http://users.pandora.be/diggiloo/pic/1997/it1.jpg

Country: Italy
Year: 1997
Title: Fiumi di parole
Title in English: Rivers of words
Performed by: Jalisse
Lyrics: Carmen di Domenico and Alessandra Drusian
Music: Fabio Ricci
Points: 114
Ranking: 4th



Italy's last ESC entry to date was back in 1997 in Dublin, that participation coming after a four-year hiatus. Italian Television RAI decided to submit to the ESC the song that won that year's San Remo Festival, which was "Fiumi di parole" by Jalisse, a husban and wife duo composed by Alessandra Drusian and Fabio Ricci.

http://users.pandora.be/diggiloo/pic/1997/it2.jpg

Alessandra and Fabio met in 1990 and started the duo in 1995 (named after a charcter from TV Series "The family Robinson"). In Dublin they were one fo the big favourites together with the UK and Ireland songs and finisehed 4th with 114 points. Their only 12 came from POrtugal, the UK awarded them three points.
The song "Fiumi di parole" was however accused of being a rip off of Roxette's "Listen to your heart".

After the post San Remo/ESC success the couple took a break to officialise their union and have a daughter (also named Alessandra). They made a comeback in 2003 in Italy and they been recording and performing ever since. As for Italy, it seems to the dismay of the ESCfans, a return to the ESC will not happen so soon. In a recent survey 99% of the Italian even thought the ESC didn't exist anymore!

http://www.eurovisioncovers.co.uk/i97.jpg

Ooh this song is excellent! I have the 1997 DVD and many of the songs are really $h!t, but this stands out. The deservedly did well, Italy should come back with something as good. :wub:

WE WANT ITALY BACK :(

This wasn't bad...1997 wasn't a vintage year imo apart from Katrina of course...

Italian music at its best. My #1 of 1997.

 

10 points