He’s conquered YouTube with the official video of “Occidentali’s Karma”, which recently became the most watched Eurovision song of ALL-TIME, surpassing his compatriots Il Volo and Norway’s Alexander Rybak.

But despite all the hype and rising expectation, Italy’s Francesco Gabbani still has his feet firmly on the ground, as he demonstrated to us during a quick chat at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam.

Wearing sunglasses, a smile and a perfect haircut, the 34-year-old Italian stallion was full of the joys of spring as he discussed everything from meeting zoologist Desmond Morris to the reaction he got from the crowd a week earlier at the London Eurovision Party.

WATCH: FRANCESCO GABBANI INTERVIEW IN AMSTERDAM

On April 3, while other Eurovision 2017 hopefuls were in Tel Aviv, enjoying the Israeli sun, Francesco caught up with his biggest fan Desmond Morris in Oxford.

The British zoologist and ethologist, who inspired “Occidentali’s Karma” with his book “The Naked Ape”, opened his home to host the Italian artist after his trip to London for the London Eurovision Party.

What did Morris say to Francesco? “He told me: you wrote a very nice song, congratulations!” Gabbani says.

The conversation did not stop there: “We talked about how important it is to communicate deep concepts in a simple way that can easily get to all”.

Discussing the London Eurovision Party, Gabbani admits that the positive response of the crowd caught him slightly off guard.

“I am moved, I didn’t expect such a warm welcome from fans. It was a beautiful evening”.

WATCH: FRANCESCO GABBANI AT EUROVISION IN CONCERT

On April 8, Francesco rocked another venue filled with Eurovision fans. Performing inside the Melkweg, in the heart of the Dutch capital, he threw down another stellar performance.

As in London, the audience was waiting for him and couldn’t resist his sex appeal and passionate dance moves. Some even mimicked the simple but effective choreography in the audience.

The live performances of “Occidentali’s Karma” encapsulate precisely why the song has got so much support during the past week: it instantly puts you in a good mood with its enthralling melody and infectious chorus. And it works even without the gorilla, y’all!

FOLLOW ALL OUR ITALY NEWS HERE

FOLLOW OUR EUROVISION IN CONCERT COVERAGE HERE

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43 Comments
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Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Hella article from just 2 min. interview, congratulations 😀
Next time keep him little longer 😛

Kristie
Kristie
6 years ago

I still hope that something classier, more subtle and original will snatch the trophy at the end. Sorry, Italy, Gabbani is not my cup of tea.

Salv paone
Salv paone
6 years ago
Reply to  Kristie

Well you have heard all the songs
If your still hoping for that
You not very bright
thow there are some strong
Entries there is nothing that comes close
And as for not being classy
Look up the word
You dont know the meaning (obviously)
Its not your cup of tea
Drink coffee.

Kristie
Kristie
6 years ago
Reply to  Salv paone

Well, what you are talking about is the Italian take… there are others–do you know? One of the things that is so off-putting about the Italian entry is the untiring and not-so-subtle pushing by Italian fans, who act as if ESC is the World cup. People also have to like you to vote for you… have you noticed that? And charisma is more than speaking broken English with Italian accent, and acting as if you are the hottest guy in the room. (Gabbani certainly isn’t). And an agressive attitude by so many Italian is not very helpful when it comes… Read more »

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Kristie

Most people in Italy doesn’t even know that ESC exists, and I don’t think Gabbani really cares about winning Eurovision, he decided to do a mini-tour across Italy instead of rehearsing the staging and promoting the song abroad.
Italy just want to be part of it. We hope you enjoy our song.

Giada
Giada
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Joe, i am sorry but your comment doens’t make sense at all XD
His tour didn’t start yet and, yes, he is promoting his song abroad. Did you read the article? He performed in London and Amsterdam for Eurovision pre-parties and he would have been in Moscow too. Also, a lot of people in Italy probably don’t know ESC exists but Rai is promoting this year’s event a lot.

Gippa
Gippa
6 years ago
Reply to  Giada

Giada, Joe is saying that Gabbani has a career regardless ESC and he is promoting a lot in Italy (that is his main market) his new tour and his new album, look at his schedule, I don’t know when he has time to go to the toilet. 😛

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Giada

I’m saying apart the Pre-Parties. Most countries do more promotion “alone” (specially the “favorites”).
About the tour, he is focusing on his album and the staging in Ukraine will be the same as the one in San Remo, so he probably decided to promote his album insted of doing rehearsels.
Yes, Rai is promoting Eurovision much more this year, but I’m wondering if it will works, and mainly: if they want to win.

