Ciao, Italia! The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has landed in Rome. After eating gelato in front of the Trevi Fountain, we slipped into our finest gladiator outfits and had a sword fight before sitting down to review Francesco Gabbani and his song “Occidentali’s Karma”. Did we dance along with him and his naked ape? Or did we call the zookeeper instead? Read on to find out..
Francesco Gabbani – “Occidentali’s Karma”
About Francesco Gabbani
Singer-songwriter Francesco Gabbani, 34, rose to fame last year after winning the newcomers’ section of Sanremo with the song “Amen”. This year he stepped it up and won the Sanremo Music Festival 2017 with the song “Occidentali’s Karma”, and subsequently agreed to represent Italy at Eurovision 2017. As a result, Italy has become the hot favourite to win the contest and “Occidentali’s Karma” looks like the song to beat in Kyiv. Discussing man’s progression from ape to Chanel shopper and the dumbing down of society through Internetology, the song has won plaudits for mixing contemporary sounds with a deep message. Speaking to us in April, Francesco said he was overwhelmed by the positive reaction from the crowd at the London Eurovision Party. “I am moved,” he said. “I didn’t expect such a warm welcome from fans. It was a beautiful evening”.
“Occidentali’s Karma” reviews
William: “Occidentali’s Karma” ticks so many boxes — I need several pens and one very large scroll to evaluate it. Contemporary yet somehow throwback, its digital opening gives way to an orchestral sound accented with drum and guitar. The chorus is an ear worm of the first order and, despite the explicit social critique, the song remains uplifting and radio-friendly. Perfectly pitched and delivered with unrivalled charisma, it’s a light song with a weighty message, and it speeds by in a whoosh of smiles and tapping feet. A deserving and likely winner.
Score: 9/10
Robyn: Every time I think I’m sick of this song, I watch it again and it always puts a smile on my face. It’s a really smart song, but it comes with feel-good joy. Francesco is a hugely likeable performer and I feel like half my points are going to his his smile alone. We know this song works perfectly on the relatively bare Sanremo stage, so it should have no trouble transitioning to Eurovision. And it’s about time Italy won Eurovision again.
Score: 9.5/10
Zakaria: “Occidentali’s Karma” is like nothing we’ve ever heard in the contest and Francesco is such a charismatic performer. The composition of the song is very subtle and clever, and the whole concept and stage presentation are pure genius. All in all, this song has all the right elements to make one of the best winners of Eurovision of this era.
Score: 10/10
Deban: “Occidentali’s Karma” stands tall partly because of its singalong appeal, and the gimmicks that help in binding it together. Although I like it, I’m not in love with it. Francesco Gabbani is a charismatic performer. His charms will appeal to girls, boys and their mamas too.
Score: 6/10
Bogdan: Rampantly Italian both musically and lyrically, “Occidentali’s Karma” is at the same time devilishly clever and catchy af. Like an art-house film that becomes a box office mega-success, Francesco’s song hits all the right notes. Aided by the singer’s irresistible charm and sex appeal — not to mention the breakdancing naked ape — Italy’s entry does look and sound like the song to beat.
Score: 9/10
Josh: I was immediately captivated by “Occidentali’s Karma”. The ape was an interesting addition, Francesco is a handsome man and it was a fun, feel-good song. All the criteria for a winner. It’s been some weeks since this won San Remo, and I’m a bit sick of hearing it now. However, the immediacy and the danceability of the song will do wonders for Italy in the final. This is the best chance Italy has to win this decade.
Score: 8/10
Chris: It’s very rare for a song like this to come along at Eurovision or in general. Every time that it comes on, it fills you with such joy. “Occidentali’s Karma” is remarkably clever when you look deeper at the lyrics, but it doesn’t require you to understand them to enjoy it. Francesco covers any vocal limitation with infectious enthusiasm. Any time I wonder if I rank or score it too high, the song comes on and I’m reminded why it’s there. Undoubtedly successful with or without the Eurovision win it deserves.
Score: 9.5/10
Antranig: Whether or not “Occidentali’s Karma” should win Eurovision is debatable. But what is clear is that this is the most memorable song of Eurovision 2017. The song is full of life, Francesco is full of energy and the ape stands out. This is a very clever entry by the Italians and it is poised to end their Eurovision drought. A shining light in a sea of ballads.
Score: 9.5/10
In our Wiwi Jury, we have 38 jurors but only room for eight reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:
Anastas: 9/10
Andy: 8/10
Angus: 10/10
Anthony: 9/10
Antony: 10/10
Bernardo: 9.5/10
Dayana: 7.5/10
Edd: 9/10
Erdi: 10/10
Forrest: 9.5/10
George: 6.5/10
Jacob: 9/10
Jason: 6.5/10
Jordi: 9.5/10
Jovana: 10/10
Kristin: 9.5/10
Luis: 10/10
Marek: 10/10
Matt: 9/10
Mikhail: 8/10
Natalie: 10/10
Padraig: 10/10
Patrick: 8/10
Renske: 9/10
Rezo: 10/10
Sami: 5/10
Sinan: 9/10
Stanislav: 8/10
Steinunn: 9.5/10
Tobias: 9/10
Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 5 and a high of 10.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 8.96/10
What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!
