Soldi
{{Short description|2019 single by Mahmood}}
{{for|the Italian coin|Soldo}}
{{Other uses|Soldi (surname)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Soldi
| cover = Mahmood - Soldi.png
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Mahmood
| album = Gioventù bruciata
| released = 6 February 2019
| English_title = "Money"
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre = R&B
| length = 3:15
| label = Island
| writer = {{hlist|Paolo Alberto Monachetti|Dario "Dardust" Faini|Alessandro Mahmoud}}
| producer = {{hlist|Charlie Charles|Dario "Dardust" Faini}}
| prev_title = Gioventù bruciata
| prev_year = 2018
| next_title = Calipso
| next_year = 2019
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|22lISUXgSUw|"Soldi"}}}}
{{Infobox song contest entry
| embed = yes
| song = {{flagicon|Italy}} "Soldi"
| image =
| caption =
| year = 2019
| country = Italy
| artist = Mahmood
| languages = {{hlist|Italian|Arabic}}
| composer = {{hlist|Paolo Alberto Monachetti|Dario "Dardust" Faini|Alessandro Mahmoud}}
| lyricist = {{hlist|Alessandro Mahmoud}}
| conductor =
| place = 2nd
| points = 472
| place_semi =
| points_semi =
| prev_link = Non mi avete fatto niente
| prev_year = 2018
| prev = Non mi avete fatto niente
| next = Fai rumore
| next_year = 2020
| next_link = Fai rumore
}}
}}
"Soldi" ({{IPA|it|ˈsɔldi}}; {{translation|"Money"}}) is a song recorded by Italian singer Mahmood. It was released on 6 February 2019, as the fifth single from his debut studio album, Gioventù bruciata (2019).{{cite web|url=https://www.rockol.it/news-701015/mahmood-anticipata-uscita-dell-album-gioventu-bruciata|publisher=Rockol|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Mahmood ha anticipato l'uscita del suo album|date=14 February 2019}} Mahmood co-wrote the song with Dario "Dardust" Faini and Charlie Charles, who also produced it.{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/canale_lifestyle/notizie/people/2019/02/10/chi-e-mahmood-il-vincitore-del-festival-di-sanremo-2019_b908ffa2-a093-4e46-bc25-0552b88573ec.html|publisher=Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata|date=10 February 2019|title=Chi è Mahmood, il rapper vincitore del Festival di Sanremo 2019|access-date=12 February 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusicitalia.it/interviste/mahmood-sanremo-2019-soldi.html|publisher=AllMusicItalia.it|language=it|title=Mahmood: Videointervista Sanremo 2019. Porto una canzone con un tema forte... e Charlie Charles|date=5 February 2019|access-date=12 February 2019}}
Mahmood performed the song for the first time at the 69th Sanremo Musical Festival in February 2019 and won the competition, receiving the right to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.{{cite web|website=Eurovoix.com|title=Italy: Mahmood to Eurovision 2019|url=https://eurovoix.com/2019/02/10/italy-mahmood-to-eurovision-2019/|date=10 February 2019|last=Farren|first=Neil}}{{cite news |last1=Castagneri |first1=Alice |last2=Pavanello |first2=Roberto |title=Mahmood vince il Festival di Sanremo |url=https://www.lastampa.it/2019/02/09/spettacoli/festival-di-sanremo-la-diretta-della-finale-2TJdTHov8uMeB2HK82VCJL/pagina.html |access-date=11 February 2019 |work=La Stampa |date=10 February 2019 |language=it}}
"Soldi" was later confirmed as his Eurovision entry,{{cite web|url=https://www.rockol.it/news-700934/mahmood-all-eurovision-song-contest-canzone-soldi|publisher=Rockol.it|language=it|access-date=12 February 2019|title=Mahmood rappresenterà l'Italia all'Eurovision Song Contest con la canzone Soldi|date=12 February 2019}} eventually reaching second place in the final. The song is predominantly in Italian, with one line in Arabic, making it the fourth time that a Eurovision song features the Arabic language after entries by {{Esccnty|Morocco}} in {{Escyr|1980}}, {{Esccnty|Israel|y=2009}} in {{Escyr|2009}} and {{Esccnty|Bulgaria|y=2012}} in {{Escyr|2012}}. "Soldi" topped the charts in Greece, Israel, Italy and Lithuania and reached the top 10 in five more countries. The song became the most-streamed Eurovision song ever on Spotify, a record held until late January 2021 when it was surpassed by the 2019 Eurovision winner, "Arcade" by Duncan Laurence.