Gippa
Gippa
6 years ago
Reply to  Kristie

“the untiring and not-so-subtle pushing by Italian fans” yeah, like people of every other country are not pushing for their entry? haha you only noticed it because he is the favourite. It’s pretty normal when you have a decent song to root for it, it’s not a typical Italian trait. “And charisma is more than speaking broken English with Italian accent” really? I thought charisma has nothing to do with it. Maybe you should ceck in the dictionary what charisma means. Obviously language is a barrier but it has nothing to do with charisma. By the way it’s called EUROvision… Read more »

Elle
Elle
6 years ago
Reply to  Gippa

Oh là… Bravi, Gippa e Joe. Grazie. Ma che gli hanno fatto gli italiani ad alcuni, invidia?! Io sento odore di razzismo culturale… Ma io non capisco… Perchè un portoghese può difendere a spada tratta la propria canzone ( che è effettivamente la migliore) – Un bulgaro può gridare al capolavoro (con un’altrettanto buona canzone) così come lo svedese. E un italiano/a deve chiedere il permesso per tifare la propria (che è pure essa un’ottima canzone) solo perchè qualcuno ha deciso che è la favorita??? Che ti piacciano o meno, sono tutte buone canzoni. Boh, mishhhtero 😀 Vabbé, teniamo duro…… Read more »

Hi
Hi
6 years ago

@joe
I have right to say what ever i wont. The people wjo lije Iraly are saying tge same things to. My favorit thid year is Belgium, Russia, Estonia and Montenegro. I have saying that many times, but you havent reed that

Emy
Emy
6 years ago
Reply to  Hi

Hi, @HI. I’m sorry, but you have a health issue; your obsession is so evident! Please, take care of yourself, don’t scatter your energy to criticize over and over.

Hi
Hi
6 years ago

@Hippa
I have never see that some people which he was dead. And Iraly should be whit IS. The worst haters is peoplw like you. Who dont can accept that everybody dont like al song. Im tierd of people like you . I fon think he dont win, you dont tjink al outher song not gonna win.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Hi

I noticed that you are in every single post that talks about Italy/Francesco saying the exactly same stuff all the time. I don’t know if you are a troll or whatever, but don’t you get tired of this? I mean… it’s so annoying.
We get that you don’t like his song, you should spend more time talking about your favorites instead. I don’t know which songs you like the most, I only know that you dislike Italy’s.

Gippa
Gippa
6 years ago
Reply to  Hi

@Hi First of all, if you want respect you have to give respect (mangle my nickname is not what I call respect). Second, I’ve seen hate comments like that under Francesco’s youtube videos. What’s your point at deny it? Do you want your “hero” to be more hated than anyone else? Is this a a sort of medal? That’s stupid. No artist deserve hate, nor country and it’s not a pride, it’s shameful for the people who arrive to write that extreme comments. Third, I don’t want to make you change your opinion about Italy’s song, I correct you when… Read more »

Jon Smith
Jon Smith
6 years ago

ITALY: 100.000.000 VIEWS IN YOUTUBE

WE HAVE THE WINNERRRRRRRRRR

WE LOVE ITALY….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE LOVE FRANCESCO GABBANI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

## ROME 2018

Stan
Stan
6 years ago
Reply to  Jon Smith

The Eurovision version has 800000 views… It’s easily surpassed by Sweden

Hi
Hi
6 years ago

@Sandro
Yoy dont now what hate is. If people dont like his song, thats not hate. In 2015 people hope that måns should die, he was a homoohobiq an Sweden was like IS. Thats hate. So dont say that people HATE Italy.

Gippa
Gippa
6 years ago
Reply to  Hi

@Hi
Francesco recive the same hateful comments than Mans had. If you don’t see them that doesn’t mean they are not there. Yes, some people HATE Italy and Francesco. People always hate the “favourite”, but people should tone down it and try to be more neutral and objective and not to be offensive. It should be a party not a battlefield (and I mean towards everyone not only Italy).

Andreea
Andreea
6 years ago

There’s no point in publishing an interview with Gabbani almost 2 weeks after it was held. Amsterdam Eurovision Party was on Saturday 8 April. The interview must be from 7 April, so why so late? Why now and not on 9-10-11 April at latest? Being published after 10 days makes absolutely no sense.. The only reason that comes through my mind is more promotional for Italy….

