but inserting uninspired melodies and lyrics inside".[18]
Following his Dora victory, however, Bošnjak was the target of widespread homophobic backlash online, and the song was accused of being "satanic".[2]
Promotion
[edit]Music video
[edit]The music video for "Poison Cake" was released on 21 February 2025.[4] The video is heavily charged with symbolism: a green poison which Bošnjak pours over a cake symbolises injustice and the beginning of transformation, it is a metaphor for "all that is forbidden and suppressed in life"; a two-meter long Indian python symbolises danger, changes and liberation, it is the "opposite of security and usual norms, bringing about change that is inevitable"; the scene of Ophelia in the water is the element of "Romanticism and evokes classic fairytales, but in a more disturbing and darker manner"; the mirrors in the video reflect "internal struggles and the search for identity, and the deep, reflective scenes create a sense of inner conflict – between innocence and dark desires." Ultimately, the video features a magical tree and apples, which are allusions to fairytales such as "Snow White". The apples symbolise "temptations, but also the rewards that come through revenge, while the magical tree gives the feeling of a mysterious world in which everything can be transformed."[19]
Live performances
[edit]To promote "Poison Cake" before the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Bošnjak announced his intent to participate in various Eurovision pre-parties. It was first announced that he will be performing at Eurovision in Concert 2025 held at AFAS Live Arena in Amsterdam on 5 April 2025.[20] He also confirmed to be participating at the London Eurovision Party 2025 on 13 April 2025 to be held at Here at Outernet.[21] Further, he confirmed to be performing at PrePartyES 2025 on 19 April 2025 to be held at Sala La Riviera in Madrid.[22][23]
Eurovision Song Contest 2025
[edit]Dora 2025
[edit]Dora 2025 was the national final format organised by Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) to select the Croatian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. For 2025, the competition saw 24 entries competing across two semi-finals, held between 27 and 28 February 2025, and a final on 2 March 2025.[24] The qualifiers for the final from each phase were determined exclusively by a public televote, with the top eight entries from each semi-final qualifying for the final.[25] The winner of the final was then selected by a 50/50 combination of votes from a professional jury and the Croatian public via televoting.[26]
"Poison Cake" was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, and was announced as one of the eight qualifiers in the semi-final.[27] In the final, the song performed 13th in the running order. It scored 83 points from the jury, placing first, and 47 points from televoting, placing fourth. With a combined total of 130 points, it ultimately won the contest and the Croatian spot for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.[28][29]
At Eurovision
[edit]The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and will consist of two semi-finals to be held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025.[30] During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Croatia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show.[31]
Commercial performance
[edit]In the week of 20 January 2025, "Poison Cake" debuted at number 31 on HR Top 100,[32] which tracks the airplay of songs released by Croatian labels. Upon winning Dora, in the week of 10 March 2025, its eighth consecutive week on the chart, "Poison Cake" reached its peak of number one.[33]
Track listing
[edit]Digital download/streaming[34]
- "Poison Cake" – 2:56
Digital download/streaming – Acoustic version[35]
- "Poison Cake" (Acoustic) – 2:45
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Croatia Domestic Airplay (HR Top 100)[33] | 1 |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 10 January 2025 | Original | Aquarius | ||
| 31 March 2025 | Acoustic |
References
[edit]- ^ Griffiths, George (19 March 2025). "The Official Charts Guide to Eurovision 2025: Semi-final running order, full list of contestants and more". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
- ^ a b V. M.; Nedjeljom u dva (30 March 2025). "Marko Bošnjak: Sve velike korake napravio sam glavom kroz zid". Croatian Radiotelevision (in Croatian). Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Gannon, Rory (27 February 2025). "Marko Bošnjak: "We were inspired by some of the greatest fairytales"". That Eurovision Site. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ a b c Plovanić, Edo (21 February 2025). "Marko Bošnjak: Nakon Porina – KFC, a nakon Dore – Eurosong?". Muzika.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ a b Adams, William Lee (11 January 2025). "What does "Poison Cake" even mean? Marko Bosnjak explains his Dora 2025 song in Croatia". