One of my favorite things about Italian culture is Italian music. I grew up listening to beautiful tappings of canzoni Italiane that belonged to my grandfather. He loved Italian music, and would play classic songs with his musical revue.
Music has traditionally been one of the cultural makers of Italian national and ethnic identity. It symbolizes an important position in Italian society and politics. Both instrumental and vocal classical music are an iconic part of the "Italian identity".Genres like Opera are a vital player in the Italian musical culture, and has positioned itself as a major segment of the country's popular music tastes. The Neapolitan Song, or canzone Napoletana, is a popular domestic style that forms an important component of the Italian music industry, along side "imported" genres like jazz, folk, rock, and disco.
Music, some would say, embodies the Italian spirit: vibrant and upbeat. From their ballads, to their sacred songs, even their experimental jazz/funk music that fills the speakers at many discotecas, Italians have made a literal art form out of the music that defines the people. Some popular music festivals to check out in Italy include the Festival of Spoleto, the Festival Puccini, and the Wagner Festival in Ravello.
Here is the list of the 10 Songs I Love in Italian. Click here for music links to the songs below.
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| Tutti Danza! |
- "Il Pan del Diavolo" by Pertanto
- "Che Cosse L'Amor" by Vinicio Capossela
- "Bang Bang" by Dalida
- "Tutto Nero" by Caterina Caselli (this is a cover of Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones!)
- " 'O Sole Mio" by Luciano Pavarotti
- "Con Te Patriro" by Andrea Bocelli
- "L'Esercito Del Surf" by Catherine Spaak
- "Tintarella Di Luna" by Mina
- "Il Messaggio" by Peter & Gordon
- "Gli Occhi Miei" by Wilma Goich
I have a ton of other favorites that I could list, a top 10 is simply not enough! But, I hope my playlist gives you a jumping off point to discover other great Italian melodies to add to your iPod!
Fino a Domani,
Arrivederci!
