Romance languages are all beautiful (obviously—that’s why they’re called romance languages), but there’s just something about the Italian language that’s so wonderfully musical. I’ve written quite a few articles about my love for all things Italian, but I’ve yet to offer up song recommendations. And what better way to prove to you how musical Italian is than through music? So, here are seven Italian-language songs to add to your playlists.
- “A Mano a mano” by riccardo cocciante
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Cocciante isn’t technically the original artist of this song, but I prefer his version and so had to give him due credit.
Favorite Lyric: Può nascere un fiore nel nostro giardino, che neanche l’inverno potrà mai gelare.
Translation: A flower can be born in our garden that not even winter will ever be able to freeze.
- “Io sì” by laura pausini
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Pausini wrote this song for a Netflix film called La vita davanti a sé (a movie I highly recommend, by the way), and it’s a powerful testament that someone will always be there.
Favorite Lyric: Se mi vuoi, sono qui.
Translation: If you want me, I am here.
- “La vita” by il volo
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For anyone wondering, this is absolutely my favorite Italian group, and this was one of the first songs to ever get me hooked.*
*An honorable mention to their song “Grande Amore“ because leaving their most famous single off this list seems wrong.
Favorite Lyric: La vita—più bello della vita non c’è niente.
Translation: Life—there is nothing more beautiful than it.
- “Come neve” by giorgia and marco mengoni
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A duet!! And an epic one at that!!! The harmonies and chords in this song make my musician’s heart go pitter patter.
Favorite Lyric: Perché quello che sono, l’ho imparato da te. Tu che sei la risposta senza chiedere niente.
Translation: Because what I am, I learned it from you. You, who are the answer without asking anything.
- “Piume” by Leo Gassmann
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This guy is a rising star—as in, he only has one album out now—but mamma mia (see what I did there?). I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next, but here’s his first single just to give you a taste.
Favorite Lyric: Quel mare infinito mi ha sempre cantato di te.
Translation: That infinite sea always sang to me about you.
- “Ti avrei voluto dire” by federica carta
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Is this song a bop? Yes. Does it still have the power to beat up my hopeless-romantic heart? Also yes.
Favorite Lyric: Che queste braccia sono così stanche, stanche di respingerti ora. Che queste braccia ti stanno aspettando ancora.
Translation: These arms are so tired, tired of pushing you away. These arms are still waiting for you.
- “Mi mancherai” by josh groban (ft. joshua bell)
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Okay, okay—I know Mr. Groban here isn’t Italian. But the song is, and he sings it so beautifully. I would listen to this one for the violin intro all by itself, but we won’t get into that—or the fact that the movie this song was written for also broke me beyond repair.
Favorite Lyric: Mi mancherai, amore mio.
Translation: I will miss you, my love.
All these songs (and more!) can be found on this Spotify playlist.