Perché Sanremo è Sanremo! With only two weeks until the Sanremo Music Festival, juicy new details are coming thick and fast out of Italy.

On January 14 — during a closed-door, invitation-only meeting held at RAI television studios in Milan — journalists and bloggers from the country’s most important newspapers and music websites had the chance to preview the competing songs and to write down their opinions. Without a doubt, these have been among the most read articles in Italy over the last few days!

It has been an annual tradition for twenty years, and a celebrated first taste of what we might expect from the entries. As you already know, we won’t be able to hear the songs until the first performance on the stage, as required by sanremese rules and regulations.

Over two parts, we are going to report the general feelings of the press, sending our big thanks to the Italian Eurovision source Eurofestival News for sharing it with us.

Sanremo Festival 2022 Songs: Early reviews (Part One)

Judging by the reviews, it will be a Sanremo full of uptempo and dance proposals, radio-friendly tracks ready to conquer the streaming charts. It’s a further sign that the Italian Festival has changed a lot in recent years. However, there will be some noteworthy ballads, ready to hit the heart of the listeners.

Mahmood & Blanco – “Brividi”

The real surprise is that it wouldn’t be a song as you expect from them, but an intense ballad. Almost everyone puts them in the running for the win anyway, also because of the excellent fusion of voices.

Sample lyrics: “Dimmi che ho ragione, vivo dentro una prigione. Provo a restarti vicino, ma scusa se poi mando tutto a puttane. Non so dirti ciò che provo, è un mio limite, per un ti amo ho mischiato droghe e lacrime”.

English translation: “Tell me I’m right, I live inside a prison. I try to stay close to you, but sorry if I screw it up. I can’t tell you what I feel, it’s my limit, for an ‘I love you’ I mixed drugs and tears.”

Giusy Ferreri – “Miele”

Journalists have listened to the studio versions, so many have said that the real key will be the live performance, since unfortunately Giusy Ferreri has not done very well in the last Sanremo experiences from this point of view. “Miele” sounds like a radio friendly nostalgic track with retro elements. Giusy’s stated goal for this Sanremo is to get out of the vortex of summer hits that have pushed her into a single genre in recent years. Will she succeed?

Sample lyrics: “Che cos’è, fino a qui, senza te? È una lama che sa di miele.”

English translation: “What is it, so far, without you? It is a blade that tastes like honey.”

Massimo Ranieri – “Lettera al di là del mare”

The reviews confirm that Massimo Ranieri did not come to Sanremo just to get applause. Theatrical and intense, it is an autobiographical ballad (but written by the author of “Occidentali’s Karma”), which, through the story of when he boarded a ship to go and perform in the United States, recounts the suffering of migrants today on that same sea.

Of course, he never mentions the word “migrants”. Let’s not even discuss the interpretation. For almost everyone, the podium seems obvious. “Lettera al di là del mare” could even win.

Sample lyrics: “Ma in un punto del viaggio la pioggia cadrà su ogni paura ed oltraggio. Amore, vedi, così buio è questo mare, troppo grande per non tremare.”

English translation: “But at one point in the journey the rain will fall on every fear and outrage. My love, you see, so dark is this sea, too big not to shiver.”

Dargen D’Amico – “Dove si balla”

It seems to be “the most modern song of the Festival”, destined, as per the title, to make the Ariston audience stand up and dance with 90s disco. The only lyrics touch on Covid (“What a bad end, with the masks”) and closed clubs (“But go figure out why you live if you can’t dance”). He could be the outsider of this edition.

Sample lyrics: “Quindi dove andiamo? Dove si balla. Fottitene e balla. Tra i rottami balla, per restare a galla.”

English translation: “So where do we go? Where we’re going to dance. F*ck off and dance. Dance in the wreckage, to stay afloat.”

Ana Mena – “Duecentomila ore”

The Spanish performer is the only one among the 25 artists who didn’t receive a single positive review, she took the lowest marks of all. “But the grade can go up to 9 on the fifth Gin Tonic,” reads one of the critiques. Summary judgment taken from one of the reviews: “What to expect from a singer who in Italy has made a name for herself with summer hits with Rocco Hunt and Fred De Palma?”.

Sample lyrics: “Quando la notte arriva, m’ama non m’ama, un fiore, America Latina, un Cuba Libre, amore.”

English translation: “When the night comes, he loves me, he loves me not, a flower, Latin America, a Cuba Libre, love.”

Tananai – “Sesso occasionale”

An urban pop track that revisits the ’60s, with joy. In some parts it also recalls Righeira, a successful duo of Italian music of the 80s. On the whole, “Sesso occasionale” seems to convince only a part of the press. There are many – too many – negative evaluations, but the feeling is that it is more for the quite divisive music genre.

Sample lyrics: “Troviamoci una casa e non finiamoci più nel sesso occasionale. Ma sappi che tra un anno, un giorno, non avrò capito ancora di cosa hai bisogno.”

English translation: “Let’s find a home and never end up in casual sex again. But I know that a year from now, or one day, I still won’t have figured out what you need.”

