Perché Sanremo è Sanremo! After weeks of anxious waiting, the Sanremo Music Festival 2022 has finally kicked off.
Last year, due to all the limitations stemming from Covid-19, there was no audience in the theatre for the first time in Sanremo’s history. This year, however, the warmth of the spectators sitting on the 1,900 red seats returned to the legendary Ariston.
A glamorous atmosphere, tons of glitter and sequins, a classic but dynamic scenography — it was all on show. The most loved and talked-about Italian program of the year delivered another amazing — even if endless — show. But it’s always worth it to watch!
“Siamo fuori di testa ma diversi da loro” ?
L’esibizione integrale dei @thisismaneskin è disponibile su RaiPlay ? https://t.co/u346uwjh9f #Sanremo2022 pic.twitter.com/L5uvKniRHL— Rai1 (@RaiUno) February 1, 2022
During the first episode — hosted by Amadeus with the support of Rosario Fiorello and actress Ornella Muti — we enjoyed special guest appearances from Italian superstars and winners of both Sanremo and Eurovision 2021 Måneskin — who once again rocked the stage with “Zitti e buoni” and made us cry with “Coraline” — and Meduza.
The Italian production electronic music group, known globally for various hits, performed a medley of their singles “Piece of your heart”, “Lose control”, “Paradise” and “Tell it to my heart” accompanied by the voice of Irish singer Hozier. Tennis player Matteo Berrettini and actors Raoul Bova, Nino Frassica and Claudio Gioè also took the stage.
L’esibizione integrale è su RaiPlay ? https://t.co/V1WazcdXRe#Sanremo2022 pic.twitter.com/IEgMBjE40R
— Festival di Sanremo (@SanremoRai) February 1, 2022
Anyway, all of our attention has been focused on the main event for Eurovision fans: the original numbers, heard by the viewers for the very first time, as required by sanremese tradition! 12 of the 25 contestants — the names from which Italy’s Eurovision 2022 artist will be chosen — debuted their entries.
At the end of the first night, the provisional ranking based on the results of the press jury voting were revealed.
Sanremo 2022 first night
Press jury voting ranking
? @Mahmood_Music & #Blanco
? #BrividiL’esibizione integrale è su RaiPlay ? https://t.co/FL4ctljKQg#Sanremo2022 pic.twitter.com/U7pQmNkJWn
— Festival di Sanremo (@SanremoRai) February 1, 2022
Click on song titles to watch the performance.
- Mahmood & Blanco with “Brividi“
- La Rappresentante di Lista with “Ciao ciao“
- Dargen D’Amico with “Dove si balla“
- Gianni Morandi with “Apri tutte le porte“
- Massimo Ranieri with “Lettera di là dal mare“
- Noemi with “Ti amo non lo so dire“
- Michele Bravi with “Inverno dei fiori“
- Rkomi with “Insuperabile“
- Achille Lauro with “Domenica“
- Giusy Ferreri with “Miele“
- Yuman with “Ora e qui“
- Ana Mena with “Duecentomila ore“
L’esibizione integrale è su RaiPlay ? https://t.co/4QwjNcmSFq#Sanremo2022 pic.twitter.com/LkDEmo6Qpe
— Festival di Sanremo (@SanremoRai) February 1, 2022
How will the Sanremo winner be picked?
Voting during the five evenings will occur through different combinations of three methods:
- Public televoting, carried out via landline, mobile phone, the contest’s official mobile app and online voting.
- Press jury voting, expressed by accredited print, radio and web journalists that followed the competition from the Roof Hall at the Ariston Theatre.
- A demoscopic poll, composed by 1000 music fans who voted from their homes via an electronic voting system managed by global market research and a consulting firm Ipsos.
The four voting systems will have a percentage weight so distributed:
- First and Second Evening: 100% press jury voting
- Third Evening: 50% public televoting; 50% demoscopic poll
- Fourth Evening: 34% public televoting; 33% demoscopic poll; 33% press jury voting
- Fifth Evening: 100% public televoting
In the final part of the fifth evening, a new rank indicating the first three acts — determined by the percentage of votes obtained in this evening’s vote and those obtained in previous evenings — will be drawn up.
- Superfinal: 34% public televoting; 33% press jury voting; 33% demoscopic poll
What do you think of the first 12 songs of Sanremo 2022? Who are you most excited for? Share your thoughts below!
