Sanremo story: the famous singers who finished last in the rankings

Sand, in many cases, to win Sanremo they were illustrious strangers, at times some Italian music stars inexplicably ranked in the penultimate or last place. And with songs that, still today, are classics from their repertoire. As in the case of Reckless life by Vasco Rossi – second to last in 1983 – e While everything flows of the Negramaroor the recent case of Tananai. Moved from last place in 2022 to one of the most listened to artists on Spotify the next year. But which other artists have experienced the “shame” of the lowest step of the ranking? Here are the most striking examples.

Sanremo, the singers who finished last (or penultimate) in the rankings

1951: Nilla Pizzi with Everything is finished

In the first edition of the festival, the 20 songs in the competition were sung by only three performers: Achille Togliani, the Fasano Duo and precisely Nilla Pizzi. That he won with the famous one Thank you for the flowers.

Voting took place in the dining room and the hostesses moved from table to table with ballot boxes, into which guests could insert their preference cards. Every evening they decided on the five songs to advance to the final. The bizarre thing is that Pizzi not only won but at the same time also placed in last place. With the song (now forgotten) Everything is finished.

1968: Orietta Berti with You who never smile

It is the first festival hosted by Pippo Baudo – 12 more will follow. The winner is Sergio Endrigo with the beautiful Song for you. Second place for Ornella Vanoni with White House; third place a Adriano Celentano with Song.

Orietta Berti – still guilty of mediocrity according to Tenco’s suicide note from the year before – comes in last place with an honestly unmemorable song.

1970: Claudio Villa with Serenade

Absolute record holder – won 4 Sanremo Festivals from 1955 to 1967 –, Villa he never expected a last place in the music competition. Instead it happened with Serenade, perhaps his best song of the entire decade.

The couple Claudia Mori-Adriano Celentano triumphed with Who does not work does not make lovefollowed by Nicola Di Bari with The first beautiful Thing and always excellent Sergio Endrigo and his Noah’s Ark.

1983: Amedeo Minghi with 1950 (and penultimate Vasco Rossi with Reckless life)

With enormous surprise, Sanremo 1983 was won by an unknown person: Tiziana Rivale with Whatever will be, will be. Decent song but too similar to Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes Of Officer and gentleman.

However, another debutant caused even more of a stir: Vasco Rossi. Reckless lifethen his manifesto song, it placed second to last also due to the scandal caused on the final evening. Where, in controversy over the obligation to perform playback, the rocker leaves the stage.

The last place instead goes to the very talented Amedeo Minghi with the splendid 1950a song that (fortunately), over the years it will become one of the classics of Italian songwriting.

1985: Zucchero in second to last place with Women

Even if last place goes to Garbo with the beautiful and experimental Quick stuffthe 1985 edition passes to history for the penultimate place in Women of sugar, then semi-unknown. A song that, a few days before the end of the festival, becomes the most broadcast on the radio.

They are at the top the Rich and the Poor with the mediocre If I fall in lovefollowed by Luis Miguel And We, the kids of today. Third place is won Call it lovea forgettable song by the always good singer Gigliola Cinquetti.

1995: Patty Pravo with The days of harmony

Since 1970 with The sword in the heart paired with Little Tony onwardsPatty has arrived eight times in the top places of the ranking.

A first humiliation comes with Lazily Ladyin 1987, in twentieth place and in addition the accusation of being a plagiarism of To the Morning by Dan Fogelberg (but the song remains in the competition). The second happens in 1995: last place for The days of harmony. A real shame, also due to the high quality of the piece. Two years later, here’s the rematch with the Critics’ Award for AND tell me you don’t want to die.

1997: Loredana Bertè with moon

Personally invited by Pippo BaudoLoredana he returns to Sanremo two years after his unfortunate participation with Angels & angelswhich came second to last just above The days of harmony by Patty Pravo.

Aggressive total leather look, the rock tiger presents moon. Gritty and not easy piece, partially inspired by the death of her sister Mia Martini two years before. Unfortunately the song it does not convince audiences and criticsto the point of finishing in last place in the rankings.

2003: Iva Zanicchi with If I were a tango

Winner of Sanremo three timesIva returns to the race in 2003 (nineteen years after the last participation). The result, however, is disastrous. If I were a tango – a not so despicable piece written by Aldo Donati – ranks last.

2005: Negramaro with While everything flows

While everything flows – one of the most famous rock rides of the Salento band – is selected to compete in the Youth category. However, Negramaro’s debut at Ariston turned out to be rather unfortunate. The classic of contemporary rock is eliminated without even reaching the final stage.

2022: Tananai with Casual sex

Thanks to Tango, fifth place in Sanremo 2023Tananai is today one of the most loved young singer-songwriters. Only the year beforehowever, with the fun Casual sexthe Milanese artist It was finished – also due to the live performances not being exactly in tune – last place in the rankings.

But as with Women by Zucchero, the radio performed the miracle of rehabilitation, pushing the song to success.

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