See our current Eurovision 2017 reviews and rankings
Celebrate Italy in the song contest with a namaste gorilla shirt or phone cover, an “Occidentali’s Karma” naked ape shirt or double naked ape shirt with cartoon Francesco, or a “Celebrate Diversity” phone cover or t-shirt.
And obviously, here’s the only other perfect score of this year. Imri ain’t alone! Songs like this one only come about once a lifetime, and it’s pretty obvious why. This is… pretty much impossible to compare to past efforts of any kind; the level of creativity put into this is ashtounding, the level of energy, thought, references, intelligence, everything in this song it’s of a higher level I haven’t seen before. I literally can’t listen to this song without smiling. Smart and sometimes even goofy, yet showing a restraint and a level of world-class talent unparalleled, there is heavy thought… Read more »
@Pablo: Thank you for the lovely sentiment. I’m sure that the contest managers will appreciate it. 🙂
I might spare you from the lions after all. 😀
Pablo your question stirred some deep thoughts and emotions in me… Gash, what did Europe know about music before Gabbani gave it this creation “impossible to compare to pass efforts of any kind”, this “world-class talent unparalleled”, this masterpiece “impossible to compare to past effort of any kind”… Pablo, now that I think of it, Europe should be and is humbly grateful and deeply honnored by the opportunity to vote this song the Winner. I actually realize the Eurovision does not do it any justice… one of the Italians commenting on this site already pointed rightfully that having won San… Read more »
Eva your bitterness towards Italy’s entry is exaggerated, you’re trying too hard to mask your basic impulsive spitefulness with fake intellectualism but it’s not really working. What do you care if others love it? Why does this trigger you so much? C’mon people, it’s a song contest, please, we should be outraged towords really important things, otherwise the important things lose walue. It’s good to be critical of things but battling with this fervor a song is a tad too much. And for the Sanremo thing I think you misinterpreted what people said. Winning and partecipating to Sanremo festival is… Read more »
Gippa, this is not bitterness, but a parody of the excessive zeal and over-the-top reviews of this song by some of the Italian fans. Interesting coincidence that Occidentali’s Karma itself is a parody (possibly unintentional) of eastern cultures. Writing the short comment above gave me an appreciation of how easy it is to write a parody and again how overrated the song is. Funny you accuse me of arrogance and snobbery. Most people who practice Buddhism or Yoga will surely find Occidentali’s Karma to be an expression of just that in addition to ignorance and cultural appropriation. In any case,… Read more »
My English is not that good, but when did I told you that you are arrogant and snob? Because I thought I’ve simply said that thinking that Italians are arrogant and snob is a wrong assumption. Yours it’s not a parody, a parody makes you smile even if it’s harsh, you just used someone else words in a patronizing way and filled the sentences with aggressivity. And why again this cultural appropriation thing? You’ve been obsessed by this song writing hundred of comments on YouTube. Why social justice warriors just ache something to rant about? I like people that are… Read more »
People trying to hard to find reasons not to like this. It is memorable, expertly-performed, fun and a deserved winner.
The “cheap” gorilla is used in accordance with the ironic theme of the song. Represents the “naked ape” talked in the lyrics. Actually can be seen as a auto-irony to the use of gimmicks in the contemporary musical scene. While wrapping up his deep though lyrics into a feel good souding pop tune with a catchy hook, he uses a double irony: People are entertained by the hook, the gorilla, the beat, without paying attention to what the song is actually saying, and that´s why, we are entertained by hooks, a gimmicks, a beat without actually thinking what the deeper… Read more »
Thanks for this. It made me think more. 🙂 This entry would make double-parody like an art form.
Okay, no surprise here. Italy has got the best overall package this year. I wouldn’t say the tune itself is my absolute favorite; it is very close at the top. The other contenders all have their minor flaws, but Italy is doing pretty much everything right. What would it take for them to lose? *01 Italy* | 02 Norway | 03 | 04 United Kingdom | 05 Austria 06 Albania | 07 | 08 Bulgaria | 09 | 10 France 11 Serbia | 12 Sweden | 13 | 14 Denmark | 15 Moldova 16 Poland | 17 Portugal | 18… Read more »
What tells me that Italy will not win is:
1) the likes / dislikes ratio,
2) the likes / views ratio and
3) the ratio of comments / views in the videos of the Italian song.
In all cases, ratios are lower than several other countries such as Portugal and Bulgaria.
As for the number of views, we can not forget that the same person can see the video more than once and Youtube counts all the views. My favorite song has been seen by me more than 40 times.
