passionpop: (putting my foot in it)
Artist: Marco Mengoni
Song: Due Vite
Currently with bookmakers: 9th (25/1-60-1)
Place 2022: 6th in the final
Wins: 3 (1964, 1990, 2021)


Marco Mengoni returns to Eurovision 10 years after he first graced the stage with "L'essenziale" which finished 7th at Malmö. Other than his two Eurovision entries, he has also competed in San Remo, which is used to select the Italian Eurovision artist, in 2010 with Credimi Ancora. He is quite the prolific recording artist with 7 studio albums, 4 live albums and 6 EPs released in the 14 years since he debuted on X-Factor in Italy in 2009. He is the gift that keeps on giving.

Due Vite has one glaring problem, it runs 45 second longer than the 3 minute limit allowed at Eurovision. Italy often has longer songs which they make fit at Eurovision. "Grande Amore", one of the best songs to go to Eurovision ever, was the same length as Due Vite, but some slight and subtle adjustments including in the speed of the song managed to make it fit into 3 minutes without noticeably changing the song, so the 45 seconds probably won't be a problem. We will find out soon.

From one repeat offender to another. In 1967 Claudio Villa for a second tilt after finishing 9th in 1962. He finished 11th. Hopefully Marco can go up rather than down. 

passionpop: (dead)
Most Entries: Italy 46 (Ukraine 16)
Most Wins: Italy 3 (Ukraine 2)
Bookies favourite Ukraine 5/3 (Italy 11/2)


Kalush Orchestra came second at Vidbir 2022, however when the winner was disqualified, They were announced as the Eurovision entrant for Ukraine. Mahmood last went to Eurovision solo in 2019 and finished second to Arcade. This year he is bringing BLANCO and a song that hits you in the feels, well the live version that won at San Remo did, the recorded version not so much.   

Kalush Orchestra could have been disqualified because under Vidbir rules you cannot compete if you have been to Russia (or Crimea via Russia, which is the main way into Crimea) since 2015. Alina Pash, the winner of Vidbir 2022 admitted she had been to Crimea, but could not prove it was not through Russia and was disqualified, however Tymofii Muzychuk from Kalush Orchestra had also been to Russia but was trusted though when he claimed he had not been after 2013. Some may think that is misogynistic, especially seeing Alina's song was very 'girl power', but there is no politics in Eurovision. 

In the end though the reality is everything is political. Brividi is noted for being the first time a homosexual love song was held at the same level as a hetrosexual love song at San Remo. Ukraine is benefiting from the current politics against Russia, but will that get them another Eurovision gong. I, personally hope not

This round goes to Italy. 
 

 


passionpop: (Default)
Selection: Sanremo
Wins: 2 (1964, 1990)
2020: Diodato- Fai rumore 
2021: Måneskin - Zitti e buoni

Current Bookmakers: 4th




Måneskin, who have one Danish member and are named after the Danish word for Moonshine, won San Remo earning them the option to be the Eurovision entry for Italy. The Winner of San Remo has the option to decline to go to Eurovision, which happened most recently in 2016 when Stadio won Sanremo, but declined due to prior commitments so second place Francesca Michielin went to Eurovision instead.

Sanremo does a final of all the songs in contention and then does a Superfinal of the top three. This year Måneskin can second in the final, but received over 50% of the televote to win them the Superfinal. Fai rumore, he song that would have gone to Eurovision last year lots the Televote but won both the final and the Superfinal with a more traditional Sanemo winner than this years Måneskin. This years is definitely better.

Eurovision 1967 featured one of the Sanremo winning artists, but not the other and not the song. There were rumours that the mafia were involved in jury rigging at Sanremo that year but, who can say they were and who can say they weren’t.


passionpop: (putting my foot in it)
Spain - 2 Wins (including 1969)
Miki - "La Venda"

Verses

Italy - 2 wins
Mahmood - "Soldi"



Two reality show contestants face off . It is Weaponised Latin verses Italian hip hop. Both of these songs go straight to the final and I fear they will go straight to the bottom of the list there, because well... La la la



In fairness, the bookmakers like Mahmood, but in true Italian form the staging will be rubbish. They cannot get it together, Insieme 1992 my left foot. Spain has not had a history of great staging, but they Could find shoes to match Salomé's outfit in 1969, which is impressive. 

