Espresso Macchiato

"Espresso Macchiato" by Tommy Cash is a multifaceted song that operates on several levels of meaning, primarily as a satirical commentary on wealth, consumer culture, and stereotypes. On the surface, it's a playful and catchy tune about a character named Tomaso who enjoys a luxurious, carefree lifestyle fueled by his love for espresso macchiato. The song uses a macaronic mix of English and Italian-esque phrases to create a caricature of an Italian man obsessed with the superficial trappings of success.

Deeper analysis suggests the song is a critique of modern consumerism and the pursuit of status. The espresso macchiato itself serves as a metaphor for this superficiality—a small, quick, and potent symbol of a globalized, fast-paced lifestyle where appearances are paramount. The lyrics are filled with hyperbole, such as flying on private jets with 24-carat gold and sweating like a mafioso, which humorously highlight the absurdity of such ostentatious displays of wealth.

Some interpretations also view the song as a pointed satire of specific public figures known for their lavish lifestyles and exaggerated personas, with some critics suggesting a nod to figures like Donald Trump, especially in the context of Cash's live performances where he has worn similar attire. However, Tommy Cash himself has described it as one of his "most innocent" songs, created accidentally after the phrase popped into his head during a trip to Italy. He intended it to be a fun, positive track that could be enjoyed by a wide audience. Ultimately, the song masterfully blends humor and critique, celebrating life's simple pleasures (like coffee) while simultaneously mocking the excesses and clichés of a success-obsessed culture.

The song introduces a character named Tommaso, a charismatic and somewhat eccentric figure who presents himself with a flourish of Italian-inspired flair. He opens by declaring his love and immediately establishes the central motif: his unwavering desire for an “espresso macchiato.” This isn't just a coffee order; it's a symbol of his lifestyle and persona. He describes himself as being addicted to tobacco and emphasizes the critical importance of his coffee, suggesting a life lived at a fast pace where there's little time for idle chatter. Tommaso runs a “little ristorante,” a detail that grounds his grand persona in a specific, albeit stereotypical, Italian setting.

Despite his busy life, Tommaso espouses a philosophy of “no stresso, no depresso.” He acknowledges that life can present challenges, poetically described as “dancing with the demons” when “life may give you lemons,” but his mantra is to remain stress-free. This carefree attitude is the core of his character, a deliberate choice to find joy and avoid despair. The chorus relentlessly repeats his demand for “espresso macchiato,” reinforcing it as his solution and fuel. The use of “por favore” (please) adds a layer of politeness to his otherwise demanding nature.

In the second verse, Tommaso's life of luxury is further detailed. He boasts of flying on private jets (“privati”) adorned with twenty-four carats of gold, living in a magnificent house (“casa very grandioso”), and having abundant money (“money numeroso”). He claims to work around the clock, which causes him to sweat like a “mafioso”—a humorous and provocative comparison that plays into stereotypes of Italian power and intensity. This verse paints a picture of someone who has achieved immense material success. His hard work is framed by another memorable life philosophy: “Life is like spaghetti, it's hard until you make it.” This metaphor cleverly ties his work ethic back to the Italian theme, suggesting that perseverance softens life's initial difficulties. His ultimate advice remains consistent: don't stress, just have an espresso.

The song concludes with a simple, catchy “la-la-la” chant, which makes the track incredibly infectious and memorable. This outro sustains the high-energy and playful vibe, leaving the listener with a sense of lighthearted fun. The repetition of “espresso macchiato” until the very end solidifies its role as the central, all-encompassing symbol of Tommaso's world—a world of indulgence, humor, and a determinedly cheerful outlook on the complexities of modern existence. The entire narrative is a caricature, a satirical take on wealth, success, and the performance of a certain kind of European charm.

