Early this morning the Wiwi Jury—our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals—gathered in Florence to snap photos of Michaelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia. After admiring all that marble muscle, we sat down to review Emma Marrone’s Eurovision 2014 song “La mia città” (My City). Did we want to stay in town? Or were we red to go? Read on to find out….

Angus: Right here is the baddest bitch you’ll meet on stage in Copenhagen. Don’t even think about f*cking with her. Between the bleach blonde hair and a vocal that sounds as if she accidentally swallowed razor blades, Emma is superbly severe. ‘La Mia Città’ is nothing short of a revelation amidst the tidal wave of ballads. The live performance at USFC in March was admittedly a disaster but I’m confident Emma can pull it back by May. Italy hasn’t put a foot wrong since they came back to the contest and if this doesn’t land them in the Top 10 for a fourth consecutive year something’s seriously wrong with y’all.

Score: 8.5/10

Bogdan: This sounds like Garbage. Seriously, anyone who has ever listened to “Push It” can tell you that Emma took a cue from Shirley Manson. Luckily for Emma, she doesn’t exactly sound like a copycat, and that’s thanks to her voice, which is a bit coarser than Shirley’s. However, I can’t get over the fact that “La mia città” sounds like a mid-90’s rock song and since I’m long past my grunge phase, I can’t award it top points. Moreover, the two live renditions of “La mia città” that I’ve seen so far were messy and I wouldn’t be surprised it Italy fared worse than what Emma’s fans would hope — I’m having Amandine Bourgeois flashbacks. (Great video though! Eurovision needs a chic rock chick and I’m hoping for couture on the 10th of May.)

Score: 7/10

Billy: Italy, why did you do this to me? You have such a beautiful language and you produce a song talking about the city, cars and trains? I love this pop sound and the exciting rhythm, as well as the singer herself. But the lyrics are just a disaster. The video clip was amazing, and Emma’s voice is very nice, but I can’t ignore the lyrics. Change them and win the trophy!

Score: 7.5/10

Vebooboo: Italy ain’t playing games this year — I mean, they even invested euros into to filming an additional 25 seconds of Emma walking on top of a building in high heels. And you know what, it is paying off! I don’t want to say bad things about this woman, because I’m afraid she will seriously kick my ass in Copenhagen. Watch the way she turns her coat into a whip, or how she seductively squats throughout the song. But while she spends much of her video squatting, this song stands so far above most of the competition. It is different, and it is memorable. I don’t think it will win, but I’d be surprised to see it completely flop.

Score: 8/10

Emma Maronne Eurovision Italy

Deban: Emma Marrone infuses estrogen into this pop rock number. I appreciate her sass, her upbeat energy, and bits of the chorus. Unfortunately, it doesn’t ‘wow’ me. Something’s missing, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Score: 5/10

Katie: Emma is Queen. Oh my God I love her, she’s not to be messed with! She’s got the outfits to grace the cover of Vogue so her Eurovision couture better be good! The first verse is great, but it all gets so much better in the bridge when the guitars really start kicking in. I’m falling at her feet by the chorus, I don’t think it’s humanely possible to be cooler than Emma. I’m not even considering whether it would be better for her to sing in English because the Italian lyrics work wonders with her raspy voice. When I listen to her song, the only thing I’m not happy about is the fact that she’s automatically in the final so I can’t watch her perform twice!

Score: 10/10

Italy, Emma Marrone, 3

Francheska: This is, by far, my favorite Big 5 entry this year. I am an avid fan of pop-rock during Eurovision and love Italian, and this is basically the love child of these two things. Emma has some serious attitude and pipes, and has the ability to turn Copenhagen into a rock concert for her glorious 3 minutes! And let’s not even get into the music video (seriously, that looks like too much fun, to just strut around in all of those dresses and whatnot). Given my devotion to Marco last year, I would’ve been amazed if anything could’ve even compared to “L’Essenziale” in true awesome-ness. But, here we are. GO FOR THE TOP 5, EMMA! GO FOR IT!