There is no use saying Non ho l'età, because I am certainly old enough. I know what I am doing but despite this I cannot make a decision. I cannot decide between these songs. I am going to have to play it safe and go with the bookmakers. I am going Italy. 

 
passionpop: (putting my foot in it)
Italy
 
Appearances: 43
Wins: 2
Selection method: Competition (Big Artist section of the San Remo Song Contest) Top 3 going to superfinal
Vote: Two Juries (30% each) and public selection (40%)
Winner: Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro 
Song: Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente


This song has got a lot to say and only 3 minutes to say it. There will be a lot of edits to the song prior to the final version so they can fit everything in, but this is typical of Italy who like to provide a big bold song that is longer than the 3 minute maximum of Eurovision. I just hope that in editing they get rid of the rhythm section that comes up from the second verse onwards, That is a little cheesy, even for Eurovision. 

Italy typically fails in presentation. The official video is awesome and I love the subtitles in various languages, but Italy has GOT to improve their staging. Staging is the constant let down of all the Italian acts. This could do a lot with darkness and sharp lighting. I think if they used a lot of darkness, heavy light on the vocalist that sharply turns off them when they cease singing. slowly adding fairly lights in the dark around them that later is shown to be candles with a few children on the stage holding candles near the end, that may make a really good effect. 

There have been comments that this song is very political, and well it is, but it is no more political than other songs in recent year. Lets face it, the political rule was thrown out when the screaming banshee won for Ukraine. THAT song should have been banned. 

Lyrically I think it is great, overall it is good, but it is pushing shit uphill knowing how Italy stage their songs at Eurovision. They still seem to think this is a grand some contest where songs can go for 5 minutes, but it never was and you can't go on and on forever and win. Not ever


 


passionpop: (big)

Italy
Final
Artist: Francesco Gabbani
Song: Occidentali's Karma (Westerners Karma)
Odds: $2.37 (current favourite)

Word of the day
Secondo - Second
Where favourites from Italy finish... at best...



When going into Eurovision you need a reasonable song and a good gimmick. Italy has the gimmick of the Ape Dance. It would just be interesting with how popular this song is, if they try to get other Eurovision entrants to copy it. It could be difficult if they ask Isaiah from Australia to do the ‘ape dance’ seeing being called an ape (monkey or gorilla) is rather offensive to aboriginal people.

Occidentali's Karma is a social commentary, a satire on western society. Comedy rarely works at Eurovision however this song is fortunate that it is also catchy. This song also grows on you the more you hear it. It is a shame then that this song will only appear at the final.

Italy’s main issue historically is their presentation. It has improved, but they could do more. This is not a song contest after all, it is an entertainment extravaganza… or some shit...

It is shocking that Italy has only twice won the grand prix that still has ‘song contest’ in its name. This year Italy is the favourite, as they often are. A favourite of Eurovision last appeared for the third time in 1966, and still never won.

passionpop: (drunk)
Italy
Previous entries: 41
Wins: 2 1964 Gigliola Cinquetti - Non ho l'età
             1990 Toto Cutugno – Insieme 1992
First Entry: 1956 Franca Raimondi - Aprite le finestre
Most recent entry: 2016 Il Volo – Grande Amore
National Anthem: Il Canto degli Italiani

2016:



Francesca Michielin – No Degree of Separation.

This song is weak compared to the amazing song Italy sent last year. I am still devastated that “Grande Amore” did not win. At least I am no longer upset about the 2012 entry doing so poorly, but Il Volo deserved better than third! Third!

What Italy needs to work on is the presentation. They have sent great songs before and lost. You would think they would have learned that it is not the song that matters. Eurovision is not a Song contest. I am not sure exactly what it is but song contest does not describe it which gives homes to more average songs like this year’s entry from Italy.

Francesca is an X-factor winner, which is sadly fairly standard now for Eurovision. The perfect for an X-factor contestant is one that is very middle of the road and this song is so middle of the road that it will probably be hit by a Semi, which, when it happens, will probably be for the best.

Last year Italy came third, something which they are good at. Italy was also third in 1975

passionpop: (big)
Italy
Population: 60 782 668
Area: 301 335 km2
Language: Italian
Eurovision attendances: 40
Eurovision wins: 2 (1964 and 1990)



Il Volo - Grande Amore (full version. 3 minute version pending)

It has the look, it has the sound, who knows if the lyrics ruin it, but that doesn’t matter. All this song needs is the orchestra pit. It needs the live drums to make this song as big as it needs to be when presented in surround sound on a flat screen TV. Though this song will likely be disabled by the pre-recorded backing track, it is second with the bookmakers.

