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Lucio Corsi may not have been well known to international audiences before the official announcement of his participation in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest on February 22. While he is not one of the most popular artists in Italy, he has cultivated a niche following. He gained wider recognition after finishing second at the Sanremo Festival, Italy’s most prestigious musical show, attracting 10 million viewers each night.
Lucio Corsi was not the original choice for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, he will still perform at the Basel event after the first runner-up, Olly, declined the opportunity, stating he did not feel ready. Corsi, who gained popularity at Sanremo with his song Volevo essere un duro (I wish I were a tough guy), has enthusiastically accepted the challenge. “I will chase the instruments again this time,” the singer-songwriter said in a post announcing his participation in Eurovision.
It remains to be seen how he adapts his poetic and dreamy outsider aesthetic to Eurovision’s vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
Lucio Corsi, influences and musical career
The 31-year-old songwriter hails from Grosseto, Tuscany. His rural upbringing has greatly influenced his poetic imagery. Corsi draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, including pop, indie, and rock music, infused with elements of poetry and introspection. His lyrics are rich in literary and traditional references, and theatrical costumes directly inspire his aesthetic.
Although his style is quite personal, Lucio Corsi has stated that he is inspired by Italian singer-songwriters such as Fabrizio De André, Ivan Graziani, and Francesco De Gregori. International musicians such as Elliott Smith and Sufjan Stevens have influenced his writing and music composition approach.
He began his journey as a songwriter and musician at a young age, performing in pubs and squares in his hometown. After relocating to Milan, he launched his career as an indie artist. His debut album, Swing Boy/Vetulonia Dakar, received positive reviews from critics. Its glam style and surreal lyrics drew comparisons to the works of David Bowie, Renato Zero, Lou Reed, and Tim Burton.
The TV debut and Sanremo
After releasing Bestiario Musicale in 2017, a fairytale-themed concept album dedicated to the animals of the Maremma, Lucio Corsi signed with Sugar Music. In 2020, he published the album Cosa faremo da grandi? (What will we do as grown-ups?), followed by La gente che sogna (People Who Dream) in 2023. In addition to participating in various festivals, his television debut helped to increase his visibility and popularity.
First, he appeared on a prime-time talk show called L’assedio. Then, director Carlo Verdone cast him in his TV Show Vita da Carlo (Amazon Prime, 2021), where Lucio interpreted himself.
The Sanremo Festival turned out to be a major turning point for Corsi. The audience was particularly captivated by his performance during the evening dedicated to duets, an event Italians watch with great enthusiasm.
Corsi made a unique choice by partnering with a marionette, Topo Gigio, to perform the iconic song Nel blu, dipinto di blu by Domenico Modugno. Far from mocking the occasion’s significance, Corsi aimed to honor the original voice of Topo Gigio from 1959, which belonged to none other than Modugno himself.
This choice, along with the song Volevo essere un duro, conquered the audience and the jury and led Corsi to the final ranking.
Lucio Corsi and a special guitar
Not everyone is aware of the connection between Lucio Corsi and Bob Dylan. During the grand finale of the Sanremo Festival, the Italian songwriter played a guitar crafted by the world-renowned lute maker Antonio Pioli, known as Wandé. This visionary artisan, born in Reggio Emilia, produced the guitars Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa used in their younger days.
In 2021, Lucio Corsi met the Partigiani di Wandé group at a festival in Tuscany. He was captivated by their guitars, and thanks to the friendship they formed during the festival, they kept in touch.
What is special about Lucio Corsi?
Lucio Corsi’s songwriting and dreamy aesthetics set him apart from most recent acts we’ve encountered at the Eurovision Song Contest. His style starkly contrasts Italy’s contestants from the past few years, such as Måneskin, Blanco, Mahmood, Marco Mengoni, and Angelina Mango. However, Corsi’s unique approach and profound message could notably impact such a widely celebrated contest.
Corsi’s songs often contain evocative imagery and highly symbolic language, exploring themes of introspection, relationships, and reflections on daily life. His music features various sounds, from folk to pop, with influences from psychedelia and indie music. Lucio Corsi uses traditional instruments and more modern and experimental sounds, creating an original mix.
Finally, his voice has a unique quality, often described as delicate but also rough. It is capable of expressing emotions authentically and engagingly. Volevo essere un duro hides a profound meaning under dreamlike and melancholic atmospheres, inviting the listener to reflect and immerse himself in his thoughts.