Giovanni Truppi – “Tuo padre, mia madre, Lucia”

We are beyond Sanremo here. “Tuo padre, mia madre, Lucia” would fit better into Premio Tenco or Musicultura (two important Italian awards dedicated to songwriting and art music). For almost everyone he is out of the race, because his song is very refined and probably too ‘high standard’ for the Sanremo audience. He will run for the Critics’ Choice Award or Best Lyrics Award. He is one of only three artists not to have received even one negative rating, but he has many average ratings, perhaps due to the complexity of the track.

Sample lyrics: “Amore mio per vivere facciamo mille cose stupide. Lo sai, per sopravvivere semplifichiamo il più possibile, ma cosa c’è di semplice?”

English translation: “My love, to live we do a thousand stupid things. You know, to survive we simplify as much as we can, but what’s simple?”

Emma Marrone – “Ogni volta è così”

Feminist lyrics for Emma’s song, which will be accompanied on stage by fellow Eurovision colleague Francesca Michielin, in the role of conductor of the orchestra. Reviews are not enthusiastic because the song is not the banger that was expected from her. Nothing new for Emma’s discography overall. As some reviews write, the title is revealing: “Every time it’s like this”.

Sample lyrics: “Non so perché ma ogni volta è così. Ogni cosa è al suo posto, non mi piovere addosso. Persi per strada a un incrocio, per un momento metti che il cielo poi fosse il pavimento.”

English translation: “I don’t know why but every time it’s like this. Everything is in its place, don’t rain on me. We’re lost on the street at an intersection, for a moment imagine the sky was the floor.”

Achille Lauro – “Domenica”

The singer-songwriter and performer from Rome will apparently propose a cover of “Rolls Royce”, the song with which he debuted at Sanremo in 2019, and that is why the ratings are rather low: there is no more ‘surprise effect’, which according to many, will be in the choreography, necessary to push the song.

Sample lyrics: “La sposo? La sposo, come no. Le voglio bene ma mi dò per morto, ah ah ah. ‘Sta vita è un roller coaster, romanzo rosa, noi piuttosto un porno.”

English translation: “I’m marrying her? Yeah, I’m marrying her, sure. I love her but I give myself up for dead, ah ah ah. This life is a roller coaster, a romance novel, we’re more like porn.”

Matteo Romano – “Virale”

The eighteen year old seems destined to share the audience of young people with colleagues Aka7even and Sangiovanni, but for many reviewers “the music also exists outside of TikTok”, probably indicating the not brilliant project of the star launched by the social network. The track is also signed by Federico Rossi, former member of the duo Benji & Fede. There is criticism for calling the song “Virale” in times of pandemic.

Sample lyrics: “E lasciati andare che il cuore ti cade giù e l’amore riappare, va in tendenza e risale, diventa virale.”

English translation: “And let go that your heart falls down and love reappears, trends and rises, goes viral.”

Noemi – “Ti amo non lo so dire”

Noemi returns with a biting power ballad written by Mahmood. The refrain of “Ti amo non lo so dire” is constantly growing and increasingly pressing. The opinions of the press are very discordant on this one.

Sample lyrics: “Non ho paura di sentirmi vuota dentro un mare di parole perse sul fondale.”

English translation: “I’m not afraid of feeling empty inside a sea of words lost on the seabed.”

Aka7even – “Perfetta così”

According to critics “Perfetta così” seems written and designed for Aka7even’s target audience and for radio airplay. To some, it sounds like the soundtrack to a Disney series for teenagers.

Sample lyrics: “E sorridi perché quando lo fai tu mi uccidi. I tuoi occhi, il tuo corpo, i vestiti, quelli miei che indossavi così con te avevi una parte di me.”

English translation: “And smile because when you do you kill me. Your eyes, your body, your clothes, my clothes you wore so with you had a part of me.”

Iva Zanicchi – “Voglio amarti”

As the performer herself explained, it’s a song written in the 60s, left in the drawer and fished out during the lockdown. In general, there is a feeling that she will still be given a standing ovation, especially if she proves she still has impressive vocals. Of the only two positive evaluations, one is “for her career.” The respect for Zanicchi has induced many colleagues to hold on to the sufficiency.

Sample lyrics: “Voglio amarti, e non solo per amore, voglio amarti perché ho fame anch’io di te. E se un giorno scoprirò nel mio cuore una ruga in più, sarai tu.”

English translation: “I want to love you, and not just for love, I want to love you because I’m hungry for you too. And if one day I discover an extra wrinkle in my heart, it will be you.”

What do you make of the previews so far? Which of the above are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments. And stay with wiwibloggs to read Part Two — coming soon!

Read more Italy Eurovision 2022 news here

31 Comments
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Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

Mahmood and Blanco singing an intense ballad is something that sounds very appealing to my ears. I’m also curious to check Noemi singing a Mahmood song. I can see it going both ways, but I appreciate she’s taking this challenge. Oh, and kudos to Francesca, again breaking new ground in Sanremo.

Lorena
Lorena
2 years ago

So much controversy with Ana Mena going to San Remo and not to Benidorm Fest and it seems that any BF’s entry is better than Ana Mena’s song…

Ellie
Ellie
2 years ago
Reply to  Lorena

Well, if her goal was never to go to Eurovision, but to enter the Italian market, then it doesn’t matter much how well received her song is by journalists.

