Gerard James Borg is a Maltese songwriter, author, and concept creator.[1] He is well known for writing multiple songs that competed in the Eurovision Song Contest.[2]

Borg has written six of the Maltese entries for the annual Eurovision Song Contest with composer Philip Vella.[2][3][4] Their song "7th Wonder" sung by Ira Losco gave Malta 2nd place in the contest. This was the first time Malta reached 2nd place and it is the country's best result in the contest so far, alongside the 2nd place earned by Chiara with the song "Angel" in 2005.[4][5] Borg and Vella also penned the song "Reaching Higher" as the official theme for the 2003 Games of the Small States of Europe which were held in Malta that year.[6] Some of their compositions have also done well in foreign charts.[7]

Borg has also co-written the song "Shine" which represented Russia in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest and wrote songs for several national finals in other countries which include France, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Iceland, Bulgaria, and Romania.[1]

Borg has also written blog-style articles for theTimes of Malta,[8][9] and some of his fashion designs appeared on the German fashion publication Burda.[1][4][9]

Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision Song Contest entries

Vertigo dress rehearsal in Helsinki 2007
Julie and Ludwig performing "On Again... Off Again" at Istanbul (2004)
Morena performing "Vodka" at Belgrade (2008)

National final entries

Country Contest Year Song Artists Placing Sources
Belgium Eurosong 2006 Beyond You Vanessa Chinitor 7th place in Quarterfinal [17][18][19]
2008 Décadance Femme Fatale 3rd place in Quarterfinal [20][21][22]
Bulgaria EuroBGVision 2006 2006 Wish Neda Karova and Da 8th place [23][24][25]
France Les chansons d'abord 2014 Ma liberté Joanna unknown whether 2nd or 3rd in the final [26][27]
Greece Ellinikós Telikós 2011 2011 It's All Greek To Me Antigoni Psihrami 4th place [28][29][30]
Iceland Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2008 I Wanna Manicure Hara Sisters eliminated before the final [31][32][33]
2011 Ég trúi à betra líf Magni Ásgeirsson 2nd place [34][35]
Malta Malta Song for Europe 1999 Breathless Claudette Pace 5th place [36][37][38]
2000 Shine Ira Losco 6th place [39][40][10]
Desire Claudette Pace 1st place (8th at ESC 2000)
2001 Spellbound Ira Losco 2nd place [41][42]
2002 Dazzle Me Paula 5th place [43][44][11]
7th Wonder Ira Losco 1st place (2nd at ESC 2002)
2003 Superstitious Natasha & Charlene 5th place [45][46]
2004 Tango 4 Two Keith Camilleri 6th place [47][48][12]
On Again... Off Again Julie & Ludwig 1st place (12th at ESC 2004)
2005 Déjà vu Olivia Lewis 2nd place [49]
2006 Amazing AnnaBelle 14th place [50][51][52]
2007 My Love Isabelle Zammit 10th place in Semifinal [53][54][13]
Night Wish AnnaBelle 12th place in Semifinal
Vertigo Olivia Lewis 1st place (25th in semifinal at ESC 2007)
2008 Tangled Jessica Muscat eliminated in Semifinal [55][14][56]
Throw Your Stones Daniela Vella eliminated in Semifinal
Superhero Klinsmann eliminated in Semifinal
Casanova Morena 5th place
Vodka Morena 1st place (14th in semifinal at ESC 2008)
GO Malta EuroSong 2009 Kamikaze Lover Baklava 18th place [57][58]
Typical Me Alison Ellul 8th place
Crossroads Raquela 11th place
2010 Fired Up Foxy Federation 18th place [59][60]
Samsara Claudia Faniello 8th place
Three Little Words Ruth Portelli 8th place
Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2011 Movie In My Mind Claudia Faniello 9th place [61][62]
Love Me Like Your Money Kelly Schembri 15th place
Moondance Baklava 6th place
Heart Of Glass Cherise eliminated in Semifinal
2012 Autobiography Dorothy Bezzina 8th place [63][64][65][66]
DNA Romina Mamo eliminated in Semifinal
Pure Claudia Faniello 2nd place
2013 Fall Like Rome Richard Edwards 13th place [67][68][69]
Love-o-holic Deborah C 9th place
Loverdose Melanie Zammit eliminated in Semifinal
Starting From The End Dorothy Bezzina 15th place
The Remedy Klinsmann Coleiro eliminated in Semifinal
Ultraviolet Jessika 8th place
Overrated Marilena eliminated in Semifinal
Dress Rehearsal Saska Hunt withdrawn from competition
2014 Hypnotica Jessika 8th place (Winner of Public Televote Award and TVM Award) [70][71][72]
Invisible Raquel Galdes eliminated in Semifinal
Lovetricity Christabelle Borg 8th place
Oblivion Chris Grech 13th place
2015 Fandango Jessika 9th place [73][74]
2016 The Flame Jessika 7th place [75][76]
2017 Breathlessly Claudia Faniello 1st place (16th in second semi-final at ESC 2017) [77][16]
2022 Aphrodisiac Jessica Grech eliminated in Semifinal [78][79]
Electric Indigo Baklava ft. Nicole 15th place
Kaleidoscope Jessica Muscat 17th place
The Netherlands Nationaal Songfestival 2003 Heatwave Ebonique 4th place [80][81]
Norway Melodi Grand Prix 2005 Velvet Blue Kathrine Strugstad 5th place [82]
2006 Absolutely Fabulous Queentastic 3rd place [83][84]
2010 Million Dollar Baby Belinda Braza eliminated in Semifinal [85][86]
Romania Selecţia Naţională Eurovision 2007 Lovestruck Indiggo disqualified [87][88]
2012 Girls Don't Cry Ioana Bianca Anuta 4th place [89][90]
The Best A Man Can Get Lucian Oros 9th place
Russia Kto? 2014 Shine Tolmachevy Sisters Chosen by internal selection after national contest was abandoned. (7th in ESC 2014) [91][15][92]
Spain Destino Eurovisión 2011 Golden Cadillac (no artist assigned) eliminated in Song selection prior to Final [93][94]

