Italian Song Challenge Day 30: Heather Parisi

https://youtu.be/99YyIr6YJmU Once again, I wasn’t listening to Italian music in my childhood, nor did I spend my childhood in Italy. So I choose this song which is something everyone in Italy grew up listening to. A cute song from the 1980s which was also used in a famous Italian cartoon series. Heather Parisi is an…

Italian Song challenge Day 29: Måneskin

https://youtu.be/GWVMcigVt48 Maneskin totally decimated the 2017 edition of the talent show X factor with their irreverent style. The energy of their stunningly original lead vocalist Damiano David, allowed them to finish in second place. They mix together contemporary rock, with folk, shock rock and 1980’s disco. The unique groups sound, attitude and presentation, has made…

Italian Song challenge Day 28: Noemi

https://youtu.be/HPVSB8kOWrM Veronica Scopelliti, known by the stage name of Noemi, is a highly successful singer-songwriter and television personality. After several years working in the music industry with only moderate success, she decided to participate in the 2009 edition of X Factor Italy. Even though she did not win the competition, the program showed off her…

Italian Song Challenge Day 27: Laura Pausini

https://youtu.be/FpOEN93LX-E Laura Pausini became famous after being discovered as a child while performing in a local piano bar. Pausini's incredibly powerful voice brought her television stardom, and her recording career has made her famous all around the world. Pausini rose to fame in 1993 when she won the newcomers section of the 43rd Sanremo festival…

Italian Song Challenge Day 26: Gianna Nannini

https://youtu.be/llt3K3dJuaM Gianna Nannini grew up in the Tuscan town of Siena. She spent her childhood learning music, she studied piano at the Conservatorium at Lucca and worked in the family business as a pastry chef. At the age of 18, Nannini participated in a music festival at Montecarlo, coming in fourth place. The following year…

Italian Song Challenge Day 25: Lucio Battisti

https://youtu.be/FBKE86YmS6w Lucio Battisti (1943 – 1998) was a hugely influential Italian singer-songwriter and composer who was widely recognised for many of the songs that defined Italian pop in the 60’s and 70’s. Battisti released 18 albums from 1969 to 1994, with many translated and released in other languages including Spanish, English, French and German. He…

Italian Song Challeng Day 24: J-AX & Fedez

https://youtu.be/yKT_euhimTk Officially J-ax and Fedez were not a band, the two irreverent rappers were collaborators over several albums. They both have a gift for fast-paced, acidic, funny lyrics and parody. Together they have created many immensely popular Italian pop songs over the last few years. It’s sad to see that they will no longer be…

Italian Song challenge Day 23: Ermal Meta

https://youtu.be/4WMejmcT9ZY Ermal Meta is a fascinating artist originally from Albania he literally fled civil war as a child, arriving in Italy on a boat. His work reflects the point of view of migrants to Italy, the oppressed and marginalised. His songs, far from being harsh or dark, are filled with hope and joy. After becoming…

Italian Song Challenge Day 22: Fiorella Mannoia

https://youtu.be/BzuOhH9EwYs Fiorella Mannoia’s father was an Italian film stuntman, and she and her brother and sister also worked in this same industry as children as stand-ins. Mannoia made her debut in the world of music when she sang at the Castrocaro Music Festival in 1968 where she got a contract with a record company. After…

Italian Song Challenge Day 21: Fabrizio Moro

https://youtu.be/BzMaRnofMUE Fabrizio Morbrici known by his stage name Fabrizio Moro became well known after his debut album in 2000. He later won the Newcomers section of the Sanremo festival in 2007 with his song Pensa (Think). Moro has also written songs for other artists including the rock band Stadio and singer Noemi. Today after ten…

Italian Song Challenge Day 20: Zucchero

https://youtu.be/Ux_HH5AGKuA Ok, so I must admit I love Zucchero so I couldn’t help putting him on my list twice. Other than being one of Italy’s most successful international artists, Zucchero’s blend of Italian blues and songwriting skills make his songs unforgettable parts of the Italian songbook. You would be hard-pressed to find an Italian who…

Italian Song Challenge Day 19: Zucchero

https://youtu.be/c-0nwrP3DaI Zucchero is probably one of the best known Italian artists in the world, his music is basically rhythm and blues with an Italian spin. Zucchero’s career has stemmed for more than three decades. His music is always in constant evolution his catalogue of albums has included elements of Italian ballads, R&B boogie like pieces,…

Italian Song challenge Day 18: Umberto Tozzi

https://youtu.be/GT1mKBakElM Umberto Tozzi is probably one of the most well known Italian pop and rock singers and composers of all time. Many of his songs have been translated into English and performed by other international performers. His most famous song has to be Gloria which was translated into English. It became a significant hit for…

Italian Song Challenge Day 17: Al Bano Carrisi & Romina Power

https://youtu.be/4_YLA8rESJc Al Bano and Romina were the most famous act in Italy in the 1980s and early 1990s. The duo formed in 1975 by the then they were already a married couple and they became highly successful in Italy and mainland Europe. Al Bano was dark-haired, handsome with an operatic voice. At the same time,…

Italian Song challenge Day 16: Adriano Celentano

https://youtu.be/iMxOluEwfVw Adriano Celentano is yet another giant figure from Italian pop music. He was the first artist to sing American rock and roll back in the 1950’s and his early style was based very much on Elvis Presley. Celentano took American rock ‘n’ roll and put a very Italian twist onto it, giving it new…