Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest

A Complete History of Songs and Artists

Malta’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is a story of resilience, musical excellence, and an enduring ambition to secure a long-awaited victory. Since its debut 55 years ago, in 1971, the country has sent a wide range of artists and songs, evolving from locally inspired entries in the Maltese language to polished, internationally competitive productions in English. Although Malta has never won the contest, it has achieved remarkable success, particularly during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of Eurovision’s most respected non-winning nations.

Joe Grech – Marija l-Maltija (Photo: RTÉ Archives)

Malta first appeared in the contest in 1971 with Joe Grech performing Marija l-Maltija, a song deeply rooted in Maltese culture and identity. Despite its authenticity, the entry finished in last place. The following year, Helen Micallef and Joe Cutajar represented the country with L-Imħabba, a gentle romantic duet, but once again Malta finished last. After withdrawing in 1973, Malta returned in 1975 with Renato Micallef singing a pop song titled Singing This Song that achieved a modest 12th place. Financial and strategic concerns led to another withdrawal in 1975, marking the beginning of a long absence from the competition.

Paul Giordimaina and Georgina - Could It Be (Photo: Youtube)

When Malta returned in 1991, it did so with a new approach that would define its Eurovision identity for years to come: strong vocalists performing English-language ballads. Paul Giordimaina and Giorgina opened this new era with Could It Be, a soft and melodic ballad that placed sixth. The following year saw a major breakthrough when Mary Spiteri performed Little Child, an emotional and powerful song about innocence and hope, finishing in third place. This success continued with William Mangion and This Time in 1993, a reflective love ballad that placed eighth, and Chris & Moira in 1994 with More Than Love, a romantic orchestral piece that reached fifth place. In 1995, Mike Spiteri sang Keep Me in Mind, a heartfelt plea for lasting love, finishing tenth, while Miriam Christine followed in 1996 with In a Woman’s Heart, a song exploring emotional strength from a female perspective, also finishing tenth.

Malta’s consistency continued in 1997 when Debbie Scerri performed Let Me Fly, an uplifting song about freedom and aspiration, placing ninth. A defining moment came in 1998 when Chiara delivered The One That I Love, a dramatic and vocally demanding ballad that earned Malta another third-place finish and established her as one of the country’s most iconic Eurovision performers. The nineties were seen off by Believe ‘N Peace performed by Times Three placing fifteenth. The early 2000s maintained this momentum, with Claudette Pace performing Desire in 2000, a passionate song about longing that placed eighth, and Fabrizio Faniello in 2001 with Another Summer Night, an upbeat Mediterranean pop track that finished ninth.

Ira Losco - 7th Wonder (Photo: Eurovisionary)

Malta reached its peak in 2002 when Ira Losco performed 7th Wonder, a catchy and polished pop anthem about admiration and love. The song achieved second place, Malta’s best result to date, and became one of the country’s most celebrated Eurovision entries. In 2003 Lynn Chircop sang To Dream Again placing 25^th while in 2004, Julie and Ludwig represented Malta with On Again... Off Again, a playful duet about a turbulent relationship, finishing twelfth. Another major highlight came in 2005 when Chiara returned with Angel, a powerful and emotional ballad that once again brought Malta to second place, reinforcing its reputation as a powerhouse of vocal performance.

The introduction of semi-finals in the mid-2000s marked a turning point. In 2006, Fabrizio Faniello returned with I Do, a mid-tempo love song that failed to resonate, finishing last in the final. Over the following years, Malta struggled to maintain its earlier success, often failing to qualify for the final. This happened seven times since after the 2006 edition. In 2007 Olivia Lewis sang Vertigo, while Morena sang Vodka in 2008, both failed to qualify. Nevertheless, there were notable moments, such as in 2009 when Chiara returned with What If We, a reflective ballad about regret and possibility, and in 2013 when Gianluca Bezzina charmed audiences with Tomorrow, a cheerful, ukulele-driven song about optimism that achieved eighth place. Prior to Gianluca’s appearance Malta’s paricipations were somewhat bittersweet with Thea Garrett’s My Dream and Glen Vella’ One Life both failing to qualify in 2010 and 2011 respectively. While Kurt Calleja placed twenty-first with the song This Is The night in 2012.

