Learn Italian in Song: Translations of Italian Popular Songs
by Deirdre Straughan on September 20, 2006
A friend told me that she learned Italian via song lyrics. My Italian husband, as a teenager, wanted to learn English so he could understand the lyrics to Jesus Christ Superstar. So, to aid in your Italian studies, I present side-by-side translations of some popular (with me, at least) Italian songs.
See my Amazon Italian music store if you’d like to honor these artists by buying their music.
These translation do not attempt to be elegant – they are intentionally very literal, to help you learn, and therefore do not do full justice to the linguistic beauties of the songs in the original.
Index of Songs
Aggiungi un Posto a Tavola – An Italian Musical – full list of translated songs from the show on this page
7000 Caffè
A Casa d’Irene
Acqua Azzurra, Acqua Chiara
Amo Tutte le Signore
Anche Per Te
Anna
Azzurro
Balla Linda
Cent’Anni di Meno
Centro di Gravità Permanente
Certi Momenti
Chitarra, Suona Piu’ Piano
Com’é Profondo il Mare
Come Mai
Con il Nastro Rosa
Dieci Ragazze per Me
Domani 21/04/09
Donne
Due su Due
E la Barca Tornò Sola
E Penso a Te
Emozioni
Eri Piccola Cosi’
First Me, Second Me
Fossi Figo
Gianna
Gli Ostacoli del Cuore
Guarda Come Dondolo
I Bambini Fanno Ooh
I Giardini di Marzo
I Watussi
Il Ballo del Mattone
Il Campo Delle Lucciole
Il Mio Canto Libero
Il Pescatore
Il Ragazzo della via Gluck
Il Solito Sesso
Io Con La Ragazza Mia, Tu Con La Ragazza Tua
La Pulce d’Acqua
L’Emozione non ha Voce
L’Italiano
L’Ultimo Bacio
La Canzone del Sole
La Casetta in Canada
La Coppia Piu’ Bella del Mondo
La Terra dei Cachi
La Vasca
Largo al Factotum della Citta’
Le Ragazze
Libera Nos Domine
Lui
Mi Piaci
Parco Sempione
Parole Parole
Pensieri e Parole
Peperone
Questo Piccolo Grande Amore
Sandokan
Sentimento, Pentimento
Sono Una Donna, Non Sono Una Santa
Sparring Partner
Stessa Spiaggia, Stesso Mare
Tanti Auguri
Ti Voglio Bene
Tintarella di Luna
Tu Come Stai
Tu Vuo’ Fa’ L’Americano
Tuo Bacio é Come Un Rock
Uguale a Lei
Una Donna per Amico
Una Su Un Milione
USA for Italy
Via Con Me
Voglio Volere
Volare
Tagged as:
Italian culture,
Italian language,
Italian pop,
Italian songs,
living in Italy
{ 118 comments… read them below or add one }
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Hi! Really enjoyed your site… Reason I found it was that I have been looking for the lyrics to the Italian song, “Un uomo tra la folla” (“A Man in the Crowd” is how I’ve seen it translated)… It was on a Placido Domingo crossover album back in the 80s, and it was also a hit for the pop singer Tony Renis… Have you by chance heard this song, or do you know of any websites that have lyrics to a lot of Italian pop songs? Many thanks, Richard in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A. — kokopelli2002@hotmail.com
HELLO .. This is a really great site. Thanks for sharing – I learned so many interesting things. I liked the lyrics translations in particular because for me one of the funnest ways to learn a new language is from music.
Any other song tranlations that you could send me would be greatly apreciated. And if you happen to know the song “Ti Voglio Bene” by Tiziano Ferro, that would be really awesome because I’m not completely sure of a few parts. But if not, no worries. I like alll italian music really !!!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
P.S. A list of some of your favorite italian songs would be really great too !
Hey again. I just wanted to let you know that i actually found the english translation to that song by Tiziano Ferro TODAY ( so don’t worry about it.) thanks
Ciao! Thank for the translation of the lyrics, especially ¨Azzurro¨, I love this song! That would be great if you added some more, for example, lyrics of Toto Cutugno, Al Bano and Romina or so. Grazie!
Elise, where did you find that translation of ti voglio bene? Have been looking for one for ages!
It looks as if she did, would be great if she could share a link!
I’m still trying to find “Un uomo tra la folla” for Richard – no luck at all so far.
great site, enjoyed it very much.
would like to find the english words to o sole mio if you have it.
grazie
Hi! I really enjoyed and am enjoying your translation of NPC! I am studying italian through Songs and TV shows. NPC and Giorgia are my favorite singers in Italy.
I finally know the meaning of the lyrics of “Sentiment Pentiment” and surprised because I heard Italy is very religious and traditional (of course not everyone) and in their religion, sex is not be discussed so often.
Well, good to know there are liberals always.
Keep doing translation I appriciate your work so much!
And if you like Giorgia’s song, please put her song into your future translation list!
Grazie mille!
I love Italian music, in particular, older popular songs and folk music. It is so hard to find. Please, add more if you can. Thankyou.
