Introduction

• Participant(s): Michela
• Song: "Chameleon"
  
• Writer(s): Joacim Perrson, Paula Winger, Borislav Milanov, Johan Alkanas
• Composer(s): Joacim Perrson, Paula Winger, Borislav Milanov, Johan Alkanas
• Broadcaster: TVM
  
• Social media:  
  
• Team review: 

Normally Malta is having a lavish national final to determine the Eurovision entry. This year it was replace by the Maltese X Factor show. The winner has been determined: Michaela Pace. But the song came later. If this is a successful method, we will see after Eurovision.

The 18-years-old singer is living on the tiny island of Gozo, which belongs the archipelago of Malta. The Maltese song has been composed by the international team of Joacim Perrson, Paula Winger, Borislav Milanov and Johan Alkenäs. Malta often takes the help of foreign composers and coaches. Michaela could make the jury speechless when you won the X Factor show in the beginning of the year. She can handle various music styles from pop over country to soul.

The arrangement of the song “Chameleon” strongly reminds of last year’s Cypriot entry, but it’s not as powerful the song wanders off somehow. The video clip has been produced with a high devotion to quality, like every year.

The lyrics of “Chameleon” are quite lyrical:

“Give me water I’m a swimmer
Give me fire I’m a fighter
Give me love I’m your lover
Make me cry I'll be a river
Take my heart I'll be a giver
I can change like the weather”

Malta had no good hand with the qualifications for the Grand Finals lately. This year’s song seem to be a lot stronger and the chances look quite good. The presentation is modern, the song is radio friendly and it would be time to see Malta back in the Grand Final.

History

• Debut: 1971
• Participations: 32
• Victories: 0
• Finals: 23
• Top 10: 13
• Chances for Top 10: 41%
• Chances for Final: 50%

Malta is participating for the 32nd time in the Eurovision Song Contest. Malta had its debut in 1971 with a song in the Maltese language called "Marija L-maltija" by Joe Grech. The Maltese have only used their native language twice, due to the fact that English is the second official language it has always been used as advantage. Nowadays every country can chose the language of their entries by preference. Over the years Austria has send a song in French, Latvia in Italian or Cyprus in French, so it does not matter anymore. But English has been the main language in the Eurovision Song Contest for most of the countries, even France sings half French half English. That's why Malta does not enjoy the language advantage anymore.

There has been a long pause in the Maltese participation between 1976 until 1990. Then Malta returned in 1991 with "Could it be” by Paul Giordimaina and Georgina and achieved a good 6th place. With this new enthusiasm and energy the Maltese reached a lot of good positions. Out of 30 participation, Malta reached the Top10 for 13 times, so the chance to reach a Top10 position for Malta is approx. 41%, statistically. And to reach the Grand Final is approx. 50%.

Unfortunately, Malta has never won the ESC, but made a second place two times and a third place two times as well. Malta is so eager to win the contest one day, rumours said it should be the first open air contest in history. At least Malta won and hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 and thanks to this occasion the Maltese broadcaster could show off a little bit what to expect if Malta wins the ESC, the introduction, the postcards were perfectly made. This is what we could expect if one day Malta will host the ESC.

Biggest successes

2x 2nd place

• Ira Losco - "7th Wonder" (2002)
• Chiara - "Angel" (2005)

2x 3rd place

• Mary Spiteri - "Little Child" (1992)
• Chiara - "The One That I Love" (1998)

Video Nostalgia

• “More Than Love” | Moira Stafrace and Christopher Scicluna , Rank 5, 1994, Dublin
  
• “Another Summer Night“ | Fabrizio Faniello , Rank 9, 2001, Copenhagen
  
• “My Dream” | Thea Garrett , Rank 12, 2010, Oslo