It was produced by the band alongside Fabrizio Ferraguzzo, and won the Sanremo Music Festival and the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

[9] According to NME, "lyrically, the song deals in themes of 'challenging prejudices' and 'finding redemption' – ideas that lay at the core of Måneskin and their overall message".

"[11] The lyrics also reference the Greek myth of Icarus ("Con ali in cera alla schiena/Ricercherò quell'altezza"; "With wax wings on my back I'll seek that height").

[12][13] The song was released on 3 March 2021 to digital download, streaming media, and Italian contemporary hit radio stations.

[19] On 6 March 2021, "Zitti e buoni" performed by the band won the "Big Artists" section of the 71st edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, winning almost one-third of demoscopic jury votes (32.97%), the highest press jury (35.16%), and public votes (53.53%) for an average score of 40.68%, ahead of Francesca Michielin and Fedez's "Chiamami per nome" (30.49%) and Ermal Meta's "Un milione di cose da dirti" (28.83%).

For the song to participate in Eurovision, some lyrics were changed because of profanity (words such as coglioni and cazzo were removed),[23] to the band's displeasure but understanding the discussion on "common sense".

[24] During the energetic performances in Eurovision, the band members wore custom-made glam rock leather outfits designed by Italian fashion brand Etro,[25] and boots by Christian Louboutin.

[27][28] The song received the maximum of 12 points from judges from Croatia, Georgia, Slovenia, and Ukraine, and from Bulgarian, Maltese, Sammarinese, Serbian, and Ukrainian televoters.

[36] Måneskin received widespread acclaim for their Eurovision performance and song, with NME describing it as "undeniable rock stomper with a hint of Franz Ferdinand in its slick guitar riffs",[37][38] and The Guardian stating that is refreshing to hear an "authentic and strutting rock sound... Damiano David's stream of Italian lyricism sounds sensually badass over it all" on such a stage and age of digital audio music.

"[39] The band was praised by many Italian rock and pop artists like Vasco Rossi and Laura Pausini,[40][41] and international rock artists like Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, Steven Van Zandt of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran.

[48] Immediately after winning Eurovision, it reached the Top 10 on the Spotify Global Chart, number one in many countries, and became the most-streamed Italian song ever in one day on the platform.