Malta MALTA 2025 - Miriana Conte - Serving

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[theditz83]

The official live video on the ESC YouTube channel is uploaded with the song title as "Kant (Singing)" - if that doesn't confirm that EBU are fine with it, I don't what will.

Clearly everyone knows the intention, and it's going to get people talking which is more than what Malta has most years.

 

[Ted Talks]

The official live video on the ESC YouTube channel is uploaded with the song title as "Kant (Singing)" - if that doesn't confirm that EBU are fine with it, I don't what will.

Clearly everyone knows the intention, and it's going to get people talking which is more than what Malta has most years.

I suspect the compromise will be Miriana doesn’t sing the word and lets the audience do it for her.

Still don’t think it’s right that this song which is brazenly using the C-word like it is should be allowed in this form though.

But I suppose if the ‘Slay Queen, slay’ type of fans are happy (which looking elsewhere seems to show many of them are happy with the C-word) then the bosses are happy.

 

[Jupiter]

To be very frank, given the way the Kids I teach talk during breaks (and that is starting with 10 year olds), the expression "serving c***" would be an Upgrade

While I get why people do not like it, I'm fine with the lyrics and I think EBU leaving them the way they are is fine too. The awful thing about the word c*** to me is that it (again) conotates a female body part as a bad thing. And that sucks. So I'm very much for reclaiming it (similarily to the word queer) and getting rid of the negative connotation all together. That's why I actually like the "serving c***" expression. It's difficult though, I get it. Either way, I'll get out my to see how this Story goes lol

 

[ManiaMuse]

I suspect the compromise will be Miriana doesn’t sing the word and lets the audience do it for her.

Still don’t think it’s right that this song which is brazenly using the C-word like it is should be allowed in this form though.

But I suppose if the ‘Slay Queen, slay’ type of fans are happy (which looking elsewhere seems to show many of them are happy with the C-word) then the bosses are happy.

I tried to point out basically your opinion on the Reddit thread and got shot down by one of those 'slay Queen, slay' type of fans (although it looks like their posts just got deleted by the mods).

I don't think the BBC won't let it be broadcast in its current form, even if it is on post 9pm. It is a family show and it is pretty blatent how it sounds on the backing track.

This survey done for Ofcom is pretty enlightening about views about the C word

'In the quantitative survey, C and MF were spontaneously rated as the least acceptable words of all the words tested in the study, for use before the watershed or during times when children were particularly likely to be listening on radio. Some also felt that they were generally not acceptable to use after the watershed, illustrating the perceived strength of the words to survey respondents.'

The only other words which are comparable or worse are ones which relate to race or sexuality/other protected characteristics.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/tv-radio-and-on-demand-research/tv-research/offensive-language-quick-reference-guide.pdf?v=326908

I think all the ESC Youtube channel title means is that the EBU is aware of the potential broadcasting issues and is thinking about it. I can't see the BBC broadcasting it without editing the broadcast sound or the song being changed.

 

[Sammy]

If she really means "singing", then why not sing the whole line in Maltese? Waiting for an answer.....

Because it is NOT supposed to mean "to sing".
(Btw. according to this site, the infinitive is kanta, not kant)

Because grammatically it makes no sense to start the sentence with "serving" and than have the infinitive "to sing". The English structure demands a noun in this position. And she serves a noun. Everybody hears it, everybody understands it. Period.

 

[Ted Talks]

I tried to point out basically your opinion on the Reddit thread and got shot down by one of those 'slay Queen, slay' type of fans (although it looks like their posts just got deleted by the mods).

I don't think the BBC won't let it be broadcast in its current form, even if it is on post 9pm. It is a family show and it is pretty blatent how it sounds on the backing track.

This survey done for Ofcom is pretty enlightening about views about the C word

'In the quantitative survey, C and MF were spontaneously rated as the least acceptable words of all the words tested in the study, for use before the watershed or during times when children were particularly likely to be listening on radio. Some also felt that they were generally not acceptable to use after the watershed, illustrating the perceived strength of the words to survey respondents.'

The only other words which are comparable or worse are ones which relate to race or sexuality/other protected characteristics.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/tv-radio-and-on-demand-research/tv-research/offensive-language-quick-reference-guide.pdf?v=326908

I think all the ESC Youtube channel title means is that the EBU is aware of the potential broadcasting issues and is thinking about it. I can't see the BBC broadcasting it without editing the broadcast sound or the song being changed.

From what I recall of the Ofcom code, UK broadcasters can (and do) have programmes with the C-word in - but only after 9pm - and even then not immediately as soon as it’s gone 9pm. And then before the show starts a ‘strong language’ warning is issued etc.

Of course Graham Norton could just before the song starts make clear she’s not singing the C-word, but something like it - but that just draws more attention to the problem. It doesn’t change the fact the song is implying the C-word in its meaning but can’t use it for obvious reasons.

I’ve seen some argue elsewhere that the song is ‘reclaiming’ the C-word. I don’t get that at all. It’s a pretty vile word to reclaim anyway.

All Malta are doing is being deliberately provocative to get the attention and push the boundaries as far as they can. If I was the EBU, I’ve give Malta 2 options:

- Change the word
- Change the song

Don’t comply, bye bye Malta. Simple.

 

[ESC94]

I don´t wanna waste too much time with so I´m doing this really quickly.

This has to be my second of the season. It´s the super cheap sequel of "Loop" for me, a non existent chorus (only "Kant" and a tiring beat) combined with an irritating voice and a choreography I´ve already seen soo many times before. And what´s the purpose of the silly gymnastic balls from the birth preparation course at the end?? It simply looks ridiulous.

