The Eurovision 2011 official logo.
The Italians chose their entrant well with Raphael Gualazzi to represent them. The following quote is taken from his Official Website
‘Try as we might, it is impossible to compare Raphael Gualazzi with anyone. He is ‘different’ from just about everything. He is, however, at the centre of music – of good music, that is, music that is composed and played like it should be. Especially jazz, but also all the rest, as seen through the lens of jazz and the stride piano.
Raphael Gualazzi is unique.’
In February I featured him in my Sunday Song post on the 61st Festival della Canzone Italiano San Remo 2011 as he was the winner of the newcomers section this year with a song he wrote himself, “Follia d’amore” - ‘Madness of Love’. The twenty nine year old from Urbino was chosen to represent Italy at this years Eurovision Song Contest 2011, the final of which was held in Dusseldorf, Germany, last Saturday evening, May 14th 2011.
Whilst researching the earlier post I found out via Wikipedia that it was this Festival of Italian Music that was the original inspiration for the Eurovision Song Contest which incidentally the Italians are entered this year for the first time since 1997! Out of the 43 entrants Italy did extremely well by taking second place. Congratulations to Azerbaijan for taking first place!
The Eurovision Song Contest has its own Website and Facebook Page if you are interested in listening to any of the other countries entries.
Italy represented by Raphael Gualazzi
Photo from Official Website
EUROVISION 2011 ITALY - RAPHAEL GUALAZZI - MADNESS OF LOVE (FINAL)
Lyrics for “Follia d’amore” (“Madness of Love”) in Italian then English (Listen carefully, as there are a few words of English amongst the Italian lyrics).
Dire si dire mai      
non è facile sai       
se tutti quanti siamo in orbita nella follia       
io non so più chi sei       
non mi importa chi sei       
mi basta perdere l’incanto di una nostalgia       
ma vedrai un altro me in un sogno fragile       
riderai come se       
non ti avessi amato mai       
cercherai un altro me       
oltre all’ombra di un caffc       
troverai solo me       
se mi fermo un attimo io non so più chi sei       
qui si vive cose       
day by day       
night by night       
e intanto il mondo si distoglie dalla sua poesia       
non dipingermi mai non costringermi mai       
abbandoniamoci alla soglia della mia pazzia       
e vedrai un altro me disarmato fragile       
perchè quello che sei       
non lo cambierai mai       
neanche se fossi tu       
come il tempo a correr via       
ma rimani con me       
non mi perdo neanche un solo attimo di te       
e vedrai un altra te       
quasi invincibile come non mai       
viva come non mai       
ed è li che tu mi avrai       
oltre false magie l’orizzonte sarai       
splenderai       
splenderai       
splenderai       
splenderai
Say you say never      
is not easy to know       
if all of us are in orbit in the madness       
I do not know who you are       
I do not care who you are       
I just miss the charm of nostalgia       
but you will see another me in a dream fragile       
laugh as if       
I had not ever loved       
I will try another       
beyond the shadow of a coffee       
there is only me       
if I stop for a moment I do not know who you are       
Here you live things       
Day by Day       
night by night       
and while the world turns away from his poetry       
never paints do not make me ever       
wallow to the the threshold of my madness       
and you'll see me another unarmed fragile       
because what you are       
not ever going to change       
even if I were you       
as the time to run away       
but stay with me       
I do not miss a single moment you       
and you will see another       
almost invincible as ever       
alive like never before       
and it is them that you will have me       
false spells over the horizon will be       
shine       
shine       
shine       
shine.
A worthy comeback for Italy I think it is a great song, what do you think though?
More Sunday Songs can be found by visiting Sunday Session at Doireallywannablog an Australian blog that I link up with on Sundays.

Buono Domenica Tutti

Love it LLM - I'll chase up more of his you tubes - thanks for the introduction.
ReplyDeleteLeon
Yes, I agree with you, it is a really good song. I'm afraid I didn't actually watch the contest this year, so I don't know how Italy fared. I know that Great Britain came 11th, which is a huge improvement of previous years. I'm afraid the voting is far too political these days and has been for many years. It doesn't seem to be about the music any more, which is a shame.
ReplyDeleteWhat talent-lovely. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteThat was a fun song. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteI actually saw this on the TV and loved it. As usual my connection is not fast enough to play it on the computer!! Diane
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this guy and didn't even watch the program, but I know I can always rely on your very informative blog! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comment! ;-)
xxx
I think that I don't care what the words are when someone sings in Italian, it's just downright sexy! LOL
ReplyDeleteFun song! I love the mix of lyrics in Italian and English. Thanks for sharing this one :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't watch the Eurovision songfestival anymore it's always nice to read what has been going on. Have a good week,
ReplyDeleteMaureen
Welcome back Linda, sorry you've had so much reading to do. Hope you had a lovely break, love Linda x
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Eurovision song contest link. Hopefully, Italy will participate again after the success this year.
ReplyDeleteThey did well, considering they haven't entered for so long!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! A very sensual voice! Love it!
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of Frank Sinatra!
Thanks for sharing;o)
***
Have a nice and happy week****
Magnificent...thanks so much for sharing this lovery post with us.
ReplyDeletexo bj
I like that song! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteThe Eurovision is always such great fun and I followed it from here in Florida. The Americans don't know what they're missing! :-D
ReplyDeletePaul
http://fromsheeptoalligators.blogspot.com/
Thanks for your comments Lindy Lou. I hadn't heard of Viterbo but your last post about the flower festival gives a lovely glimpse of the town. Do you have any suggestions for possible day trips while in Rome? Your photos are beautiful. I will listen to your Sunday songs now.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the Eurovision Song contest this year, it was very entertaining. Thanks for the translation of Italy's lyrics, it was good to see what they meant. Hope all is well with you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful song..Raphael has a very soothing voice and nice smile! Wishing him luck!
ReplyDeleteI've heard so much about Eurovision this year - I really should check it out :) XOL
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this! You know how I love getting a fix of Italian music. Hope you are having a beautiful week and thank you for your very sweet comment. – g
ReplyDeleteYou won't believe me, but I'd never heard before of that artist... :)
ReplyDeleteI just need a good bottle of wine, a friend and we could listen to Italian music all day/night.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Velva