I’m a big fan of Ciao Ciao and I would be happy if it wins Sanremo and represents Italy at Eurovision. It doesn’t sound like a typical Sanremo song but then again the same could be said of Maneskin.
Oh, so this is where you were all hiding out. I didn’t think of looking here.
My first thoughts are usually unreliable, but for now I preferred last night. Irama just might become my favourite for the second year, though.
Combined press ranking:
1) Elisa
2) Mahmood & Blanco
3) La Rappresentante di Lista
4) Dargen D’Amico
5) Gianni Morandi
6) Emma
7) Ditonellapiaga & Rettore
8) Massimo Ranieri
9) Irama
10) Fabrizio Moro
That’s a good question. I know Gianni, Massimo and Iva are all legends, but in a ranking between them I would put Gianni last, so maybe we’re losing something for not being Italians?
I would take this top 3 and I wonder if Elisa could end up being the Ermal Meta (won all the ranking and finished 3rd place) or if she’s popular enough to win it with ease.
We’re young Italians. If I count just the years I’m watching Sanremo, I’m still a piccola bambina. 😀
Another question I have if any Italian fan is reading me now is if we have a Francesca & Fedez this time, meaning someone that can smash the televote and doesn’t need much support from the press and the demoscopic.
Nobody else in Italy have the kind of followers Fedez and his wife Chiara Ferragni have so this year won’t be as celebrity driven as it was last year. For sure Mahmood and Blanco has a big following (especially Blanco) but so do Irama and Sangiovanni, Elisa has a huge twenty years career and everybody loves her here and the same could be said for Gianni Morandi who among the veterans is definitely the most well loved by the public
No way! Mahmood & Blanco will win Sanremo. Don’t you all think?
There’s still a lot of voting to happen. I remember Mahmood, Diodato and Maneskin got traction during the week. The weird thing is that the most probable top 3 before the contest was the top 3 tonight. Can they lead until the end?
I´m sharing this prediction.
Tonight’s press ranking: 1) Elisa, 2) Emma, 3) Ditonellapiaga & Rettore, 4) Irama, 5) Fabrizio Moro.
I think they were charming, but I surprised they got that high. Though it makes sense that an uptempo song got in the middle of 5 ballads.
Chimica is one of the rare instances when I can’t explain why I like a song xD. It seemed uptempo and energetic and at the same time musically interesting to me. Some 80s vibes I think but at the same time it felt modern.
I really like all 5 of these entries. Still though I feel like Matteo Romano and Highsnob&Hu were a bit underrated today. I still haven’t decided my own top since I liked most of today’s songs.
I’m sorry but I think her song is overrated because who she is. There were thousands songs like this in Sanremo before.
Sesso ocasionale with studio cut will probably be good.
Unpopular opinion but I enjoyed the second evening much more than the first one in terms of songs. Today I liked almost all of the songs! We have a strong Sanremo once again guys!
I liked almost every entry presented tonight to a certain extent! Le Vibrazioni have a very energetic rock entry. Emma a very powerful ballad that showcases her voice. Elisa is as classy as it can get and her entry was a showstopper for me: touching and beautiful. Fabrizio Moro and Irama had two beautiful ballads that also gave them a chance to provide great vocals. And Matteo Romano and Highsnob&Hu had the most modern songs of this evening. Both were amazing and among my top ones. All in all great entries, the winner could very well be among these.
Oh and I forgot to talk about Chimica! In my book this song was genius.
It seems the press seriously underestimated Irama. He gave it all tonight. It’s a great “What if?” to think what could happen last year if he hasn’t got Covid.
I liked Aka7even too.
And also liked Highsnob & Hu, things got better tonight on the 2nd half. I guess Elisa and Irama are the contenders of the 2nd night.
From the more uptempo songs, I guess he’s my runner-up too, but far behind LRDL. But as all the other songs on this field, the studio version can improve the way I see it.
I got it, after all, you already said they’re in your top 5. 🙂
She came to fight, that’s for sure. By the way, those who called “Brividi” a typical Sanremo ballad should check her song and also Fabrizio’s. I believe these fit much more the label.
