L-Imħabba

Infobox ESC entry
song = "L-Imħabba"


caption =
year = 1972
country = Malta
artist = Helen Micallef, Joseph Cutajar
as = Helen & Joseph
with =
language = Maltese
languages =
composer = Charles Camilleri
lyricist = Albert Cassola
conductor =
place = 18th
points = 48
place_semi =
points_semi =
lyrics = [http://www.diggiloo.net/?1972mt Lyrics]
clip =
prev = "Marija L-Maltija"
prev_link = Marija L-Maltija
next = "Singing This Song"
next_year = 1975
next_link = Singing This Song

"L-Imħabba" (English translation: "Love") was the Maltese entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972, performed in Maltese by Helen & Joseph.

The song is an up-tempo duet, with the singers describing a search to find the answer to the question of "What is youth's big love?" Initially, they ask this of "wise men, philosophers and poets" and receive the answer that "Love is a kiss" - a word present in Maltese, Italian, Spanish, English and German (in the plural) in the lyrics. Subsequently, the pair asks "freaks, Hells Angels and hippies" the same question and receives the same answer, with the unusual image of a notorious motorcycle gang answering the question in such a way being remarked upon by Des Mangan in his study of the Contest.

Finally, the pair explain that the Italians, Spanish, Germans, English and Maltese all answer the question in the same way - thus explaining the translated word "kiss" in the chorus.

The song was performed ninth on the night (following Switzerland's Véronique Müller with "C'Est La Chanson De Mon Amour" and preceding Finland's Päivi Paunu & Kim Floor with "Muistathan"). At the close of voting, it had received 48 points, placing 18th (last) in a field of 18. The abnormally high last-place score by contemporary standards is due to the voting system in place at the time, which guaranteed all songs at least 34 points.

Following their failure to move beyond last place with their first two entries, Malta opted not to enter the 1973 or 1974 Contests, but returned the year after that. Hence, the song was succeeded as Maltese representative at the 1975 Contest by Renato with "Singing This Song".