BREATHLESSLY

CALUDIA FANIELLO

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 191.5/320 (59.8%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

MALTA

INT

JURY TOTAL

97

Amar

Malta is taking us back to 1998. I'm disappointed in this selection, especially after the modern song sent last year. Claudia has a great voice but wow this song is so boring.

3.5

Benedek

This song is bland also. It is just one of those I have heard it before. Nothing special it will definitely remain in the semi final. I cant see this to score well. The girl can sing it is nice but that's it. Not memorable enough again.

2

Christos

Oh come on Malta !!! This is not a proposal, it is just a lullaby. I think that this is the worst entry of 2017 till now. Too many ballads this year and between them the worst is the Maltese entry. For sure we will not meet Malta at the Grand Final. I can understand that the musical scene of this tiny Mediterranean island is ...slim but "breathlessly" is too "slim" also.

1

Daria

So we are back in late 90s! I like this atmosphere, I like Claudia’s voice and this is an ok ballad, may be one of my favorite ones this year, but without good staging it has no chances.

8

Douwe

No song change in Malta this year thankfully as the smooth, subtle and beautiful 'Breathlessly' has a timeless quality, a ballad that straddles many decades. Claudia's voice has never sounded so great, mature and confident and she gave a solid, emotional and elegant performance. In particular her delivery of the lyrics was hauntingly captivating. Perhaps now the disappointment of 2012 with 'Pure' can be put behind her. This should reach the final as long as the many female ballads do not start to cancel each other out.

9

Elena

Another well performed ballad. I usually don't go bananas for this kind of song, but I like this singer very much. I love the depth in her voice and her charisma. The song could easily be just another ballad, but there's something that makes this oh so beautiful.

8

Frederico

And another ballad. Good voice, professionally delivered. It’s an ok song but for me it’s just that. Might qualify but doubt it will do well. 

6

José

Happy that Claudia, finally make it, after so much trying. The song is sweet, she sang perfectly, unfortunately for much this will be "just another ballad" the lyrics are so great.

8

Mark L

My word this really is the year of the ballad and this so far is one of the best. Not sure it can go all the way but I would love to see Malta win at last

7.5

Melissa

This is a great entry that wouldn't sound out of place on a Celine Dion album. Claudia looks great and (after 10 attempts) knows how to work the camera. The end just feels a little unfinished though. 

7.5

Octavio

It's a good song, nice voice, nice arrangement. That's it. I don't find it amazing, but not even bad. I can see this being a fan favourite though and end up being a shock non qualifier. I hope it gets a revamp or that she just changes it,but she seems very enthusiastic about it so...let's hope she will bring an improved version.

5

Paul C

Well, not much to say here - boring ballad. Not of taste at all.

2

Pia

Weird melody, can´t catch it. Malta can do so much better ....

5

Roberto

And finally Claudia did it ! Nice classy song, interesting enough. Simple and emotional, it could work. However, this kind of female ballad needs a high-quality staging. Some could find it generic and cliched, but Claudia has a nice personality and she can reach a good placement.

8

Roy

Although the song I liked best did not make it this is quite good, at least it has good lyrics, maybe the best so far as some songs really lack good lyrics. I read it is her 9th attempt with 11 songs, so finally she made it. I met her last year during Junior Eurovision in Malta and think this could surprise with the right staging.

7

Samantha

How is it that Claudia's only 29, but she's been participating in MESC since the dawn of time? Song is well-sung, but the song itself doesn't really grab me immediately, which you need in an ESC entry. Not sure if it's enough to stand out. 

5

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

MALTA

UK

JURY TOTAL

101

Andrew G

This is very nice, there is a tune to this one, nice ballad, good voice , hope this dose well, deserves a place in the final

8

Danny

It’s great that Claudia finally gets to Eurovision but not so great that she’s done it with this dated ballad with clichéd lyrics. She has had better songs, but she is an excellent performer, but not a qualifier.

7

David B

Not so much 'Breathlessly' as 'Relentlessly', with Claudia finally qualifying at her 97th attempt. She gives a competent performance of this 1990s Celine Dion-lite album filler. It's reassuringly old-fashioned and would probably have gone down a storm years ago. Is there still a market for this kind of thing in 2017?

6

David E

Quite old fashioned in style and structure, I fear this is going to get lost in a sea of female ballads. Nothing really stand-out about it. Can’t see it as a qualifier.

5

Dean

I bet Claudia is over the moon. Having tied umpteen times to represent Malta she finally makes it.  And although the song isn’t bad, it’s probably another example of the singer being better than the song.  I think it will qualify, but I hope she’ll be singing the fabulous Caravaggio when she’s out and about in Kiev .

6

Eddie

A good old big ballad from Malta . She sells the song really well and has great emotion. I don't know if it's too old fashioned but I like her voice.

6.5

Edward

A classic ballad if a little dated.  It has romantic lyrics, and Faniello will put on a strong performance.  The Maltese won’t wreck it with silly staging.  My concern is that it lacks a “moment”, e.g. a key change or a big drum break, so it may not attract the voters’ attention.

7

Gary

This is definitely missing a key change. The voice is strong and the song, though dated, has potential, but it doesn’t really lift off – more of a solid plodder.

6

Joe  

disappointed with this. It's a nice enough ballad but with no real stand out quality

5

Kevin

Beautiful vocal from Maltese singer Claudie Faniello.  Claudie’s singing career spans back a decade. Yet another ballad, I can feel an influence from Celine Dion; I wasn't left feeling breathless but a nice tune overall.

7

Lloyd

Malta has selected a dated moody ballad that takes a while to get going. Claudia was vocally sound with a great set of lungs on her. I was waiting for that tingly feeling when she hit those long powerful notes but unfortunately it never comes.

6

Mark M

Poor Claudia.  She finally qualifies and with an absolutely stinker of a song.  Boring, dated and forgettable.  And the song isn't very good either.

3

Martin

“Breathlessly" does exactly what it says on the tin - Claudia sings this flawlessly and it is a classic example of a "gentle" power ballad.  Unfortunately this level of passion and power will not make this entry stand out in Kyiv, unless the rest of her staging draws the eye.  Pleasant but not spectacular.

5.5

Matt

I love Claudia and although I slightly prefer "Pure" from past years, I think she gives a very polished, emotional and professional performance.  Yes, it is perhaps a little plodding but you can't go wrong with a good ballad.

10

Nico

So glad Claudia finally made it. Not much original about this song, even old fashioned perhaps, but I find it charming and memorable,  and Malta has a habit of qualifying with charming if unoriginal songs, so discount this at your own risk. Very enjoyable. 

7

Sally-Ann

Claudia looks like a reject from Towie and delivers the sort of last-dance number you might have heard in an Essex nightclub circa 1982.  Remarkable insofar as it has a verse and a chorus, but no other obvious distinguishing features. 

4