17 Famous Italian Songs That Stick in Your Head

“Tu Vuo’ Fa l’Americano”

Jude Law and Matt Damon fans will undoubtedly know this next one! “Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano” (So You Want to Play American) was the song they sang together in the 1999 Anthony Minghella film The Talented Mr. Ripley.

The song was initially written and performed in 1956 by Renato Carosone. You would think since the film version is nearly 45 years younger, it would be the more energetic take. You’d be wrong. Listen to the original version of this addictive up-tempo boogie woogie, meets swing jazz number.

Meaning of “Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano” 

One of the fun things about learning a new language like Italian is gaining a new understanding. Case in point, “Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano.” 

On first hearing it in The Talented Mr. Ripley, I had no idea what it meant. I loved it for the upbeat tempo and lyrics along.

After learning the language, the lyrics became just as satisfying as the music.

To explain. Naples had one of the largest American naval bases. Hence the references to American culture of whiskey and soda, baseball, and Camel cigarettes.

So when Renato Carosone is singing, “But who gives you the money to buy Camels? Your Mother’s Bag!” He’s making fun of the young Italian men emulating American soldiers.

The chorus translates to “You wanna be like an American, an American, an American, but you were born in Italy, listen to me! There is nothing to do!”

Suddenly the song makes much more sense. So does its use in the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley. Just like the young Italian men, Jude Law’s character was dependent on his parents for money. In other words, “Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano” pokes fun at young Italians, not Americans.

“‘O Sole Mio” by Italian Composers Giovanni Capurro & Alfredo Mazzucchi 

A big song fit for big voices, “‘O Sole Mio,” which means “my sunshine,” has been belted out by Italian opera singers Andrea Bocelli, Luciano Pavarotti, and Canadian Actor Jim Carry. 

Record scratch moment?

Americans of my generation need your forgiveness. The first thing we think of with the song “‘O Sole Mio” is Jim Carry’s parody of it in the movie Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. It’s hard for GenX kids to hear this song and not think of Jim Carry bent over, singing from his rear. 

As ridiculously unseeable and unhearable as that connection is for us, it does not ruin the original song. Oddly, the same year Pet Detective came out in 1994, Ryan Adams joined Maestro Pavarotti on his 59th birthday in Modena, Italy in a much more dignified rendition of “‘O Sole Mio” seen here. 

“Quando, Quando, Quando” by Tony Reins, Italian Song Famous for Being Translated

Enter Tony Renis and “Quando, Quando, Quando” originally recorded in 1962.

Fun facts about Tony Renis on this list? He is connected to both Mina and Adriano Celetano. Two of Italy’s most famous artists are also featured on this list. Here’s the backstory before we jump into their famous Italian songs.

In the mid-1950s he met with Adriano Celentano and the two became friends performing impressions of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Here they are reuniting at the Sanremo Music Festival 2004.

Before either Tony Renis or Mina became famous, they met backstage at the Sanremo music festival. Struck by the tall beauty, the two became friends. He is recounting the story of their meeting.

Tony credits the height of his artistic creativity to writing the song “Grande, Grande, Grande” number four of the famous Italian songs on our list.

“Grande, Grande, Grande” Performed by Mina

60’s and 70’s Italian icon Mina is one of Italy’s most versatile and controversial voices. Mina favored an anguished love song. Sounding fragile one moment and belting out a soaring soprano voice of strength the next.

Nicknamed “Queen of the Screamers” Mina became the face of an emancipated Italian woman after falling in love with a married (although separated) man.

Their relationship and her subsequent pregnancy made Mina a target of Italian bourgeois morals and the Catholic church. She was banned from Italian TV and radio in 1963.

Mina’s records sales were undaunted by her ban, audience demand brought her back to TV on 10 January 1964. It’s rumored her affair ended shortly thereafter culminating in a move to Switzerland. Mina gave up public appearances in 1978 but has continued to release popular albums including a collaboration with the next artist on the list!

“È l’amore” by MinaCelentano Famous Italian Collaborators

In addition to being Mina’s collaborator, Adriano Celentano is a prolific Italian singer-songwriter in his own right.

“Svalutation” by Adriano Celetano

Adriano Celetano has released a new album practically every year since 1960. Of course, that made it tricky to select just one for this list. In the end, I wanted a song that would stick. Hence “Svalutation” takes the sixth spot on the list.