Score: 9/10

Padraig: According to the old saying “the early bird catches the worm”. And indeed it seemed that by releasing “La Mia Città” so early in the Eurovision season, Emma had not only captured the worm, but she was ready to eat it too. For weeks she sat atop every poll and fan list. Then as the slow trickle of national selections became a flood, she was washed away to the land of the forgotten, while the latecomers pillaged all her “worms”. In one sense this is unfortunate, for as per usual, the Italians have sent a major domestic star with a well crafted, modern song. They are taking the contest seriously and deserve to do well. However, is the song, or even Emma memorable enough to succeed? With 2 other rock-chicks – Mei and Tijana – strutting their stuff, can Emma stand-out? Things could be about to go all Amandine Bourgeois.

Score: 6.5/10

Emma-Marrone-10Zach: I never thought I’d equate Italy to pop-rock in terms of Eurovision, but Emma has pleasantly come in and shattered my preconceived notions on what Italy will send. “La Mia Citta” is just great. It sticks in your head like crazy, Emma has a distinct style from the other Italian entries since their return, the huskiness and sass in her voice commands attention, and in May, attention equates to votes. Her live performances prove she has the vocals down pat, and I think people are warming up from their original “what the heck” feelings, due to it being so different from Marco, and all the other Italian entries recently. I hope they make an eclectic grand spectacle of a show for the song, that will really seal the deal for yet another great placing for Italy, perhaps even the title! But this fresh new style alone will bode well for them, although I hope it doesn’t lead to them not using San Remo to decide entries anymore.

Score: 8.5/10

Wiwi: Emma seems like the kind of woman who would call you a b*tch to your face rather than behind your back. I really respect that. She could fend for herself in an alleyway after dark, and if tried to snatch her purse she’d bite your arm and and grab your wallett while you shriek. All of this to say that it’s Emma’s attitude that will make or break this song. It’s somewhat generic mid-90s pop. But delivered with the zaniness and vigor of her music video, this could do very well indeed.

Score: 7/10

All 19 members of our jury rate each song. However, we only have room to share 10 written reviews. Here are the remaining nine scores.

Anthony: 8/10

James L: 8/10

Mario: 7.5/10

Maxim Montana: 7/10

Mike: 9.5/10

Patrick: 5/10

Ramadan: 8/10

Sami: 5/10

William C: 7.6/10

The highest and lowest scores are removed before calculating the final score. We have dropped a low of 5 and a high of 10.

The Wiwi Jury Verdict: 7.51/10

You can check out our latest Eurovision 2014 reviews and rankings on the Wiwi Jury page. You can keep up-to-date on the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.

28 Comments
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katanmo
katanmo
9 years ago

I’m writing this comment as a reply to Billy, a member of the Wiwi Jury. The lyrics are not a “disaster”… It looks like you didn’t notice the poetic depth which is not so common in the Eurovision. This song has a parallel between the city and the singer (who wrote, compose and sings it). It talks about trying to leave a city but can’t help resisting. One can interpret every “noise” and “smog” as an internal feeling of the singer (the main voice). The city is a part of who you are, your identity. Thus catching a train and… Read more »

Dan RO
Dan RO
9 years ago

I love everything about this! Top 3 for me!!!

MoMo
MoMo
9 years ago

I like her voice. Pity about the song though

Leon
Leon
9 years ago

She knows how to work the home crowd with serious attitude but I don’t think it will win over the vast majority of voters. 3/10

Nathan
Nathan
9 years ago

Bogdan: This sounds like Garbage.

Bogdan – I couldn’t agree with you more.

I am not afraid to have my ass kicked, whipped, slapped by this chick because my ass is buns of steel.

This Italian entry fails to galvanize any followers.

Deban – thank you for making some sense for once. I can put my finger on it – FORMAGGIO!

Gross.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

After my first evaluation, she was 5th on my scorecard. After my 2nd evaluation, she is still 5th. I think she is definitely going to finish in the top 10.

Chesco
Chesco
9 years ago

I actually love it. It is so delightfully kitsch. It is pure Eurovision. And she is awesome in the video.

Armenian guy
Armenian guy
9 years ago

4th picture though <3 *.* Looking forward to seeing her live performance .

Good luck Italy !

Woz
Woz
9 years ago

@ javid, it’s called having a personality and a long tradition in making good music. Maybe one day you all azeris will be able to say the same thing. Until then, keep your wallet at hand and your divas under the surgeon’s knife.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

If the stage performance fits the song, and the favorites falter, Emma could steal it. Definitely a potential top-5 finish.

Javid
Javid
9 years ago

Eww wannabe Miley Cyrus -.-

Why was her song rated well? She is talentless ugly .Dilara is better !!
AZERBAIJAAN will beat you all.AZERBAIJAAN 2015!!

