Earlier this week, San Marino‘s broadcaster confirmed they would participate in Eurovision 2019. As well, 1in360 revealed that San Marino would not be using the international talent show format again. So what should San Marino do to select their act? We look at 10 ways the microstate could choose their act for Eurovision 2019.
1. Bring back Serhat
In 2016, Turkish television producer and hat wearer Serhat represented San Marino with the seductive disco tune “I Didn’t Know”. Serhat clearly has an affinity for Eurovision. He’s recently duetted with ESC 2005 winner Helena Paparizou and #Eurovision tags often feature on his Instagram posts. Is it time for the stylish Turk to bring his seductive ways to Tel Aviv?
2. Host their own national final
If SMRTV isn’t going to use 1in360 this season, they could hold their own national final. And, like a lot of other national finals, they could restrict entries to locals only. There are at least 11 singers in San Marino, so that’s enough for a national final. They could call the show… Melodifestivalentina.
3. Michele & Anita? Yes!
A lot has happened since Michele Perniola delivered that dramatic “no” in Vienna. As well as cultivating a bad boy image, the “Chain of Lights” singer also competed on the popular Italian talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi. Singing partner Anita Simocini was shortlisted for the San Marino wildcard in the 2018 edition of 1in360. They’re both talented singers, so let’s have them back for another dramatic yet uplifting duet.
4. Make that guy’s dream come true
You know that guy? The one who can’t really sing or write songs, but every year he still writes and releases multiple entries, hoping that some national final somewhere will select him. (No, not that guy — the other one.) Anyway, San Marino should make his dream come true and send him to Eurovision. But does he know he won’t be able to use autotune?
5. Let Ralph Siegel have another go
The German Eurovision maestro has a history with San Marino, having been involved with five of the microstate’s entries. 2019 marks the 40th anniversary the fourth-place finish of Ralph’s pop group Dschinghis Khan at Eurovision 1979 in Jerusalem. Perhaps the group — who are still working with Siegel — could revisit Israel and deliver some hu-ha! realness.
6. Grab Sanremo’s finest
The microstate might have a limited talent pool, but there’s always neighbouring Italy. San Marino could woo a Sanremo star, someone like Annalisa. She placed third at Sanremo 2018 and her song went on to win the OGAE Second Chance Contest — so the fan interest is there. Just don’t tell RAI.
7. The true stars of 2018
There was a lot going on with San Marino’s staging in Lisbon, but the undisputed stars of the performance were the quartet of robots. The little machines bopped along to the song and supported the human singers. If San Marino sends the robots again (with a few humans to provide live vocals) they’ll be able to bypass the six-person rule and fill the stage with an all-star android cast.
8. Your favourite rapper from San Marino
Is it time for IROL MC to have his moment? The I Talenti dei Castelli winner and 2016 points spokesperson also won the San Marino wildcard of 1in360. He then took a stand by withdrawing his guest rap from “Who We Are”, saying the song was “too poppy” for him. The new version of “Who We Are” went on to win 1in360, but IROL retained his artistic integrity.
9. Hold a crowdfunding campaign
Budgets can be tight for smaller countries at Eurovision. San Marino could ease things a little by running a crowdfunding campaign to boost their Eurovision entry. Backer rewards could include seeing your name on the LEDs or getting to be a dancer. The top level reward — for donors of 250,000 euros or more — is to be San Marino’s actual Eurovision act.
10. V is for Valentina
V is also the Roman numeral for five. Maybe it’s time for Valentina Monetta to make her fifth attempt at Eurovision. Her last entry might not have done so well for San Marino, but Val remains the only artist to have taken San Marino to the grand final. Give her a jazz number in Italian and let her slay!
What do you think? How should San Marino choose their act for Tel Aviv? Who would you like to see sing for the microstate? Tell us what you think below!
Get Joshua Takacs!!! He’s got a brand new album coming out soon!!! https://www.youtube.com/JoshuaTakacs
Babe, that description fits Vasilije perfectly.
Valentina shouldn’t come back. I love her, but another try would be desperate and embarassing in my eyes. I also think, Serhat should come back but I’m pretty sure that Dschingis Khan will represent San Marino next year in Tel Aviv. I hope, Ralph Siegel will deliver some good stuff in 2019!