Fun fact, molle means springs in Italian. Thus Adriano’s nickname “il Molleggiato.” To illustrate, a quick video of Adriano dancing. Indeed the man bounces like he’s on springs!

The Late Toto Cutugno Famous Smash hit Single, “L’Italiano”

On August 22, 2023, we lost an icon in Italy when Toto Cutugno passed. Paolo and I learned about his passing in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica when they reported, “Toto Cutugno, the singer of ‘L’Italiano’, has died. Celentano: “You are unforgettable.”

The article went on to say,

“A little more than a month after his eightieth birthday, one of the most famous Italian artists of all time leaves us. Singer-songwriter with over 100 million copies, the most well-known exponent of Italian music throughout the world, he has been able to bring the simplicity and tradition of Italian song abroad, an artist with an extraordinary career who will continue to inspire and unite us.”

— Chiara Ugolini, La Republicca

The article quotes one famous Italian singer after another. Each noting what a good person and true Italian Toto Cutugno was.

As you no doubt figured out from this article already, when it comes to famous Italian songs, many of the artists behind them are connected. Much the same way as many Italians are connected through their songs.

So it seemed fitting to list Toto Cutugno’s “L’Italiano” on our list next to his good friend, Adriano Celetano. The man Toto actually wrote the song “L’Italiano” for, and who ultimately rejected recording it!

In the end, it was fate as that single would go on to become a beloved part of Toto Cutugno’s legacy around the world. As evidenced by the fact that even in America where Toto was not a household name, CNN still reported his death. “Toto Cutugno, Italian singer famous for smash-hit single ‘L’Italiano,’ dies.”

“Non ho l’età” by Gigliola Cinquetti

You’ll notice a theme on this list of famous Italian songs. Many come from Eurovision contest winners. “Non ho l’eta” by Gigliola Cinquetti is no exception.

In 1964, at only 16 years of age, Gigliola Cinquetti became the youngest Eurovision winner with the sweeping emotional ballad, “Non ho l’età.” Fitting given “Non ho l’età” translates to “I’m not old enough (to love you)” in English.

Even if you don’t speak Italian yet, the lyrics to this famous Italian song are easy to remember when you understand they come from a young woman with a crush and all the feels.

After winning, Gigliola toured Europe, selling millions of records before becoming a famous TV personality in Italy.

“Buona Sera, Signoria” in Italian by Fred Buscaglione

An Italian singer and actor popular in the late 1950s, Fred Buscaglione, was as well known in Italy for chasing whisky and women on screen as he was for singing “Buona Sera, Signoria.”

I’m adding this song to our famous Italian songs that will stick in your head list because Louis Prima likely has already landed it on your radar. After all, he was the one who sent this song into the international pop culture stratospher in 1956. Only his version is in English.

Still, for those looking to learn Italian, here is the version of “Buona Sera, Signoria” as Sung in Italian by Fred Buscaglione.

Our Night With Litfiba

On May 25, 2022, the lead signer of Litfiba Piero Pelù stood on the edge of the Alcatraz stage in Milan. It was the last song of the night.

Lifelong fans like Paolo had been going nuts all night. Dancing, singing along at the top of their lungs, loving it. Keep in mind this is Italy. Thus no AC.

By the end of the night, the place was a sweatbox.

The floor where we stood was slick with humidity. So was the stage.

Piero Pelù slipped.

One minute he was there, then he was gone. Surprisingly, the music didn’t stop. Neither did Piero. He got back up and finished the show without missing a note.

The next day Piero posted on Instagram that he had slipped, fallen backward, and hit his head on the stage. The man had carried out the show with a hernial protrusion between C3 and C4, one between C5 and C6, and one between C6 and C7.

That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll.

“Discolabirinto” by Subsonica Famous Italian 90s Song

Another one of Italy’s favorite Italian bands is Subsonica. They were hugely popular in the late 90s in Torino, where the band formed.

Like many of the songs on this list, the band behind it broke through at the Sanremo Music Festival.

While many of their songs could be on the list, “Discolabirinto” is my pick because the video includes English subtitles! Very helpful for anyone learning to speak Italian if you ask me.