Miksi
9 years ago

@Easpag
You want her to stop her craziness? You want her to just stand there and sing a crazy fast song ? o.O okaaaaaay……

Miksi
9 years ago

I just can’t understand people who say that she can’t sing :O Guys,let’s be honest.Her voice is A W E S O M E,song is good(btw I prefer Cercavo Amore and Non e l’inferno over this,but oh well….)
Anyway,I can see Italy reaching top 5 and maybe top spot,who knows 😉

Miksi
9 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whcP_mxhiqQ
yeah yeah,she can’t sing 😉

Armond
Armond
9 years ago

I love this song. Emma’s voice is sick. But this is not the kind of song that can win Eurovision. It doesn’t have that catchy chorus everyone can sing along with. (7/10)

Huh
Huh
9 years ago

You guys should totally listen to her other songs (such as Cercavo Amore, perhaps). And I like how people here note similar 90s artists to her. Guess we all listen to the same music when we were young.

fikri
fikri
9 years ago

i’m already interested with ramadan’s rating, tbh. 😛

beccaboo1212
9 years ago

Go Emma go!

Timselvision
Timselvision
9 years ago

I remember searching on the internet everyday, looking for some new ESC songs. When I found out that Italy was the fourth country that would release their song, I was excited; Italy has always been in my top 5 since their return in 2011. In 2013, Marco was long time my winner untill I found some love for Margaret and Emmelie. ^^ AND THIS SONG ROCKS. When this was released, I listened to this two hours long in the dark night, rocking in my chamber with headphones on. It was a long time my #1, leaving it to be my… Read more »

Dar
Dar
9 years ago

I was sure it was Italy’s year to win until I heard the song .. It’s good , quality and well written … But no winner .. I guess we will have to wait another year .. Also go back to the San remo selection choice as it guarantees a great live performer ..

Easpag
Easpag
9 years ago

@Marcelo I certainly hope they change my opinion. But I also hope she does restrain herself. It does beg the question though: why hasn’t she already? Surely during rehearsals and the first live performance, somebody would have told her the craziness was affecting her voice? If she hadn’t already changed her performance for the German National Final, it may continue into the real event.

Haris D.
Haris D.
9 years ago

Arrogant song and performer. But it’s a fan favorite (like every year) because of the country’s name – Grande Italia. Wow, and then we complain about country name having much impact in final results in Eurovision. Double standard.

Marcelo N
9 years ago

@ Easpag – I agree that recent live performances of “La Mia Città” are far from perfect vocally. I wonder, however, if you take into consideration that this is a pop-rock song that Emma sings hopping, jumping and running? I am sure she will deliver great vocals in Copenhague, as she will surely be more restrained to fit the general model. I’d love you to watch her San Remo performances so that you can hear her singing accurately. That’ll surely change your mind 😉

Miksi
9 years ago

Before I look at ranks I’ll just tell you
IF THEY ARE NOT ALL 10/10 I’M GONNA KILL YA ALL 😉

Easpag
Easpag
9 years ago

The song is alright. Emma’s voice really suits the song. Her attitude rocks, and the verse is great. But then we hear the chorus. Oh sweet Jesus, I didn’t realise how badly one part of a song can drag the whole thing down. It’s so annoying, particularly the beginning.

Plus, Emma’s live vocals are disastrous. Not only once, but twice have her live vocals let her down.

A great song let down by an awful chorus.
6/10

Thiefo
Thiefo
9 years ago

One of my top favourites! ‘Nuff said.
And I understand the comparisions with Amandine, but I personally think L’enfer et moi and La mia citta have nothing to do with each other, so I firmly believe Italy won’t suffer the same fate as France last year.

Dhani
9 years ago

Billy, if she can’t sing about her city, then what? You want another love song???

Woz
Woz
9 years ago

This is my winner. No brainer. It’s an amazing song, so euphoric and colorful. It won’t win, but I can totaly picture it playing for a second time under a rain of confetti on May 10th. Sounds like 90s? Thank god it does. It reminds me of “My favourite game” by The Cardinals or “Ready to go” by Republica. Did she delivered a bad rendition two months ago? Who cares? She would realy need to spoil it in Coppenhagen to make me like it any less. A true classic. A song every italian and every eurovision fan should be proud… Read more »