{{cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/10/16/italy-mahmoods-soldi-is-now-the-most-streamed-eurovision-song-on-spotify/242939/|title=Italy: Mahmood's "Soldi" is now the most-streamed Eurovision song on Spotify|date=16 October 2019 |publisher=Wiwibloggs|access-date=14 April 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://escxtra.com/2021/01/29/arcade-passes-soldi-as-the-most-streamed-eurovision-entry-on-spotify/|title="Arcade" passes "Soldi" as the most-streamed Eurovision entry on Spotify|date=29 January 2021 |publisher=ESCXTRA|access-date=14 February 2021}}
Background and composition
Interviewed by TV Sorrisi e Canzoni, Mahmood revealed he started writing the song while hanging out with some friends.{{cite web|url=https://www.sorrisi.com/musica/sanremo/sanremo-2019-intervista-mahmood-il-cast-di-questanno-e-molto-originale/|work=TV Sorrisi e Canzoni|language=it|access-date=12 February 2019|title=Sanremo 2019, intervista a Mahmood: Il cast di quest'anno è molto originale|date=31 January 2019}} Despite this, it took a long time for him to complete the song. Producers Dardust and Charlie Charles contributed its sound, renewing it with contemporary elements borrowed from trap music.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2019/02/10/mamood-ecco-il-significato-del-testo-di-soldi-racconta-la-storia-di-una-famiglia-non-tradizionale-il-testo/4962534/|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|date=10 February 2019|title=Mahmood, ecco il significato del testo di Soldi: Racconta la storia di una famiglia non tradizionale}}
Hip hop sounds are also mixed with Arabic influences.{{cite web|url=https://www.sorrisi.com/musica/sanremo/sanremo-2019-tutti-testi-delle-canzoni/|work=TV Sorrisi e Canzoni|language=it|access-date=12 February 2019|title=Sanremo 2019: tutti i testi delle 24 canzoni in gara|date=5 February 2019}}
The song structure does not include a proper chorus. According to Italian producer and musician Andrea Rodini, the song's hook is based on three different elements: the repetition of the word "soldi" (money), the verse "come va" (what's up?), pronounced multiple consecutive times, and the sound of clapping hands, which Rodini describes as a "cubistic" chorus.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockol.it/news-700919/mahmood-e-soldi-analisi-della-canzone-andrea-rodini|publisher=Rockol.it|language=it|access-date=12 February 2019|title=Mahmood e Soldi: l'analisi della canzone, di Andrea Rodini|author=Andrea Rodini|date=11 February 2019}}
"Soldi" is an autobiographic song about Mahmood's "unconventional family".{{cite web|url=https://stream24.ilsole24ore.com/video/lifestyle/sanremo-mahmood-soldi-canzone-autobiografica-piena-rabbia/ABdj4kSB?refresh_ce=1|work=Il Sole 24 Ore|language=it|access-date=12 February 2019|title=Sanremo, Mahmood: Soldi canzone autobiografica piena di rabbia|date=11 February 2019}} Its lyrics explore Mahmood's relationship with his father, who left his family while he was a child.{{cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/it/lifestyle/musica/a26232725/mahmood-soldi-testo/|work=Cosmopolitan|language=it|access-date=12 February 2019|title=Mahmood, il testo di Soldi, la canzone che parla di ricordi e ti fa sentire dentro un film|author=Mary Adorno|date=7 February 2019}} It depicts a lying, contradictory and unreliable father, whose main priority is money instead of his own family.{{cite web|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/intrattenimento/spettacolo/2019/02/11/perche-votato-mahmood_sn4C37P1FTbPRXcvlBlf3H.html|publisher=Adnkronos|language=it|access-date=12 February 2019|date=11 February 2019|title=Inviata Adnkronos: Perché ho votato Mahmood|author=Antonella Nesi}} Money is therefore represented as one of the causes of the end of a father-and-son relationship, marking a strong departure from trap music themes, which usually depicts money as the ultimate goal of life. Mahmood explained that the song's lyrics "evoke a memory" and that "there's a lot of anger" in it. Its verses reproduce a series of different pictures, often used by Mahmood as metaphors.
