The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2025. Next we review Italy, who have chosen Lucio Corsi with “Volevo Essere Un Duro”.
Were we enchanted? Read on to find out!
Lucio Corsi – “Volevo Essere Un Duro” (Italy Eurovision 2025)
Review: Lucio Corsi – “Volevo Essere Un Duro”
Ruxandra: This song doesn’t feel like background music. It made me stop everything else and just listen. What I really love when I see this song performed is that I don’t get the impression I’m watching something “staged.” It’s simply singing with eyes closed, pure emotion that’s well executed, making me feel like I’m at a concert for those three minutes. The lyrics are an important element for me, and personally, one of the best this year. There is nothing placed randomly there, everything has a meaning and symbolises something. The best word to describe this whole performance is “natural” — and for me this says everything.
Score: 10
Jonathan: Lucio Corsi obviously has a lot of musical talent. But, I’m afraid I can’t connect with this song. It drags its heels so much that three minutes feels like ten, and I’m itching to hit the skip button. The monotone vocal delivery doesn’t help stir up any particularly rousing emotions, whilst the electric guitar solo is also somehow rather flat. No doubt the timeless quality of the song will have its fans – just not here.
Score: 3
Simon: Authentic singer-songwriter entry from Italy, which would be perfect for an afternoon espresso macchiato at a small town square in Tuscany. Lucio Corsi takes us on a personal journey and it feels natural to bop along. It could be lost a bit in a field of very in-your-face entries this year, but on the other hand it’s a pleasant break from some of the other noisy bits. Could have a fate like Rosa Linn and become somewhat viral after Eurovision as it fits perfectly in an IKEA or travel commercial, driving amidst beautiful scenery while watching the sunset on the horizon.
Score: 6.5
Scarlett: “Volevo Essere Un Duro” has that timeless quality that appeals to a range of audiences. It doesn’t necessarily bring anything novel from a musical standpoint, but Lucio’s lyrics come from the heart in talking about the reality, expectations, and insecurities that come with growing up. The melody is classic and comforting with its throwback, ’70s rock quality – like a nice, warm hug. And that’s all the song needs to capture people’s attention.
Score: 5.5
Italy Eurovision 2025 ranking
In the Eurovision 2025 Wiwi Jury, we have 17 jurors but only have room for four reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Andreas: 7 Antranig: 2 Bernardo: 5.5 Burak: 5 Cinan: 5.5 Deban: 6 Jordi: 6.5 |
Lucy: 7 Pablo: 5 Suzanne: 5 Tom: 8 Tomas: 3.5 William: 8 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a high of 10 and a low of 2.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.80/10
What do you think of Italy’s Eurovision 2025 entry? Share your own score and review for Lucio Corsi’s “Volevo Essere Un Duro” below!
Wouldn’t be surprised if this would come last, his vocal ability is very shaky and the song very bland with lyrical content being something that could come from a teenager.
Not a singer, not a poet – only a poor choice. 2/10
Italy’s worst in years 3.5 from me.
Ruxandra, William, Tom and Lucy are people to understand quality. Thank you. You are more and more rare. Thanks anyway to those who gave at least 6 or 6,5. My message to those who gave less than 6 is: I would send you to jail for a year, in a cell, alone.with headphones playong the empty songs you ranked better than this all along until you get totally fed up or crazy. You deserve it. You are talentless, so you destroy the only one who has a talent because you are envios. I am sure you arr those who will… Read more »
So I am not the only one to notice Deban really hates everything’s italian…
Gaypride and prejudice
When it is a dance song, he prefers a ballad. When it is a ballad, he prefers a dance song. Etc. He probably likes only Mahmood because he is hot. And nothing else.
I think this song is way better than Sweden’s childish entry; as least from my perspective 🙂
But as soon as you mention sweden, people hearts melt. Like when you are close to a very powerful man and you start dreaming of licking his boots to have his favours. Unfortunately Sweden has this power. Submissed juries, submisses audience (in full Stockholm Syndrome) and people who vote the country that is in the top of the odds just because they have a weak psychology so they like to give themselves away. I would prohibit the bets so there will be no odds anymore and no odds influenced winners.
As soon as someone posts a negative comment about Sweden, he is sinked by downvotes. What childish behaviour.
Italy 10/12
ITALY – Italian entries have often been my top 10, as winning Sanremo, or even being in top 5 there, marks a level of quality and competitivness that goes a long way at Eurovision. Lucio Corsi came second at Sanremo, and brough his sentimental rocky ballad to Basel. While this song is, of course, not bad by any means, I feel like it lacks a standard impact of its predecessors. It’s a pleasant entry with a pretty, even if not necessarily immedate melody. It lacks a climax of a pop-rock hit, but it’s also a bit too standard for having… Read more »
My least favorite Italian entry since I’ve been watching Eurovision. Very disappointed in Italy especially since last year Italy was my favorite.
While I’m just “ok” on the song, Lucio is one of the artists I really hope has a great experience on Eurovision. The theme is really nice, and I believe there is a scenario where he manages to connect and do decently.
I love the song from Italy. Good luck to Lucio. I will vote for him
Watching sanremo live and hearing him perform reminds me a of my family members especially for the Latino community a lot of mothers and fathers will brag about their kids being better than others I’m just Giovanni and Always will be Giovanni.
