Published by Mason Oldridge, 4 February 2022
“Anyone but them” I exclaimed as it was announced Italy had won the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. It is safe to say I wasn’t best pleased with the result; however, it was after the competition that they broke into the mainstream… and into my music library too.
Despite a whirlwind year of being thrust into the spotlight, it is undeniable that Eurovision was the turning point for Måneskin that kick-started their career. As X Factor runners-up in 2017, the Italian rock band was little known outside of Italy for the next four years. One of the few entries to not be a returning artist from the cancelled 2020 contest, Måneskin was the bookies favourites on the night of the final, despite being a lot less talked about in comparison to the other frontrunners. Passionately rooting for my pre-determined favourites of the Lithuanian dance track and the Ukrainian rave group, the four-piece was initially a disgrace to my favourite night of the entertainment calendar. After belting out their entry Zitti e buoni, which loosely translates to Shut Up and Behave, the crowd went wild. Despite their eventual win, it was the fake news of lead singer Damiano David snorting cocaine in the green room that plastered the newspapers the next day. It was broken glass, by the way. It can be argued Måneskin popularised rock music within the contest, a genre previously rather unsuccessful at the event. 2021 also saw a rise in native language songs doing well, with the Italian song winning, followed by two French songs and a Ukrainian song in 5th. It’s only fair to credit the group with enhancing a variety of European languages at Europe’s biggest music competition.
Most Eurovision artists do well to reach a demographic beyond the arena walls, never mind beyond their own country (with the exceptions of ABBA and Bucks Fizz of course), so how did Måneskin expand outside the land of Italia? Like most 2021 artists: TikTok. The upcoming social media phenomenon has created many viral sensations and it was the platform’s repetitive use of their follow-up single I Wanna Be Your Slave that introduced the rest of the world to these glam rock superstars. I can only imagine using English enhanced the popularity of the track but it introduced us to the depth and uniqueness of their lyrical ability. Based around the heart-wrenching subject of infatuation, the song is all too relatable to anyone on the receiving end of heartbreak. While the profanity could be misinterpreted to degrade the narrative, it actually mirrors the anger and passion one feels in an infatuated state. It was this anthem in particular that gave them UK recognition and radio airplay, and where I was sceptical at first, as their Eurovision performance was only slowly creeping up my top ten favourites at this point, it was this song, and it’s powerful and relatable lyrics in particular, that won me over. Furthermore, it was their unique take on the Four Seasons’ Beggin’ from their teen years on X Factor that saw them break America, and if there’s one place you want success, it’s the US of A. Beggin’ is arguably the track that utilises David’s powerhouse vocals the most and highlights their talent of turning a classic into something completely brand new… and then storming the success of the former.
So, you’ve broke the world… how do you keep in its eyeline? Performing a set at the base of the Eiffel Tower for worldwide benefit concert Global Citizen probably is a good step. This performance introduced us to For Your Love, another English language song discussing the tantalisation of unrequited love. Don’t fall into the trap I initially did and let their outrageous costume and erratic behaviour trick you into believing they are consumed by their egos; David’s homage to Billie Eilish before their cover of Bury a Friend is an insight into their teddy bear personalities that lie beneath the surface. Everyone has a wild side lying dormant, right?
If there’s one thing that their latest single MAMMAMIA suggests, other than their love for their native Italy, it’s that Måneskin are on the up with no intention of vanishing from the limelight anytime soon. And, at the very least, Eurovision 2022 live from Turin will have a very good opening act. Rock’n’roll never dies!