Lorena
Lorena
2 years ago
Reply to  Ellie

She does not need to enter the Italian market, since she actually was in the Italian market before she got to be known in Spain. I first heard of her in October 2020 as a Spanish artist that was succesful in Italy… although nobody knew her in Spain back then.

Pietro
Pietro
2 years ago
Reply to  Lorena

If her goal was to go to eurovision it would have been easier to win benidorm fest than sanremo in my opinion, so I think that her song will not be of high quality but maybe it will be a hit, bringing her closer to the Italian music market, also because she is known in Italy for featuring in some summer hits and not for her discography.

Jessica Folcker
Jessica Folcker
2 years ago

The beauty of Sanremo is that they focus on the festival in the first place. The winning song only happens to be an Eurovision entry.

Esc1234
Esc1234
2 years ago

Melodifestivalen would never

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

not surprised by many of these comments. no one was betting on emma in italy, really, we all know her sound is in huge need for a revamp and that she’s no threat these days. same for giusy ferreri and noemi. ana mena’s song was bound to be panned because it’s an unpretentious, fun song that’ll do well in the charts like elettra’s. matteo romano is kinda an industry plant, no one was expecting him to be taken seriously. i wonder if noemi managed to make the mahmood-penned ballad hers, his style is really strong and sometimes artists singing his… Read more »

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

Who knew Francesca Michielin could conduct?

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Why did you block @hotopicsesc?

Joe
Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Roodi

What does that have to do with anything?

Joe
Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe

None of your business, btw

Rashim
Rashim
2 years ago

After reading these this seems like a flop year for Italy, but who knows maybe there is something okay in the mix.

Pietro
Pietro
2 years ago
Reply to  Rashim

Do you really think that? In my opinion it’s one of the best in recent years

Last edited 2 years ago by Pietro
Alex
Alex
2 years ago

I always expected Massimo was coming to play after a very long comeback. Very glad he didn’t disappoint.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

I’v very looking forward to Ciao Ciao and Dove se balla.
Journalists got it so right last year with Musica Leggerissima even tho it’ll be hard to beat I think they can be right there hopefully

willchrisiam
willchrisiam
2 years ago

“It seems to be “the most modern song of the Festival”, destined, as per the title, to make the Ariston audience stand up and dance with 90s disco.”
Make it make sense. 90s disco is somehow modern?
Was something lost in translation or did they really write that?

Last edited 2 years ago by willchrisiam
willchrisiam
willchrisiam
2 years ago
Reply to  willchrisiam

Also – I might be too young and because of that mistaken, but I don’t remember disco being a thing in the ’90s…

willchrisiam
willchrisiam
2 years ago

Thanks for clarifying. I suspected that they just didn’t phrase/translate it correctly but seeing what kind of Eurovision jurors and journalists we’ve had recently, I’m not putting anything past anyone anymore.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
2 years ago

I say it every year but once again, thank you so much to Cristian for bringing these press reviews to us!

I am so excited to hear Massimo’s song now. Sounds like it could be something special. :3

ArvinRoido Atienza
ArvinRoido Atienza
2 years ago

Sesso occasionale? Me: Horrible flashbacks to SESSO IBUPROFENE

sucof
sucof
2 years ago

Maneskin will be at the first night of the festival, if I understand correctly with a new song

Vincenzo
Vincenzo
2 years ago
Reply to  sucof

Yes, confirmed.

Sale
Sale
2 years ago

Wow Italians really are xenophobic, poor Ana…

Vale
Vale
2 years ago
Reply to  Sale

What a stupid comment. First, those reviews are from the press (not the entire Italian country). Second, the press judges the song and not the person. In fact, one of the lowest marks was given to Iva Zanicchi (a singer that won Sanremo Festival three times). Most likely, Ana Mena will receive votes from the public and the opinion poll jury. Third, there have been different foreigners placing high in Sanremo: Luis Miguel (second place), Lola Ponce winning in 2008, José Feliciano.

Last edited 2 years ago by Vale
Vale
Vale
2 years ago
Reply to  Vale

Any singers from abroad can partecipate in Sanremo if they sing in fact in Italian. Previous famous non Italian contestants are for example Cher, Dionne Warwick (with a beautiful song, here you can listen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNIvR6DK1C0), Luis Miguel, Louis Armstrong and many more.

Last edited 2 years ago by Vale
ArvinRoido Atienza
ArvinRoido Atienza
2 years ago
Reply to  Sale

Bruh Mahmood’s Arab and he won in 2019

willchrisiam
willchrisiam
2 years ago

Pretty sure he’s Italian of Egyptian and Italian descent…

Alo
Alo
2 years ago

As someone who followed the journalists reviews for recent years I must say that they never predicted the winner. However, if I’m not wrong it was still usually ranked among the top 10.
Also, la rappresentante di lista ranked first last year also(together with colapesce).

Ellie
Ellie
2 years ago
Reply to  Alo

The winner over the last few years has been in the top 4-6 of the press previews. Maybe not the absolute press favorite, but still mostly loved from the very first reactions.