The song also includes a sentence in Arabic. Although he cannot speak Arabic, Mahmood explained that he remembers how his Egyptian father called him when he was a child, and that he chose to include this verse as a way to bring him back to a particular moment in time.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/televisione/sanremo_2019_mahmood_testo_soldi-4290765.html|work=Il Messaggero|language=it|access-date=12 February 2019|title=Sanremo 2019, Mahmood: ecco testo e significato di Soldi, la canzone vincitrice|date=10 February 2019}}
Song contests
= Sanremo Music Festival =
{{Main article|Sanremo Music Festival 2019}}
In December 2018, Mahmood was one of 24 acts selected to compete in Sanremo Giovani, a televised competition aimed at selecting two newcomers as contestants of the 69th Sanremo Music Festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2018/11/27/spettacoli/sanremo-giovani-ecco-i-cantanti-selezionati-per-la-finale-tanti-ex-dei-talent-pIDYZRPwvaq57oLx6zBUnI/pagina.html|work=La Stampa|date=27 November 2018|title=Sanremo Giovani 2019, ecco i 24 cantanti selezionati per la finale: tanti ex dei talent|access-date=16 February 2019}} Competing acts were split in two separate groups, which performed in different live shows. A winner from each group was declared, and Mahmood placed first in the second episode of the show, with his entry "Gioventù bruciata".{{cite web|url=https://www.rockol.it/news-699102/sanremo-giovani-vincitore-e-mahmood-classifica-finale|publisher=Rockol.it|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Sanremo Giovani, Mahmood vince la seconda finale e va in gara tra i big. A lui anche il Premio della Critica. La classifica|date=22 December 2018}} Mahmood also received the Critics' Award among acts performing in the second final.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2018/12/22/sanremo-giovani-mahmood-e-il-vincitore-della-seconda-serata-ecco-il-cast-completo-di-sanremo-2019/4854466/|work=Il Fatto Quotidiano|date=22 December 2018|title=Sanremo giovani, Mahmood è il vincitore della seconda serata. Ecco il cast completo di Sanremo 2019|author=Giuseppe Candela|access-date=16 February 2019|language=it}}
"Soldi" was later announced as his entry for the Sanremo Music Festival 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.sorrisi.com/musica/sanremo/festival-di-sanremo-2019/|work=TV Sorrisi e Canzoni|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Sanremo 2019: duetti, ospiti e ultime notizie dal Festival|date=8 February 2019}}
Mahmood performed the song for the first time during the first live show of the 69th Sanremo Music Festival, which was held on 5 February 2019. He was the 24th and final act to appear on stage, performing after midnight.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.it/tv/news-tv/sanremo-2019-la-cronaca-della-prima-serata/444213/|work=Rolling Stone|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Sanremo 2019, la cronaca della prima serata|date=5 February 2019}} Dario "Dardust" Faini, co-writer of the song, directed the Sanremo Orchestra during his performance.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/ascoli/spettacoli/mahmood-canzone-faini-1.4436279|work=Il Resto Del Carlino|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Mahmood vince Sanremo 2019, l'ascolano Dario Faini ha scritto la canzone|date=10 February 2019}} During the third live show, "Soldi" was the first performance of the night.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockol.it/news-700767/sanremo-2019-terza-serata-pagelle-commento-e-scaletta|publisher=Rockol.it|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Sanremo 2019, terza serata: date la conduzione del Festival alla Vanoni, gli Zen Circus spaccano|date=7 February 2019}} On 8 February 2019, Mahmood performed the song in a new version, featuring rapper Gué Pequeno.{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/dossier/spettacoli/festival-di-sanremo-2019/2019/02/08/news/sanremo_cronaca_quarta_serata-218647863/|work=la Repubblica|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Sanremo, la quarta serata è dei duetti. Con Ligabue l'Ariston è rock, Anastasio canta gli sdraiati|author=Alessandra Vitali|date=8 February 2019}}
During the first round of the final, "Soldi" placed 7th in the televote, but was the most voted by the experts jury, and the second most voted by the press jury.{{cite web|url=http://www.rai.it/dl/doc/2019/02/10/1549808790256_Risultati_Televoto_Sanremo_2019.pdf|publisher=RAI|title=Classifiche Sanremo 2019|language=it}} As a result, Mahmood gained a spot in the top three acts of the competition. After an additional performance, the song was declared the winner of the 69th Sanremo Music Festival, beating Ultimo's "I tuoi particolari" and "Musica che resta" by Il Volo, which placed second and third, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.lastampa.it/2019/02/10/spettacoli/sanremo-al-gran-finale-TQzvKWYSYixiL47tnN7AXO/pagina.html|work=La Stampa|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Mahmood vince il Festival di Sanremo, sul podio Ultimo e Il Volo|author=Alberto Mattioli|date=10 February 2019}}
Mahmood also received the "Enzo Jannacci" Award for Best Performance.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockol.it/news-700765/sanremo-2019-premio-enzo-jannacci-assegnato-nuovoimaie-a-mahmood|publisher=Rockol|language=it|access-date=16 February 2019|title=Sanremo 2019, il Premio Enzo Jannacci assegnato da Nuovoimaie a Mahmood|date=8 February 2019}}