Yes, I’ve been paying attention to that. I noticed that the like/dislike ratio is around 85-90% positive. He’s videos are the most watched on the Wiwi channel and others. The tweets are usually the most liked/retweeted.
So I think the reception is very positive, even though the favourite entry is also the most hated.
His*
All these will win/ won’t win predictions baffle me. I’d love to be so sure about something so unpredictable. Anything can happen, we haven’t even seen the stagings yet.
Sure, one shouldn’t rely just on youtube numbers for the win. But why should they prove that a song can’t win (in this case)? Just look at Jamala’s like/dislike ratio, for instance.
And yes, the video can be seen several times by the same person. But isn’t that the case with every other video as well? Am I missing something?
# ROME 2018
Dayum! I didn’t think these Wiwi wankers would ever give anyone a 9.00, or even thisclose to 9.00, again. The message in the lyrics, for starters, is why he also sits at #1 on my scorecard. If his stage presentation is as good as the song, Florence had better get ready (yeah, I want to see them hold the contest there, if Italy wins).
Even not being my favourite I can totally understand why it is for the most of people. When I read comments rating it 2/10 or trying to denostate it, they simply make me laugh of how ridiculous some people can be. Haters gonna hate.
For all the people who are hoping their insults are going to make Occidentali’s Karma less popular and likable than it is, just stop. Learn how to express your opinion nicely! I’m sick of all you people insulting each other over a song.
Aye. Even with a lousy song, I wouldn’t go so far as to cross the line into ad hominem hell, which is what has been happening here and elsewhere.
I officially love Deban for being one of the few here who rated this song where it should be rated… Observing the voting pattern here, I have to agree with the song as far as its claims that humans as a whole have not evolved a lot beyond the ape. This song voting by OGAE/Wiwi so far is a fine example of herd instinct overpowering any higher brain level activity. I still have hope that at the end good taste will prevail. I see a scenario of anti-gorilla vote rallying around one or two artists that stand out after the… Read more »
AMEN! A voice of reason among the flock of sheep… I think favourites from teh semis will gather even more impact in the final. Besides, we’ll only hear Francesco sing ONCE the crappy cut version of his decent radio hit. If the big five are all challenged with unfavourable running order, victory is in question. Is there any info about their running order already or it will be announced right before the final?
Running order will be decided after the second semi final.
The Big Five draw the half they’re performing in at the opening ceremony, the qualifiers do so at the press conference after their semi.
I love future tellers.
Can someone find out the name of the Gorilla ?
Filippo Ranaldi.
Gorilla? What gorilla?
I loved this at first, but I don’t anymore.
Around a 7.5/10 from me.
Stop saying the gorilla is “a gimmick”…as though this was bad in itself…what is a “gimmick”…according to Dictionary.com it is “an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal..”
so what’s the problem? It fits in perfectly with the satirical message of the song, is good fun and threatens no-one. A good Saturday night bit of entertainment. If you want Jacques Brel then vote for Salvador, but the race is on……for SECOND PLACE. The first has all but been decided.
Italy will for sure win my favourite Eurovision song ever!!!!! Charisma, cleverness in the lyrics and it’s hella catchy!!!
There’s not much for me to say that people elsewhere in the comments haven’t already said. But this is one of my favourite songs in Eurovision history and I’m praying it’ll win. I’ll definitely be voting on the night, good luck Italy! 12 points from the UK 🙂
Here comes eventual winner! I have to admit – I’m quite picky person when it comes about melody and here it irritates me a lot, having a reminder in its chorus melody of ‘Chasing The Sun’ by The Wanted which I also dislike. That explosive breakdown with guitar before last chorus is awesome, though. Musically his back catalog appeared to me much better. Message leaves me a bit cold – I’m not connected to westerners’ ruinage, misinterpretations and cultural misbehaving (couldn’t care less/It’s ubiquitous), albeit appreciate Gabbani’s ‘Amen’ a lot. What’s good for me – artist’s immediacy and prospectivity he… Read more »
To add to all that has been said, and knowing his musical work, this song his authentic and has musical integrity. Is not a random mainstream act made to gain votes in eurovision. The song and the presentation on stage, was produced for San Remo festival, a very classic musical festival. It was very bold of him to take such a huge risk and artistic affirmation. True art and criativity does not try to fit the standards of normality.? Francesco is a very eclectic, multifaceted and talented musician, songwriter and singer, with a never ending passion for music. I dare… Read more »
Sorry, but I do not find this song special, and I also hate the gorrila and as a dancer the silly dance is just bad.. I love the message and Italian language, but I think Italy last year had way more class, I belive this could win, but K also hope it won’t for it’s just a 5/10:)
Not my cup of tea.
