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
{ 117 comments… read them below or add one }
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Can anyone tell me the english translation (roulghly) of
“Se ci separò, se ci allontanò
L’ala del destino
Non ne ho colpa, no, e mi sentiro sempre a te vicino”. It would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
re: La Terra dei Cachi
I agree that there is probably no specific play on words, but I think more than caca there are mixed in some references to the phrases testa di ca**o (written with a Z) (plural ca**i, meaning “prickhead”) or the other common phrase ca**i tuoi (roughly “your business”, as fatti ca**i tuoi “mind your own f***ing business” or in sono ca**i tuoi, roughly “tough shit [for you]“). It might also refer to the use of ca**o in substitution of of the weaker scemo, “fool” or “idiot” or something more like “a complete bumblef**k” maybe, meaning “what a stupid person”.
Just my impressions as I remember them when the catchy little ditty came out at San Remo.
Good point, Jacques. For anyone who wants to learn more about the uses of the “C” word, go to http://www.beginningwithi.com/italy/lang/itslangc.html
Just wanted to say thanks so much for making these song translations available (they’re a great supplement to textbooks in terms of learning Italian) and for all the effort you put into this site in general. I’m very much enjoying reading it – grazie mille!
I never noticed how sad “Peperone” lyrics are if you read and not listen them
Once You listen to them being sung it’s really another things (and your “silly song” comment got some sense).
Som just a suggestion… watch the video and got in the mood of the song before reading them.
Dear Deirdré Straughan,
I have written a young adult Historical Novel with a little mystery about an Italian girl and her grandfather going to America through Ellis Island in 1902. I found your site through google when I was searching for Italian Idioms that I thought Italians might have used in 1902. I love the songs and each page I have gone to on your site, gives me another interesting viewpoint about Italy. I live in Pineville, NC…USA.
great site…only wish u had che fiero costume on here…
im trying to learn this piece an the translation in the book is a bit rubbish. if u happen to hav a good translation that would be really greatly appreciated. 
For the reasons why a Carabinere could not freely marry: look here… briefly marriage is distracting and even in the rare case a Carabiniere will marry the spouse should bring some money (as his wage is just enough for him) and beside that a commanding officer should approve his choice (bot the idea of marrying AND the woman he choose) these rule are no more valid (since the end of WW2) but there are still some rules about the minimum age, the minimum years of service done and the ratio between the married and not married Carabinieri.
Ciao!
Great site. Enjoyed it a lot. I am a student of Italian from Israel. I sent address to all my class mates. You are great. We can learn a lot and enjoy.
Thanks’
Ruty
Thanks again to everybody for your kind comments. For those who have requested specific songs, I will get to them eventually…
Thanks-this was what I want, I have just ended my “workinglife” and have just started learning Italien, what I not had time to do before. I am also member in a choir and like to sing so…Was a trip i Sorrento in Easter this year and traied to speak Italien for first time- now I can also do it in a funny way. A good thing from you to me. Ti voglio bene.
Everybody: I am trying to catch up on all the requests. This is a good time for song translations because, by the end of very busy days working and travelling, I don’t have enough brain cells left to write original articles. So, if you’ve requested a specific song, I hope to get to it soon. And thanks to the person who recently sent me their own translation; it’s in my mailbox, haven’t climbed back up to it yet!
Translation of:
“Se ci separò, se ci allontanò
L’ala del destino
Non ne ho colpa, no, e mi sentiro sempre a te vicino”
“If the wing of destiny separated us, sent us far away [from each other]
It’s not my fault, no, and I feel I’m always near you.”
Deirdre:
Tu sei bella,inteligente,etc,etc.There are many things i’ll like to tell you.I always wanted to learn italian,it’s so close to the spanish language. And you’re helping me (us) to make it true.Don’t stop.
auguri(!Que Dios te bendiga!)
Hi Deirdre,
Glad to hear you’re settling in (only to have to fly across the country for a convention, but that’s fun, right?) I have a lyrics request for your copious spare time
1. Ligabue – Il Campo Delle Lucciole
2. Ligabue – Voglio Volere
I’ve already looked up the lyrics and get the gist of each song, but would love to have an accurate translation to get the subtleties.
Thanks and regards,
Sue
Hi, Deirdre, found your site yesterday while looking for “Guarda come dondolo.” Placed it in my faves immediately. Thanks ever so much for all you do. Difficult to believe still that I actually watched Modugno performing ‘Volare.’ I myself have been in love with the Italian language since the mid-Twentieth Century.
Answer and you might get the full story. In any case, if I might, the songs I would like to see added (with those marvelous b/w videos) would be such as Carosone’s ‘Tu vuo fa’ l’americano,’ Casetta in Canada,’ ‘Reginella Campagnola,’ ‘Butta la chiave.’
And give me time and I’ll come up with many more.
Again many, many thanks for your efforts on behalf of Italian. I too know what it’s like to love a country (and its language) beside one’s birth one.
Gratefully,
Jorge Velazco
You saw Modugno? Wow! Yes, I do want to hear more about why you’re in love with Italian, and will chase up those songs when I have time – it sounds as if I’d have fun with them.
Hi,
in “Parco sempione” (Elio e le storie tese), the word “VIBRO” refers to his mobile phone, which he sets to vibrate rather than ring so he can enjoy his peace and quite. Hope this helps!
I am from Puerto Rico and Spanish is my language. I’m learning Italian by myself. While I was looking for the Italian lyrics to Chitarra sono piu piano, to no avail, but I found your site and I am very happy because I’ve learned a lot of italian words and phrases thanks to you.