I can already see the "slay gurl" faction among the fans hyping this like there´s no tomorrow, but in the end this will drown without any ado in the semi and it will be highly deserved!!

 

[Malagant]

I am gobsmacked how bad and tasteless this is. Seriously, Malta!

 

[shameless]

Luv it! I am so happy that Malta had the guts and went with it. This is bound to stick out as female BOP with its self-ironic touch. Malta deserves the final with it and all the attention it will receive for all different reasons.

 

[han-g]

If she really means "singing", then why not sing the whole line in Maltese? Waiting for an answer.....

Because it is NOT supposed to mean "to sing".
(Btw. according to this site, the infinitive is kanta, not kant)

Because grammatically it makes no sense to start the sentence with "serving" and than have the infinitive "to sing". The English structure demands a noun in this position. And she serves a noun. Everybody hears it, everybody understands it. Period.

It doesn't have to be a noun, it can be the gerund form of the verb (in english this is singing whereas the infinitive is to sing), is there any maltese speaker who could say if kant is the gerund form of the form.


Yes it is very obvious what the intention is but clearly the bbc (the main opponent to bad English words) has decided its OK then well its not as if it's the first bad word we have had. Zorra set the prescednet last year when the song could be translated to vixen instead of b*tch/wh*re which were truer (meaning wise) translations of the word zorra. Here again the fact that kant can be translated to singing even though we all know what she is truly saying its apparently OK.

 

[Sammy]

It doesn't have to be a noun, it can be the gerund form of the verb (in english this is singing whereas the infinitive is to sing), is there any maltese speaker who could say if kant is the gerund form of the form.


Yes it is very obvious what the intention is but clearly the bbc (the main opponent to bad English words) has decided its OK then well its not as if it's the first bad word we have had. Zorra set the prescednet last year when the song could be translated to vixen instead of b*tch/wh*re which were truer (meaning wise) translations of the word zorra. Here again the fact that kant can be translated to singing even though we all know what she is truly saying its apparently OK.

A gerond doesn‘t make sense contextually.
Zorra was entirely in spanish - different story and thus not comparable. If she sang everything in maltese and used a swearword OR if she used the actual english slur - that would be comparable.

 

[Ted Talks]

It doesn't have to be a noun, it can be the gerund form of the verb (in english this is singing whereas the infinitive is to sing), is there any maltese speaker who could say if kant is the gerund form of the form.


Yes it is very obvious what the intention is but clearly the bbc (the main opponent to bad English words) has decided its OK then well its not as if it's the first bad word we have had. Zorra set the prescednet last year when the song could be translated to vixen instead of b*tch/wh*re which were truer (meaning wise) translations of the word zorra. Here again the fact that kant can be translated to singing even though we all know what she is truly saying its apparently OK.

I’m unsure as to how the BBC will play this. Ignoring it could be the easy solution as it’s not up to them what other countries sing, but given how Kant sounds like the C-word it feels like it’ll become the elephant in the room - especially if it’s ignored by Graham and then it plays out as is.

As has been said, I think Zorra got away with it simply because the whole song was in Spanish and to English ears, Zorra really didn’t come across like it’s meaning.

Kant on the other hand - especially preceded by ‘Serving’ - doesn’t really leave many options as to what it means…

But hey, ‘Slay Queen, slay!’

 

[Seregil Korit]

All the holier then thou "what about the kids" hate this is getting is honestly making me like this more.

Serve kant, Miriana.

 

[Ted Talks]

All the holier then thou "what about the kids" hate this is getting is honestly making me like this more.

Serve kant, Miriana.

Amazingly, people, including myself, have made our point without turning all Helen Lovejoy on it (won’t somebody please think of the children!?!?)

Adults can and do feel equally uncomfortable with the C-word. I think it’s a pretty vile word outside of the world of Eurovision regardless. So having a song in the contest imply its use all in the name of ‘slaying’ is just naff, cheap and above all tacky.

It undermines Miriana if you ask me.

 

[gigi_copp3]

I’m unsure as to how the BBC will play this. Ignoring it could be the easy solution as it’s not up to them what other countries sing, but given how Kant sounds like the C-word it feels like it’ll become the elephant in the room - especially if it’s ignored by Graham and then it plays out as is.

As has been said, I think Zorra got away with it simply because the whole song was in Spanish and to English ears, Zorra really didn’t come across like it’s meaning.

Kant on the other hand - especially preceded by ‘Serving’ - doesn’t really leave many options as to what it means…

But hey, ‘Slay Queen, slay!’

Maneskin were forced to replace the word "coglioni" (italian word used for "testicles") so I guess that's not the reason Zorra was allowed

 

[Ted Talks]

Maneskin were forced to replace the word "coglioni" (italian word used for "testicles") so I guess that's not the reason Zorra was allowed

Fair enough. I’d forgotten about Zitti e Buoni having to be changed. It has been four years after all!

Does make it all very inconsistent then. I know you can’t have a blanket rule approach, but some consistency would be nice EBU!

 

[NikolaiMoller]

oh god how sensible are people these days.... she is not hurting anyone???

 

[Ted Talks]

oh god how sensible are people these days.... she is not hurting anybody???

Anyone here claimed she is hurting someone?

No. Funny that. Just people voicing their concerns, that’s all.

If it remains unchanged and Kant is there for all to hear in May, so be it. Will I be hurt by it? No.

It’s just a discussion.

 

[Kev4000]

oh god how sensible are people these days.... she is not hurting anyone???

No but the joke "Kant" is the only USP of this whole in my opinion.
We had something similair with "Stop Put In" or something but it got dsq iirc.

 

[Yoozek]

oh god how sensible are people these days.... she is not hurting anyone???

Well imagine being a Brittish parent when the teacher calls you that your child was serving kant in school.