Talk about making us wait! It was back in early October that we discovered which 16 acts would perform at Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2018. Since then, we’ve learned some of the running order — but no songs. Until now, that is!
Malta’s PBS has released all 16 songs, along with lyric videos for each entry. You can check them all out in the list below. Once you’ve done that, make sure to vote in our poll to see who your favourite is.
MESC 2018 will take place on February 3. As part of the song release, TVM has also announced a change to the contest’s rules this year. The final will now have a 50/50 split between a televote and jury.
This is a shift from the 100% televote in MESC 2017, and the previous system which heavily weighted the jury vote against televote.
With MESC now mirroring the full Eurovision voting system, will that be a boost to help bring them back to the Grand Final?
Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2018 — Running Order
- Aidan — Dai Liga
- Avenue Sky — We Can Run
- Brooke — Heart of Gold
- Christabelle — Taboo
- Danica Muscat — One Step at a Time
- Deborah C — Turn It Up
- Dwett — Breaking Point
- Eleanor Cassar — Back to Life
- Jasmine — Supernovas
- Lawrence Gray — Love Renegade
- Matthew Anthony — Call 2Morrow
- Miriana Conte — Rocket
- Petra — Evolution
- Rhiannon — Beyond Blue Horizons
- Richard & Joe Micallef — Song for Dad
- Tiziana — First Time
There are your 16 songs — now you can vote in our poll. Remember, you can only vote ONCE, so make sure that vote counts – because you can vote for as many of your favourites as you’d like!
[polldaddy poll=9910403]Don’t forget to let us know your favourite in the comments section below. You can also let us know your thoughts on the change to the final voting!
Well done to Lawrence Gray for his amazing song and his new style.
This artist is so talented and has such an impressive voice, he can sing anything he likes! I always love his songs and I think he should have won this festival long ago. Malta has lost great opportunities by never sending this truly exceptional artist.
I’ve had some fun with ‘Rocket’ and found ‘Love Renegade’ as accurate and matching singer. Still, both aren’t memorable, as well as well supported Song for Dad.
Lawrence Grey could win this. I can imagine the camera angles in this song!
Finally got around to listening to these and they weren’t as bad as I was expecting but still a pretty weak NF. Dai Liga – The lyrics on this song are just awful and repetitive and I’m not a fan of his voice, only thing I like is backing track We Can Run – It’s not a bad song but it makes me cringe really bad, it sounds like a bad Lighthouse X and they flopped pretty bad so I can’t see Avenue Sky doing any better Heart of Gold – Aside from the horrifically tortured lyrics this song is… Read more »
For me it is Lawrence Gray. He should be the winner. I like some other songs but Lawrence Gray’s Love Renegade is my favourite.
I like Song for Dad. Emotional and, yet, pretty modern for me (I like old songs a lot). I like that folk sound it has and it has an original concept. Singing with his dad on stage…I can already see it on the Eurovision stage. Hope they win. Been playing over and over since I heard it.
Song For Dad would be a great entry ! The concept of a father-son duet is quite original and the song is really emotional yet catchy (well it helps that I like this kind of folk-country music). I can’t wait to see it live (but we already know Richard is an amazing singer). Among all the pop songs that make 90% of this selection, my favorite is definitely Back to Life. It’s one of the few songs which doesn’t have terrible lyrics, and the production is quite good : it feels current and professional, and the beginning sounds immediately made… Read more »
Song for dad is nice, but breaking point is just beautiful and sounds like a soundtrack to a romantic Disney movie, it’s great! The rest are … well they need a little work
The only way Malta can arrange their disastrous result of last year by sending out a90’s ballad, is by sending a very fresh tune. Aidan, Brooke or Christabelle. People in Malta choose wisely
I am saying Brooke wins, and they change the song such as with Ira two years ago. I think it’s the only hope, and I am a HUGE Brooke fan. Christabelle has the best “song”, but Brooke would be the best artist to send by far.
