Italy: Mahmood wins Sanremo 2019 – ready for Tel Aviv

Sanremo 2019 has just finished and we have a winner: Mahmood wins the 69th edition of Sanremo with the song Soldi (Money).

The winner of Sanremo has the option to go to Eurovision. Shortly after his victory, Mahmood stated that he would like to represent Italy at Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv.

Soldi is written by Mahmood himself along with Charlie Charles and Dario "Dardust" Faini.

The winner was selected by 50% televoting, 30% press jury and the expert jury with 20%, while the 3 participants in the Super Final were selected by the combination of all 5 nights' votes. After televoting was closed, the combination results of all five nights are being revealed and it was announced that Ultimo, Il Volo and Mahmood advanced to the Super Final.

The expert jury consisted of Mauro Pagani (president), Ferzan Özpetek, Camila Raznovich, Claudia Pandolfi, Elena Sofia Ricci, Beppe Severgnini, Serena Dandini and Joe Bastianich.

Sanremo 2019 – Results

1. Mahmood – "Soldi" (WINNER)
2. Ultimo – "I tuoi particolari" (super-finalist)
3. Il Volo – "Musica che resta" (super-finalist)
4. Loredana Berté – "Cosa ti aspetti da me"
5. Simone Cristicchi – "Abbi cura di me"
6. Daniele Silvestri – "Argentovivo"
7. Irama – "La ragazza col cuore di latta"
8. Arisa – "Mi sento bene"
9. Achille Lauro – "Rolls Royce"
10. Enrico Nigiotti – "Nonno Hollywood"
11. Boomdabash – "Per un milione"
12. Ghemon – "Rose viola"
13. Ex-Otago – "Sola una canzone"
14. Motta – "Dov'e l'Italia"
15. Francesco Renga – "Aspetto che torni"
16. Paola Turci – "L'ultimo ostacolo"
17. The Zen Circus – "L'amore è una dittatura"
18. Federica Carta & Shade – "Senza farlo apposta"
19. Nek – "Mi farò trovare pronto"
20. Negrita – "I ragazzi stanno bene"
21. Patty Pravo ft. Briga – "Un po' come la vita"
22. Anna Tatangelo – "Le nostre anime di notte"
23. Einar – "Parole nuove"
24. Nino D'Angelo & Livio Cori – "Un'altra luce"

Sanremo 2019

Many other prizes were awarded:

• Motta got he prize for the best duet during night 4
• Daniele Silvestri got the Critic Prize "Mia Martini" and the prize for the best text
• Simone Cristicchi got the prize for the best interpretation and the prize for the best musical composition
• Ultimo got the prize TIM music

The hosts of the show was the artistic director Claudio Baglioni along with Claudio Bisio and Virginia Raffaele.

Various singers guested the 5 nights of Sanremo:

We have seen Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro, (Italy 2018), singing with Simone Cristicchi and Ultimo respectively during the night of duets. Marco Mengoni, (Italy 2013), performed his new song "Hola" and L'essenziale. Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo have performed "Fall on me", which has gained the top of the charts – also in UK. Fiorella Mannoia, runner-up of Sanremo 2017, performed her new single "Il peso del coraggio".

Giorgia sang her new cover songs. Alessandra Amoroso celebrated her ten years of career. Raf and Umberto Tozzi, Italian entry in 1987 with "Gente di mare", performed their Eurovision song.

Fabio Rovazzi performed his "Faccio quello che voglio" after he hosted Sanremo Giovani in December. Also Federica Abbate, La Rua, Deschema and Nyvinne who reached the top 3 in the two evenings of Sanremo Giovani were special guests. Another important guest Eros Ramazzotti who performed ‘’Vita ce n’è’’ and also ‘’Per le strade una canzone’’ with the SuperStar Luis Fonsi.

And again Riccardo Cocciante, coach of Elhaida Dani, representative for Albania in 2015, during The Voice of Italy 2013, Ornella Vanoni, Elisa and Serena Rossi, who made a tribute to Mia Martini, Italian representative in 1977 and 1992.

Italy in Eurovision Song Contest

Italy has been in Eurovision for 44 contests. They have won twice, in 1964 with the song "Non Ho L'étà" and in 1990 with "Insieme: 1992". Worst result was in 1966 where they finished last.

The most known song is "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu" or better known as "Volare" from 1958. It is also the most covered Eurovision Song Contest song. The song has been covered by famous stars such as Dean Martin, Cliff Richard, David Bowie and many more.

Italy had a long pause from Eurovision Song Contest from 1998 to 2010. Since then Italy has been a "Big-5"-country, automatically qualifying for every year's Grand Final.