=Eurovision Song Contest=
{{Main article|Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019}}
Following his win, it was confirmed by RAI and the European Broadcasting Union that Mahmood had accepted the invitation to represent Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest, which is given to the winner of the Sanremo Music Festival, and that he'd be performing "Soldi" at Eurovision.{{cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/02/12/italy-mahmood-confirms-eurovision-2019/233149/|title=Italy: Mahmood confirms – he WILL represent Italy at Eurovision 2019|work=Wiwibloggs|date=12 February 2019|access-date=25 May 2019}} As Italy is a member of the "Big Five", he automatically advanced to the final, held on 18 May 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The song finished in second place with 472 points, and won the Marcel Bezençon Composer Award.{{cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ebu-issues-statement-on-eurovision-2019-grand-final-result|title=EBU issues statement on Eurovision 2019 Grand Final jury result|date=22 May 2019|access-date=25 May 2019|website=eurovision.tv}}{{Cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2019-marcel-bezencon-awards|title=Here are the winners of the 2019 Marcel Bezençon Awards|website=eurovision.tv|date=18 May 2019 |access-date=25 May 2019}}
Music video
The music video for "Soldi" was directed by Attilio Cusani.{{cite web|url=https://www.adnkronos.com/intrattenimento/spettacolo/2019/02/11/mahmood-primo-tutte-classifiche_IjxbpEDV6hBwdqi7ayyMGK.html|publisher=Adnkronos|language=it|title=Mahmood è primo in tutte le classifiche|date=11 February 2019|access-date=12 February 2019}}
As of December 2023, the video has over 206 million views on YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22lISUXgSUw|title=Mahmood – Soldi (Prod. Dardust & Charlie Charles)|author=Mahmood|author-link=Mahmood|via=YouTube|date=5 February 2019|access-date=29 December 2019}}
Track listings
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download (Benny Benassi Remix){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/soldi-benny-benassi-remix-single/1455087629|title=Soldi (Benny Benassi Remix) – Single by Mahmood|work=iTunes|date=8 March 2019 |access-date=9 April 2019}}
| title1 = Soldi
| note1 = Benny Benassi Remix
| length1 = 3:00
| title2 = Soldi
| note2 = Benny Benassi Extended Version
| length2 = 3:40
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download (Denis First Remix){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/soldi-denis-first-remix-single/1456356963|title=Soldi (Denis First Remix) – Single by Mahmood|work=iTunes|date=15 March 2019 |access-date=9 April 2019}}
| title1 = Soldi
| note1 = Denis First Remix
| length1 = 3:00
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download (Vigiland Remix){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/soldi-vigiland-remix-single/1456761712|title=Soldi (Vigiland Remix) – Single by Mahmood|work=iTunes|date=22 March 2019 |access-date=9 April 2019}}
| title1 = Soldi
| note1 = Vigiland Remix
| length1 = 2:56
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download (Isac Elliot Remix){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/soldi-single/1462874487|title=Soldi – Single by Mahmood|work=iTunes|date=10 May 2019 |access-date=10 May 2019}}
| title1 = Soldi
| note1 = featuring Isac Elliot
| length1 = 3:19
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download (Spanish version){{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/soldi-single/1462416319|title=Soldi – Single by Mahmood|work=iTunes|date=10 May 2019 |access-date=10 May 2019}}
| title1 = Soldi
| note1 = featuring Maikel Delacalle
| length1 = 3:04
}}
Charts and certifications
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
= Certifications =
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|award=Gold|artist=Mahmood|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2020|title=Soldi|access-date=23 January 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|number=4|artist=Mahmood|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2019|title=Soldi|access-date=12 August 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|award=Gold|artist=Mahmood|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|title=Soldi|certmonth=8|access-date=13 August 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|award=Platinum|number=2|artist=Mahmood|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2019|certmonth=10|title=Soldi|access-date=1 October 2019}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Greece|artist=Mahmood|title=Soldi|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|certweek=21|id=20210607180055|archive-date=7 June 2021|access-date=7 June 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true|streamsonly=true|nosales=true}}
{{col-end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Mahmood}}
{{Sanremo Music Festival winners}}
{{Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=collapsed}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2019|state=collapsed}}{{Authority control}}
Category:Island Records singles
Category:Eurovision songs of 2019
Category:Eurovision songs of Italy
Category:Mahmood (singer) songs
Category:Number-one singles in Greece
Category:Number-one singles in Israel
Category:Sanremo Music Festival songs of 2019
Category:Number-one singles in Italy
Category:Songs about parenthood
Category:Songs written by Mahmood