2/10
1. It’s absolutely joyful without being cheesy or stupid (quite the contrary). 2. I hear a well written, catchy melody and love the way it is sung. 3. I see a perfectly fitting performance by an outstandingly charismatic and personable singer. I don’t get that from any other entry this year. 10/10. And then some bonus points for F. Gabbani being a true musician, playing several instruments, writing his own songs (and also for others), and last but not least singing in his country’s language. I thought of giving it a 9.5 because for me the original version with the… Read more »
And he also write his songs himself!! And don’t know how many artists this year did the same… the majority has a team behind them, who write melody and lyrics!
Countries with partial self writing: Albania, Latvia, Iceland, Moldova, Poland, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Croatia, Lithuania, Norway, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Georgia
Countries with complete self writing: Finland, Slovenia, Hungary, Belarus
if not included they are completely foreign efforts
Usually Eurovision winners differ wildly year to year as viewers look for something that feels original and different from prior year. Last year we had dramatic shouty lady after good looking edm chap winner. I doubt that any of the many diva ballads can win. This year it makes sense to have a happy singalong song.
This is a very catchy song, but overrated. It will win the televote for sure though, because of the gimmicks.
7.5/10
And because of his amazing charisma!
Francesco will be the great surprise of ESC history, because he will win the votes of juries and televoting!! Mark my words!
really hope so! 🙂
I don’t think that will come as a surprise though. We’re all kind of expecting it! 😀
Not a hit!
It already is a hit, dear. Wake up.
@ ZZ
AHAHAHAAHHA they don’t know what to invent anymore ;’)
Well said!
10/10
8.96!!!
Even though it’s not my personal favorite (it’s my #10), it’s probably going to win.
The question is by how much!
Let’s hope that whoever is hosting if they win, they better not pull the same BS as ’91. You’re hosting an international show. Please in a language everyone understands.
Guys it’s 2017 and I assure that we have hosts who can speak perfectly English. We have even hosts who are bilingual and who even works as mtv Europe hosts in London. If we are going to win, it won’t be like ’91. I promise. 😉
You can’t compare to something did 26 years ago.
About the English, in Italy you learn fluent English if you need it or like it. That’s why musicians have poor English skills, they don’t need them.
However, this is changing and the new generation is becoming bilingual.
…and remember…Italy hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, the 2009 Fina Championships in Rome and the 2015 World Expo in Milan.
Yeah I know it’s 26 years ago. But even in the years prior of before Rome hosted in ’91, whoever hosted (whether in Brussels in ’87, Zagreb in ’90, or Jerusalem in ’79) still spoke the two main languages: English and French and throw in their native language. I watched ’91 bits and pieces on YouTube and I can see why fans hated it because they insist that everything must be in Italian. While the focus is the music, it’s also a TV show aired all across Europe and streamed online worldwide. Now if Italy wins (like Germany in 2011,… Read more »
I forgot. My score is about a 7.5.
I really want Italy to win. This song is so fun and catchy and Francesco just oozes charisma. I can definetly see Italy winning the televote and I hope the juries rank him high too so we will be heading to Rome next year.
This is the first time in a long time that my favourite is also the pre-contest favourite. I miss the full version, which was a 10/10, but I understand the cuts they made. It does make it ever so slightly repetitive, though. But it’s fun, interesting, in Italian (hallelujah!), and will be staged well. RAI will spend money on this, for sure, just to sure things up and make the three minutes as good as possible. There are other good songs this year, but this is just that little bit more than any of them, it has a joyfulness with… Read more »
If Italy won which city would host it?
Palermo, Rome,Milan,Turin,Verona,Naples,Venice,Pisa,Bari or Bologna or would they decline to host the contest like when they won JESC2014?
Milan, Turin or Verona <3 I think RAI wants to host Eurovision, hopefully.
Bologna, Turin and Milan are the only cities with decent enough arenas 🙂
In Italy there are great, ancient and modern, stadiums, arenas and structure to make concerts in every angle of the country. Turin have the Olympic implant from 2006 that is particulary adapt for this type of festival.
Rome and Napoli ha already done with ESC.
The main question is how many of them have a roof? That’s one of the requirements for hosting the contest. Not to mention there needs to be space for at least 10,000 so the theatre that hosts sanremo won’t work. I believe the 1991 contest in Rome was filmed in a studio backlot on the outskirts of the city and that most definitely won’t fit the modern show. I think Turin’s PalaAlpatour is the best bet.
With more than 10.000 sits and with roof there are at least 4 stadium in four different cities, Olympic implant excluded.
Like I said above, Rome and Naples have already hosted the contest, so I hope it will be somewhere else.
The problem will never be were to host the contest, but let’s see what will happen next month before planning anything 🙂
The reason why 1991 was held in a movie studio backlot was because San Remo was originally going to be the host. But because of escalating tensions over the Gulf War, it was moved to Rome at the last minute because it was deemed to be a more secure location
Back during the San Remo festival this year, a RAI representative reportedly stated that Italy was “not interested” in hosting Eurovision in 2018. However, since then there have been strong rumours that RAI have already booked a venue in Torino (Turin) in case they need to host in May 2018. That’s all I know. Exciting times.