Looks like Malta Won’t qualify this year either. No stand out song at all
I really like Lawrence Gray’s song. I do hope he does well and maybe even win.
Congrats to all contenders that made it to the finals. It´s going to be a fantastic evening to see and hear all of you doing your very best. Good luck to all of you!
Song for dad could win ESC…it’s a terrible song but not more terrible than Portugal 2017. With proper sad story behind it it could sweep the vote
I can see the ‘song for dad’ winning the televote with a slide (and with a good reason behind this time around). Imagine, it is so emotional now when the two men are simply staring at the camera one at a time. And on stage I am sure there will be an emotional hug at the end at which point Malta will start sobbing, crying and calling to support the duo (at least I would). The rest are mid-tempo songs I already forgot and hopefully jurors will have common sense too
We can run” or “Song for Dad”
The rest are just forgettable. Sorry.
How on Earth is Lawrance Gray 3rd?
Btw far his worst attempt, and very cheap produced song.
I was wondering the same…also, no one is giving him positive reviews in the comments…
I thought the same
They were just being shy before. You’ll see some positives in the comments now – see above. 🙂
I listened to it again, and here is my opinion on each: Dai Laga – Aidan seems like a charming young man, so I can see why many people like this, but the song is repetitive and boring. 4/10 We Can Run – Kind of generic and run the mill. 4/10 Heart of Gold – Brooke is recycling her own material to the point it’s watered down and nonsensical. Lyrics are cringe, metaphors don’t work and the most annoying part is that she’ll probably dump on the meaning of her own song by appearing with expensive clothes and jewels in… Read more »
Thanks, Colin, such a good summary and helped me with my thinking process.
You are very much welcome. I am glad if I helped, even a bit.
I listened to Aidan, Brooke, Christabelle, Eleanor Cassas and Richard and Joe’s songs. Dai Lagga was pretty awful, he’s charismatic, but doing some weird vocals, but the song is trash and I really think if it won the juries would hate it Brooke’s I honestly can’t remember, but she had a good voice and as someone was saying often it’s the voice and performance that makes the Maltese entry. Also her bio on the website literally told a story about how her favourite actor is Kevin Spacey? Get some PR for god’s sake. Christabelle’s Taboo was stronger than the other… Read more »
Some have asked me why I like “Breaking Point” when it is so dated. Therefore.. Essentially it is a musical cross between Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years” and the finale to the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” Musical. But what “Breaking Point” does better are those connected melody lines. The man’s part is unusually in the same higher octave as the woman’s part, causing the melody to beautifully flow back and forth between them. The backing track fills out the harmony in full and is very effective, while the song’s dynamics are nicely sensitive, increasing to a full crescendo for the… Read more »
My top 5:
1. Heart of Gold
2. Song for Dad (I really like this song and it would be really good to have something a bit different in Lisbon.)
3. Supernovas (Should have at least made the top 16 last year. It’s far better than some of the songs from last year.)
4. Back to Life
5. First Time
Song for dad is the best one this year, Malta will make it right if they send them.
Brooke really disappointed me this year, a very bland song. What a pity 🙁
Malta, either go for 1/ Dwett – breaking point. This is such a little pearl and the match of voices is working really really well! (9/10) 2/ Richard & Joe – song for dad. This just gave me an oldschool eurovision feeling (8.5/10) I would not mind singing along with any of these 2 songs in Portugal. If you wanna be in top 10, one of these 2 are your best guess. Further down for me it is: 3/ Tiziana 8/10 4/ Avenue sky 7.5/10 5/ Dai laga 7/10 6/ Christabelle 6.5/10 6/ Brooke 6.5/10 8/ Lawrence Gray 5.5/10 9/… Read more »
For me Brooke will be great choice.