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Rožman, Klara (10 January 2025). "Marko Bošnjak jedan je od favorita ovogodišnje Dore: 'Poison Cake' već je pri vrhu YouTube trendinga" [Marko Bošnjak is one of this year's Dora favorites: 'Poison Cake' is already at the top of YouTube trends]. Jutarnji list (in Croatian). Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Marko Bošnjak sa spotom za "Poison Cake" spreman osvojiti Doru i Eurosong!" [Marko Bošnjak with the video for "Poison Cake" ready to win Dora and Eurovision!]. Aquarius Records (in Croatian). 21 February 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Farren, Neil (5 December 2024). "Croatia: Dora 2025 Artists Revealed". Eurovoix News. Archived from the original on 5 December 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ H. L. (5 December 2024). "Objavljen je popis natjecatelja za Doru 2025., na popisu i Magazin s novom pjevačicom!". Showbuzz (in Croatian). Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ H. L. (5 December 2024). "Na Doru se vraća i glazbenik koji je 2022. godine zamalo pobijedio, a radio je u fast foodu da bi preživio". Showbuzz (in Croatian). Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Na Dori će se opet natjecati pjevač (20) koji je 2022. osvojio drugo mjesto". Index.hr (in Croatian). 5 December 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "VIDEO Marko Bošnjak iz Rame trenutačno je favorit za pobjedu na ovogodišnjoj Dori". Večernji list (in Bosnian). 26 February 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Tomljanović, Meri; Ozmec-Ban, Tina; Čenić, Sara Lea (28 February 2025). "Marko Bošnjak: 'Super je biti favorit, vjerujem u pobjedu', a Ogenj otkrio gdje im je svinja..." 24sata (in Croatian). Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Predstavljene sve pjesme za Doru 2025. Prema prvim reakcijama ove su favoriti". N1 Hrvatska (in Croatian). 10 January 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Objavljena akustična verzija pjesme "Poison Cake"". Croatian Radiotelevision (in Croatian). 31 March 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ "Maja Šuput komentirala je pjesmu pobjednika Dore, evo što misli o našem predstavniku!" [Maja Šuput commented on the winner's song Dora, here's what she thinks about our representative!]. Dnevnik.hr (in Croatian). 5 March 2025. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Milica Pavlović o hrvatskoj pjesmi za Eurosong: Super će to proći u Baselu" [Milica Pavlović on the Croatian song for Eurovision: It will go well in Basel]. Index.hr (in Croatian). 3 March 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Bošnjak, Josip (3 March 2025). "Jutro poslije Dore: Grubo buđenje" [The Morning After Dora: A Rude Awakening]. Index.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Vulić, S. (27 February 2025). "Marko Bošnjak donosi spot za pjesmu Poison Cake". Radio and Television of Montenegro (in Montenegrin). Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ van Waarden, Franciska (16 March 2025). "Croatia: Marko Bošnjak Confirmed for Eurovision in Concert". Eurovoix News. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (23 March 2025). "London Eurovision Party: KAJ & Marko Bošnjak Join The Line-Up for LEP 2025". Eurovoix News. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ Hernández, José García (29 March 2025). "El croata Marko Bošnjak invitará a poison cake en la PrePartyES 2025" [Croatian Marko Bošnjak will be hosting a poison cake at PrePartyES 2025.]. Eurovision Spain (in European Spanish). Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (31 March 2025). "PrePartyES: Marko Bošnjak & Tommy Cash Confirmed for PrePartyES 2025". Eurovoix News. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
- ^ "Croatia 2025: Your 'Dora' final preview". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Farren, Neil (19 February 2025). "Croatia: Dora 2025 Details Revealed". Eurovoix News. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Pravila glasanja na natjecanju "Dora 2025."" [Voting rules for the "Dora 2025" competition.]. Hrvatska radiotelevizija. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Gannon, Rory (28 February 2025). "Results of second semi-final of Dora 2025 revealed". That Eurovision Site. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ De-re, Julien (1 March 2025). "Croatia: Dora 2025 Final Running Order Revealed". Eurovoix News. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Marko Bošnjak will represent Croatia at Eurovision 2025 after winning 'Dora'". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Basel will host Eurovision Song Contest 2025". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final Draw Results". Eurovision.tv (Press release). European Broadcasting Union. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "HRtop100 – 20. siječnja 2025". HR Top 100 (in Croatian). 20 January 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ a b "HRtop100 – 10. ožujka 2025". top-lista.hr (in Croatian). HR Top 100. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Poison Cake – Song by Marko Bosnjak". Apple Music. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Poison Cake (Acoustic) - Single by Marko Bosnjak". Apple Music. Retrieved 3 April 2025.