There was a time when fandom would bow down to anything French. Then Rai ended its Eurovision sulk and returned to the fold. France was budged to one side. Italy became fools’ gold.
Each year, the Sanremo winner tops fan polls, enjoys short bookmaker odds, and invariably under performs. These are songs for fans of Eurovision. They tick every box. They score less well with the general public.
‘Soldi’ is a thoroughly professional proposition. Mahmood is a top-rank performer.
The verses tend to work better than the downbeat chorus, but like every recent Italian Eurovision song, it’s rammed full of words … and at least three different melodies.
If it won, I’d not be disappointed, as I can appreciate its appeal, but it leaves me cold.
4 Points