Released 2007 Artist(s) Olivia Lewis Composer(s) Philip Vella | Country Malta Language English | |
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Writer(s) Philip Vella, Gerard James Borg | ||
"Vertigo" was the Maltese entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, performed in English by Olivia Lewis.
The song is a moderately up-tempo number. Lewis describes the difficulties she faces in her relationship, as her lover apparently spends much of his time doing exactly the opposite of what she expects him to. She likens this feeling to vertigo, and wonders if perhaps "solo is the way to go", suggesting that she may choose to end the relationship rather than deal with the problems.
Musically, the song features a tune described as "oriental" and containing elements both of Middle Eastern and Far Eastern music (most notably a gong, struck at various points during the song). Lewis herself performed in a costume made of silk and giving the appearance of being from China.
As Malta had not finished the previous Contest in the top ten, the song was performed in the semi-final. Here, it was performed twentieth (following Norway's Guri Schanke with "Ven a bailar conmigo" and preceding Andorra's Anonymous with "Salvem el món"). At the close of voting, it had received 15 points, placing 25th in a field of 28 and thus preventing Malta from qualifying for the final. The result represents Malta's first failure to appear in the final since the country relaunched itself at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1991.
It is said by Maltese singer Enzo Gusman that the song itself may be derivative of a song in the film Vertigo, directed by Alfred Hitchcock.