I love this website. Please do send more translations. I agree, it is a wonderful way to learn a language. I enjoy Giorgia and Tiziano Ferro too!
Hey, everybody – I’m not ignoring you! Would the person who sent me Paolo Conte lyrics send me those (or at least the titles) again? I lost them in a Windows crash.
Just a quick note to tell you I appreciate your efforts at translating the songs…Keep up the good work! Mi piace la musica italiana, Eros/Zuccero/Nek, ecc, ma non e’ facile per trovarne le traducioni englese…….La ringrazio ancora!
By the by, I’m in Nevada, USA and I found your site via a ‘post’ in a Yahoo language grp..Just thought you’d enjoy knowing that your an Internet ‘Star’
Good God, Deidre…you’ve outdone yourself, both with the offering and the selections!
Thoughts of Al Bano and my time in Italy and my hope to return forever soon…
…you are my hero!!!
Joe…
This may someday overtake the Italian slang section as the most popular on my site! I hope the original artists don’t mind, and will take my posts as a compliment and, indeed, an introduction of their work to markets that otherwise may not know them.
To encourage that, I’ve added an Amazon store on http://www.beginningwithi.com/italy/living/lyrics.html with a full selection of music from all the artists mentioned so far, and for most of them there are also Amazon links directly on the pages, and iTunes links where available. So, if you like the music, please honor the artists by buying it.
I also hope RAI doesn’t go after YouTube to take down the videos… They’re a wonderful slice of Italian pop culture history.
I think there is a mistake in “I bambini fanno oh”, you translated “evviva i pazzi che hanno capito cos’è l’amore” with “Hurray for the crazies who haven’t understood what love is”.
Now the italian or the english one have a problem… and checking here: http://www.piuchepuoi.it/canzoni/i_bambini_fanno_ooh_povia.php i think that is the english one that have a negation that should not be there.
You’re right – I don’t know why I saw a “non” in that line in Italian.
For the time being, the pages ARE a list of my favorite songs. Although, to response to requests listed here, I will eventually have to expand my repertoire!
Hi! Great site to learn Italian in the form of songs.Would be even better if you’d provide sites containing more songs for practicing italian language.
Thank you.
Abul
Queste canzoni lo aiutano ed amo le canzoni come,i bambini fanno”Oh”,gianna,una su un milione,la vasca,ballo del mattone e molto altre canzoni io possono ascoltare e capire tutto la musica italiana ed io di amore di i sperano che mettiate molte altre canzoni sul vostro luogo.I am an english speaker that is learning italian I really love your site a lot per favore put more songs on your web site tanto grazie.
A presto
arrivaderci signora
Dear Deirdre!
This is more smile-inducing synchronicity than I can stand . . . ! JUST yesterday, I was feeling estranged from the pleasures I’d taken in being part of your mailing list (from whence I’d fallen last summer some time), and Google for you again — I’m the mother of a Woodstock student (she graduates in June, incredibly) who sent you some mash notes last year? and we spend a few months every few years in Florence? A fan of yours, at any rate.
And then, as it happens, I’ve finally got a CD player for my car and have been thrilling myself with some long-neglected disks I can now take along with me to work, about a half hour ride. Today, my choice was Alex Britti — a huge favorite in our household, although we’d stopped with “3″ — and as I cruised to his fast takes, it occurred to me that I should try to make some good translations of the lyrics, learn them properly in Italian, and be in slang/hipster heaven when we return to Italy next spring. …
So guess what next: Came home; Google Britti/lyrics/translations . . . and found links to your Beginning with I site again . . . and now I am ever further in your debt. Must go back to copying some more out for tomorrow’s ride. Thanks again. Best, Alice
Burst into tears reading the Linda Pastan poem, by the way.
RE: Tanti Auguri, that was good for a morning chuckle – less the song than your coment. I never for one moment thought that Italians were sexually conservative, not that I have any firsthand knowledge. I enjoy your translations – keep ‘em coming!
Thank you so much!
I was looking for the English translation of Azzurro, and got to find your site – great!
Maybe you may one day post the English version of Sparring Partner by Paolo Conte?
It is the wedding song of my son and I would like to know what it is all about.
Kindly let me know.
Thanks again – Uri
Looking for a site that will translate the song:
Ostacoli del cuore by Elisa & Ligabue Don’t know if the names of the artists are complete.
The song is sung On Youtube.com in one of it’s videos, if anyone can catch all the lyrics that way.
Thanks for your help
Hello. Very interesting website. Keep up the outstanding work and thank you.
Thank you!
Oddio, ma è un’idea GENIALE! A parte che adoro Elio, così non si impara solo l’italiano, ma anche l’inglese (fosse la volta buona)!
Sei troppo avanti
Sometimes you shock me (in a good way) with your choice of songs and singers!
There is a little problem with the note at the end of the song… you wrote “capelli” with two ‘p’.
Ciao!
Hi !
I am Rudolf from germany, I found your site while searching for the meaning of “tintarella di luna”. My english is not the best one, but I understand your translation without any problem.