Italy wins my “best lyrics” award for ESC 2025. (It was also nominated for “best video”, but did not win.) Ah, E major, the popular key of joy. It’s the key I use when I just want to relax on the piano. “Volevo Essere Un Duro” is a surprisingly lovely song to play on piano, which shows that some thought has gone into the song. It’s not just a set of guitar chords for no reason, there is elegance in their sequence. This song seems to be about Lucio who when he was a child wanted be a tough guy,… Read more »
Very underrated; why everyone overrates Sweden for instance this year?
A fine song but very forgettable, I usually skip it. I think it will be in the lower right side of the scoreboard
Noooo, this should not have that score. If anything, this and Denmark’s or Spain’s score should be swapped
Absolutely !
Italy does not send scrubs! Lucio is my number 4 after 2 of 3 evaluations, and he’ll likely stay in my top 5 when I’m done this month. I expect another top 10 finish (as usual).
Thanks, Ruxandra. Music as it’s finest. It’s 10 yet not in my top. Somehow I can’t explain.
It’s a nice song, but I always forget about it.
6/10
Lucio’s song has a gentle touch, but it’s very soulful and has a lot of emotional resonance. The vibe for me is like a 70s rocker showing his sensitive side in a change of pace. The lyrics are given center stage here, and they’re wonderful- poetic and sweetly humorous in their tweaking of masculine expectations. The self-acceptance at the end is very touching. This is the sort of song that could be overlooked, but what it lacks in immediacy it more than makes up for with depth. It’s my #4 song (jointly with another song that is practically its doppelgänger—… Read more »
5.8.
This can not be right.
You mean 9.8.
If this song was from Sweden they would rate it 20/10. Italy could bring Frank Sinatra singing My Way, but still most of them would rank ot 5 to 6, not more. If Sweden wins once more, I think it will be my last eurovision. I am fed up of the ignorance of the average eurofans. And the fact that Sweden didn’t change in the odds even without Måns Zermelow. It’s like Sweden has to win this year, too, for some unknown reason. But I know why. They want the 8th win, and, to secure to be the first country… Read more »
My number one!
(My lover undercover, my sacred passion, and I have no other)
My fifth place
One of the best songs this year!
It’s a boring song, but the singer’s artistic quality really comes through, and voters and juries tend to appreciate that. I think he could score over 100 points. Again, there’s not much to choose from this year anyway.
It’s not remotely boring.
IMO this will be Italy’s worse showing on finals night on the scoreboard in quiet a number of years.
Perhaps, but that’s something that should embarrass the jurors and televoters.
it will definitely do well with juries though, this is right up their street. and when italy sends something THIS italian, it always does well with the public no matter what
7th place: Italy: Though I had many more songs I liked more in Sanremo (that’s an annual occurrence by now), I am fully on board with Lucio going to ESC. The song has that singer-songwriter feel to it, with the electric guitar parts adding to its quality and musicality. Lucio’s persona is fun and classy and his entire style is well-thought of while also feeling original. The lyrics are also great: optimistic but at the same time melancholic. I am of the opinion that Europe will be moved by this performance and Lucio will get a high place, like he… Read more »
a matter of taste, or in this case, the lack of
a really boring song, but I would not be surprised if it ends up with a good results. Italy is almost always so overrated imo
By far my favourite ESC contestant this year… And a great old-fashined midtempo song.
LUCIO, U R A STAR!
Italy – It’s been so hard trying to pick between two songs for my first place, but this is so close to my usual tastes I feel I must have this one as a winner. Lucio has such a great Bowie vibe (with a little Queen and ELO in between), I can’t help but love him. The song just makes me feel incredibly nostalgic and warm inside, and the music video absolutely resonates with me. I really hope Italy does well this year, as this is now my favourite Italian entry in years. 10/10
I’m sorry that score is actually insane. This is my winner as it is high quality music and makes you feel emotions and isn’t just your average bop with fireworks and high notes. The lyrics are fantastic and I promise that most Italians are glad this is in the contest. While I loved Giorga even more this is still fantastic and beats all the other entries for me atm. The soft rock vibe is such a throwback without sounding dated it’s just such a timeless sound. As well as this the song progresses beautifully with a nice climax at the… Read more »
The song is quite bland unimpressive. While nice fir you that you go crazy for it, doesn’t mean the world needs ti get crazy to align with you and revolve around your taste. Get real.
I always appreciate writers who don’t just put random words together when writing lyrics, so big props to Lucio for creating something meaningful. While the song itself doesn’t excite me I think the first refusal mode Sanremo uses is great. Now someone who really wants to go to Eurovision gets the chance. I am actually a fan of Olly but if he doesn’t want it, it’s good he doesn’t have to. And while I’m thrilled he won Sanremo, I wish it’d have been with a better song. He has songs so much better than that. Sanremo is not above any… Read more »
15. Italy – Lucio Corsi – Volevo 7/10 – this has a very nice melody and bittersweet chorus, I very much like that this track seems to know what it is and doesn’t care what anyone else thinks. It might be a bit too old school for modern sensibilities and it doesn’t have the immediacy that a Eurovision track necessarily demands but nevertheless I’ll still enjoy those three minutes listening along whilst sipping my hot mug of cocoa.
This will finish higher than any of the current 7+ jury scores. It’s not the best Italy has sent but 5.8 is really low