Look who in “Fossi Figo” video Gianni Morandi appear because he also sing in the song.
Complimenti per il sito e chi lo gestisce, e scusate per il pessimo inglese!
Ciao!
a proposito….
FORZA NAPOLI!!
enjoy your site
Deirdre,
Thank you so much for the translation of Il Campo Delle Lucciole! Love it!
I am the Nevada gal that wrote you about the songs I loved as a child in the 60′s…..thanks for Putting Lui and Peperone on your list! They are fun songs! Keep it up, you are loved for sure!
grazie per tutti le canzone… In questo canto ci sono alcune parole mancante… Aiutimi?
Azzurro,il pomeriggio è troppo azzurro
e lungo per me.
Mi accorgo
di non avere più risorse,
(missing something here)
e allora
o quasi quasi prendo il treno
e vengo, vengo da te,
ma il treno dei desideri
nei miei pensieri all’incontrario va.
aloha there!!!i love the ida of yours to do that!so many great italian 60′s songs a re around!im in love with the peperone song from vianello!!if you could organise the sext in catefories and not only alphabetically i twould be awesome!im goin to learn italian next year defintely,i want to sing italian when im walking!keep going and grazia
I enjoyed the video of the songs from Agguingi un posto a tavola.Do you knw where I can get the entire video…in Italian ? Thanks Tom DiLallo
There have been several editions released on VHS and DVD, most recently a couple of months ago, an early production was part of a set of Italian musicals sold with one of the newspapers. I’ve sometimes seen them pop up on eBay.
Thank you, I learn something today
Thank you
Ricardo
I just found your site and greatly appreciate the songs and lyrics. They are older songs and I was wondering whether you do modern ones as well. I’m searching for Andrea Boccelli’s version of Quando M’innamoro in Italian. The one I found begins “cuando” so I know its wrong. Could you please help?
Many thanks. Rozany
This is great! I am an Italian teacher and I plan on using songs in my teaching. I’m starting off next year w/ “I Bambini Fanno Oh” maybe. Mille grazi!!! Keep them coming!
Thanks for posting “Certain moments”.
I plan on going through all the songs before long.
Certain Moments is particularly appropriate at the moment while the pope is visiting Australia.
The italian songs and translations were very good listening,and reading.
Grazie Tanti,bob
Alex Britti is here: http://www.garagetv.com/video-gallery/popmuziek/Alex_Britti___Io_Con_La_Ragazza_Mia_Tu_Con_La_Ragazza_Tua_.aspx
How can you have translated italian songs and got to “Questo piccolo grande amore” only now ? I’m obviously joking!
Why don’t you translate something by Gaber ?
Leaving aside my love for his songs some really say something about italian life and society.
Ciao!
do you know this songe ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Xaajc_Pg0
massimo ranieri … o surdato ‘nnamurato
Molto bene !!!!!!!Grazi Mille amico.
Molto Grazi !!!! la prima volta ascolto & comprendo una canzone italian.
Today I have asked myself: “Why haven’t you found the correct Italian text of the “Watusi” on the net yet?” and now I am charmed by your presentation of the song. Thanks a lot!
Christo Dimitrov, 59.
Collector of modern postcards in color.
P.O.Box 824, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria.
How funny that you have “La Vasca” in there. I spent some time in Italy in 2000 when this was on the radio all the time. And since I was just beginning to learn Italian this song was perfect to practice my translating skills. I still play this (and other ‘pop’ songs of the year like “io sono Francesco”) when I’m feeling nostalgic…
Ciao!
Hello.
I am a Japanese woman and I got to this cite to know the meaning of “I wish you well”. The song I learned in this cite is “I love you/I wish you well”.
I tried to hard to know the meaning, but I still can not know.
Does “I wish you well” mean “I love you”, or “Good bye”?
In what occasion, do US people use “I wish you well”? To express kind feeling or farewll?
I am sorry that I am asking about not Italian, but only English. I am learning English here in Japan, and if you could help me, I would be so glad.
Thank you.
Please let me add to previous my comment.
How is “I wish you well” from “I hope you are well”
Thank you.
great idea… complementi!
I love your site.
Do you know this beautiful song by Nico Fidenco:
“A Casa di Irene” ??
Is it possible for you to translate it?
Do you know of the site (Internet Radio) Italian Graffiati (broadcast out of Montreal, CA)??
It is really neat.
Alex N.
How about an English to Italian translation of Sospetto (Suspicion) by Terry Stafford? Let me know when it’s done, thanks!
Thank You, been looking for this song for ever, love it
Hi I found your project absolutely fantastic. I saw the translation of “tu vuò fà l’americà” and I can help you out correcting some little mistakes ( the translation was really good though !) I enjoy translate songs from Italian to English so if you want some help you have my email!
Azzu
Ciao.
I was looking for translations of Celentano songs and found this site…really great…grazie mille… i thought that it would be really good to have Italian translations of BEATLES songs perhaps even a cover band singing them in Italian / French. Since we all know the song in English…it would help foreigners to learn a third / forth language easily.
There probably are some Italian translations of Beatles songs, definitely some of other English-language pop songs (one example I’m familiar with is “California Dreamin’”). But that wouldn’t help much with learning because it’s almost impossible for a singable lyric, with correct meter and rhyme, to be a totally accurate translation, so many liberties are taken in translating songs. My translations of Italian songs into English make no attempt to follow the meter or rhyme scheme – you now know what the song is about, but you couldn’t sing it that way.
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