OK. So. I can say this because I’ve been watching Sanremo for about 40 years: this is the strongest line-up we’ve ever gotten in my lifetime. Sure, we had years where a few songs went on to become classics and standards of Italian musica leggera, but I cannot recall another year with no fewer than 14 tracks that could easily get sent to ESC and land in the Top 5. Those who listen to the podcast know that last year I had voiced some frustration with voting patterns that seem to favor A) men and B) Italian ballads, even in years where Italy could and should have given something different its moment in the spotlight. Well…out of 30 entries in 2024 we have maybe 4, 5 at most straight-up ballads…and they’re all great (and we’re pretty sure something else will win, anyway). For the sake of keeping this somewhat readable, I decided to present a Top 15 because there are exactly 14 tracks that received 5 stars from me on Eurovisionworld, several of which with ESC-winning potential (and doing a Top 14 irked my OCD). I will only offer short write-ups for some of these, and then post a comprehensive review of the winner on Sunday. Too much goodness!!!!
15 Maninni – Spettacolare
14 La Sad – Autodistruttivo
I completely lost it when I realized what the posters in the background were saying.
13 Mr. Rain – Due Altalene
12 Alessandra Amoroso – Fino a qui
Class. “And even as I’m slowly falling down a skyscraper/floor after floor I repeat to myself/so far so good” is a LYRIC.
11 Il Volo – Capolavoro
Yeah, they are what pepperoni is to pizza – a foreigner’s idea of what Italian music is/sounds like. BUT sometimes I do crave some fucking Domino’s, OK? The song is songing.
10 Fred De Palma – Il cielo non ci vuole
Production slaps. “A story ends if there is no one to tell it” in context is just amazing songwriting.
9 BigMama – La rabbia non ti basta
A serve.
8 Irama – Tu no
I want him to come back with a bop but this is the best ballad we got this year.
7 Angelina Mango – La noia
ESC WINNER ALERT. Attitude. Banger. Party.
6 Mahmood – Tuta Gold
ESC WINNER ALERT. They’e not gonna send him a third time but this is my favorite from him yet at this contest. The tongue!
5 Emma – Apnea
Bop. Boppity bop bop bop.
4 Geolier – I p’ me, tu p’ te
ESC WINNER ALERT. Speak to me in Neapolitan and I will turn into a puddle. Would be the second time only that Italy sent a Neapolitan entry to ESC. It slaps.
3 Santi Francesi – L’amore in bocca
I think the title more appropriately translates to “a taste of love” in context so no, this is not a song about blowjobs. Phenomenal indie pop track that sounds vaguely like The 1975. The lead singer is so beautiful I could cry.
2 Clara – Diamanti grezzi
Absolutely obsessed with the way she flicks the camera towards the end. A banger. She’s a star.
1 Annalisa – Sinceramente
ESC WINNER ALERT. Of course she’s my #1. I’m gay. She’s flawless. Complex song structure, killer production, instantly iconic. She is physically unable to turn in a live vocal that is anything less than perfection. Slaps so hard it’s almost obscene.
Sanremo being the strongest final of the 2024 ESC year was not on my bingo card. Blessed be.
ESC Etc. 
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