"The Code" is a song by Swiss singer Nemo, released on 29 February 2024. It has been described by Nemo as a song that details their experience with coming to terms with their non-binary identity. They represented Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song, where they won the contest with 591 points. In the process, the song became the first victory for the country since Celine Dion's "Ne partez pas sans moi" in 1988, and the first winning song ever in the history of the contest by a non-binary artist.
"The Code" was written by Benjamin Alasu, Lasse Midtsian Nymann, Linda Dale, and Nemo Mettler,[1] and was composed at a SUISA songwriting camp.[2] The BBC described the song as a "drum and bassEDM opera" and said its chorus was inspired by The Magic FlutebyWolfgang Amadeus Mozart.[3] In press statements, Nemo stated that the song details their realization of their non-binary identity, stating that realizing they are non-binary has given them "freedom" and that by entering the Eurovision Song Contest, they can "stand up for the entire LGBTQIA+ community".[4] According to Nemo, when accepting that they didn't "feel like a man or a woman... I had to break a few codes";[5] the song references binary code, which is meant to represent the binary classification of genders. Nemo also declares within the song that they have found their "kingdom come", refusing to conform to traditional gender classification norms and stick to only one musical style.[6]
Initial rumours of Nemo being picked to represent Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 were reported on 25 February 2024 when Swiss news outlet Blick put out reports that they had been selected.[7][8] Three days later, the song title was rumoured to be titled "The Code".[9] On 29 February, they were officially announced to be Switzerland's representative for the contest.[10]
Music video and promotion
Along with the song's release, an accompanying music video was released on the same day.[11] To further promote the song, Nemo confirmed their intent to participate in various Eurovision pre-parties throughout the months of March and April, including Pre-Party ES 2024 on 30 March,[12]Eurovision in Concert 2024 on 13 April,[13] and the Nordic Eurovision Party 2024 on 14 April.[14] They also performed it during other occasions before the contest, including on Swiss television show MusicStar – Die Revival-Show on 31 March,[15] and a performance at the Embassy of Sweden in Bern to honor ABBA's 50th anniversary of winning the Eurovision Song Contest 1974.[16]
"The Code" has been largely well-received. In a Wiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 8.83 out of 10 points,[20] winning the site's annual ranking for that year.[21]ESC Beat's Doron Lahav ranked the song eighth overall out of the 37 entries competing in Eurovision 2024, praising Nemo's vocal abilities but admitting that the song's subject matter and fusion of musical styles "might be too complicated to digest".[22] Glen Weldon, writer for National Public Radio (NPR), deemed the song a favourite to win the contest, praising the blend of multiple styles within the song and declaring that it had "all the earmarks of a showstopper".[23] Erin Adam of The Scotsman rated the song 10 out of 10, and dubbed it a "veritable smorgasbord of a song" due to its mix of styles.[24] In contrast, Jon O'Brien, a writer for Vulture, ranked the song 22nd out of 37 songs, stating that while the song had a "great message of freedom, self-identity, and acceptance", he thought that "it gets lost in a cut-and-shut mix of drum and bass, pop opera, Eurorap, and The Greatest Showman that may leave you reaching for the Ibuprofen".[25]
In the months heading into the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, "The Code" was considered one of the favourites to win the contest based on betting odds. Hours after the song was released, it was placed 10th on the first set of betting odds that were released after "The Code" came out.[26] By 10 March, it increased to fourth place, threatening Italy's Angelina Mango for third.[27] In the beginning of April, directly after Nemo's performance of the song in Pre-Party ES 2024, they increased to first, becoming the favourite to win the contest with 7-to-2 odds.[28] Before rehearsals, "The Code" also had a 93% chance of qualifying from the second semi-final.[29] In response to becoming the favourite, Nemo stated to Aussievision that they weren’t "focus[ed] too much on them".[30]
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at the Malmö ArenainMalmö, Sweden, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. During the allocation draw on 30 January 2024, Switzerland was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.[35] Nemo was later drawn to perform fourth in the semi-final, after Greece's Marina Satti and before Czechia's Aiko.[36]
For their Eurovision performance, Swedish choreographer Fredrik Rydman was placed in charge of the staging.[37] Nemo wore a pink and white fur suit designed by Malmö-based designer Linnea Samia Khalil [sv], who had also designed the outfit Nemo wore for the "Turquoise Carpet".[38][39] During the performance, Nemo is shown on a white circular prop, occasionally jumping on and off of it.[40] "The Code" finished in fourth, receiving 132 points and securing a spot in the grand final.[41]
Nemo repeated their performance during the grand final on 11 May. The song was performed 21st, following Cyprus' Silia Kapsis and before Slovenia's Raiven.[42] The performance received positive reactions. Daily Telegraph music critic Neil McCormick praised Nemo's vocals and "wild energy" during the performance, stating that although they thought the song lyrics were unusual, their energy "turned [the performance] into something transcendent in its own ridiculous way".[43] After the results were announced, Nemo finished with a total of 591 points, with a split result of 365 points from the juries and 226 points from the televote. The total was enough to earn Nemo the victory, earning 44 more points than the runner-up, Croatia's Baby Lasagna.[44][45] The song received 22 sets of the maximum 12 points.[46] It also received one set of 12 points from the televote, with it coming from Ukraine.[47] As a result of winning, "The Code" become the first victorious song for Switzerland since 1988, with Nemo becoming the first openly non-binary artist to win the competition.[48][45]
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202420 into search. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202420 into search. Retrieved 21 May 2024.