These guys are 20 and 21, have been performing together for 6 years and have released 4 albums. Nothing makes you feel as inadequate and untalented as that. These boys are just cruel. In saying that though, I don’t care too much for the song. It is nice but it doesn’t do it for me. Maybe it will on the night though with an awesome performance.

Il Volo, The Flight. The question is will this take flight on the night.

Il Volo were bambini when the Orchestra was last used in Eurovision, and their parents would have been Bambini in 1960 when Romantica represented Italy

passionpop: (putting my foot in it)
SPOILER ALERT: if you are yet to watch the semis, this is a list of the running order of the final, so the 11 non-qualifiers are not listed. if you don't want to know who qualified, stop reading now.

Other than an update  on the odds, this is mainly a copy and paste of what I wrote earlier in the week, mainly because it is not fair to base Denmark and the big 5 on their rehearsal and the 20 acts that qualified from the semis on their polished performance complete with gimmicks and effects, but Romania was pretty awesome in the end

Final running order )
passionpop: (putting my foot in it)

The semi performances will be the same in the final for those that make it. There are 6 that have already made it though to the final, most because they pay to.

The big 5 are German, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain and they are the the biggest financial contributors to the EBU. Denmark also Auto qualify for the Final because they allegedly sent the best act last year, they were at least determined to be the winner of last years contest.

so these are the other 6 rehearsals.

Auto-qualifiers for the final )



passionpop: (die bitch)
Italy gave us he most covered song in Eurovision history which is also regarded as the second most loved Eurovision song of all time, but Volare (Nel Blu dipinto di blu) never won Eurovision (it came third, THIRD!) and Italy has not won Eurovision as many times as it should have. Twice just highlights how jealous the EBU was of San Remo in the early days of Eurovision. Everyone still loves Italian music though and I am not sure why



Artist: Emma
Song: La Mia Città

I think Emma thinks of her self of being Madonna if Madonna was born 30 years later. Her clip performance looks somewhere between Madonna, Lady Gaga and Pink. The live clip looks a little Avril Lavigne crossed with Courtney Love. The song isn't as bad as those comparisons make it sound though.

I think what I like best about the clip is that that appears that she is wearing tummy tucking dacks. The pink bit, and by that I mean the pick chiffon outfit, does definitely show a high waist as does one of the black and white outfits.

This is one of the better songs this year and plausibly deserves to be better than the bookies rate it, however it feels like it should be a TV show or move theme or even a car commercial. A Toyota Corolla or a Mitsubishi Mirage would work driving around a city to this song. Top ten even if the bookies don't think so

And then there is the other Italy, San Marino. Lets face it, it cannot be a coincidence that San Marino returned to Eurovision the same year that Italy did in 2011

passionpop: (southpark)
Country: Italy

History...
Debut: 1956
Previous Appearances: 38
Wins: 2 (1964 - Gigliola Cinquetti 'Non ho l'età', 1990 - Toto Cutugno 'Insieme: 1992')

2013...
Artist: Marco Mengoni
Song: L'Essenziale



Oh my, it looks like he is trying to use his hair to poke the clouds to make it rain. What is with that hair? I think he needs to put a light on it to warn aricraft it is there so they don't fly into it. Maybe he thinks he is a unicorn or something, I don't know, but there is Something About Mary about that hair.

Other than the hair, I guess he is less sleazy and greasy than your average italian, but I really cannot get over that hair. The best bit of this clip is three minutes in when he goes into the water and loses the hair. Yay for the water!

There is nothing to fear with this song and even the bookies don't think it will win.

Anyway that's it with Italy, Addio, Addio

passionpop: (putting my foot in it)

Performer: Nina Zilli
Song: L'amore è femmina

I heard the song Nina sent to the San Remo song contest 'Per Sempre', and I was not impressed with that song. I like this song. It is firming into second in the odds and I believe this can win. As a song, it is the most impressive I have heard thus far in the contest. 

I love power songs sung by women. this is that. the chorus appears to translate to 'love is female, if don't receive, you don't get'. The thing about most power songs, is they are tawdry and sexual. They should be sexy, and this is musically sexy and lyrically very 'fuck you' 

This needs an awesome performance to beat that swedish song, but that should be easy, this song is made for performing. She just has to avoid the belly shake. shake hips, shake arse, don't shake belly. 

I do have a Soft spot for the retro flavoured songs that show up in Eurovision, like Germany in 2007 (though i like that Germany sung 'guess who rules the world') , but when you go back to the actual retro stuff, maybe they are too submissive. 

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