Gippa
Gippa
6 years ago
Reply to  Andreea

Oh, c’mon that’s basic marketing: they need contents to maintain the website active (and if they don’t have fresh material they are going to use the ones who gives them more views to fill the voids), it’s quite simple. If you don’t like this article you’re not obliged to read it, pick one that you like.
There are 4/5 free article each day, plus tons of videos, I’m sure you can find something that matches your tastes. 🙂

Sandro
Sandro
6 years ago

Why are people so cruel. The Guy was ‘moved’ he’s a human being like you . STOP The HATE !!

D
D
6 years ago

Italy will not win ESC. The song is dated. And it will not place high with the jury groups.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  D

You can’t call dated a song that is a huge Hit in its home country and also chart in many Itunes and Spotify charts XD.
It makes no sense.

mthan
mthan
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

This song can be anything BUT dated!!!!!!!

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  D

“Dated” is such a broken record of a word.

Visenya
Visenya
6 years ago
Reply to  D

Well you should know that many European critics said that this song has to win. Of course we don’t know who will win, but please stop saying that jury won’t vote for this cause it is a big lie or only a story you tell to convince also yourself 😉

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

Of course, he deserves all the warmth by the fans. Why do so many people hate on him?! He is a very charismatic man, he knows how to entertain people, he gives people a smile on the face, while watching his performances..
Additionally, he sings in his own language, so “Celebrate Diversity”, you know? 😉
I really hope the best for him, because he really deserves it..
Ah, and btw, Rome 2018 would be a great city, as a lot of people complain about eastern countries, hosting the contest, so stop complaining!! He slays :))

Visenya
Visenya
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Cause everybody knows he has big chances to win and they are envious

Hi
Hi
6 years ago

I dont like it !!!

Cal
Cal
6 years ago

Haha. All the jealous Italy bashers. If you don’t like, don’t watch! There are any other options on homepage. And actually they post one interview a day it seems since they went to all the parties

Mario C
Mario C
6 years ago

Let’s see if Italy can be beaten! Please read my blog
Mario’s Eurovision 2017
https://eurovision2017blog.wordpress.com/
Thank you ????

PP
PP
6 years ago

Another article for Italy on this bloggs.When we read this bloggs many thinks that only Italy, Portugal, France,Montenergro are participate Eurovison 2017
This 4 countries is wiwibloggs favorite this year, last year was Malta…. in 2015 Albania….

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
6 years ago
Reply to  PP

The same way they uploaded the Brequette’s performance from this weekend in Madrid and not Mirela’s. Reason? Lluis from wiwibloggs doesnt like her. Thank God wiwiblogss is not the only place to follow eurovision, thought, so let them ruining their own brand if the want.

PJCC
PJCC
6 years ago
Reply to  PP

You keep posting similar comments on various articles here, it’s repetitive and unnecessary… If you don’t like the way people here at wiwibloggs write their articles or the way they do it, Don’t Come Here!!! There 100s if not more sites that write about Eurovision, choose other ones to visit… I appreciate all the work they put in to bring us (people that don’t live in Europe) all the Eurovision news that otherwise we wouldn’t get… Thank you Wiwibloggs !!!

PP
PP
6 years ago
Reply to  PJCC

You suport lobbying on this bloggs from some countries every years. In contest every year we had 40 countries not 4,5 .

PJCC
PJCC
6 years ago
Reply to  PP

No, what I don’t support are comments that don’t have any fact value coming from people that “assume” they are always right and “only” themselves know better… I have a choice between many ESC Sites out there, I come here cause I like the articles and pick&choose the ones that are more appealing to me, but I don’t make negative comments in posts just because I have the right to an opinion and like to impose it on everyone . Maybe there aren’t as many news coming from other participating countries …

escfan
escfan
6 years ago

Again an useless article about gabbani , we don’t learn nothing here but it’s here for promote the wiwiblogg’s favourite it’s logic….

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  escfan

They are posting all the interview videos. Why let him out?

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

*leave

Morena
Morena
6 years ago

Amsterdam party was 10 days ago, so the interview is pretty old… Why so late?
For me, if an interview is not posted in the right time it’s not interesting anymore.

Now we should expect interviews from London Eurovision Party that was on April 2?

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

Shame on those who criticize his English.

William Lee Adams
Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Yeah, it’s rather unfair. Not everyone speaks English, which is fine. And he tries which is the important part. There is effort there.