Publications

Gerard James Borg has published 5 novels.

  • Sliema Wives (2013)[95]
  • Madliena Married Men (2015)[96]
  • Bormla Babes: Behind the Scenes (2017)[97]
  • Tigné Point Bachelors (2019)[98]
  • Sliema Wives: The New Breed (2021)[99]

Borg's debut novel Sliema Wives is a local best seller and it peaked at number one after one week of its release.[1] Part of the proceeds from the book were donated to local charity Puttinu Cares.[100] Similarly, Madliena Married Men also reached the number one spot in the local bestseller list.[101]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Grech, Helena (4 October 2015). "Gerard James Borg: Chasing dreams and writing books". Malta Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 Zammit, Frederick (28 August 2020). "Dan l-awtur illum jagħlaq 50 sena". Newsbook.com.mt (in Maltese). Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  3. ↑ Six on Stage. "Malta". sixonstage.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "A colourful mind". Atelier (Lifestyle Magazine). Valletta, Malta: Union Print (3): 118–122. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  5. ↑ Eurovision Song Contest. "Countries: Malta". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  6. ↑ Cassar, Pierre (28 March 2003). "GSSE 2003 official song 'Reaching Higher'". Times of Malta. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  7. ↑ Granger, Anthony (13 April 2017). "Malta: "Breathlessly" Tops The Album Charts in Slovenia". Eurovoix News. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  8. ↑ "Gerard James Borg: Blogger". Times of Malta. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  9. 1 2 Depares, Ramona (4 December 2017). "Bringing it back to Bormla". Sunday Circle (Magazine). Malta: Allied Newspapers Ltd, Times of Malta (275): 84–88. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Stockholm 2000 / Participants: Claudette Pace". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  11. 1 2 "Tallinn 2002 / Participants: Ira Losco". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  12. 1 2 "Istanbul 2004 / Participants: Julie & Ludwig". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Helsinki 2007 / Participants: Olivia Lewis". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Belgrade 2008 / Participants: Morena". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  15. 1 2 Six on Stage. "Shine". sixonstage.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Kyiv 2017/Participants: Claudia Faniello". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  17. ↑ "Maltese composition in Belgian song contest". Times of Malta. 20 December 2005. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "National Final: Belgium 2006". ESC History. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  19. ↑ Bakker, Sietse (6 December 2005). "UPD 'Big names' in Belgian national selection". ESCToday. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  20. ↑ Malta Independent (23 December 2007). "Femme Fatale Follows Vertigo". independent.com.mt. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  21. ↑ "National Final: Belgium 2008". ESC History. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  22. ↑ Royston, Benny (24 April 2007). "Belgium launches Eurosong 2008". ESCToday. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  23. ↑ Malta Independent (28 February 2006). "Vella-Borg Song makes it to Bulgarian Eurovision finals". independent.com.mt. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  24. ↑ "National Final: Bulgaria 2006". ESC History. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  25. ↑ "Bulgaria: EuroBGVision 2006". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  26. ↑ "Maltese song competing in France Eurovision final". Times of Malta. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  27. ↑ Granger, Anthony (2 March 2014). "France: Twin Twin Have Been Chosen". Eurovoix News. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  28. ↑ "Maltese writes Greek Eurovision finalist song". Times of Malta. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  29. ↑ Floras, Stella (2 March 2011). "Live: Greece chooses for Eurovision 2011". ESC Today. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  30. ↑ "Greece: Ellinikós Telikós 2011". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  31. ↑ "National Final: Iceland 2008". ESC History. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  32. ↑ "Gerard James Borg In Iceland". Malta Independent. 4 November 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  33. ↑ Helgi J (19 January 2015). "Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins [3] (2008 – Fullkomið líf / This is your life) [tónlistarviðburður]". glatkistan.com (in Icelandic). Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  34. ↑ "National Final: Iceland 2011". ESC History. