There’s trouble a-brewing for Tommy Cash. The singer behind the incredible earworm Espresso Macchiato that is set to represent Estonia at this year’s Eurovision song contest—and the front runner frankly, if coffee’s popularity is of consideration amongst the voting public, which it should be—and some are none too happy about it. Is it due to some of Cash’s sexually explicit previous releases? Did an inappropriate Tweet from a decade ago get unearthed? No and no. Cash has run afoul of an Italian contingent who find his song insulting and are demanding it be banned from Eurovision.
As reported by the Guardian, the row is about the stereotypical Italian-ness of the song. The complaint was filed by Codacons, an Italian consumer association, where they take umbrage with lyrics like “Mi money numeroso, I work around the clocko. That’s why I’m sweating like a mafioso” and “Life is like spaghetti, it’s hard until you make it.”
In a statement about the song, Codacons says that it relies on “the usual cliches of coffee and spaghetti, but above all the mafia and the ostentation of luxury, which conveys a message of a population tied to organised crime.” Thus they are requesting the European Broadcasting Union, the organization that coordinates Eurovision, reconsider allowing Espresso Macchiato, “a song that offends a country and an entire community.”
In response, Cash went on Italian radio over the weekend, stating that, “I love Italy and have the utmost respect for the country.” Cash went on to say that he never thought that the song would offend anyone.
Thus far, the general feelings about the song, at least if YouTube is any barometer, are overwhelmingly positive, with many self-identified Italians proclaiming their love for Espresso Macchiato. Comments include things like “As an Italian, I find it funny how some people are offended by Espresso Macchiato… It’s an exaggerated, ironic take on that outsider perspective, not an attack on our culture. No intelligent person would take it seriously or feel insulted by something so blatantly tongue-in-cheek.” And “as Italian [sic], I am outraged. I am outraged that this man has not yet received Italian citizenship.” And “as an Italian, I would be offended if this song did not win the Eurovision.” The closest thing to criticism the song has received on YouTube is that it’s kinda dumb and annoying, until 10 minutes later you love it and can’t stop singing it.
So while it is generally unadvisable to side with anonymous commenters on the internet over a consumer association, my Eurovision vote still goes to Tommy Cash. Until more unsavory details come out, which could happen who knows, it wouldn’t be the first time a provocateur like Cash showed poor judgement (and then proceeded to post that poor judgement online). But until then… mi amore, mi amore, espresso macchiato macchiato macchiato, por favore.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