My number 1 tip for San Marino is to not rig their national final
What are probable is to send (1) Valentine with a strong, well-produced jazz number, (2) Michele with a true pop number, (3) sending a SanRemo competitor. One other option is to send Greta Doveri ex-the Peppermints, if that is viable.
A big no for Serhat, he was awful! And a big fat no for Ralph Siegel and his recycled, oldfashioned songs (he ruined the chances of those two kids – Michele & Anita, back in 2015, giving them an awful, oldish song)…
Some dreams are meant to die. Send some talent, please.
I say either ask some of the Sanremo newcomers or beg Sara de Blue for forgiveness.
Irol is interested, and he has potential for a good result. Rapping and singing in Italian, ofc.
I want to see an Valentina feat IROL!!
6. Grab Sanremo’s finest
Of course, good idea! San Marino can choose a big singer of the Festival or the winner of Newcomers, also amazing idea!
Annalisa forever <3
That would never happen tho.
That can happen if RAI was pleased with the offer, so it is going to be a possible outcome.
They have enough money to be in the contest in the first place, so who’s to say they don’t have enough money to appease RAI?
It’s not about money or RAI, I doubt any established act would represent San Marino
GIVE US BACK VALENTINA!!!???
I cannot believe Miodio didn’t get a mention here “Complice” is still by far one of the most underrated songs in 21st Century Eurovision, if voting was 50/50 in 2008 I reckon San Marino would’ve done quite well with juries.
If San Marino wants to become the third country to score nul points in the semifinal, then go with option 4. He’s already lied once about being confirmed to represent them, don’t forget that aside from the fact that he can’t sing or write a song, he steals other people’s music (ie “Zauvijek” containing that 2012 meditation piece, or one of the songs he tried to send to 1in360 featuring music stolen from an Australian artist). Another suggestion is trying to lure Sara de Blue away from potentially being snatched up by Austria and give her a powerhouse song to… Read more »
Pleeeeease send Sara de Blue. Right those wrongs!
How about they send singers from countries who aren’t allowed to compete in eurovision? Like for example stars from south korea or brazil who want to participate. I mean it’s not like they have so much local options to choose from so why not make san marino the official “rest of the world” country xD
Now there’s an idea I like. If they can invite Serhat from Turkey, and hold an all-comers’ contest with 1in360, they can invite anyone to compete.
Irol deserves a place in Eurovision, he’s 100% sammarinese if I remember well
That guy from Montenegro… they should better withdrawn than call him hahaha
They should send Jennifer Brenning with “Party Shore”.
Robyn’s humour is awesome! Irony meets passion <3 "Melodifestivalentina" – I can't breathe anymore 😀 😀 This article is so much fun – and that's what Eurovision really is about! Having fun together and enjoy music and feelings! #eurovisionfamily
I would so be down having Valentina come back <3
LMAO! They are referring to Vasilije. I’m screaming
I swear to God the number 4 is referring to Vasilije Ojdani?
The only way to get someone decent is to grab a runner-up from elsewhere. While no major stars show interest in representing San Marino, this will become an irresistibly attractive option for someone who competed elsewhere and just about got it.
San Marino should just let Sasha/Alex Bognibov go to Tel Aviv. He would be iconic
I know point number 4 is about that Montenegrin guy but it fits Aidan Cassar perfectly! I want a new Sanmarinese face for 2019, but Serhat can surely come back!
#1: If SMR has another all-comers’ competition, Serhat or any other Turk would surely be welcome. A win for both, unless he decides to try for Azerbaijan next time. Just don’t hook up with Ralph Siegel again. >:-X #3: I’d bet on Michele and/or Anita going solo next time, if they try for SMR again. #5: Absolutely out of the question! You’ll guarantee SMR’s first nul-point showing in the semis if you let that dinosaur have another shot! #6: If a MF reject like Rasmussen’s “Higher Ground” can draw waaaaay more televotes than the MF winner, maybe a gravely overlooked… Read more »
#4 does his name start with v and end in asilije 😉
The description “that guy…. yes, that guy!” can refer to literally every guy on the planet.
It would be amazing if they negotiated with RAI to choose one of the San Remo acts as their representative. I’m sure people would they take them serious afterwards.
That’s not a bad idea. San Remo is one of the best, if not the best, NF out there. They’re culturally linked, same language…just not sure if EBU would accept two countries fishing on the same pool, but then, there’s been cases of people going twice for different countries (Feminem)
1 Valentina please <3
Just sent professional italian singer.