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  35. ↑ Jiandani, Sanjay (Sergio) (24 January 2011). "Iceland: Listen to the 3rd semifinal songs". ESC Today. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  36. ↑ YouTube Channel eurovisionfest (30 October 2010). "Claudette Pace - Breathless - Malta Song 1999". YouTube (Video, Recording from Malta Song for Europe 1999). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  37. ↑ "Malta Song for Europe 1999". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  38. ↑ "National Final: Malta 1999". ESC History. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  39. ↑ "National Final: Malta 2000". ESC History. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  40. ↑ YouTube Channel eurovisionfest (3 August 2012). "Ira Losco - Shine - Malta Song 2000". YouTube (Video, Recording from Malta Song for Europe 2000). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  41. ↑ YouTube Channel eurovisionfest (1 August 2012). "Ira Losco - Spellbound - Malta Song 2001". YouTube (Video, Recording from Malta Song For Europe 2001). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  42. ↑ "National Final: Malta 2001". ESC History. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  43. ↑ YouTube Channel eurovisionfest (19 March 2012). "Paula - Dazzle Me - Malta Song 2002". YouTube (Video, Recording from Malta Song for Europe 2002). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  44. ↑ "National Final: Malta 2002". ESC History. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  45. ↑ YouTube Channel eurovisionfest (18 March 2012). "Natasha and Charlene - Superstitious - Final Malta Song 2003". YouTube (Video, Recording from Malta Song for Europe 2003). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  46. ↑ "Sisters to feature in EU CD compilation". Times of Malta. 15 June 2004. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  47. ↑ Grech, Deo (10 December 2003). "Performers Maltese selection made public". ESC Today. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  48. ↑ "Malta Song for Europe 2004". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  49. ↑ "Chiara soars with Angel". Times of Malta. 20 February 2005. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  50. ↑ "Malta Song for Europe 2006". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  51. ↑ "Various – The Malta Song For Europe Festival 2006". Discogs. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  52. ↑ Bakker, Sietse (4 February 2006). "Tonight: Malta picks participant for Athens". ESC Today. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  53. ↑ "National Final: Malta 2007". ESC History. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  54. ↑ Massa, Ariadne (11 January 2007). "Televoting time extended to 30 minutes". Times of Malta. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  55. ↑ "National Final: Malta 2008". ESC History. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  56. ↑ "Malta Song for Europe 2008". EurovisionMalta.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  57. ↑ Royston, Benny (11 January 2009). "UPD Malta: The twenty Eurovision finalists". ESC Today. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  58. ↑ "GO Malta EuroSong 2009". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  59. ↑ "GO Malta EuroSong 2010". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  60. ↑ Klier, Marcus (16 January 2010). "Results: 20 acts qualified in Malta". ESC Today. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  61. ↑ "Running order for Malta Eurovision contest announced". Times of Malta. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  62. ↑ "Malta: MESC 2011". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  63. ↑ "Malta: MESC 2012". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  64. ↑ YouTube Channel eurovisionfest (5 February 2012). "03 - Dorothy Bezzina - Autobiography - Final - Malta Eurovision 2012". YouTube (Video, Recording from Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012) (in Maltese and English). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  65. ↑ YouTube Channel eurovisionfest (4 February 2022). "09 - Romina Mamo - DNA - Semi-Final - Malta Eurovision 2012". YouTube (Video, Recording from Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012) (in Maltese and English). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  66. ↑ YouTube Channel eurovisionfest (4 February 2012). "13 - Claudia Faniello - Pure - Semi Final - Malta Eurovision 2012". YouTube (Video, Recording from Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012) (in Maltese and English). Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  67. ↑ "Malta Eurovision finalists announced". Times of Malta. 