The creation of "Espresso Macchiato" was reportedly spontaneous and accidental. According to Tommy Cash, the idea for the song emerged during a trip to Italy with his producer, Johannes Naukkarinen. Cash suggested his producer order an espresso macchiato, and the words simply stuck in his head with "zero references to anything else." He described the story behind the song as "silly" and that there was no mathematical equation or reference track; it came about naturally from that single phrase.

The song was written by Tommy Cash (under his real name, Tomas Tammemets) and Johannes Naukkarinen, who also handled the production. Naukkarinen is also known for co-writing Finland's Eurovision 2023 entry "Cha Cha Cha" by Käärijä, a good friend of Cash. The song was recorded at the ArtDepoo Gallery in Tallinn, Estonia.

Cash decided to enter the song into Eesti Laul 2025, Estonia's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, after seeing the positive reaction to his previous single "Untz Untz" and the encouragement from his grandmother's reaction to "Espresso Macchiato". He stated he wanted to do something different from his usual provocative and often darker style, aiming for a song with broad appeal that "everyone from 2 to 78 would like." The song was officially self-released on December 6, 2024, as part of the Eesti Laul entries. Two music videos were created, the first inspired by an Andy Warhol film scene, and a second, more elaborate video directed by Alina Pyazok, filmed in Barcelona.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Espresso Macchiato" are fundamental to its catchy and playful character.

Rhyme Scheme:
The song's verses largely follow a simple AABB rhyme scheme, which enhances its sing-along quality and straightforward, humorous narrative. For example:

Ciao, bella, I'm Tommaso (A)
Addicted to tobacco (A)
Mi like mi coffè very importante (B)
And I just own this little ristorante (B)

This structure is consistent and easy to follow, making the lyrics memorable. The rhymes themselves are often playful and cross-lingual, such as rhyming the English "clocko" with the stereotyped Italian-esque "mafioso."

Rhythm and Tempo:
The song maintains a brisk, upbeat tempo characteristic of dance-pop and electro-swing. The rhythm is highly danceable and energetic, driven by a strong electronic beat. The vocal rhythm in the verses is conversational and slightly syncopated, mimicking a fast-paced, almost breathless delivery that fits the busy character of 'Tomaso'.

In contrast, the chorus features a more rigid, chant-like rhythmic structure. The repetitive, staccato-like delivery of "Espresso macchiato, macchiato, macchiato" makes it a powerful and infectious hook. This interplay between the looser rhythmic feel of the verses and the tight, driving rhythm of the chorus creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience. The rhythm contributes significantly to the song's overall feeling of fun, energy, and lighthearted chaos.

"Espresso Macchiato" employs a variety of musical and literary techniques to achieve its unique and memorable effect.

Musical Techniques:

• Genre Fusion: The track is a distinctive blend of dance-pop, electro-swing, and elements of hip-hop. This fusion creates a sound that is both retro and modern, with an infectious, danceable rhythm.
• Vocal Delivery: Tommy Cash uses a specific vocal style, adopting a stereotypical Italian accent. His delivery shifts from a speak-singing style in the verses to a more melodic, repetitive chant in the chorus. A vocal coach analysis noted a deliberate shift in vocal tone, reducing twang in the chorus to create a darker, more distant sound, which adds dynamic contrast.
• Repetitive Chorus/Hook: The constant repetition of "Espresso macchiato, macchiato, macchiato" creates an incredibly catchy and memorable hook, which is a key element of its popular appeal.
• Instrumentation: The song features a quirky mix of electronic beats and what has been described as a "really bad style of jazz mixed with electronic music that no one uses," a deliberate choice by Cash to be unconventional.

Literary Techniques:

• Satire and Parody: The entire song is a satirical parody of a luxurious, Italian-inspired lifestyle and the stereotypes associated with it. It playfully mocks the obsession with wealth and status.
• Macaronic Language: The lyrics are a blend of broken English, Italian, and even Spanglish ("Por favore"), which enhances the comedic and caricatured nature of the 'Tomaso' persona.
• Simile and Metaphor: The song uses memorable figurative language, such as "Life is like spaghetti, it's hard until you make it" and "sweating like a mafioso," to create vivid and humorous imagery.
• Hyperbole: The descriptions of wealth and lifestyle ("fly privati with twenty-four carati") are exaggerated to the point of absurdity, a key component of the song's satirical message.