In 2014 Firelight placed twenty third with Coming Home while the following year Malta again failed to qualify with Amber’s Warrior. In 2016, Ira Losco returned with Walk on Water, a modern and empowering pop ballad about resilience, finishing twelfth. Again Malta failed to qualify for the finals in two successive years, in 2017 with Breathlessly sung by Claudia Faniello and in 2018 with Christabelle’s Taboo.

Destiny Chukunyere - Je Me Casse (Photo: TVM)

In the modern era, Malta has experimented with contemporary styles in an effort to appeal to both juries and televoters. In 2019, Michela Pace performed Chameleon, a sleek pop song about identity and adaptability, finishing fourteenth. In 2020 the festival was cancelled making it the first and only edition in the contest's history to be cancelled, when it was called off on 18 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Malta was going to participate with All My Love sung by Destiny Chukunyere who returned with one of the strongest recent results when she delivered Je Me Casse in 2021, a bold and empowering track blending jazz and pop influences, which placed seventh. However, subsequent years proved challenging: Emma Muscat represented Malta in 2022 with I Am What I Am, a self-empowerment anthem that did not qualify, followed by The Busker in 2023 with Dance (Our Own Party), a funky and playful celebration of individuality that also failed to reach the final. In 2024, Sarah Bonnici performed Loop, a contemporary dance-pop track, but finished last in the semi-final.

Aidan Cassar - Bella (Photo: Eurovisionworld)

Malta returned to the final in 2025 with Miriana Conte and her song Serving, a modern pop performance marked by strong staging and attitude, finishing seventeenth. In 2026, Aidan Cassar was selected with Bella, a contemporary entry blending Maltese musical identity with international pop sensibilities, continuing Malta’s ongoing effort to secure its first Eurovision victory.

Over more than five decades, Malta’s Eurovision journey has evolved significantly, moving from culturally rooted beginnings to internationally competitive productions. Its entries have often focused on strong vocals, emotional storytelling, and polished compositions. While the trophy has remained elusive, Malta’s consistent dedication to quality music and memorable performances has ensured its lasting place in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest.

History of Participation

1971	Joe Grech	"Marija l-Maltija"
1972	Helen and Joseph	"L-imħabba"
1975	Renato	"Singing This Song"
1991	Paul Giordimaina & Georgina	"Could It Be"
1992	Mary Spiteri	"Little Child"
1993	William Mangion	"This Time"
1994	Chris & Moira	"More Than Love"
1995	Mike Spiteri	"Keep Me in Mind"
1996	Miriam Christine	"In a Woman's Heart"
1997	Debbie Scerri	"Let Me Fly"
1998	Chiara	"The One That I Love"
1999	Times Three	"Believe 'n Peace"
2000	Claudette Pace	"Desire"
2001	Fabrizio Faniello	"Another Summer Night"
2002	Ira Losco	"7th Wonder"
2003	Lynn Chircop	"To Dream Again"
2004	Julie and Ludwig	"On Again... Off Again"
2005	Chiara	"Angel"
2006	Fabrizio Faniello	"I Do"
2007	Olivia Lewis	"Vertigo"
2008	Morena	"Vodka"
2009	Chiara	"What If We"
2010	Thea Garrett	"My Dream"
2011	Glen Vella	"One Life"
2012	Kurt Calleja	"This Is the Night"
2013	Gianluca	"Tomorrow"
2014	Firelight	"Coming Home"
2015	Amber	"Warrior"
2016	Ira Losco	"Walk on Water"
2017	Claudia Faniello	"Breathlessly"
2018	Christabelle	"Taboo"
2019	Michela	"Chameleon"
2020	Destiny	"All of My Love" *
2021	Destiny	"Je me casse"
2022	Emma Muscat	"I Am What I Am"
2023	The Busker	"Dance (Our Own Party)"
2024	Sarah Bonnici	"Loop"
2025	Miriana Conte	"Serving"
2026	Aidan	"Bella"

Contest cancelled *