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Francesco Gabbani

Francesco Gabbani was born in 1982 and was destined to be a musician. Singer, lyricist and composer, Francesco has won Sanremo twice in a row and is about to release his third solo album. And in Occidentali's Karma he dances with an ape!

Hailing from Carrara in Tuscany, where his parents ran the town’s only instrument shop, Francesco Gabbani grew up on music. In 2010 he left his first band Trikobalto to pursue a solo career. Francesco shockingly decided to quit performing to concentrate on composing when, in 2015, his publisher BMG persuaded him to enter a song for the Newcomers section of Sanremo Festival. His song Amen won and subsequently went Platinum in Italy.

In 2017, Francesco won the main section of Sanremo with Occidentali’s Karma, becoming the first artist ever to win in different categories of the Festival in consecutive years. Within hours, the success of the viral, Italian-sung smash had started to snowball. Occidentali’s Karma went Gold within a week and double Platinum in a month, spreading to the online charts all around the world while its colourful, ape-featuring video clocked over 50 million YouTube views. Francesco’s third album is due to be released on the eve of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Things you should know about Francesco Gabbani

What are the three most interesting aspects about your entry?

Lyrics, melody and ta catchy rhythm. Whether you connect with the song because of the lyrics or you just feel the rhythm and want to dance doesn't matter. It's a song that works on lots of levels. It crosses targets, as we say in Italy. Different cultures and countries will love it. It appeals to all ages. It's bringing music lovers together and, hopefully, many of them will think about the words. As for the ape, she’s happy. She adores being on stage.

What are the three most impressive facts about you?

My spontaneity, friendship and the bond I have to my roots.

Do you have a (lucky) routine before you go on stage?

Artists are often superstitious, but I don't think I'm one of them. Before going on stage I'm usually too busy fighting and containing the panic and excitement I feel, to take time for working on "propitiatory" rituals!

Why is the Eurovision Song Contest important for you?

What makes me feel the proudest is to represent my own country in front of every European. I fully believe in "Made in Italy" quality and I'll do my best to be a valuable ambassador of my country.

About the song writers & composers

Filippo Gabbani, born in 1989, started his drum lessons when he was just a kid, following the steps of his father and his elder brother Francesco. In high school years, he founds his first band 99daysbefore, later known as Seeside. In 2012 he became the official drummer of Francesco Gabbani, working on his brother’s debut solo album Greitist Iz. In 2016 Filippo worked with his brother on tracks like In Equilibrio and La Strada with his unique talent in composing melodies and uptempo beats.

Luca Chiaravalli is one of the greatest composers and producers of the current Italian music scene. His works have been awarded countless prizes and Gold and Platinum certificates. He has worked with international stars such as Eros Ramazzotti and Laura Pausini and Sanremo winners Francesco Renga and Giorgia. He won Sanremo 2017 as songwriter, producer and orchestra conductor, co-written the winning song of 2016, Un giorno mi dirai by Stadio and Fatti avanti amore by Nek, runner-up in 2015.

Fabio Ilacqua, born in 1975, after graduating at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, released his first album in 2006, combining his passions for music and visual arts. Since 2013 he has focused mainly on songwriting. In 2015 he met his «writing-pal» (as they like to say) Francesco Gabbani. He wrote the lyrics of Amen and the songs of Francesco’s first album for BMG Italy Eternamente ora, other than tracks for Marco Mengoni and for the Italian music legends Mina and Adriano Celentano.

Music video

Live performance

Lyrics of Occidentali's Karma

Essere o dover essere
Il dubbio amletico
Contemporaneo come l’uomo del neolitico
L’intelligenza è démodé
Risposte facili…
Dilemmi inutili…
AAA cercasi (cerca sì) Storie dal gran finale
Sperasi (spera sì)
Comunque vada panta rei
And singing in the rain

Lezioni di Nirvana
C’è il Buddha in fila indiana
Per tutti un’ora d’aria, di gloria, Alè
La folla grida un mantra
L’evoluzione inciampa
La scimmia nuda balla
Occidentali’s Karma
Occidentali’s Karma
La scimmia nuda balla
Occidentali’s Karma

AAA cercasi (cerca sì)
Umanità virtuale
Sex appeal (sex appeal)
Comunque vada panta rei
And singing in the rain

Lezioni di Nirvana
C’è il Buddha in fila indiana
Per tutti un’ora d’aria, di gloria
La folla grida un mantra
L’evoluzione inciampa
La scimmia nuda balla
Occidentali’s Karma
Occidentali’s Karma
La scimmia nuda balla
Occidentali’s Karma

Quando la vita si distrae
Cadono gli uomini
Occidentali’s Karma
Occidentali’s Karma
La scimmia si rialza
Namasté Alé

Lezioni di Nirvana
C’è il Buddha in fila indiana
Per tutti un’ora d’aria, di gloria
La folla grida un mantra
L’evoluzione inciampa
La scimmia nuda balla
Occidentali’s Karma
Occidentali’s Karma
La scimmia nuda balla
Occidentali’s Karma
Om
To be or ought to be
The Hamlet-like doubt
As contemporary as Neolithic man
Intelligence is démodé
Easy answers…
Useless dilemmas…
Wanted: tales with a grand finale
We hope (hope, yes!)
Whatever happens, panta rhei
And “Singing in the Rain”

Nirvana lessons
There’s Buddha in single line
Yard time for everyone, their time of fame! (Allez!)
The crowd chants a mantra
Evolution is stumbling
The naked ape is dancing
Westerners’ karma
Westerners’ karma
The naked ape is dancing
Westerners’ karma

Wanted:
Virtual humanity
Sex appeal (Sex appeal)
Whatever happens, panta rhei
And “Singing in The Rain”

Nirvana lessons
There’s Buddha in single line
Yard time for everyone, their time of fame
The crowd chants a mantra
Evolution is stumbling
The naked ape is dancing
Westerners’ karma
Westerners’ karma
The naked ape is dancing
Westerners’ karma

When life loses focus
Men fall
Westerners’ karma
Westerners’ karma
The ape rises
Namaste, allez!

Nirvana lessons
There’s Buddha in single line,
Yard time for everyone, their time of fame!
The crowd chants a mantra
Evolution is stumbling
The naked ape is dancing
Westerners’ karma
Westerners’ karma
The naked ape is dancing
Westerners’ karma
Om