It’s funny how in the past fans complained about Malta presenting a lot of old fashioned ballads, and now the same people are complaining when they present us with something more modern (although not that modern). One has to appreciate Malta’s effort and one cannot compare this selection with those of bigger countries. One has to keep in mind that with its limitations, Malta fights to make it to the final, and not to win the contest. For Maltese standards I think this is a good selection which is well balanced in quality (no obvious winner and no obvious last… Read more »
Malta… Please send “Song for Dad” That song literally made me emotional. I unfortunately lost my dad three years ago and this song really resonates with me! Love it!
Just wanted to say that I share the emotion. Lost an important person for me too, but now my husband and my son’s love to each other reinvigorates the song for me
Aidan was real stand out for me. He has a catchy song, with memorable and fun lyrics. I also like his voice and charisma. 🙂
LOL
No song stands out.
Brooke has a very disappointing entry, that goes nowhere and Christabelle’s Taboo has awful cliched lyrics and the song sounds like a MF reject.(sticks and stones will break my soul! Ha ha Rihana anyone?) Eleonor has the best entry out of the lot, but still nothing that would impress in Eurovision. A pity, I would love Malta to do well with a great song
Why you have same name as me bro?
One of you could be Kris Kostov for all we know. 😉
One word: disappointing.
Meh! Unlike last year, none of these songs really has much impact…generic, run-of-the-mill, cliche English pop songs that leave you wanting….there’s no jewels in here like “Kewkba” or “Unstoppable” from 2017. Sorry, Malta, no final for you again this year! Bring back Janice Mangion and some Maltese language songs for heaven’s sake!
Aidan – Dai Laga: Song is good, but the lyrics didn’t click with me and I didn’t like the singer too! Not a favorite. 5/10 Avenue Sky – We Can Run: Sounds like a Coldplay song, but not as good as they can do it! Somebody even that they remind Lighthouse X (Denmark 2016). Is Aidan in that band too? If so, I find it unfair that he’s competing with two songs! 5,5/10 Brooke Borg – Heart of Gold: It’s a little bit different from her last two entries and also my least favorite of them, but it’s also a… Read more »
Unfortunately the selection isn’t that good. The best entry is Deborah C Turn It Up in my opinion.
Actually, I prefer “Mall” than anything in the Estonian and Maltese selections. The other song that I really liked so far is Esamiba (Latvia).
Agreed, Jo!
I try to be positive when I comment, but that’s a terrible selection. Like many had already said, it wouldn’t be surprising if all the songs came from the same composer. There’s almost no genre variation. Most of the lyrics are cringeworthy. All entries are unremarkable.
I don’t like Song for Dad, but it’s the only one who has a differential. It’s cheesy and outdated, but can make some people tear up a little bit. It can be cute when father and son share a stage. So, it’s the only one that can create some sort of a moment.
Is it possible to not even stand one song.
All of these are bland, boring, plastic, not even fast-food music, cheesy lyrics all over the place and in each and every song.
The heck!
Matla, stay home.
Agree 100 %
Why do so many of the Maltese Female Soloists look the same?
Inbreeding, honey. Malta is a small island. :v
Someone has been naughty…;)
As regards the quality of the songs, once again, not good. Having said that, it is not much worse than last year. Song For Dad is tolerable, I guess!
I love “Supernovas” with Jasmine but there are a lot of good songs. A lot of songs sound the same though which is a bit of a shame, I reckon that could help songs like “Song for Dad”. But good quality from Malta this year, hope they make the right choice.
First listen- None of these songs will get to the final
Also i’ve been reading comments on Brooke’s song and i find it disgusting how people can be so blind on a artist’s name that they don’t care what the song sounds like. Brooke’s song is so basic with awful lyrics. I’m sure some people do love the song and it’s there opinion, but i just need one person to reply to me saying what’s so amazing about Brooke’s song.
I loved unstoppable, don’t kill me brooke fans lol 😛
The best part comes after 3 minutes.
Wow Malta… no. sorry. Next!