What a funny idea, *tanned by moon* …
There is a another famous italian artist, Toto Cotugno, do you know his songs?
e.g. “Serenata” or “Insieme 1992″ or “L’ italiano”
Add the translations to your website and I will tell god about you in my evening prayer
Anyway thanx for your great work !
All the best.
Rudolf
May I suggest Lucio Dalla’s “Com’è Profondo il Mare” for the next translation?
I recently listened to this song on the radio and it had me wonder at the lyrics (which I didn’t remember), for their originality, humour and… depth
Dalla is for sure one of the most important artists in the last 40 years of Italian pop history, so he definitely has to be represented in your site’s collection!
And, many thanks for your site – it makes for a great read for those of us italians who are curious about what an american (though as naturalized as she can be) can think of us.
Grazie e ciao
I found your site when I was looking for the lyrics to “come mai”. I love the site and would love it even more if the lyrics for “l’emozione non ha voce” by adriano celentano were there! thanks.
Thank you so much for doing this, it’s really useful
I’m 16 and I’ve been studying Italian for a couple of months and this really helps, I was wondering if you could translate L’ultimo Bacio (Carmen Consoli) or Uguale a Lei (Laura Pausini, it’s a remake of “She” by Elvis Costello) I understand most of this songs and I love them but I’m not sure if I’ve translated everything correctly.
Anyway thank you for taking the time to translate songs, I hope you can understand everything I’m writing, my English is not very good (Spanish is my mother language).
Muchas Gracias
About “Gianna” by Rino Gaetano, i agree with yout husband interpretation, and the main reason for it is this “Gianna difendeva il suo salario, dall’inflazione” ([she] defended her salary from inflation), so she was doing something to gain money, the songs speaks about Gianna doing sex…nothing more to say
Ciao!
About “Amo tutte le Signore” the word you missed and supposed was something for “ballrooms” is “balere”, plural form of “balera” and yes, it means ballroom, one in which you dance liscio/mazurca/polka and maybe even some not too complicated tango
Ciao!
Great website. I enjoy italian music very much and it was great to find your website. I would love to find a translation for “Pero mi vuole bene” by quartetto cetra. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Truly a labor of love…thank you. What about more ordinary song lyrics such as:
Al di la
Mala Femmena
Oh, Marie
Non dimenticar
Innamorato
Does anyone know where I can find the lyrics to these?
“This piece of rude irony by Elio e le Storie Tese (Elio and the Tense Stories) is a good example of the use of the conditional tense in Italian”
I’d like to point out that this song makes heavy use of subjunctive(true also conditional is in there, but that’s not the particular thing about it for Italian employs conditional only where English uses it too)
It’s the subjunctive tense(fossi) which is heavily used in Italian and which is not in English even if is true that in if-clause both Italian and English use it at the same way:
If I were(subjunctive) [...] I would(conditional) [...]
Se(if) fossi(I were –> subjunctive) figo(cool) sarei(I would be –>conditional)
Great i used it as a teaching tool !
The lyrics are awesome! I listen to the songs almost every day, and now after a month, I’m starting to understand without having to even look at the lyrics. If you would please put new songs on, I’m going to Italy with my high school soon and would LOVE to be able to sing the songs that I may here on Deejay or MTV.
Thanks!
Thank You so much………I was after this song for a long long time, and since im not an Italian i couldnt understand the lyrics. This site is just awesome……Keep it up……
Cheers,
Alex
La musica e cosi tanto divertimento!
Grazie, grazie… Antony
I have truly enjoyed your site! Thanks for taking the time for us Italian-Americans so we don’t loose the language even after we have lost our Italian loved ones! Keep up the good work!
Sincere thanks! – Yvonne
THANK YOU! I am trying to learn Italian by learning songs in Italian. What a rich find your site is. Wish I’d found it sooner. Much appreciated.
ciao e grazie,
I love the songs and lyrics (most of them) thank you. However, a number have lost their live connections to Utube and other places. Fix???
grazie, Antony
HI!I’m italian and i like Articolo 31…they’re not the guys in the video…if you want to see them go on youtube and search ” j ax due su due “…it’s the first video…and if you search “articolo 31″ you find a lotof their video…
CIAO!
Hello. Im mexican and im looking too some DVD of Aggiungi un Posto a Tavola, right now in Mexico city are playing that musical and I have the CD in spanish, (here we know that piece as EL DILUVIO QUE VIENE) Please let me know if you can find the dvd, as you said it’s a great show and well deserves to be better known… and if you need a copy of my cd just tell me, I can send it to you.
Excelente. Me ha gustado mucho.
Ciao! Bel sito complimenti! Mi piacerebbe la traduzione di questa bellissima canzone di Lucio Battisti “Con il nastro rosa” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzK11pGShnY
Love the site! Great translations….
Hello! I just wanted to say that I find your site interesting and useful. I am an Italian instructor and I like to use songs sometimes in my classes that go along with grammar points that I am teaching. Keep the songs coming! The students really like listening to music and it is a fun way to change up the classes. Thanks!
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