Six nuns among Malta Eurovision finalists

A group of six nuns are among the 48 finalists for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest who will be battling it out to represent Malta in Austria in May 2015.

Malta is amongst the first countries to select their entry for the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, with final set for 22nd November. 20 finalists will be shortlisted from the 48 who have reached the second phase. The final 20 will be chosen during TVM’s programme Xarabank on 3 October.

The Public Broadcasting Services received 134 submissions.

A number of familiar names have made it through to the second phase, including artists who have already represented Malta in the Eurovision including Glen Vella (2011), Ludwig Galea (2004), Olivia Lewis (2007) and Miriam Christine (1996).

Malta’s cute doctor Gianluca Bezzina, whose entry Tomorrow, in 2013, finished in 8th place with a total score of 120, returns with his five siblings.

Ira Losco, after asking her Facebook fans on Thursday what they thought about her returning to the Eurovision Song Contest with a song she wrote herself, was not among the shortlisted 48 songs.

However, it is interesting to note that PBS – the ESC organisers – can make use of the 'wildcard'. According to regulations, PBS can award a wildcard to whoever it wants. Although having been there for the past three years, the measure was never used.

But rumours spreading among the ESC circles is that Losco “will be the first one to be given such a privilege”. It is yet to be seen whether this rumour will turn out to be true... What is for sure is that this year’s Malta ESC has been riddled with controversy.

The shortlisted 48 songs

12, Baker Street sung by Karen Debattista

Beautiful To Me sung by L-Ahwa (Dorothy, Samaria, Gianluca, Paul, Vincie and Francesca Bezzina)

Break All Borders sung by Jacqueline Richard

Breakaway sung by Glen Vella

Call It Love sung by Kurt Cassar

Chasing A Dream sung by Trilogy (Eleanor Spiteri, Roger Tirazona and Ludwig Galea)

Close Your Eyes sung by Danica Muscat

Closed Doors sung by Chris Grech

Could Have Been Me sung by Iona Dalli

Dark Dark Waters sung by Domenique Azzopardi

Dream Of Love sung by Bekkie (Rebecca Mifsud)

Eclipse sung by Ana-Maria Grima

Empty Hearted sung by Domenique Azzopardi

Fandango sung by Jessica Muscat

Flame sung by Monroe (Nadia Vella, Kelly Schembri & Kate Jones

For All Those Times sung by Gloriana Arpa Belli

Freedom sung by Simaria Galea

Hey Yo sung by Domenique Azzopardi

Hold My Hand sung by Estelle Imbroll

Hold On To Love sung by Olivia and Miriam

Home sung by Lyndsay Pace

Hurricane sung by Marilena Gauci

Indestructible sung by Annabelle Vella

It's Ok sung by Deborah C

Look sung by Neville Refalo

Love And Let Go sung by Sr Michaela, Sr monica, Sr Rita, Sr Claudia, Sr Denise and Sr Magdalong)

Love Call sung by Danica Muscat

My Next Tattoo sung by Domenique Azzopardi

Never Ask Why sung by Adreana Debattista and Fiona Cauchi

Once In A While sung by Minik

Ringside sung by Gabriella Azzopardi

Rush sung by Christabelle (Borg)

Secretly sung by Corazon Mizzi

See Through Lover sung by Larissa Borg

Shine A Light sung by Malcolm

Something In the Way sung Daniel Testa

Still Here sung by Franklin Calleja

Stop Haunting Me sung by Raquel Galdes

Stuck Without Me sung by Kylie Coleiro

Take Me As I Am sung by Domenique Azzopardi

The One That You Love sung by Lawrence Gray

The Thief sung by Dario Mifsud Bonnici

Warrior sung by Amber