Italian music is extremely popular all over the globe. It is also a common language to sing classic Italian songs around the world. You may be wondering why.
Their success is based on their melodies. It is a sweet and catchy language. It is also possible to invoke the beauty and traditions of Italy through classic Italian songs.
10 Best Italian classic songs
Italian classic songs have conquered the world, from theatres to homes and hearts to hundreds of millions. Numerous Italian musicians have enjoyed great success abroad. We have compiled a list of 10 classic Italian songs that are well-known abroad. A list of the top Italian songs in the 70s’ is also available.
1. Nel Blu dipinto di blu
The eighth edition of Sanremo Festival 1958 was a success thanks to Domenico Modugno’s victory with “Nel Blu, Dipinto di Blu”. The Italian song “Volare” is a universally recognized.
Modugno created a musical expression of a feeling that was common in Italy at the time. It’s not the Italy of the economic miracle. It is the Italy of the people who have remained grounded despite all the economic growth. This song is a top-ranking classic in the Italian music genre.
2. Funiculi’ Funicula’
This song is one of the most iconic Italian songs. It’s also the best example of Neapolitan classic music. It is still a triumph 130 years after its original release in 1880.
The Vesuvius funicular was promoted by the song. “Funiculi Funicula” refers to a pact between poetry and propaganda. Luciano Pavarotti performs this well-known Italian song in this version.
3. O’ Sole Mio
O’sole mio is one of the most well-known Italian classic songs. Although the text is in Neapolitan, it’s widely sung in all corners of the globe. Original version is from 1898.
Enrico Caruso, a famous Neapolitan Tenor, is the most well-known interpreter of this classic. “O’sole mio” is an international music heritage. In fact, many popular artists like Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Brian Adams fell in love with the classic Italian song.
5. Best Italian Classic Songs: Va, pensiero, Nabucco
We have to include “Va Pensiero” among the top Italian opera songs. It is one the most well-known opera choirs. “Va pensieros” can be found in the third section of Giuseppe Verdi’s Nabucco (1842), and is sung in Babylon by Jewish prisoners. It is notable for the presence of noble words, which was common in nineteenth century prose and poetry.
4. ‘O surdato ‘nnammurato
1915 was the year that the text for “O surdato ‘nnamurato” was first published. That year, Italy joined the First World War. The song is about the sorrow of a soldier leaving for war. The distance from his love is what causes him to suffer. This is also a great song from the Neapolitan tradition.
6. L’italiano
Toto Cutugno has proudly sung “Sono Italiano Vero” since 1983. This means “I’m a true Italian.” Although it might not be the greatest classic Italian song, it is most well-known abroad. It contains all the characteristics and stereotypes of Italianness. It sold over 100 million copies. There are also covers in Finnish, Chinese and Finnish.
7. Best Italian Classic Songs: Azzurro
This song was written by Paolo Conte, and is one of the most popular Italian classics. This song is about love, religion, ecology. This song has it all! Celentano was a huge hit singing this song.
It reached the top of the 1968 Italian sales ranking. The text can be translated into French, English and Spanish as well as German and Hebrew.
8. La solitudine
We cannot forget to mention “La solitudine”, one of the most famous Italian songs. Laura Pausini sold millions of copies of this song worldwide. It was her first performance at the Sanremo Festival 1993 when she was 19.
This song is also available in Spanish, Portuguese and French versions. The singer has also recorded an English version of the song under the title “Loneliness”.
9. A far l’amore comincia tu
Raffaella Carra, a well-known celebrity, is one of her many talents. She is a singer, dancer and television presenter. “A far la amore comincia tut” is one of her most well-known songs. The song was released in 1976.
It’s a great song that makes you smile and has a lot of fun. Bob Sinclair also made a version. The song is also the soundtrack to the film “The great beauty” by Sorrentino. Translations are available in many languages, including English, Spanish and German as well as French, Portuguese, Greek and Turkish.
10. Best Italian Classic Songs: Felicita
“Felicita”, one of the most famous Italian classic songs, is a must-listen. This song was presented by Romina Power and Al Bano at Sanremo Festival 1982. They were awarded second place and the single was launched abroad.
25 million copies were sold. The song was very popular in other countries, such as France, Germany and Russia.
Let’s finish with the top 10 Italian classic songs
There are many Italian classic songs. We collected the most popular ones. You will have heard them all at least once in your life. Are you a fan of Italian classic songs? Which one is your favourite? Also, see the top Italian songs of 2000.
