Over the past few weeks, both the Italian and Israeli delegations have dropped major hints regarding what we’ll be hearing from them in Baku this May.  In Italy, a special jury at the San Remo Festival selected chanteuse Nina Zilli to represent them, but no confirmation was given regarding the song that she would present.  Further east, Nina’s counterpart in Israel, indie-rock band Izabo, had their track for Azerbaijan, “Time”, leaked.  Broadcaster IBA had no comments on the supposed leak, neither confirming nor denying that the song was official.  Well, as we approach the EBU’s March 19 deadline, we finally have more clarity from Rome and Tel Aviv.

Despite the rumors that Nina would be swapping her San Remo entry, “Per Sempre”, for one of two other great tracks on her album (specifically, “L’amore é femmina” or “Per le strade“), it seems that she’ll be sticking with her original tune.  The song will be modified somewhat, however, as it currently clocks in at over three minutes.  It will also be partially translated into English (much like how last year’s entry, “Follia d’amore” became “Madness of Love“).  Will this tactic duplicate the success of Raphael Gualazzi from last year (or even surpass it)?  Time will tell…

Meanwhile, in Israel, we officially have the studio version of Izabo’s “Time” (the leaked version was simply a demo, supposedly written and recorded just hours before IBA’s submission window closed).  The day after the song was confirmed, Izabo performed “Time” live for the first time at a gig in Tel Aviv.  With a richer orchestration than the version we heard a few weeks ago (as well as a slightly modified ending), the song retains its summery, ethnic feel: