Malta: Official Music Video For “Breathlessly” Released

Claudia Faniello has presented the official music video for her entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Ukraine.

Claudia Faniello who will represent Malta this May in Ukraine has released the official music video for her song “Breathlessly”. The music video was filmed in the past week in Italy and tells the story of a woman who takes her own life after finding her partner cheating on her. Claudia will be representing Malta at this years contest having tried a total of eleven times to win the Maltese selection process.

Fans of the Eurovision Song Contest will recognise 29 year old Claudia Faniello as the sister of Fabrizio Faniello, who represented Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 and 2006. Claudia first attempted to represent Malta at Eurovision in 2006 when she performed “High Alert”, she finished 12th in the final. Her best result before 2017 was a second place finish in 2008 and 2013.

This year Malta is marking its 30th appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest since their first debut in the contest in 1971. The Malta Eurovision Song Contest which was used to select their participant for the contest, paid tribute to the songs that have represented Malta over the years, with the 16 competing artists performing short covers of the songs. The selection process saw a major change over previous years, with jury voting being dropped and the public having a 100% say in who will represent them.

Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest

Malta debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1971 and was represented by Joe Grech and the song “Marija I-Maltija”, the song finished last. Malta competed again in 1972 and 1975 but withdrew until their return in 1991. During the 1990s Malta only once finished outside of the top.10 and in 1998 they came within just 7 points of victory. It was Chiara who brought the country their 3rd place finish in 1998, that went on to finish 2nd at the 2005 contest in Kyiv. The only other artist to finish 2nd for Malta is Ira Losco, she was 12 points away from victory.