OK then if Italy wins it will be Turin2018!
RAI director twitted few days ago “Gabbani go to Kiev and win for us!” So…. definitely they want to host!!!
Pala Alpitour in Turin. Google it.
How big are the indoor arenas in Florence? That’s where I’d like to see it. If Estonia finishes 2nd, maybe Italy will oblige them with Verona.
I don’t know much about Florence, but there’s the Nelson Mandela Forum, which isn’t big enough.
It’s very likely that Milan or Turin will host it, if Italy wins.
I’ve been waititng for this review!!! What I love about it: – Italy remains faithfull to its music and send sth totally Italian – It’s in Italian of course and thank God they didn’t put English! – Francesco is a charismatic performer with great energy! – It’s perfect for a big stage! All these good vibes, people singing along… This will certainly be delievered through the screen to many Eurovision viewers. – It’s original. As I said, it’s in italian, it has this specific italian sound and it has a message. – The message: They didn’t write the song just… Read more »
“As for the gorilla, I don’t consider it a gimmick!” THANK YOU. It had to be said. The dancing ape is mentioned throughout the song, it makes perfect sense to have it on stage. Thank you <3
A human dressed up in a gorilla costume is a “gimmick” by definition. However, I agree that it suits the song perfectly.
I think with this move he ”kills two birds with one stone”, some will love gorilla as ”gimmick”, others will love how it represents the song. Genial twist 🙂
What I want to say is that it doesn’t make fun of sth, it’s not ridiculous! It has a meaning and it fits the song!
TORINO 2018!
Sometimes I wonder, would it be better if the songs partecipanting in ESC were not released until the festival begin? Just like Sanremo.
Every countries could send a song and an artist with a brand new song. And we will spare all the fussy and the haters around favorites, at least until the end of the festival.
That’s actually how most people experience the contest: unlike us fans, most viewers just randomly watch the final, discover the songs, have a good laugh, maybe vote for a song or two and then turn their TV off. It’s hard to give an estimate but I’d say that 95% of the people who will watch Eurovision don’t have a clue about the songs they will see. Wiwibloggs is a non-representative bubble. 🙂
Yeah, this is true. But year after year the audience will thinner that percentage.
My #2, only slightly behind Portugal. A great song delivered in a great manner: it’s fun, uplifting, well produced, well sung and the way he dances cracks me up. Definitely voting for it! The Wiwi jury usually gives low scores to Italy, I was not expecting them to follow the trend this year but good news!
I also feel like Italy deserves to win this contest: they’ve been sending their A game to Eurovision ever since they returned, and they are the only Big5 country to do so.
Ah It’s The favorite to win, let’s see ! 😛 For the song I think the language will not be a problem (and still think it’s never a problem at all you can just like the sounds of the language’s phonology so we don’t need 95% countries to send full English songs ) Only romance speakers will understand the gist of the song, the others no but the song is enough catchy to be enjoyed. If he don’t mess his performance and staging he has all the chances ! Buona merda !
I’ll just say that I had this song stuck in my head for over a week. Its catchiness is what makes it so good.
What started of as a ballady year has transformed in the best Eurovision (songwise) ever, and that is also because of this song. Very feel-good and even though it isn’t in my top 5 it deserves a top 5, because while the genre is not original, this song is VERY original and it looks like this will win at least the televoting.
10/10
In terms of song quality thinks the worst year since 2008.
Surely nothing is worse than “baila chiki chiki”! 😮
Only if you don’t have the sense of humor.
In terms of quality of songs the worst ESC year was 2006 or 2007 The best was probably 2008,2009,2011,2012,2014 or 2017
I agree with 2007. I recently watched it and it’s terrible! But from 2000 to 2007 all are pretty bad.
Yes 2007 was quite bad
Francesco is so ugly but he think he look like a model lol
Nothing sexier than confidence!
(Not that I think he isn’t handsome anyway ;))
Ugly? Well, beauty is subjective but if Francesco is ugly than… ok, your taste.
If you want, look a this, his most close-up video, maybe could ignite a little change on mind :))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7rQFzKcOwU
Gil that is my opinion..i can say something about your taste if u think he is good looking.i think that israel , sweden and austria sent the most handsame male this year.
Well, there is a BIG GAP between ugly and handsome 😉
Francesco is not the most handsome man but definitively is not ugly.
Robin Bengtsson is just a medium good looking man, like Nathan Trent, Imri.. he reminds me vaguely Chris Hemsworth, the best of the contest? Maybe him, yes.
Ah, I look at the face most of the rest.
Sorry for off topic staff.
Thank you for that announcement no one cared about.
@Polegend Godgarina No one cares about you and your srupid Gorilla..So go and get some life and stope annoying pepole here.
If only I were moderating; I could delete unnecessary personal insults like these.
Remember “Love love, peace peace.” Stop hating.