"Espresso Macchiato" achieved significant cultural influence, largely driven by its selection as Estonia's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The song became a viral sensation shortly after its release, dominating YouTube trends in numerous countries across Europe. It finished in third place at the contest, a strong result for Estonia.

Following Eurovision, the song's popularity surged, leading to notable chart success. It broke into the U.S. Billboard Global 200 at number 93 and entered the U.K. Top 40 singles chart, marking a first for Tommy Cash in both territories. As of late May 2025, the track had amassed over 33 million streams on Spotify, with Cash's monthly listeners increasing dramatically.

The song's use of Italian clichés generated some controversy, with an Italian consumers' association lodging a complaint with the Eurovision organizers, deeming it offensive. However, Tommy Cash maintained that the reception from Italian fans was overwhelmingly positive. The song's success highlights the power of a viral, meme-able track in the modern music landscape, blending humor, a catchy hook, and the massive platform of Eurovision to achieve global recognition. A remix featuring Italian rapper Tony Effe was also released to further its reach.

"Espresso Macchiato" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that contribute to its satirical and playful tone.

• Espresso Macchiato: The titular drink is the central symbol, representing several ideas. On one hand, it symbolizes the simple pleasures in life, a small ritual of enjoyment amidst chaos. On another, it serves as a metaphor for a fast-paced, globalized, and superficial modern lifestyle where things are consumed quickly and for status. It's the fuel for the relentless pursuit of success and luxury that the character 'Tomaso' embodies.
• Tomaso: The persona Tommy Cash adopts is a symbol of the stereotypical, nouveau-riche European man. He is a caricature built from clichés of Italian culture – the accent, the name, the restaurant, the machismo – used to satirize notions of authenticity and identity in a globalized world.
• "Life is like spaghetti, it's hard until you make it": This is a key metaphor in the song. It humorously and simply encapsulates the idea that challenges and struggles (the 'hard' spaghetti) eventually soften and become manageable through perseverance and success ('making it'). It cleverly ties the theme of ambition to the song's Italian aesthetic.
• Luxury Items (Private jets, 24-carat gold): These are straightforward symbols of extreme wealth and opulence. Their exaggerated mention serves to satirize the culture of flaunting wealth and the materialistic values associated with it.
• "Sweating like a mafioso": This simile is a provocative and humorous exaggeration. It plays on stereotypes of Italian mobsters to describe the intensity of the character's work ethic, adding to the song's satirical commentary on power and success.

The most prominent recurring motif in the song is the phrase "Espresso macchiato." It is repeated extensively throughout the chorus and post-chorus, functioning as the central hook and thematic anchor. Its repetition drills the song's central symbol into the listener's mind, representing both a simple pleasure and the fuel for a life of excess. The phrase's constant recurrence makes the song instantly recognizable and highly memorable.

Another significant recurring phrase is "Mi amore, mi amore" and "Por favore, por favore." These phrases frame the chorus and establish the character's pseudo-Italian, charmingly demanding persona. Their repetition reinforces the song's playful, satirical take on Italian stereotypes.

The mantra "No stresso, no stresso" appears in both pre-choruses as a core part of the character's philosophy. It acts as a recurring lyrical motif that encapsulates the song's message of maintaining a carefree attitude in the face of life's challenges ("dancing with the demons") and ambition ("it's gonna be espresso"). Its repetition emphasizes this theme of willful stress-avoidance as a key to the character's lifestyle.

Finally, the simple, non-lyrical "la-la-la" chant in the outro serves as a recurring musical motif that enhances the song's infectious and universally appealing quality, making it easy for any audience to sing along to.