Love Shine a Light branch of the Samaritans. In a 1997 interview Katrina and the Waves lead vocalist Katrina Leskanich indicated that it was members of the Samaritans who opined that "Love Shine a Light" "was the type of song which would win the Eurovision Song Contest and [so] at the last minute, [Katrina and the Waves] submitted the song with our £250 [entrance fee]" for consideration to vie in the "", the national preselection round for the UK in Eurovision 1997. It was also reported that Carmina Cooper, the manager of Katrina and the Waves and the wife of Alex Cooper, met up
Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 "Fiumi di parole" received 114 points, placing 4th in a field of 25. Italy withdrew from the contest after this entry, and did not return until 2011. Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 Italy returned to the Eurovision Song Contest at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997, after withdrawing in 1994. The Italian entry was "Fiumi di parole", performed by Jalisse. The Italian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1997, held in Dublin, Ireland, was the winner of the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy. The winner was Jalisse with the song "Fiumi di parole" (River of words), composed by Fabio