What does being ‘ugly’, ‘beautiful’ or whatever have to do with a song contest? And if he thinks he looks like a model, what exactly is your problem really? Let the man be happy.
@lory Sorry kid, ESC is not Miss or Mister Universe Contest!, Here we vote for music and talent! He can give you some lessons about that https://careerprotocol.com/blog/
To be honest, I don’t like favourites, I think that manner destroys competition spirit and excitement of the whole contest. But, it’s not poor Francesco’s fault for this ’’Gabbani mania’’, he’s just doing his best, so let’s be fair and try to do objective quick review here 🙂 This song has very effective intro which captures attention from the start (remember ’’Love, love, peace, peace’’ :D), and then slightly continues to beautiful orchestra melody reaching to effective chorus. But, if he finish that way, it will be slightly boring and look-like other San Remo singer. Instead of that, here comes… Read more »
The bookies’ favourite to win this year; and for once, Europe has good taste in music. ‘Occidentali’s Karma’ is a clear runaway winner. And even if it doesn’t win, it’s a guaranteed top-five placer. There’s so much to love in this song; the melody, the lyrics, the performance, the mood, the charm, the ape!!; ‘Occidentali’s Karma’ has it all. From the very beginning to the very end, Gabbani keeps me spellbound with his colourful and charismatic performance along with some great rugged and raspy vocals. One thing I’d like to specifically point out are the lyrics. While they are obviously… Read more »
For me is so so – 5/10, maybe a little higher. This rate 8,96 didn’t surprise me. People loves up-tempo songs and this is enough original to stand out but ‘Occidentalis Karma’ is not for me. Only because of overhyping this song I remember this is competing. There are at least 10 songs better than this. ‘Occidentalis Karma’ is just like the others songs in italian language. Just go there on some festival for people in age 50-100 and you’ll hear many songs very similar. That’s no masterpiece. Good to listen but for me it’s not enough to win Eurovision.… Read more »
Occidentali’s Karma is fresh for the stale Italian market, but I bet you know better than me about our national music, Kostka 🙂
Maybe for Italian market seems to be fresh. For me, as a foreigner who likes italian music, it sounds familiar to others. It’s 100% italian song and not only because of language. the way he sings, perform, music – it’s unique national style. Nothing less and nothing more.
“Accidentalis Karma” reminds me of time when I was accidentaly on festival for aged people. Every time I listen to this (trying to avoid on Spotify) I recall this memory. And it won’t change. : P
So you don´t know so much about Italian music, because is said that he is the most original singer/songwriter in the last 20 years in Italy. His victory in San Remo was a big surprise, a revolution in music! The use of up-tempo rhythm is in accordance to the message he tries to send. It´s a double irony wrapping his thoughtful lyrics with a simple and dancable melody, criticizing the nowadays musical scene, and the use of gimmicks too. He has another of his songs in rap style, where he ironizes about the Dj´s world. Francesco is a very eclectic,… Read more »
And it’s great you love him so much. But not everyone has to either. His song and sense of humor didn’t reach me. Like everyone else my opinion is subjective.
For you his genius-writer. For me he put together too many clues, creating something what seems to be stupid song. But, I mention, it isn’t.
yes, is needed some intelligence to understand the lyrics, is not a cheap minded kind of song as most. Maybe too good for Eurovision Standards and for the average intelligence people have nowadays. Humour is the highest form of intelligence, some people will call it stupid and childish. I undertand your point of view, but cleverness is not something you can borrow.
Pff… No one ever told you that aiming at somebody’s intelligence is not actually an argument for any discussion or just sharing opinions? Cool down. 🙂
And let me explain because I think you didn’t understand me. Although this song (especially lirycs) is neutral for me, any special feelings when i listen to, I understand the message and everything else. Still for me average but I respect that other people would like this. Maybe during grand final Francesco will capture my heart. 🙂
As Wiwi-jury, You Tube and most of comments say, this is THE song of 2017. Lyrics are smart and funny at the same time. The message of the song is great and not overused on Eurovision (I think this is the first song with that message, actually). Melody is so beautiful, Italian is so beautiful and moreover, the song is so catchy. Francesco brings a great charisma on stage. So, even for those who fail to understand the meaning of the song (Decline of Western civilization and the ridiculousness of trying to immitate Eastern culture without proper knowledge) will find… Read more »
heavily overrated crap song, and it needs a gorilla to be funny how lame and pathetic, i used to like it but due to the overhyping of Gabbani, i’m sort of done with this
4.0/10
shift?you are crazy.is triple platinum!
Italy will win because charisma, and sing along melody, and staging, but stop saying that the message is deep, is very hypocritical, and is better to keep it in Italian, so nobody will understand that is against everything that is modern and everything that made Francesco famous, so stop talking about the stupid message because is not in Italy’s favour. Apart from that, Italy will probably win, as long as nobody will understand the stupid message.