I liked it, but I hadn’t “felt it” like with Mahmood/Blanco, Noemi and Elisa. I would put Emma ahead of him too, but I have to rewatch this one, because like you pointed the cameras were so attached to Francesca (can’t blame them!) that it got a little distractive.
Since I had a clear top 4 and not a top 5 (though Rkomi and Giusy grew on me), I guess for now I would just add Elisa to them.
Please reveal me your top 5 please
Thank you Tibor! <3
Fabrizio was amazing. Beautiful song as always with him.
And his stage presence and performance always elevate even more.
Yawn ……
I think we will see Mahmood back to the esc stage
Fingers crossed
Truppi’s lyrics are very good, it seems he’s the favorite to win that songwriting award this kind of “musical poetry” entry tends to win in Sanremo.
Sangiovanni was charming, but just as happened with Gaia last year, I feel the best from them in Sanremo is yet to come.
Laura and Mika singing ABBA together in Sanremo with Alessandro Cattelan in the orchestra. It’s not official yet, but yeah, it’s official.
And now it’s official official. Let the complaints about Mika doing it begin.
Brividi and Ciao Ciao on repeat. Let’s what another pre-contest favorite Elisa will show us. Very excited. It’s very early to predict anything at all but even with the first two songs mentioned, Italy may not win but will have a chance to get to Top-5 or even better. I just imagine an italian audience roaring at the arena in Turin for such powerful songs. Only pleasure.
Ana Mena wouldn’t make it to the Benidorm Fest line-up. I didn’t miss her tbh. What a bland and dated song…
Mahmood and blanco need to be in Turin the song is beautiful and I feel we could be looking at a back to back win for Italy potentially 🙂
Brividi was “meh” – I was more impressed with the stage than anything else
Not Italy scoring the first double victory of the 21st century…
Ciao Ciao is much better than the generic ballad Brividi.
A Sanremo performance on the YouTube trends in the UK is something I would never expect.
And Brividi did it
Mahmood didn’t even get points from the Brits with Soldi xd
Yes. Also in France. Big 5 united I guess.
With Spain and Germany I was not surprised to see it there but with UK I really was 🙂
And as you said, it usually happens after the final. This was early
After listening to most of the studio versions: – Though the orchestra did a good job as usual, “Ciao Ciao” benefits a lot from the studio version because there we can properly hear each instrument doing their thing. It’s probably the most mainstream thing coming from LRDL yet. Keeps growing on me. – “Dove si balla” is probably the song most harmed by the use of an orchestra. Listening to the actual track I can see why the press loved it. I’m not into Dargen’s vocals, but other than that it’s a fun song. – A third track that heavily… Read more »
Ciao Ciao has been my biggest grower since yersterday. works much better with studio version indeed.
As for Mahmood, Noemi’s song has Dardurst behind and Brividi has Michelengelo. Very different.
To me, Brividi was more close to Blanco’s style probably but both styles fit perfect to me and I feel Mahmood really needed a change and explore beyond Dardust. Both songs were very well written tho
I agree that Mahmood and Blanco were a perfect fit. And it makes sense that the Dardust one went to Noemi, because it’s something new to her, while it wouldn’t be to him.
I agree that Brividi is closer to blanco’s Blu celeste style than mahmood’s Rapide style. I like every single Mahmood’s song but when he sings a ballad my heart melts
I’ve never cried listening to a Sanremo song, so for me this anthem is like a milestone! I’m so proud and happy for Mahmood and Blanco, they really deserve the first place!
So far ‘Brividi’ stans out! Let’s wait and see heat no 2
*stands out
As an Italian music lover, I must confess I liked 4 songs among the 12. I personally enjoyed Vrividi, Miele and Normi. but I personally didn’t see anyone really shinning bright in terms of song and performance, but Maneskin (what an amazing ballad!). By the way, as a viewer, I would appreciate they’d shorten the show, I felt asleep a couple of times…
Wow, liked some songs, the others maybe I didnt connect as much, but incredible level of music from almost everyone. I personally loved Mahmood and Blanco (I cried hah); Noemi and Dargen D´amico. Didnt feel as much La Rappresentante de Lista and Michele Bravi, but I can see why some people like it.
Good luck to anyone; I´m sure tonight we will enjoy some great songs too.
