Era (song)

"Era" (English translation: "It Was") was the Italian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1975, performed in Italian by American-born singer Wess Johnson, and Dori Ghezzi. In 1972 the pair teamed up as a duet to record "Voglio stare con te", an Italian version of British hit "United We Stand", by Brotherhood of Man, and the following year they finished 6th in the Sanremo Music Festival with another duet, "Tu nella mia vita", which became a No. 5 hit in Italy.[1] The duo went on to release seven albums between the years 1972 and 1979, including a series of Top 10 hits. "Era" was composed by British-Italian singer-songwriter Shel Shapiro (born David Norman Shapiro, formerly of The Rokes and Colin Hicks & The Cabin Boys[2]) and the lyrics were written by Andrea Lo Vecchio.

For the song by Opeth, see Sorceress (album).
"Era"
Eurovision Song Contest 1975 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Wess Johnson, Dori Ghezzi
As
Wess & Dori Ghezzi
Language
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
Conductor
Pier Natale Massara
Finals performance
Final result
3rd
Final points
115
Entry chronology
◄ "Sì" (1974)   
"We'll Live It All Again" (1976) ►

"Era" is a soul-influenced ballad, with both singers describing how different they feel now that they are in a relationship – presumably with each other – and remembering how "it was" when they first fell in love; "kissing at the movies/finding a hidden corner/blushing in public/talking in secret code – and getting home before midnight".

The song was performed nineteenth on the night (following Sweden's Lars Berghagen with "Jennie, Jennie"). At the close of voting, it had received 115 points, placing it 3rd in a field of 19. "Era" was a modest hit in Italy, peaking at No. 13 on the singles chart.[3] The duo also recorded the song in English ("Fallin'"), French ("Qui vivra verra") and Spanish ("Era").[4]

It was succeeded as Italian representative at the 1976 Contest by Al Bano & Romina Power with "We'll Live It All Again".

Bessy Argyraki and Robert Williams, sang a cover in Greek at a slight faster tempo, included in their lp "Robert & Bessie" (1975).[5]

References
  1. Hitparadeitalia.com, 1973
  2. Official site, Shel Shapiro
  3. Hitparadeitalia.com, 1975
  4. Rateyourmusic.com, Wess & Dori Ghezzi discography entry
  5. Uploaded on 25 July 2013 on YouTube
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