It’s notte shandy everything that is modern. It use satire and self deprecation, it’s more like “oh, look how funny we are” than “you’re horrible”.
You people should laugh of yourself sometimes, it’s self-liberating…
And it’s Eurovision time 🙂
*It’s not against everything that is modern.
Sorry, non english autocorrect. 😛
Wise words by Grippa. Where did you read that it’s against everything modern???
And can we agree that 12 million Italians who watched Sanremo did indeed understand the Italian lyrics very well and they made Francesco their winner, probably also because they liked the message. So your “better nobody understands” argument is a bit pointless, too.
sorry, that’s Gippa not Grippa.
It’s rather pointless of me reviewing the song itself in detail. since everything I look at gets 10/10: the melody, harmony, structure, lyrics, performance, choreography and style – this is the very definition of a runaway winner. Instead, I’m going to mention the only two ways through which this could surprisingly FAIL to win: 1. Gabbani himself could make mistakes (like he did at the London party), or 2. The audience might not understand the song and just see it as a silly gimmick. I love Italian – I feel that Italian is music’s most natural language. But, not everyone… Read more »
Turin 2018 🙂
Verona, in honour of Estonia’s song! 😀
I already said once, if Italy wins and Estonia is second, the contest must be held in Verona 🙂
I totally agree with you that not everyone will understand the act and in the end it might just fail. That has been the “karma” of Italy in the Eurovision history for many years… But for what it’s worth, before 1990 Italy won in 1964. So that’s a 26 years gap. We know passed 27 years since Italy last won, so maybe it is time that Italy wins again… I am all for it…
Italy was my favourite in 2015. It also was my 2nd favourite in 2013, and my 3rd favourite in 2011. Do we see another pattern? 🙂
Well I see you prefer the Italian entries from uneven years, I prefer the ones from the even years 🙂
I like those too, but the competition in those even years was better.
Maybe Italia will refuse the opportunity like when it won Junior Eurovision a few years ago haha
RAI wants to host Eurovision if they will win this year.
RAI TV has reserved Olimpic PalaAlpitour in Turin for May 2018!
Oh wow! I have been to Torino before; it’s a great place. If true, then that’s exciting news! 🙂
Italy is my winner. Italy and Finland are the only two songs I rated a full 10/10. We agree both of them are amazing! B-)
Some other far fetched scenarios: – This pervasive idea of how Eurovision ‘should be about the music’ creeping into the Italian delegation, resulting in a lackluster visual presentation. Unlikely, and I doubt the producers in Kiev would allow this to happen. – Gabbani speaking his mind on some sensitive subject, preferably gay issues. – The old hypothesis of people not bothering to vote for the overwhelming favorite, as they see it as a wasted vote. – Overconfidence causing something somehow, because reasons. In Sweden we saw national icon Loreen perform the best song in years and still lose to a… Read more »
Thanks. Well-written. 🙂 I did see Gabbani in person in London, and sufficed to say he arrived late, was just “having fun” and was not taking things too seriously. He made a timing mistake and forgot some lyrics in his performance and had to start again. This might be his weakness, but it’s like “grasping at straws” – I’m sure he will be fine at the contest. N.B. He seemed fine with the gay male fans. 🙂 About Loreen’s “Statements,” some Swedish friends told me that the song lost due to its staging and choreography that was deemed “too political”… Read more »
You’re right about Loreen ofc. If it is the case, as some might suggest, that SVT/Björkman/Illuminati wanted Loreen to win they sure messed it up badly. Wiktoria and Jon Henrik (in the semi) and later Anton all have certain demographics on lockdown. The staging was indeed very suspicious and ‘in your face’. It came off as arrogant rather than bold. Being an established star can also be a big disadvantage, as any hint of haughtiness will turn people off. This dynamic will obviously not be in play for Gabbani. So again, finding a suitable precedent for an upcoming upset is… Read more »
If they bring the exact visual presentation as in San Remo, they’ll be fine.
Torino
I was wondering why not do it in San Remo?
Is San Remo a large enough venue for Eurovision though? They would probably have to build something new if it’s to be there. Besides, I don’t think the San Remo festival has ever been too keen on being directly associated with Eurovision – it might prefer to have its own history. But maybe an Italian could better explain than I could (I’m in the UK)?
Teatro Ariston in Sanremo is not nearly big enough.
It’s been renovated and enlarged years ago and it can’t be made bigger.
One venue that could be suitable in terms of number is the Arena di Verona, since they are planning to put a roof on top 🙂
But in any case, winning is hard, and maybe we should start seeing at venues in Paris (I love the song), Lisbon, Riga or whenever!
