Country Italy Selected entrant Mia Martini Final result 13th, 33 points | Selection process Internal Selection Selected song "Libera" 1977 • 1978► | |
Italy was represented by Mia Martini, with the song '"Libera", at the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 7 May in London. Broadcaster RAI chose the song and performer internally. Martini would return to Eurovision in 1992.
The version of "Libera" originally presented was a ballad, but prior to the contest the arrangement was completely altered, turning it into an uptempo disco-style song. The new arrangement is said to have been inspired by the version of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" which had appeared some months earlier on Boney M's debut album Take the Heat off Me. "Libera" was noted for its overtly feminist lyrical content with allusions to topics such as contraception and extra-marital sexual relationships, which were contentious issues of the day in Italy.
At Eurovision
On the night of the final Martini performed 15th in the running order, following Spain and preceding Finland. Martini gave a powerful performance, but at the close of voting "Libera" had picked up only 33 points (the highest an 8 from Ireland), placing Italy a disappointing 13th of the 18 entries. The Italian jury awarded its 12 points to Monaco.