“You didn’t do anything to me!” they sing in their Sanremo 2018 entry. A prophetic title, since the RAI legal department has ruled that Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro will remain in the competition with the song “Non mi avete fatto niente“.
This is the end of a quarrel — that made headlines in Italy— which involved the hot favourites to win. According to the allegations, the song could not be considered “new” — as required by the rules of the Italian contest — as it contains parts of “Silenzio“, a track by Ambra Calvani and Gabriele De Pascali, already published in 2016 and performed on several occasions.
During this morning’s press conference, RAI 1 assistant director Claudio Fasulo read an official statement from the broadcaster:
Following technical evaluations, RAI believes that the song “Non mi avete fatto niente”, interpreted by Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro, should not be excluded from the competition, as it complies with the requirements of the Sanremo regulations in force since 2013.
According to the regulation, it is allowed to use excerpts of songs already published, within the limits of a third of the new song. The song “Non mi avete fatto niente” contains excerpts of the song “Silenzio” for less than the third of its overall duration, so the fact that the song “Silenzio” was already published, does not affect the song in the competition.
These, for transparency, the results of the technical analysis that led to the decision. Although the refrains of the two songs are partially overlapping, in music and lyrics, the sum of the excerpts used does not exceed one minute and three seconds of the total duration of the same song of three minutes and twenty-four seconds, and is therefore less than one third of the whole song. The two songs therefore, although presenting analogies, are not the same song, for this reason the entry remains in the competition”.
Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro cheer and speak to journalists, rushed to their press conference held in the afternoon.
“Everyone knows who we are,” they say. “You have two songwriters in front of you, we have been doing this job for a long time, we are among the lucky ones who have transformed their passion into a job facing hard times”.
“We know what it means to write a song, it’s like preserving beauty. We are not two scoundrels, it would have made no sense to do what we are accused of. We have many unpublished songs, both Fabrizio and I have enough to make three more albums”.
While Sanremo 2018 continues, several participants are aiming to sing at Eurovision.
On Saturday we’ll get to know who among the 20 big names will fly to Lisbon next May. And year after year, the desire to perform on the European stage grows in many Italian artists.
“It would be cool! They told us that this year RAI will choose who goes: we hope to convince the broadcaster,” said indie pop band Lo Stato Sociale to La Repubblica. They, of course, brought on stage the 83-year-old salsa dancer Paddy Jones to perform to “Una vita in vacanza“.
Funk-rock trio The Kolors — competing with “Frida (Mai Mai Mai)” — already has a clear idea about their project: “In case we would sing it in English, it was born in that language as every our other song”.
A recent winner made crooner Mario Biondi change his mind. “When I watched Eurovision for the first time I was in London with some British friends,” he admits. “They only highlighted the trash of the show, so I didn’t want to go there. But after the victory of Salvador Sobral, with a very delicate piece, I changed my mind. Yes, I would like to take part”.
Who would you like to see representing Italy at Eurovision 2018? Share your thoughts below!
Christian, “Silenzio” was only SANG by Ambra Calvani and Gabriele De Pascali. The musics and lyrics were written by Moro himself and Febo (Febo is also an author of “Non mi avete fatto niente” toghether with Meta and Moro). So it was a song of theirs that didn’t have much exposure and they wanted to “rescue” (or recycle ;P ) in part.
It is not clear that it’s theirs and I’ve read too many people talk about plagiarism, that’s not the case. They are probably going to win Sanremo, I can’t stand three months of Esc fans screaming “plagiarism”.
Ermal & Fabrizio for the win. They are the best!
Lo stato sociale with the old dancer are very funny and entertaining, they can do very well in esc
I think it would be too similar to last year’s entry
If Ermal & Fabrizio went to Eurovision I would definitely vote for them! Amazing song.
I would love to see Ermal and Fabrizio in Eurovision. Great lyrics and vocals!
It’s a problematic situation as Eurovision rules are very strict… Personally, I wish that Ermal & Fabrizio will win Sanremo, I would definitely vote for them in Portugal.
Bonsoir Lisboa, buonasera San Remo,
Lo stato sociale “Una vita in vacanza”
è la mia canzione preferita. Dall’inizio, ti mete la gioa. Forza ragazzi, nessuno ci deve rompere i co….ni. Speriamo bene. Ci sono altre belle canzioni ma questa mi sembra fata per vincere con questa energia. Difficile di resistere.
Baci…
Ma lui non sa nemmeno cantare e la canzone e una brutta copia di quella di Gabbani..scimmia che balla, vecchia che balla, patetico!
Is the winner of San Remo going to Lisbon or not?
In previous years, they had first refusal – but La Stato Sociale’s comments mentioned in the article seem to imply that it could be anybody. What’s the deal?
Hi.The right of first refusal stays in place. Rules didn’t change and Lo Stato Sociale made an uninformed claim or their claim was a tease, but I don’t think so.
I would be OK with Meta & Moro winning Sanremo and Annalisa going to Eurovision, since “Non mi avete fatto niente” probably won’t be allowed under EBU rules. Or even The Kolors, but I don’t think the festival jury will be very kind to them.
All of the others have already posted some news about Ema 2018… Whats happening with wiwibloggs?
They r busy writing about every Melfest step, mind them.
They already have an article about EMA up and running.
http://eurowizja.tvp.pl/35941606/wyniki-naboru-do-koncertu-krajowych-eliminacji-eurowizji-2018
TVP has revealed 10 finalists of Polish NF. Unfortunately only three of them are available online so far. :<
Meta & Moro’s song is only for people who speak Italian and understand the message of the song, I don’t think europe would get the song and it doesn’t have a memorable melody that it can rely on for the viewers to like it. I think they’ll win sanremo, however, I don’t think they’ll end up at eurovision anyways, so.
The artists are awesome, but they might have to change the song if they win. I think ESC has a 10 seconds maximum rule when it comes to similarities between songs. 1/3 of the whole song is very very generous.
It’s a song about humanity and what happened in the world in these last years..if you search for the lyrics and translate it then you’ll understand everything they say and why their song deserves to be in Eurovision and why not, to win it
Does not change the fact that it is a song against esc rules. And I am tired of political bland songs. The lyrics may be beautiful but the song itself is not interesting.
Annalisa for Eurovision
I haven’t been following my country’s selection (I don’t get how fellow Italians manage to sit through an entire show of Sanremo, let alone foreigners who don’t know the language) but my only hope is that we send something worthy of the top ten. I know Lo Stato Sociale can do that without even hearing the song. I’ve heard good things about Annalisa too, but it might be another Francesca case.
Sadly Lo Stato Sociale singer is tone deaf. They are colorful and funny but their lead singer can’t perform live at all.
I’m so glad they’re still in, imo their song is a masterpiece and I absolutely love it. I am concerned that the song wouldn’t be allowed to compete in Eurovision though if they win, does anyone know how the rules of Sanremo compare to those of Eurovision?
So happy to hear about the resolution for Ermal and Fabrizio! Love their song and it would be so cool to have it in Eurovision irrespective of what place it would take. We need more quality music like that to keep converting the audience into believers in our beloved song competition
I honestly want The Kolors!their song was really good and I hope if they win (Which I highly doubt) they’ll choose this song and don’t try to sing in English again…
I’m not too fond of the artists who expressed their desire to sing at ESC. It would be absolutely terrible to send a completely English song to Eurovision. Lo stato Sociale are very bad on stage when it comes to vocals. And Mario Biondi’s song is ok but far too boring for eurovision. This has nothing to do with Salvador. I hope, that Meta & Moro will finally go to ESC though it seems improbable at the moment.
Even if it can go to sanremo doesn’ t mean it should go to Eurovision. I hate to see another song violating the pre-publish rule. It is unfair for those who creates a new song for a new year.
Good news, I want them or The Kolors for Eurovision
I want to see the calculations.
OK, kidding, weird rules but they’re rules.
I really hope The Kolors win Sanremo and represent Italy in Eurovision but I doubt Sanremo viewers and juries would choose them bcz their song is not a typical Sanremo song but I believe it could do very well at Eurovision and Europe would love it. I think Meta & Moro will win Sanremo but they would refuse to represent Italy (technically they can’t bcz of the issue that happened. right?) and Rai would send The Kolors to Lisbon. idk that’s just my wishful thinking.
a third of the new song……. what a weird rule……. as for belarus the italian broadcaster has already choosen their favourite and they will defend them as much as possible, it’s not fair, not fair for the all artists and for the voters.
However I don’t think the ESC rules are the same as san remo so maybe there will be a problem again….
You have no idea how much i despise your beloved songs about horny young men refugees, that push women refugees at the back of the queue. I have seen it.
Lo Stato Sociale would be Occidentali’s Karma 2.0. With the extra gimmick and everything.
I watched some of the first night of Sanremo and couldn’t believe how turgid and boring it was – how does the audience stick it?! Nothing against older people singing but many of the contestants were over eighty with equally old and tired-sounding songs. The only part of Sanremo I had seen previously was Francesco’s wonderful winning performance last year and the announcement of him as the winner. Lo Stato Sociale’s song is rubbish and the lead singer is flat through a lot of it. Annalisa is about the only decent song and that isn’t even memorable. Hope Francesco is… Read more »
That is San Remo…
The event is for older posh people, and all the artists compose this style of music for the festival, even if they sing different styles.
I feel it is becoming old fashioned and boring. Except for Marco Mengoni or Arisa, last years winners are forgetable. I miss the 80s and 90s great songs and winners, such as Elisa, Giorgia, Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli, Eros Ramazzotti, Ricchi e Poveri, Al Bano & Romina Power…
My favourite is also Annalisa.
But i would be happy also with Red Canzian, Le Vibrazioni or Ermal.