Purple Mask, I’ve just started to like your analyses and you disappointed me! LOL! Although Italy’s song is good, it’s not the best. Actually, the original version has its refinement and catchy humor, but the Eurovision cut is ridiculous! So bad… It sounds like a 1/2 of a song, like something major is missing. This WILL be noticed by the average viewers, who will be put off slightly. Remember, audiences have instincts! They know WHAT NOT to like, but the don’t know WHY they don’t like it. 😉 Little details may lead to a bigger failure with this song. I… Read more »
Thanks @Phonedation Brushes. It’s interesting to read a different opinion to mine. You agree with my cousin on just about everything it seems. 🙂 I suppose to me it’s not that much of a stretch to put the “naked ape dancing” into a song about symbols of westerner’s growth and culture; there have been stranger dancing symbols used at Eurovision in the past – remember the dancing green man? 😀 I acknowledge that France’s “Requiem” has a more dramatic musical composition, but it also contains those DREADFUL English lyrics, whereas Italy doesn’t have that problem. Anyhow, different opinions are always… Read more »
I wonder what will happen if Italy will not win?
Will be a scandal in social media and more?
Will fans start to scream like the Spanish fans : ‘Mirela al Eurovision’?
If Italy wins the televote for the second time in three years but not the whole thing, it’ll cause a lot of controversy for sure.
For sure. Outrage of biblical proportions and it would damage the competition itself.
The best option: Italy wins both televote and the jury! Everyone happy and we have a deserved winner. Other options: – Italy wins a televote, but not the jury, still wins. – I think no harm done either. – Italy wins a televote, but loses due to the jury – BIG complaints to the legitimacy of the jury once again. – Italy wins a jury, but not the televote, but still wins – Big surprise, big thanks to jury, ultimately ESC fans are still happy, except fans of that other song. – Italy wins the jury, but loses due to… Read more »
That’s very funny Colin 🙂 Who can ever say what will happen on the night, and yes there’s the televote and there’s the jury and they don’t necessarily produce the same result. I don’t think that that was the case of “Il Volo”, though, and I hope it won’t be this year. Il volo was number 1 with televote and with most jurors. What happened is that about 25% of the jurors placed the song last or close to. Now that was odd, because maybe they preferred other songs, but the guys can sing, they had quite a remarkable song… Read more »
Occidentali’s Drama!
10/10 My favourite this year, everything is perfect. Some people just hate him, because he is the biggest favourite. He will win televote with a big gap – no doubt about it.
I agree!!
Like the guy and the song, but hope he does not win because I hate when fans try to wrap up the contest before the live show. It was the case in 2013 and 2015 and it made everything slightly more boring and less exciting. I love live surprises and surprise winners.
I want a surprise winner like 2011 or 2016 maybe its time for Albania, Hungary,Portugal or Switzerland or Bulgaria
Tirana2018,Budapest2018,Lisbon2018 or Geneva2018 or Sofia2018!
So, according to what you’re saying, Alexander Rybak, Loreen and Emmelie De Forest shouldn’t have won either just because people like suprise winners… sometimes the favourite singer truly deserves to win because his/her entry is simply the best and has got the whole package. I think Francesco deserves it.
Yeah, I saw this coming. But it’s such a well written and campy song. It’s Eurovisiontastic, what else can be said? Francesco’s charisma is like none other’s in the contest, and that Harambe makes it even better. I think we can say that this song has already won.
I love this entry. Of course, I am very biased because I love all things related to Italy… But trying be objective, I have to say it is not my favourite Italian entry ever… I much preferred Federica’s entry last year, or Nina’s 2012 entry, to give just two examples. Nor is it my favourite song this year. Although I get the metaphor of the dancing ape, it does puts me off and seems to me a cheap trick to be funny and noticeable. All that said, I think the act is a very complete package, the melody is captivating,… Read more »
Italy wins televoto sure!
I certainly hope so, but I doubt that. Songs in English are normally preferred (except for Il Divo, but I think the opera element was very important) and I am not sure if the audiences from Northern and Eastern Europe will vote massively in Italy… But I keep my fingers crossed
My cousin doesn’t speak Italian, but he probably voted for Il Volo in 2015 because they were hot (LOL). Interestingly this year he DOESN’T like the Italy entry, which is a worrying sign. But i’m 99% certain that Gabbani will win.
LOL Of course, the hotness of the singer (or the backing singers) always play a role… I wouldn’t bet on Italy, though… I would put my money on Sweden, not only but also due the degree of hot… 😉 But then again, I am terrible gambler…
Italys song is not contemporary. If it wins it will be soon forgotten just like Ukraines winning song in 2016.
Occidentali’s Karma is already one of the most successful Eurovision songs of all time and the competition hasn’t started yet. The first one to reach 100 million views on YouTube (in ONLY 2.5 months), it has been played on radio stations in more than 34 countries (also in non European countries, like Argentina) and it is the only song from ESC 2017 to have charted on iTunes in a lot of countries, even in the British Virgin Islands (#4). Sorry to disappoint you but the song will not be forgotten. If it wins in May, it will become a worldwde… Read more »
To be honest, most Eurovision songs are forgotten as soon as the contest ends.
Loic is still played in Belgian radios…