There were three songs that I really liked but after that, not so much. I mean, it’s amazing that Sanremo has such a high standard most years that I came away from the first night a little disappointed. I’m hoping the second batch of songs have a few more so that I can have as many as I liked as last year. It seems I’m the only one that’s saying this but as much as I like La Rappresentante Di Lista, and I do listen to them a lot during the non-Eurovision season, I have not liked either of their… Read more »
I may be wrong because I haven’t read the reviews (I only read someone summarizing how the press felt about each track), but I’m under the impression it was just one review that said Italy would/could win back to back with “Ciao Ciao”. The other reviews gave it a high rating, but it was just one person creating these unattainable expectations about it. It seems unfair to me to attach to LRDL the burden of an over-enthusiastic review.
As an Italian I found all of the songs a bit underwhelming, lacking a heartfelt hero piece amongst them. Hoping next batch will bring the eventual winner.
I can say the same.
Guys all songs should be ungeoblocked by now, enjoy the music!
Also music videos
Wow, can’t believe I actually watched Sanremo! The fact that I watched till Meduza’s performance is huge, for a first-time Sanremo viewer (by that performance, it was already 4:30am here, so trust me when I say it’s a huge deal) I was in a literally state of euphoria when I was watching the show. It was great! None of the songs were bad at all. Though I was a bit disappointed with Achille Lauro’s song as well as performance. I was looking forward to Domenica. Brividi was very beautiful, but it still needs to grow on me. Ciao ciao was… Read more »
Thank you. It’s so good for us Italians to know there are fans waking up early or going to bed late to see Sanremo.
Does anyone know where I can find the Meduza/Hozier performance?
Surely on RAI PLAY APP and Website. But it may be geoblocked now.
I can’t stop watching and listening Brividi
Studio version also amazing. And the video
Dove si balla is absolutely bloody fantastic! My god I’ve had a smile on my face watching that back, and the lyrics, the meaning….ohhh I wouldn’t mind a bit of that at eurovision, yes please.
Same. It gives me everything. And it has some Gigi d’agostino and Battiato vibes. Genius.
Listening to Ciao Ciao by La Rappresentante Di Lista on repeat. Winners!
Same here, love it
I love it too !
The word “curva” in Insuperabile by Rkomi is very confusing for Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian people lol
also Poland/ Czech and Slovak …. LOL
It´s the only polish word I know…. Help
As a Ukrainian, brings not necessarily good associations.
You forgot Romanian lol
Can someone explain how they chose the people for the demoscopic poll?
As it was explained to me years ago, you are able to qualify to be chosen for the demoscopic jury by purchasing music at a record store in the previous year. IDK if they have updated the selection method, with record stores in decline in this age of digital music.
I usually hate classic pop ballads but Brividi is pure perfection
I went through the studio versions this morning, and I still stand by what I felt last night: Brividi, Inverno dei fiori, and Ti amo non lo so dire are my favorite three of the night. Right there are also Ciao ciao, Lettera di la del mare, and Insuperabile. In fact, I didn’t dislike any of the 12. Someone will have to finish last on my list, but that might as well be my second in Ireland or fifth in Malta. Well done, Italy! Everyone complaining how long it was has no idea how Sanremo works. Conversations with the hosts… Read more »
Completely agree with you, the songs are great, maybe they have too high expectations, after all, the best is always expected from Sanremo… some didn’t convince me last night but this morning I listened to all the studio versions and re-evaluated them. Splendid line up
I loved Brividi so much.
Beautiful, simple, honest, emotional.
Blanco is so special
I am honestly not sure what kind of expectations majority of people have?
Brividi is an amazing song! So many emotions, such a great mood, beautiful combo of Mahmood’s and Blanoc’s vocals. I am left speechless and with goosebumps! And shocked by some comments on this page!
My winners of the evening as well! No other song is at this level from night one.
I agree with you ! FANTASTIC song from Mahmood/Blanco !
At the third consecutive Sanremo Festival and after last year’s difficult edition, held behind closed doors due to Covid, Amadeus managed to perform the miracle and make its best prime time. On Rai1, in fact, yesterday it recorded 51.51% average share with 13.805 million Italians connected in the first part and 55.34% and 6.408 million in the second, with an average of 54.7% and 10.911 million. Last year it had raised 46.35% and 11.1 million in the first part, 47.77% and 4.2 million in the second, with an average of 46.90% and 8.3 million. While in 2020 he had taken… Read more »
Yessss. Next year Amadeus again.