Well… that is a mixture. My top 5: 5. Aidan (7) 4. Christabella (7) 3. Miriana (8) 2. Deborah C (8.5) and #1 Joe and Richard (9.5)… I could imagine this in stage and it just felt so heart warming… to me a finalist top 10.
Weak selection! Most songs have the same sounds! It’s such a pity.
Where are the great Maltese ballads? Only one ballad – quite decent though.
Bring BACK JANICE MANGION with a big ballad in Maltese. She would have slayed this year!
As expected, Malta is trying to be like Sweden again.. and failing again.
Heart of Gold is a bad cheap attempt to emulate “As I Lay Me Down”. And the rest of the songs.. hard hard.
Don’t even compare a masterpiece like As I Pray Me Down to Heart of Poop.
I think they tried to make the famous “radio-friendly sound”, but what they’ve got was “radio-hostile”.
my favs are breaking point, back to life and a song for dad i hope one of them wins
the other songs are okay but sound the same would not be surprized if one person wrote all those songs
most overrated song brookes heart of gold
p.s guys listen to bql’ s heart of gold from slovenia NF last year it is way better then brooke’s : )
Ha ha ha… see my comment just a little below. I totally agree with you.
i know lamo
p.s. i really like you and purple masks comments as i feel they reprensent my opinion on a song
Thanks. I feel the same about your song opinions too. 🙂
Dai Laga – music and voice go in two different directions. Sounds like a garage production. Weak vocals, dumb lyrics. A total no from me. Dai laga, more like dai gas e sparisci. We Can Run – a rather failed attempt at being Imagine Dragons/Of Monsters and Men, I must say. The melody really goes nowhere, and the voices sound confusing, especially at the end when the three of them are mumbling random stuff. You’re running nowhere near the podium with this. Heart of Gold – very disappointing. Her voice don’t stand out, and the random high-pitched sounds shall be… Read more »
Thanks for this.
I love it when you get harsh. 😀
It will be interesting to see how the stage performances will sway the results.
Funnily enough, I have to agree with you all points. One thing I would add is that Song For Dad has a nice build up and sounds like a better version of Mall.
Just heard them all for the first time. As always, my first impressions are likely to change and grow. There might be growers in this bunch. From the first listening, Richard and Joe, Dwett and Eleanor were my favorites. Neither song blew my mind, but I liked their entries. The Micallef duo were the most emotional ones and the song is quite sweet, even though it lacks the punch. Five or so more songs are okay. Surprisingly, Deborah C was okay. It’s a cheesy, catchy no-brainer these competitions need from time to time. As for the most, I am quite… Read more »
I’m glad you too liked “Breaking Point”. 🙂
Yeah, I did 🙂 Along with Back to Life and Song for Dad, it’s the only song I can see growing to the point of actually entering my playlist. I like their voices, the lyrics are nice and there is a good dynamics.
Gotta, admit that as I was listening to ” Heart of Gold” I suddenly remembered ” As I lay me down” by Wiktoria, which is good because I loved that entry.
Wow, really good entries this year from Malta, and very surprising. Brooke’s with her best song so far, Christabelle, and “Song for dad” almost made me tear up.
I can’t pick ugh.
I don’t really like any of them, sorry Malta.
Song for Dad is 5th on the poll? WTF, it is my number #1 and the only song that deserves to win. Heart of Gold is so forgettable.
This could be any MESC from the past years, I mean, these songs are the same as always, nothing special. I don’t usually like Maltese entries, so I’m not too much dissapointed. There are some songs, though, I won’t mind listening in Lisbon: Aidan – “Dai Laga”: Sounds current and uplifting, but sighly repetitive. Some parts reminds me of ‘To Stjerner’ by Muri & Mario (DMGP 2016). Avenue Sky – “We Can Run”: It’s nothing special, but I’m into this type of pop, pop-rock groups/music, so I enjoy it. It’s catchy also. Richard & Joe Micallef – “Song for Dad”:… Read more »
With Malta comes advertisements, just as with tea comes biscuits.