1 December 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  68. ↑ Montebello, Edward (21 December 2012). "Marilena to replace Saska in the Maltese selection". ESC Today. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  69. ↑ "Malta: MESC 2013". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  70. ↑ "Malta: MESC 2014". eurovisionworld.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  71. ↑ Borg, Luke (4 November 2014). "Malta: PBS launches the TVM.com.mt Award". ESC Today. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  72. ↑ Whelan, Liam (7 February 2014). "[LIVE with RESULTS] Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2014 – The semi-final". ESC Daily. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  73. ↑ Ko, Anthony (22 November 2014). "Amber Wins Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2015 With Warrior". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  74. ↑ Juhász, Ervin (19 October 2014). "Jessika Speaks To Us About "Fandango", Her Entry In Malta Eurovision Song Contest". escbubble.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  75. ↑ "Jessika – The Flame". TVM News. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  76. ↑ "Malta: MESC 2016". eurovisionworld.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  77. ↑ "Watch: Breathless Claudia Faniello heads for Eurovision Song Contest". Times of Malta. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  78. ↑ Galea, Emma (30 December 2021). "It's back! Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2022 semi-finalists announced". GuideMeMalta.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  79. ↑ "Malta: MESC 2022". EurovisionWorld.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  80. ↑ "National Final: Netherlands 2003". ESC History. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  81. ↑ "Maltese song competing for Dutch representation at Eurovision". Times of Malta. 18 February 2003. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  82. ↑ "Success for Maltese songwriter in Norway". Times of Malta. 13 March 2005. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  83. ↑ "National Final: Norway 2006". ESC History. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  84. ↑ "Maltese songwriter does well in Norway". Times of Malta. 3 January 2006. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  85. ↑ "Gerard James Borg Song to compete in Norwegian Eurovision selection". Malta Independent. 13 December 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  86. ↑ "National Final: Norway 2012". ESC History. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  87. ↑ "National Final: Romania 2007". ESC History. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  88. ↑ "Song By Gerard James Borg in Romanian finals". Malta Independent. 4 February 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  89. ↑ "National Final: Romania 2012". ESC History. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  90. ↑ "Romania: 15 songs to battle it out in national final". eurovision.tv. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  91. ↑ "RUSSIA 2014: INTERNAL DECISION ON MARCH 8". OikoTimes. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  92. ↑ Jiandani, Sanjay (Sergio) (17 March 2014). "Russia: Tomalchevy Twins to Shine in Copenhagen". ESC Today. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  93. ↑ Eurovision Song Contest (21 January 2011). "Spanish and international composers for Spain". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  94. ↑ "National Final: Spain 2011". ECS History. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  95. ↑ Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb. Annual Report 2013 (PDF). p. 32. ISBN 978-99957-831-3-6. Retrieved 12 July 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  96. ↑ Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb (2016). Annual Report 2015 (PDF). p. 54. ISBN 978-99957-889-3-3. Retrieved 12 July 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  97. ↑ Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb (2018). Annual Report 2017 (PDF). p. 33. ISBN 978-99957-916-5-0. Retrieved 12 July 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  98. ↑ Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb (2020). Annual Report 2019 (PDF). p. 41. ISBN 978-99957-939-1-3. Retrieved 12 July 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  99. ↑ Il-Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb (2022). Annual Report 2021 (PDF). p. 39. ISBN 978-9918-9518-7-1. Retrieved 12 July 2022. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  100. ↑ "The five wives of Gerard James Borg". Times of Malta. 15 December 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  101. ↑ "Bormla Babes launched in style". Times of Malta. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
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