I believe the hype was also for the presence of Måneskin. We should check the audience during their two performances, which where, for me, the highlights of the show. I really believe RAI shall bring onstage in Turin the orchestra of Sanremo and have the opening with Zitti e Buoni with the orchestra.
What a dream !!!! Maneskin and orchestra in Turin., Zitti e buoni and Coraline.
That would be amazing!! I really hope Rai would do that.
i felt the mahmood x blanco performance was quite subpar. very little going on on stage, vocals at times painful, and the song was underwhelming. also disappointed by rkomi, who completely erased his usual music style for the sake of a sanremo-friendly song, and by achille lauro, who didn’t exploit the gospel choir at all (and let’s face it, his gimmicks surprise no one anymore). i think la rappresentante di lista gave the most entertaining show paired with the most immediate song, while michele bravi’s song was extremely classy, he was just looking a lil worn out.
I feel like Tel Aviv 2019 demonstrated that Mahmood isn’t the best live performer. Not that he’s a bad singer or rapper, but the energy and charisma that’s present in his studio cuts or music videos doesn’t translate live.
He can sometimes seem a little nervous, but that never matters – he always performs with intensity. When he finished Soldi in Tel Aviv, it took him about five seconds to come back to reality and smile again.
Really enjoyed the first night of Sanremo. La Rapp. di Lista was my favourite of night one and brought something quite fresh and different for Italy. Mahmood and Blanco gave an excellent performance but the song sounded like a re-hash of other Mahmood songs – imo. Maneskin were amazing and also seemed to have progressed in their performance since their Eurovision win – also, keep singing in Italian guys!.The constant star of Sanremo year after year must be the Orchestra. It really adds to to and elevates each performance – over 5 long nights it must be the most hard-worked… Read more »
It was shocking and not comforting too see the enormous amounts of time the Italians take for having chitchat on stage while an audience is sitting politely wearing masks and designer couture. Some songs were interesting, though you cannot always completely hear their potential as the live music sometimes -awkwardly- camouflages the essence of the song. There was hopefully a sound problem, as some singers were completely off. It was painful. Score at end of the day: talking time 8- singing time 1. Well done presenters. Please use this evening as a “how not to” for May 22.
Apparently you’ve never watched Sanremo before?
I was surprised we had 3 songs already within the first half hour.
Why are you pretending to be me?
Michele bravi was my favourite. The song his voice is so beautiful.
Why did Ana Mena cosplay Ariana Grande? I thought this was Sanremo, not Your Face Sounds Familiar
Actually Rkomi was my favourite by far and I can’t wait for the studio version.
I also agree with everyone else regarding ‘ciao ciao’, what an absolute bop, its my second of the night.
I loved 8 of 12 songs, wonderful first night
All the studio versions have been already uploaded on spotify and youtube
Really? I can’t find them on youtube. Can you maybe send me the links to Ciao Ciao and Rkomi? 🙂
I only found Mahmood’s. Maybe it is the privilege of the winning act only ?
Yeah I think none is published so far except Brividi
I found some version of all the studio versions on You Tube, except for Giusy Ferreri’s song. Not everyone has a video published on their page, but everyone else at least has a lyric video done by a fan.
https://open.spotify.com/album/2mZcixmz3DBL28uBKVc9Oq?si=k7p7-ItqQ9iiftEa7lvt-w
Here is Rkomis song
Do you see my comment with the links? Every time I publish it then it disappears
ciao ciao is stuck in my head and i cant stop singing it.
First impressions: I think Dove si balla could be a very enticing song, I was just put off a little by the visual staging. Noemi and Giusy really impressed me – I wasn’t sure they were going to be my type of thing but by the end I was very much sold. Mahmood and Blanco – a very intense performance, perhaps the most captivating of the night, I am just not sure about the song underneath Ana Mena – it was nice Everything else didn’t really grab me on first listen or there was something that I found a little… Read more »
Mahmood and Blanco’s song is quite nice. Of course it’s not the next Eurovision winner which some people here and elsewhere hyped it up to be, but that’s not the artists’ fault. Now will it win Sanremo… I have my doubts, there will probably be better entries, as it lacks a bit of punch and the chorus is a little jarring to the ears at times.